Thursday, May 25, 2017

Stop With The Spin.Just Stop


Lately, there's been some truly laughable advice about timeshares; buying, owning and selling that certain people and certain organizations have been able to get through to the media.

I'm tired of this, so here's my thoughts:

1) ARDA-ROC has positioned itself as 'an alliance of over one million timeshare owners.’

It's not really 'an alliance of over one million timeshare owners' when not a single one of them votes, advises or even participates in anything that they do.

2) Timeshare is a usage product and not something that should be purchased as an investment, but rather as something you buy to save money on vacations.

True on the first two points. Usually false on the third. If you buy a timeshare from the developer then add maintenance fees, reservation fees, usage fees, etc., the average person does not save money.

Usage or not, any purchase for $20K should have some residual value after 5 or 10 years, assuming it's been maintained. Not so with timeshare. Listings abound for $100 or less.

3) You should call your resort to see if they have a take back program

Hysterical. Why a take back program and not a buyback program?  Go ahead, call and let me know what you find out. I have close to 1,600 emails from owners who want out.

4) Work with a broker

Another funny. Did you know that there's at least one major developer whose product will not be handled by any of the brokers in the LTRBA?  Did you also know that the residual value of the majority of the timeshares for sale is so low that if a broker were able to sell it, the original owner would end up paying money for the privilege of getting rid of it?  Doubt me?  Check Sharket.com

5) It's the 'mom and pop drive-inn on the Jersey Shore that have little to no value.'

None of the 1,600 emails I gave from owners wanting out own at a one of those resorts. They own at Bluegreen, Wyndham, Festiva and Diamond for the most part. There's hundreds more who are members of FB groups. Oh, and although they're geographically close, you may want to check out The Manhattan Club saga.

6) Don't list it for $1

GOLDEN. This comes from a spokesperson for an online listing platform that charges both a membership fee and a listing fee that has thousands of listings for $1. This is also the same platform that willingly takes listings from Diamond properties when they know that Diamond does not allow listings in third party platforms and will take punitive action if they are caught.

What does all this mean?

You had better be very careful who you trust with your money and your decisions concerning buying, using and selling timeshare. Question everything. Trust no one blindly. Verify everything. Don't believe something just because it was on the Internet.

Most of all, follow the money.

 

Monday, May 15, 2017

71%!

Last week, the American Resort Development Association released "Shifting Historic Industry Perception with Owner Data" in which they, along with the ARDA International Foundation, attempted to clear up 6 myths.

It was "myth 6" that caught my eye:

Myth #6: All timeshare owners disliked the buying experience.
Fact: More than seven out of 10 recent purchasers (71%) found their buying experience to be excellent or good.

Now, I don't know what "recent" means, nor do I know if the people surveyed purchased at a resort or on the secondary market.

However, I do know that the overwhelming percentage of timeshare complaints that I receive on a daily basis have to do with the buying experience a/k/a the sales pitch.

So, let's hear from you, my readers.  Agree, disagree with these findings?  Feel free to divulge as much information as you'd like.

Monday, May 8, 2017

The Case Against Timeshare Points

Timeshare points.

I used to like them. Back in 2001, I worked for the first resort in the Orlando area to convert from RCI weeks to RCI points.

So many things to do with points. So much more you could get with your points than with weeks. So much more flexibility.

Flash forward to 2017-in addition to RCI Points, nearly every brand name timeshare has instituted their version of points and in good conscience, I no longer recommend points of any kind.

Here are just a few of the many reasons I prefer timeshare weeks over timeshare points:

1-Inflation. A week is 7 days. It is now and it will be in 60 years. Not so with points. Your yearly allocation of points may get you a week in a resort this year. Next year, it may be 6 nights. 60 years down the road, who knows. There is no hedge against point devaluation and you, the owner have no control.

2-Continual Upselling. In order to counter the above, owners are continually told they need to buy more. And more. And more. I'm sorry, if your new car continually had to 'upgraded' each year because it wouldn't drive on new roads, no one would let this happen. Yet, this is precisely what is happening. The timeshare you purchased in order to accomplish good vacation accommodations, no longer does that.

3-Confusion and Lying. If I had a dollar for every time someone called or wrote saying that they had been told that the weeks system was going away and if they didn't convert, usually for upwards of $7,000, they'd no longer be able to exchange their timeshare, I'd be a wealthy woman. Just not true. Add to that the number of salespeople who don't really know about points, but desperately try to convince consumers of their 'magical powers' and you've got a mess.

4-Where's The Asset. A timeshare week is generally backed with real estate. Not so with most point systems. You're buying air. And oftentimes charged closing costs and other real estate based fees when you own no real estate. Frankly, why should you pay maintenance fees? You don't own any part of the property.

5-Sold Out Status. A timeshare with 100 units can have 50,000 owners, assuming each unit can be sold 50 times. Try to do that math with points. Try to find anyone who gives you the straight answer to 'how many total points is this property allocated?'

Are there exceptions?  Possibly.  But in general, I find timeshare points to be a poor alternative to timeshare weeks.

As always, I value your input.
Restore

Spam



AdChoices

 

https://s.aolcdn.com/webmail-static/webmail/170504.1844/images/common/spinnerFeedback.gif

https://s.aolcdn.com/webmail-static/webmail/170504.1844/images/common/space.gifLoading message...  Undo ?