Trade Down

[riverdees05 Platinum Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close riverdees05]

When I got into timesharing, one of my requirements was to only purchase 2 bedroom or 5 bedroom units. Only 3 of our units are lockouts and most exchange companies will only take the studio of one of them. The question I have is how many folks trade down to get what they want. I have done that twice, traded a 2 bedroom for a 1 bedroom and a 3 bedroom for a 2 bedroom. I don't like it, but sometimes it is the only option to go where I want to go. Just interested in other's experiences. Maybe, I should have included a couple of one bedroom units in the mix.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I have only traded down once. A week in San Francisco was well worth the 3 of us in a studio.

How spoiled are we as timeshare owners that a one bedroom unit for 3 people is considered a hardship?

2 of the 4 units I own are one bedrooms. 1 is a studio. 1 is a 2 bedroom.

For the most part we have been lucky enough to get 2 bedrooms in trade. I may reconsider the 2 bedrooms though. I'm getting a bit tired of the freeloading BIL going on vacation with us.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I am not that surprised that you find yourself trading down with a three bedroom unit, or higher. It's a shame that you can't lock off those units.

Not many three bdrms are deposited, compared to one & two bdrms. There are many fewer to begin with, and most can be locked-off, if the owner is not using the space.

I do see them tho, some that can't be locked off, and others that can, still show up in II as three bdrms. Go figure.

Maybe since you can't lock the unit off, your best bet would be to try and upgrade resort, and location, since you're down grading in size.

BTW, Marriott Marbella Beach in Spain is a gorgeous resort, in a gorgeous location. They have 3 bdrm non-lock-off units. The weather is great most of the year, although it does get colder in winter. If you haven't been there yet, you might consider putting in a request. I just loved it there, and can't wait to go back.

[swilshire Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close swilshire]

The only trade down in size I ever made was a 2br Gatlinburg to a 1br in Boston. Since the Marriott Custom House only has 1brs, I was glad to do it. The resort makes up in character for what it lacks in unit size.

Sheila

[joycapecod Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close joycapecod]

We own four units that are 3 bedroom (Gulf Coast winter, Orlando holiday weeks, Ireland summer) and several 2 bedroom units (Orlando, Gulf Coast) along with the one bedrooms (England, Crete, Cape Cod, Hawaii) and at least one studio. We even have a four bedroom double lock out, and find since usually it is just the two of us now that the kids are grown, we look more for location and don't worry about size. If we do happen to get a larger unit that's fine. The only thing I am interested in is a "real" bed not a Murphy bed or a sleep sofa.

I was told by one of my resort managers that only about 10% of all timeshares are 3 bedroom or larger, and of those if they are lockout units, usually they are split to a 1 bedroom and a studio. The majority are one and two bedroom, with the remainder being split between studio and hotel units.

So, yes, if you want to trade that 3 bedroom, you'll have to take a smaller unit. I had noticed in the old RCI that trading a 3 bedroom unit really opened up the possibilities. I don't think that matters anymore. All it means is that RCI can rent the unit for more since it is 3 bedroom and not 2, JMHO

Joy

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

I don't recall ever trading down. On occasion, I'll splurge on an even trade. And, I help other people out with direct trades that are pretty much even. If you purchase correctly, it's hard to trade down even if you wanted to do so.