Buying into TS's

[bournehall Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bournehall]

List,
I am new to this area and have an interest in timesharing. Is it true that you should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER buy a TS from the developer? You can get them for 10 cents on the dollar from resale? I went to a Bluegreen presentation this past weekend and it was highway robbery what they were trying to get people to pay for POINTS. Any tips on buying sincerely appreciated.

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

List,
I am new to this area and have an interest in timesharing. Is it true that you should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER buy a TS from the developer? You can get them for 10 cents on the dollar from resale?

Not true. It is your money, so if you want, you can buy from developer as long as you know what you are doing and feel happy or peaceful about it. Most developers will create some extra incentive if you buy from them. However, because there is not a big resell desired market, so most of their incentive become pale compare to resell market.

Each year, people spent 8 B US dollars on buying TS from developers, so, there goes the never part.

However, if you think you like to see your money spend as worth as you can get, then resell is better way to go.

Also, depends on the product, some TS you will not get 10 cents on the dollars from resell. However, these are rare.

If there is a product that has great view and can guarantee it will not change in 20 years, and I can guarantee I will feel happy when I saw the same view for 20 years, I will buy from developer again. And I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

Jya-Ning

[Carol C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carol C]

I know of several longtime members of these forums who've bought from developers and did their research in advance so were informed going in. Some resorts are just as expensive on the resale market as in the developer's salesroom, and you might get sales incentives like points added on to your retail purchase of a t/s. That is often the case with offerings at the high end, brand name timeshare resort chains. Just take time to do your research, and learn what's a good deal or great deal versus a lemon. Good luck!

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

I would say "never say never" as there are situations when buying from the developer may be in your best interest. With that being said, I believe most "average" users of TS ownership are well served by buying resale. You need to do your own assessment of what you want and need out of your timeshare ownership experience and make your own decision. It's a matter of value and cost. If the value outweighs the cost to you, it may make sense to buy from the developer.

Good luck in your discovery process! Timeshare is a great way to vacation . . . and I wouldn't give it up for anything in the world.

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

I've bought directly from Bluegreen 4 times. And, I probably know more about the Bluegreen resale market than most. So, I'd say that sometimes it does make sense to buy from the developer.

btw, I plan on making another purchase from Bluegreen this summer.

[bournehall Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bournehall]

You seem to be an experienced TS'er. PLEASE allow a question (I am not trying to be a jerk)...why would you buy direct from Bluegreen for points when you could buy resale for much less cost? Thanks in advance for the input.

I've bought directly from Bluegreen 4 times. And, I probably know more about the Bluegreen resale market than most. So, I'd say that sometimes it does make sense to buy from the developer.

btw, I plan on making another purchase from Bluegreen this summer.

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

You seem to be an experienced TS'er. PLEASE allow a question (I am not trying to be a jerk)...why would you buy direct from Bluegreen for points when you could buy resale for much less cost? Thanks in advance for the input.

Your question is much less jerky than your original two posts on these forums. There are many benefits that developers provide retail buyers and/or deny resale buyers that some may want or find attractive. The benefits depend on the developer. I'm sure BB was waiting for your inevitable question.

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

You seem to be an experienced TS'er. PLEASE allow a question (I am not trying to be a jerk)...why would you buy direct from Bluegreen for points when you could buy resale for much less cost? Thanks in advance for the input.

As Spence mentioned, sometimes there are benefits that you get only by buying from the developer that more than offset the higher cost.

For example, read the thread about the FF chat by Tom Cornelius. You will see that he has spent more than 6 figures buying from the developer. That is a good example of one reason why you would want to do so. There are others. You just need to research the alternatives.

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

Also, I bought 2 timeshares directly from Marriott late last year. Got a good deal. Very pleased.

It used to be that I would only go for the cheapest deals I could find anywhere. Now, I let other people find the deals for me, I pay a bit more and it saves time.

By the way, I only buy when the value to me is greater than the cost of the purchase and relative to the alternatives for what I get.

I know this sounds abstract, but there are good reasons to buy from the developer.

It is correct to say that most of the time it doesn't make sense. But, I was addressing the assertion that it never makes sense because there are clearly scenarios where it does.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

Also, I bought 2 timeshares directly from Marriott late last year. Got a good deal. Very pleased.

It used to be that I would only go for the cheapest deals I could find anywhere. Now, I let other people find the deals for me, I pay a bit more and it saves time.

By the way, I only buy when the value to me is greater than the cost of the purchase and relative to the alternatives for what I get.

I know this sounds abstract, but there are good reasons to buy from the developer.

It is correct to say that most of the time it doesn't make sense. But, I was addressing the assertion that it never makes sense because there are clearly scenarios where it does.

Gee Boca, could you be anymore cryptic?

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

Gee Boca, could you be anymore cryptic?

Gee BB, could you be any mre cryptic?

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

Gee BB, could you be any mre cryptic?

Actually, yes. I can be more cyptic.

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

Most of the time buying from the developer isn't a good move. I could also tell you three or for times when it is. But the key to buying a TS and not feeling ripped off is research. Find out why it may make sense to buy resale and when it doesn't.

There are a few quick examples I'll give you.

Buying Westin/ Starwood
Buy your first unit resale then your second from starwood and get full developer rights (StarOptions and StarPoints) for both. If you buy the first from starwood and the second resale you'll not get starpoints and maybe not get staroption on the resale.

Buying Sunterra
Buy you first TS resale and then buy a second from Sunterra and both will be in Club Sunterra. If you buy the first from Sunterra and the second resale the second will not be in the "club".

PS if you didn't notice, you start both with buying a resale unit.

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

Gee Boca, could you be anymore cryptic?

Cryptic?

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

Most of the time buying from the developer isn't a good move. I could also tell you three or for times when it is. But the key to buying a TS and not feeling ripped off is research. Find out why it may make sense to buy resale and when it doesn't.

There are a few quick examples I'll give you.

Buying Westin/ Starwood
Buy your first unit resale then your second from starwood and get full developer rights (StarOptions and StarPoints) for both. If you buy the first from starwood and the second resale you'll not get starpoints and maybe not get staroption on the resale.

Buying Sunterra
Buy you first TS resale and then buy a second from Sunterra and both will be in Club Sunterra. If you buy the first from Sunterra and the second resale the second will not be in the "club".

PS if you didn't notice, you start both with buying a resale unit.

Exactly. Bluegreen is no different.