Books and Magazines

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

Can someone recommend specific books and magazines that people who are very new to timesharing can read and try to get up to speed. I read a thread that spoke of Timesharing Today and it is something I will subscribe to. When I read many of the threads here it sounds like there is an "in club" or you guys are speaking a foreign language. Not that anybody should change their verbage, but I don't understand the lingo. Even something like ROFR is confusing to a newbie. I would just appreciate specific titles to learn about trading and how this whole business works. I don't want to make a mistake on my first purchase.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Can someone recommend specific books and magazines that people who are very new to timesharing can read and try to get up to speed. I read a thread that spoke of Timesharing Today and it is something I will subscribe to. When I read many of the threads here it sounds like there is an "in club" or you guys are speaking a foreign language. Not that anybody should change their verbage, but I don't understand the lingo. Even something like ROFR is confusing to a newbie. I would just appreciate specific titles to learn about trading and how this whole business works. I don't want to make a mistake on my first purchase.

Your best way to learn is to ask questions here. With timesharing today you can read but you can't ask questions. BTW ROFER = RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL, Which is a term used when a company like Marriott sees one of there weeks being sold way below market and they cancel your sale and buy it out right back for what ever price it might be.

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

My $.02 worth

Can someone recommend specific books and magazines that people who are very new to timesharing can read and try to get up to speed. I read a thread that spoke of Timesharing Today and it is something I will subscribe to. When I read many of the threads here it sounds like there is an "in club" or you guys are speaking a foreign language. Not that anybody should change their verbage, but I don't understand the lingo. Even something like ROFR is confusing to a newbie. I would just appreciate specific titles to learn about trading and how this whole business works. I don't want to make a mistake on my first purchase.

I certainly agree with Big Frank that the honest and objective knowledge and input of experienced timeshare owners and users, available in BBS forums here and elsewhere, is far superior to the information contained in any book. Moreover, authors often have a very subjective slant and/or a sub-agenda of some kind (Lisa Ann Schrier, for example, is a timeshare salesperson / consultant and I absolutely do not recommend her vague, fuzzy (and mostly uninformative) "Dummies" book on timeshare).

Also, while I have subscribed to Timesharing Today for quite some time (and I still do), to be honest I have never found it to be particularly informative. Lots and lots of advertising, some superficial articles and reviews, assorted commentary of debatable value or interest from readers. Not a lot of material to use as an actual source of information however, at least in my personal opinion, except that the many pages of classified ads in the back tend (not always, but in general) to reflect reasonable and realistic resale prices --- and that is useful information for benchmark reference. I suspect (but certainly cannot prove) that this is so because sellers likely realize that it's a reasonably well informed readership to begin with and that any "pie in the sky" inflated prices will simply be summarily ignored.

In short, in my view there is no book or magazine which can hope to compare with the knowledge and experience of people "in the game" who are willing to share their various insights, perspectives and experiences. Sometimes you do have to overlook a "clique" like atmosphere and tone by some people in some forums and BBS'. When you encounter that "clubiness", just remind yourself that every participant has an equal right to ask / offer / seek information --- then dive right in!

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

Hey Frank,
Reading over the Picklebongos OP in this thread, it reminded me of the Terms List that we used to have. I put together the original list and then several people did some nice revisions to it. I just did a quick look for it but I can't remember where we kept it. I thought at one point we talked about making it a sticky someplace but can't remember where (the mind is a terrible thing to waste!! lol)
Anyway, if it's not on the forums someplace anymore mayb I still have the original list somewhere (don't know for sure).
It could probably still be helpful for newbies and maybe even ome others.

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

Ah, found it. It is a sticky right here in the General Timeshare Discussions forum.
http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...e-discussions/

Picklebongos, read thru this sticky post on Abbreviations at the top of this forum and it should at least help with some of the lingo. It won't help with the learning about timesharing but like Frank said just keep asking questions here and someone with answer them for you and after a while you will become one of the someones answering the questions.
It is a great group here with a lot of knowledge and a real willingness to help anyone with a question.

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

One more update on location of Abreviations list. I had forgotten that Ken set it up in the FAQ.
It is all together here:
http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...aq=ts4ms_hints

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

One more update on location of Abreviations list. I had forgotten that Ken set it up in the FAQ.
It is all together here:
http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...aq=ts4ms_hints

It is always a good thing when that third cup of coffee kicks in.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I went looking for it and found it before in the Faq but got tied up and did not post untill now, but see you already found it.

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...ints#faq_terms

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

Welcome, pickle...I had to chuckle a little when I read your post, because I remember feeling exactly the same bewilderment when I started learning about timesharing...the trip has been worth it!
By the way, I totally agree with both the TUG board and this one being the best sources of information.
Connie

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

It is always a good thing when that third cup of coffee kicks in.

Yes, but after 4, watch out!!!lol

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

I went looking for it and found it before in the Faq but got tied up and did not post untill now, but see you already found it.

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...ints#faq_terms

Thanks Frank, I knew you would know where to look.
It took me a while to remembr. Like Lawren said, needed the 3rd cup of coffee.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Timesharing Today magazine published a book called the "Complete Book of Timesharing" in 1996 which was a compilation of articles from their magazine. I'm sure it's outdated and I think I bought it when they were closing out their inventory. A great deal has changed since 1996 and that's why printed media is often quickly obsolete. The best advice would be to research the specific areas and resorts that meet you interest, find the best exchange company fit and stay tuned in for new developments.

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

Thanks for all the helpful information. I guess I will stop feeling that I'm wasting everybodys time being all the board with locations and asking questions since folks seem so willing to answer. I truly do appreciate the friendly tenor of this board in comparison to some I've visited.

First of all, I'm a teacher and the times I can travel are considered prime weeks most likely, spring break, winter break (Christmas) and summer months. I want to buy something affordable, as do most folks obviously, and be able to trade to great locations. I have no interest in traveling to the Caribbean or Mexico since my family has traveled there so frequently. I see the dollar deals on ebay and of course I wonder if these properties are such dogs that they have to be virtually given away.

I often see points for sale on ebay, for example 154,000 RCI points, which I assume can be used yearly to purchase the week vacation. It appears as though if you buy points there is a monthly charge, but almost no maintenance fee. Is it better to just buy the points or a timeshare?

Before buying anything, how feasible is it to travel to many of these places to see the property first and the locale and do they offer good deals for this purpose?

Since I live in a cold climate I want to vacation somewhere warm and since I have teens it has to be something that will keep them engaged.

When I receive all the private emails about property from members here, should I take them with a grain of salt. I wonder if people are truly being helpful knowing how inexperienced I am or is there an attempt to take advantage?

Is it naive to come here and post what I'm considering purchasing or if it is a good deal will somebody else most likley jump on it? My husband isn't all that thrilled about timesharing, but I can totally see the possibilities. The idea of not staying in a cramped hotel is a nobrainer to me.

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

First of all, I'm a teacher and the times I can travel are considered prime weeks most likely, spring break, winter break (Christmas) and summer months. I want to buy something affordable, as do most folks obviously, and be able to trade to great locations. I have no interest in traveling to the Caribbean or Mexico since my family has traveled there so frequently. I see the dollar deals on ebay and of course I wonder if these properties are such dogs that they have to be virtually given away.

I often see points for sale on ebay, for example 154,000 RCI points, which I assume can be used yearly to purchase the week vacation. It appears as though if you buy points there is a monthly charge, but almost no maintenance fee. Is it better to just buy the points or a timeshare?

Since I live in a cold climate I want to vacation somewhere warm and since I have teens it has to be something that will keep them engaged.

When I receive all the private emails about property from members here, should I take them with a grain of salt. I wonder if people are truly being helpful knowing how inexperienced I am or is there an attempt to take advantage?

Is it naive to come here and post what I'm considering purchasing or if it is a good deal will somebody else most likley jump on it? My husband isn't all that thrilled about timesharing, but I can totally see the possibilities. The idea of not staying in a cramped hotel is a nobrainer to me.

Pickle.

You are in the same bucket as many of us that have pesky kids and must deal with a school schedule and vie for the same exchanges and weeks.

I imagine you have received e-mails &/or PMs that are very well meaning and others that might not be. We don't control those features of the boards nor can we track them. I think you can get a decent feel for people by reading their posts.

I would spend a lot more time studying the different systems before jumping into anything. My strongest suggestion would be no matter which version of timesharing ends up serving you best is to buy where you would like to GO most of the time.

There is a well regarded member that sells a points lease package that is good for 3 years. After that time you can walk away or re-up. Just a thought as you could give RCI points a whirl and not be "stuck" with it if the product changes or if it doesn't serve you well. I am not recommending it for you specifically but it may be a good way to try something on for size.

I don't think it is naive to post on the boards here. The vast majority will be glad to help you in anyway that they can. It will be the best way to learn.

[Jim McLaren Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jim McLaren]

Pickle,
A year ago DW and I were where you are now. We were looking for a timeshare we could drive to that made economic sense. As much as the purchase price you have to consider the maintenance fee. In today's market that can be a bigger expense than the purchase. Anyway, we looked for over a year before we found the one we wanted. We ended up getting it on eBay but didn't get it for just $1.00. It's unrealistic to expect the good ones to go for that. We spent $1,025 and consider it a steal at that price. Other sites have the price for a similar unit listed at $3k - $7k. Our MF is $498 annually. I consider that a great value for a two bedroom place at the beach on July 4.

I would follow lawren's advice. Buy where you want to go most of the time. Shop around on other sites like those listed here Frequently mentioned resale and rental websites - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums to learn the true value of a timeshare. eBay will give you a skewed perspective. Of course the seller (on some of these sites) will take much less, often 50% of the asking price. And a fair number of them want what I would consider outrageous prices, almost as much as you would pay to buy from a developer. But if you look around enough you can figure out what's what. Redweek seems to be the most reasonable on a consistent basis. Others on this forum can tell you more about redweek. I've never used them.

You're going to hear a lot about mini-systems (Bluegreen, Worldmark, Wyndham, etc). I would check them out but many of them are stronger in certain regions. It takes a long time to learn which system is right. Especially since they are ever changing. We bought a timeshare that was independent of the minis. Of course we now have to learn about the intricacies of exchanging. So much to learn. Take your time.

Just my $0.02
Jim