Im New, have some questions.

[Tyler19 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tyler19]

Im looking to buy a timeshare in the coming years. I would like to buy one in Maui. I also want one that has trading power because I would like to travel abroad in countries such as: Scotland, France, Most of Europe.

So I would like to know what timeshare in Maui would give me the ability to trade with people with ease. I have been looking at the Westin and the Marriott Ocean Club in Maui.

if someone could teach me the ropes I would appreciate it ! Thanks.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

Hi. Welcome!

I can't provide any expertise on timeshares in Maui. What I'd suggest you do to get started is to read the boards on Hawaii, Marriott, and any other groups that you may be considering. There is so much information available here, and people are very willing to answer questions.

Good luck. You've come to the right place.

Sue

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

Welcome to TS4M's

Both the timeshares that you are looking at are very good traders. However, they are also expensive, with high MF's. If you are not planning on using those particular timeshares for your own vacation most years, I'd probably choose something more affordable.

IMO, these are not good timeshares for the purpose of exchanging, and II doesn't have that many good locations in Europe. Just one example.....The Marriott's in Spain are great, but you can exchange into them with a less expensive Marriott.

Read as much as you can before you purchase anything. And, make sure that you understand the difference between resale, and retail, before you buy. The price difference is substantial.

Good Luck!!!

[Tyler19 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tyler19]

I would be using the Maui one about 70% of the time. I absolutely LOVE Maui.

Does it even matter what type of timeshare I own though? If I bought a less desired one lets say in Chicago or something. Can I still trade with just about any location? Would people even trade me with an undesirable location?

I just don't understand the whole exchange process.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

The Westin and the Marriott Ocean Club in Maui are two of the best there. but your MF are going to be high and so will your buy in price. Look into Kahana falls which is only about 3 to 5 miles away from there.

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

Be sure to think your purchase all the way through to the end! Have an exit plan when you sign to purchase. There will be a time when you no longer need the ts and you should have a full understanding NOW of end use choices. You may want to have a lawyer look over your paperwork before you purchase. Don't leave something to the kids that they might not even want to fool with. Have fun all the way through,including the end.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

I would be using the Maui one about 70% of the time. I absolutely LOVE Maui.

Does it even matter what type of timeshare I own though? If I bought a less desired one lets say in Chicago or something. Can I still trade with just about any location? Would people even trade me with an undesirable location?

I just don't understand the whole exchange process.

The less desirable week you own, the harder it is to trade for something in demand. Not impossible, but very tricky and time consuming when it's done. If you want to go to Maui 70% of the time, I would recommend you buy on Maui, it's not an easy island to trade into. Ka'anapali Beach Vacation Club (Sunterra/DRI) is also very nice, and there are other timeshares in the Kihei area that are less expensive. Check out the Hawaii forum here for starters, as well as any "hotel chain" forums you may be considering.

[Miss Understood Member Find all posts View Profile Close Miss Understood]

If you are sure you want Maui, I would consider Maui Lea at Maui Hill. They have a website if you Google the name, and you can see photos etc. Also check reviews on TripAdvisor.com. The resort is not as glitzy as a Marriott but it is a very nice and well-run resort. Management is excellent and very responsible as far as holding down costs and keeping the resort well maintained. There are both timeshare and whole ownership units there. The resort has a connection with the Aston Hotel chain, and if you don't need to use your week, the resort will rent it for you. They charge 30 or 35% but get more for rentals than you could probably get on your own, and they are responsible for all the details and any potential damage. In a few cases they have only rented our unit for 5 days rather than the full 7 but I have always ended up with considerably more than the maintenance fees even after they deducted their commission.

Maintenance fees have gone up quite a bit in the last couple years after a few years of little or no increases. Part of that is a jump in the tax rate. Maui is not a cheap place to own, but if you are sure that's where you want to own, I can't say enough good things about this resort.

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

I would be using the Maui one about 70% of the time. I absolutely LOVE Maui.

Does it even matter what type of timeshare I own though? If I bought a less desired one lets say in Chicago or something. Can I still trade with just about any location? Would people even trade me with an undesirable location?

I just don't understand the whole exchange process.

Twice you have mentioned trading with people. While this is possible, direct trades between 2 owners are rare. You will be trading with an exchange company that sets it's own parameters for "trading power". While these parameters are their secrets, it is generally known that the demand for the week you deposit is the biggest factor. Thusly, Hawaii, Southern California summer weeks, Colorado ( or any popular) ski areas in ski season, big city resorts, e.g. San Francisco, NYC, London are very strong traders.
You will also be limited to exchanges to resorts of similar quality to your own. You can trade for somewhat lower quality but they won't let you trade a Gold Crown Hawaii week for a dump in Texas for example. They also won't let you trade a dump in Chicago for a Gold Crown practically anywhere, unless it is in the deep off season for which there is very low demand. You also mentioned Europe, where there are very few quality resorts. Many of us have found it very difficult to trade into Europe with our high quality weeks.
Keep reading. You are on the right track.

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

I would be using the Maui one about 70% of the time. I absolutely LOVE Maui.

Does it even matter what type of timeshare I own though? If I bought a less desired one lets say in Chicago or something. Can I still trade with just about any location? Would people even trade me with an undesirable location?

I just don't understand the whole exchange process.

Generally, trading is always a tricky thing. So no you just can't buyany TS and trade into Hawaii.

If you want Hawaii, I'd buy Hawaii. But there are many ways to buy Hawaii.
-You can buy a week at a hawaiian TS
- Buy a great non hawaiian resort, which is so nice, you'll have little problem getting a Hawaii trade.
- You can buy a week in a TS system like Worldmark. The system has many resorts and go to the Hawaii resorts when you want. Or go to any of the other 50+ other resorts in the system. Fairfield (now called Wyndham) is another resort system.


You need to know that there are some high demand locations which have been so overbuilt that even though they are very high demand, there is even more supply. That makes these areas less likely to trade well. Areas which are over built Orlando, Las Vegas & Williamsburg to name a few.

The key thing for you to do is to spend some time on this website and others like it, learn about buying a TS before you buy. Buying a TS is very easy, selling the wrong TS can be very, very difficult.


Hope this helps

[Tyler19 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tyler19]

Thanks for all the help folks. I am pretty set on either Marriot or the Westin on kaanapali beach, I love that area. I would want to be able to visit Maui on my week without having to trade into it, so I would like that to be my main Timeshare.

My concerns about trading would be I want to trade into Scotland and the area. Someone mentioned that you cant trade into a lower quality Timeshares easily... why is this? Wouldn't they be more than happy to do that if I requested?