How is Marriott Vacation Club ownership?

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

Hi, My husband and I are thinking of buying a timeshare. We went to the Marriott shadow ridge and are thinking of buying especially since we tend to stay at Marriotts alot. We are new to this so I have two questions:

- If you already own with Marriott, what has your experience been?
- Any general words of advice?

Thank you.

Joy

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

Joy,

Welcome to TS4M's


I own Marriott timeshares, and love them. Of course no timeshare company is 100% perfect, but I have no major complaints.

Most definitely, you need to purchase your timeshare resale. (Unless purchasing from a new development, and not wanting to wait for resales.) I would also suggest buying were you wouldn't mind traveling half the time. Exchanges are done through II, and there is a 24 day Marriott preference period. Still, Peak seasons are in high demand, and no exchange is guaranteed.

Once you get your timeshare, we'll tell you how best to use it to your advantage. Oh, If buying a unit that locks off is an option, I would highly recommend doing so. That would give you two weeks vacation a year. One week in a 1 bdrm, and one in a studio, if that works for you.

Good luck!!!! Keep us posted.

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

Hi Angela, thanks for responding so quickly.

We love Palm Springs, and we are looking into Marriott Shadow Ridge. The section in which we will be buying is scheduled for completion in 2009 from what the sales person told us.

What is II?

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

Hi Angela, thanks for responding so quickly.

We love Palm Springs, and we are looking into Marriott Shadow Ridge. The section in which we will be buying is scheduled for completion in 2009 from what the sales person told us.

What is II?

II is the exchange company that you would use to exchange your timeshare for a different location.

I would not buy directly from Marriott for a Palm Springs timeshare. You can save probably 60% buying resale on an existing unit in Palm Springs. Also, I believe Marriott's Desert Springs Villas I, includes free use of their spa. That's a real nice feature.

What season are you thinking about purchasing in?

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

We like this time of year. Right before it gets terribly hot.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Hi Joya, what Angela is telling you is that there is a Resale Market for timeshares - just as there is for any other housing.
I have a 'friend' on another TS board that just bought a Platinum 2BR Lock-off at Shadow Ridge for under $12,000.
You have all the SAME benefits of ownership as every other Marriott owner with the exception of trading your week for Marriott Points.
Marriott will 'give' you about 100,000 MRPs for your week every other year after u pay the MF of $900ish plus a fee of $109.
BUT - anyone can purchase 50,000 MRPs every year for $650 directly from Marriott so there is little benefit in trading in your week for points.

Soooooo, if it has been less then 7 days since u purchased from Marriott, you can cancel the deal - RESCIND....and look at all your options.

If it has been more then 7 days, welcome to the Marriott Family - I am a 2 week owner as is Angela - I love my ownership and have taken great trips using my weeks.

Here is a completed auction that was won on ebay by one of our members yesterday - for an every other year Platinum Shadow Ridge for $4,300.
2 BR Platinum FIVE STAR California MARRIOTT Timeshare - eBay (item 310041718943 end time Apr-26-08 19:00:00 PDT)

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Hi Angela, thanks for responding so quickly.

We love Palm Springs, and we are looking into Marriott Shadow Ridge. The section in which we will be buying is scheduled for completion in 2009 from what the sales person told us.

What is II?

I see you have NOT bought yet!

Good for you for doing your homework..... that is a very nice resort but as Angela mentioned, Marriott Desert Springs ONE allows free access to the Spa at The JW - something I love - plus along with Desert Springs TWO is on the grounds of the JW hotel which is a nice amenitie to have.

I have stayed at Shadow Ridge myself and enjoyed it - beautiful property.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

and here is another member.....

http://www.timeshareforums.com/forum...riott-dsv.html

Who purchased Deset Springs ONE for 7K - not a Platinum/Red week bit a Gold/White week (DSI & II have different season designations)

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

Thanks for the feedback Pat. It sounds like resale purchase, rather than direct from Marriott, is highly recommended. Apart from on a forum like this an on E-bay, where else would I find resales of Time shares and how can I be sure of what I'm getting?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Thanks for the feedback Pat. It sounds like resale purchase, rather than direct from Marriott, is highly recommended. Apart from on a forum like this an on E-bay, where else would I find resales of Time shares and how can I be sure of what I'm getting?

Well, there is RedWeek.com to start and bidshare.com myresortnetwork.com .....but for a 'first timer' I would recommend using a reputable re-seller - there is a member of this and another TS Board - Seth Nock - who does hotel brand resales....and u already have an idea that you can get a resale for 12-14K versus Marriott pricing.
His website is Sellingtimeshares.net

and if he doesn't have what you want, he can find it for you....
I see there is a DSI for 15K asking on his site - 12K would be a great deal on that!

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

Check to see which season you want to buy.

Platinum/Red (shadow ridge/Desert Springs (DSV)) is the winter thru most of spring
Gold/White is late spring and most of fall
silver/blue is summer

I agree with the other posters the best value currently would be a white season (late spring and all of fall) at DSV . I just heard someone was offered a white season for a little over $6000 at DSV 2.

Good Luck