Newbie question: Interval Getaways and Timeshare Prices

[jamesbond6791 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jamesbond6791]

Hello. I'm totally new to the timeshare scene. We were planning on buying a timeshare in Florida for about $5500 with an Interval Gold membership. But I saw on a few sites where the resale timeshares cost around $100 or $200 with maintenance fees of $400-$500 per year. So here are my questions:

1. Resale Timeshares that are for $100 to $200...are they the real deal? How do you tell what is legit and what is a "scam"? What are the safe websites to use to purchase resale timeshares?

2. Some of these timeshares offer the Interval Gold membership. I hear the getaways for a 1-bedroom for a week can be around $299. Is that true? If not, what is the average getaway price for a 1-bedroom for a week?

3. The salesperson at the timeshare we went to said that you can even SELL your getaways for a higher price. Thus, if we pay $179 for a one week getaway in the Caribbean (he showed us print-outs), we can sell that for $1500. Is this true? Has anyone ever sold a getaway? Is it even allowed?

Thanks for answering my questions.

JB

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

Hello. I'm totally new to the timeshare scene. We were planning on buying a timeshare in Florida for about $5500 with an Interval Gold membership. But I saw on a few sites where the resale timeshares cost around $100 or $200 with maintenance fees of $400-$500 per year. So here are my questions:

Welcome to TS4Ms, don't be in a hurry, read the forums for 6 months and call us in the morning.

1. Resale Timeshares that are for $100 to $200...are they the real deal? How do you tell what is legit and what is a "scam"? What are the safe websites to use to purchase resale timeshares?

If you take my advice above, you'll be able to tell.

2. Some of these timeshares offer the Interval Gold membership. I hear the getaways for a 1-bedroom for a week can be around $299. Is that true? If not, what is the average getaway price for a 1-bedroom for a week?

They can be about that or more.

3. The salesperson at the timeshare we went to said that you can even SELL your getaways for a higher price. Thus, if we pay $179 for a one week getaway in the Caribbean (he showed us print-outs), we can sell that for $1500. Is this true? Has anyone ever sold a getaway? Is it even allowed? Thanks for answering my questions. JB

Not allowed by I.I. and not feasible, if you did it anyway, count on getting half of that if you were successful.

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

1. Resale Timeshares that are for $100 to $200...are they the real deal? How do you tell what is legit and what is a "scam"? What are the safe websites to use to purchase resale timeshares?

There are some TS which are a huge bargain and are selling for $100. But many TSs selling for $100 are not worth even that. You need to be able to determine which are which. That is why Spence said to stick around for awhile so you'll be able to find out.

2. Some of these timeshares offer the Interval Gold membership. I hear the getaways for a 1-bedroom for a week can be around $299. Is that true? If not, what is the average getaway price for a 1-bedroom for a week?

IMHO, II gold is a waste of money. You pay an extra $100/year to save $25 on a get-a-way. If you know for sure that you'll take 4 get-a-ways a year then maybe?? but why not save the hundred dollars if you may use Get-a-way only once or twice?

3. The salesperson at the timeshare we went to said that you can even SELL your getaways for a higher price. Thus, if we pay $179 for a one week getaway in the Caribbean (he showed us print-outs), we can sell that for $1500. Is this true? Has anyone ever sold a getaway? Is it even allowed?

As Spence said above: you can't sell /rent any weeks you get from the exchange companies. The only weeks you can rent to the public are weeks you own ourselves.

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

If you are seeing timeshares in the same place that you are considering purchasing in for $100-$200 then I'd hold off on purchasing from the developer and investigate those secondary market sellers. I have bought 4 timeshares on the resale market, all on ebay and can say that I'm very happy with all of my purchases. One was even 99cents for a 2 bedroom on Hollywood beach in a place that I love and use every year. So I certainly recommend to watch the auctions on ebay and go with a seller with good feedback. I have Interval Gold and also don't think it's worth the extra money. I'm not renewing it when it expires. Even though everyone hates RCI and honestly some of their practices I'm not crazy about either but I think that buying in a resort that either has dual exchange with RCI and II would be better than just an II alone. I have both and use my RCI more than my II although I do use that too. I own a week that has dual exchanges at Ft. Laud beach resort and if that was all I owned I'd be doing fine and that one I bought it on ebay for $200. Good luck and don't be too afraid of the secondary market just use a credit card to purchase or paypal so you are covered in case of fraud.