Timeshare hassles and ripoffs

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

My wife and I have been trying out timeshare for about a year now. My wife is still not sure about it, she is still worrying about us wasting money on the timeshare b/c everywhere she turns, people around her against it: the radio, friends, families..etc...you name it. I, in the other side enjoy TS b/c i like the idea that i can go to many places and know that i will have a decent place to stay but of course my wife's doubts sometime make me unsure about TS. However, ever since I join this forum, people here are extremely nice and they have given me enough information and confidence to decide owning a TS. I admit that lately, I've been spending more time in here reading threads than anywhere and I'm slowly converting my wife to love TS. I believe that we will have a great time with TS and hopefully my believe is right or else I'm going to be in trouble with the wife

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

The same thing has been posted on a couple of other t/s related sites I use. At best is it a blatant attempt at advertising, and at worst the lead into a pyramid selling scam.
Whichever it is, this guy is spamming every site he can find.

[M. Henley Class President Find all posts View Profile Close M. Henley]

Another Satisfied Owner

Have three that I use each year, three in RCI Points, one in weeks (SA leftover, but ill pulls some good weeks).

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

Timeshares is NOT for everyone! Most people that post here are owners and only see one way. Sure, if you sink money into something you are going to make yourself believe in it no matter what. There are many owners that were rooked by not so honest salesmen. If I had known how much money I would throw away on my timeshare before I purchased I would have never listen to the 90 min. ( 3 hour ) speech. In total, it cost half as much as my house with NO return! A lot of folks feel so bad for having to pay fee after increasing fee but feel they are in a trap. So, don't get so high on your horse and think that everyone needs a timeshare and that they are so wonderful. There are other ways to vacation that do not keep you tied to them for life with fees that will never go away. Thank heaven I dumped the costly thing !

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

Timeshares is NOT for everyone! Most people that post here are owners and only see one way. Sure, if you sink money into something you are going to make yourself believe in it no matter what. There are many owners that were rooked by not so honest salesmen. If I had known how much money I would throw away on my timeshare before I purchased I would have never listen to the 90 min. ( 3 hour ) speech. In total, it cost half as much as my house with NO return! A lot of folks feel so bad for having to pay fee after increasing fee but feel they are in a trap. So, don't get so high on your horse and think that everyone needs a timeshare and that they are so wonderful. There are other ways to vacation that do not keep you tied to them for life with fees that will never go away. Thank heaven I dumped the costly thing !

bing,

I actually agree with you. Timeshares are NOT for everyone. These days there are so many variations that something can be found to fit almost everyones needs though.

We are here to educate people. Both those that purchased from the developer and those who have or are looking to purchase resale.

We are not here to let someone take advantage of the disenchanted though. The OP initially had a link to a well known pyramid scheme company in his signature. We have allowed the posts to stay as he removed that link upon request from moderation.

It is good that people realize these companies are out there to take advantage and it is our mission to make sure people do not fall victim to them in all there various guises.

Perhaps Caeser will stay and learn the morally high road of how to help people and educate himself as well. Perhaps not. It is now his choice.

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

bing,

I actually agree with you. Timeshares are NOT for everyone. These days there are so many variations that something can be found to fit almost everyones needs though.

We are here to educate people. Both those that purchased from the developer and those who have or are looking to purchase resale.

We are not here to let someone take advantage of the disenchanted though. The OP initially had a link to a well known pyramid scheme company in his signature. We have allowed the posts to stay as he removed that link upon request from moderation.

It is good that people realize these companies are out there to take advantage and it is our mission to make sure people do not fall victim to them in all there various guises.

Perhaps Caeser will stay and learn the morally high road of how to help people and educate himself as well. Perhaps not. It is now his choice.

Extending what Lawren wrote ----

Most of the vacation club concepts I have seen are at least as big a rip-off the traditional timeshare sales scam. The clubs charge significant upfront money to join, and at best all they offer is access to exchange company "surplus inventory" at rates that are higher than the rates charged to exchange company members. Not surprisingly, there is no availability for quality resorts during peak travel seasons. There is further no promise from the company that runs that vacation club that they will continue to make inventory available.

That end of the industry has a history that is at least as sordid as the timeshare business, with outright scams and companies shutting down and not returning monies paid. The fact is that most of those businesses are arranged to make money selling the memberships, not providing weeks. That always leaves me wondering what the incentive is for the club to work to obtain inventory for its members? That economic model seems as least as flawed to me as the upfront fee resale firms, who similarly have little obligation to provide service after the initial sale.

In fact, one of the scams in that business has been to start a vacation club, make a big push to sell memberships and collect fees, then shut down the operation after a few years and start up again with a new name and a new corporation in a new location.

Timeshare is certainly not for everyone. But then neither are vacation clubs, and there are significant risks

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

Timeshares is NOT for everyone! Most people that post here are owners and only see one way.

You are right in saying that timeshare is not suitable for everyone.
You are absolutely wrong in saying that most people here only see one way. Take some time and read the threads where people have been advised to rescind and those where the pro's and con's of timeshare ownership are explained in detail.
View also the threads from people seriously disenchanted with the major exchange companies and the way they appear to be using exchange deposits as rental properties.
I have seen little or no evidence that the people here view timeshare through rose tinted glasses. We tell it as we see it. Bottom line - if purchased wisely timeshare can be a good purchase if you have the flexibility in travel dates required for successful exchange.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Timeshares is NOT for everyone! Most people that post here are owners and only see one way. Sure, if you sink money into something you are going to make yourself believe in it no matter what. There are many owners that were rooked by not so honest salesmen. If I had known how much money I would throw away on my timeshare before I purchased I would have never listen to the 90 min. ( 3 hour ) speech. In total, it cost half as much as my house with NO return! A lot of folks feel so bad for having to pay fee after increasing fee but feel they are in a trap. So, don't get so high on your horse and think that everyone needs a timeshare and that they are so wonderful. There are other ways to vacation that do not keep you tied to them for life with fees that will never go away. Thank heaven I dumped the costly thing !

No kidding timeshare isn't for everyone. I don't think anyone on his site is on a "high horse" thinking that it is or that it's so great that it can fit everyone's vacation needs. I believe most will agree the timeshare vacations take a bit more planning and flexibiltiy than spur of the moment last minute travel. I'd even be willing to say that, for most Americans at least, last minute travel planners are the majority. For that matter I'd go so far to say the many Americans just don't know HOW to take vacation or even actually take a vacation on a regular basis. If that's the case then timesharing isn't' for them.

On the other hand, if you timeshare cost 1/3 as much as your house then either you live in a dump, a small mobil home, you're not good with numbers, you like to exagerate or you bought into one of the most expensive timeshare's out there and your a really easy mark for a salesman. Yes I have seen timeshare priced in the $60,000 + range. We even had a thread on this site about a new Marriott timeshare on Marco Island, FL that was priced $60,000 to $90,000. Things like that make me shake my head as to who would buy them let alone thinking that I could afford them. However, most timeshare tours I've been on in the last couple of years are a bit more reasonable and have them priced in the $15,000 to $40,000 range. Now, if you're saying your house only cost you $80,000 and it cost you less than $1,000/year to pay taxes and maintain the property, you have to be living in a very small town where property values are very low or you live in a dump.

Sites like these also help people to understand that buying directly from the developer is not the smartest way to buy a timeshare. Even though it's probably how most people get into it for the first time. After that initial purchase a smart person starts to learn about what they've bought and will quickly see the error of their ways. The smartest DON'T buy something that costs thouands of dollars as a spur of the moment purchase like picking up something at Walmart. They tell the salesman w'll think about it and then research before purchasing. THAT'S where sites like this really shine. Should you have elected to do that I'm certain you could have made your initial TS purchase for thousands of dollars less and left the bitterness at the TS salesmans table. I'm sure there are posters on here who have paid less than $10,000 and own 7 (or more) timeshares.

Rather than being bitter about making a HUGE financial mistake why not get off your very own high horse and learn how TS is actually used, learn how to purchase timeshare on the cheap and learn what timeshare can really do for you, even if you are a last minute planner. Then and only then can you actually make the decision if timesharing is really not a good fit for you.

However, for many of us timeshare IS a good fit and it IS our prefered way of vacationing. I can not imagine staying in hotel rooms or making my vacation plans at the last minute when things are typically higher in price. Now, we take 6 to 7 vacations per year, almost all are in condo's and all are planned out way in advance.

We are fortunate that our employer allows us flexibiltiy in vacation plans and the ability to take vacations. Our children are not so lucky. My son, for instance, was told by his employer in January that he'd better take this years vaction in either Feb. or March as they would be to busy to let him take off the rest of the year. In my mind I'd be looking for another employer that actually cares about his employee's as much as he cares about the money they make for him. But that's just me. I'm not one to think my J.O.B. if more important than God or family. It might pay the bills but their or other employers out there willing to take care of the employee's that take care of them.

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

When I purchased there was no secondary market. We are talking almost 26 years ago. When I owned it I would talk to owners around the pool and it was almost 50/50 of happy to disappointed owners.
My current home value is 450 grand. That is no way a " dump " where I live so let's get that straight right now ! Also, that is not what I paid for it by any means.
I have made great last minute deals on motels that come out cheaper than the total costs of t/s. They would rather rent for something than let it sit empty. Many times I have gotten lower rates than the off season. Timeshare owners seem to fail to add up all the costs to compare for vacations.
If you like it then have fun. I'm saying that not everyone wants or needs a timeshare which is what seems to be the majority opinion on this site.
There are two sides to every coin.
Not everyone needs to be in Amway either

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

I have made great last minute deals on motels that come out cheaper than the total costs of t/s.

That is one of the [B]big[B]differences; A hotel room vs. a 900-1200 square foot suite. Again, everyone has their preferences, and I'm willing to spend $100/night expense for the nicer accommodations.

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

I posted on another thread that I'm looking for hotel/motel rooms in summer-tourist areas this year, and I can hardly find anything BASIC for less than $150 per night. In fact my backup reservations (in case I can't find anything more reasonable) are running more like $200 per night. Ouch.

I was surprised, too, because I have gotten great deals on Priceline and Hotwire in the past, but they don't really have much to offer in these high-demand tourist locations. Meanwhile our stay in our 2br timeshare is bought and paid for and confirmed and ready to go.

[gjw007 Member Find all posts View Profile Close gjw007]

When I purchased there was no secondary market. We are talking almost 26 years ago. When I owned it I would talk to owners around the pool and it was almost 50/50 of happy to disappointed owners.
My current home value is 450 grand. That is no way a " dump " where I live so let's get that straight right now ! Also, that is not what I paid for it by any means.
I have made great last minute deals on motels that come out cheaper than the total costs of t/s. They would rather rent for something than let it sit empty. Many times I have gotten lower rates than the off season. Timeshare owners seem to fail to add up all the costs to compare for vacations.
If you like it then have fun. I'm saying that not everyone wants or needs a timeshare which is what seems to be the majority opinion on this site.
There are two sides to every coin.
Not everyone needs to be in Amway either

As noted, timesharing is not for everybody. True, you can get cheaper rooms at various hotels but given a choice between a Motel 6, Holiday, Inn, Ramada, etc., I would rather pay for my timeshare weeks - in most cases, unless you stay at the most inexpensive hotels, the cost is less and I get more. As an example, when I first went to DisneyWorld in 1995, the cost of staying at the hotels on Disney property cost me over $100 per night. I stay in a 2-bedroom unit for roughly that now ($620 for 7 nights) and that covers all fees. There are places though where you can spend less money for the hotel rooms (I have gotten to hate being in the small hotel rooms but it is also a matter of vacation style because if you get up at 6 in the morning and don't get back unit midnight, do you really need the extra space and amenities? The criticism is similar to those who like to go out dining, trying ever place in site, with those who prefer to cook and have light snacks. You could argue that those who go to the restaurants are wasting their money as well).

There is a risk factor in waiting for the last moment and hoping to get a room for next to nothing. That is a risk that I am unwilling to take for my vacations. I would hate to have it canceled because there wasn't something available. This is also true for timeshares with the last minutes special. If you are in a position to take advantage of these in timeshares, hotels, airplanes, etc., then they become a great deal but if not - and if you depend on them to get you a low-cost vacation - they could be a disaster if you are forced to cancel your vacations. As an aside, when I worked in the hotel industry, we had a policy of letting a room sit empty rather than renting it for next to nothing. There are additional costs such as house keeping and wear-and-tear that management felt cost more than getting a few dollars for the units. Times have changed since I worked in the hotel industry by my point is that there is no certainty that a hotel won't let a unit sit empty rather than rent for some low fee.

Cost comparisons are interesting but they don't tell the whole story as it depends on what people are looking for and desire. It also doesn't tell how they vacation. When I go whitewater rafting, I don't look to stay in timeshare but hotel or camping sites near where I will be whitewater rafting. If my vacation experiences were based on this, timeshares would be a poor recommendation. I also think that staying at the Ritz would also be a poor suggestion. The reality is that many people have gotten into timeshares based on the promise of the salespersons and have been disappointed. I don't think you will find many here that would disagree with that and that timesharing requires research and education on the system to get the most enjoyment out of it. As noted, timesharing may not be for everybody but then, staying in hotel rooms may not be for everybody either (camping, cruising, etc. come to mind). Like most everything, it is not a one-size-fits-all world.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

When I purchased there was no secondary market. We are talking almost 26 years ago. When I owned it I would talk to owners around the pool and it was almost 50/50 of happy to disappointed owners.
My current home value is 450 grand. That is no way a " dump " where I live so let's get that straight right now ! Also, that is not what I paid for it by any means.
I have made great last minute deals on motels that come out cheaper than the total costs of t/s. They would rather rent for something than let it sit empty. Many times I have gotten lower rates than the off season. Timeshare owners seem to fail to add up all the costs to compare for vacations.
If you like it then have fun. I'm saying that not everyone wants or needs a timeshare which is what seems to be the majority opinion on this site.
There are two sides to every coin.
Not everyone needs to be in Amway either

I guess it depends on what part of the country you live in as to how nice a home 450G's buys. In my neck of the woods that would buy a mansion. On some parts of the coast that would buy my house, which is NOT a mansion. Heck, in some neighborhoods that doesn't eve buy the plot of land to put a building on.

My point was you exagerated when you said your timeshare cost half as much as your home. Something someone who is dissatisifed often does to give them more credibilty. They'll tell a little half truth (or flat our lie) to make their point look better than it really is. Keep in mind that cost over the years such as MF's are also ongoing for your home. A little figure you might have left out if you think you've put $225,000 into your 26 year old timeshare (something I find hard to believe). In total have you added your water bill, you utility costs, you phone, cable and other expenses? Did you add in the upkeep for your yard and plants? How about routine maintenance like replacing furniture, painting, carpet cleaning et.... I think you'll find that the expense of that timeshare didn't even come CLOSE to half he cost of your house.

If you're going to travel last minute and your not particularly picky about where you want to go or stay, then you're right, timesharing is not for people like you. However, don't stretch the truth about how much money you paid for your timeshare (half the cost of your home) to make it sound as if the rest of us are idiots or on our high horse because we paid so much we have to lie to ourselves to make it all feel better somehow.

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

That is one of the bigdifferences; A hotel room vs. a 900-1200 square foot suite.

Actually, 2 Hotels I stayed recently and 2 other hotels that send me some vacation package all has size bigger enough to new TS unit I have seen.

One has mini-bar, one has microwave, the one that send me the brochure has mini kitchen. I think hotel are catching up also.

Jya-Ning

[Beaglemom3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Beaglemom3]

Not good to paint with such broad strokes....................

Owning a car v.s. leasing a car has its advantages for different consumers.

Buying a home v.s. renting a house/apartment fits various needs for others.

Buying a timeshare v.s. renting a hotel or t/s unit suits those of us who buy them.

Doing what one wants to do with their discrectionary income is a matter of personal choice and need. It is neither a good or a bad thing.

It serves our purpose.

Simple.