Possible First Time Buyer--HELP!

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

We're a young couple in our early 30s (no kids yet but one day...).

Done a few nice TS presentations mainly for the incentives (a week in Hawaii for $699 w/car etc) but now thinking of buying on the resale market for very cheap.

Have done some research and it looks like RCI is a solid choice. Can someone educate me a little? Is it all a points system with this guide being how much it costs to stay in each region roughly: http://www.alltimeshare.com/rcipointsregional.pdf ?

Or do you buy weeks and can trade anywhere? Also considering Geo because they can exchange with RCI but leaning against them.

Right now all I know is that I want to buy cheap w/somewhere that doesnt have huge maintenance fees but also allows us a good amount of travel...help please!! Thanks!

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

RCI is an exchange company. You don't buy a timeshare from them. There are other exchange companies.

The best thing to do is buy a timeshare that you would want to use. Make sure you look at the Maintenance Fees as you will be obligated to paying them every year. If you intend to exchange then you need to learn about all the options and trading power.

If I were you, I wouldn't buy a timeshare until you learn a lot more. In fact I wouldn't buy one period but that is another story. You can rent a week for often cheaper than the Maintenance fee. Take it slow because you can always buy resale at a very cheap price. That isn't going to change in the foreseeable future.

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

It's really easy to buy a timeshare. It's really hard to sell one. So, take your time. If you've a mind to do so, it is worth spending a lot of time learning as much as you can before you buy anything. In the meantime, you can rent timeshare lodging from other owners, often at very attractive prices. (And, you may decide that renting is all you'll ever need.)

It's important to buy something that you would be happy to use yourself if it came to that---not just today, but for many years to come.

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

We too, not so long ago were in your shoes, thinking about purchasing a timeshare. While researching through the resale market, we discovered a really great deal. We found out that you don't have to purchase a timeshare and pay all of the annual maintenance fees and possible assessments, which happen a lot lately with many owners not paying dues and the others have to cover them, just like any homeowners association. Instead of laying out the 15K for a timeshare and vacation week, we purchased a membership for a fraction of that price and have access to any resort in any location worldwide and not just with one company. There are over 5000 to choose from and no limits on the date we go or how many times a year. It is fabulous.

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

We too, not so long ago were in your shoes, thinking about purchasing a timeshare. While researching through the resale market, we discovered a really great deal. We found out that you don't have to purchase a timeshare and pay all of the annual maintenance fees and possible assessments, which happen a lot lately with many owners not paying dues and the others have to cover them, just like any homeowners association. Instead of laying out the 15K for a timeshare and vacation week, we purchased a membership for a fraction of that price and have access to any resort in any location worldwide and not just with one company. There are over 5000 to choose from and no limits on the date we go or how many times a year. It is fabulous.

I get very bored with the same advertising spin.

Let me guess, it's that piece of $8000 software that gets you the last minute rubbish that none of the timeshare owners want.

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

Have done some research and it looks like RCI is a solid choice. Can someone educate me a little? Is it all a points system with this guide being how much it costs to stay in each region roughly: http://www.alltimeshare.com/rcipointsregional.pdf ?

Or do you buy weeks and can trade anywhere? Also considering Geo because they can exchange with RCI but leaning against them.

Right now all I know is that I want to buy cheap w/somewhere that doesnt have huge maintenance fees but also allows us a good amount of travel...help please!! Thanks!

If I were you, I wouldn't buy a timeshare until you learn a lot more. In fact I wouldn't buy one period but that is another story. You can rent a week for often cheaper than the Maintenance fee. Take it slow because you can always buy resale at a very cheap price. That isn't going to change in the foreseeable future.

I agree with JWC, you definitely need to do more research. Try renting for a while to help establish what you want.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Buying a RCI Points resort can do what you want

We're a young couple in our early 30s (no kids yet but one day...).

Done a few nice TS presentations mainly for the incentives (a week in Hawaii for $699 w/car etc) but now thinking of buying on the resale market for very cheap.

Have done some research and it looks like RCI is a solid choice. Can someone educate me a little? Is it all a points system with this guide being how much it costs to stay in each region roughly: http://www.alltimeshare.com/rcipointsregional.pdf ?

Or do you buy weeks and can trade anywhere? Also considering Geo because they can exchange with RCI but leaning against them.

Right now all I know is that I want to buy cheap w/somewhere that doesnt have huge maintenance fees but also allows us a good amount of travel...help please!! Thanks!

A good RCI Points resort - meaning you buy a resort that offers a good amount of RCI Points for the time you own, not that you buy from RCI - sounds like it would do what you desire. We bought one in Texas - the only resort we own that we never plan to visit and in fact have never even seen as it was obtained strictly for low cost trades in the RCI Points system- and it has worked out exactly as we planned. It is low annual cost, has a reasonable amount of points & we can rent/borrow/PFD (Points for Deposit) additional weeks as we require more points. PM me if you want more details on where we own & what the costs are.

Buying a week strictly to trade is a giant timeshare ownership mistake. Buying a system designed strictly for trade, as RCI Points is, is "buying to use" (a cardinal rule in smart timeshare ownership) and you seem to get that idea. It is possible to get in cheaply & have cheap ongoing costs using your plan.

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

You need to think about your needs for now and for the future - especially when you have kids. Choose a TS in a place where you like to vacation. Will you be willing to travel by plane or car with one or more kids in tow? Take a look at where the TS system you prefer has availability. Many of them have little offering in on the East Coast, outside of Williamsburg, VA.
If you don't like to go to the same place every year, then pick a place that has lots of options. RCI, II, and other exchange systems broaden your choices alot, but if you go that route, remember you will have to pay both the exchange fee AND your maintenance fees.
Keep in mind that MFs in general have skyrocketed over the past ten years. When we first bought, our annual fees were less than $500 for two weeks. Now there are $1500. As others have said, you can often rent for less than that. Still, I consider the cost worthwhile. We combine our weeks and get two large units for a friends/family gathering every year.
Take your time and read as much as you can before making any purchase decisions - even resale. Remember, a resale isn't a bargain if you find you can't use it in the way you intended and are stuck with paying high MFs every year.

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

No rubbish

I was only making a suggestion of what my husband and I chose in order to have access to the luxury resorts of timeshare properties. I have no idea about any software or what you are talking about and I assure you we didn't pay anywhere near $8000. The Vacation Club we own is a lifetime membership, that gains us access to over 5000 luxury 4 and 5 star resorts worldwide and is not limited to one timeshare company provider, such as RCI, Marriott, Disney, Etc. You ask for a suggestion, I just gave my opinion to what we found without outlaying a huge investment for a timeshare/points and then 800 or more per year in maintenance and/or use fees. I am a member and love the vacations and travel planning (air, cars, hotels, and cruises too) this company has access too. Trust me no rubbish, we choose the date, destination and property. It is first rate!

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

My in-laws gave up a "$10,000" time share, plus paid a very large fee to join a travel club and it went belly up within a year. Now they are wishing they'd listened to me about how to sell it a few years back. Oh well, live and learn.

[pkfox Member Find all posts View Profile Close pkfox]

Where to start?

Resale prices are at or near the bottom.
They are not going to spike upwards any time soon, so take your time.
Do Not Rush into Anything.
There are many websites that give access to timeshare and other unit rentals.
Start by renting where you think you would like to own.
Attend sales presentations As A Learning Experience Only. DO NOT BUY. Believe no more than 5% of what sales staff tells you. Do sales presentation early in the week then discuss with and question any willing guests at the resort, Some would love to discuss their experiences and strategies other will not. You do not have to be pushy there will be plenty of people willing to talk. Subscribe and participate in as many forums as you can find.
Beware of people who have found a way to use the systems to work for their needs and thus preach that it their way is RIGHT so it must be done their way.


Watch resale pricing but there is no hurry until prices start rising or you are absolutely sure you have found a resort you want to commit to paying fees to for the rest of your life.


We have access to 20+ weeks per year, when you consider 2 bedroom lock offs that can be split. We own at independant resorts, chain resorts and a vacation club. Some have mandatory yearly maintenance fees others have fees only if a week is booked. We belong to 5 different exchange companies, even though we rarely exchange. There are so many variables and things are constantly changing that after 10+ years we are still learning our options.

No 2 resorts or systems we own at operate exactly alike. they all have there little differences.

Rent, talk, research and if it makes sence for you purchase RESALE someday but there is no hurry.

Good luck and happy vacations

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

The advice on this thread is all very good. But you have to be careful to avoid the dishonest shills that populate the timeshare-selling world, such as kimhhi with two posts in this thread.

A vacation club is a bad idea because they only have leftover weeks that no one else wants. Points give you lots of flexibility. Renting until you have a better idea of where and when you want to vacation is also a good idea.

And most important of all...

TAKE YOUR TIME! Any deal you see today will still be available six months from now.

Good luck, and happy vacationing.

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

I am also looking for information about RCI but still not finding any satisfactory explanation.
Can anyone please help me find the relevant information.

What exactly is the "relevant information" you are looking for. With some specifics, someone on this list may be able to help!