BG points needed

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

Hello,

I am looking to buy resale points for TS, either WM or BG. I like both but cant seem to find out how many points are needed to stay at the various BG resorts. The BG site doesnt show it (unless I just can't find it) and a Google search didnt bring it up.
Also I see that BG is easier on all the fees than Wyndham, and they offer last minute discounted stays (whatever they call it). Their resorts (only 8 listed in RCI search results for Bluegreen) on RCI get favorable reviews. Anything else I ought to know.
One last thing, it looks like the MFs are different for each resort from what i can see on Ebay auctions. What are cheaper resorts. I really like Hershey, but dont see that available anywhere.
Thanks for any info.

-Stephen

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

try www.bluegreenonline.com/points.pdf. Send me a pm if you want additional information about buying cheap BG points.

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

and MF?

The point requirements for the resorts are so inconsistent. I'm surprised. Some are really affordable, for many one would save money using another TS in the same area. However, mostly I am interested in Hershey (maybe williamsburg, smokies and marathon too).
Can you tell me the different MFs I could expect for 15000 points according to the various trusts?
Thanks.

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

You're right about the points chart being inconsistent!

I am a relatively new BG owner (under 2 years) so I'm not positive, but I think that is because they aren't allowed to raise the points values over time. A summer 2 bedroom cabin at Big Cedar is 18000 points and will always be 18000 points - they can't inflate the # of points. So when newer resorts are brought into the system, I think they're brought it at relatively higher points values compared to the older ones. Someone out there will correct me if I'm wrong.

One of the things I love about BG is that they are easy on the fees. There is no charge to change the reservation to someone else's name, a minimal fee (or waived fee if you're a premier member) to cancel or change a reservation, etc. You can book at any of the resorts in the Bluegreen system without an exchange fee. And with the points system, you aren't restricted to a specific season or a full week stay, so you can make your points do what works best for you.

My points are all in Trust Fund E, and in that fund my 2010 MF for 15K points is roughly $607. You also have a $129 club dues fee.

Within Bluegreen, it really doesn't matter where you're deeded. Except for a minor advantages re: your home resort, points are points. You can be deeded at Falls Village and still be easily able to book at Hershey or Williamsburg. (the minor advantages are that if you want your exact deeded week and unit at your home resort, you can book it at 12 months out before the booking window opens for everyone else. There may also be a bonus time advantage if you buy "unqualified" points but I'm not 100% on that.)

Anita

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

MF

Thanks for the info. The resort chart was helpful, (BocaBum) and also I thopught the MF on 1500 points was more like $800+ (akparsa)I did discover that Trust E is the best to be for above 15K points (correct?) But once you buy points you can never change trusts, right? And there is no way to know ahead of time either? So it is a gamble. I could end up paying $700something annually.
15000 is bronze member isn't it?
Yeah BG is simple on the guest stuff and I ididnt read anthing about HK stipulations, so that seems like it isnt even a factor either.
What kinds of things do they offer for bonus or discount time? How does it work? Does Hershey come up on resale often? I couldnt find it in my seasrches.
Thanks everybody.

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

I did discover that Trust E is the best to be for above 15K points (correct?) But once you buy points you can never change trusts, right? And there is no way to know ahead of time either? So it is a gamble.

Right now Trust Fund E would be best for 15K BG Points and above.

Once you own a set a points, you stay in that Trust Fund since that is where the underlying deed is held. However, at one time BG allowed one to obtain more points by trading in their old unit/weeks and buying some additional points. Then, all of the points would be in the latest trust fund. I tend to avoid owner updates (sales presentations) so I don't know if they still are doing that.

One can determine which Trust Fund points are in by doing some legwork. First of all, if the points were purchased from BG in 2003 or later, they would be in Trust Fund E. If you were buying resale you would want to see some documentation to verify sale date. If the seller has lost it, you can still determine it if they have a recent maintenance fee billing statement, If you join the Bluegreen Yahoo Group you will find a spreadsheet which allows you to calculate the maintenance fees in various trust funds over the last several years. Which ever one matches the unit's MF, tells you which trust fund they are in. One caution, resellers will often give last year's fees and call it this year's fees (I have even seen fees from several years ago quoted as current fees). Some will omit real estate taxes and some will include it. So, unless you trust the seller, be sure to see something in writing. Contacting corporate BG is useless since only the Trustee deals in the trust funds and the Trustee just tells corporate BG what the fees are and then BG bills the owner. The BG employees you would contact generally have never heard of trust funds.

Of course, if you want to use the 12 month rule to get a particular week at a particular resort every year, then it doesn't matter which trust fund you are in if you are willing to pay extra for that benefit.

Having weeks vary greatly in the number of points is a great asset. If one bought only 9000 points one could still get a very nice 2 bedroom in red time somewhere. If you wanted to try a higher point resort, you could do a partial week. If you found you liked that and the kids are getting older and your income has increased, then you could buy more points, etc., etc.

Charles

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

Hershey

Does Hershey come up on resale often? I couldnt find it in my searches. Thanks everybody.

Hershey hasn't been a BG resort for very long so all of the BG Hershey owners are recent buyers. I imagine they wouldn't be selling yet unless they are in financial hardship.

Charles