Wanting to Buy Bluegreen

[justamom2six Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close justamom2six]

I would just say that if you are no longer happy with the use of your timeshares or the maintenance fees, why not just donate them? That's our plan. We are using them now, and SAVING money, and getting premium vacations, but in the future, if this is not the case, we plan just to let them go. Donate.

Sounds a lot like me, and mine, ten years ago.

Check back in 10 more, and let us know.

Have fun.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I would just say that if you are no longer happy with the use of your timeshares or the maintenance fees, why not just donate them? That's our plan. We are using them now, and SAVING money, and getting premium vacations, but in the future, if this is not the case, we plan just to let them go. Donate.

It's nice to live in the moment, convenient and more pleasurable, rather than worrying about things far off.

I do not expect everyone to have followed everything I have posted the last dozen years, but that was exactly our plan, and we did donate the first two & 1/2 of our unwanted weeks, until no one would take donations any more. There have been a number of threads discussing plans such as German Language School's or Turpentine Wildlife Refuge that no longer exist.

& why do they no longer exist?

But, you are making a good point, that one of the aspects of a buying decision should be an exit strategy, something the industry does not provide for.

Back when I cared more, and brought it up with those involved in the industry, the answers were all the same, as if rehearsed, "Why would anyone ever want to get rid of something this great?" Of course, those folks were just trying to justify their means of earning a living.

As I have said before, one of them who landbasted me when we first discussed the issue, came to me at the point in their life when unloading their timeshares arrived.

When the student's ready, the teacher will appear.

This issue is similar to suggesting to a 25-year-old that they should be setting something aside for retirement.

The last few years have provided answers to why one should consider an exit strategy, if not just because so many others are exiting, leaving those left to cover the maintenance fees.

A defunct exit strategy will not help, but at least it was considered.

Today's exit strategies appear to involve giving someone a significant amount of money, or holding and renting, normally for less than an annual fee, fueling my point of competition on the Internet, and making it less likely that resale values will increase because of the ever-increasing glut of resales.

I get the feeling some folks have never googled timeshares for sale or rent or looked at craigslist Orlando vacation rentals. If that was a requirement at all sales presentation, do you think it might affect sales?

But, then, I could be all wrong.

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

10 year later

Sounds a lot like me, and mine, ten years ago.

Check back in 10 more, and let us know.

Have fun.

I bought 7000 pts 10 years ago at Mtn Loft. I felt it was a good deal then, and still do now. But I love the Smoky Mtns, and go up there muliple times a year. Just recently, I realized that I could buy points on Ebay for a little of nothing. Which I have done. I would buy even more, but the truth is now I have more points that I can use in any one given year. I can only take 8 to 10 weeks off a year.

The value of the points is based on your ability to use them. I could careless about the market value because I don't intend to sale. Paying MFs is a bargain compaired to MFs if a person owned a second home. If the cost of MFs is an issue in a person's budget, then without doubt a TS becomes a burden.

It all boils down to what a person can afford. If they strech themselves too thin, then it is not a good deal. If they can easily afford it then it is a great deal. Now that is my opinion after 10 years, maybe it will change in another 10.

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

My exit plan.

My exit plan is to quit paying for MFs on the day I die.

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

I've been in 10 years now, too. eleven, actually. Bluegreen is a great system. Sure, costs have gone up, but they have never skyrocketed, we don't have them in our pockets all the time, no nickel and diming, no excess of crazy rules and limitations. And I have always been treated like a valuable owner (except for a few sales weasels, but mostly BG sales are decent folks that accept No).

During our ownership, Bluegreen has delivered on its promise of providing a growing network of vacation opportunities. The number of resorts I can go to without any fees beyond annual has grown substantially, in addition to the number of ways I can use my points. I remember Bonus Time increasing only once, several years ago, by $10/night.

I'm with pp's exit strategy - the day I die.

I do agree with JLB that donating is not a reliable outlet for timeshares. Not now, not later. Since you are a large family, maybe they can be shared throughout their lifetimes with no desire to unload them?

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Generally, I post about general things . . . trends, the state of the industry, etc. . . . as well as personal experience.

In anything, any time, there will always be individual examples on both sides of an issue.

Generally, trendwise, timeshare is near(er) the bottom right now, with thousands bailing, leaving associations and hanger-ons to fill the void. And that is among those involved in timesharing, those you would expect to be in favor of them.

Like Comcast, one has to wonder if the new are arriving as fast as the old are leaving.

In all the times I have mentioned exit strategy, no one on this forum, the creme de la creme of timesharing, or anywhere else, has come up with one. Well, one involving continued living. Not once has anyone been so exuberant about timesharing that they offered to take our weeks off our hands. Actually, a couple of them, even in the new, diluted, system, do pretty good for a $300 fee.

(This is not an ad; just making a point.)

Again, the real question is whether on a forum professing to be an objective source of advice, all aspects of an issue are allowed to be presented. 22 years ago, as we were sitting, captive, I would have like to have heard from those with 22 years experience.
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Just want to add that the family with young kids who go to Orlando, get caught up in the moment and buy a forever-obligation timeshare, thinking they will want to be doing the same things 20 years from now, and an industry that treats it the same way, that the owner will want to own it and be obligated to it forever, are both dillusional or short-sighted.

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

I'm with pp's exit strategy - the day I die.

We figure on giving it to one of our kids when hubby permanently blows out his back (his family has issues...), or when for some other reason we can't travel much anymore. Fortunately for us, the kids all love Bluegreen. We would probably own more points if it wasn't so important to have an exit strategy, though.

Just want to add that the family with young kids who go to Orlando, get caught up in the moment and buy a forever-obligation timeshare, thinking they will want to be doing the same things 20 years from now, and an industry that treats it the same way, that the owner will want to own it and be obligated to it forever, are both dillusional or short-sighted.

I think one advantage of points systems is that it avoids that "trapped in one place" scenario. Although I think that explains why DVC resale prices have done such a dive -- if you're not wanting to go to Florida, DVC is not terribly useful.

We would not vacation without timeshares (it's not a vacation being crammed in a hotel suite with five kids), so we'll always be grateful to Bluegreen for that. We were not, however, grateful enough to pay developer prices.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I think one advantage of points systems is that it avoids that "trapped in one place" scenario.

Yup. Trapped, but different.

[Tom in GA Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tom in GA]

Exit Strategy

We have an exit strategy! When we bought BG, we knew that it was a long term deal. The fees will always be there....until we die. So what are to do? One or both us intend to use BG until we can't budge anymore. After that, we will either give it to some relatives or let our will dole it out. As I said, we are in it for the long term....until death do us part!

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

We have an exit strategy! When we bought BG, we knew that it was a long term deal. The fees will always be there....until we die. So what are to do? One or both us intend to use BG until we can't budge anymore. After that, we will either give it to some relatives or let our will dole it out. As I said, we are in it for the long term....until death do us part!

Gosh, if'n ya had ta bye everthin that whey, nutn much wud sel.

What else, besides timeshare, do you buy with the vows as marriage?

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

I'd have to say Hip Replacements. And not giving them back at death, either! Somethings, you CAN take with you!

Kinda fun to see other Bluegreenians planning to hang on until their last breath.

Jim, I don't dispute what you say, what you've seen. Definitely trends over time, many ts are the same one-way ticket that can become an enormous monkey on the back. Words of caution are good. Especially a family that wants Orlando exclusively and then later, doesn't ever want to be there again. but this family is looking at flexibility, looking at Bluegreen.

BG is better than most in many ways. Not stuck one place, good mgmt, nice resorts with great staff, reasonably economical/flexible as these things go. very easy to use, get answers, send someone else in your place, go different places at different times for different durations and in different ways (points vs bonus time vs TP hot weeks vs RCI ...)

I know that I need nothing other than BG to get everything I want over time. I don't require 5* and sure won't pay for it, either. I don't care that Bluegreen is a weird name, that it isn't a prevalent brand. I don't need the name Marriott or Hyatt or any of that. I only need good vacations at a price I can afford, and Motel 6 prices strike my fancy, especially with quality far superior to M6.

[phinsfans4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close phinsfans4]

Trying to GIVEAWAY my Blugreen Timeshare, its Paid In Full!

I'm trying to GIVEAWAY our Bluegreen timeshare. We have 10,000 bi-annual points through Bluegreen. They are Paid In Full. We just want out... Please let me know if anyone is interested!! Thanks!

[phinsfans4 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close phinsfans4]

GIVING-AWAY my Bluegreen points!

My husband & I are GIVING-AWAY our Bluegreen points. We have 10,000 bi-annual points that are Paid In Full that we no longer want. We just don't like timeshare. Please let us know if you are interested. I sent you a private message with my email address. Thanks!

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

Again, the real question is whether on a forum professing to be an objective source of advice, all aspects of an issue are allowed to be presented. 22 years ago, as we were sitting, captive, I would have like to have heard from those with 22 years experience.
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.

It appears that the answer to your question is; yes, all aspects are allowed to be presented. You have presented valid reasons why not to purchase a time share. Some of us have a different opinion concerning TSs. While we realize that there is no market for the TSs, they still have a value to us. I believe it just depends on the person, if TSs fits them or not. For me they are great, but I am a person that still lives in the house I built 26 years ago, been married for 32 years, and have the same toster for the past 10 years. As the housing market has taken a dive, it has no impact on me whatsoever. The reason: I don't plan to sale my home.

However, I agree with you that it is not for everyone. It does concern me that many people purchase these TSs not understanding all of the pros and cons. I value your opinion, and appreciate that you express it. That said, TSs are great for those that understand the long term binding obilgation, and are more than willing to purchase them.

[justamom2six Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close justamom2six]

Thanks. I got your message. Messaged you back.

My husband & I are GIVING-AWAY our Bluegreen points. We have 10,000 bi-annual points that are Paid In Full that we no longer want. We just don't like timeshare. Please let us know if you are interested. I sent you a private message with my email address. Thanks!