Help for the new guy

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

First, you are talking about fixed cost and variable cost concepts. In reality, we do not purchase high volume points in order to dilute the fixed cost. We purchase enough to meet our vacation needs or to supplement our TS portfolio. This cost analysis doesn't make sense to me.

True, it doesn't make sense to buy more points than you will use. But for someone who may only use 2500 points, or even possibly even 5000 points, it might not make sense to purchase into DRI at all. It would be cheaper just to get a hotel, or rent the timeshare instead of owning. One of the salesmen did tell me that DRI was trying to get away from the 2500 point contracts, and set the minimum to 5000...dunno if that is true or not.

Personally, I'm super cheap. I cost analyze everything...especially since my husband is now one of the "underemployed". There's nothing like having your income cut by 75% to get you motivated to get the most for your dollar.

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

DRI is Good

Hello all.... I am new around here as well as to timeshare ownership as well. My wife and I have been considering buying a timeshare at some point. I hadn't really done a whole lot of research, however, a couple weeks ago we attended a presentation at one of Diamonds resorts in South Lake Tahoe and yes.... we signed on the dotted line! The next day we had remorse, I researched and found this place along with TUG and promptly rescinded 2 days after signing the contract. So, after our blunder there is now no harm or foul!

My question for all of you is just to get led as to how happy and pleased you are with Diamond and especially their resorts? Are their resorts kept up well and is Diamond a great option? The points system is definitely the route we want to go because it provides flexibility. We live just outside of Vegas in Henderson so most of our trips will be out west. We are currently researching Diamond and Worldmark resorts.... so please tell me about Diamond as I have limited knowledge! Thank you guys in advance!!

Hello Matt,

Welcome! You asked about DRI and how do we like it and I must say that I do like it. I don't like the rise in maintenance fees, but heck no one does. I have read posts on several of the timeshare companies on this forum and the TUG forum of people unhappy with the rise in their maintenance fees. That is the cost to use for owning.

I like DRI for many reasons already stated, but I want to add a few others. One is the Club Select program allows people who are a part of DRI that own in other timeshares like Marriott's, to deposit their week into DRI and then receive additional points. We as members of the Club can then use those points for all kinds of things such airfare and cruises and other accommodations. I have used Club Select to get into very nice resorts such as Marriott, Westin, or Hyatt to name a few. Also, you can get reservations for other resorts through Interval International using your points.

There are not as many complaints as there used to be. However there are always and will always be people who have complaints of some kind.

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

For me I didn't see the need to join the club. I own a 2br/lockout at Polo Towers Villas. I trade with II. I stayed at the Westin in Maui and Marriott in Oahu in November for my honeymoon. We are going to the Daytona Beach Regency the last week of May. Last year we stayed at Marriott's Cypress Harbor in Orlando and rented a week to a friend in Williamsburg and another to Cypress Harbor for the Daytona 500.

I have a request in this year for trading my lockout to a Marriott in Hilton Head and am not sure what to do with the 1br part.

My mf is about $1100 and for me that seems better then the costs to be in the club. Just my 1 1/2 cents.

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

For me I didn't see the need to join the club. I own a 2br/lockout at Polo Towers Villas. I trade with II. I stayed at the Westin in Maui and Marriott in Oahu in November for my honeymoon. We are going to the Daytona Beach Regency the last week of May. Last year we stayed at Marriott's Cypress Harbor in Orlando and rented a week to a friend in Williamsburg and another to Cypress Harbor for the Daytona 500.

I have a request in this year for trading my lockout to a Marriott in Hilton Head and am not sure what to do with the 1br part.

My mf is about $1100 and for me that seems better than the costs to be in the club. Just my 1 1/2 cents.

If you are happy, we are happy for you! But, Hawaii in November (except maybe Thanksgiving week), Daytona in May, Orlando and Williamsburg most anytime are NOT difficult trades and a resort with MFs of $239 could get them also. Just my $861 worth, annually. Hopefully, your $1100 MF is for a lockoff and you get two trades and maybe an Accommodation Certificate annually.

As has been noted, the value of THE Club and any timeshare is in how you use it and how it fits with your vacation style.

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

Hopefully, your $1100 MF is for a lockoff and you get two trades and maybe an Accommodation Certificate annually.

That's exactly what I do. What are the peek time frames for Hawaii?

(Just to be clear, I'm not posting with any type of attitude. I enjoy learning how to use my timeshare to make the most out of it. Had I known about this 5 years ago or so I wouldn't have bought it from the developer. One day I will stop kicking myself for that but live and learn.)

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

everyone has attitude, yours seems to be fine, although I bought resale the first time (but still paid way too much) I have since bought retail twice, there are reasons to do this that make sense which is situation dependent. So quit kicking yourself and just learn and make the best of it.

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

In oder to purchase a resell t/s someone at one time purchased that week from the developer.

Knowledge is power and now that you have the knowledge you can avoid that mistake in the future.

[Dave55 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave55]

I purchased a 4 br lockoff unit at Powhatan off Ebay, fixed week and deeded, used my 1st floor unit in 2009, had joined RCI and banked the 2nd floor. Sat through the program at Powhatan (DRI) quote to convert was $5K for 200 more points, I refused. Had a visitor last night from Outlook Marketing, conversion of my fixed week was a little over $3K, aka 11,000 points. I did take the deal, need some solid advice though, is this a good deal, or should I cancel, I have 3 days. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

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

Welcome to TS4Ms!

I purchased a 4 br lockoff unit at Powhatan off Ebay, fixed week and deeded, used my 1st floor unit in 2009, had joined RCI and banked the 2nd floor. Sat through the program at Powhatan (DRI) quote to convert was $5K for 200 more points, I refused. Had a visitor last night from Outlook Marketing, conversion of my fixed week was a little over $3K, aka 11,000 points. I did take the deal, need some solid advice though, is this a good deal, or should I cancel, I have 3 days. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Need more information.

• $5K for 200 points no way
• could be $5K for 2000 extra points and conversion of your unit, that's standard
• $2995 for straight conversion of a 4BR summer fixed week = 11,000 is also standard from DRI if you can get it, but I've not heard of Outlook Marketing

[Dave55 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dave55]

error

I mis-typed, it was to be 2000 not 200. Other error is it was Outfield Marketing, I called Diamond before the visit, they confirmed they hired this comany to make home visits. No special offers, just to try to convince week owners to convert to points.
My big question is, are the points worth the conversion? It does seem to give me more options. Thanks for the welcome and thanks for responding.

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

I mis-typed, it was to be 2000 not 200. Other error is it was Outfield Marketing, I called Diamond before the visit, they confirmed they hired this comany to make home visits. No special offers, just to try to convince week owners to convert to points.
My big question is, are the points worth the conversion? It does seem to give me more options. Thanks for the welcome and thanks for responding.

Only you can answer that question, it depends on your vacation style and budget. Read everything on these forums and decide for yourself. I owned a Powhatan week and converted it when the Club started under Sunterra.

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

read these documents
https://www.diamondresorts.com/pdf/d...selections.pdf
https://www.diamondresorts.com/pdf/R...sDirectory.pdf
if you can't access them, ask to have them emailed.

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

I purchased a 4 br lockoff unit at Powhatan off Ebay, fixed week and deeded, used my 1st floor unit in 2009, had joined RCI and banked the 2nd floor. Sat through the program at Powhatan (DRI) quote to convert was $5K for 200 more points, I refused. Had a visitor last night from Outlook Marketing, conversion of my fixed week was a little over $3K, aka 11,000 points. I did take the deal, need some solid advice though, is this a good deal, or should I cancel, I have 3 days. Thanks for any and all suggestions.

My 13 years as a Club member says Club membership is worth it if:

1. you are interested in DRI destinations in Europe.

2. you take advantage of II exchange which requires cheaper points.

3. you are flexible and can travel off season or within 59 days.

4. you don't need two bedrooms. You will always find more one bedroom than two bedrooms online.