Joining Club Sunterra

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

Since DRI has been offering Polo Towers owners the option of joining Club Sun for a little less than $3,000, I've been wrestling with the decision of should I or shouldn't I lay out even more money on something I already own. Through the discussion here I have seen the flexibility of Club Sun and have gained some idea of how to work the program to fit my needs. I've even gone back in history to see how many points I would have used and how many left over points I'd have had from all the past exchanges we've done (around 33,000 unused points based on our usage since 1998).

Initially, I had decided that I wouldn't really get a great deal of benefit out of the program as we really didn't need those points. We own 7 weeks of timeshare and sometime have to be creative in our usage of them to get the most value out of them. BUT, the recent discussions and trade magazine articles about RCI renting out weeks has actually changed my mind. Being a part of a company that has a strong internal exchange program now seems o be the best way to protect the future usage of the two units we own at Polo Towers.

Initially every unit we've ever purchased has been to use that unit. Over the years, Polo Towers has become exchange units for us as we've become owners at HGVC and Marriott in Vegas (we prefer both of these properties to Polo). So now we've been exchanging Polo For the last couple of years and anticipate doing so into the future. I reaize the Polo Trades through I.I. and, to date, we've been very pleased with Interval and the exchanges we've recieved. So long as that remains the case, we'll continue to make exchanges through Interval. But, since RCI has decided they can make more money renting out owners deposits I fear that Interval will do the same at some point in the future. Thus, the decision to join Club Sun.

So there will be at least two more Polo Units available for Club Sun members and I'll feel some degree of safety knowing that, should Interval ever become a non-option like RCI has pretty much done, I'll still have a decent internal exchange program to use for our vacation needs.

Mostly I want to say thank you for the frand discussion on the topic. We might not all always agree but that's part of the discussion process and part of gaining knowledge. It's always best to be presented all sides of any subject.

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

But, since RCI has decided they can make more money renting out owners deposits I fear that Interval will do the same at some point in the future. Thus, the decision to join Club Sun.

Doug: II has been renting owner deposits for years, as Craig Urbine stated. As discussed here, there is every reason to believe that II will continue to do so, and will likely increase it's activities.

****

Welcome to the world of mini-systems. A mini that allows an ownerto directly reserve in most of the places the owner wants to visit, provides about as much security a person can get in the timeshare world.

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

Club Sunterra also rents inventory, they must to provide the MF credits, airline miles, airline tickets, cruises that they offer as alternative (but poor) uses of SunOptions.

One thing that hasn't been discussed lately... you might want to 'bargain' when you convert for entre into Club Select which would allow you to 'deposit' your other weeks, when you want to, into Club in exchange for one time additional SunOptions. Reported 'normal' requirement for Club Select is purchase of 5000 developer SunOptions.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

Club Select

Just an update on Club Select & conversion offer

The offer we received when attending a presentation in Sedona was a purchase of 3000 sunoptions in the Florida Trust for $9,500, conversion of 5 deeded units (for no additional fee) purchased at resale that we already owned (totalling 27,500 Sunoptions) making us Elite level & eligibility of 2 non-Sunterra units for 8,000 each for use in Sunterra Select. Two of our resale units are EOY so sunoptions are valued at 1/2 each year.

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

Club Sunterra also rents inventory, they must to provide the MF credits, airline miles, airline tickets, cruises that they offer as alternative (but poor) uses of SunOptions.

One thing that hasn't been discussed lately... you might want to 'bargain' when you convert for entre into Club Select which would allow you to 'deposit' your other weeks, when you want to, into Club in exchange for one time additional SunOptions. Reported 'normal' requirement for Club Select is purchase of 5000 developer SunOptions.

As discussed with the salesman Club Select should be a part of this package. It was an option he told us we would have for our non-Club Sun properties.

For the most part I had scanned through the proposal that was sent to us. Tonight I'll be reading it in more detail and contemplating exactly which option is best for us. Presently we own enough weeks that we will automatically qualify for Silver Elite status (we own two weeks). There are, of course, upgrade options for more money that would elevate us to the next level of "elite" status. Of course there is also the option to purchase another week resale and bargain for that week(s) inclusion into Club Sun without an additional fee.

While I realize no system will ever be perfect, with today's ever increasing rental market by the major exchange companies the mini-systems seem to be the best port to weather out this particular storm. The problem with timesharing as I see it is that it is an ever changing playing field with owners having the least amount of say in how the system should change. What appears to be a realitively safe harbor today could end up getting whacked somewhere down the line.

I agree that the Sun Options for airline tickets, MF's ect....is a poor value. But, over the years we would have had approx. 33,000 unused Sun Options points judging by the value of the exchanges we've made since we first became timeshare owners in 1998. With proper management of our points, that equates to 4 RT airline tickets that would have been left on the table or a value of approx. $1,200 to us (figuring our cost at $300/ticket instead of the Sun Options cost to us of approx. $425/ticket). While not great value there is still value non-the-less for us.

So long as Sunterra rents out only the inventory necessary to cover the expenses of alternate Sun Options usage rather than raping the owners to produce a little more profit, I'll be O.K. with that. If, on the other hand, it becomes impossible to get requested exchanges internally with Sunterra then I'll be a little bit more than ticked off. At this point it still seems the best chance to take vs remaining with only I.I. or the independant exchange companies as my only options. PT's does not rent well from what I've seen so renting would be to much hassle with to little up side.

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

Just an update on Club Select & conversion offer
The offer we received when attending a presentation in Sedona was a purchase of 3000 sunoptions in the Florida Trust for $9,500, conversion of 5 deeded units (for no additional fee) purchased at resale that we already owned (totalling 27,500 Sunoptions) making us Elite level & eligibility of 2 non-Sunterra units for 8,000 each for use in Sunterra Select. Two of our resale units are EOY so sunoptions are valued at 1/2 each year.

That's a very hefty price tag that they probably justify with the number of properties you're bringing in, search the forums here as there was a relatively new member who recently brought in 48,000 with the purchase of 2000 for $3000!

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

As discussed with the salesman Club Select should be a part of this package. It was an option he told us we would have for our non-Club Sun properties.

For the most part I had scanned through the proposal that was sent to us. Tonight I'll be reading it in more detail and contemplating exactly which option is best for us. Presently we own enough weeks that we will automatically qualify for Silver Elite status (we own two weeks). There are, of course, upgrade options for more money that would elevate us to the next level of "elite" status. Of course there is also the option to purchase another week resale and bargain for that week(s) inclusion into Club Sun without an additional fee.

While I realize no system will ever be perfect, with today's ever increasing rental market by the major exchange companies the mini-systems seem to be the best port to weather out this particular storm. The problem with timesharing as I see it is that it is an ever changing playing field with owners having the least amount of say in how the system should change. What appears to be a realitively safe harbor today could end up getting whacked somewhere down the line.

I agree that the Sun Options for airline tickets, MF's ect....is a poor value. But, over the years we would have had approx. 33,000 unused Sun Options points judging by the value of the exchanges we've made since we first became timeshare owners in 1998. With proper management of our points, that equates to 4 RT airline tickets that would have been left on the table or a value of approx. $1,200 to us (figuring our cost at $300/ticket instead of the Sun Options cost to us of approx. $425/ticket). While not great value there is still value non-the-less for us.

So long as Sunterra rents out only the inventory necessary to cover the expenses of alternate Sun Options usage rather than raping the owners to produce a little more profit, I'll be O.K. with that. If, on the other hand, it becomes impossible to get requested exchanges internally with Sunterra then I'll be a little bit more than ticked off. At this point it still seems the best chance to take vs remaining with only I.I. or the independant exchange companies as my only options. PT's does not rent well from what I've seen so renting would be to much hassle with to little up side.

Seems like you've done the math, more math than I ever did, enjoy!!!

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

Welcome Doug!!! I was sure you jumped down to the 'other' side of the fence - I think your point of owning in a mini system has its inherent advantages. I think, maybe I also had the same thought as I was also contemplating purchasing a WM membership before the DRI purchase of Sunterra came to light.

Maybe we'll cross paths on day at one of the CS resorts!

Hey, now since you have your feet in TWO mini-systems, both of which can trade through an independent exchange company, you will hopefully be in good shape whatever direction the TS market takes!

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

Actually, this will be the third mini-system assuming that you're counting our Marriott ownership. In addition to Club Sunterra and Marriott, we also own 7000 point with HGVC.

The only remaining independant resorts that we own are in Branson, MO. Both of those units are units we intend to use and not exchange. One of which was purchased for $285, which was inexpensive enough that I don't care what the exchange companies do. I'll get my usage out of it and sell it on E-bay for a $1 if the time comes when we can no longer get value out of it.

For that matter, both of the resorts in Branson have ties to Spinnaker, which if push came to shove could easily move itself into it's own mini-system if it so desires.

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

That's a very hefty price tag

I knew I could count on you, Spence, to point out my crappy deal. I hesitated posting because I'm well aware I probably could have done better. Heat of the moment and all that rot. I think sharing the info will help others negotiate better deals.

So now that the damage is done, I'm going to make the best of it and wring all the value I can from my points. My 5 resale weeks, bought for peanuts on E-Bay have more value in a points system (using II) than they had as weeks. I'm hoping, anyway.

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

I knew I could count on you, Spence, to point out my crappy deal. I hesitated posting because I'm well aware I probably could have done better. Heat of the moment and all that rot. I think sharing the info will help others negotiate better deals.

So now that the damage is done, I'm going to make the best of it and wring all the value I can from my points. My 5 resale weeks, bought for peanuts on E-Bay have more value in a points system (using II) than they had as weeks. I'm hoping, anyway.

Everyone knows that I am matter-of-fact. I'm not trying to belittle. You didn't buy all that retail and you have a great package that you saved a lot on! You will enjoy the Club Sunterra and I think you will be happy with the way it works in II. I hope that everyone posts what they know, I do, that way, as you said, everyone that comes here can benefit and make their own decisions.

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

recent offer

Greetings:
We were recently offered 2500 SunOptions for $7400 plus $185 closing cost. Deal included assignment of 1BR in Sedona for additional 6500 pts. plus ability to yearly add (for a fee of $119 each) two other resale TSs for another 14,000 pts. for a total of 23,000 pts. MF for the 2500 pts is $500.
After reading the posts on this site, I'm thinking this is not a great deal. Still have time to rescind. I hate the way they tell you to buy now or the deal goes away forever.
Any comments will be appreciated.

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

Rescind. Follow the directions exactly as specified in your paperwork. If it says to send by mail, don't fax and don't fed ex.

Some people have advised sending with a return receipt from the post office.
Do a search here with "rescind" and you'll see lots of other people have done exactly what you did. People here have given them a lot of good advice. Spent some time reading here and take your time before putting your money down for something else.

Good luck.

Sue

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

Thanks for the reply

Thanks. I will rescind. My contract says I can do it by fax. Since the post office is closed tomorrow. I'm going to do the fax & then follow in up with a registered letter on Tues., the last day of my rescission period.

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

Greetings:
We were recently offered 2500 SunOptions for $7400 plus $185 closing cost. Deal included assignment of 1BR in Sedona for additional 6500 pts. plus ability to yearly add (for a fee of $119 each) two other resale TSs for another 14,000 pts. for a total of 23,000 pts. MF for the 2500 pts is $500.
After reading the posts on this site, I'm thinking this is not a great deal. Still have time to rescind. I hate the way they tell you to buy now or the deal goes away forever.
Any comments will be appreciated.

Well I recently upgraded to Club I had 63,000 points in deeded weeks in Sunterra I bought 2000 points for each deed I converted which equaled a total of 8000 pts for $9,700 which gave me a total of 71,000 pts for $9,700 the key in the end in my opinion is to keep your MFs as low as possible since you end up paying them every year. Before buying I compared Sunterra to the Fairfield Plus program and based on my evaluation you can get tremendous value apples to apples compared to the other mini systems but you do have to go through this sales office dance. I think for $7,000+ you shouldn't have to pay $119 x 2 for those two non-sunterra timeshares that would be a real bothersome point with me. I believe if you cancel or rescind you will be given a better deal immediately trust me they hate to lose money. If they offer full conversion of your timeshares and drop the extra $240 and move their price in the $5000 range I would pull the trigger from my experience thats about where you would expect it, but make sure you feel comfortable before you do anything. And you can do your conversion via mail it really puts more pressure on them to come up with something in my opinion they lose the home field advantage. Again I had a relative pleasant experience, shop around talk to other sales offices.