Diamond Resort Vs. Worldmark

[NATASHA82 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close NATASHA82]

Hello,
I'm a newbie in this forum and came across it when researching timeshares. We attended a TS presentation in Maui at the Ka'anapali Beach Club. We got sucked in by the very persuasive Salesman to purchase a 3500 point for $11,000 which includes some Gold Membership and the $2995 THe Club fee. This was our second TS presentation; the other was a Trendwest TS 5 years ago. Anyway, we cancelled the contract the next day after I did some research and asked a few questions to my friend who owns a Trendwest timeshare. Needless to say, my husband and I were relieved that we rescinded. After reading some of the threads here, looks like purchasing a RESALES is the best way to buy TS. I guess my question is...what is the difference between Diamond Resort and Worldmark TS? I looked into both and I'm leaning towards Worldmark being that I live in Northern CA and there are numerous Worldmark resorts within driving distance to us. However, I seem to like the resorts in the Diamond Resort network better. I've been to the one in Maui and Lake Tahoe. I'm planning to visit the San Luis Bay location in the next month or so. Any recommendations would help? Should I buy Worldmark or Diamond Resort? How much should I spend? My budget is $5000 with low MF. Thanks to all and to this wonderful site.

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

I guess my question is...what is the difference between Diamond Resort and Worldmark TS? I looked into both and I'm leaning towards Worldmark being that I live in Northern CA and there are numerous Worldmark resorts within driving distance to us. However, I seem to like the resorts in the Diamond Resort network better. I've been to the one in Maui and Lake Tahoe. I'm planning to visit the San Luis Bay location in the next month or so. Any recommendations would help? Should I buy Worldmark or Diamond Resort? How much should I spend? My budget is $5000 with low MF. Thanks to all and to this wonderful site.

Welcome to TS4Ms. Both can work great and both are bargains resale. Only you can decide based on the preferences you showed above.

[VacationPro Member Find all posts View Profile Close VacationPro]

Hello,
I'm a newbie in this forum and came across it when researching timeshares. We attended a TS presentation in Maui at the Ka'anapali Beach Club. We got sucked in by the very persuasive Salesman to purchase a 3500 point for $11,000 which includes some Gold Membership and the $2995 THe Club fee. This was our second TS presentation; the other was a Trendwest TS 5 years ago. Anyway, we cancelled the contract the next day after I did some research and asked a few questions to my friend who owns a Trendwest timeshare. Needless to say, my husband and I were relieved that we rescinded. After reading some of the threads here, looks like purchasing a RESALES is the best way to buy TS. I guess my question is...what is the difference between Diamond Resort and Worldmark TS? I looked into both and I'm leaning towards Worldmark being that I live in Northern CA and there are numerous Worldmark resorts within driving distance to us. However, I seem to like the resorts in the Diamond Resort network better. I've been to the one in Maui and Lake Tahoe. I'm planning to visit the San Luis Bay location in the next month or so. Any recommendations would help? Should I buy Worldmark or Diamond Resort? How much should I spend? My budget is $5000 with low MF. Thanks to all and to this wonderful site.

There are proponents and detractors of each system on this and other internet boards. Only you can evaluate the factors of location, resort quality and cost that makes sense for you and your vacation needs.

[NATASHA82 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close NATASHA82]

Thank you both for replying. I noticed that many timeshare owners on this site have purchased numerous resales. When you do this do you pay maintenance fees on EACH purchase or are they combined? When you buy a DEEDED timeshare, this is for lifetime use and you can transfer, sell, and will this correct? Sorry, so many questions. Thanks again. Is eBay the best place to purchase resales? Who is a trustworthy seller on ebay? Timeshare Angel ok? I love this forum.

[VacationPro Member Find all posts View Profile Close VacationPro]

Thank you both for replying. I noticed that many timeshare owners on this site have purchased numerous resales. When you do this do you pay maintenance fees on EACH purchase or are they combined? When you buy a DEEDED timeshare, this is for lifetime use and you can transfer, sell, and will this correct? Sorry, so many questions. Thanks again. Is eBay the best place to purchase resales? Who is a trustworthy seller on ebay? Timeshare Angel ok? I love this forum.

Yes, you pay maintenance fees on each purchase, but if they are with the same system they are combined. With a deeded timeshare, you do have lifetime ownership. With some trusts, such as Worldmark, you also have lifetime ownership. I have found many good deals on ebay. The closing company that you use is more important than the seller. As long as a reputable escrow company is used, you are protected.

[NATASHA82 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close NATASHA82]

thanks, Vacationpro...who is a reputable escrow company...?

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

Natasha (I'm going to guess that's your name) - the best thing for you to do right now is take your time and get educated before you make a purchase.

Hang out here and at TUG (Timeshare Users Group), read threads that interest you, ask questions when you don't know something (folks at both sites love to share information and knowledge about timesharing).

As you learn more about different resort groups, different types of ownership, making reservations, exchanging, etc., at some point a strategy that will make the most sense for you and your family will begin to develop. You'll start to figure out what type of ownership will work best, what the best places will be for you to own, what you should expect to pay and what the fees will be, how to find a good deal and how to close on it.

It is very common for newcomers to arrive at sites such as this thinking they know what they want, but as they learn more they realize there are options that are even better that they weren't aware of

So take your time. Remember that you can always take the money you don't spend on an annual fee and use that to rent a timeshare from an owner. You can use that rental to investigate resorts in an area in which you are interested, or to learn more about a specific resort group.

There really isn't any reason to be in a rush. Take your time, get smart, and open your family to a wonderful world of vacationing.