Questions from a perspective new buyer...

[rjr11211 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rjr11211]

Hi,

We just got back from Ft lauderdale Beachplace Towers and were considering buying two weeks with Marriot Vacation Club.

I have a few questions that I am sure that current owners can aanswer

1. Is the price (approx 18,500) reasonable for 2 weeks - Many timshare owners (outside of marriot) said we should pay around $4000.00 per week.

2. How does the "Florida Club" work? Are we able to stay at any participating resort free of charge irregardless of point values?

3. How easy is it to exchange the point value to vactions at International Marriotts? and does it have to be the same week?

4. Is reselling as simple as it seems?

5. Any thing to look out for?

Thanks

Russel

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

My perspective on the prospective Marriott Buyer is that you found TS4Ms in time. You will get a lot of advice, most of it good.

1. Is the price (approx 18,500) reasonable for 2 weeks - Many timshare owners (outside of marriot) said we should pay around $4000.00 per week.
18,500 sounds rather low for two weeks, you must be looking at Silver or whatever the low season is.

2. How does the "Florida Club" work? Are we able to stay at any participating resort free of charge irregardless of point values?
Although I recently attended a presentation at Ocean Point/Palm Beach Shores, I didn't pay attention to the FC details.

3. How easy is it to exchange the point value to vactions at International Marriotts? and does it have to be the same week?
If you exchange for points you can use those points anytime that what you want is available through Marriott Rewards for International hotels.

4. Is reselling as simple as it seems?
No.

5. Any thing to look out for?
TS salesmen, even Marriott ones who are the best (most straightforward/honest) in the business. Remember, everything's relative.

[rjr11211 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rjr11211]

Confused......

Confused......
________________________________________
I am even more confused now. The 18,500 is only for one week!

I cannot see who a timeshare makes financial sense at all.

If we are paying $18500.00 + another $900.00 per year in maintenance isnt it just cheaper to book vacations and go where you want?

The more i read the more confused i get. Is there any resource that can really explain the benefits of this?

Also other people i have spoken with, with Timeshares in Aruba say their timeshare was like $4000.00....


any help is appreciated

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

I am even more confused now. The 18,500 is only for one week!
That sounds more like it.
I cannot see who a timeshare makes financial sense at all.
If we are paying $18500.00 + another $900.00 per year in maintenance isnt it just cheaper to book vacations and go where you want?
I couldn't afford to rent the kind of accommodations you get at Marriott Aruba (or any other Marriott for that matter). Yes, you can go on vacation cheaper. I have a week at Holiday Inn Aruba this winter All-Inclusive for 2A/2C for $1500. That's cheap, but it's not a suite at Marriott.
The more i read the more confused i get. Is there any resource that can really explain the benefits of this?
You've found the resource, here and TUG, read a lot for a few months and you'll be prepared to make a purchase. Don't hurry into anything.
Also other people i have spoken with, with Timeshares in Aruba say their timeshare was like $4000.00....
They don't have a Marriott! Many of those $4000 resales are just fine, some are not as good as others.

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

Hi,

1. Is the price (approx 18,500) reasonable for 2 weeks - Many timshare owners (outside of marriot) said we should pay around $4000.00 per week.
2. How does the "Florida Club" work? Are we able to stay at any participating resort free of charge irregardless of point values?
3. How easy is it to exchange the point value to vactions at International Marriotts? and does it have to be the same week?
4. Is reselling as simple as it seems?
5. Any thing to look out for?
Russel

1. Dont buy any thing until you know the market. The first thing I suggest you do is go to ebay and do a search using the word "marriott" Even better do an advanced search, and look for completed auctions only. You will be amazed how much the price drops on the resale market. Be aware that Marriott will often exercise the "right of first refusal" (ROFR). Whiich means that if someone trys to sell their timeshare week at a price way below the Marriott price, then Marriott may buy that week (not often). But then, as the seller, what do you care if you got the price you wanted.

2. & 3. Is your primary intent to purchase so that you can exchange? If so look for a week that has low annual maintenance fees (remember they come around every year) and is a powerful trader (meaning it will pull good week when deposited with an exchange company). Florida tends to be overbuilt with timeshares and therefore make weak traders when deposited for exchange.

4. Yes, see one (1) above.

5. Yes, any salesman with any developement company (including Marriott)
who tells you a week will do everything you want. When you come back later to ask why it's not doing "everythng", they will explain "oh if you want to do that you need to own two weeks."

Daniel

[Arkansas Winger Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Arkansas Winger]

Hang around here and the TUG board until you feel comfortable about purchasing a timeshare. Then and only then should you make the leap. When and if you do, purchase RESALE as it will save you many $$$$.

Dale

[Guest Close Quarterbore]

Also watch this page for a while and see what things are listed for vs which ones sell:

http://www.timeshareforums.com/index.php3?page=ebay

The worst thing you can do is jump into a purchase like this... There are people that can invest $20k for a resort and be very happpy but at my stage of life I much prefer to let other pay the $20k and then I'll pay then $5k when they decide they want to stop paying the maintance fees.