Newbie questions on costs, trading, etc

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

I might be inheriting a timeshare from my grandparents this year...yearly costs are $500 plus the membership rate ($89). They have week 37 in Wisconsin Dells (I'm assuming not in the points system based on that info).

So, before I commit to this I just want to know what I'm getting. Looks like I'd be out ~$600 a year before even leaving home. If I keep my week in the Dells, I wouldn't pay anything to RCI, correct? What if I traded? Would I pay any extra to book a week somewhere else? If so, how much (on average)?

Based on what I've been reading on this forum, I'm guessing I don't have much trading power. If I deposited early, what would be the likelihood that I would actually get what I wanted (our family loves vacationing in warm weather places - Florida, Arizona, etc)?

Thanks in advance...I'm sure I'll have some followup questions!

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Hello, and Welcome to TS4Ms.

You shouldn't have to join RCI to use your home week/resort. If you want to trade it, there are other options besides RCI - check out the Exchange Companies listed in the forums here.

RCI charges $179 per trade in addition to the annual membership fee. Most of the independent companies do better than that.

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

Thanks for the "welcome" message - the forums have been very informative so far.

Interesting...The grandparents handed me the info and it included the RCI book and a printout from the RCI website on the membership fees, so I just figured I was "stuck" in RCI. How does one "get out" of RCI and into a different exchange company? Are there fees I have to pay?

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

Each exchange company is different. This forum has several(Timeshare Exchange Companies - Timeshare Forums), you can look at each one.

For RCI, if you want, you can just let them know you will not renew with them.

Jya-Ning

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Find out how long the RCI membership is paid through. If you want to use a different company, RCI will refund a prorated amount. If you can travel last minute, it might pay for you to keep the membership just to use the "Last Call" vacations or other low-priced rentals in Extra Vacations.

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

Any way you look at it, if I do an exchange with RCI or any other exchange company, I'm looking at a minimum of $500 + $80-90 + $170-179 for 7 days of vacation at a resort that's not mine? And that doesn't include airfare for 4, etc? Doesn't sound like timeshare ownership is much of a deal! What am I missing?

[vacation_family99 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vacation_family99]

What resort in the Dells? Also, is it for a 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom or something else?

Staying in a condo or cottage rocks vs staying in a small cramped hotel room. We each can have our own space and it makes for a very enjoyable vacation!

We average three trips a year to the Dells.

Good luck with your decision!

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Any way you look at it, if I do an exchange with RCI or any other exchange company, I'm looking at a minimum of $500 + $80-90 + $170-179 for 7 days of vacation at a resort that's not mine? And that doesn't include airfare for 4, etc? Doesn't sound like timeshare ownership is much of a deal! What am I missing?

Trading Places International is an exchange company that doesn't charge a membership fee and their exchange fee is $129.
Check out their website Trading Places International - Timeshare Rentals, Exchange, Resales, and Travel Services

So it would be $500 plus $129 to spend 7 nights in a condo style accomodations.

Do you own a 1BR or 2BR unit?

And what u r missing is that you will be staying in a luxury 1 or 2BR condo with full kitchen that is 700-1200 sq ft for under $100 a night.

Maybe your style of vacation is at a much lower price point -I guess Motel 6 can be had for a bit less then that if that is what you prefer.
Your example of 500+90+179 = $770ish is still a great deal - I am interested where you would find a trip for that amount that includes airfare for 4????

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

I use DAE, which also has no membership fee, and a cheaper exchange fee. I have also just joined SFX which also has no membership fee. I think your week would be accepted at DAE, but not at SFX. I am on a DAE exchange to a 2BR GC week in the UK at the moment. Also, as I recall, the membership fee at HTSE is only around $29 or so.

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

If your cost is usually lower than $700, and you don't really care about a living room a kitchen, you should not take that timeshare.

I have a friend whose idea vacation is relax at home and enjoy local activities. If that is your style, timeshare is not right also.

Jya-Ning

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

@GreyFal, @Jya-Ning - good points re: luxury vs standard motel...wasn't really thinking along those lines at all.

@Carolinian - how much more restrictive is the selection at DAE vs RCI? RCI seems to have the most locations/resorts available...

I found out its a 2-bed, 2-bath in Christmas Mountain Village in Wisconsin Dells. Sleeps 6. I also found out from my mom that my grandfather never had any problems doing exchanges (they usually went to Florida in January)...Their TS is for week 37 (September?) in the Dells.

We are the type of family who enjoys the beach (living in Wisconsin doesn't really give us that!) and enjoys seeing new locales. I think this might be right for us...all of your information has been awesome.