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  • Should I join?

    Hi -

    I was offered $70 (and breakfast) whilst at Universal Studious to to attend a 90 minute presentation at the Orange Lake Resort in Orlando. I went to the presentation with my family this morning with the intention of listening to the presentation then leaving with my $70... but, having listened to the presentation, which itself lasted well over 2 hours, we became quite tempted by what we were offered.

    The best offer we received was something like a $17,000 one-off fee, $700 a month, and 66,000 points a year for a 2 bedroom standard unit twice a year, at any resort available. We were told we could pay a $75 deposit to secure the offer, so we could take it up any time within the next 2 years, and also a stay at Orange Lake for 7 days with 2 Flexitickets for $1,499 which would be refunded if we took up the timeshare offer.

    Initially we believed that the only payment required would be $75 which would leave us 3 years to take up the offer (although realistically we would have decided before leaving Florida next week), and if we chose to cancel within 10 days we could have $35 of that back. Therefore, the worst case scenario was that we cancelled and lost $35, although this would be covered by the $70 we'd be paid for attending the presentation. We also thought that if we took up the offer of the $1,499 holiday (not including flights), this would be refunded anyway, so we'd effectively get a free stay at a nice resort.

    Our intentions were to take a few days to consider our options and then if satisfied take up the offer that was made. However, as we got closer to paying we were told that we must also pay the $1,499 fee for the holiday along with the deposit, and although we had a 10 day cancellation period (minus a $35 charge), if we did not cancel in that period, we would be committed to at the very least taking the offer of the week at Orange Lake. At this point, we decided to leave, as we were not willing to pay that amount.

    However, we are still interested, and think that the timeshare would be a good option, particularly as we travel at least once a year on holiday somewhere, and RCI resorts were available in locations we planned to visit.

    I was just wondering if people could give me some feedback on what they think of what we were offered, and whether you think we should go for it or not? We were actually told we could not take up the offer unless we paid the deposit (according to Florida law?) but I'm guessing they would still allow us to take it up if we went back.

    Thank you

  • #2
    My advice is to pass on this deal, and first spend a good amount of time learning about the resale market. In the meantime, it's relatively easy to get good prices renting weeks from owners---Orange Lake, specifically, can be had for less than $1500, even in prime time. You can find rental listings here, TUG, RedWeek, etc.

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    • #3
      Thanks (and also for the PM I got from the other user). But, with the resales I would only get a timeshare in a single location, right? The benefit of this is that I could use locations worldwide? Do you think it is worthwile, bearing that in mind? Thanks

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      • #4
        Originally posted by british91 View Post
        Thanks (and also for the PM I got from the other user). But, with the resales I would only get a timeshare in a single location, right? The benefit of this is that I could use locations worldwide? Do you think it is worthwile, bearing that in mind? Thanks
        Bnoble is exactly right. Go to ebay and type in Orange Lake. There are 28 for sale for as low as $1.00. They sell floating time which even if you trade back into Orange Lake every year for the next 20 years because you cannot get summer weeks you will still save thousands.

        If you buy resale you can still join RCI. I do not know Orange Lakes Internal trade system or if resale allows you to trade internally into other Orange Lake properties, but if not they seem readily available through RCI.

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        • #5
          If you primarily want to exchange, you should research which timeshare is most cost effective for exchanging, and it is probably not one in Orlando, which is overbuilt in timeshare, impacting its trade value.

          If you are only buying one timeshare, a weeks-based system will probably work better for you. Look at the maintenance fee as well as the purchase price. A resort that is sold out and in homeowner control is better than one still under developer control.

          As to exchange, you might find that a mix of independent exchange companies gives you what you need at less cost than RCI. These would include:
          Dialanexchange Homepage
          Untitled Document
          SFX Preferred Resorts the San Francisco exchange company
          Trading Places International - Timeshare Rentals, Exchange, Resales, and Travel Services
          www.platinuminterchange.com
          UK Resort Exchange UKRE

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          • #6
            Originally posted by btcctomtb
            Bnoble is exactly right. Go to ebay and type in Orange Lake. There are 28 for sale for as low as $1.00. They sell floating time which even if you trade back into Orange Lake every year for the next 20 years because you cannot get summer weeks you will still save thousands.

            If you buy resale you can still join RCI. I do not know Orange Lakes Internal trade system or if resale allows you to trade internally into other Orange Lake properties, but if not they seem readily available through RCI.
            I don't believe Orange Lake's points system transfers via resale.

            In the past, you could force a Marcus Points transfer, but it was extremely difficult. World pts were even more frustrating, and I'm aware of only two successful transfers that occurred with that version of their points. I have not yet heard of anyone being successful in transferring a Holiday Inn points account...

            Upon closing, the buyer will revert back to the deeded week and unit. Also, make sure your closing agent is well versed in this resort. They allow pre-banking up to five years into RCI- but do not require pre-payment of the maintenance fees. If your closing agent does not confirm the seller's RCI account status with the exchange company (as Orange Lake has a policy to not provide this information via the estoppels process), a buyer may find they don't have usage for several years..


            I am a fan of this resort for usage.. I would have some concern for it as primarily just an exchange property. Orlando is just too common a location to really get good value.. Also, since the developer splintered the resort into the distinct villages when a unit is exchanged- owners at one village may in time find they have far different trading power than owners at another village (similar to reports of what used to occur at the Vistana).

            The other concern I personally have with Orange Lake is due to the incredible amenities they have built, such as the waterpark. The cost to maintain these will increase over time simply due to age and usage. I'm concerned that those costs could in time increase owner's annual assessments to an unreasonable amount. High dollar amenities are great for developers (they reap the benefits of increased sales, then abandon the resort before the costs get too high!)- but not necessarily a good thing from an HOA standpoint.

            Some of the exchange threads may give you other resorts to consider. Orange Lake can be an incredible value, but I think it is best suited to owners who plan on visiting Orlando fairly often.
            my travel website: Vacation-Times.org.

            "A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking."
            ~Earl Wilson

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