New to the forum, but question:

[BigRed40 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BigRed40]

Like many others, I have at least one timeshare that I would like to dispose of, via sale (good luck!), or charity.

The thought occurred to me: most of us realized too late that buying a timeshare from a developer was a big mistake, we only later discovered that we should have bought resale. Water under the bridge...

But then I thought, "what if a person who wanted to sell his timeshare week camped out in the vicinity of the resort who has on-going timeshare presentations by their sales staff"? There would seem to be at least some of those who had been "pitched" that would be able to resist the blandishments of the salesmen. When those hardy individuals walked back out to the parking lot, BAM! introduce yourself, tell them that you have a week with that same resort, and you are willing to sell it for $____!

Has anyone else ever thought along those lines? Have any of you ever heard of anyone being successful with this sort approach? Would the resort have security guys patrolling to guard against this?

Just curious what some of your thoughts are on this subject?

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

Never done it but seems like an awful lot of work.
I'd just dump it on ebay for $1.00.
Someone will buy it. (maybe).

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

Unlikely I would buy anything from someone in a parking lot.

Too much trouble, also. I'd go with ebay.

however, if you meet up with other owners while using your week, that would be a great time to mention you wish to sell.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Every story I've heard where someone tried selling a resale to someone who just bought from the developer is similar. Suspicion ! Very hard to talk someone out of buying from the developer (unless they ask) and they regard the timeshare spiel as the gospel. Anyone who tries talking them into a resale is suspect of being a con artist.

[BigRed40 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BigRed40]

Thanks, that is about what I was thinking also, just thought that I would bounce it off of you for thoughts...

A couple of you mentioned trying to sell it on ebay, but every time that I have looked, timeshares just are not selling! Not even for a dollar. At least not the ones that I looked at...

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

Big Red,
I just bought 1 timeshare on ebay last year for $1.00 and this year I bought 2timeshares for $497 and $1500. So yes timeshares do sell on ebay but it's a matter of someone happening to be looking for what you are selling at the same time you list your week. Some timeshares need to be relisted several times before they sell.
You could also try redweek. I haven't purchased anything from redweek yet but I have done several rentals from owners on redweek. I think it gets alot of activity specifically interested in a timeshare.
Good luck to you whatever you decide.

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

But what does sometimes work is to list with a good resale agent in the area near the resort. Using Hawaii as an example, because I'm familiar with that locale. Timeshare Resales Hawaii and All Islands specialize in timeshare resales on Hawaii. They have visibility on the islands, and they get traffic from people who have been through sales presentations, then see the prices for resale properties.

The net result is that they often can resell a unit at higher prices than the pricing for units on the mainland. I think that's because they stand out to people as a viable alternative to the resort sales, they catch people while they are still on the islands, and the discount to resort pricing is obvious. They also know the island resorts and can speak with buyers knowledgeably about the different properties.

As the person selling the unit, you may be able to net more by selling a Hawaii timeshare through an island broker than you might with a broker on the mainland. But you would likely still not clear as much as if you sold it yourself and knew how to propertly advertise and market your unit.