How did you get involved in Timesharing.....

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

It was somewhere back in the 1970's. My dad had played golf with a guy who was a salesman at San Diego Country Estates. Dad decided to go down and check them out, and my ex-husband and I went down with my mom and dad. Mom and I fell in love with the units, Dad and ex with the golf course. Back then owener got free golf. Timeshare was sold in 2-week floating intervals, and you could break your stay down by one night at a time. Since we lived about an hour away we bought it to use as a weekend get-away. We went in with my parents for a two-bedroom unit. Don't remember what we paid, but at the time it was about like buying a car. After a few months we bought an additional two-week interval, this time a one bedroom for trade. We used the unit a lot while the ex and I were still married and I lived in southern California. In the divorce he got the two bedroom, I got the one bedroom that we owned jointly with my parents. Since I'd moved north by that time I started using my share primarily for trading, and usually to Hawaii. In 1986, with a new dh we stayed at Maui Hill on a trade and ended up buying a unit there. Those are still the only two timeshares we own.

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

Back in the early eighties I got suckered by the timeshare salesman's hook working the street. She said she got paid based on the number of people she signed up so I didn't see the harm, I could help her out. She said I only had to listen for 90 mins. and did not have to buy anything and would get free stuff then leave.
I listened but it was more like three hours. This is where I messed up, I thought it kinda sounded good. Next, I made the biggest mistake in my life, I signed the papers. I had a timeshare that wasn't even built yet. It nothing more than an empty lot with rocks behind a fence. Back then it was all RTU only for 65 years. No deeds, points, no second market, no internet. They said if you bought in a lesser known place you could get in really cheap and have cheap MFs and then trade for one of the big boys but there was a fee. I learned there was two fees. One to be ABLE to trade and then another TO trade, strange. I learned there is this thing called special assessment that the salesman failed to mentionen that costs hundreds of dollars and is at the will of the HOA to just call in for any reason they can come up with to get more money. A big lie he told was that if I didn't want it just sell it. He said after five years I could double my money !
After the place was built it was pretty good for the first few years. The trouble started when the developer sold out and was in the hands of the HOA. Fees shot up every year,trade rates increased and no owner input was allowed. The place changed hands at least four times all with new rules each time. The year end statement showed a lot of deadbeat owners not paying fees so mine would go up. After two special assessments it got to be too much money. It got so if you wanted to trade you had to have this set up at least two years in advance. Soon the costs were so high that it cost the same as a good motel. Near the end they charged for parking and this was at the place I OWNED ? The service was poor to not even there. Employees were for the most part hated their job complaining of low wages and sorry bennies. Getting rid of the thing is a whole new story, don't get me started. Talk about money sharks !
As I look back my timeshare has cost me a lot of money, many thousands of dollars that will never come back. The sales person was not honest by not telling me all that COULD be involved in ownership.
It works for some people but is not for everyone. There are other ways to vacation. Renting from timeshare places offer good rates for last min. deals.
B & B are wonderful.
Please be careful if you are thinking of getting as TS. Visit the place first, rent from there. Check the BBB and ask questions of the owners there.
If I had only known, I would have never taken the 90 min. tour.
Signed.... Biggest mistake made in my life.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

Are there RTU contracts in the USA besides Disneyland? I am curious where your timeshare is? Have you ever mentioned it?

Our experience in timesharing started in 1983. We had never heard of timeshares but we got an invitation in the mail to fly to Maui for a few days to see a brand new project. Our stay was paid for and the flight would be reimbursed too, if we would buy there. The brochure of the timeshare project looked beautiful so we decided to go.

I checked the Sunday paper to see if "timeshares" were listed in the real estate section and I found an ad from a sales office in Maui so I called them. I had a long conversation with this person and I promised to visit him before making the final decision. The brochure was from the Maui Lea at Maui Hill but we bought at the other one instead because it was on the ocean.

When we came home, we got one invitation after another so we went to look at the ones that were close by and when we heard that they were going to build a timeshare building in Laguna Beach, we drove by and bought from a few drawings on the wall. I used to live in Laguna Beach and we were married there so this place is special to us. We saw the condos being built and I took many pictures which I will find one day.

When we went to Mexico for the first time, we were so impressed by the luxurious pools and grounds of these hotel and timeshare resorts right on the beach that we bought two timeshares in one week. We bought on pure emotion and I wished now that we had checked the Internet right after our purchase but we didn't. It was before I was aware of the timeshare forums too.

The Mexican RTU contracts will run out but we will keep our timeshares in Maui and Laguna Beach until we die because we love staying there year after year. We love to watch the ocean and never tire of it. The mood is constantly changing and we love the sound of the surf.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

It was in 2000. We bought a timeshare from the developer but realised months later after discovering TUG that we were lied to by the salesman. We approached the company for a refund and they said no. Surprise!

We then reported the developer to the 2 regulatory bodies as well as the self-governing timeshare body. Thanks to having a lawyer in the family who helped us draft letters and advised us who to contact for an official complaint, we received our refund.

We then bought 2 resales at places we love to goto, followed by 2 more SA resorts for trading and just in Nov 06 bought some Worldmark credits.

We have really enjoyed timesharing as our family grew. Before we bought, we were already renting holiday homes and doing house swaps so timeshares was the natural progression for us.

We also enjoy camping but no more than a few nts at a time each year. For a real holiday, a cost effective timeshare is the way to go for us.

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

We then reported the developer to the 2 regulatory bodies as well as the self-governing timeshare body. Thanks to having a lawyer in the family who helped us draft letters and advised us who to contact for an official complaint, we received our refund.

Now that is a rare occurrence indeed!!!

[m61376 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close m61376]

We are the real newbies here. Last Spring we won a trip to Hawaii on a fluke at a fundraising auction at my daughter's school. A parent had donated a 2 BR at Ko'Olina which DH bid on. After a few days he looked at me and said: "why would you ever want to vacation any other way?"

We were hooked on the concept but he didn't want to waste time with a salesperson. I went down to the office and met with one, but on a non-tour- I refused to let them show me the video, etc. and go through their usual spiel, but I was on a fact-finding mission and spent about an hour and a half asking questions and getting info. Left with those nice glossy brochures and lots of follow-up e-mails.

We were lucky- being the consummate shopper, I came home and did lots...and lots...of research; found Tug and later this site and quickly realized that, despite their sales pitch, buying a Marriott resale was the best way to go. We decided on Aruba for several reasons (love Hawaii...but the 12 hour trip is not feasible annually) and are thrilled with our purchase. We bought with the intention of going some years and trading others.

We love the space and love the convenience of a kitchen. We had a fabulous time in Aruba and can see ourselves going there most years. Have already booked a Getaway to the Royal Sands. Am looking for something else.

I think this can become addictive...as in just one is not enough!

[Kay H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kay H]

In 1998 DH, DS2, GS4 and I were in Killington, Vt for dh and ds to ski while I babysat gs. We were in a condo where we usually rented when I would accompany dh when he skied.

DH said he heard they were building a ts up the road and he knew someone who bought there. DS and I went there to a wine and cheese party to check it out. I was showed a room and I asked to take the info home to mull it over and to see if we could afford it (quarter share only 13 weeks). Was told we could do settlement by mail if we decided to buy.

Since dh had been skiing there for yrs, we decided to go for it.

This was Feb and June we went for our 1st week in our 1br lock off and brought my dil's mother who had just finished her round of chemo. Loved the lock off feature since our guest had all the privacy she needed. No regrets.

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

While staying in a private condo in Maui, I saw the Marriott Ocean Club. At that time I didnt know what a timeshare was, but looked at the rooms and I was hooked. Tried to get my wife to see the rooms, but she thought "timeshare" was a 4 letter word, and only got mad at me. Somehow found TUG and bought 5 Marriotts resale in about 2 months--(fun time having my wife sign these papaers every couple of weeks).
Our first three timeshare vacations were exchanges, and visited Four Seasons Aviara(First), Harborside(atlanis), and Disneys(Boardwalk villas). My wife no longer thinks timeshares are a four letter word.
Mark

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

Nice - is a four letter word.

[Arline Member Find all posts View Profile Close Arline]

We bit the bullet on our first trip to Hawaii for my 50th birthday in July 1995. Bought KCR II from the developer at a presentation on Front Street in Lahaina. The following day, Shell flew us to the BI on a complimentary trip to see the property and talk to the guests. We were impressed and happy with our purchase. Then we found Timesharing Today, TUG and TS4MS. We bought and sold 4 weeks in South Africa and currently own: 3 weeks in Vegas, 4 weeks in Florida and 4 annual weeks and 1 EOY in Hawaii--all resale. Less than 3 months to retirement!

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

My wife and I took our first timeshare tour in the early '90's at the Lake of the Ozarks. It was not a high pressure tour, and we were not interested in buying. In the mid-90's, we took a trip to the Big Island and signed up for a tour at The Bay Club Waikoloa. Luckily, I don't do anything on impulse, so when we returned home, I found TUG and discovered resales. I lurked on TUG for a few years before signing up. We bought our first timeshares in 2001. I own more intervals than I need, but hope to use them all when I retire in a few more years. In the meantime, I rent some out, and my daughter and other family members also use them. I bought several sight unseen, but I was familiar with the areas and/or resorts, and I am willing to wait for my price. I finally bought ant EOY interval at The Bay Club, 10 years after I first toured it.

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

Has anyone gone away from the sales presentation and then returned to buy? This was something a salesperson told us people never, ever do. If they leave, they never come back. But Rick and I rarely do things on impulse. We have to talk about everything before we plunge in. It is hard to talk with salespeople lurking about.

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

Has anyone gone away from the sales presentation and then returned to buy? This was something a salesperson told us people never, ever do. If they leave, they never come back. But Rick and I rarely do things on impulse. We have to talk about everything before we plunge in. It is hard to talk with salespeople lurking about.

When they pull out that line, I tell them that if the deal makes sense now, it will still make sense a week from now. So the only reason I can see for them to not want me to take more time to think about is that they know it won't seem like a good deal after we've had time to think about it and collect more information.

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

My brother and sister-in-law timeshared for years, and got my wife and I into it four years ago.

Mike