Am I insane?

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

After visiting Mexico via cruise ship in February, I decided it would be nice to vacation there - but for more than one day (cruise ship was nice, but you can't really see anything in one afternoon).

For the last couple of months I've been looking at the timeshare listings on eBay. I made my mind up that I wanted a fixed week so I don't have to hassle with lotteries or playing 'who can book the fastest' for the week I'd prefer. I also don't plan on joining RCI, although that's always an option later. I have a problem actually taking vacations, and I think having a place available and paid for might be the kick in the a## that I need.

Tonight I bid, and won, an auction for a one bedroom, oceanview unit for $1. Fixed week 28 (I don't mind heat) and apparently it's a fixed unit # as well. I'm assuming that the previous owner either defaulted, passed on, or decided they just wanted out. The property is Costa de Oro Beach Club in Mazatlan. I did do a lot of googling before I decided to bid, and realize that this is not the most modern of resorts (but I'm a tad old and tired myself, so that's not too important). Maintenance fees are currently under $375. Contract runs through 2022.

This is the first time I've done something like this and have begun to doubt my mental stability Of course now the questions have begun to form in my mind and I was wondering if some of the more seasoned forum members could point me towards materials that might answer 'newbie' questions such as 'do you have to book your stay, or do you just show up'? 'If I want to join RCI, what is the difference between points and weeks'. And the all-important, 'How do I say ''Help, I've fallen - and I can't get up'' in Spanish'?

Really, any suggestions for websites or reading materials would be welcomed!

Thanks!


Brett

[Chap7 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Chap7]

I'm pretty sure that Ebay auctions for timeshares are not binding. You may want to consider backing out until you get the answers that you're looking for.

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

You have found the right place to ask questions. I'm not familiar with the resort or the west coast of Mexico, but at least you haven't spent a boatload of money to get started in timesharing if you have already closed the deal. I prefer the fixed week, fixed unit for Mexico, and unless this timeshare has some strange rules, the unit will be waiting for you unless you exchange it or fail to pay the maintenance fees. Don't expect great trading power should you decide to exchange the week, but the annual fees are reasonable.

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

And it's right-to-use only till 2022, which isn't that far away. For your $1, and low maintenance fees, for a place that you'll enjoy and use every year, I think you did pretty well. Enjoy!

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

Hi BJones, Welcome to TS4Ms.

For a first time poster, I am impressed with the amount of home work you have done.
As Chaps said, ebay auctions are not binding but you have apparently checked out the resort and seem to have good knowledge of it.

Now, are you SURE it is a fixed week and unit?
How do you know?
Did you call the resort and ask or did another owner tell you?
Does this resort have an AI option and is it mandatory? That could explain the low Maint. Fee

These are the type of things you want to verify before you proceed.
I also agree with wacky that a RTU until 2022 is not that great a risk and with a low Maint fee, not a bad deal.

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

And it's right-to-use only till 2022, which isn't that far away. For your $1, and low maintenance fees, for a place that you'll enjoy and use every year, I think you did pretty well. Enjoy!

I agree - those maint fees are great!

Sounds to me like you picked up a great opportunity to enjoy MX the next 12 years!!! You knew what you wanted and did your homework, and found something that fits you nicely. Good job!

Sorry, know nothing about that resort, but welcome to the wonderful world of timesharing!

YES, being Forced to vacation is a good thing - has done wonders for my stress level and has brought me closer to many friends and family. Fabulous way to travel.

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

Thanks for the response (everyone).

The contract from the eBay seller (it's 'Vacation Innovations', a timeshare reseller) specifically states the unit number and week. There's also a provision to back out with full refund if the contract has mis-stated any pertinent fact. I didn't take it further by calling the resort - perhaps that may be a good idea as well!

As to 'all inclusive' - the eBay listing didn't say either way, but it wasn't noted on RCI's website (resort 1119). When looking at the hotel website for that resort, they do have one package that includes everything - but it's not much more than the standard room rate. I've read a few hundred reviews (from different travel sites) and no one who was doing an RCI trade mentioned a mandatory AI either - and most said the food at the on site restaurant was very good, so I'd still be good to go if there was a reasonably priced AI rate.

Yes, I considered the overall cost during the life of the contract. Even if the maint fees wind up averaging $500/yr that's only 6K. Not that I don't have other uses for that amount of $$$, but I figured it was a pretty low risk for the potential benefits. Plus, the term was long enough that if I do like the resort I'll get plenty of use (see, I can justify spending money with the best of them!). And none of my unanswered questions were deal breakers - they're all to do with the actual in's and out's of timeshares - not specific to the resort. As long as my basic understanding is correct, i.e. 'pay the fee & use the week', then I don't have many worries.

Thanks again for all the responses. I'm resting a tad easier

Hi BJones, Welcome to TS4Ms.

For a first time poster, I am impressed with the amount of home work you have done.
As Chaps said, ebay auctions are not binding but you have apparently checked out the resort and seem to have good knowledge of it.

Now, are you SURE it is a fixed week and unit?
How do you know?
Did you call the resort and ask or did another owner tell you?
Does this resort have an AI option and is it mandatory? That could explain the low Maint. Fee

These are the type of things you want to verify before you proceed.
I also agree with wacky that a RTU until 2022 is not that great a risk and with a low Maint fee, not a bad deal.

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

VI is a known PCC outlet - PCC means "post card company" - these are companies that solicit people to come to seminars and for $3500 they will take your timeshare off your hands.
Many people will do this just to be out from under the yearly payments.

The PCC then turn around and sell the week for peanuts (or macadamia nuts ) on ebay which is just more money in their pocket.

Again, I am VERY impressed with the amount of homework u have done.
- enjoy your new purchase and remember, this is addicting

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

...
Again, I am VERY impressed with the amount of homework u have done.
- enjoy your new purchase and remember, this is addicting

Yes, you did a lot more research than most people!

And I agree with Grayfal's warning -- be careful, or you'll end up with a dozen timeshares. They're like potato chips -- you can't stop at just one, once you see all the great deals out there!

Week 28 isn't a great week for Mexico -- it's hot -- but it's not one of the lowest value weeks, either. (Those would be in the fall -- kids back in school, and peak hurricane season.) If you decide that you'd like to try out other resorts, you should be able to trade for other summer Mexico weeks. RCI's fees are high, but they would have the best availability of other Mexico weeks, plus opportunities for other resorts (surplus trade inventory) at low cost. (However, if your resort trades with Interval International, I'd suggest joining them instead of RCI -- lower fees, fewer mandatory all-inclusives, plus even better low-cost resort opportunities.)

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

Yes, you did a lot more research than most people!

And I agree with Grayfal's warning -- be careful, or you'll end up with a dozen timeshares. They're like potato chips -- you can't stop at just one, once you see all the great deals out there!

Hush!!! I have a feeling that once I figure out RCI and the whole points/week thing I just might be tempted to get something with a little more trade 'umph'!

Week 28 isn't a great week for Mexico -- it's hot -- but it's not one of the lowest value weeks, either. (Those would be in the fall -- kids back in school, and peak hurricane season.)

I checked the average temps before I bid. Since I'm from the Seattle area, I think I'll enjoy the 90's for a week (I acclimate pretty quickly to both heat/cold)!

If you decide that you'd like to try out other resorts, you should be able to trade for other summer Mexico weeks. RCI's fees are high, but they would have the best availability of other Mexico weeks, plus opportunities for other resorts (surplus trade inventory) at low cost. (However, if your resort trades with Interval International, I'd suggest joining them instead of RCI -- lower fees, fewer mandatory all-inclusives, plus even better low-cost resort opportunities.)

Unless I really hate the resort I don't think I'll want to trade this one. But like I said in an earlier post, never say never. Another timeshare - well that's another story And the resort I bought into is with RCI, so high fees and all-inclusives it would be

And thanks for the input! Every little piece of info helps fill in the timeshare puzzle in my head!

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

To echo the others, it sounds like a perfect first purchase. A place you will use, a fixed week you want. No hassle. Minimal cost.

Review the closing docs carefully to make sure they match the listing you bid on. VI will let you back out if there's been a mistake, but you need to catch it up front.

There is nothing about the purchase that makes me think there was a mistake - the week you describe may not hold a lot of value for avid timeshare traders, but it has found the ideal new owner!

Bravo!

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

To echo the others, it sounds like a perfect first purchase. A place you will use, a fixed week you want. No hassle. Minimal cost.

Review the closing docs carefully to make sure they match the listing you bid on. VI will let you back out if there's been a mistake, but you need to catch it up front.

There is nothing about the purchase that makes me think there was a mistake - the week you describe may not hold a lot of value for avid timeshare traders, but it has found the ideal new owner!

Bravo!

Thanks! And I just said the same thing to 'cookincheri' in her 'buying from ebay' post! VI displayed all the documentation during the check-out process, so I was able to verify it before actually finalizing the transaction. Of course I did look at the final downloaded contract as well

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

I did the exact same thing as you about 7 years ago. I purchased a timeshare site-un-seen with an online auction site (Not e-bay, they came on my 2nd and 3rd purchases) and It was a fixed week/fixed unit which is what I wanted because the week (week 25) was perfect for me. I paid $199 for the unit and about $900 for maintenance fees and closing costs. I said for $1,000 bucks I’ll take the chance and if it doesn’t work out my week vacation in Mazatlan cost me $1,000, which is about what I would have paid on Expedia, Priceline etc....

We’ll it did work out! I got a nice ocean view unit @ Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan. The unit itself was great, the unit location was in an ideal spot at the resort (i.e. great views, big patio/deck, no street noise, etc.. and best part is that it will always be my unit ; no wondering where they will stick me this time), the resort location, grounds, restaurants all great. It worked out so perfect that I bought 2 more. Regarding the De Oro; that place was also available at the auction site the same time as P.B. Mazatlan and I steered clear of it because of the reviews I read online. On one of my trips to Mazatlan I did walk through the resort to see if I indeed made the right choice and the answer was yes, as it only relates to Pueblo Bonito. The resort was not as nice as P.B.but upon walking through I noticed it to be very clean, friendly, and the patrons were enjoying the pool/beach and seemed very happy. So I think you did OK with $99 and will be mildly pleased with the resort and your purchase. Also, it is in a nice location with nice beach access.

[bjones9942 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bjones9942]

Just a little followup. Friday's mail contained the membership certificate from the timeshare along with their welcome letter. About five weeks from beginning to end - I'm pretty happy.

Hopefully I'll still be happy when I see the resort Nah - I don't mind staying at YMCA's and hostels - I'm sure this will be degrees nicer!

[Pstreet1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pstreet1]

I think you're going to enjoy your week every year and be pleased with having bought. Good job of deciding what you were looking for and getting it without a lot of other encumburances--and as you say, the time period is limited. If you love it, you can buy another one in 10 years or so.