Am I insane?

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

I think you did a great job in scoring a place you want to go with no problems getting it and cheap, too!

Happy vacationing!

[glypnirsgirl Member Find all posts View Profile Close glypnirsgirl]

I think that you did great! mazatlan is stunningly beautiful.

elaine

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

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

I am not familiar with the timeshare you bought so looked it up and the location seems to be perfect with a nice beach and view over the ocean which you are guaranteed! I went on Trip Advisor as well as another website and most reviews were positive. I don't believe that it is a mandatory A-I resort where you have to buy the meal package. Since this is close to everything, I would not recommend it so you can try different restaurants every night if you don't like to cook while on vacation. The restaurant didn't have too high a rating.

In my opinion, you can't beat a fixed week and unit as it is there waiting for you and you don't have to worry about it. We own a timeshare like that too in Puerto Vallarta and it's something to always look forward to all year long.

You will also get to know the other fixed week owners and will do some fun stuff together like throwing a yearly party or going out for dinner together or even share a ride to a place you both like to visit. This is what happens at our resort. I also read that the staff is very friendly but they are at most resorts and they speak good English.

Enjoy your first timeshare as you can sell it and most likely break even too and the maintenance fees are less than staying in a hotel room. Good for you as you were very smart.

[Its5O'clockSomewhere Member Find all posts View Profile Close Its5O'clockSomewhere]

And the all-important, 'How do I say ''Help, I've fallen - and I can't get up'' in Spanish'?

Ayudame, que he caido y no puedo levantarme!

[bankr63 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bankr63]

And the Verdict is...

Hey B Jones!

Enjoyed the posts here. Seems to me that week 28 ends this weekend. How 'bout an update on your purchase? Was it "all that and more?" or do you need to memorize the quoted text below?

Ayudame, que he caido y no puedo levantarme!

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

Ha!

Well, I emailed the resort telling them I would be using my unit this year, and brought a copy of my contract just in case. Handed it to the front desk clerk and immediately received my room key and towel card! It was totally painless and quite a relief (this was the last of my concerns - that there would be problems checking in).

I can't guarantee this, but I would swear they used my unit for the promotional pictures. Furniture is the same, pictures on the wall the same, view the same ... and I did peek into some open doors and not all units are cookie-cutter decor. The view was wonderful. I overlook the pool and the ocean. The unit has a small balcony with a couple of plastic chairs and a small table for some relaxation after breakfast and again late night. The air conditioner worked it's magic and the unit was always comfortable. Microwave worked, but the turntable had been replaced with one from a different model, so it didn't spin (big whoop). Didn't use the stovetop (and there were pots/pans/dishes in the cupboards) because the resort restaurant had really good food, as well as a couple of other places up and down the Zona Dorada. Oh, and the auction said this unit sleeps 4 - it sleeps 6 if you use the extra blankets and pillows on the two couches.

The two main items other reviewers didn't like were also present (but I knew beforehand, so I'm fine with it) - first the resort isn't new, and it shows. The primary sign, and easy to fix, is the sloppy paint job everywhere. Evidently whomever painted last didn't know about taping things off first. It just looks sloppy. Second are the bichos. Yes, I learned a new Spanish word! The bichos are really, really itsy-bitsy tiny little ants. They made their presence known the morning of my third day (I left an after dinner candy on the kitchen table - bad me). A little discussion with the housekeeper (who by the way was a riot. She doesn't speak any English, and my Spanish is rusty, so it was fun trying to communicate) and a day later they were, for the most part, gone. She dealt with them with a strong arm and a heavy can of raid! She still wouldn't give me more than 2 coffee packages a day though, but she did tell me I could have two regular instead of 1 regular and 1 decaf!

The resort is not all-inclusive, although they do have that option for one of the hotel packages. The restaurant has excellent food, and on Sunday offers a buffet which had my favorite item (lengua). Staff, with the exception of the pushy timeshare lady, were all very friendly and attentive.

The weather was hot. Ok, it was REALLY HOT. And the humidity was probably 100% (Mist would come off the ocean water at dusk). It was like being in a sauna. After a day I started enjoying it On the third day I stopped sweating so much that I had to change clothes frequently! Then I just got into the routine of 'food, back to the unit to cool down, wander the streets, back to the unit, beach, unit, food, unit, balcony, beach, food, ...'. Oh, then there was Thursday night (if I recall correctly). We had a thunder & lightning show for hours. And it poured down rain as well. It rained hard enough that water came in all of the units (via the front doors). The floors are tile, so it was easy for me to throw the towels down and get most of it - but the housekeeping staff was busy the next day with big brooms and lots of towels!

I also like to travel light. All I took was my backpack with a couple pairs of shorts and 7 days worth of other clothes. There was a laundromat right across the street that cost $20 pesos - and they provide the soap! What a deal

The thing I enjoyed the most was watching the other guests. Since I went by myself this time, I did a lot of people watching. Week 28 is not a big use week for those of us from The States (too hot), but the resort is full of locals. People in other cultures are much more family oriented. Almost every family there was made up of at least grandma, grandpa, mom, dad and the kids. Some even had the aunts, uncles and cousins. It was like watching Ozzie & Harriet for real (or Hazel, Patty Duke, Father Knows Best ... but not Bachelor Father) because no one was screaming at their kids, everyone was having a great time and showing respect for the other guests. Amazing family dynamics; and something I think we would be better for if we emulated them.

Ok, I think my long winded explanation can be summed up in a, 'Yes, I'm very happy with my purchase and had a great time in Mazatlan' I look forward to next year!

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

That sounds great! I'm really happy for you that you are pleased with your purchase. Enjoy it!