So New to TS

I am very new to the timeshare concept. Many years ago, in my young free days I bought a timeshare through Trendwest but it ended up getting charged off. I think I would like to buy again but I am not sure where to start. Where exactly do you purchase the TS? Also, if I join II or RCI or even Red Week, how does exchanging generally work? What if I can't exchange my week? Should I go with points like Trendwest or go with weeks? How does a red week or float work?

Thanks in advance!

imanm3 wrote:

I am very new to the timeshare concept. Many years ago, in my young free days I bought a timeshare through Trendwest but it ended up getting charged off. I think I would like to buy again but I am not sure where to start. Where exactly do you purchase the TS? Also, if I join II or RCI or even Red Week, how does exchanging generally work? What if I can't exchange my week? Should I go with points like Trendwest or go with weeks? How does a red week or float work?

Thanks in advance!

First thing is to slow down and relax! Look around where you want to vacation most years and if you have time do some tours of the resorts and area you like!

If you tour keep wallet and credit cards in your pocket and do not use them. When you see something you would really enjoy going back to every vacation then start looking on the resale market for only the units you want.

Next you need to decide what kind of trading you might like to do. II and Rci are the main trading companies that most timeshare resorts deal with.

Decide if you like the resorts that deal with RCI or with II. We belong to II and would never go back to RCI for any reason.

You can look at RCI and II listings on line and get idea's of different resorts available too! II has the top end (FIVE STAR) resorts in most cases.

I always state to only buy your first timeshare where you would love to stay every year and worry about trading second.

Remember to make your own mind up on what you want before starting out to buy one!

If you have no idea of where you would enjoy vacationing then maybe you should rent in area's you think you would like first.

Most people that come on these sites and complain about being taken happens because they bought from a resort sales and made quick decision to buy. Back away ,go home and think it over and talk to family about it and in most cases you would change your mind on buying that unit!

Only after all this should you buy a timeshare and pay cash if possible because buying on payments can wreck your vacation time!

GOOD LUCK! PHIL

Phil,

*takes breath* :) Thanks. Any idea how I get invited for the free presentations? I have a copule resorts I would be interested in staying at.

imanm3 wrote:

Phil,

Any idea how I get invited for the free presentations? I have a couple resorts I would be interested in staying at.

Getting in is easy,just walk in or stop at one of the booths in the town!

But if you want the freebee's then you need to sign up on the site of the resort your interested in or one of their booths.

I did see a section and I think it was on Tug that tells you how to sign on to some top resorts and get your gifts and free nights. I know Las Vegas is big on this!

Do remember on Tug seeing the information in Hawaii to stay a week at great discount and go on the tour!

Also if you know area or resort owners can help you. I know I can enter a person to the Ridge Tahoe and they will get free nights plus I would get freebee's if the person bought!

Just remember to take it slow and think because timeshare sales will not run out of units to buy!

I would hate to see you on here next year complaining you feel like you were taken!

Remember that on a tour half of everything coming out of the salesperson's mouth is bull! Get all the information on the tour and go home and check resale sites and there are many and you will save a bundle of money!

imanm3 wrote:

I am very new to the timeshare concept. Many years ago, in my young free days I bought a timeshare through Trendwest but it ended up getting charged off. I think I would like to buy again but I am not sure where to start. Where exactly do you purchase the TS? Also, if I join II or RCI or even Red Week, how does exchanging generally work? What if I can't exchange my week? Should I go with points like Trendwest or go with weeks? How does a red week or float work?

Thanks in advance!

========== Give serious consideration to resort groups that use a points system. (This is not talking about RCI POINTS resorts.) They are very flexible and give you access to many resorts within their group, usually with no internal exchange fee. RCI or II or even RedWeek will charge an exchange fee when you want to go outside your own resort group. This fee seems to rise from year to year! An interna tional exchange will be around $200. (Deposit early for best results.)

Since you would not own a fixed week that is yours to use in the same place every year, it pays to make your reservations as far ahead as you can. How many points you own will determine the size units you can request and how long you can vacation. The high demand seasons will require more points than the same unit in a low demand season. If you are only able to travel in the summer, this can be a problem. However, if you buy a summer fixed or Red floating week that will also be more expensive than a low season week, so it is six of one, half dozen of the other!

If you buy into one of the RCI POINTS network of resorts, there would still be an exchange fee, though it would be lower than that charged to RCI WEEKS users. Your "home resort" week would be automatically deposited with RCI each year, so you would never have the option of renting it out when you could not get away for vacation. Like resort points users, you would have the option of using your points for more or less that 7 nights at a time.

Points do not tie you to a unit of one particular size, but the "package" you buy is usually based on the point equivalent of a Studio, 1 bedroom, or 2 bedroom. Since the value of "a point" in one resort group is probably NOT the same as "a point" in another group, be sure to judge them by what they will rent for you, not the raw number. Learn what the maintenance fees would be for the home resort you choose and be sure you can afford it. This fee may vary widely, even among members of the same resort group.

If you have specific questions about the point systems at Fairfield/Wyndham or Bluegreen resorts, I'd be glad to help answer them. We have owned with both of them for several years. MD

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