Timeshares - Are they worth it?

[purbeast0]

I know this is more of an opinion than anything, but in general, do you think timeshares are worth it? Also, is there a minimum age you have to be in order to even purchase it? I know when I was in Aruba some lady asked me if I was interested in one, however, she said I had to be 26 years old in order to purchase one. But I wasn't sure if it was for that specific one, or if that is a general rule.

So what is your opinion on one?

 

[akubi]

nay :thumbsdown:

 

[Jassi]

Timeshares have a bad rep from all the TV shows that have used them as filler eps. I have no idea but I am interested in if people think its worth it.

 

[skimple]

No.

 

[Schadenfroh]

HELL NO

 

[NuclearNed]

no - inlaws had one and didn't like it. My sister's family also had one and didn't like it. It was hard for them to get the dates they wanted. Also, they could never find vacancies in popular vacation areas. My sister used hers just this summer. The first place they put her in was crappy to the extreme and completely unlike the one she was told she would get. She complained, and they told her the only way she could get anything better was if she sat through another sales pitch.

 

[SouthPaW1227]

Absolutely yes, but under terms.

ONLY BUY A USED TIMESHARE! My family got a timeshare w/ 20 years left in a RED ZONE location for about one tenth of the original purchase price they paid for 30 years of it. They just wanted out.

Now we get top class resorts in PA (snow-skiing), beside Disney (FL), on the Outer Banks (NC) and in Colorado for $149 per week. I'm talkin' about PIMPED OUT places charging $400 a night, we stay for $149 a week. It's amazing.

Again, NEVER buy a timeshare from a saleman. Look for a desperate soul needing quick cash.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: SouthPaW1227
Absolutely yes, but under terms.

ONLY BUY A USED TIMESHARE! My family got a timeshare w/ 20 years left in a RED ZONE location for about one tenth of the original purchase price they paid for 30 years of it. They just wanted out.

Now we get top class resorts in PA (snow-skiing), beside Disney (FL), on the Outer Banks (NC) and in Colorado for $149 per week. I'm talkin' about PIMPED OUT places charging $400 a night, we stay for $149 a week. It's amazing.

Again, NEVER buy a timeshare from a saleman. Look for a desperate soul needing quick cash.

wow that is pretty nice. sounds like the rest of the people haven't had as great as an experience as you. as far as the payments go on these things, you say you pay $149/week. how exactly does it add up to that? Did you purchase the timeshare for like $2000 or something and only pay $149/year on it or what? I'm a little confused as to how they are actually paid for and the amounts they go for.

 

[JEDI]

no

on top of the $ you will be paying for the unit, you'll also be paying annual maintenance costs.

for that $, you could have just rented a good hotel for the week.

 

[cronos]

no.

 

[torpid]

No. Too many recurring or hidden fees. But going to their sales pitches usually is worth it.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: torpid
No. Too many recurring or hidden fees. But going to their sales pitches usually is worth it.

don't they usually give you a free week somewhere or something if you just go to the sales pitch? is there any place to find out about these sales pitches and where the sales things are located, just to get the freebie ?

 

[Manchurian Candidate]

Originally posted by: SouthPaW1227
Absolutely yes, but under terms.

ONLY BUY A USED TIMESHARE! My family got a timeshare w/ 20 years left in a RED ZONE location for about one tenth of the original purchase price they paid for 30 years of it. They just wanted out.

Now we get top class resorts in PA (snow-skiing), beside Disney (FL), on the Outer Banks (NC) and in Colorado for $149 per week. I'm talkin' about PIMPED OUT places charging $400 a night, we stay for $149 a week. It's amazing.

Again, NEVER buy a timeshare from a saleman. Look for a desperate soul needing quick cash.

so in another word, look for people in dire straights so you can rip them off?

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: purbeast0

Originally posted by: torpid
No. Too many recurring or hidden fees. But going to their sales pitches usually is worth it.

don't they usually give you a free week somewhere or something if you just go to the sales pitch? is there any place to find out about these sales pitches and where the sales things are located, just to get the freebie ?

I don't know about free weeks, but they usually at the least give you a decent gift certificate to a nice restaurant. Some will pay for you to come to the resort (as in, plane fare and all). When my dad goes on vacation, he usually listens to one or two for the freebies.

 

[cliftonite]

no way

 

[SouthPaW1227]

wow that is pretty nice. sounds like the rest of the people haven't had as great as an experience as you. as far as the payments go on these things, you say you pay $149/week. how exactly does it add up to that? Did you purchase the timeshare for like $2000 or something and only pay $149/year on it or what? I'm a little confused as to how they are actually paid for and the amounts they go for.

Yep. We paid like $1000 or so up front. Now for 20 years we have 2 weeks of red zone to trade up, and we always get awesome places. So after 2 vacations at resorts that would've charged $400+ a night, it's already paid for. There's a yearly "maintainance fee" of like $350, but honestly that's it. Be careful b/c some timeshares add MORE fees, but we got a good one (RCI). Also we can "buy a week" of extra vacation for $149 too...up to like 5 weeks per year at amazing resorts for $149/week each time. Can't beat it.

 

[purbeast0]

well I have seen some that are going for like a little under $2000 in Aruba for the week of thanksgiving (which is right near my birthday) with a maintenance fee of like $450. so does that mean that i pay $2000 upfront and that i am GUARANTEED that week at that place every year, in the same room? thats what it seems like as of now. and that maintence fee is $450 and isn't that bad i guess for a yearly fee. Also the place sleeps 4 and if i go w/my GF and another couple, i'm sure they would be willing to give some $$$ to put towards that maintenance fee.

i don't know, it kind of sounds too good to be true, but is that how they work? i guess that is one of those good deals?

 

[FoBoT]

most people should avoid time shares, they are a rip off for many people

if you do get into one, get it "used" , ie buy it from someone that got ripped off, you can get it for 10-20% of the "full/normal" price

 

[woowoo]

No
Don't do it.

 

[conjur]

Nope. With Priceline/Hotwire, there's no need for one.

Good luck using your points or whatever to "exchange" for a resort in some other location.

 

[radioouman]

Some are good deals, but make sure that you like to travel, watch the outrageous interest rates if you finance with them, and book early!

 

[purbeast0]

lol ok ... did any of like the last 4 posters read my most recent post

 

[SouthPaW1227]

Yes, I'd venture to say what you read is right. When you initially buy one, you're promised a spot at one location, one (or more) week(s) every single year.

You can then "trade" for other locations, but you yourself need a good location (Aruba sounds great) so ppl will wanna trade FOR your location so you can then get another location.

$2000 up front promises you a week in Aruba (Same week, typically) every year for the life of the timeshare so long as you pay your fees. You can then trade each year and your trade successes are based on how hot your timeshare is (it's all about location).

Our timeshare is located on the beaches of NC and we've never had an issue getting any other location we've wanted, but we usually try to trade/book about 6-12 months in advance as that always helps.