posted 03-30-2001 10:44            

For me, personally:

I bought my weeks very inexpensively (most under $1,000) and have no MFs above $425.

For 2001, I rented three of my seven timeshares and recovered enough to pay MFs on all seven weeks next year.

My weeks are times and places where it is impossible to rent for anywhere close to the cost of MFs.

posted 03-30-2001 18:30            

The other reason for owning TS is the geeky way that we TUGgers "play the system." It's fun to do and the rewards are at least adequate.

Those TS owners who don't go through the shenanigans that we do are missing out on bargains but having nice vacations too, mostly. We do see a few real sour apples here sometimes; people who missed the basics when they bought, and didn't seek to learn them.

posted 03-31-2001 06:49            

One easter we went to sea island georgia, our final bill was more than I've paid for my most expensive week!
So, for us renting was a waste of money.

Also, this is one great hobby I love to "beat the system" and we've gotten a couple of great vacations for next to nothing using bonus weeks or by trading within the 60 day window.

posted 03-31-2001 06:55            

We own at a wonderful timeshare that is within driving distance and that we plan to visit every year until the kids get sick of it (which, judging from the teens I met there, may never happen). Sometime in the future I may decide to stop working or change careers in order to spend more time with my family, At that point, our income will decline significantly. However, I will always know that, no matter what, we will have a wonderful vacation every year at a place we love. The rental fee at this place is six times my maintenance fee.

The rest (trading the other week, going other places) is gravy!

posted 03-31-2001 13:01            

By "gravy" I was really referring to the fact that the second week didn't really cost us anything and we go great places with it. It trades well, but not as well as the "best of the best". You don't buy at Smuggler's Notch just to trade.....it's just not worth it.

We own an August week which we will use every year. I think it's an excellent trader but we don't trade it. The second week floats every year from red to white to blue, but to give you an idea, here's what we're gotten so far:

Traded the blue week for President's week at Vistana (then changed it to March when they changed the school calendar on us)

Traded the white week for Christmas at Grand Pacific Palisades

Traded the red week for Christmas at the Buganvillias in Puerto Vallarta

Traded a red week that was banked by the previous owner, but only two months before its use date, for a three bedroom at Fairfield Kingsgate in late June. (This was before I realized I could probably get Williamsburg with a white or blue with enough planning, but I'm still glad we're going.)

All of the above were two bedrooms, except for the three bedroom in Williamsburg obviously.

I would imagine that none of these places would be hard to get with a great trader like a southern CA week, I'm just glad I can get I can get them in addition to spending a week at Smuggler's Notch every year. Like I said before, that's what means the most to me.

Sharon

posted 04-01-2001 14:04            

I think the "rentability" of the unit has more to do with the quality of the resort and the demand for the area rather than the ability to drive vs. fly. A number of TUGgers report great success renting Hawaii and Carribbean weeks - and you certainly can't drive there. Those areas have great demand, howver, and due to the price of hotel rooms in such tropical destinations, people willing to rent timeshares can make money off over and above maintenance fees and still give the renter a good deal versus typical hotel rates.

posted 04-01-2001 20:04            

For some people there are good reasons to own a timeshare for others renting is the way to go.

posted 04-01-2001 20:52            

quote:

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Originally posted by rl2:

I also noticed Smugglers Notch studio on auction to rent $1.00 current bid for May 01. There is another $195 fee and upgrades fees of $100 for 1bdrm and $200 for 2bdrm - So for $396 you can stay in a 2 bdrm for a week in May. I have seen many of these weeks

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May is blue season at Smuggler's Notch...no kids camps, no snow for skiing, too cold for swimming. Nothing going on there then. I'm sure there are lots of RCI Vacation Escapes for Smuggs in May so you don't even have to use ebay. People want to go to Smuggler's between late June and late August, and between Christmas and the end of March. I want to go every August. I don't know of any timeshare that could guarantee me a trade back in there during August of each and every year. If there is one, then I'm sure it's just as expensive!!

Sharon

posted 04-02-2001 06:47            

quote:

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Originally posted by Tia:
Hi,

I just found this board last fall and found it very informative so far. We own 2 week of timeshare. The more I read and Experience the more I think that rather then ever buy again I think we will just rent from other owners. Can anyone change my mind?

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Tia: I would agree with you. Knowing what I now know, I would have just 2 of our five weeks--and it would be our last two, not our first 3. With business travels and an on-site rental program, we are able to get rid of our weeks, but I'd rather have just two and then use Vacation and Instant Escapes, Getaways, and TUG. Some of the Last Minute Rentals are wonderful.

For the pitifully little amount of money and the difficulty of doing rentals (while remaining liable for the conduct of our guests), I don't see that Timeshare real estate is the way to go. One would have to conclude that maintenance fees, exchange fees, special assessments, etc., will continue to go up. These are all things that are out of the owners' control.

If a person purchased their timeshare in a non-TUGlike manner--from a developer, like 99.99% do--by the time you figure in, say, 1/10th of the purchase price, plus interest on that money you no longer have to invest, plus a year's maintenance fees, plus an exchange fee, plus an exchange companies' membership fee, each timeshare vacation is costing nearly $2000 at today's prices!!! That's something a purchaser doesn't have time to sit down and figure out in a two-hour presentation!!! Most people take that long to buy groceries for the next week!!!!

off-topic
Went to Smuggler's last year on a trade and it was great! Traded a 1999 week and got the last week of August 2000.

on-topic
Bought a Vistana floating week for $5500. Have used it twice in Orlando, once to trade, and have one week now waiting for a trade. We love Orlando, so will go enough to make the purchase worthwhile. The trade to Smuggler's REALLY made me realize that we got a great deal. I would never pay 2-3k to stay there for a week. However, you do have to be extremely flexible. I am willing to wait til next year for a good trade on this year.

BUT now thanks to the internet, renting is very easy. I would probably rent for other vacations and stick to the one timeshare.