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@*#*$@%$# timeshares!

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Dec 22, 2008 7:21 pm

Does anyone have a good way to get rid of these bastards?  I have a client who claims he can’t even GIVE his time shares away and he needs to be free of them in the worst way.  Short of just walking away and getting sued, I’ll take any suggestions.  What I do know that DOESN’T work is listing the stupid timeshares with an agent.  This poor guy has tried two or three different agents who all talked a good game, charged him a listing fee, and then did more or less nothing for him.  I think he’s done with that.  If he can find a charity that will take the stupid things, he’s more than willing to donate them, but unless one of you has a good suggestion, I’m throwing it back in his lap…especially since this is nothing but time-consuming pro bono work.

  After seeing the hell he's been through, I'll damned sure never own a timeshare...
Dec 22, 2008 7:35 pm

I have seen people list their time slots for sub-rental on Ebay.  Don’t know if it works, but it’s free and maybe he can get a little cash back…

I’m constantly amazed by how many horror stories I’ve heard.  The only time I’ve seen them work well is for a few folks who have bought into good ones and don’t mind going to the same place year after year…

Dec 22, 2008 7:40 pm

He’s too technologically challenged for eBay.  Any other ideas?

Dec 22, 2008 7:52 pm

The timeshares we have have been absolutely great.  We have 4 weeks in Palm Desert and 1 week in Cancun.


Never had any problems.  Used them to go to Hawaii, the Caribbean multiple times, New York, Puerto Vallarta, all over the place.   I will say it depends on the company you buy it through, the "home" vacation place, and the season of the weeks you get.
Dec 22, 2008 8:20 pm

All I know is that one is Lake Lure NC and the other is in Branson.  Knowing this poor guy, he got talked into sucky weeks.  I know they rarely use them.  All I know is, I’d rather pay as I go…I like the flexibility too much…

Dec 22, 2008 8:36 pm

My wife and I own two timeshares.  One based in Orlando and one based in New Smyrna, FL.  The one in New Smyrna trades for two weeks when I deposit it.  We’ve never stayed at either of them since we trade them all the time.  But I’ve been to PA (Poconos), Napa, Williamsburg four times, Branson more times than I remember, Hilton Head (where I played Harbor Town for $15), another place in Orlando that was closer to Disney, and I’m sure some other places that I’m not remembering.  I love it, but with the two great Jones trips every year, we’ve talked about selling the things.  Just because I’m too cheap to feel good about paying the maintenance fees and the taxes on the Jones trips. 

  However, like your client, it's been difficult to do.  I've tried several different avenues from an agent (bad idea), to the internet, to asking friends if they'd like to buy it.    Couple of thoughts:  First, have him ask the property owners if they have a program internally to buy it back.  Some of them have set up departments that will buy them that way.  Others have set up programs that if you let them rent out your week, they'll pay your maintenance fee (which is probably the thorn in his side).  That takes the burden of him for the fees, but still lets him use it if he wants.  If it's purely a cash flow issue, that's his best bet.    He can gift it to his kids or another relative or to his favorite FA.  Perhaps someone else wouldn't mind taking ownership of something like that.   I wouldn't disregard the thought just based on his experience.   Unfortunately there are a ton of people just like him who want to get out of their timeshares.  And they're not all created equal, so his may not be very desirable.  Tell him good luck.       
Dec 22, 2008 8:40 pm
Indyone:

All I know is that one is Lake Lure NC and the other is in Branson.  Knowing this poor guy, he got talked into sucky weeks.  I know they rarely use them.  All I know is, I’d rather pay as I go…I like the flexibility too much…

  Timeshares are incredibly flexible.  At least the good ones are.  If you want to go to your home base you can typically just call them and ask to use your week and they'll tell  you whether they have availability or not.  If you want to go somewhere else, you deposit it, then look for someplace fun to go.  We can travel all over the world with ours, or we can drive the few hours to Branson and spend a week.  The places  you stay are better than any hotel room I've been in.  I'm pretty spoiled with my travel because of the Jones trips and our timeshares.    I think it would be a good Christmas present for Mrs. Indyone.
Dec 22, 2008 8:58 pm
Indyone:

He’s too technologically challenged for eBay. Any other ideas?



Are those the only places he can go? How much is he looking to recoup?
Dec 22, 2008 9:01 pm

Having never owned a timeshare, they don’t sound bad if you have the flexibility to go other places. Are the maintenance costs that expensive?



Dec 22, 2008 9:48 pm

My wife and I own a 30 week plan with Palace Resorts in Cancun and we also own 300000 pts with Wyndham Bonnet Creek in Orlando.  We knew going in that we would never be able to sell these to anyone, so they will be part of our estate to pass on to the rugrats.

If he could have a value placed on the timeshare, maybe gifting to his children, if they would agree to the maintenance fee.  He may also look at moving his "HOME" resort to a less expensive one to lower his monthly maintenance fee.  First I would take the children on a vacation so they can experience the resort. If they seem to like it...give it to them and pay the maintenance fee.
Dec 22, 2008 10:58 pm
chief123:

Having never owned a timeshare, they don’t sound bad if you have the flexibility to go other places. Are the maintenance costs that expensive?

  I think they'll vary from place to place, but costs on ours run about $500-600 per year.  We also pay an exchange fee when we want to go somewhere besides our home resort.  I think that's like $150, maybe less.  So, for say max of $750 per year you can get a great "hotel" room that usually includes a kitchen/dining room.  Our typical unit is a 2 bedroom, 2-3 bath unit with a big screen TV, jacuzzi tub, blah blah blah.  My mom and dad can get one at their place that's like 4000 sq foot with a huge kitchen, separate dining room, eat in kitchen, large living room and 4 big bedrooms on each corner of the suite.  It's pretty cool.  If I had enough points, I'd consider just moving there.   It's nicer than my house.      It's either that or a 2 bed room at the local Hampton Inn.   
Dec 23, 2008 2:02 am

Take a look at this web site…Timeshare Users Group
I think the address is tug2.net


Dec 23, 2008 5:47 am

spears how do you like timesharing w/ Palace? We went to Sun Palace for the first time last year and it was awesome. I could see why you’d consider buying there. Do you have a unit or just a “membership” timeshare? There are different pricepoints, aren’t there? Someone told us they bought into a general membership timeshare for around $6000 I think. They were suckers there on their honeymoon, but if you had the cash, it’s a pretty inexpensive buy considering the week cost us about $3000-3500.

Dec 23, 2008 2:10 pm

Luv, yes we Luv the Palace resorts.  We’ve been to the Sun, Cancun Palace(old one) and Moon Palace 4x’s.  We like Moon because its more secluded and has a Jack Nick.  27 Hole golf complex with Spa.  We toured the new Cancun Palace last spring break and it was way awesome, maybe a little to modern for me…I assume their target market would be europeans.                                                                                                                                                  Not sure what packages they offer now, we purchased in 2002 or 2003…cost was 22k.   I like it because once you book your 7days, they help with airlines and transfers so its pretty smooth and its ALL INCLUSIVE…food and drinks all day if you like.  The airport has been renovated to a more modern facility and its just a 2hr flight from Indy.  As a matter of fact, after our week in Hawaii in August, my wife and I agree we would rather go to Cancun. Less expensive, less time on the airplane (the flight back was killer) and people seem to be friendlier in Mexico.

Dec 23, 2008 6:37 pm

I’m pretty sure it was Cancun Palace that we went to for dinner one night. It was loaded with kids, and very obnoxious compared to Sun Palace, which is very calm.

  Thanks for the info, also glad to hear Mexico is better than Hawaii...never been there. I didn't stay at Jones long enough to win a trip there...
Dec 23, 2008 7:53 pm

Where did you purchase you Palace Resorts timeshare?

Jun 15, 2015 7:40 pm

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