Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Timesharing, But Were Afraid to Attend a Sales Presentation to Ask

Part Two: Your Timeshare IQ

Relax. This is not a test. The “IQ” here stands for Interest Query. Using your answers to the questions in the Timeshare IQ helps to create a profile of your vacation lifestyle.  Once you know your vacation profile, you can begin to narrow down the thousands of timeshares on the market to the ones that are right for you.

Knowing your must-haves and your I-can-do-withouts in each category will bring your ideal timeshare into focus quickly. If you plan to buy soon why not print this article and take some time to answer on paper. Giving these questions some thought will help you make the right timeshare decision for your vacation needs today and into the future.  Keep your answers and save them for the upcoming lessons.

1. How many people will accompany you on your vacation most years? How many need their  own bedroom? How many can share a bedroom? Can any of them sleep on a sofa bed?

2. Do you want to be able to cook meals in the unit, or will you eat most of your meals out?

3. Do you want a timeshare within driving distance? Close to home would save on airfare and car rental, but farther from home might feel more like a vacation.

4. What location do you prefer? Is there a particular spot that says paradise to you that you want to travel to every year, or do you prefer to experience new resorts each year?

5. Do you want a large, busy resort, or a small, quiet one? Do you prefer vacations that put you in the middle of the action, or that take you away from it all?

6. What on-site amenities are important to you? For instance, do you want golf, beaches, ski-in/ski-out right on the property, or can you drive a short distance to these? Other on-site amenities include lakes, rivers, pools, spas, hot tubs, tennis courts, daycare, restaurants, and more.

7. What destination activities do you enjoy? Theme parks, water sports, snow sports, sightseeing, hiking, biking, etc.?

8. Are you content to spend the majority of your vacation right on the resort property, or would you rather use the resort as a  base camp  to return to after taking in the sights and activities the surrounding area has to offer?

9. Do you plan on using your timeshare every year?

10. Are your travel dates flexible or do you want to visit your timeshare the same time every year?

11. If you plan on using your timeshare the same time every year, what time of year will that most likely be?

12. What is your budget for your initial timeshare purchase? Do you plan to finance your timeshare? How much are you willing to spend on annual maintenance fees? (See more information on maintenance fees below)

13. How will upcoming life events impact your travel habits? (Weddings, births in the family, family reunions, retirement, empty nest, grandkids, etc.)

14. What is your most memorable vacation? Why?

A Note About Maintenance Fees

What does the annual maintenance fee pay for? Maintenance fees are assessed by your timeshare to cover upkeep, billing, and replacement costs. As a guideline, the larger your unit and the more amenities your resort offers, the higher your maintenance fee. Depending on the resort and your season of use, maintenance fees can range from under $300 for a studio unit to over $1200 for a 3-bedroom lock-off.

While some resorts do not charge the fee unless (or until) you use your week, most resorts do charge the maintenance fee on an annual basis. Also, it is important to note that members who exchange their timeshare for another resort pay the maintenance fee of their home resort, not the resort they are visiting.

Check back next week for Part 3 when we’ll discuss using your timeshare IQ to create ‘cheat sheets’ – Your passport to adventure!

–Gillian Armstrong

TSA Prohibited Items

If you’re planning to travel by air in the near future, it might be good to take a few moments to reacquaint yourself with the latest list of TSA prohibited items.

Destination Hawaii: Maui’s Upcountry

When most travelers think of heading to the timeshare on Maui the vision of sun, sand and a Mai Tai in hand come to mind. But what rests on the slopes Maui’s majestic Haleakala Crater is worth escaping the white sand behind and trekking up this beautiful volcano and exploring Maui’s Upcountry for a day.

About an hour’s drive from Wailea and Ka’anapali, on the 20,000-acre Ulupalakua Ranch sits Tedeschi Winery. The tasting room, or the “King’s Cottage,” was built in 1874 for Hawaii’s monarch David Kalakaua and Queen Kapi’olani. Today visitors can sample, carry or ship home local Maui Splash Pineapple Wine or Framboise de Maui Raspberry Wine along with other traditional grape wine varieties.

Lavender laced scones spread with lavender butter and lavender flavored tea and coffee are only a taste of what you will get at the 11-acre Alii Kula Lavender farm. Guests may opt a guided or self walking tours through stunning and relaxingly scented lavender gardens. Guests complete the tour with a small lavender bouquet of their own to take home. The indoor gift shop is teeming with lavender specialty times including coffee, tea, candles, lotions and other precious novelty items.

The Surfing Goat Dairy is one of the more unique stops along the way. Guides tours are offered, which includes the milking of a goat – if you wish. Or, if “hanging loose” is more your speed, skip the tour and kick back with a cheese sampling. After all, the dairy churns out more than 25 different kinds of goat cheese. Some of the tasty chevre includes Ole! (jalapeños, artichokes, lime juice, cilantro), Men’s Challenge (horseradish) and Purple Rain (Maui lavender).

Does It Make Financial Sense to Purchase a Timeshare?

Do the Math . . . Only You Can Decide

By Jerry Nisker, Orange, CA

[This article previously appeared in TimeSharing Today magazine.]

Because I own eight timeshares, I am frequently asked by friends, and business associates if it makes financial sense for them to buy a timeshare. I never give them a yes or no answer. I tell them to do the math. I was on a airplane a couple of years ago, when the man I was traveling with asked me that question. I told him to take out a piece of paper; and then I asked him this question. “When you and your family travel, how much do you spend on a hotel room in a nice resort.” He told me that because he has two teenagers, he actually has to get two rooms, usually averaging about $200 per night, a total of $400. In other words, a seven day vacation will cost him about $2800 for the week. I then asked him exactly what he gets for his $400 per night. He admitted that this was for a nice standard hotel room, with no kitchen or living room. He also went on to tell me that he spends quite a lot of money on food since they have breakfast, lunch and dinner in restaurants each day.

I then told him to consider the following cost to own and trade a timeshare:

*Annual membership in exchange company: $100
*Exchange fee (assuming a trade each year) $139
*Annual maintenance fee & property tax (depending on location) $500
*Lost interest (at 3.25%) on investment for timeshare (based on $6,000 purchase price): $200
*Total annual cost: $939

After we finished working out these numbers, he pointed out that he would save at least another $100 per day if he they could have some of their meals in the condo rather than eating out. For him, this represented another $700 saving.

As a result of this little exercise, he has purchased a timeshare, and has made his first trade to Williamsburg, Virginia in a two-bedroom, two-bath unit.

Here are a few other items that I considered when purchasing timeshares:

1. Hotel rooms do not work well for me and my wife. I like to read at night, and she wants to stay up all hours watching television. A separate bedroom is essential in keeping our marriage together.

2. Some of the timeshares that I have purchased were for trading purposes ONLY because I have no intention of going to those areas. I was able to purchase them for as little at $1500. Those are considerably less in maintenance fees and less in lost interest on my investment. Instead of $939 annual cost, I’m closer to $750, but get the same benefit.

3. Other timeshares that I own, I never trade. For example, I own three weeks in Del Mar, California during the summer, and horse racing season. Since I don’t trade, I save $139 for each week, bringing that unit to about $800.

4. There are times when we want to take other couples with us on vacation such as we did in 2004. I traded for two separate resorts in England, each with 2 bedroom, 2 baths.

The only way to determine if timesharing is right for you, is to determine your own needs and run your own numbers. If for example, there are just two of you, and a hotel room is all you want, there may be no need to purchase a timeshare. On the other hand, if you want a separate bedroom and living room with a kitchen when you travel or to take other couples, a timeshare may be right, but only if you can make the numbers work for you.

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TimeSharing Today is a friend of Holiday and the leading independent magazine for timeshare owners. Enjoy informative articles, resort reviews, tips on exchanging and other valuable timeshare information in each 56-page issue. As guest of Holiday, please get your FREE Trial Subscription!

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Timesharing, But Were Afraid to Attend a Sales Presentation to Ask

Over the next 7 weeks we’d like to share our knowledge of timeshares and timesharing. You don’t have to sit through a high-pressure sales presentation to get the facts. Here they are! Be sure to check back each week for the next installment.

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Part 1: Five Easy Pieces

Let’s get straight to the heart of the matter: What makes a vacation great?

*Traveling to exciting places
*Experiencing new things
*Sharing special times with family and friends
*Relaxing in luxurious surroundings
*Getting away and having fun

. . . and doing all of that without going deep into debt!

Timesharing was created to turn the luxury vacation of the rich and famous into an affordable getaway for the rest of us. But saving money is only the start. Learning how to enjoy the vacation lifestyle is just as important. So let’s get started!

Unlike a typical hotel room, timeshares aren’t just a place to sleep and shower. Their spaciousness, their amenities, their furnishings say you’re on vacation the moment you arrive.

1. More Space
Timeshare accommodations offer spacious living rooms, large master bedrooms, additional bedrooms if you wish, plus the extra space afforded by fold-out couches for accommodating even more family and friends. Two or more bathrooms give family members more privacy. Separate areas for dining create a comfortable, homey setting. And many units have full kitchens for those times you would prefer to dine in, or prefer not to spend the extra money to dine out.

2. More Luxury
Timeshare units often include secluded patios or balconies for private outdoor relaxation. The offer higher quality furnishings, thicker bath towels, more modern bath fixtures and upscale decor throughout. Units often feature a washer and dryer, a home entertainment center and Internet access.

3. More On-Site Amenities
Most timeshare resorts offer standard amenities that are far superior to those of a mid-priced hotel, including large swimming pools, saunas, tennis courts, fitness facilities and a choice of restaurants and bars.

Timeshares are frequently located in highly desirable vacation spots that offer easy access to golf courses, hiking and horseback trails, theme parks, beaches, fishing, water sports, winter sports, shopping, dining and theaters.

4. More Flexibility
From quiet countryside to sizzling beaches or big city lights, timeshare owners enjoy members-only privileges at thousands of resorts all over the world through the exchange services of Resort Condominiums International (RCI) or Interval International (II).

Floating use and points programs let owners pick the time of year that best suits their schedules. Owners can bank their week with an exchange company for use at a later time, rent the timeshare to non-members, or in some cases allow the resort to rent out their week.

5. Less Cost!
Your annual timeshare maintenance fee is less than the cost of seven nights in a hotel room in the same area. Your bill is zero when your stay is over. There are no hidden fees or unexpected charges. You spend less money on eating out because most units have kitchens for preparing your own meals whenever you want. You save even more by not paying an extra charge for an additional child or visiting guest.

Built to appeal to the sophisticated tastes and higher expectations of today’s vacation owners, timeshare resorts offer luxurious amenities with the personable service of a world-class hotel at a more budget-friendly price. And that’s just the beginning.

In addition to the “5 Easy Pieces” that give you the whole vacation experience, timesharing also gives you special perks and privileges. You’ll learn about these in Part 2 of Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Timesharing But Were Afraid to Attend a Sales Presentation to Ask.

–Gillian Armstrong

Busting Some Bad Guys

I had the distinct pleasure of busting some bad guys yesterday, or at least attempting to bust them.

I received one of those postcards addressed to people who were fed up with their timeshares (as if I’m fed up with my timeshare). The postcard offered a solution and made it quite clear that they were going to be in my area for a few days to make “an immediate offer” on timeshares.

It turns out, of course, that this company wanted me and other consumers to hand over the deed to our timeshares AND $3,495 in an attempt to get us out of the “ever increasing annual fees.”

While I agree that annual fees have, in many cases, increased, and that it can be difficult to obtain a decent trade through both RCI and II due to too much inventory available to renters, the story that this “Mr. Charles” spun for us contained many out and out lies. Among them:

*  You cannot quit-claim your timeshare deed

*  Resorts charge 10% of the purchase price to change the name(s) on the deed

*  Less than 3% of timeshare owners are able to sell their timeshares

Amazingly enough, this company was able to convince one unsuspecting person to give up her deed and the “discounted price” of only $3,200.

When the local news media interviewed another couple who did not fall for this “offer,” Mr. Charles and several of his fellow workers came running out of the hotel lobby and insisted that their “offer” and story were valid.

While sane consumers would never fall for this with any other kind of deed, they seem to fall for these “offers” when they concern timeshare. All the more reason for consumers to band together and demand that the industry (all of the industry) enforce more ethics and let people know the truth, both good and bad, of the product and the industry.

Until then, keep reading this blog and find out how to educate yourself.

Lisa Ann Schreier
The Timeshare Crusader
Blogger at HolidayGroup.com
Author of Surviving A Timeshare Presentation, and Timeshare Vacations For Dummies

Interview with Vacationeer Kayla Mahaffey: Timeshare Vacation to Disney World

Tell us about your trip.

This was by far the most memorable and magical vacation of my lifetime, and hopefully my son’s, too! Let me explain. Since I started this amazing job, my vacations have been more for learning experiences, attending weddings, or adult relaxation with friends (the kind with no screaming kids). But each time I was away, I missed my son and wished he were with me!

So this time, for my son’s 10th and Golden Birthday, his father and I planned a surprise vacation to Disney World in Orlando. We had to keep it a secret for over 8 months. That was torture, but it was well worth it! The look on his little face when we told him why we were at the airport was invaluable! I grew up very poor, so was was never able to experience anything of the sort when I was a child. I really had never imagined being able to do something like this for my son, either, and it was a very emotional moment!

We stayed at an amazing resort. I could not believe the number of various amenities they offered. You’d never have to leave the resort if you didn’t want to, because they had it all–lazy rivers, lap pools, water parks, Jet Skiing, fishing, a movie theater, different types of golf courses, tennis, and assorted activities for the kids, including an arts and crafts room! There were even huge arcades were you could win prizes.

What is this amazing Orlando timeshare resort, you ask? None other than the famous Orange Lake Resort & Country Club! I did visit other resorts while I was there and also really liked Wyndham Bonnet Creek and Hilton Sea World. However, Orange Lake was my personal favorite. We had our own villa with our own driveway, a gorgeous view of the golf course, and the condo was almost as big as the condo I myself live in!

How did you find out about it, and how would someone make this kind of an exchange?

I found out about Orange Lake Country Club both from clients and from my Sales Manager here at Holiday. It was a highly recommended resort and now I know why!

Exchanging is easy if you are flexible and have time to plan. You exchange timeshares “like for like.” In other words, high time for high time, rating for rating, season, location, and so on. Orange lake is an RCI Gold Crown resort, so in order to exchange into this resort, you will need to deposit a Gold Crown. Do your deposit early, and if they don’t have anything right then have them put you on the “on-going search” list. Wait as long as you feel comfortable, and if possible be a bit flexible on the dates. If anyone needs more explanation on any of this, please feel free to contact me (contact information below).

What are some of the fun things and “don’t miss” things people could do if they stayed at Orange Lake Country Club, or at another timeshare in the Orlando area?

Disney World! What is there not to do? We didn’t sit still the entire week. It really is magical! There is so much to see and do for all ages. Don’t miss the lights on the castle at night, I felt like a little girl in a dream. The rides are so detailed, some a bit scary for this old lady, but the details on everything really were amazing. I ran into people a few times looking around, oops sorry! What an amazing experience, I can see now why it’s called The Happiest Place on Earth. Also, don’t miss the live shows at Gatorland and the Arabian Nights dinner show in Kissimmee. Those were two of the most amazing experiences!

Any tips that might make the trip more enjoyable? What did you learn to make this trip smoother, whether relating to timeshare specifically, or travel to Orlando in general?

Travel light if you can. This helps speed things through the airport. Orange Lake Country Club includes washers and dryers in the rooms and this can be very helpful. Of course, you’ll also want some extra packing room to bring home souvenirs.

Rent a car! This is a must. You can drive to what they call Downtown Disney and park for free. From there they have buses that will take you to all the parks. That way you are saving hundreds of dollars by not having to pay for parking at each park. You will have to drive to and pay for parking at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, but those are the only two.

I do suggest bringing your own golf clubs if you are a golfer. Also, have good walking shoes, because you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Plan the week out as much as you can beforehand without making your schedule too full. There are maps and guides at the resort to help you get the most out of your stay.

Anything else that you think of that someone new to timeshare might want to know or do? Best time to go? Reservation details?

If you are new to timeshare, the best advice is to learn as much as you can before you go. The more you know, the more confident you’ll be and the more time and money you’ll save. But whether you’re new to timeshare or not, this is an incredible experience for anyone. I have to say I never felt more carefree and enamored of a place than Disney World. It makes you forget that there is a real World out there, and that for at least a brief time, we can be children again in our own magical universe.

Check with your RCI agent for details on how to exchange your Timeshare or get Bonus, Last Call, or Getaways weeks for Orlando. No matter where you stay, your experience at Disney World will never leave your heart and thoughts!

If you don’t have a timeshare or just need more information, give me a call and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge as a Holiday Vacationeer. I hope this helps. Thank you for reading, and HAPPY VACATIONING!

Warmest Regards,

Kayla Mahaffey
1-888-777-7590 ext. 1260