Ever since Time began, people have been trying to sell things to other people.  Initially, these encounters were very informal, and sometimes did not even involve the spoken word.

Fast forward to modern times, where people are actually put through training, and sometimes have college degrees in marketing to help them sell their products.  And, as in any job or field, there are those who are very good at what they do, and those who—-AREN’T.

A case in point:  when we were first married, a guy selling vacuum cleaners came to our door.  We immediately told him that we would not buy his machine, because we had just purchased a vacuum cleaner a few weeks before.  He then proceeded to tell us that his company would still pay him his salary if he did a 45-minute presentation, even if we didn’t buy.

He seemed like a nice enough guy, and we weren’t in a hurry to do anything else, so we told him to go ahead.  For the next 45 minutes, he threw dirt, salt, and heaven-knows-what-else on our carpet.  He outlined in great detail the wonders of an Electrolux, and attempted to convince us that we should return our other vacuum and buy his product.  When all was said and done, and he had cleaned up the mess, he waited for our answer.  We said “no—we told you at the beginning that we weren’t buying.”

Instead of picking up his stuff, thanking us and leaving, he proceeded to act like somewhat of a spoiled brat.  “Well, why won’t you buy my vacuum cleaner?”, and “I spent all this time with you, why won’t you buy?” were just a few of the annoying and embarrassing comments that he directed to us.  Maybe he had a wounded ego, but we were frustrated because we had been honest with him from the beginning about our intentions.  When we finally got rid of him we decided no more “playing Mr. Nice Guy” with salesmen.

In spite of the fact that timeshare sales people have kind of a poor reputation, the real truth is that there are good ones and there are not-so-good ones.  We have encountered many of both in our travels, although probably more of the not-so-good ones.  We have heard horror stories from people who have been victims of arm-twisting, manipulation and lies.  Not that this is an excuse, but to some extent the whole timeshare culture may be partially to blame.

In an attempt to explain this last statement, look at these issues:

• When purchased from the developer, timeshares are very expensive.
• People are brought into a timeshare presentation (“hooked”) and promised money and/or gifts worth anywhere from $25-$200 for 90 minutes of their time—NO OBLIGATION TO BUY
• Most people who do a timeshare presentation have no intention of buying.
• Most people who do a timeshare presentation do it only for the free gifts.
• Many people who buy a timeshare have no idea how to use it; thus, word spreads, making timeshares even less desirable.
• Many people do not understand that maintenance fees are forever—another reason not to buy a timeshare.

With these kinds of negative attitudes inherent in the timehare culture, it’s not surprising that some salespeople would resort to less-than-ethical tactics when they try to sell their product.  Add to that the fact that most of them work on a commission basis, which thus puts more pressure on them to achieve more sales.  It seems that unless this culture can change, then timeshare salespeople are generally doomed to bad reputations.

So, in this negative timeshare culture, is it even possible to run into good timeshare salespeople?  Of course it is, and here are some of their characteristics:

• They are friendly, courteous, and respectful, always.
• They ask questions, and they LISTEN to your answers.
• They present information in a forthright and direct manner.
• They answer questions to the best of their abilities, seeking other help if they don’t know the answers.
• They assess your needs and wants, and personalize the presentation.
• If you decline to buy, they remain courteous, friendly and respectful.
• If further communication is necessary, they follow through.

We know of 2 outstanding salespeople in the field.  One is Fred Weber, who works as a realtor in the Traverse City, Michigan area.  One of his duties includes selling resales for Pinestead Reef Resort, which has been sold out for a number of years.  His “presentation” consists of speaking at a Welcome coffee for about 5 minutes and handing out a list of available properties.  He knows many of the owners by name, keeps everyone informed of good bargains, and is extremely easy to work with.  He knows the area and is always quick to respond and follow through.  We have purchased 2 or 3 properties from Fred, and never had a problem.

The other salesperson is Trish Panzarella, who worked at Treetops Resort in Gatlinburg,TN.  (I believe she has moved on to other things–namely, raising and working with show dogs.)  Trish ran a very efficient resale office at the resort using no hard-sell tactics.  They later sold RCI Points as part of the Berkeley Group.  Trish ran some excellent seminars (not connected to sales)  for Treetops guests to help them maximize their points.  We purchased from her, also, and we were always treated with courtesy and respect.  Hopefully she and her husband have retired to a beach in Florida and are enjoying their canine friends.

In summary, I guess we can say that not all timeshare salespeople are bad:  some are awful, some are mediocre, and a few are really good.  What’s important for you is to realize which kind is sitting across the table from you within the first 15 minutes of your presentation.  Then you can strategize how you want to have YOUR needs and wants met—not his or hers.  If buying is what you want, fine; if not buying is what you want—fine— if information is all you want—fine–but YOU will be in control!

It was reported by CBS news this month that timeshare fraud is at the top of the list of complaints by consumers.  In Florida, complaints were up to 12,000 for the year– the highest ever.  They also indicated that timeshare scams are one of the top areas of trouble, running 3 to 1 over all other types of complaints.

The timeshare industry has a bad reputation among the general population.  There are a lot of negative attitudes about timeshares and the methods that are used in both buying and selling.  There are a lot of scams that you need to be aware of.  Some of them are truly illegal transactions; others are legal but would be considered shady business practices.  We also find a lot of lies or half truths used by timeshare sales people to pressure people into buying a timeshare.  We would like to take a look at several of these in the hopes of making you aware of some of the things going on in the industry, so you will not fall victim to any of them.

Let’s start with some of the resale scams.  What usually happens is you get a call or letter from some company willing to sell or rent your timeshare for you.  They are asking somewhere around $400.00 to $1000.00 upfront for their services.  You give them your credit card number, and that’s the last you hear from them.  You are out your money and still have your timeshare with its yearly maintenance fee.

CBS reported that one individual ran up $4000.00 in credit card charges and received nothing. After paying out the money, he attempted to contact the businesses and got nowhere.  When CBS tried to contact the companies he used, they just got endless run-arounds, full voicemail boxes and no response from any of them. He was unable to recoup any of his $4000.00.

These scam artists rent an empty office somewhere, bring in a lot of temp help with all kinds of phone lines, and start calling people. They take the money and run. Some of them take your deed saying that you are off the hook, but do nothing– and you are out your money and still have the responsibility of ownership.  The bottom line is never pay any upfront fees to rent or sell your timeshare.

Another approach that has been used is for a company to buy a number of lots for around $2000.00 each in a small development in a state that is popular for retirement.  They then call you up, and offer to give you $10,000.00 (or a figure around that amount) for your timeshare if you will buy a nice lot for your retirement home for $30,000. You agree and later find out that you have purchased a pretty worthless piece of property (worth $2000) and are out your timeshare and $20,000.00. A number of companies have made millions of dollars with this approach.

We have written a couple of posts about how to sell a timeshare. If that is your need or interest, you should take a look at them. If you have been taken in by any of these tactics, you should contact the Federal Trade Commission or the Better Business Bureau.  You should also contact your state Better Business Bureau or similar organization with your complaint.  Keep close track of people’s names, with dates and times of any contacts.

We also suggest that you be very careful when talking to timeshare sales people.  We have written a couple of posts about taking a timeshare tour; they might be helpful for you to read to give you a better understanding of that process.

We have worked with and talked to some honest sales people, but keep in mind they are all trying to sell you a timeshare.  Unfortunately, some do lie, twist the truth or are unrealistic in what you can do with what you are buying.  They tell you that you can trade your week for a two bedroom in Hawaii.  After buying, you try to work out a trade and can get almost nothing when they told you it would be a snap.

They often dwell only on the positive and do not give you a true picture or understanding of what you are buying.  Many tell you it is a real estate purchase, and it will only go up in value.  In reality, the value goes down about 75 to 80 percent or more when you walk out the door. They frequently set you up with a high interest loan to pay for your timeshare; again this greatly increases your overall costs over the years.  Most often they gloss over the yearly maintenance fees you have to pay and the amount of those fees.

If you do buy from the developer, be sure to get everything in writing before you sign anything.  Also, if you later decide that you have made a mistake with your purchase, you have a certain amount of time (depending on the state in which the timeshare is located) to rescind the whole thing.  Usually it’s somewhere in the neighborhood of a week.  However, we recommend that you buy resale, and not from the developer. Again we have written a couple of posts about buying timeshares, and if you are interested be sure to check these out.

We love to timeshare, and hope you do as well.  You might buy one and get hooked by the bug and have years of wonderful vacations like we have.  You need to be careful, and continue to read this site as well as a number of the sites on our recommended lists.  Knowledge is power, and the more you know, the less likely that you will get taken in by one of these scams.  Be on guard!

This is a last post in the series of the top ten mistakes people in the timeshare world make.  It’s been fun to write about these mistakes and to listen to others who feel the same way we do.  We hope you read these and can avoid some or all of these as you enjoy your timeshare vacations.  If you have not read the first three be sure to click here: #1-#3, #4-#6, and #7 & #8. Now, lets get into # 9 and # 10.

#9. Neglecting to Research the Area in Which You are Vacationing.

Picture a family of four going to Disney World for the first time.  They have done no planning and arrive mid-morning to enjoy the park.  The kids already want a snack and drinks, and are running around yelling about all the Disney glitz they see.  Dad is trying to find a map and plan a route for the day.  Mom is looking at the schedule of shows and doesn’t have a clue what they are about, or which snack bar will satisfy the kids.

Contrast this with the family that has read several books about planning this trip, weeks ahead of time. They arrive before the park even opens and head to the area that they know is most popular, and will have long lines later in the day. They have a schedule of what they want to do for the entire day at the park, and a plan for which rides and attractions to see first.  They already know, from their reading, where they want to eat lunch and how much it’s going to cost.  They have snacked before coming into the park, or maybe eaten a large breakfast, and, with their plan in place, are ready to go.

Which of these 2 families is going to see and do more at Disney World on any given day?  Of course, the answer is the second family, the one that researched ahead of time and made a plan.

Time and again we see how much more you can get out of a vacation if you plan ahead. You also will not come home and find out later that you have missed some great things to see or do on your vacation. We often see families at the beginning of their trip who are unsure about what there is to do or see and are adrift in organizing their vacation.

Don’t fall into the trap of doing no research or pre-planning for your timeshare travels.  We find it is great fun to plan and makes for great trips.  Here are some of our suggestions:

1. Head over to your local library or book store and find some books about the area.
2. Search the Internet for activities in the area, things to do and places to go.   Check out the Tourist Bureau web sites for the towns you will be visiting.
3. Talk to friends and co-workers who may have gone to the area, and pick their brains for ideas.
4. Check with other folks at the resort and ask questions about places they have seen, restaurants they have eaten at, things they have done, etc
5. Attend the usual welcome breakfast that most resorts have for guests.  If they do not have, one talk to the folks at the front desk.
6. Try to get your hands on the AAA tour books for the states that you will be visiting.  They have a wealth of information to assist you in planning your trip.
7. Go to the TUG website and read reviews of the resorts in the area you are staying.  (We will also talk about these reviews in the next mistake)  A lot of the reviews will also cover the area, in addition to the resort itself.  Reviewers talk about places they have eaten, things they liked in the area, etc.
8. When you get to the area, stop by the Chamber of Commerce to talk to them as well as pick up information and coupons.
9. Buy a local newspaper the first day or two and look for activities in the area as well as local coupons.

We also read an interesting article about being happy in which they ask the question: Research, shows that vacation-goers feel happiest (a) A month before they take off for their destination, (b) In the middle of the vacation, or (c) Right after they get back?

The correct answer is (a) a month before.  Researchers found that planning a vacation can improve your mood for up to two months before the trip. Personally, we experience a lot of happiness in anticipation of our vacations.

So, Plan, Plan, Plan and enjoy your trip.

#10.  Not Reading Reviews of the Resort You Are Thinking of, or Have Traded Into.

If you have been involved with timeshares for any length of time, you probably have a horror story about at least one that did not meet up to your expectations.  Of course, we all have DIFFERING expectations, which makes it sometimes difficult to read a review and take it seriously.

This is our 5-Star resort that we traded into???!!!
photo credit: Franco Folini

For example, I once read a review about a resort in the South that had a few dead bugs on the floor. The writer was extremely upset about this, complained to the management, bought bug spray, etc.  Now, assuming that it really WAS just a few bugs, it was in the South, and it was summertime, “ a few dead ones”  does not seem unreasonable to me.  This has happened in my house, I hate to say, which is why my husband sprays stuff to kill them.

But this person ranked the resort quite low because of this. I don’t see that as quite fair—I think I would have been more upset if the bugs were alive.  But then, that just shows that we have different perspectives about bugs, and what kinds of things make for an unacceptable resort.

When people write reviews, be they negative or positive, they are really doing us all a favor.  No one is paying them to do it, and they are sharing some valuable information.  What bothers them might not bother you, but if you read the review, at least you know about it ahead of time.  Then, you can assimilate all the info and decide if the resort is for you.

In many cases, reading a review helps you with vacation planning.  Recently, we booked a resort in Sedona, Arizona. We’ve been there several times, staying at Arroyo Roble and Wyndham Sedona. This time, because of our different points and timeshare systems, we decided to book through RCI, and couldn’t decide between Sedona on the Ridge, or Sedona Summit.  After reading several reviews on TUG, we chose the Summit because it was closer to town and we felt it best fit our needs.

TUG, or Timeshare User Group, offers excellent, thorough reviews.  You can often pick up little tidbits about a resort that you may not find in the RCI book or on their website. You might learn about these things in other ways, but often they’re the kinds of things you don’t even think to ask about. For example, in Sedona, to walk from Arroyo Roble into town there is a killer hill that you have to walk up.  Someone posted in a TUG review that there is a “shortcut” involving the parking garage which cuts the climb in half.

Another example would be the entrance to the Wyndham at Panama City Beach. It takes forever and a day to walk into the resort, and it is quite confusing.  The building is adjacent to a hotel, and most people get lost at least once.  Again—someone on TUG posted a “shortcut,” making it all easier and quicker.

If you visit the Wyndham Nashville, and want to drive to the Opryland Hotel, don’t park there and pay their exorbitant fees.  Instead, park in the Opry Mills (scheduled to reopen next May) lot, by the big rock for free.  Then walk about 3 minutes into the hotel.

These are just some quick examples that helped us out when we did our research and read reviews. Occasionally, a review will send out red flags, and that’s when you need to do MORE research and try to find more reviews.  Some other good sources, besides TUG, include redweek.com, rci.com, tripadvisor.com, hotel.com, and, of course, timesharetidbits.com—you can also type in the name of the resort and see what comes up.

Does a bad review always mean you shouldn’t stay there? That’s for you to decide—that’s why you need all the information you can get. You might want to read this post about West Yellowstone. We decided, in spite of bad reviews, to stay there.  It wasn’t perfect by a long shot, but we would go back.

The only time we booked a resort without reading reviews (there weren’t any, at the time) it was awful.  You can read about it here.

So, the motto here is “Be prepared.”  Read the reviews before you book, but if have already booked, read them anyway.  That way, there will be no surprises!

We love timesharing.  We own 15 weeks, we travel a lot, and we are having the greatest time of our lives.  We would like to share with you what we think are the ten best secrets of successful timesharing. On this site, we have tried to give help and information to all our readers.  We meet new people all the time, both from this site as well as in our timeshare travels, and they are full of questions.  We thought we should write an in-depth post to share some of the basic principles about getting the most out of your timeshare.

We also meet a lot of people who are interested in how we have been so successful at using and enjoying our timeshares, and would like to share some ideas about that.  Lastly, we hear from all kinds of people who are frustrated in their timeshare experiences and just want to get rid of them.  We challenge those folks to read the ideas in this post, as well as on our entire site, and try to rejuvenate their timeshare experiences. We invite you to read, think, share and apply these ideas as you use your timeshare over the coming years.

You might want to bookmark this post and continue to come back and reread these basic concepts. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to leave comments or e-mail us directly so we can help you. If you have ideas that might help us or others, feel free to share, because then we can all learn together.

THE TEN SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL TIMESHARING: (Note, you can click on any topic and you will go directly to that secret.)
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Let’s get into the first secret.

TIMESHARE SECRET #1: NEVER BUY FROM THE DEVELOPER

The title says it all.  Never, ever, under any circumstances, no matter how enticing the offer may sound, buy from the developer.  To rephrase:  Do not buy from the developer 99% of the time. Okay, 99% is not “ never.”  So what we’re really saying is, there is a very miniscule (1%) chance that you MIGHT want to buy from the developer—and we’ll discuss that in this post.  But for now, the mind set is “NEVER!”

The very first time we ever got “hooked” for a timeshare presentation was in Las Vegas, which was also the first time that we visited there.  We were staying at Bally’s, which is owned by Hilton, so naturally, in returning to the hotel one day, we walked right into it. We were kind of curious, and they offered us some free buffets, so we decided to find out what this timeshare stuff was all about. Of course, we had no idea what timeshares cost, and no intention of buying.

Well, the price for a 2-bedroom in red time at the HGVC in Florida (Las Vegas was just about sold out at the time—they later built more) was around $18,000 plus tax. We sat through 3 1/2 hours of hard-sell tactics and came very close to buying.  Luckily when the salesman walked away to “give us a minute,” we came to our senses.  “What will the kids say if we do this?  This is not like us at all, to do something so impulsive.  Let’s go home and research this online.”

Of course, the salesman brought in his supervisor, who also tried to convince us to buy, but we stood firm.  They weren’t very happy with us and became almost rude, which we later learned (after enduring other presentations) is normal.  But we learned a lot about timeshares that day, and proceeded to learn even more when we did our research.

We eventually found a reputable realtor who re-sold Hilton timeshares and ended up buying the same basic point package at the Flamingo Hilton timeshare in Las Vegas for about $10,500. With what we see on eBay today, that equivalent package could probably be purchased for the same, or slightly less.

Speaking of eBay, you can easily acquire a timeshare education by browsing that website. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, the prices are astoundingly low compared to developer prices—unfortunately so for the seller.  However, if you buy a resale timeshare, you will pay so much less for it that if you do decide to sell eventually, you will not take such a great loss. You might even manage to break even.

Some people have qualms about eBay, and are afraid of getting ripped off.  Obviously, you need to check the seller’s feedback rating and read some of the comments. If red flags go up, then you need to check things out further, or go elsewhere.  If you buy through a realtor, you may pay a bit more than you would pay using eBay, but you may feel better about your experience.  Regardless of which route you go, we always call the resort to check on the property before we buy.  Make sure that all fees are paid and everything is in good standing.

There are other ways to purchase a resale timeshare, such as buying from a friend, buying from a resort that has been sold out for a long time, answering a classified ad, etc.  Our purpose here is not really to elaborate on those options, but if you are interested you can check out these earlier posts of ours:  click on ” category”  from our site on “ Buying Timeshares” with 26 posts.

So when does the 1% time come into play? Well, that’s a bit tricky, and it requires some judgment on your part.  If the developer is offering some perks that you truly think are worth the extra money, then maybe it’s worth it.  The key word here is ‘MAYBE.’ And personally, we wouldn’t bite the first time around, but we’d research the cost of the perks and then do a later presentation if we were really interested.

For example, to achieve Wyndham’s “Gold VIP” status, you need 500,000 points. The perks you get with this status are as follows:  free USA Today delivered to your door, a mid-week “Clean & Tidy,” a 35% point reduction within 60 days of check-in vs. 25% for regular VIPs, unit size upgrades 45 days out instead of 30 for regular VIP, and the ability to reserve specific units.  The last three are subject to availability.  There are a few others, which we determined we would never use.  If we were to attach a monetary value to these perks, no way would they come close to the thousands of extra dollars we’d have to spend to achieve Gold level.

So our last Wyndham timeshare, which was purchased on the re-sale market, put us at 525,000 points.  We were issued Gold cards, which they later revoked, because at that point Wyndham had made the decision that only points purchased from the developer would count toward any VIP status.  (They had previously grandfathered earlier purchases, so our 420,000 initial resale points counted toward regular VIP status.)  So we’re sad every time we fork over a buck for USA Today, but we know we’re saving a lot of money in the long run.

To summarize:

Always do your research before you buy a timeshare.

Never buy impulsively from the developer.

Never buy from the developer unless you have thoroughly researched all the options and perks and have determined that the extra cost is worth it to you.

TIMESHARE SECRET #2:  ALWAYS BUY IN AN AREA THAT YOU LOVE TO GO TO

Some people say that “ points are points,” “it makes no difference where you own,” or “I just bought this timeshare to trade it.”  In a lot of cases this is true, but we feel that you should buy a resort and a location that you would be happy going to every year.

One thing that is true in the timeshare world is that times and rules change. We have seen that in certain timeshare systems, it DOES make a difference as to where you own.  Some resorts or locations have a higher trading value, and if you want to go somewhere that is difficult to trade into, or go at a high demand time of the year, you’d better have a strong trader. In some cases you might not be able to get the trade you want, or you have little choice but to go to the resort you own for your vacation.  Also, if you and your family have your hearts set on going somewhere warm every spring break, you should probably buy at a resort and a location where you will have priority when making reservations.

We have known people who own a resort they love, and they go every year at the same time, never trading it. We think you should consider this when you buy.  We own several weeks at a resort only 250 miles from our home, that sits on Lake Michigan. We go numerous times during the year and always have a great time.  We have taken some of the weeks and traded them, but the bottom line is we love the resort and location, and would be happy going all the time for all of our weeks.

We also own a number of timeshares in point systems.  We have deeded property at these resorts and we have always been careful to buy a resort and location we love.  We can trade into other resorts in the system, as well as into RCI, but the bottom line is we would be happy going where we bought.

Usually, you get a higher priority when booking into your home resort, and the booking fees are free or much lower. We have been upset by the high, rising costs of trading through RCI. Lately, we are more apt to go to resorts we own and love rather than trade into a similar resort or location, because we can save the exchange fee. So again, if push came to shove, we would be very happy going to our home resort.

TIMESHARE SECRET #3:  BUY AT A RESORT WHERE THE MAINTENANCE FEES ARE REASONABLE

As we have mentioned often in past posts, maintenance fees are a necessary, but painful part of owning a timeshare. We all know that when you own a piece of a resort, you can’t expect it to automatically be gorgeous and have everything work properly any more than you could expect that of your own home.  However, there are some things that you can do to insure that reasonable maintenance fees are the norm, not the exception.

photo credit: MoneyBlogNewz

First of all, if you practice Timeshare Secret #1, “never buy from the developer,” you will automatically have a “heads up” in keeping your maintenance fees reasonable. The reason for this is that if you do not buy impulsively from the developer, you will have time to research the maintenance fees. Again, use eBay as a teaching tool:  virtually all of the timeshare listings for sale state the annual or monthly maintenance fees.  You can compare and contrast these, taking into account these factors:

–what is the time increment?  Is it a week, two weeks, or a fractional ownership?

–where is it located?  Timeshares that are on the ocean may have higher fees because they need hurricane insurance.

–Does the season in which you buy make a difference?  We stayed at a ski resort, and the maintenance fees were lower for owners who had spring, summer and fall weeks.

–Does the maintenance fee include taxes?  Florida is one state that taxes separately.

An important fact to consider when looking at maintenance fees is that you are not always comparing apples to apples.  For example:  we own a 2-bedroom flex week, in red time at a small resort in Northern Michigan, and a 2-bedroom in red time in Las Vegas in the HGVC system. The HGVC resort is in points, and so we can manipulate to get smaller units in the off-season and actually vacation for 2 weeks instead of one.  Also, Hilton has several affiliate resorts on Marco Island, Sanibel and Captiva, which are almost impossible to get in the winter (red) season through an RCI trade.  As Hilton owners, it is still difficult to reserve those resorts, but it is possible, and we have done it many times.

We love the Michigan resort, and almost always use our summer week there.  We can also trade it through RCI, but the other options we just discussed are not possible using this week.  The maintenance fee at the Michigan resort is $468.  The HGVC is $920.  Are we crazy to own HGVC and pay twice as much as the Michigan resort fee? Maybe.  But we feel that the HGVC timeshare offers us great flexibility, more vacation nights, and access to the Florida resorts that we would not otherwise have.

Should you eventually decide to buy from the developer, if you’ve done your maintenance fee research, then you’ll know what you’re getting into.  The same applies to purchasing a resale.  It’s always good to ask your questions before buying. (You may not always get answers, but at least you tried!)

Another reason to be wary of a developer sale is because often the salesman will “gloss over” the annual maintenance fee while talking about the fantastic resort and all the special amenities and perks you will receive if you buy TODAY! The purchase price itself is probably enough to bring on a coronary, so he for sure doesn’t want to overly inform you about the hefty annual maintenance fee you’ll be paying for the rest of your life.

Perhaps you already own a timeshare and you feel that the maintenance fees are unreasonable.  If that is the case, you always have the option to sell (good luck!), but before you do, try getting involved. Contact the governing body or board of directors and express your concerns. Find out exactly what those fees are being used for.  Speak with the resort manager, and possibly some other owners to gauge their level of satisfaction. A lady once approached me at our Gatlinburg timeshare and complained about the maintenance fees going up.  She felt that they were too high, until I told her what we were paying at another timeshare we owned.  She had no other frame of reference before our chat, but afterward she seemed somewhat more content.

Maintenance fees will always be there, unfortunately.  The important thing to remember is:  before you buy, do your research. To find out more about how those maintenance fees are used, see our other posts:  ”Those Malicious Maintenance Fees”  and “Timeshares Maintenance Fees”

TIMESHARE SECRET #4:  LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT THE TIMESHARE YOU OWN AS WELL AS THE SYSTEM IN WHICH YOU OWN

It seems that a majority of people who bought timeshares bought from the developer. They made the decision during a high pressure sales presentation and usually have no idea what they bought.  They don’t have a clue about how to use it to get great vacations or to turn their one week of timeshare into additional weeks.  They were often told things by the salesperson that are untrue, or don’t play out the way that they were quickly explained in the presentation.

photo credit: Dennis Goedegebuure

We suggest you read everything you get from the developer several times.  The bylaws of the resort will give you a picture of what you can do with the purchase you have just made.  You also need to search the internet to better understand how to best use the timeshare.  We suggest a number of web sites that give excellent information from folks that have been at the game of timesharing for a long time.  Look  at “Sites We Recommend” in the sidebar.  Most are willing to answer questions and share how they have used the timeshares they own.

Also, you need to talk to other guests when you go to your timeshare. Ask them how they use it to maximize their vacation experiences.  They often can give you tips or better explain the rules of the game.

If you purchased a resale, hopefully you did a great deal of research beforehand. Even if you did, many systems are complicated, and there is still a lot to learn.  After 13 years of timesharing, we are still learning new things and new ways to use our purchases effectively.  The Wyndham system is particularly complicated, but it also allows you to do many unique things that other systems do not.

We have written numerous posts about how to use the timeshare you bought to your best advantage.  We have covered some general rules, as well as information about several different systems such as Wyndham, Hilton, Disney, etc. We suggest you go back and read these posts to gain a better understanding of the timeshare world.   This info can be found in the category on “Timeshare Systems”

There are several boards on the internet that deal with each of these systems that you can join if you own in them.  We have listed those under ”Sites we Recommend” in the sidebar. You can pose questions that you might have, or just follow the discussion of topics that you are interested in.

Research is the key ingredient to this secret. It takes time, but it will be time well spent because you will enjoy more and better timeshare vacations.

TIMESHARE SECRET #5:  MAKE USE OF THE ACCOMMODATIONS OF YOUR TIMESHARE

Most of us realize that vacationing in a timeshare unit is much more homelike than staying in a motel or hotel. In fact, probably one of the reasons that you purchased the timeshare is because you were sold on the roominess of the units and the fact that most of them had all the conveniences of home.  And yet, as we travel, it always amazes us that people often do not take advantage of their deluxe accommodations.

Most timeshares, with the exception of studio units, have at least 500 square feet of space.  Most have a great deal more than that, and many that we have stayed in have more square footage than our entire house (2400).  Along with this, there are usually anywhere from 1 to 4 bedrooms that sleep anywhere from 4 to 12 people! Most timeshares include a sleeper sofa, and sometimes a sleeper chair in their accommodations.  So, unless you always desire to vacation alone, why not invite some of the relatives or friends to join you? It would certainly be acceptable to charge them a nominal fee for the accommodations, and as long as everyone has a minimal (or maximum) amount of privacy, you have the makings of a great reunion or family get-together.

An area that many timesharing folks ignore is their kitchen. Most units have a full, or at least a partial kitchen that is well-stocked, complete with refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, blender, toaster, etc., etc.  We have even stayed in timeshares that have a rice cooker! This can be a gold mine, especially if you are feeding a large family or several guests.  We have numerous posts on Timeshare Cooking that give you ideas for recipes that are quick, easy and tasty.

Even if there are only 2 of you, you can fix simple breakfasts and lunches, thereby saving lots of money so that you can go out to dinner!  Use your kitchen to create a simple picnic lunch that you can take along while you explore new areas.  Somehow, ham sandwiches or p,b & j taste so much better when you’re sitting on a rock looking and listening to a mountain stream!

Usually timeshare units have a large living room, sometimes with a fireplace or wet bar.  Most also come equipped with large screen TV, DVD player and stereo system.  Often, the room will open up to an outdoor deck or patio area, providing a great place to entertain your guests, or relax by yourselves.

One of the joys of most timeshares is a laundry complete with washer and dryer. Sometimes these appliances are on the small side, but hey– no laundromat trips required.  Usually the resort provides a box or two of soap, but even if you have to buy soap, you will still save money, not to mention the convenience of having this in your own unit.

So the next time you set out on a timeshare vacation, think about how you can better use those great accommodations.  Don’t treat your timeshare like a motel!

TIMESHARE SECRET #6:  PARTICIPATE IN, AND USE, THE ACTIVITIES AND AMENITIES OF THE TIMESHARE

One of the nice things that we enjoy about our timeshare vacations is availability of  amenities and activities that many of the resorts provide for their guests.  Not all resorts have every amenity that we might cover, and some resorts offer very limited activities. But the key is:  if they have them, make sure to plan and take advantage of them.

Almost always, the pool and pool area are nicer and larger than hotel or motel accommodations. Both we and the grandkids just love the water, and we plan a lot of time to take advantage of those facilities.  They usually have water slides, hot tubs, kiddie pool and saunas.  Some are even more elaborate with fountains and water sprays that everyone can enjoy.

Many of the resorts also have grills, many being gas grills. We use these frequently to make some simple delicious meals with little work.  There are usually several located around the resort in convenient areas, and the resort takes care of their cleaning and upkeep.  Often the barbecue tools are right there, with picnic tables nearby.

Some resorts have tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball nets, horseshoe pits, mini- golf and shuffleboard courts. We have almost never found these kinds of amenities at hotels. We have had great times with family and friends trying our hand at some of these games. Several resorts provide free bicycles for guests to use on the property or in the area. ­­A few resorts have water craft, which gives people the opportunity to try and enjoy new things.

Most resorts have a fitness center, which is a great way to stay in shape while on your vacation.  They also have a game room for kids to enjoy, as well as an activities center. This frequently has games you can borrow, as well as some larger games to enjoy there, like pool, ping pong, video games and hockey.  They also have DVDs you can take back to your room if that interests you.

The majority of resorts that we have been to provide some activities for guests. Not only are these activities a lot of fun, but it also give you a chance to meet other guests. Many of these activities relate to the area and give you a preview of some of the things you might want to do on your vacation.

Most have a welcome party, usually in the morning, with light breakfast snacks, juice and coffee.  Again, they share things about the resort, some of the activities for the week, as well as things to do in the area.  They often provide discounts to many of the area attractions just for timeshare guests.  We always make a point to attend these welcome gatherings and almost always learn some new things about the resort or the area.

Timeshare resorts frequently have activities geared to particular age groups. The offerings for teens might include pool parties, scavenger hunts, and movie nights.  They usually have activities for small kids, such as craft projects, games for that age level, storytimes, etc.  Often these activities are free, but sometimes there is a small cost to cover supplies that are used.

The adults are not left out when it comes to activities.  Many resorts have wine and cheese gatherings, karaoke nights, bingo parties, and many will bring in individuals or small groups to put on a short concert for guests. For a nominal fee, some provide a meal along with some form of entertainment.  These can also be great fun for the entire family, as well as an inexpensive meal for everyone.  One timeshare that we own puts on a potluck dinner, with the resort providing drinks and the main dish. Usually there are prizes and entertainment, as well.

Hopefully, you get a flavor of the kinds of amenities and activities that many of the resorts provide. Make sure you and your family don’t miss out on these great vacation opportunities. They have provided us with some wonderful memories.

TIMESHARE SECRET #7:  BE FLEXIBLE

photo credit: Kyle Lease
Be flexible.  This is a good rule to live by, but we also think it is one of the secrets of successful timesharing. We talk to a lot of folks that don’t seem to be able to bend a little in order to put together a nice timeshare vacation.  Let’s take a look at some of the issues, and see where flexibility can be an asset.

First, you will find greater success in getting your vacation location if you request a range of dates. If you only ask for one date, you will be limiting your chances of getting what you want.  So look closely at your calendar and pick out a range, or at least two other dates, when requesting an exchange.

Along the same lines, you might look at booking weekdays when the demand is usually less. We own a number of point resorts and this works well for us. We use less points by booking, say, Sunday through Thursday, thus avoiding the weekend days which require more points. Again, if you can put something together during the week you might be more successful in getting your request.

The same would be true if you can travel in the off- season, or the “shoulder season.” The points are usually less and the demand is also not as high.  The crowds are reduced and it can make for a very nice vacation.

Also, study your exchange book and in addition to giving them a couple of dates you can travel, also give them several locations that you would be happy to go to for your vacation. We have, on several occasions, found a great resort or a great location by being flexible and willing to try a new area or a new resort. Once, we booked a resort in Las Vegas that was not right down on the strip.  It was a short drive south of the city, and we had a great time.  It was nice not to be in all the hubbub of the activities and people on the strip, and we were able to relax more and enjoyed being out in the suburbs.

Another area that you can exercise flexibility is in the size of the unit. We have occasionally taken a smaller unit so we could get a certain resort or a certain area.  It might be nice to have a two- bedroom, but could you fit into a one- bedroom or could you get by in a studio?  Keep your options open, especially if you need a certain date.

To book a difficult-to-get, high-demand area, you might even consider staying at a resort that might not be quite up to your normal expectations. If you’re willing to forget about Gold and Silver Crown resorts, and do some research, you could possibly book a resort in a very hard-to-get place.  We have done this twice, with acceptable results.  Read this post for further information.

We also have found when putting together a two, three or four week timeshare trip, that you have greater success if you can be flexible in reference to check -in days. Let’s say that you have set up one week with a Friday check-in and check-out.   If you stick to needing a Friday check-in for your next week, you might find it hard to put it together.  But if you are willing to check in on Saturday or Sunday, you will have a better chance of getting your second week. If we have an open day, we use our Hilton Honor Points and stay in a hotel for a night before we head to the next resort for another week.  We call this a “tweener.”

Maybe you are not willing to be flexible in all of these areas, and that is fine.  We all have different needs, wants and tolerance levels. But even being more flexible in one or two of the ways mentioned here can lead to a vacation that might not have come about, otherwise.

So, “hang loose” is the motto, here, and you will find that being a bit flexible now and then will generally ensure a better vacation for you and your family!

TIMESHARE SECRET #8:  PLAN AHEAD

There is no question but that in the timeshare world, you need to plan ahead. One reason that timeshares do not work for some people is that they like to do everything at the last minute, and planning ahead simply does not work for them. If you’re going to use timeshares successfully, in most cases you need to plan at least 3 months out, and even then you may not be able to get what you want.  As a general rule, if your system says that you can book 10 months out, then do it then, if at all possible. For very high demand areas, you should try to book on the first day that you can, preferably at 8:00 a.m. or whenever they open for business. Right now, we have all of 2011 booked through November, and are starting to think about January, 2012.

photo credit: Alaivani

Obviously, being organized and planning ahead can be difficult, especially if you are orchestrating a trip for several family members or friends, and not just you and your spouse or significant other.  The more people that you involve, the more complicated it gets, as you are working around numerous schedules and activities.  There is no magic formula to insure foolproof planning, but here are a few simple tips that might help:

1. Decide who is going, or who you want to invite.  This is important, because it will probably determine the type of vacation you want to have, the size of the unit or units, the location, who will stay with who, types of activities, etc., etc.  If the ages of the people vary greatly, you’ll want to think about that, too.  Recently we took 6 other family members to Orlando for a Disney trip.  Our ages ranged from 3 to 88, and we had a great time, but it took careful planning.
2. Decide where you want to go, when you want to go, and for how long.  We always look carefully at the calendar in January and block off dates that we want to be home such as birthdays, holidays, Mothers’ Day, grandkids vacations, etc.  Then we look at what’s left, and start researching and planning.  Confer with your guests, if you have any, about what times are good, and then get to work!
3. Yes, work.  This is the hard part.  You need to determine the size of the accommodations that you need, based on who and how many are going.  If you are booking at a resort that you own, it might be as simple as a phone call or an online transaction.  Most timeshare systems have a reservation window that might depend on how many points you own.  Or, if you own a fixed week, then you plan to go that week.    If you are trading into RCI, it might also be simple, but probably not.  If you have online deposits, you can check availability, or you can call and do an ongoing search.  Then, of course, you’ll have to pay the exchange fee.  If you need help with this part, see some of our previous posts: “Using your Wyndham Points Wisely“, also “Timeshare Vacations-Using your Wyndham Points in RCI“
4. Once you have a reservation, inform everyone that is planning to go, making sure they all put it on their calendars.  At some point you’ll need to deal with other issues like transportation (making airline reservations, rental cars, who’s driving, etc.)  Frequent reminders wouldn’t hurt, either.  Be up front about the exchange fee if there is one, who’s paying for what, etc.  You’ll have a much smoother vacation if you discuss money early on.
5. Go, and have a great time!

There are a few assumptions here that we haven’t mentioned.  One is that hopefully everyone realizes that everyone wants to go to the same places at the most popular times, therefore the earlier you try to book, the better chance you have of getting what you want.

That’s why we began planning our Hawaii trip about 18 months out.  Likewise, you can easily get into a ski resort in the summertime.

Some areas are overbuilt with timeshares, and so you can usually get a reservation fairly close to your travel time. (Fairly close is about a month before, but occasionally you can pull something even as late as a week ahead.  Once, because of a hurricane, we couldn’t check into our resort and we even got something else the next day.)  A few of the more overbuilt areas include Orlando, Branson and Las Vegas.

We’ve found the RCI “insurance” to be relatively ineffective, and because we travel so many weeks, we don’t bother with it.  Over our 13-year period of timesharing, we have lost a total of 4 weeks/exchange fees because of illness or death in the family.  Had we purchased insurance for all the weeks we travel, we would have spent a great deal more.  This is why Timeshare Secret #4 is so important.  Be aware of what the cancellation penalties are in your timeshare system.

So, planning ahead is not without problems, but the organization and work that you do will ensure you some great timeshare vacations!

TIMESHARE SECRET #9:  IF YOU DECIDE TO SELL, NEVER PAY ANY FEES UPFRONT

Over the years, we have listened to a lot of people talk about selling a timeshare.  They often mention it, and then go on to say that they have no idea how to go about it. We know people who have said this for years, and yet they have never taken action.

photo credit: TheTruthAbout

Probably this is why many fall into some of the timeshare traps and scams.  Often, they are presented as an easy out, and if the timing is right, people fall prey to them.  In truth, selling a timeshare is NOT easy. But before we delve into this subject, let’s look at all the options.

We love timesharing, and firmly believe that before anyone buys one, they need to do these things:

1. Research prices, keeping in mind that you should never buy from the developer.
2. Research the system that you are buying into, and how to use it effectively to meet your needs.
3. Buy something that you can afford.
4. Use your timeshare, so that you get your money’s worth out of it.

However, even if you do all these things, life sometimes gets in the way. Loss of employment, death, illness or re-location may indicate that the best option is to try to sell.  Sometimes, even if you did your research before, you find things that you dislike about timesharing in general, or the particular one that you own.

Case in point:  we already owned several RCI timeshares, when we decided to buy a Marriot timeshare in II. We researched and bought a resale February week in Hilton Head.  We had been to Hilton Head in February and loved the resort, but it was cold, and we knew we really didn’t want to usually go there that week.  However, we were completely frustrated when we tried to trade, as we couldn’t seem to pull anything better, as the seller had told us we would.  The II system worked differently than RCI, and that added to our frustration.  So we sold it, at a slight loss, but at least we dumped the $900+ maintenance fee every year!   And, since we bought it resale, we weren’t talking about a lot of money.

At any rate, if you have to sell, follow this key timeshare secret:  NEVER PAY ANY FEES UPFRONT. We have several posts about selling timeshares that should give you some ideas on how to go about unloading yours if you no longer want it.  We have read many horror stories about people paying thousands of dollars to companies that “take over their timeshares,” only to find that the owners still have to pay the annual maintenance fees!

Generally these companies are referred to as “postcard companies,” because of the numerous postcards they send to frustrated owners to encourage them to come to their presentations. A few of them actually do what they promise, but the fees are exorbitant.  Many of the companies are fly-by-night and seem to disappear quickly when people try to follow up with them.

So is it EVER okay to put out money to sell your timeshare?  The answer to that is yes, if it is to pay for advertising on a legitimate site.  The site, www.bidshares.com offers free classified ads.  Other well-respected sites like Redweek.com, MyResortNetwork.com and TUG Timeshare Marketplace may charge a nominal fee, say, under $40, to run an ad for you.

Another concept, which we made use of when we sold our Marriot, is to go with a company that takes a percentage of what they sell your timeshare for. At the time we did this, we paid no money, and they handled all the eBay fees, ads, and closing costs.  When the sale was final, they took 25% of the selling price. This company only takes timeshares that they feel will sell—there was some question about ours, initially, and we did take a minimal loss, so the company didn’t make out too well, either.  This might not work for everyone, but we were satisfied.  To our knowledge, they are still in business, and we’re willing to refer anyone who is interested. If you choose to use a company like this, always check out their reputation with the Better Business Bureau site, first.

So, if you are really serious about selling your timeshare, put some effort into it and do your research.  There are many excellent sites on the internet (see our “Sites we recommend” in the sidebar) that will strengthen your knowledge, and remember the Cardinal Rule:  NEVER PAY ANY FEES UPFRONT WHEN SELLING YOUR TIMESHARE!

TIMESHARE SECRET #10: CONTINUE TO LEARN

We have covered a lot of ground with the 9 secrets so far, so let’s wrap this up with the final one, which is one of the most important secrets:  continue to learn. We think it is extremely important in life, as well as in the timeshare world, to gain knowledge and information on a regular basis. The more you know and understand about timesharing, the better and more economical your timeshare vacations will be.  These 10 secrets will help you get the most out of your ownership.  If necessary, read these secrets again, or keep coming back to them to continue to grow in your understanding of timesharing.  We think they are the core of our own successful timesharing experiences.

photo credit: Aine D

You cannot stop here as long as you own a timeshare, but must continue to learn, because things are always changing and evolving in the industry.  We would like to list what we feel are some of the best ways to learn:

• Keep reading this timeshare blog and others.  Not only should you read these blogs, you should feel free to leave comments or ask questions.  Many times when you leave a comment, others will respond to it with additional information.  This increases understanding of the concept being discussed.  We always try to the best of our ability to answer all questions that we get from this site.
• There are a number of excellent websites that deal with timesharing in general, as well as a number that deal with particular systems like Wyndham, Hilton, Disney, etc.  See our list of  ”recommended sites” in the sidebar.
• When you go on a timeshare vacation, get out there and talk to people. Go to the welcome party, the wine and cheese social, or just talk to folks at the pool or on the elevator.  Ask them questions, such as “ where do you own,” “ how do you trade or use your timeshare,” “ what was your best timeshare vacation,” “ what do you like about this resort and this location,” “ what restaurants are good,”  “what have you done in the area,” etc.  You should be sharing some of your knowledge with others, because then we can all enjoy our vacations more.
• Go to a couple of timeshare presentations, not with the idea of buying (see Secret # 1) but with the idea of learning.  We have attended several, asked lots of questions, and come away with a better understanding of that resort, that timeshare system, or timesharing in general.
• Read everything you see about timesharing.  If there is an article in the newspaper or a magazine, read it with an open mind to learn more about timesharing, and to acquaint yourself with others’ perceptions about timesharing. Also, read everything you get from the resort, or from your timeshare system.  Many send out newsletters, updates about the resort, yearly financial reports, etc.  These communications can help you to understand the ins and outs of your resort or your timeshare system.

Remember that in the timeshare world things are constantly changing, and so you must continue to learn to keep abreast of new developments.  Our goal is to help you and your family and friends have the best timesharing experience by using all available resources, to include these Timeshare Secrets and Timeshare Tidbits.

There is a lot of interest among timeshare owners regarding selling timeshares. Many people have bought something they find they are not using.  Others can’t seem to plan ahead, which is usually necessary when booking timeshare vacations.  Some, due to numerous reasons, have found the yearly maintenance fee to be too much.  For whatever reasons you find yourself wanting to get rid of your timeshare, we will  try to help you in this post so you will not get taken advantage of.

photo credit: >>>WonderMike<<<

Before we get into that subject, we want to indicate a couple of things about timeshare use.  We are lovers of timeshares; we go on about 18 timeshare vacations a year and have had tons of wonderful experiences by ourselves, as well as with family and friends. We suggest you study your timeshare or timeshare system that you own and try to make the most of it. We also recommend that you read some of our other posts on this site which were written to help you get the most out of your timeshare and your timeshare vacation. The bottom line is you will not get back what you paid for your timeshare, so one alternative is to keep it and enjoy it.

Let’s get back to the subject of this post.  We heard on news segments of the NBC Today Show, about a couple from Ohio that owned a Wyndham timeshare in the Smoky Mountains. They were contacted out of the blue by a company from Florida, who said they had a buyer for their timeshare. After some discussion they decided to sell their timeshare– they only had to pay $2000.00 to get things rolling.  They were told they would get that money back, along with the selling price, when the deal closed.  Sadly, they never got any money back nor did they sell their timeshare.  The first rule is NEVER pay upfront money to sell your timeshare.

Also, we feel it is a good idea to use a closing company. For a fee of around $300 to $500, they will do the paper work for the closing, as well as hold the money until all the paper work has been completed. This protects both the seller as well as the buyer. Usually the buyer pays this fee as part of the purchase price, but it can also be absorbed by the seller, or split evenly.

You should do some homework so you have an idea how much you can expect to get from your timeshare.  Use the internet.  You can check present and past eBay auctions to see how much similar timeshares have sold for. You can also check several sites like TUG, and Red Week. These, and other sites, have areas with timeshare listings.  Checking these will give you a general idea of what you might be able to sell yours for.

You can choose to sell your timeshare yourself.  We have written a post on selling your timeshare on eBay. Check it out if this is the way you want to go.  You could also list your timeshare on some of the sites we recommended to get an idea of price of your timeshare.  We suggest you use a closing company if using either of these methods.

There are a few other ways you can try that we have covered in other posts, such as contacting  local papers, friends or family, and checking with your resort. You might read those posts if some of these appeal to you.

Many people might decide to use a timeshare sales  company to sell their timeshare.  If you select this method, keep in mind the following:  get everything in writing,  make sure you understand the fees and who will pay those fees,  do not pay any money up front, go with a company that  people have used and have recommended to you, and check out the company with the Better Business Bureau.  (They have an internet website). List the location, and you will get a list of timeshare companies with a report and a grade from A to F.  Searching the Orlando area, they list close to 100 timeshare sales companies.  The information from the bureau should be helpful if you go with a timeshare resale company.

Do your homework, and don’t get ripped off!

When you purchased your timeshare, you probably never really considered that there might be a day in the future when you’d want to sell it.  The reason for selling could be one of many.  Perhaps your health has deteriorated, and traveling is just too much of an effort.  Or, perhaps you have made a permanent move into the area in which your timeshare is located, and since you now live in paradise, you have no need for a timeshare there.  Maybe you’ve found that the system in which you own your timeshare is just too complicated, or takes too much planning in advance.   Perhaps you feel that the maintenance fees are too much of a financial burden.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to sell, rest assured that you are not alone.  Many people come to the conclusion that they would be better off without their timeshare, just as many people decide they want to sell a house, or a piece of  property.

However, unlike those other items, a timeshare is going to be worth significantly less than what you paid for it when you go to sell it. You need to realize that you can only recover somewhere between 5-10% of the original cost, if that.  Even if you purchased your timeshare on the resale market, given the current economic conditions you can not expect to get what you paid for it.  Some timeshares, like Disney Vacation Club, sell for higher prices because Disney can exercise the right of first refusal (ROFR).  This means that if they feel the offer is too low, Disney will buy it back for that price, and the buyer is out of luck.

Possibly after researching what you might get for your timeshare, you might better learn how to use it and enjoy some wonderful vacations.  We love timesharing and on this site we try to help people get the most out of their timeshares. Think about it!  But if you have given it some thought and decided to sell, what is the best way to accomplish your goal of selling your timeshare?

1. Sell it to family, friends, or coworkers. If you enjoyed it, why not let others know how you used it for great vacations and they also can enjoy great trips.  Talk to family members, friends, and people you come in contact with and see if any of them are interested.  Post it at work, in church bulletins, etc.

2. Try to sell it locally. List it on Craig’s List.  Put an ad in all local newspapers and on the radio in your area and surrounding towns.  You might just get lucky.

3. Sell it to someone at your resort. If you go to your resort, talk to people and see if anyone is interested. People have  sometimes announced at a welcome breakfast that they have a week to sell. Also, people have posted a sign or even a 3×5 card with the information around the resort.

4. Contact the resort. They often have a newsletter where they list weeks for sale.  Also, many resorts have a local realtor that does resales for the resort.

5. Sell it on eBay. We have written a post on selling your timeshare on eBay that you should read.  Just click to read that post.

6. Post it on some timeshare sites. They might cost you a little to run an ad, but again you might just luck out.  Try Tug,  Red Week, Bid Shares or Vacation Timeshare and Rentals.

7. Contact some timeshare resale companies that will work with you to sell your timeshare. DO NOT pay any fees upfront. There are many timeshare people and companies who are a big rip off.  They take your upfront money and run and you are left with your timeshare and loss of your money. Talk to people who have sold or bought with some of these companies and go with one that gets a good report.

It really is possible to sell a timeshare, but it is not easy. You might also consider donating it to a charity organization.  Yes, you’d be out the money that you paid for it, but at least you’d be free of the maintenance fees.  Good Luck!

People often ask:  Whats the value of timeshare to you and your family? We would like to take a look at some of the ideas and issues that come to light when we think about “timeshare value”.

First, we  should state upfront, that to buy and own timeshares is not a saving or an investment strategy. We frequently hear sales people talk about the idea of buying a timeshare as an investment.  It is not, and you will probably not get what you paid for your timeshare when you go to sell, unless you have purchased your timeshare on the resale market.

We recommend that you not buy from the developer and suggest you read some of our posts on buying a timeshare.  “Timeshare Resales”,  “A Tip for Purchasing Timeshare” and “Buying Timeshares” are three to get you started.  Along those same lines, you get no value from your timeshare if you do not use it.  If you do not use all your weeks or points but instead let them expire, you are losing value and money.

When we look at the value of timeshares, we usually figure that you can probably sell most of your timeshares close to what you paid for them if you buy them all resale.   So in calculating the  timeshare value, we assume the purchase price to be a wash. So the yearly costs become your maintenance fees, membership dues to a trading company (RCI, II, etc), and the exchange fees you pay.  It is a good idea to keep track of these expenses.  We use a spread sheet on the computer to log these expenses. It then becomes an easy task to look at the totals for the year and divide by the number of weeks or days you spend in timeshares to get your costs.

We have found over the years that our costs  run from $300.00 to $500.00 per week or $43.00 to $72.00 per day. This depends on how much we can maximize our weeks using some of the ideas we have written about previously in our Wyndham posts.   Also, this cost varies based on if you go to a home resort or trade through one of the trading companies where you must pay an exchange fee.

When you compare this to the cost of hotels or condo rentals, we think we see an excellent value in timesharing.  Also, keep in mind many of the other advantages we have talked about in the timeshare experience: better and larger accommodations, amenities and activities at the resorts, and the great people you meet.  We have written several posts about timesharing and how superior we think it is compared to other travel methods.  Take a look at “Why we timeshare” and “Timeshare Vacations-A Guide to Healthy Living”.

Don’t get as wrong, we think there are other travel options that can provide a unique experience at a fair cost. We have tried some of these and have enjoyed them.  We have taken several cruises, found some great hotel deals, and have gone to some non- timeshare resorts that have provided a great value. We  recommend that you  look for these values and book them when you see a deal.  Be sure to do a cost analysis of days of vacations vs. dollar amounts and compare the experience and costs of your timeshare vacations.

We  think that timesharing is the best value in dollars for what you get. At any rate, have fun and enjoy!

Help! I need to sell my timeshare– what do you suggest?  This is probably the number one question we get as we travel on the 18 timeshare vacations we take every year.  We have written a couple of posts about selling a timeshare and you might want to read both of these for some background information.   One is titled How Do I Sell My Timeshare? The other one is Selling a Timeshare.

One of the most popular ways people are selling their timeshares is by using eBay, and we thought we would give a summary of how to go about it. First you should ( if you are not already a member) join the eBay community.  It is easy and doesn’t cost you anything to sign-up.  I would then spend some time looking at current listings of timeshares. You need to do a search for timeshares and begin to study some of the ads for timeshares.  You can also search for your own resort that you are interested in selling, and again read and study those.  Another suggestion is to do an advanced search and get a list of completed auctions. This would show you what timeshares have sold and for how much.

At this point you should have an idea of what you might get for your own timeshare if you try to sell it on eBay.  If you are not discouraged by that price, you could follow a couple of different routes.  One is to select a company that would take over everything and sell it for you. They take care of writing and posting the ads and working with the entire process.  This makes it easier, but of course they take a cut.

One company we worked with in the past takes the first $399.00 of the sale.  So if  it sold for $1000.00, they would take $399.99 and you would get $601.00.  But if it sold for $300.00, they would get $300.00 and you would get nothing.  But of course you would no longer own your timeshare and have those yearly maintenance fees, which is the reason that many people need to sell their timeshare.

Most of these companies use a closing company that handles the transaction after the auction has ended so neither the buyer or the seller can be ripped off.  I would look closely at both companies’ feedback scores and read comments that people have given to make sure you are getting a good company to work with.  If still interested, I would call them and discuss the process and get a feel for that company before you go ahead. As we have indicated in previous posts, DO NOT pay any money up front to sell your timeshare.

The second choice would be for you to list it yourself.  Again, you must do your homework and study the  listings and create your ad.  You can use current ads for a basic structure and go from there.  You can also get pictures of your resort off the internet to use in your own ad.   You will need to think about and decide a number of issues:  length of the auction, starting bid,  closing costs, etc.  I would recommend that if you go the route of listing your timeshare yourself, that you select a closing company. I don’t think many people would bid on your timeshare if you don’t.

Given the current economic situation, and more importantly, the housing industry in general, it is not a good time to be selling a timeshare. But  many  have no choice.  We wish you luck and suggest you move slowly.  If you have additional questions feel free to leave a comment and we will get back to you.

This is a question we get at most timeshares we have stayed at for the past several years. We would like to take a look at some of the issues that come to mind when we get this question, and try to show what your options might be.

• Do you really want to sell your timeshare? You might just need help on how to get the most out of the timeshare you own rather than trying to sell it. We try to help people understand their system and use their timeshare to enjoy vacations. That is one of the  main purposes of this web site.  Also, the internet is full of web sites that are helping to educate folks on the entire timeshare concept and how to use the timeshare they own.

• There might be family or friends that could share use of the timeshare. We have reserved weeks for family members on several occasions and they have had a wonderful timeshare vacation. We also have included friends on many of our trips to timeshares.   We often ask family and friends to share in some of the costs in setting up the vacations.   All have been very willing to pay their share because of the wonderful accommodations.

• You might want to rent your timeshare. We have written a post on renting a timeshare from the renter’s point of view.  Take a look at the post and that could be an option if you cannot use your timeshare for a year or two. That might include a health problem, financial problems or you have a few years to work before you retire. So in off years, try to rent it.

• Find the Value.  The best way is to go to E-bay. Do a search for your resort using the season of the year and size of unit that you own. See what you come up with  You can also do a search for completed sales on E-bay which lets you know what they have actually sold for. Use this information as a guide in determining a price range for your timeshare.

• Call the resort or the company that you own your timeshare with. They often have a system in place to help you sell your timeshare. There might be a person or a realty company that will list your timeshare and help you sell it. They work with you, the resort and owners and guests at the resort to help to sell your timeshare. They know the market value and have potential buyers. This has worked well over the years especially for resorts that are sold out.

• You can try to sell it yourself. You might run an ad in your local newspaper. You could post it at work on a bulletin board or in a company or church newsletter. Another idea is to list an ad on one of the timeshare sites like TUG or Red Week. Also you could list in on E-Bay yourself.

• Turn it over to someone else to sell it. NEVER pay anyone up front to sell your timeshare. There are numerous rip-off timeshare sales companies that take your timeshare and you get nothing , or end up having to pay them to sell it.   Most of these companies work over the internet and you need to carefully check out their feedback scores and comments, costs, procedures and how they do business.

I think that covers most of the key issues for someone to think about if they are interested in selling their timeshare. Wish you luck.

Okay, so you’ve been kicking yourself for quite awhile now about buying that timeshare.  “What was I thinking?” goes through your brain over and over again.

What you thought was going to turn into sun-kissed days on the beach and warm, starry nights sitting on the deck with a pina colada has just not materialized. The reason could be one of many:

* You never could plan ahead very well.

* You can never get enough time off

* Your mother-in-law became deathly ill the day before your vacation started.

And so on.

Or, maybe you just never took the time to read all the paperwork and find out what you really had signed up for. At any rate, you’ve made the decision to sell the sucker.  The question is, how?

Many people have the misconception that they should be able to sell their timeshare for what they paid for it, or even a bit more—kind of like a house.  Mistake #1!  If you bought from the developer, you would probably be very lucky to recoup even 25% of what you paid for it.

If you bought it resale, you might be able to recover close to what you paid, depending on several factors which we’ll discuss in a bit.  So right away, you need to realize that you are not going to make scads of money on this deal.

Of course, one alternative to selling is to perhaps give it another try.  Read the paperwork, find out what you own, and change some of the problems that have surfaced when you try to use it. (This site will hopefully give you some ideas on how to do that.)

Another alternative would be to try to rent it. This comes with its own set of problems, and to be honest, we haven’t done much of that.  Hopefully some of our readers can chime in on this.

But if you are determined to sell, you need to wrap your mind around the fact that if you do, you will not have to pay those maintenance fees every year! That alone will save you a lot of money, which eventually will make it worth your while to sell, even if you don’t get much money up front.

So, what are your options?

1)  Do some research on what timeshares are selling for. Good places to look are E-Bay and Bidshares.  Decide on your price and your bottom line.

2)  Get the word out. Talk to friends, co-workers, anyone that you think might be interested.

3)  Advertise inexpensively on Timeshare User Group or Redweek.  Bidshares is free.

4)  Advertise locally on the radio and/or  newspaper.

5)  Contact a realtor.

6)  Post your timeshare on E-Bay.

7)  Contact your timeshare company and see if they will buy it back.

There is another avenue you can explore if you are really desperate, and that is to contact what we call a postcard company.  You can find these if you check the E-Bay timeshare listings.  These companies charge you to take your timeshare off your hands–yes, you have to pay them money to sell it, and they keep the money from the sale! We would advise against paying anyone to sell your timeshare, but if you are really desperate. . .

You can also donate your timeshare, which will give you a tax break, but no money.

Keep in mind that the desirability of your timeshare will have a great deal of bearing on whether or not you sell it.  The old location, location, location rule applies here. A timeshare in Iowa will probably be tough to sell.  So will a week 2 in Hilton Head.