In Reply to: More info please posted by Sorry to be daft on Tuesday, 31. July 2001 at 15:15 Bali Time:
I have sold timeshare, used timeshare at my home resort, and exchanged to many parts of the world...it isn't for everyone, as everyone seems to agree with...however it does infact work, expecially if you are flexible. First off I would like to mention...the hawkers...that is the nature of the beast..I live in the USA, so they are regulated..the OPCs as they are referred to here have booths, and can't leave the booth, they do offer free gifts to get you to go listen to the presentation...no one would go otherwise...you need bodies to sell something....in Bali, they don't have alot of restrictions....but check out Mexico...wow, they have none, and they are at the airport just waiting for you..it is unreal..they have even less restrictions than Bali. It is important to get involved with a reputable company..with a track record..In my experience have seen the mojority of the monies from the maintneance fees go back into the resort...that isn't always the case, and there have been alot of nightmare stories...but today, timeshare is happening...especially in the USA...Marriotts, Hiltons, Disney, Embassy Suites..all the big high profile guys are in the business...try staying in one of these places...such as the Hilton Hawaiian Village for nothing more than an exchange fee of $100-$160 for the week...that wouldn't even get you a night...so true value comes in to play when you make exchanges to places that you could never afford, or would never put the money out for..but it is important to like your home resort...be flexible , and make your bookings early, especially if going to a very popular place...keep in mind, that when you own in a highly demanded location, with not much inventory..you get better trades.. (keep in mind that the Exchange Company you have joined is a BENNIFIT...they make money when you trade on both ends..you out to another locations, someone into your resort, on and on) some people don't even renew their RCI or Interval International memebership after the initial membership expires.. that again is why I say buy in an area people like to travel to)......so keeping that in mind, don't buy a studio...at least get a one bedroom.. unless you are purchasing primarily for your own use and enjoyment at your home resort..also the bonus weeks don't get cheaper when you wait to use them...they are short notice weeks where there is availibilty..the cost is the same if you book 59 days out or 2 days out....again it is all based on availability...get aways or vacation escapes get cheaper as time gets closer...but those have nothing to do with your owners week or your bonus week, they are just an added bonus, and they can be very inexpensive....and the closer they get, the cheaper they get...Bali is a pretty good place to check about those get aways, or even the bonus weeks.....