Guys, sorry if this has been said a million and one times and I am sorry to perhaps repeat posts, I am new to ownership and need advice and help.
I brought a HGVC points at the Elara Las Vegas three weeks ago and was told by the salesman that I could use my points to exchange to RCI.
At our meeting the salesman took time to first ask where we have been on holiday, where we might go in future.
We informed him that we go to disney orlando and have for the last five years and will be going again, we love it.
He said great I can do you a great offer and your not have the issues of it ending 20 to 25 years time like disney ownership but a chance to have it for my life.
He informed us that the amount of points we needed to allow us to stay at disney at least once a year for two weeks and he went on to show us the disney hotels we could use on the RCI.
We thought great the hotels we love to stay are there.
He informed us he was not able to show us availability as you need to be a member and look at the live screen and he said they do not have that access.
We informed him we were looking to book for Christmas this year and Halloween next year and he said it won't be a problem and said here is some bonus points upgrade your room.
Now I had to wait three weeks for my membership to come through, I log in and to my surprise, nothing, no availability, nothing.
Now we were told it would be no problem as were over four months out to book Christmas now.
It appears we can not and I called RCI who told me there is not any space for the next two years.
What am I doing wrong, please help, I feel like I have been laid to by the Hilton sales guys.
Thanks for reading.
I'm really sorry to say you should have came to TUG 3 weeks ago and we would have told you to rescind. Rule#1 is to try and never buy from the developer as its very expensive.
The resale market has nice resorts comparable to Hilton. For instance I own weeks we bought on resale and was able to trade into Hilton Vacations at MarBrisa. Hilton among other resorts has a 1 in 4 rule whereby you cannot stay again in 4 years but that just forces us to stay at a new resort.
I have split up my week and combined the Trading Power and was able to get three weeks off season from one week at some nice properties in the San Diego region. Be aware what the sales agents are telling you.
I have not seen Disney so just accept it that if you never see Disney but if you do then by all means trade into Disney. If you really want Disney then purchase points on the resale market with Disney.
I'm sorry to be harsh but the money you spent with the developer will never be seen again since most of it goes to marketing and some goes towards the week you own. For $700 we got a week in a 2 bedroom that would be $15,000+ with the developer. We figure we already got the value out of the week during the first two times we exchanged. For the Maintenance Fee+Trade fee tell me can you go to a nice hotel?
Lots of hotels go for $250 per night. A Timeshare is not an investment is just a lifestyle change. It forces you to go on vacation which is an added benefit. Its better than spending $150 at a Best Western. For the getaways its great too as well as their last minute getaways
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With resale you are essentially getting a week someone does not want. The weeks we bought have worked well for us. SO even with the exchange fee it still woks out to be a great deal with the Maintenance Fee +Exchange. I have seen hotels going for one night at the same price you can get a week at a nice resort.
You need to play your cards and make the system work for you.
I doubt you can rescind now but try to do so and then come back here to TUG and research your options before you buy something on the resale market.
During the poor economy a few years back we bought weeks on the resale market for dirt cheap. While you can purchase it on Ebay we decided to use Redweek.com and pay the annual membership fee. and rent a week before we bought. Also be advised that there will be transfer fees involved as well.
WIth RCI you can do getaways not using your week for around $300-$500. Here is a secrete you can join RCI without depositing or owning a week, Just pay the annual fee and try some getaways and then deposit later down the road. As long as you have a membership RCI does not care if you own a week or not Wait a bit and then deposit into RCI.
Good luck.