Researching timeshare industry - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

pcolston · October 20, 2009, 06:54 PM

Hello,

I'm Peter. I'm doing research into the timeshare industry for a business school project. I'd love to talk with anyone here about their experiences, etc. but in the meantime I have a handful of questions.

A lot of these might seem obvious, but I'm just trying to be very careful.

I'm interested in the whole process. How did you find your timeshares, why did you choose which one(s) to buy, etc.? Once you own one, how do you use it? Do you use it yourself, rent it, exchange it?

What is your experience buying/selling timeshares? Renting? Exchanging?

What do you think of companies like RCI, II, etc.? How could they be improved? What are your biggest frustrations with them?

I've been reading about this industry for a while, but it's best to assume I know nothing. I just want to learn the ropes from people who have first-hand experience, with an eye towards building a business to help timeshare owners.

I created a survey, here: http://pcolston.wufoo.com/forms/timeshare-survey/

I'd love for people to take that. Alternatively, we can talk here, you can email me at peter.colston@gmail.com, or send me an IM at peterjcolston on AIM.

If you want to talk here, I'll start by asking two related questions:

As a timeshare owner, if you could make one aspect of the timeshare industry 10x better, what would it be?
As a timeshare owner, what is the most frustrating/painful aspect of the industry?

Thanks for your time.

Best,
Peter

Steve · October 21, 2009, 01:47 AM

Hi Peter,

I completed your survey and wish you well with your research. It sounds like a fun project.

Steve

AwayWeGo · October 21, 2009, 09:18 AM

Click here for our (mostly) complete timeshare story.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcolston

As a timeshare owner, if you could make one aspect of the timeshare industry 10x better, what would it be?

Scrap the timeshare companies' traditional biz. model based on high-pressure, truth-stretching, arm-twisting, guilt-tripping, psychologically manipulative sales pitches. Switch to a biz. model based on WalMart for initial sales & based on CarMax for resales.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcolston

As a timeshare owner, what is the most frustrating/painful aspect of the industry?

Skyrocketing maintenance fees at poorly managed timeshare resorts.

Be sure to write up your survey results & research findings & provide us an Internet link to the finished product.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.

yumdrey · October 21, 2009, 11:08 AM

I also finished survey. I wish you share your collected information with timeshare owners in TUG.

pcolston · October 21, 2009, 11:43 PM

Alan,

That was an awesome blog post. I'm going to follow up in a DM.

pcolston · October 21, 2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yumdrey

I also finished survey. I wish you share your collected information with timeshare owners in TUG.

Will do, once I sort through them! I'm going to summarize and anonymize them, though, because most people said they didn't want their specific information shared.

If you were going to start a new business in the timeshare industry, what do you think would make the biggest impact?

rhonda · October 22, 2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcolston

If you were going to start a new business in the timeshare industry, what do you think would make the biggest impact?

A combination of Owners Locker with a grocery delivery service. The goal: make my arrival to any timeshare similar to the arrival at an upscale destination club. I want "all my stuff" already there and ready to enjoy.

LAX Mom · November 4, 2009, 09:18 PM

Peter,
Completed the survey, good luck!

vacationtime1 · November 15, 2009, 12:45 PM

Good luck. Be sure to tell us what you learn.

October 20, 2009, 06:54 PM	#1
pcolston Guest BBS Reg. Date: Oct 19, 09 Posts: 3	Researching timeshare industry Hello, I'm Peter. I'm doing research into the timeshare industry for a business school project. I'd love to talk with anyone here about their experiences, etc. but in the meantime I have a handful of questions. A lot of these might seem obvious, but I'm just trying to be very careful. I'm interested in the whole process. How did you find your timeshares, why did you choose which one(s) to buy, etc.? Once you own one, how do you use it? Do you use it yourself, rent it, exchange it? What is your experience buying/selling timeshares? Renting? Exchanging? What do you think of companies like RCI, II, etc.? How could they be improved? What are your biggest frustrations with them? I've been reading about this industry for a while, but it's best to assume I know nothing. I just want to learn the ropes from people who have first-hand experience, with an eye towards building a business to help timeshare owners. I created a survey, here: http://pcolston.wufoo.com/forms/timeshare-survey/ I'd love for people to take that. Alternatively, we can talk here, you can email me at peter.colston@gmail.com, or send me an IM at peterjcolston on AIM. If you want to talk here, I'll start by asking two related questions: As a timeshare owner, if you could make one aspect of the timeshare industry 10x better, what would it be? As a timeshare owner, what is the most frustrating/painful aspect of the industry? Thanks for your time. Best, Peter

November 4, 2009, 09:18 PM	#8
LAX Mom TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 7, 05 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 1,152 Resorts: Marriott Summit Watch	Peter, Completed the survey, good luck! __________________ Lisa Lacrosse/Football Mom "It takes a long time to grow young." Pablo Picasso

November 15, 2009, 12:45 PM	#9
vacationtime1 TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Sep 7, 06 Location: San Francisco Posts: 530 Resorts: Marriott Waiohai; Westin Ka'anapali; Westin Kierland; Sheraton Desert Oasis; Sheraton Broadway Plantation	Good luck. Be sure to tell us what you learn. __________________ Robert

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October 21, 2009, 01:47 AM	#2
Steve Moderator TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 19, 04 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 1,640 Resorts: Meadow Lake (MT) Four Seasons Aviara (CA) Four Seasons Scottsdale (AZ)	Hi Peter, I completed your survey and wish you well with your research. It sounds like a fun project. Steve

October 21, 2009, 11:08 AM	#4
yumdrey TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 30, 08 Location: Maryland Posts: 383 Resorts: Worldmark,The Summit at Massanutten (VA),HGVC Flamingo,Westin Mission Hills,Four Seasons Aviara & one more is coming	I also finished survey. I wish you share your collected information with timeshare owners in TUG.

October 21, 2009, 11:43 PM	#5
pcolston Guest BBS Reg. Date: Oct 19, 09 Posts: 3	Alan, That was an awesome blog post. I'm going to follow up in a DM.