I just bought Westgate Towers - Help :-)

you mentioned you looked at listings for Disney and that the resale value sucked compared to Westgate- however you need to keep in mind that what timeshares are listed for is NOT what they actually sell for... so just make sure you look into all the details.

lovelyym said:

you mentioned you looked at listings for Disney and that the resale value sucked compared to Westgate- however you need to keep in mind that what timeshares are listed for is NOT what they actually sell for... so just make sure you look into all the details.

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I don't think I said that... Quite the opposite. Disney is expensive and regularly sells for 70-75 cents on a dollar. It's a very active resale market in which Disney actually participates if the transaction value is too low.

That's what got me into Westgate - I reasoned that I would barely get a week at Disney in low season for 8K and I could easily stay in a 1-bedroom place anytime at WG and for less. This seemed like a better deal but nothing beats "free".

Ok, so seriously now... I looked at some ads and there are a lot of decent places going for free. There are some that seem like premium ones is the Bahamas and such that go for a few K.

Having the ability and desire to go/drive to Florida with our kids (2 little ones but 3 in March (!) ) at least once a year and realistic dreams to fly to Yucatan or the west coast in Mexico from time to time, what should I look at? We're planning to go to Europe (Germany, Austria, and Poland) in 2012 mainly for the euro cup, so is there any resort or program that would be recommended? Where should I start my research or can anyone just present me with the best option

Buy where you would want to go if all else failed. Buy points for multiple locations

cracovian said:

Ok, so seriously now... I looked at some ads and there are a lot of decent places going for free. There are some that seem like premium ones is the Bahamas and such that go for a few K.

Having the ability and desire to go/drive to Florida with our kids (2 little ones but 3 in March (!) ) at least once a year and realistic dreams to fly to Yucatan or the west coast in Mexico from time to time, what should I look at? We're planning to go to Europe (Germany, Austria, and Poland) in 2012 mainly for the euro cup, so is there any resort or program that would be recommended? Where should I start my research or can anyone just present me with the best option

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Buy in an area and at a resort you could drive to and enjoy going to if all other options failed. That way you have something of value to you regardless of any trade/rental/etc. Don't buy where you have to fly or otherwise are committing to travel costs that could prevent you from utilizing what you own. You should also strongly consider a points based, multi-resort system rather than a single week at a resort - again to give you the maximum amount of options without involving the need to use third party trades to get something that will work for your needs. An example, there are others, is the Wyndham system which we have had great luck with and sells resale for almost nothing. It offers a wide selection of internal resorts as well as access to the world of resorts included with an RCI membership they give you. Tough to beat that value and we feel it is one of the great deals in timeshare right now (but ONLY at resale - NEVER retail pricing of course).

What a great time to be a buyer of timeshare as it is a buyers market as has never ever existed before. There isn't a timeshare in existence that has a market price of more than $4000-$5000 tops (many may ASK more but except for the occasional & very uninformed buyer none will actually sell for more) regardless of name brand, resort or location. And many go simply for the transfer cost. No market has ever favored buyers like this one does now. Enjoy the riches and pick your purchase very carefully. Remember the real cost of any timeshare is the annual fees. High costs mean even a premier resort has no resale value. Purchase cost is meaningless now and should be a throwaway amount.

Thank you so much for your response. So, for example, I'm looking at something like this.

It's 315K Wyndham points in Orlando in red season with maintenance fees of $124.00/month. What does it all mean and how could I use it? Is it worth $624?

cracovian said:

Thank you so much for your response. So, for example, I'm looking at something like this.

It's 315K Wyndham points in Orlando in red season with maintenance fees of $124.00/month. What does it all mean and how could I use it? Is it worth $624?

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While I think you could do better on the resort and the price(plus closing). However, Mike is a great seller with one of the biggest and best outfits on eBay you would do well to find a great deal with him. I'm not sure where you are from but I wouldn't by in the Orlando area. Use your points to reserve there within a system like Wyndham's points or through an external exchange company. You do want to own away from Orlando if you want to exchange into Orlando because of area restrictions.

Now I'm truly thoroughly confused... I'm from Atlanta and we go to Orlando at least once year but I want to stay away from Wyndham resorts there? Why? And what restrictions are we talking about? Which resort would give me better options then?

DVC isn't even a option if you can have better stays at Bonnet Creek

cracovian said:

Now I'm truly thoroughly confused... I'm from Atlanta and we go to Orlando at least once year but I want to stay away from Wyndham resorts there? Why? And what restrictions are we talking about? Which resort would give me better options then?

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With Wyndham Points the only difference in owning them based on a specific resort is the annual fees you pay. Those vary because of resort maintenance cost levels and taxes. The other differences are the ability to reserve at THAT resort 13 months ahead rather than 10 months for all oter points owners. Not a big plus in most cases as you don'y need the ARP (Advance Reservation Priority) for most Wyndham resorts and certainly not the Orlando ones. It also means it's your deeded resort and, should all else fail and the whole Wyndham Points system fail it would be the resort you would own to travel to and trade. Not much chance of that.

I doubt that the restriction on Orlando resorts would even apply (after all a point is a point in the Wyndham system - they don't check or care where they are based)and if it was a deposit to RCI Weeks then it wouldn't likely be from Orlando resort in any case. would even apply BUT the taxes in Florida are high, thus raising the annual fees and if in fact they DO look at the resort for block purposes then owning in Orlando would be a limitation that owning elsewhere wouldn't have. Finally since Wyndham has the best timeshare inside the Disney Gates (Bonnet Creek), you wouldn't need to trade into the lesser, smaller DVC resorts (and PAY more to do it) so the block wouldn't mean anything anyway (no other resorts that I'm aware of would enforce it for Wyndham Points). Add to the fact that you want to go to Orlando, it would give you the 13 months ARP and it may be the right choice for you if the fees are acceptable. Remember that's the true cost - not the purchase price.

Overall where your Wyndham Points are based means very little as a point is a point no matter where it's from. Concenrate on any ARP you desire and the annual fees.

cracovian said:

Now I'm truly thoroughly confused... I'm from Atlanta and we go to Orlando at least once year but I want to stay away from Wyndham resorts there? Why? And what restrictions are we talking about? Which resort would give me better options then?

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Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you.

If you only want to go to Orlando -YOU DON'T NEED TO OWN A TIMESHARE. There is so much availablity in Orlando that you can probably rent what you want for the foreseeable future for less than the maintenance fees and have no up front costs or obligations. So I wouldn't own an Orlando based timeshare.

Some of the external exchange companies like RCI have area restrictions. Meaning if you deposit an Orlando week you can not exchange into a different resort in Orlando (an area block). I don't know all of the details, but there are threads that talk about this issue here on TUG. So if you wanted to try a few Orlando resorts via exchange, you may not be able to do this using what you have to deposit from Orlando.

Staying within an internal exchange/reservation systems like ...Wyndham Points, HGVC Points, etc. then you do not have these restrictions.

Great, it starts to make sense now Thank you!

Which specific resort is a good deal from the lower fees' perspective? All of the ones I've looked at are quite comparable to those in Orlando except maybe this one in TN.

It's 154K points with biennial usage at $28 month. I assume I could theoretically deposit/borrow and stay in a 1 bedroom place for a week each year? Or exchange it for other resorts in the RCI? How do those deposits work? Do I deposit points or a specific week at specific Wyndham resort?

I just read the primer doc on Wyndham and I have a general idea about how it works now... So, is this the most reasonable TS to own in my case (Florida, NC, SC and eventually a few Intl locations)? I'd probably start with 154K points. Is there a better place to buy than ebay? Total cost of $650+ seems to be a norm but can I find it cheaper? Also, what's the best time to buy? Right before January or will later next year be just as good? What do you all think?

I'd welcome any thoughts or tips you may have. Thank you!!!

The price shift a few dollars either way doesn't matter. The maintenance fees will be the same, and that is what you have to be comfortable with.

I noticed that Marriott TS sell for more than a dollar twenty five (though not by much.) If you had to choose between Marriott or Wyndham programs, which one would you prefer? What are the main differences?

If you have a look at the Marriott and Wyndham boards here on tug you will get a better idea of the similarities and differences.

Westgate Lakes Got me too...I hope I can soon say ALMOST

cracovian said:

I just checked my AMEX and $7K is back... They did treat themselves to $46 for our breakfast but we got them back on the BBQ right before we left, so it's all good and I'm finally relieved

Now if I can buy something, so we can go to Miami, Orlando, and Atlantis in the next three years before the world ends, then I'll be happy.

Alternatively, we could go to Cancun in 2012 (Avalon Reef Club in Isla Mujeres would definitely work) and hire a Mayan to extend the calendar providing no relief to all of you stuck with maintenance fees for the rest of your lives

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My story is the same as everyone else's visited TN, no intention of doing a TS tour, but did because we were offered $100 in cash, which we got, but I said no a million times, they finally offered me, or I should say my ex heard them off to another couple a one week trial, well you paid for it (nearly $1K). I asked for that because I did like the resort just didn't want to buy. Anyway, just shy of two years I booked in Orlando and get sucked right in. When I got home I started recapping the sales tactics and was a bit uncomfortable but resolved to the idea, still thinking I got a good deal. But did a Google search of reviews of Westgate, something I should've done BEFORE going to Orlando and something I could not do while sitting in the presentation (even with my iPhone in hand...duh) I found one bad review after another. I would like to say it was the bad reviews of service that changed my mind, but it wasn't since my service and stay were very nice, but it was the $$$ I spent and noticing that I could've done leaps and bounds better on a resale.

I sent all of the information back today, briefcase and all, and although I saw them put the paperwork inside of the velcro pocket because I heard the rip of the velcro and turned my head I am astonished how many people they get over with on hiding the information there. Also that BS CD paperwork, it is purposely hard to manipulate, with the loaded "document viewer" why not a PDF? Hmm, guess I know the answer to that. I am hoping I don't get charged for that horribly nasty breakfast, since I was already staying at the resort, but if that's all so be it, better than a lifetime of regret.

Thank you so much to this board, you are doing a wonderful service! Going to take some breathing room and look at other TS options, because I still like the idea. Good day all.

a few sales tactics that left me with unrest:
1. closing officer said he was not an employee of Westgate, however Central Florida Investments is owned by Westgate, so he was just playing with my head here.
2. made me promise not to screw him over, asked me why should he be able to trust me, I didn't realize at the time, but now I do he was referring to me rescinding later. again the closer officer, not the sales agent.
3. told me he was a jehovah's witness and felt like I had a good heart and offered me more sales; but hmm...he didn't work for Westgate? Ugghhh..makes me sick just thinking about it.

Hope to follow-up soon and say all is well. But I will advise if it's not, for sure!

You did well to figure it out - hope you made the date!

ladybug618 said:

My story is the same as everyone else's visited TN, no intention of doing a TS tour, but did because we were offered $100 in cash, which we got, but I said no a million times, they finally offered me, or I should say my ex heard them off to another couple a one week trial, well you paid for it (nearly $1K). I asked for that because I did like the resort just didn't want to buy. Anyway, just shy of two years I booked in Orlando and get sucked right in. When I got home I started recapping the sales tactics and was a bit uncomfortable but resolved to the idea, still thinking I got a good deal. But did a Google search of reviews of Westgate, something I should've done BEFORE going to Orlando and something I could not do while sitting in the presentation (even with my iPhone in hand...duh) I found one bad review after another. I would like to say it was the bad reviews of service that changed my mind, but it wasn't since my service and stay were very nice, but it was the $$$ I spent and noticing that I could've done leaps and bounds better on a resale.

I sent all of the information back today, briefcase and all, and although I saw them put the paperwork inside of the velcro pocket because I heard the rip of the velcro and turned my head I am astonished how many people they get over with on hiding the information there. Also that BS CD paperwork, it is purposely hard to manipulate, with the loaded "document viewer" why not a PDF? Hmm, guess I know the answer to that. I am hoping I don't get charged for that horribly nasty breakfast, since I was already staying at the resort, but if that's all so be it, better than a lifetime of regret.

Thank you so much to this board, you are doing a wonderful service! Going to take some breathing room and look at other TS options, because I still like the idea. Good day all.

a few sales tactics that left me with unrest:
1. closing officer said he was not an employee of Westgate, however Central Florida Investments is owned by Westgate, so he was just playing with my head here.
2. made me promise not to screw him over, asked me why should he be able to trust me, I didn't realize at the time, but now I do he was referring to me rescinding later. again the closer officer, not the sales agent.
3. told me he was a jehovah's witness and felt like I had a good heart and offered me more sales; but hmm...he didn't work for Westgate? Ugghhh..makes me sick just thinking about it.

Hope to follow-up soon and say all is well. But I will advise if it's not, for sure!

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Hopefully you made the request to rescind in time as the price at retail is WAY WAY WAY TOO High when you can buy the exact same ownership rights for 10% or less any day of the week resale.

We bought into Wastegate as they do have nice, if not great, resorts and certainly plenty of on site amenities - reasonable, again not great, units and more. It is the incessant demands to buy more, sales pressure for guests as well as owners as well as their total refusal to properly turn over operation / Board control to owners as they should have over a decade ago that makes me so sour on what had been an OK (resale) purchase years ago.

Now I consider it my one true mistake in timeshare ownership and only due to the management NOT the actual resort itself.

NEVER purchase any timeshare retail as a general rule (the exceptions are so rare as to be ignored 99% of the time) and when buying resale get your best deal at a resort / system you plan to USE for the best shot at a happy ownership experience.

I really hope you met the deadline for a rescind and that now you can take your time to find a great deal on a resale and start enjoying another timeshare ownership that works for your travel lifestyle.

timeos2 said:

Hopefully you made the request to rescind in time as the price at retail is WAY WAY WAY TOO High when you can buy the exact same ownership rights for 10% or less any day of the week resale.

We bought into Wastegate as they do have nice, if not great, resorts and certainly plenty of on site amenities - reasonable, again not great, units and more. It is the incessant demands to buy more, sales pressure for guests as well as owners as well as their total refusal to properly turn over operation / Board control to owners as they should have over a decade ago that makes me so sour on what had been an OK (resale) purchase years ago.

Now I consider it my one true mistake in timeshare ownership and only due to the management NOT the actual resort itself.

NEVER purchase any timeshare retail as a general rule (the exceptions are so rare as to be ignored 99% of the time) and when buying resale get your best deal at a resort / system you plan to USE for the best shot at a happy ownership experience.

I really hope you met the deadline for a rescind and that now you can take your time to find a great deal on a resale and start enjoying another timeshare ownership that works for your travel lifestyle.

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I am happy to report that I recieved a confirmation letter from Westgate cancelling my contract.

This did not come without its tale of woe, however, I really had to give a tongue lashing (using many, many, many explicits ) to the closing agent, who said he didn't work for Westgate, but then tried to bully me and harrassed me by phone several times after recieving the cancellation request. That he would lose his job, and he trusted me to not cancel, he thought I was a person of my word? What?!:hysterical:

Anyway, I did not hear back from him after I advised him that I would let the Secretary of State know about his harrassment as I am sure he could lose his notary license, thus no longer would be able to close these mortgages. With that he bid me a good day.

Sadly, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Westgate, but I wont be going back to Orlando very often and I certainly did not like the price. Anway, alls well that ends well, moving on.

Thank you so much for this board!!!!!!

Buy resale - buy to use

ladybug618 said:

I am happy to report that I recieved a confirmation letter from Westgate cancelling my contract.

This did not come without its tale of woe, however, I really had to give a tongue lashing (using many, many, many explicits ) to the closing agent, who said he didn't work for Westgate, but then tried to bully me and harrassed me by phone several times after recieving the cancellation request. That he would lose his job, and he trusted me to not cancel, he thought I was a person of my word? What?!:hysterical:

Anyway, I did not hear back from him after I advised him that I would let the Secretary of State know about his harrassment as I am sure he could lose his notary license, thus no longer would be able to close these mortgages. With that he bid me a good day.

Sadly, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Westgate, but I wont be going back to Orlando very often and I certainly did not like the price. Anway, alls well that ends well, moving on.

Thank you so much for this board!!!!!!

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Great work - you beat them at their own game! Well done.

Now take your time and find a great price (few resorts/weeks sell for mch over $2K today even for the best weeks) at the resort/area you will use OR for a good resort system where it is designed to visit different places every use period rather than return to one resort all the time. If you go for the system try to get one with plenty of places in many locations - avoid those that only have limited locations or only a handful of resorts. That's not a good way to go as you end up still depending on outside trades if the system doesn't offer it internally. That increases costs and goes back to the uncertainty of trades to be satisfied.

Again congratulations & enjoy whatever option you decide on now that your money is safely back in your pocket.