New Owner... for now

Well... I am temporarily a new owner.

We had a great time at the King's Land Resort and against everything we said we were going to do... we bought a timeshare from Hilton. I guess we kinda got swept up at the time, but as soon as I got home I sent in our rescission letter.

Now we are actively looking for something on the re-sale market. We really like Hawaii and would like to purchase something there... but the MF are much higher than what we've seen in FL and NV. What is the upside to purchasing in HI vs these other locations? I think the benefit is the 12 month booking, but we are looking to purchase 7,000+ points with the idea of stretching this into 2 trips a year (HI and elsewhere). It is just the wife and I, so we really don't need more than a 1BR for the foreseeable future. It seems to me that the 12 month benefit is lost since we won't be booking a 2+BR that we would be entitled to. Is this accurate?

Also it seems like to go from 5000-ish points up to 7000+ points, there is a significant bump in price per point. I see several options for 5000 pts for about $3500, but for 7000 points, I don't see anything for below about $8,500. Is this the norm?

Any tips on whom to work with? I've seen Seth and Judy's name thrown around in my research, but what are some other good sources to search through to find deals?

I might be rambling a bit... but I'm glad I found this site which helped confirmed what I thought (we spent too much ~$18,000 for 7,000 eoy + 18,000 bonus points).

Thanks in advance!

You are correct that you would not have the 12 month booking window if you book anything other than exactly what you own. It sounds like you will do well to buy a non-Hawaii contract.

The difference in price that you see is because of the season of the contract. Platinum sells much higher than gold, and silver/bronze are often sold for $1.00. That is because the annual dues are exactly the same, whether you buy platinum, gold, silver or bronze. Many people buy platinum only because they get the most points for their MFs. Sometimes gold is so much cheaper, that it can be worth buying gold to save on the initial outlay.

I would only buy from Seth or Judi, or from an Ebay seller that I am comfortable with (CJTimeshares and Sumdayvacations come to mind). With Ebay, you run the risk of another bidder getting your contract, but sometimes the seller will remove the ad if you offer to buy before anyone has bid and you offer a fair price. Some Hiltons also have a resale department. They will sell for less than their regular retail, but much higher than the other resale agents.

Thanks for the response. That helps out a lot.

As Presley has said mf is charged by room size not season, so a 2bd gold worth 5000 and a platinum 7000 would pay the same MF. So it becomes a cost to benefit, either spend money up front and save mf or save the up front expenses but pay more each year.

The only locations that the 12 month booking window really seem to matters for are rainbow and kahlia tower in hhv at certain times of the year, south beach in a 2bd certain times, and as I found out this morning Villamora in Portugal. Probably some ski weeks as well but I don't do snow so I haven't followed them.

A second reason to own in Hawaii, the bay club affiliate has a much lower entry point and its mf for a 2bd work out about the same as a gold week in Florida or Vegas.

The third reason is just cause the thought of owning anything in Vegas or Orlando turns the stomach.

Ian

Good thing you canceled the contract!
By now you know what and where the bargains are...

We bought last year via Seth (good experience).
We paid $21k for a 2bd Plus, Platinum season at the Lagoon Tower (HHV), 8400 points.
I think I paid too much, but this years vacation with our 9 year old daughter was well worth it!

Since we can only travel during school vacations, platinum season is a must have. I also don't want to observe seasons for which I may or may not be able to book.
We might buy a second TS and would look to Las Vegas because of the low MF. Would look for something at or north of 8400 points, possibly swallow $1600 (ish) MF for Kings Land and get >10000 points.
This would be my recommendation for you as well!

Cheers

FWIW, they must've gotten my rescission letter, because they just refunded my deposit. They never even called me. I imagine there is a letter on it's way, but it is kinda odd IMO that they wouldn't even call... not that I'm complaining

Gtcorndog said:

FWIW, they must've gotten my rescission letter, because they just refunded my deposit. They never even called me. I imagine there is a letter on it's way, but it is kinda odd IMO that they wouldn't even call... not that I'm complaining

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I received a call from a different telephone sales guy after I rescinded. That was about it. I actually listened as I wasn't yet well versed on the resale market. He actually claimed that he couldn't offer the bonus points the on site person offered me and that it was a great deal. I declined and was happy to find out about the ins and outs of resale.