I don't think it's a bad idea to talk to the brokers. A couple months ago, I got a pkg thru Judy K. for a 4800 points package at the Flamingo for a good deal, I think. It was listed @$8000, but we negotiated with the seller, just like you would for a house.
This is the deal I got:
4800 points, 1 BR plat, Flamingo
$7000, included: timeshare, seller pays closing costs and title insurance (roughly $500) thru Hilton Grand Vacations Title.
2008 points = 4080. Because maint fees aren't pro-rated when points are partially used, I didn't pay 2008 MF = savings of roughly $600 I figure, on the total price. I used 2100 points and rolled the remainder into 2009 and already used them.
so the way I view my deal is $5900 for 4800 points = $1.23/point
Anyway, I think it's a good to idea to explore all options, and that includes seeing what the brokers have too.
Hicksville - congrats on a great deal!
I guess everything is a negotiation and depends on how motivated (or desperate) a seller is and what he is willing to take for a deal.
Since posting this I have been checking out previous posts about platinum points - I have been reading that platinum sells anywhere from 1.80 - 2.00 a point (upwards of $14k) and that is going rate. People have bought around that range and are happy. This one is obviously less than that at 1.55/pt.
I was never asking if this was the "deal of a lifetime" or anything like that - only if it was fair enough to walk away feeling good about it if I bought it.
Seth has the same exact one on ebay right now starting at $12,200 with a buy now at $12,800. If I get this other one at $10,500 and even paying the additional $796 for the points, I still come out about $900 ahead than if I bought Seth's auction at $12,200.
Other ones that I see at his website and Judy's are around the $12k range, possibly a little bit lower and some even a lot higher in cases. Comes down to what someone will let it go for.
If I compare it to those examples, it seems like a pretty good deal and we would get some nice use out of it for years to come.
I know that ultimately the decision comes down to me (and my wife) if we are going to bid on it. I still haven't brought it up to her yet (I feel like a kid asking his parents for a new expensive toy).
Thanks to everyone who gave me their 2 cents on this topic.