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Re: Marriott Vacation Club Questions (by Janna N.):

Your questions are good ones and should all be considered before buying.

First of all, you also need to visit tug2.net and you will learn everything you want to know about owning a timeshare. It's a timeshare users group website and just wonderful. There is even a Marriott forum section there just to discuss all things Marriott related to timeshares!

Now to answer your questions.

The ONLY negative about buying resale from all I've read (which is a lot) is you cannot convert your week into MRPs. But...this is not a big deal for most people! It is not a good use of your timeshare to convert to points. You are gettig less than the cost of your MF's for converting your week to MRP's when you could rent it for twice that amount, or deposit it with Interval International in which you then have two years to use your week for a trade or maybe even trade back into your home property!

As for trading, that is always going to be a crapshoot. I believe your property will be a very strong trader but there are no guarantees. I have heard of properties that were much weaker getting some very good trades. It's about luck, owning a good property and learning all the tricks of the trade when using Interval.

Your next point about trading on day 1 is a little mixed up. What you have probably heard is that people often try to book their desired week for the next year at their home resort exactly 1 year prior in order to get the week of their choice. If they want to trade or rent their week they will especially try to book holiday weeks (spring break, etc) which I have been told get scooped up in the first 5 minutes of those weeks opening up! Many owners do not deposit their weeks until 6-9 months prior to their reserved week.

Never buy from the developer!!! The value of your week decreases by 50% as soon as your purchase it. Many of us have bought from the developers but that's because we didn't know any better. You can revel in the fact that you saved thousands of dollars after you buy you resale and have the EXACT same vacation as others who paid much more. Interval International does not know if you bought your week from Marriott or at resale and they don't care!!!As a resale owner you should not be treated as a second class citizen. You should have confidence buying resale just be sure you go through an independent party to handle all the monies!

Good luck and please check out TUG!!!! Janna