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Re: Starwood (SPG) Timeshare (by Langdon M.):

joel382 wrote:

langdonmic wrote:

langdonmic wrote:

debra451 wrote:

deborah820 wrote:

jenniferc190 wrote:

I am interested in purchasing the Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas. I am fairly new at the timeshare concept and will appreicate all opinions. I am quite impressed with the SPG program and am already a gold member.

I am wondering if I should wait for the North Villas resales to become more available or purchase "pre owned" ones on the existing buildings. I am also wondering if I am better off purchasing the "resale" ones from the developer. I do realize that the price will be higher the then general resale market but it may offer some perks that I may be interested in. Also, I find the annual fees + taxes being almost $2000 is quite high, I am wondering if I am better off just renting. Thanks for you thoughts on this.

This is what I have done, I purchased a resale at a location that I wanted. I used an online timeshare resale site. I had not one problem with them. The transfer of the deed was done with ease by them and I received it in a timely manner. I also, got this time share at a very reasonable price. My yearly fees are managable. The unit I purchased was exactly as it was told on this resale site and they made sure I understood what I was purchasing. I purchased a one bedroom in a specific location within this resort and that is exactly what I got. This Timeshare is a Starwood Resort that is also a five star Resort. I have enjoyed it two years now and I am headed for our third. The unit rents for triple what I pay in Maintenace fees in a week. The only thing with purchasing a resale with the Starwood resorts that I found the hard way is that you aren't able to use there own Starwood Network for exchange of your unit for another Starwood Resort in another location. This is Starwood's rules. Anyone with a repurchase not from the Starwood resort, such as a repurchase from a past owner you do not get the Starwood transfer or upgrade benefits. Which as an owner I feel is wrong. I do have a deeded timeshare with a red week and it also can be used as a float. But, I am not allowed to use the Starwood vacation network. So I just use RCI. That is the only drawback that I have found. I hope this helped you.

It all depends which Starwood Resort you purchase. I've checked in the past and there is certain resorts that carry the Starwood benefits. Call Starwood before you buy, snd they will tell you if you are covered.

Lenny

Debbie,

I bought my original Starwood at Sheraton Mtn Vista in Avon, CO. That was thru the developer, so I have all the bennies. You can call Starwood to find out which resorts hols their Starwood bennies in resales. Some do and some don't. You have to check before you buy resale. I was told that buy Starwood when I was checking on buying more Starwood resale. You have to do your homework.

Lenny

Deborah - Which Starwood Resort did you purchase at? I have found conflicting information on the use of the Starwood Vacation Network and StarPoints. I was just curious because one of the sources said it had to do with which resort you purchase. Thanks, Debbie

Responding to Lenny, Lenny, you state that Starwood descriminates against buyers of resale timeshares. I wonder how they can LEGALLY do that since you purchased a 'DEEDED' unit. If I buy a DEEDED house I can use it just as the original owners did. What gives these SCUMBAG TIMESHARE COMPANIES LIKE STARWOOD the right to do this! This is the kind of treatment from Timeshare Companies the INFURIATES me and the other MANY owners of Timeshares. We purchase a 'USED APARTMENT/CONDO' and are paying the SAME MAINTENANCE fees the original owner did, and therefore have the SAME RIGHTS as the original owners! We timeshare owners need to band together against these special interest Developers who are DUMPING their wares on the market at RIDICULOUS prices through HIGH PRESSURE SALES PEOPLE, and then HAVE THE GALL to tell us we can't sell our DEEDED unit to another person so they can pay the RIDICULOUS Maintenance fees and use it as we did.

It's not just Starwood that does this. I also have a Marriott that I bought resale, do I get Marriott Rewards, NO. I think it's the same with Fairfield points and all the rest of the developers. If you buy resale they consider it a stand alone unit that you can trade within II or RCI. The way that I look at is that if you want all the benefits that are associated with the Starwood, Marriott, And Fairfield etc.., you pay the developer price, and if you just want a nice unit in a brand name resort you buy resale. it must be legal. The problem is the resales that are so far underpriced. Something that you pay $14000 for you lucky if you can sell it for $5000 Lenny