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Re: Buying timeshares (even resale) (by James D.):

jayjay wrote:

james, you definitely did your homework before purchasing resale. You knew exactly what you wanted and how much money you intended to invest, however I was somewhat confused by your statement below. What kind of accomodations can you get for $50 - $150 a week? You can't even stay at a Motel 6 for that amount.

jamesd84 wrote:

I've been a regular timeshare vacationer to gold crown resorts for the past several years, mostly during off peak season at rates far below the maintenance fees charged for the units in which I've stayed. This is something that I will continue to do at a total cost between ($50-$150 a week).

There are RCI based promotional products in the form of a certificate that provides the certificate owner a 7 night stay at an RCI resort based on availability. You can visit www.getawayweeks.com to review availability and when you find a place that you would like to stay you just call the 800 number provided and reserve. You get your VACATION CONFIRMATION letter directly from RCI.

I presume that this is excess inventory that they list at this site, but I've used them to stay at very nice locations such as Valdoro Mountain Lodge, Breckenridge, CO (2 BR, MAY); Fairfield Ocean Walk, Daytona, FL(2 BR, NOV); Fairfield Skyline Towers, Atlantic City, NJ(2 BR, both New Years and Thanksgiving week); and even Imperial, Honolulu, HI(Studio, JULY) on a return from a Japan business trip.

These certificates can be acquired at www.skyauction.com usually coupled with $100 dining certificates, future cruise discounts or future auction discounts. Skyauction has effectively increased the cost of these by about $100 this year by charging a $195 tax and service fee. Before this fee was added, you could win one of these auctions between ($125-$150), now with the additional fee you can win one between ($5-$35) and get as many as 5 sets of certificates for the winning bid (plus fees).

Under the old fee structure I've won many certificates at the $125-$150 price range and received full use of the companion $100 dinning or discount coupon. So if I've paid even $150 and use a previously acquired $100 discount coupon on this purchase, then I've effectively paid $50 for my 7 night stay.

I try to always have at least one 7 night certificate at the ready in case I see something I'd like to book, but they do expire, so there is the element of use it or loose it when you purchase them.

This is a great deal if you can make use of it.

I'm currently booked into Fairfield Skyline Towers, Atlantic City, NJ (2 BR, Thanksgiving week 11/18-11/25/07) using a certificate and have (1) certificate at the ready.

I'd love to have these same accomondations in July or August (anyone want to hook me up) but that's extremely unlikely with the certificate approach. I did like the half price via email approach that a poster described in this thread, I just might have to give that a try sometime. I hope this information is helpful.