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Purchasing thru Redweek or other resale companies (by Cheri O.):

llhayden wrote:

Hi All:

I have been a lurker on Redweek for many years - never, though, have I taken advantage of either renting a timeshare or buying one. I did, however, have my sister rent through Redweek, and she said it was a great experience.

My question is this, as I am a novice timeshare person. I already know that there is a ton of overhead costs if you purchase a timeshare directly from the facility (Marriott, Sheraton, etc.), so using a website like Redweek to purchase is best. But, how do you know whether these timeshares for sale on this site are in the "old" or "new" section of the resort?

Also, 2 questions regarding "floating" weeks- how easy is it to get a reservation at a resort outside of your home resort when your week says "floating"? In other words, if your home resort is in Orlando and you want to RCI elsewhere, is it just as easy with a floating week than with a set week to get a reservation elsewhere? ****Does having a floating week help or hurt you when you want to make a reservation at your resort - since there's no set week, do you have to call many months in advance to get the week you want?

Thanks for your help! I'd like to purchase something, but am a little hesitant due to the floating week thing!

When I first started using my timeshare and had been attempting to trade for it, I had found that I needed to be a minimum of 13 months out to schedule it. Now, I've started having a bit more fun with it now that I'm using my timeshare for trades more often.

Here's what I'm now doing. I have a Time Share through Palm Canyon (that I willing be putting up for sale in the next couple days) that is floating for 52 weeks. It's a studio (and typically you trade like for like). The membership with the timeshare is through interval international. I go to Interval international, check out what resorts have availabilities. I typically look for locations a couple months of when I want to travel that DO NOT have studios but have 1 or 2 bedroom places at a minimum. Then I call my resort, tell them what I'm trying to lock in as a trade. They go through their weeks to find the "highest trading value" for me that spans that entire year... and then we make the transaction.

I also have travel points with Worldmark versus a deeded location that allows me to trade points with Interval International as well as other travel related services. That tends to cost me more points on each trade since it's paying equal to equal.

Now that I'm working more with the customer service people... I have had much more success. If you're considering timeshares though... without a question I would want a floating week.... unless you can lock in what might be considered a "top" week at a destination. Floating gives you much more flexibility.

Also pay attention to the points. A timeshare may be "one size", but they also look at the points. Most timeshares allow you to "bank" the points so that you can upgrade. Your points can also be used for shorter timeframes than a week for long weekends or get-aways. Many of the timeshares also allow you to use the time share for day use at a minimal or no cost. If you're in the area...even when not using yours, you can spend a day poolside or enjoying the activities at your own getaway for the day.

Overall, timeshares can give you amazing vacations and getaways in wonderful accommodations. To take advantage of them, you need to have a bit more patience and search a bit more than you would for vacation packages at hotels, etc. Annually, you save more and more as prices continue to increase.

Good Luck in your search!!!