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I guess I got ripped off. (by Carlos H.):

I bought my first time share at Star-Island 4 years ago. $14,000 for a 3 BR Lock-off week 26, Even years.

We thought it was a good deal. Wouldn't take us long to pay it off, and we would own something we could give to our kids. We have 3 daughters, and they've been to Florida every year for the last 4 years. Last year was the first year we didn't go to the parks... we visited the beaches instead.

Our original idea was to bank half a unit each year, then upgrade to a full unit through II, which made sense. But on our first return to Star-Island we visited Orange Lake, and fell in love with that place. Me being Mr. Money bags, I bought odd years, week 26 at Orange Lake. $9,400. We liked the community better, but the rooms & atmosphere (we thought) was much better at Star-Island.

Anyway, we figured we would rent out the Star-Island TS, and let it pay for itself, or exchange the Star-Island and go to other areas of the country in even number years. Every other year, we'd go to Orlando.

So this is the first year I decided to try to rent my Star-Island TS, and it doesn't look like I'm going to get what I was told I could expect, $2,400. I'm also realizing I could have bought much cheaper on the resale market... who knew.

I'm telling myself the economy now is much different than what it was 3 or 4 years ago. That doesn't change the fact, that I still owe a lot of money.

What would be the smart thing to do, if you were in this situation?