Timeshare

[Uisce Beatha]

Just curious.  How many of you have a timeshare?  And do you love it or regret ever buying it?

I just booked a night in Reno for a halfway home stop after a week in Monterey in July.  Got me thinking.  It seems timeshares have a bit of a negative reputation.  You hear the horror stories and so forth.  However, we love ours.  It's been a great investment from a family perspective.  We've had week long vacations in Cabo, San Diego, Oregon and Maui with dingers to Vegas, St. George and a couple of local spots.  Probably going to hit Victoria, B.C. (old digs from 75-76) next spring break.  We've also been able to treat family with a few free/cheap long weekends.

Love 'em?  Hate 'em?  No idea?

[Aske]

as if we could afford one....
 

[1puttpar]

I bought 2, a one bedroom in Palm Desert and a 2 bedroom in Cave Creek, AZ.  Got them both off eBay for 1500 and 1700 respectively.  We've used the Palm Desert every year for the last 5 years.  Never been to the one in AZ, but have used it for trading, Vegas, Hilton Head, Sedona, Scottsdale.  They've been great.  No regrets here.

[Oldprof]

The idea of timeshares never appealed to me and I don't have one.  I like to go where I want when I want, without complications.  But it sounds like Uisce and 1puttpar have enjoyed theirs and have managed to have some flexibility in their choice of destinations.

[Spanky]

We have 2, Orlando and Branson(don't ask), and haven't used either. We kind of regret the Branson one. Hopping to use the Orlando one staring next year with the kids being a little older.

[Uisce Beatha]

The idea of timeshares never appealed to me and I don't have one.  I like to go where I want when I want, without complications.  But it sounds like Uisce and 1puttpar have enjoyed theirs and have managed to have some flexibility in their choice of destinations.

Ours is a points based system with 50+ destinations and growing.  It started in the Pac NW and has spread from there - predominantly in the west although Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Mexico and, yes, Branson  are in there.  Plus you can get into a timeshare trading pool club thingey like RCI and trade for pretty much anywhere in the world. 

http://worldmarktheclub.com

P.S.  Not pimping anything here.  If you ever decide you want a timeshare do what 1puttpar suggests and buy used.  You'll save a fortune.

[Uisce Beatha]

as if we could afford one....
 

Patience, my young Padawan.

It's definitely more of a "approaching 40" sort of purchase.  Not so much because of price but lifestyle.  When I was your age or a bit younger I was looking at Eurorail passes or ten days of Spring Break in Pensacola.  A wife, two children and half a career later and I'm more intrigued by Nancy Lopez and "free golf for the rest of your life on all of our executive golf courses."   

[Fuzzy]

as if we could afford one....
 

Patience, my young Padawan.

It's definitely more of a "approaching 40" sort of purchase.  Not so much because of price but lifestyle.  When I was your age or a bit younger I was looking at Eurorail passes or ten days of Spring Break in Pensacola.  A wife, two children and half a career later and I'm more intrigued by Nancy Lopez and "free golf for the rest of your life on all of our executive golf courses."   

 

My sentiments exactly. Not to mention the wife, two kids and half a career later part.

Not that Spring Break and traveling Euro still don't interest me but I have to admit paying more attention than I would ever have imagined to Ponch's latest infomercial.