Original Message:
We are thinking about a Timeshare Purchase, whats your honest opinion??? (by B S.):
Unless you have money to burn don't buy "points". Buying points is like buying an unknown. Although the companies claim they only sell points that are backed by their inventory of deeds, I, as well as (I believe) the majority of owners, don't believe them. It seems they just keep printing more points much like the US Treasury keeps printing money, thus diluting the value. Then they try to sell you more and more points to cover the ever increasing number of points required to book a unit.
Buying a deeded unit isn't much better. We have 3 floating deeded weeks every other year at Poipu. We must contend with ever increasing maintenance fees and special assessments; and must book 360 days in advance (as well as pay MF in advance) to even have a chance of getting what we want.
One more point to consider before you buy anything: the manmagement company controls the resort's boards of directors (HOA and AOAO) so they can do whatever they want to maximize their proffits. If anyone knows of a timeshare company where this is not true please post.