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European Timeshare Laws Receive Much Needed Overhaul October 30, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, General, News & Events, Travel, Uncategorized , add a comment

After months of deliberation, European Parliament finally voted in an updated version of a timeshare directive last visited in 1994. After designing more contemporary and clear timeshare laws, holidaymakers have been given more protection when being sold a timeshare or other holiday products. This will provide a level playing field for consumer and salesperson in an environment where high-pressure sales and deceitful tactics are typical.

Since the current directive was last revised 14 years ago, many products have evolved outside of the realm of European timeshare law. A large issue on the agenda was tying off many of the loopholes in the current language of the directive. The 10 day cooling-off period was extended to 14 days, to protect consumers who are targeted on the first day of a few weeks away. It is unlikely that the rules changed will become law before 2010, so until then, these loopholes may continue to be exploited.

Timeshare and other long-term vacation products as well as exchange and resale will be covered under this more modern legislation. Harry Taylor, CEO of The Timeshare Association (TATOC) explains “we as an organization support and encourage any action which will assist the consumer in receiving the correct and valid information they need in order to make an informed decision as to buying timeshare and also prevent the fraudulent practices which have so damaged the industry… this new European legislation will remove any confusion and protect consumers whether they are buying in Spain or Greece.”

Pending final approval by the Council of Ministers, the new directive will cover all long-term holiday products. Resale and exchange services and moveable timeshares like boats and cruise ships will also be covered by regulations on cooling-off periods, deposits and consumer information. BuyATimeshare.com has always stood by ethical business practices and fully supports this crackdown on rogue operators and bogus timeshare companies that prey on unsuspecting consumers.

Resorts Fend Off Timeshare Resale October 27, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Bluegreen Resorts, Fairfield Timeshares, General, Marriott Timeshares, New Features, News & Events, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

The timeshare developers and the primary market have always been concerned with the creation, marketing and sales of new products. As far as resale is concerned, they have little or no value to the developer. But like the automotive industry, resale is always cheaper, as a deeded property, they do have value! How would you feel if you got sold a vehicle for a ‘great’ price, then saw that same car or better selling for 50 percent less? Buying doesn’t have to be game of dodging tricks and tactics—and there are no used car problems. Shop online to plan your next vacation, and spend however much money you want. Depending on where you shop, you can tailor your vacation right down to the suite.

Timeshare resale companies like BuyATimeshare.com, however, lead the business in bringing vacation properties back to life. Where an otherwise static timeshare would sit unused, the resale company makes sure that property continues to bring an unforgettable experience to people, revenue for the resort owner, and tourism for the area. Regardless of the extra bait the developer will wave in front of you, buying your timeshare on the resale market does not involve a sales pitch. Shop online, find BuyATimeshare.com and spend however much money you want and tailor your vacation right down to the very resort, suite and view.

The resort developers are unfortunately very active in discouraging the secondary timeshare market cutting extras wherever they can. For every disappointing quarter they report, a new fee is incurred by owners and they are ever-changing. Wyndham has begun collecting fees on guest certificates and offering VIP Memberships to primary sales owners only. If you want to lend your week to a family member, or rent your timeshare out for the year, it will cost you close to $200. An owner of 300,000 or more Wyndham points is considered VIP Member, but Wyndham will not recognize you as VIP after resale.

Starwood Resorts have taken action against resale by not allowing memberships to retain any SVN or Star options. Marriott owners have the option every-other-year to trade their weeks for Marriott Hotel Points, they do not offer this to resale owners. Marriott points often fail to transfer as well; but you can always purchase them afterward. You will still spend a lot less than the $20,000 extra that the developer will market them for. Bluegreen Travelers Plus doesn’t transfer, and none of the extras either. But whatever superfluous options you miss by buying resale, it is not worth the thousands of dollars you save. Buying for-sale-by-owner carries no mark up, no broker fees or commission, and no sales pressure to buy!

Silverleaf Seaside Resort Reopens in Galveston October 24, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, General, News & Events, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized, silverleaf , add a comment

After Hurricane Ike, little was known about the condition of Silverleaf’s flagship Seaside Resort on Galveston Island. In September the strip of coast took on some water and wind damage, but the resort is confident on a quick recovery.

As of October 17, Silverleaf began opening units and accepting reservation requests. By the end of November 2008, the entire resort has been scheduled to completely reopen. The winds and rain caused some exterior damage and there was extensive flood damage to repair.

Silverleaf said insurance will cover the damages, but said it doesn’t know how much hurricane damage will affect the resort’s future performance. In an effort to inform our customers of their resort properties, and help you plan your next vacation to Texas, you might like to know the beaches of Galveston are open.

Disney to Create Hawaii Resort October 23, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Disney, General, New Features, News & Events, RCI, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized , add a comment

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts have recently announced their first Hawaii-based resort. Groundbreaking for the Disney Vacation Club Resort Hawaii is to begin in November of 2008. The luxury resort will be located on the coast in West Oahu’s Ko Olina Resort and Marina, with the grand opening scheduled for 2011.

The new resort will include 350 hotel rooms and 480 villas dedicated to Disney Vacation Club timeshare members. Disney plans to market toward luxury family travel, with an 18,000 square foot spa, two restaurants, a kid’s club and more. The property will be adorned with water park extras, Disney characters, a saltwater lagoon, waterslides, rapids and waterfalls. One of the crescent lagoons along the Ko Olina shoreline is available to guests as well.

“There are always economic ups and downs. We have confidence in HI as a continued family tourist destination for the long term” said Walt Disney Parks and Resort chairman Jay Rasulo. “We asked Disney Vacation Club members all the time ‘where do you think you would like your next home?’ And every time, Hawaii always stacks up in the Top 5,” said Vice President of Disney Vacation Club Resorts Hawaii, Djuan Rivers.
Disney recently purchased the 21-acre Ko Olina property and will be the largest of 3 Disney Vacation Club properties and the first top combine hotel and timeshare offerings.

BuyATimeshare.com Presents V.I.P Club Membership October 17, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Bluegreen Resorts, Customer Comments, Fairfield Timeshares, General, Hilton Grand Vacation, Marriott Timeshares, New Features, News & Events, RCI, Sunterra Timeshare, Sunterra/Diamond Resorts, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares, silverleaf , add a comment

BuyATimeshare.com, the leader in timeshare resales, has recently developed a V.I.P Club for owners looking to sell their timeshares. Over the past year we have seen great success with ‘Featured Properties’ and ‘Hot Deals.’ In an effort to provide the maximum exposure possible, V.I.P members will receive 10 times the exposure and typically result in a quicker sale.

When a buyer searches through our extensive inventory, they have over 3000 resorts across the globe to choose from. By browsing the alphabetically organized directory, choosing B for Bahamas, U for Utah, buyers are ready to find their timeshare. 3-V.I.P Club advertisements will show up so you don’t have to search any further. As the buyer refines the search a new set of V.I.P ads that fit the criteria will appear.

We have been experiencing record sales and rental activity over the past quarter, and
traffic on our website continues to increase. We feel this addition to the search process will augment an ad’s exposure—making them even easier to find. “V.I.P Club members will receive unmatched exposure, and that means a faster sale” explains Wes Kogelman, Vacation Property Resales President. “People are finding it easier to buy online, and realizing the cost effectiveness of purchasing their timeshares at BuyATimeshare.com.” BuyATimeshare.com reported over $6.6milion in confirmed offers over the past month of September.

Bluegreen Forgets About Customer Protection October 15, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Bluegreen Resorts, Customer Comments, General, New Features, News & Events, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized , 1 comment so far

Bluegreen Corporation has apparently been using every trick in the book in a barrage of deceiving and unscrupulous sales tactics. Luring unsuspecting consumers with tropical getaways and “free” airfare, Bluegreen instead subjected over 5000 Pennsylvania residents to high pressure bait-and-switch sales presentations. This is exactly the kind of tactics that tarnished the timeshare industry for so long ”scamming more than $100million from Pennsylvania residents alone.”

Attorney General Tom Corbett announced lawsuits against 4 Florida based companies accused of illegally marketing vacation packages using worthless prizes only to lure folks into aggressive timeshare presentations. This trick was the typical design: people are contacted and told that they were winners or qualified winners and to claim their “prize” all they had to do is attend a 90minute sales presentation. Unfortunately they were actually relentless and deceptive marketing pitches that lasted 5 hours or more.

Apparently Bluegreen Corporation failed to properly inform consumers of their right to cancel their purchase, which is pretty shifty when talking about thousands of dollars. Although the average price of a timeshare was little more than $20,000, the company made more than double that amount in financing and hidden fees. Corbett added that many people were distressed to receive a 300-page, three-ring binder of terms after signing the sales agreement.

At BuyATimeshare.com we do not condone the use of high pressure sales tactics or sneaky and deceptive means to sell a timeshare. Much of our clientele already have timeshares, know how they work, and enjoy them for decades. It is the kind of approach used by Bluegreen that has brought a stigma upon the timeshare industry. And though we are a resale company, the bad taste left in the mouths of consumers duped by developers, leave them wincing away from the mere mention of the timesharing. Bluegreen–For Shame!

BuyATimeshare.com Hits Top 100 Real Estate Web Ranking October 12, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Customer Comments, General, New Features, News & Events, RCI, Sunterra Timeshare, Sunterra/Diamond Resorts, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized , add a comment

Online metrics company Hitwise monitors a diverse range of Internet Service Providers to record the usage patters of internet users. BuyATimeshare.com has recently entered the top 100 websites for ‘Business and Finance—Real Estate’ category, based on US internet usage. With the timeshare and housing industry in the state that it is in, people are making smarter decisions, exploring the resale market and discovering how valuable it is.

Examining metropolitan and regional areas, Hitwise records internet users with access from home, work, and educational institutions. Almost 66% of all visits to ‘Real Estate’ websites went to the top 100 websites. Vacation Property Resales is extremely popular and becoming even more so. On Ranking.com, BuyATimeshare.com ranks third in the Professional Services/ Real Estate/ Timeshares category. We are positioned right behind Sunterra and RCI!

Conglomerates like RE/MAX, Century 21 Real Estate, Yahoo, MSN and Coldwell Banker comprise the Hitwise top 20 ranked Real Estate websites. Throughout the top 10, 20, and 100, none of our competitors are anywhere to be found! Our ranking is similar to that of Wyndham Vacation Resorts, who has been scoring in the same neighborhood of Vacation Property Resales all year.

This growing popularity that BuyATimesahre.com is seeing is a testament to our dedication, professionalism, and effectiveness. As the housing and timeshare industry feel the credit crunch, the resale market is becoming an economically sound alternative to hotels and especially timeshare developers. With over-inflated prices, it is a wonder why anyone could be so coerced as to pay 5-times what a vacation property is worth.

From May to September of 2008, Vacation Property Resales has been in and out of Hitwise’s top 100 ranked Real Estate websites. Even when the monthly churn happens knocks us in or out of the top 100, we never reach a ranking lower than 165th, and as of September 2008 we are ranked 67th, with the giant Wyndham Vacation Resorts dropping to 115th. With the timeshare and housing industry in the state that it is in, people are making smarter decisions, exploring the resale market and discovering how valuable it is. Explore our vast inventory and choose the resort or vacation package that is right for you.

Wyndham Falls Victim to Economic Drought October 10, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, General, Marriott Timeshares, News & Events, RCI, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized, Westgate Timeshares, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

As the economic drought continues, the lodging industry is shedding weight and hording their last morsels of profit. Wyndham Worldwide has stayed fairly strong amid the tightening credit crunch and had optimistic expectations for its third quarter. But after Marriott reported a 28% decline, shares of Wyndham Worldwide Corp. dropped 87 cents, nearly 7%. In response the conglomerate announced staff cuts and a series of ‘restructuring’ charges.

Stephen Holmes, Wyndham chairman and chief executive, said he was confident that the restructuring would enhance profitability during ‘this turbulent environment,’ and position the group for growth. Holmes explained “the majority of our earnings are generated through our fee-for-service business model, which continues to generate reliable revenue and cash flow.”

Wyndham declined to give details about the number of job losses, but stated they would scale back all timeshare development and seek customers with sufficient credit quality. Marriott also stated that it expects to delay or even cut some current projects as current market conditions continue to hit the availability of credit.

This trend, set by Westgate in late September, has been adopted by numerous brands that had otherwise been performing well. Wyndham stated these charges will take place throughout the second-half of the year and the first quarter of 2009.

With an emaciated timeshare industry looking to score back some cash fat, why buy and pay inflated prices when the resale market offers the same thing for about 1/3 of the cost? BuyATimeshare.com has never been concerned with selling overpriced timeshares that require financing. Even with our continued relationship with Tammac Financial, most people don’t even need to finance. With an extensive inventory of top-brand resorts we offer hundreds of timeshares and vacation packages for well under $10,000.

Dubai and Timeshare Legislation October 8, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, Customer Comments, General, Marriott Timeshares, News & Events, RCI, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Wyndham Timeshares , add a comment

Cityscape Conference Dubai, the largest business-to-business real estate investment and development event in the world, is working to enact some ‘responsible’ legislation. With a new timeshare industry forming in Dubai, there are soon to be rules regulating timeshare sales in United Arab Emirates. Dubai is an up-and-coming timeshare haven where many of the largest names in the hospitality industry have been investing.

Brands like Wyndham, Marriott and RCI have already developed operations in this part of the Middle East—and with good reason. The market is still fresh and there is overwhelming potential in land, tourism, and beautiful locations. The Cityscape Conference provides an annual forum that celebrates the very best in real estate, architecture, urban planning and design from around the world. The legislation, currently under review with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority and Dubai Courts, will hopefully bring credibility to the market, with numerous benefits for both the consumer and the operator.

Similar to regulations set by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) The new legislation will focus on areas that inform and protect consumers. The rule states that people who buy a timeshare will have the right to cancel their purchase within 10 days after the date of execution—without penalty. Dale Young, Vice President and General Manager of Marriott Vacation Club Middle East, explained “people will have more time to sit back and think about their purchase and can walk away from the deal if they choose to do so.”

The new rules will also require companies to provide a detailed disclosure statement describing all features, amenities, and rules of operation of the timeshare, including an explanation of the consequences of nonpayment. In addition, any monies paid to the operator must be kept in escrow by a third party. This ‘responsible’ legislation will add legitimacy to the new practices and thin-out the unethical companies that have brought a stigma to the timeshare industry.

Buyatimeshare.com is eager to see the industry flourish and consumers’ interests being protected. As more people trust the concept of timesharing, and the industry continues to grow, consumers will continue to purchase and the value of the market will increase as well. This new legislation in the UAE will ultimately help to polish the tarnished reputation of the timeshare industry.

Marriott Cuts Back in a Tough Economy October 6, 2008

Posted by Bryan Connelly in : ARDA, General, Marriott Timeshares, News & Events, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel, Uncategorized , add a comment

In the wake of declining profits and rising energy costs, Marriott International has taken steps to counter the 28% drop in earnings this year. After a significant financial decline, the current economic dismay in the U.S. has forced Marriott to reduce staffing, slash share repurchasing, and allow projects to be cancelled or delayed.

With the ongoing financial crisis, credit market turmoil, cutbacks in businesses and soft consumer spending, it has been a bumpy year for Marriott International. Management has expressed bleak expectations for 2009. They project at least a 3% drop in revenue per available room (Revpar) a key gauge for a hotelier’s performance. This sobering year has forced Marriott to focus on its own cash flow, which means “consolidating positions,” and trimming investments.

Marriott’s timeshare sector has suffered as well, with contract sales falling 13% over the quarter. With the dwindling economy, Marriott, which normally finances timeshare purchases, is becoming less and less able to finance these properties for buyers. This troublesome financial environment will most certainly goad buyers who would otherwise need financing, to search for their vacation properties on the resale market.

While companies like Westgate, Wyndham and Marriott are slowing down and hording their funds, timeshare sales on the resale market are speeding up. BuyATimeshare.com has always been your best bet for finding the perfect vacation property. Why pay more than you have to when you can shop our extensive inventory and buy for thousands of dollars less. Without Marriott’s financing power, there is no economically sound method for buying direct from that developer. BuyATimeshare.com, a leading name in the timeshare resale industry, offers various timeshare packages and brands. Each property advertised is for-sale-by-owner—and priced to sell. Explore hundreds of Marriott properties and save thousands when buying.