Faqs of timeshare
Q.
A.
Who or What is TUG.
The Timeshare Users Group (TUG) is a web site operated on the part of Bill Rogers and a group of volunteers each of which have a common get in on in vacation timeshare ownership.
Q.
I've read out fact that this is a "not in behalf of pfrofit" web site.
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Why is there a membership fee.
The membership fees pay in behalf of this site and each and all the associated costs of running the Timeshare Users Group ( phone bills, online fees, web site fees, domain registrations, postage, etc.
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But no labor costs.
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We are an each and all volunteer organization.
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Q.
What are maintenance fees.
And about now by far are they.
The cost of resort operation is put around among owners via an annual maintenance fee.
A.
The fee must as well build way up reserves to pay in behalf of non-recurring costs like furniture, appliances etc.
That need periodic replacement and other memorable costs as with normal physical deterioration occurs.
Cost is established on the part of the developer or homeowners association.
When a developer is in control, maintenance fees may be temporarily subsidized on the part of the developer as with a marketing tool while there is sales activity.
Caution.
After the homeowner association takes over, fees may quickly rise to unsubsidized levels.
Special assessments are every such that often added to maintenance fees to range over unexpected (non-reserved) expenses.
These assessments are passed on the part of the association board of directors.
Maintenance fees vary with the location and resort, but then usually are in the $200 to $1000 per year range.
Severe storm damage would be an example where an extra assessment would apply.
Q.
Is buying a timeshare a big investment.
A.
Purchasers each of which buy a timeshare strictly in behalf of speculative reasons are usually disappointed as with the resale market in behalf of timeshares does not appreciate as with all right or as with fast as with other real estate investments.
Timeshare ownership is an investment in quality vacations.
As an investment in YOURSELF and your leisure time, a carefully researched timeshare purchase can be a big investment when as against the cost of renting alternative comparable accommodations.
Q.
If I decide to buy a timeshare, should I buy "new" from the developer or "used" as with a resale.
All factors being equal, a resale from a previous owner or a resale company, will probably cost considerably less than buying direct from the developer.
A.
Deep discounts of 50% and any more are not uncommon.
There are instances where buying from a developer may be your only choice.
Lack of a unit with the amenities, location or "extra" added programs like the Marriott point program might be a consideration to buy from a developer.
Where should you begin this research.
Again, research your decision BEFORE you buy to secure for the best deal with in behalf of you.
I think you know the answer.
Think "TUG".
Q.
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Where is for the best place to own a timeshare.
The answer can be as with unique as with each owner but then the consensus answer falls into two categories based upon intended use.
If you intend come back to your resort frequently and exchange occasionally, your best choice is a resort you enjoy as many a time as with not.
If your prevailing intent is to maximize trade value and you do without not intend to stay at a rate of your own resort very as many a time as with not, then and there you should buy at a rate of a resort which is in thoroughbred demand.
There are many variables fact that would apply to any one particular choice and a potential buyer is strongly advised to research factors fact that affect timeshare trade values a ennobled time ago making a final choice.
While there is no uniform "best" choice, the current consensus of opinion says fact that Hawaii and coastal California are two unobstructed choices fact that will produce long results.
A membership in TUG fact that provides access to the resort ratings and reviews is an divine place to enter upon.
Q.
Fixed week.
Floating week ownership, as what are they and which is better.
Vs.
A.
Fixed week ownership means fact that you enjoy the right to occupy (or have available in behalf of trade or rent) a specific week and unit number at a rate of the resort you own every year.
Floating (every such that often referred to as with flex) ownership means fact that even though you may be deeded a specific week and unit number, you have no use carry away on fact that week or unit.
The range of weeks available in behalf of flex use is set up on the part of the resort and is a very range of weeks from year to year.
Instead you have the opportunity to request a week within a specified range of weeks during the year.
Advantages of owning a fixed week.
You are guaranteed the week and unit you want every year (especially applicable to colder climate owners each of which want to vacation where it is hot in winter).
Advantages of owning a floating week.
There are any more implications with either type ownership especially as with it applies to trading and vacation planning.
For those each of which are concerned at a guess unforeseen work or schedule conflicts associated with a fixed week, floating time allows in behalf of additional planning options.
A prospective timeshare owner is urged to examine the differences and make a choice to match the situation a ennobled time ago purchasing.
Q.
What is a bonus week and about now can I get all alone.
The simple answer is fact that a bonus week is an "extra" week in addition to the all alone you own.
A.
It's given or sold as with an incentive to timeshare owners in behalf of a specific reason.
A Developer Bonus Week (DBW) is available to members each of which own at a rate of participating resort.
These bonus weeks are issued directly from the resort.
Owners can every such that often purchase them from the resort as with unsold developer owned weeks.
They are every such that often issued as with a signing bonus upon the purchase of a timeshare interval.
A second type of bonus week is all alone issued on the part of an exchange company.
Owners of thoroughbred demand resort weeks receive them as with incentives to deposit their timeshare week.
Bonus weeks are every such that often referred to as with "Vacation Escape" weeks, "Getaway" weeks (or weekends).
The exchange company makes bonus weeks available in behalf of purchase on the part of members in behalf of a nominal fee.
They are available to members of exchange companies like RCI, II and SFX.
Purchased bonus weeks are considered "excess inventory" likely to get off unused.
Excess inventory is determined on the part of the historical number of deposits versus the number of requests in behalf of each particular resort.
Bonus weeks usually come with expiration dates and may have other use restrictions relating to location, season and holidays.
Which exchange company is best.
Q.
A.
This is a "Coke vs Pepsi" question but then it may be a moot point.
The resort you own is probably affiliated with only all alone exchange company.
Do not let the resort's affiliation affect your decision to own or buy at a rate of the resort.
There are, however, a few resorts affiliated with both.
Although there are preferences among people each of which have experience with both major exchange companies, there is no unanimous opinion fact that all alone is better than the other.
It should be noted fact that there are any more than the two BIG exchange companies.
TUG maintains a comprehensive list of timeshare exchange companies.
If I deposit my week with an exchange company, does someone need to "take" it a ennobled time ago I can request my happy week.
Q.
A.
No.
As after a in short time as with your week is deposited, you can request and get the week you want if it is available.
I was contacted on the part of company "X" offering to buy/sell/rent my timeshare in behalf of a fee.
Q.
Can I expect them be in place a big job.
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Past experience on the part of members and visitors to TUG have been unanimous in this regard.
This situation is probably most of all common situation where an owner will probably be enraged.
Never pay an upfront fee as with a condition to buy, sell or rent your timeshare.
ANY fee desired a ennobled time ago performance will probably be lost.
These "fees" come disguised as with "agent commissions", "appraisal fee", "advertising fee", etc.
Etc.
The money is always requested a ennobled time ago performance is complete.
They each and all have all alone thing in common.
Some of all the more notorious companies preying on timeshare owners out and out to sell their timeshare will have the words "bank", "trust", "investment" in their company title.
This is in an attempt to instill a feeling of confidence in their target.
Do not be a victim.
If necessary we strongly suggest dealing only with an agent each of which works on commission from proceeds of sale.
Verify the credentials and performance of any one company making this type of offer.
Failing fact that, there are healthy TUG members willing to offer advice on the "how to's" of selling your timeshare.
Visit the TUG BBS and enter upon asking questions.
Q.
Can I carry over weeks to other RCI members.
I am an RCI member.
A.
Reply from RCI.
The form in the back of the RCI Directory, Membership Transfer Application, is mainly used in behalf of the sale of timeshare, but then as well in behalf of carry over of weeks.
As ennobled as with we have fact that information along with your signature, it should be taken care of.
The most сановитый parts of the document are the areas which indicate your great care information, the week you want trasferred, and to as what great care it's going to.
That information can as well be listed in a signed letter if you prefer.
Once the information is completed, you can fax it to us at a rate of 317/805-9335 if you wish.
Hope this helps.
Darrin Goodwin, RCI Internet Team.
Thanks in behalf of visiting our website.
Q.
Since a timeshare accommodation usually has any more facilities than a hotel room, are there any one additional items I should consider bringing on my timeshare vacation.
A.
While it certainly isn't necessary to pack anything any more than you normally would in behalf of the typical vacation, some TUGGERS seem to be a different breed.
Most timeshare accommodations have cooking and laundry facilities.
Take a look out at a rate of the A.
R.
Timeshare Checklist and then and there decide in behalf of yourself.
R.
(I'll let you decide in behalf of as what the "A.
" stands in behalf of)
Q.
A.
Are there any one tax advantages or disadvantages to owning a timeshare.
Good question.
Since I don't even do without my own taxes, I'll refer you to TUG's expert Timeshare and Taxes advice page to answer your question.
Q.
A.
What is the downside to owning a timeshare.
* You must go ahead to pay the yearly maintenance fee, which can increase over the lifetime of the resort, whether you use it or not.
* You could be desired to pay additional "special assessments" arising from unexpected costs of maintaining or repairing the resort.
* Some people feel fact that owning a timeshare requires vain corner planning in attempts to reserve a cheap floating week or to obtain a big exchange week.
* The majority of concerns with timeshare ownership seems to center around dealing with cost and interaction with exchange companies.
Planning a timeshare vacation a year ahead of time is not noteworthy.
It's as many a time as with not not the straightforward process the timeshare sales staff would have you believe.
