I get letters every day

Subject : Re: resale timeshare
Justin:
Thanks for the quick response.
I live in Florida. My time share is a 3 bedroom unit outside Ocean City, Maryland - week 12. I bought it from the developer in 1992 for $4,000 as a resale/($550 yearly maintenance fees) with the promise from him that it would trade great. The problem is it almost never trades for anything. The developer will not buy it back. I have never been to the unit and am getting tired of paying the fees (I am sure you have heard that before).
The unit was listed, with someone around Orlando, a few years ago for $2,500 but was not able to move it. I am not sure that they really did anything anyway. Surfing the web turned up your name and a few advertising agencies. If you have any other suggestions, I would be interested.
Thanks, John

(They wanted to buy USA, "play it safe" and got $tuck. Found they couldn't get trades and hated the high yearly fees.)

Dear John,
The timeshare you have can only be used one particular week a year, it's a blue lowest value trading week and the yearly maintenance fees are high. Could you trade it away on a down payment on a car or house?

A: I would suggest buying an Internationally popular resort in South Africa. They trade very well, the exchange rate makes them a bargain to buy and the yearly fees can't be beat. Get a red, top rated, go anytime flex week. Don't buy from developers. They only have one top priced property for sale. Save money buying through a discount broker.

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Hi Justin,
I have been to several timeshare presentations over the last two years where they wanted around $14,500 for a one bedroom unit. I loved all the benefits but didn't have that kind of money. Good news! I found a great buy for a one bedroom timeshare in Florida. They only want $1400! I am thinking oif rushing the money to them tommorrow morning. Any last minute advice before I go for it?

Yes! You didn't ask enough questions. How much is the yearly maintenance fee? ($525- do you want to pay this amount right after Christmas every year whether you can find a trade or not?). Is it an international known resort with excellent trading power? (RCI had never heard of it or the area- not a good sign). What is the week and season? (August in Florida - hot, muggy and insects galore the poorest season in an unknown location). Even for free you would be overpaying. Pay a fair resale price for a great resort. Keep looking.

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Dear Justin,
I found a place that offered real cheap timeshares and sent in my money. It has been 6 months and have received nothing yet. I can't reach anyone by phone. What shall I do?

A: You tried to beat the system. It may be best to write it off and move on. I offer timeshares and my informational books from my farm. I'm not going anywhere for more than a week. All my customers are real happy. I get lots of referrals weekly. There is a difference.

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Q: I felt uncomfortable buying in South Africa timeshare and bought one in the USA for $7500. Now they are raising the yearly fees to $543. Recently I traded into Palm Springs and the guy next to me in the pool traded the timeshare he owned in South Africa to stay there. I paid $543+ $129 RCI. He paid $125+$129 RCI. It just doesn't seem possible... or fair.

A: If you buy a timeshare in the USA you will almost always pay at least twice as much. You have the information for several locations - the choice is up to you.

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Dear Justin,
I didn't listen to your advice and bought a timeshare in Boonestown, SC for $1700. I thought I was saving money. I haven't been able to get any trades in two years. The yearly fees went up from $450 to $561. What should I do?

A: You didn't listen to my advice then, how can I fix it now? 

Note! Watch out for cheap buying price and high maintenance fees. Avoid small "never heard of it" timeshares in off the beaten track. Don't buy timeshares where they have a low season where "nobody but the desperate wants it."  Buy from someone that will help over the years to make sure you get the best value.

We ONLY offer the best trading, hand picked, "Red," flex week timeshares. People often ask if I could get $12,000 for their $16,000 timeshares purchase mistake. Nope! Like buying a new Cadillac the depreciation can be high. You could have bought FIVE of mine for the one you got. Oops!

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