Top 3 Reasons NOT To Purchase a Timeshare

I have purchased three timeshares and one travel club membership over the years.  My mom has also purchased a timeshare.  From both of our experiences, I can tell you that there are some good reasons to purchase one, but there are more bad reasons then good.

Here are my top 3 reasons Not to Purchase a Timeshare.

1.  You can't sell it or you never get the money or use out of it that you put into it.  If you get to the point in your life where you  find that you can no longer travel or that you financially cannot afford the yearly maintenance fees, you may not be able to sell your timeshare.  If you do decide that you want to sell your timeshare, chances are excellent that the only thing you may get is someone to buy it only for the yearly cost of maintenance fees.  Most timeshares are worth nothing today.  Don't buy one now thinking you can sell it later.  You will be in for a rude awakening.

2.  Timeshare purchases are very expensive.  The way they get you is to approach you when you are having the vacation of a lifetime.  The weather is beautiful.  The property is beautiful.  You are so relaxed and enjoying yourself that you think you want to stay forever.  I know.  That was me for sure.  So they get you on a good day, take you out for a drink, sit you down and show you paradise. . . until they present you with the cost.  A bit of that relaxed feeling starts to fade when you see dollar signs dancing in your head.

They don't give up.  They have you for the next two hours and they are going to make the most of it.  After all, you did respond to their call to come when they enticed you with a free drink and a free tour or a free travel bag or free something.  So for two hours, they convince you that you cannot live without the timeshare to return to your vacation of a lifetime, every year until you die and then the person you will your timeshare to dies, and then those in their wills and so on and so on.

After being worn down by confusing prices and terms, you see the sun starting to fade in the sky.  If you are a "can't say no" person because you like what you think you hear, or you know you will want to come back again and again, or you know that the person selling this to you has a tough life and needs a sale, you may just buy.  The cost doesn't seem that much at first, but costs add up over time and times and situations change.  Remember, timeshare purchases are very expensive because you will get stuck with it for the rest of your life if you can't use it or sell it.

3.  You don't need a timeshare to get a great rate on discount travel!  It's true.  You simply rent from someone else who is stuck with their timeshare and use their week for no obligation then to pay for that week.  My last vacation, even though I have a membership similar to a timeshare at the place I went on vacation to, was purchased on Ebay.  Yep!  I couldn't believe that even though I had paid.  . . I'm too embarrassed to even say the amount. . . a huge amount of money for my membership, I could travel with the same benefits for $300 less for that same week.  That made me very angry, mainly at myself for falling into the timeshare trap.

I will go into more detail about timeshares in more of my posts, but for now, please heed my warning.  My money saving travel tip for you today is to go to Ebay, type in the name of the place you want to visit and see if anyone is offering their timeshare week for a good deal.  Enjoy!

BEFORE YOU GO  If you are planning on taking a vacation in the near future, you WILL want to check out this video on A UNIQUE way to save money on airfare.   
Click Here!

Timeshare Travel Discounts - How to Stay at a Timeshare Property for MUCH LESS

Timeshare travel discounts are definitely possible without owning a timeshare.  If you would like to see some amazing prices on available timeshare properties, simply click on the link below and fill in the form on the page and you will be taken to a series of videos that will explain the differences between a timeshare and a membership club.  Then as a follow up, you will be sent a newsletter every so often, that will show you deeply discounted properties and how to get those discounts. You can sign up for free and you can unsubscribe any time. 

If you are serious about traveling around the world for deeply discounted prices, it would be to your benefit to check out what types of properties are available.

Here is just one example that is in the current inventory as of today's date (September 2013).  This is the Mayan Palace, Riviera Maya and as a member, it is available to you at a cost of just $398 for the week for a one bedroom suite.  Date available:  September 27-October 4th.  This is not a hotel room.  This is a one bedroom condo in a gorgeous resort right beside the ocean.  How many times can you travel here per year with your membership?  Depending on the level you choose, two times to unlimited.

Riveria Maya Mayan Palace Resort Overview Picture

CLICK HERE to see some more amazing pictures, properties and some amazing discounts at resorts all over the world.



Buying a timeshare can be a daunting and expensive experience.  Most people wind up purchasing a timeshare while they are on vacation in a beautiful setting.  They are relaxed and in a prime position to be persuaded by a salesperson who is highly motivated to get you to purchase so s/he can receive a hefty commission.  You will be so excited that you will overlook many necessary facts that you should not overlook.  When you realize you should have read all of the fine print, the cancellation date has come and gone.

There are alternatives available and what you are seeing is one of the best, well established companies offering a much less expensive alternative without compromising quality.

So sign up to receive more information on properties like this that will be available to you once you become a member. I guarantee that you will be amazed by these non-timeshare travel discounts!

Timeshare Travel - Can You Really Stay in a Timeshare Without Buying One?

For those of you who loathe hotels on vacations and want to stay in a resort atmosphere, yet you don't want to commit yourselves to joining a timeshare property, there is hope.  Having owned several timeshares during my life, I can attest to the fact that they are very expensive in the long run as well as very limiting.  

Timeshare travel - can you really stay in a timeshare without buying one?  Absolutely.  Is it expensive?  Not if you are a member of a timeshare travel discount club.  Want to find more information with just about all of the questions you may have being covered?  Then go to the video link and watch the entire video.  If you don't watch the whole thing, you will be doing yourself a total disservice.  After all, you are here because you wanted to find ways to get discounts to timeshare properties and now you can do that without having to own a timeshare.  

Just go to this link:   http://www.hoversonleadership.com/grndvd/   to watch the video that will save you thousands of dollars and show you why buying a timeshare is just not the right thing to do. 


AND When you are finished watching, go to http://www.grntimesharediscounts.com to learn how to sign up for this fantastic membership.

The Coconut Palms Resort - Secrets to Travel There for Under $300 a Week!

Are you looking to spend a relaxing week for a huge discount at The Coconut Palms Resort in the Dominican Republic? If so, you may want to check out this fantastic "hot week" that is only available through a membership with GRN (Global Resorts Network - look below for the link).

You can't go wrong with a price just under $300 for the whole week for 2-4 people in a deluxe suite. In comparing prices elsewhere, you won't find a price like this one offered outside of the membership. In addition, if you like what you see, why not book two or three weeks at the same prices? You can find the link below for more information on how to get the discounts you deserve when you want to travel to timeshare resorts without having to join a timeshare.

The Coconut Palms Resort is located on the North Coast of the island in the Dominican Republic in the beautiful Caribbean and is just over six miles from the Puerto Plata International Airport. (You also get discounts on your air fare through GRN). Nearby is one of the best known windsurfing centers in the world located in the near by Village of Cabarete.

The Coconut Palms Resort sits up on the hilltop where you have scenic views of the ocean and can see mile after mile of serene, undeveloped beach front property and beautiful native vegetation. This is a smaller modern style Spanish designed resort with 50 units. Each unit has a balcony and either overlooks the pool area, the beautiful natural vegetation, or the ocean. The resort is more quiet and serene, almost taking you back in time.

The rooms come equipped with a microwave, coffee machine, toaster and enough dishes to accommodate the number of people you have in your room. Children are most welcome. There is a 90 foot relaxing swimming pool and many other activities. A shuttle bus takes you down to the private beach and into the village when you are ready to go shopping so there really is no need for a rental car. There is a restaurant called the Palm Room on site. The resort is rated #11 out of 27 hotels in Cabrete. For more information on the resort itself, check out the faq page http://www.coconutpalmsresort.com/faq/index.html For information on how to travel to the Coconut Palms Resort for under $300, visit: http://www.grntimesharediscounts.com/

Secrets to Saving Money on Hotel Stays

Want to know one of the [secrets to saving money on hotel stays]? Three words. Global Resorts Network. It's really true.



Here's a real life story, June 2009. A potential customer was thinking of joining Global Resorts Network. She liked the overall concept and wanted to make sure there were enough 4 and 5 star resorts in the places she liked to travel most. We found several 5 star ones to her liking, but then she asked about saving money on hotel stays. Global Resorts Network was ready with an answer. She picked two cities. Chicago IL and Las Vegas NV because she was familiar with the 5 star hotels in those areas. She gave me specific names of specific hotels and asked me to find out how much a weekend in Chicago would cost over July 4th. She was shocked when I came back with the answer. Some of the room costs normally ranged up to $1,000 per night or more. Her price? Under $300 for one and $110 for the other, per night.

The same thing happened for the properties she mentioned in Las Vegas. The prices just blew her away. She learned the secrets to saving money on hotel stays and she is now a proud member of GRN (Global Resorts Network). Just a few trips to her 5 star hotels and 4 & 5 star resorts will allow her to break even on her membership costs. I'll let you know how her trip went in a later blog.

Spring Into Savings With a Global Resorts Network Membership

It's almost spring time here in the USA (almost). Many people's thoughts are on the bad economy and what to do about it. People still want and need vacations and they want and need to save money. With a Global Resorts Network travel club membership (GRN), you and your family can take advantage of what are called "hot weeks" and travel for as little as $298 for the week! It's true. Yes, you do have to pay a membership fee to join, but unlike a timeshare, it's a one time membership fee that lasts 100 years. Most of us won't live 100 years, but we can pass this on to our children, another family member, or we can sell it.

Savings with a Global Resorts Network membership (GRN) can happen by taking 3 vacations at one of the 5,000 four and five star resorts, worldwide. You will earn your membership money back so quickly with the money you are going to save. This really isn't a joke and it isn't a scam. I love to look through the listings weekly to see what great bargains are coming up. I always head toward an ocean.

If you plan on taking a few vacations over your lifetime and don't have the money to buy a timeshare, or don't want a timeshare, then take a look at what a Global Resorts Network Membership can do for you. Please call me after visiting: http://www.grntimesharediscounts.com

Don't Buy A Timeshare! Join a Classy Vacation Membership Program Instead.

Travel season is upon us again and unfortunately, many people will be talked into buying a timeshare. I'm not trying to be judgmental, after all, I purchased two timeshares myself. I just don't want you to learn the hard way like I did.

Hi. My name is Margaret and this is me at the beach. No bikini's for me. I'm a grandma now and kind of like food a little to much to ever sport a bikini again. I just wanted to show you that I am a real person.

But seriously, There are lots of reasons why I say "Don't buy a timeshare" and here are just a few.

1) A timeshare has huge up front costs

2) A timeshare obligates you to just one location (boring) for life or to pay exchange fees

3) A timeshare has maintenance costs and annual dues

4) A timeshare does not include guest weeks.

I really got tired of those annual maintenance costs rising at very rapid rates each year. The properties I stayed at were great. . . I have no complaints about that, but the cost was getting out of hand. Every time there was a storm, I would shudder. I knew that that meant. Besides, I get bored easily and I like to try different places. My timeshare only allowed me to go to the same place year after year unless I exchanged it with RCI. That was ok too, but I oftentimes didn't get the same quality that I had with my original timeshare because to get a 5 star one you had to book up to 2 years in advance (unless there was a cancellation). In all fairness, with RCI, I did get excellent customer service.

With all of the above factors in mind, I set off to sell my timeshare or trade it for another that didn't require maintenance fees. I also took a look on google for alternatives to timeshares. I still wanted to stay at a timeshare property but I didn't want to own the same one year after year. That's when I found Global Resorts Network and I'm glad I did. I did compare their membership to others out there, but I found that even some of the Disney properties, the Shell properties and RCI properties and others were all part of this membership. The others were exclusive to their own memberships, and once again, the choices were limited.

I watched the movie first: http://www.amazingvacationsite.com and visited the site where I could sign up for the live demo http://grntimesharediscounts.com and then I joined. I have never looked back since.

Once again, here are the reasons I say "Don't buy a timeshare".

1) A timeshare has huge up front costs GRN Membership $1,495 or $2,995 depending on whether you choose a lifetime membership or a 3 year membership.

2) A timeshare obligates you to just one location for life or has you pay exchange fees our membership allows total freedom and flexibility to travel anytime, anywhere worldwide. There are over 5,000 resorts listed presently.

3) A timeshare has maintenance costs and annual dues GRN Membership is $1,495 or $2,995 to join, with no ongoing costs or annual fees. You only pay when you want to travel and they have plenty of inexpensive "hot weeks" for $295 and $395 for a week, per week, not per person. That's a great advantage as some of the places sleep even up to 6 people at a time!

4) A timeshare does not include guest weeks. GRN does.

What are Guest Weeks?

Platinum members have access to unlimited guest weeks per year. The guest weeks are available from $399 to $799/week. Members can purchase a guest week and give it away to a family member or friend. They can pay you for the week or you can give it away as a gift. A Guest week makes an awesome wedding gift for a family member. Guest weeks can be found at any of the 5,000 + resorts worldwide.

Do yourself a favor and completely check this out. Do the free demo. There is NO obligation. If you are going to make some type of decision to go on vacation, then at least make an intelligent one.

You can call me. My phone answers Dunn Associates. If I am not in, please leave a message and I will return your call within 24 hours. Yes, that really is a picture of me, no makeup and all. . . a bit discheveled looking because the wind was blowing at the beach, but nevertheless, I am real and I am a real member and I am very happy that I can tell you "Don't buy a timeshare" speaking from experience!

THINK ABOUT THE COST OF A PLATINUM MEMBERSHIP. HERE'S A BREAKDOWN.

When you are considering the cost, several things to keep in mind are:

1. When you take $2998 and spread it out over 100 years which is how long the platinum membership is for (obviously you will need to pass this membership on to someone in your family to use all 100 years), the cost is $29.98 per year (if I did my math correctly).

2. You can check with your tax accountant, but if you are using the weeks to travel for business, they should be a write off.

3. When you take 3 vacations that should have cost you $1700 for the week times 3 = $5100 and you get the same week for example for $599 instead, $599 x 3 = $1797 total cost for three vacations. $5100 minus $1797 = $3303. You have just paid for your membership in savings alone. You will be traveling for a deep discount for the next 100 years for nothing but the cost of the week, not per person, but per family member.

4. So, even if you can't get a last minute property through the standard timeshare list of resorts available (next day), and you travel frequently, then you will most likely be taking three vacations that would normally cost you $1600 - $1700 for the week over the next 100 years. You know that you can travel for as little as $298 up to $799 per week for the next 100 years, what will you be losing by becoming a member?

You will be losing by not becoming a member.

Remember too that you have access to discount hotel reservations, airline reservations and cruises, on the site as well where you can reserve shorter stays and last minute stays as well.

That was the rationale that I used to join and it makes perfect sense to me.

HOT WEEK EXAMPLE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS RIGHT NOW

Here is an example of one hot week that is perfect for a family of 4. Click Here.