How Do I Start Using My Timeshare?

Right up there with how did you get into selling "used" timeshares is the question, How Do I Start Using My Timeshare?  We will try to give you some pointers, things we've tried and have found to be helpful.  This is just a place to start and the information is given to the best of our knowledge.  

Here’s the scenario; you just bought a timeshare from Timeshare Gems, we recorded the deed in your name and you now have the newly recorded deed in your hands.  Yikes!  What comes next?  We think it's pretty simple. 

There are three rules we like to use in arranging a great timeshare vacation;

1.      Write down people’s names.

a.       You will probably talk to lots of people and you want to be able to refer back to that person in the future.

b.      Especially reps at RCI, Fairfield, Sunterra or Interval International

2.      Bookmark or add to your favorites list any important websites you browse through.  You never know when you might want to come back to it.

3.      Dream!  That’s why our slogan is Vacations You Dream About!

Keep this in mind, now here’s what you want to do:

1. Contact your home resort and get to know them.  Tell them you’re a new owner and need to find out what to do next. Some resorts use a different calendar than RCI or Interval, so you want to be smart and check on it.
   1. Find out if they have any information for new owners.  Most resorts now have a website and the website will have useful information for you to use.
   2. To save on expenses (which are ultimately billed to you the owners) some resorts only mail out new owner packets to those that request them.  If you want one ask for it.
   3. Even if all you plan to do is to trade your week and never visit your home resort you should become familiar with your home resort. 
   4. Confirm any reservations you have or think you have.  If you have a floating week you need confirmation in writing.  Even if you have a fixed week it’s good to confirm your use with the resort.
2. Make sure you are very clear on the details of your timeshare for trading purposes. 
   1. A 1 bedroom timeshare is pretty simple to use and trade.  But a 3 bedroom lockout timeshare has several different ways it can be traded, banked or rented out.  If you have one of these units make sure you know what your options are. 
   2. If you have a Gold Crown timeshare it will trade better than a non-Gold Crown timeshare.  RCI and Interval International have spent millions on computers, but they still match most exchange requests by hand. 
3. Make sure all fees are paid in full.  And always pay on time.  Remember, you’re one of the owners too and when someone is late it hurts the whole resort. 
4. Find out about any bonus programs your resort may have.  These include;
   1. Day use for people that live close to the resort.  We have people that have bought weeks simply because the resort is close to their home and they want to take their kids or grandkids there to play.  What a great idea!
   2. Some resorts will give you bonus weeks or time if you bank certain highly requested weeks with them.  If you have a Christmas week but don’t plan to use it one year you might be eligible for bonus time from the resort, RCI or Interval International.  Not all weeks have this available but it never hurts to ask!
5. Find out what your resort prefers for you to do if you plan to use your week.
   1. Don’t just expect that week to be waiting for you when you show up.  We sold a week to someone and they never contacted their resort after the sale.  That resort has a policy that owners have to confirm any reservations and this person never did.  9 months later we got a panicked call two days before they wanted to leave on vacation asking for our help securing their week.  Fortunately we were able to help, but we cannot guarantee a happy ending every time.
6. Join RCI or Interval International.  We strongly recommend you join whichever organization your resort belongs to, even if you plan to use your home resort every year.  Why?  Bonus weeks! 
   1. Both organizations have bonus weeks you can rent for a fraction of their normal rental price.  We’ve done that before and used a week for a weekend.  The price was so low that even though we didn’t use it for the whole week it was still cheaper than renting a suite at that resort for two nights!
   2. If you have a dual exchange resort, one that trades with more than one organization. Do some research and try to figure out which one is better for you.  Better yet, join both for the first year and put them to work for you!
7. Join TUG, the Timeshare Users Group, and tell ‘em we sent you!  (the only thing we get is an extension of our membership, but we believe in TUG and feel it’s worth it!).  http://www.tug2.net/ .  The cost runs about $15 a year, but is worth far more than that.  TUG has an online database covering most every timeshare in the world.  They have a dedicated group of volunteers that maintain the database and discussion groups, both of which can help you learn more about the wonderful world of timesharing. 
   1. Study TUG.  That’s all we’ll say.  There’s a ton of great info there.
8. Study timeshares!  We suggest you write down where you’ve vacationed in the last five years on one list.  On another list write down where you want to go.  Then use your Resort Directory (sent to you when you join RCI or Interval International) or the websites of either company.  Start writing down resorts you want to visit. 
9. Plan WAY ahead.  Timesharing offers you and millions of other owners a vast world of vacation possibilities.  The best way to get the exchange you want is to plan way ahead.  One RCI rep told us that he regularly has people exchanging Blue weeks for Red Gold Crown weeks because they do so at least one year in advance. 
10. The Timeshare Gems Golden Rule Write down the name of any rep you really like at RCI or Interval International and try to call them back whenever you need something.  These people make a small commission whenever you book an exchange through them, renew your membership or bank your week through them.  If you write down Gabriel/Suzanne/April’s name and extension number and call him back several times over the course of a month while you’re planning your vacation they might just go out of their way to help you. 

And finally, this is just a starting place.  This is information we’ve used for the past several years to get great trades.  We’ve recommended this to many people and they’ve done the same thing.  A great vacation is worth some time and effort. 

We hear complaints all the time from someone saying they couldn’t get the exchange they wanted.  Usually when we ask them how many times they tried to call, whether or not they submitted an ongoing exchange request, and how often they checked the website, the normal reply is once.  A great vacation is worth some time and effort.  You might get lucky and get just what you want the first time out.  But usually it takes several times or more to get what you want, but the effort is worth it. 

Vacations You Dream About!