When it comes to vacation planning, do we really want to know what the experts say? If you are like most people, apparently the advice of travel ‘experts’ does not rank very high on your list.

Most of us, it seems, put more stock in the opinions of complete strangers when it comes to travel and vacationing. And when viewed in comparison to the combined opinions of our friends, family, and travelers we’ve never met, travel experts fall far to the bottom of the list as influencers.

According to The Social Travel Report prepared by the independent media agency, Total Media, most consumers (based on a sample of 1,375 people) select hotels, timeshare, or other vacation lodging based on the feedback and recommendations of other consumers. The study reveals that nearly 70 percent of consumers use the internet to book vacations and that roughly 25 percent are influenced by the comments voiced online by other travelers and vacationers. In other words, consumers aren’t reading travel magazines, brochures, or consulting travel agents nearly as much as they are reading the online comments and testimonials of other consumers.

Testimonials at Sell My Timeshare NOW

Sell My Timeshare NOW has always appreciated the positive feedback the company receives from consumers who buy timeshare, sell timeshare, or rent timeshare online at www.sellmytimesharenow.com.

Follow this link to read some of the many glowing comments Sell My Timeshare NOW has earned from its timeshare buyers, renters and sellers … but here’s a word of warning, take along a cup of coffee, because this is a very, very long list!

Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find:

“Just wanted to thank you for the wonderful service we received during the process of renting our Aruba timeshare this year. We received a promp phone call with assistance to writing an ad and it was advertised on your web site the next day. We were contacted 2 months later with an offer and received the check by the following week. What great service!!” J. and A. Scialo

“I would not hesitate to recommend your company to friends looking to sell or purchase timeshares.” Arthur Budge Jr (Ad 6954)

“I have used sellmytimesharenow.com the past two years for renting our condos in Cabo San Lucas at the Pueblo Bonito Rose and Sunset Beach. We have 4 weeks that we rent every year and always have a huge amount of inquires and rent them for our asking price. The investment to post these units on sellmytimesharenow.com is well worth the money. The staff is very professional and any website updates are handled immediately and accurately. We have used other websites and received no responses and were unable to rent our units. I highly recommend using Sellmytimesharenow.com for renting your units!” Brenda T. (Ad 204083)

With the economy still uncertain, you may be wondering who is in the market to buy timeshare resales. For all that we hear about the dreaded “staycation,” it has not become the norm. Spend an afternoon in any resort destination and you will see that although it may or may not be as busy as in the past, it is definitely not a ghost town. People are still traveling, even though they may have cut their typical two week vacation down to ten days, or their week long holiday down to four or five days.

Along with paring down the length of their trips, many vacationers are looking for better deals on accommodations. Travel experts, including some who have never before paid much attention to timeshare rentals, are suddenly recommending renting a timeshare a way to save money on vacationing, while still enjoying great resorts in popular destinations.

And timeshare resales still have a strong market as well. Seventy-eight million Americans are Baby Boomers, a generation that lists its number one recreational activity as Leisure Travel. Their children often fall into the demographic known as Millennials (people born in the 1980s and 1990s). Overall the roughly 75 million Millennials represent a generation that grew up vacationing and considers taking a vacation to be their entitlement—a privilege they expect and will strive to protect if it is challenged.

The Timeshare Resale and Timeshare Rental Solution

The bottom line for timeshare owners who want to sell timeshare they no longer use, or use their property or interval as a timeshare rental, is that there are buyers. Although they may be vacationing differently than they have in years past, they have not given up their vacation and holiday time. And their new focus on bargain shopping on serves to make them more interested than ever in the great deal available in timeshare resales and timeshare rentals.

Perspective Magazine released an interesting study of the readership of Owners Perspective Magazine in the publication’s November edition. Their justifiable point is that Owners Perspective Magazine offers an effective venue for advertisers who want to get their message to timeshare buyers, timeshare owners, vacationers who consider buying timeshare in the future and even travelers who rent timeshare.

But in the process of making this point, the publication also offers all of the timeshare industry, as well as individuals who want to sell timeshare, a reliable profile of who is interested in buying timeshare or who may want to buy timeshare soon.

Profile of Timeshare Owners and Prospective Timeshare Buyers

The timeshare survey shows that the most popular countries for timeshares owned are:

• Europe timeshare (including UK timeshare) at 57 percent.
• US timeshare (which includes always-popular Hawaii timeshare) and Canada timeshare at 31 percent.
• Asia timeshare and Australia timeshare at 7 percent.
• Caribbean timeshare and Mexico timeshare at 3 percent.
• Middle East timeshare and Africa timeshare at 2 percent.

The average age of timeshare owners and owners of vacation property is between 56 and 62 but the average age of those who are interested in buying timeshare is between 42 and 48. They are 54 percent males and 46 percent females, and include 42 percent that are currently non-owners of timeshare but who want to buy timeshare in the future. Another 36 percent are current timeshare owners; 16 percent own fractionals; and 6 percent who are overseas property owners.

The Perspective Magazine article describes its readership as, “… more highly educated on average … technologically hip and like to compare prices. … they have an understanding of the pros and cons of vacation ownership and they’re aware of (timeshare) scams. They demonstrate an aversion to OPCs and scratch cards, they don’t trust telemarketers, and they are generally suspicious of sales techniques.”

Remember that these facts are not based on timeshare owners across the board but specifically on timeshare owners who also read Owners Perspective Magazine. However, one can’t help but assume that this look offers a reliable overview of timeshare ownership and timeshare interest.

And the takeaway? Don’t let the naysayers fool you. Timeshare owners are not frustrated and dissatisfied with their timeshares and vacation ownership; even in a declining economy, occupancy rates are around 80 percent and reported satisfaction rates even higher at 86 percent, according to a recent study from Smith Travel Research.

Neither are timeshare owners a group who were duped into making a purchase they did not understand. Timeshare and timeshare resales are a strong industry that has served millions and millions of timeshare buyers and timeshare renters well, and that continues to make improvements to all aspects of its products and services.

Here’s a link to some of the Frequently Asked Questions by timeshare buyers and those who are looking to buy timeshare in the future: http://www.sellmytimesharenow.com/timeshares/index/content/buyerfaq/

Lisa Ann Schreier, author of Timeshare for Dummies authored an excellent article last month in Resort Trades making valid points about what the timeshare sales industry can learn from the travel industry.

Schreier looked at research from Chairman and CEO of Ypartnership, Peter Yesawich, which shows that the two greatest influences on Americans who travel are internet technology and feedback from other consumers.

Prodding the timeshare industry to ‘catch up,’ (or perhaps wake up) author Schreier focuses on the scarcity of timeshare sales information on the internet and lack of feedback from timeshare owners and vacationers about timeshare resorts.

“Hotels and motels and other non-timeshare travel services have been forced to become price transparent…as have just about every other product or service available to consumers. And still, the timeshare industry won’t budge on this because they cling to the concept that timeshares are not a sought-after product.”

Why Timeshare Resale Advertising Works

Strong words, but very perceptive. And they explain a great deal about why timeshare resale advertising is so effective.

• Consumers want the best price possible whether they are shopping for a hotel room or to buy timeshare or rent timeshare. Timeshare resales give buyers and renters the opportunity to shop from a large inventory of timeshares for sale or rent, where prices are clearly posted and resort features are specifically detailed.
• Consumers trust other consumers. Many people who buy timeshare or rent timeshare really like the idea of doing business directly with the property’s current owner.
• And as Schreier points out, “If a consumer can purchase a timeshare from the developer for $20,000 or a similar product on the resale market for $5,000 or $6,000…why wouldn’t they?”

Helpful reading: Surviving a Timeshare Presentation by Lisa Ann Schreier

Who benefits from owning timeshare? Are timeshare resales really a better deal than new timeshare? To get an idea of whether a new timeshare or a timeshare resale is a good idea for the way you vacation, do a simple comparison.

First, look at what it will cost you over the years you own your timeshare in comparison to your typical vacation spending for lodging. Divide your total expenditure (that’s the down payment, monthly payment, loan costs, and annual fees) by all of the years you plan to own your timeshare.

If the total purchase cost of the timeshare is equal to or less than the amount you would be paying for hotel lodging or vacation home rental during this same twenty-year period, then buying timeshare makes excellent sense for you. And if it is greater than the amount you would anticipate paying for other types of vacation lodging, you might decide that that the convenience of pre-planned, pre-paid vacations is nevertheless worth the additional cost. Many timeshare owners feel that paying in advance during their high-income years for timeshare vacations they will enjoy even during their retirement (and presumably lower income years) is a very smart move.

But what if, instead of paying $17,000 to buy timeshare, you paid only $8,000? What if you paid only $5,000 or even $3,000? Suddenly the economics of timeshare ownership become very different. Instead of a timeshare being a breakeven situation as compared to future vacation expenses, at these lower rates, timeshare becomes genuinely cost effective. And while the average purchase price of a new US timeshare is roughly $17,000 when purchased from the developer, on the timeshare resale market, you can realistically buy timeshare for half or even one-third of this amount.

So how do you actually compare buying new timeshare property with buying timeshare resales?

In many ways, you simply can’t.

Director of Communications Steve Luba gives a wrap-up of the latest happenings in the industry.

 

 Standard Podcast [3:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Ed Hastry discusses the role of the NTOA in educating timeshare owners about the use of their timeshares and important issues facing the industry.

 

 Interview with Ed Hastry, President of the National Timeshare Owners Association [4:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week we released our statistical analysis for the 4th quarter, 2008.

It has been absolutely amazing that during a time when business looked its bleakest for many industries, including some timeshare developers and hoteliers, here at Sell My Timeshare NOW, we saw remarkable growth.

Because we are a privately held company, Sell My Timeshare NOW is not required to release quarterly reports to our stockholders. However, we believe that everyone who buys timeshare, sells timeshares or rents timeshare with us, is entitled to an update on how things are going. For this reason, we publish quarterly statistical synopses of our business growth and development.

You can download the full 4th Quarter 2008 business synopsis here.

And follow this link to read our press release about the report:

Despite the Economy, Consumers are Buying and Renting Timeshare Resales and Sell My Timeshare NOW Has the Numbers to Prove It

Here are some of the facts you will learn about Sell My Timeshare NOW:

• From 2007 to 2008, the overall number of offers to buy or rent timeshares advertised and marketed by the company increased by 85 percent.
• Totaling $461,470,158, we averaged over $1 million per day in offers.
• During the fourth quarter of 2008, the number of offers to buy or rent timeshare increased by 73 percent, quarter-over-quarter from 2007 to 2008, and increased by 43 percent in the dollar amount during this period.

You can also find copies of past reports archived on our website at www.sellmytimesharenow.com

Grand Timber Lodge Timeshare Resort is so much more than a timeshare vacation destination; it is a life style. And while owning and maintaining a year-round ski retreat in Breckenridge, Colorado may not be within your budget, owning a week or two of timeshare at Grand Timber Lodge can be very affordable, especially if you take advantage of reasonably priced timeshare resales.

Grand Timber Lodge timeshare is HOT 100 list timeshare property number 54 at Sell My Timeshare NOW. Of course timeshare owners at Grand Timber Lodge love the resort because of its ski-in and ski-out convenience. But there is also the Grand Victorian Day Spa, the swimming pools, hot tubs, athletic center, children’s playground and the arcade to love as well.

While many timeshare resorts offer excellent retreats for you and your family, the Grand Timber Lodge has units large enough to accommodate family groups of all sizes or you and your 9 best friends.

Timeshare Units to Accommodate Up to 10 People

The Grand Timber Lodge timeshare resort offers studio timeshare units, 2-room suites with kitchenettes, and one, two, and three-bedroom timeshare condos. The largest condos at the Grand Timber Lodge are 1,500 square feet and designed to accommodate up to 10 people. They include fully equipped kitchens with granite countertops, a washer and dryer, a private deck, gas fireplace, and complete dining service for 10 people. These timeshare units have 3 full bathrooms, (one with a jetted bathtub) and an entertainment center in the living area.

But you don’t necessarily have to go for the largest timeshare to enjoy luxury and comfort in a Grand Timber Lodge timeshare. Even the 2-room suites with kitchenettes are designed to sleep up to 6 people, and include one king size bed, 1 queen size bed, and 1 sleeper sofa. The kitchenette includes a mini fridge, a mini dishwasher, a microwave oven and a two-burner stove. These timeshare units also include an entertainment center and 2 full bathrooms.

If you are interesting in learning more about becoming a vacation property owner, paying for only the days and nights you schedule to enjoy at the Grand Timber Lodge timeshare, visit Sell My Timeshare NOW and learn more about the timeshare resales and timeshare rentals waiting for you.

Already thinking about fresh powder on the slopes at Breckenridge? Follow this link to check the Breckenridge snow report.

Club Casa Dorada Beach and Golf Resort timeshare in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico is as beautiful as any beachside resort you have ever dreamed of visiting. Located on El Medano beach, which is one of Cabo San Lucas’ best beaches for swimming, Club Casa Dorada Beach and Golf Resort offers guests a relaxing Mexico timeshare vacation destination, featuring access to an amazing range of amenities.

Timeshare owners and vacationers who rent timeshare at Club Casa Dorada Beach and Golf resort timeshare can enjoy their days with time on the beach or at the four health spas, the equestrian center, or teeing it up at one of the two oceanfront championship golf courses at the resort. Adjacent to Cabo Real Desert Park Reserve’s 3000 acres of protected land, your timeshare vacation can include ATV trail riding, mountain biking or hiking. There are perfect places for swimming as well as for personal watercraft use, kayaking, fishing, and snorkeling. But you might prefer to simply relax by the timeshare resort’s pool, shop the boutiques of Cabo San Lucas, and dine at one of the resort’s many fine dining or casual restaurants.

Club Casa Dorada Beach Timeshare is an RCI Golf Crown Resort

This exquisite Mexico timeshare resort is part of the exclusive 3500 acre Cabo Real Master Plan Community, which offers more than three and a half miles of some of Cabo’s best and most beautiful beaches. Club Casa Dorada Beach timeshare resort is an RCI Gold Crown property and is part of Melia Los Cabos Hotels in Los Cabos Mexico.

Offering timeshare owners and guests one, two, and three bedroom vacation ownership suites, most timeshare condos at Club Casa Dorada Beach Timeshare have private terraces, ocean views, kitchens or kitchenettes, and rooms with an elegant, clean-line décor. Jetted tubs, flat-screen televisions, and wireless internet provide you the comforts of home, with an upscale touch.

Buy Timeshare Resales at Club Casa Dorado Beach Timeshare

If you are reading this on the day this blog posts to The Timeshare Authority, then it’s Labor Day weekend, a traditional ‘long-week’ holiday in the US. And chances are, you are not on vacation. Because as much as I like to think of this timeshare blog as ‘gripping’ reading, it’s not the kind of thing most people read during their vacations…The Timeshare Authority is what you read when you are dreaming about a vacation.

So if you set aside a little time during your busy Labor Day weekend and peruse the incredible opportunities in Mexico timeshare resales and Mexico timeshare rentals, (timeshare resales and timeshare rentals available anywhere else in the world) advertised at www.sellmytimesharenow.com, then next time a holiday rolls around, you can be doing instead of dreaming; enjoying vacation ownership with your own affordable and luxurious timeshare.