When I scour the internet, the majority of information that I find for timeshare owners is negative. You either find advertisements from companies wishing to gain your business, or you find postings and blogs by angry misled timeshare owners who simply do not offer you objective advice. The truth is, you can be happy with your timeshare ownership. Infact, you can be incredibly happy! The problem is that the happy owners see no reason usually to scour the internet looking for information and therefore, they usually do not post their happy stories.
The key to being a happy timeshare owner is to be informed and that is what my mission here is. To educate you. To give you the resources you need to become educated and knowledgeable about your timeshare so that you can make the most of it.
Sift through my previous postings, and check back often for new ones. Please remember that I do not work for, nor am I being compensated, by any of the companies I mention on this blog. My recommendations come strictly from my knowledge of the inner workings of the industry, as well as my own research and study. If you come across a company or an idea that I do not mention here, please post a comment or send me an email to let me know what you are interested in and I will be happy to post about it for you.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Virginia Vacations - Massanutten Resorts - RCI Timeshares
This is where I began my timeshare career and stayed for two decades until leaving only last summer. Truly breathtaking and beautiful. Super family vacation spot! Safe to take the kids, relaxing for mom and dad, classy and yet not stuffy.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Timeshare reSales - Can Anyone Guarantee Your Timeshare Sale?
Watch this video for more information about selling your timeshare! This is Jason Tremblay, CEO of www.SellMyTimeshareNOW.com discussing what many resellers will try to tell you about selling your timeshare.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
RedWeek.com Crusades to Educate Public About Timeshares
The Resort Trades
RedWeek.com, the largest timeshare marketplace, partners with Timeshare Crusader Lisa Ann Schreier to further awareness of and education about timesharing
Seattle, WA (Vocus/PRWEB ) May 25, 2010 -- RedWeek.com, the largest timeshare marketplace, is partnering with the Timeshare Crusader, Lisa Ann Schreier, to further awareness of and education about timesharing. Schreier is the founder and director of Timeshare Insights, a consumer consulting and education organization, and the author of several timeshare books.
“The timeshare industry is complex,” says Maurice Aubrey, RedWeek president and CTO. ““As a leader in the secondary market, our goal is to ensure consumers make informed decisions, so having Lisa share her experience and knowledge with us is a welcome addition."
With the help of Schreier, RedWeek established a dedicated Ask the Timeshare Crusader page on the site, and runs a standing Timeshare Crusader column in their monthly newsletter which reaches more than 500,000 timeshare owners and travelers worldwide. In addition, RedWeek has created an Ask the Timeshare Crusader topic on their forums pages for users to interact directly with Lisa.
“I'm delighted to work with RedWeek.com on this important initiative. Today, more than ever, consumers need to become more educated about timeshare so that they can make wise vacation and financial choices,” say Schreier. “I'm looking forward to enhancing this partnership, which I'm confident will go a long way to bringing about positive change to the timeshare industry and consumers everywhere.”
The RedWeek.com by-owner model allows timeshare owners to advertise their unused weeks for rent and resale, and individuals contact them directly to arrange a transaction. The site offers a comprehensive resources section with valuable information for owners, buyers and travelers. Resource topics include: timeshare pros and cons, determining whether timeshare ownership works for your lifestyle, and timeshare purchase options, the differences between buying a timeshare resale vs. buying directly from a developer.
To learn more about RedWeek.com or timesharing visit www.redweek.com.
About RedWeek.com LLC:
RedWeek.com is a member-supported marketplace for timeshare rentals, resales, and exchanges. You can find reviews, ratings, prices, availability and complete resort descriptions for more than 5,000 timeshare resorts worldwide to make vacation selection easier.
Boasting an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, RedWeek has more than 1,400,000 registered users. The site was launched in November 2002.
About Lisa Ann Schreier
Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader, is the author of both Surviving A Timeshare Presentation and Timeshare Vacations For Dummies. She is a former timeshare salesperson now dedicated to helping consumers, as well as a catalyst for positive change within the timeshare industry. Visit www.timeshareinsights.com for additional information.
Contact: RedWeek Public Relations
Phone: (425) 458-4440
RedWeek.com, the largest timeshare marketplace, partners with Timeshare Crusader Lisa Ann Schreier to further awareness of and education about timesharing
Seattle, WA (Vocus/PRWEB ) May 25, 2010 -- RedWeek.com, the largest timeshare marketplace, is partnering with the Timeshare Crusader, Lisa Ann Schreier, to further awareness of and education about timesharing. Schreier is the founder and director of Timeshare Insights, a consumer consulting and education organization, and the author of several timeshare books.
“The timeshare industry is complex,” says Maurice Aubrey, RedWeek president and CTO. ““As a leader in the secondary market, our goal is to ensure consumers make informed decisions, so having Lisa share her experience and knowledge with us is a welcome addition."
With the help of Schreier, RedWeek established a dedicated Ask the Timeshare Crusader page on the site, and runs a standing Timeshare Crusader column in their monthly newsletter which reaches more than 500,000 timeshare owners and travelers worldwide. In addition, RedWeek has created an Ask the Timeshare Crusader topic on their forums pages for users to interact directly with Lisa.
“I'm delighted to work with RedWeek.com on this important initiative. Today, more than ever, consumers need to become more educated about timeshare so that they can make wise vacation and financial choices,” say Schreier. “I'm looking forward to enhancing this partnership, which I'm confident will go a long way to bringing about positive change to the timeshare industry and consumers everywhere.”
The RedWeek.com by-owner model allows timeshare owners to advertise their unused weeks for rent and resale, and individuals contact them directly to arrange a transaction. The site offers a comprehensive resources section with valuable information for owners, buyers and travelers. Resource topics include: timeshare pros and cons, determining whether timeshare ownership works for your lifestyle, and timeshare purchase options, the differences between buying a timeshare resale vs. buying directly from a developer.
To learn more about RedWeek.com or timesharing visit www.redweek.com.
About RedWeek.com LLC:
RedWeek.com is a member-supported marketplace for timeshare rentals, resales, and exchanges. You can find reviews, ratings, prices, availability and complete resort descriptions for more than 5,000 timeshare resorts worldwide to make vacation selection easier.
Boasting an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, RedWeek has more than 1,400,000 registered users. The site was launched in November 2002.
About Lisa Ann Schreier
Lisa Ann Schreier, The Timeshare Crusader, is the author of both Surviving A Timeshare Presentation and Timeshare Vacations For Dummies. She is a former timeshare salesperson now dedicated to helping consumers, as well as a catalyst for positive change within the timeshare industry. Visit www.timeshareinsights.com for additional information.
Contact: RedWeek Public Relations
Phone: (425) 458-4440
Friday, May 14, 2010
ARDA issues warning to timeshare owners
This was released today as a press release to the public. ARDA, short for American Resort Developers Association, works hard to protect consumers of timeshares.
ADVISORY IV
May 14, 2010
As part ARDA’s effort to provide consumers with guidance about the secondary marketplace and useful tips about
the resale process, this advisory is to make consumers aware of two deceptive resale solicitations that target timeshare
owners.
According to an April 2010 release issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(FDACS), the newest scheme is being used in combination with other unethical or fraudulent resale solicitations.
Beware of ‘Reloading’
The practice of ‘reloading’ is when an individual or company contacts a consumer who has already been victimized
by an unethical resale company. The claim is that they can recoup the upfront-fee lost in the original scam. The call
may actually be from the same company that conducted the first scam, only reorganized under a new name. Or the
call may be from a disgruntled former employee of the original company who uses the victims’ contact information
to run a new scam.
The FDACS warns that in either case the chances are minimal that consumers will recover any money. The latest
twist on this particular fraud has someone calling the original victim claiming to be from the first company that
took the upfront fee. This time, the caller will offer to refund the victim’s money, but will ask for a credit card
number “to facilitate the transaction.” If consumers again provide credit card numbers, they will lose money a
second time.
Bogus Rental Offers
Timeshare owners should also be skeptical of rental company solicitations that claim the company can rent owners’
vacation weeks or their “extra/bonus” weeks. While bonus weeks or bonus time is a legitimate benefit offered by
some – but not all – timeshare resorts, owners cannot rent them and may be in violation of their resorts’ rules if
they do. (Bonus weeks or bonus time is generally unused time that can be reserved only by other owners for a low
fee typically 30 days before the time is available.
The alleged rental company entices the consumer by claiming to have interested renters. The company quotes an
unrealistically-high rental rate, asks for an advance fee (upwards of $700) and a credit card number so the company
“can be authorized to represent the consumer in the rental transaction.” The advance fee is taken and the consumer
never hears of rentals again.
ARDA cautions consumers to make sure they understand the disclosures, promises, transfer protocols and recourse
available to them prior to writing a check, giving a credit card number or any other form of payment to a reseller.
And please check with your home owners association to see if a less expensive option is available to you. For more
resales information, please visit www.ARDA.org/resales. Visit ARDA’s consumer web site at
www.VacationBetter.org for more information about timeshares.
ADVISORY IV
May 14, 2010
As part ARDA’s effort to provide consumers with guidance about the secondary marketplace and useful tips about
the resale process, this advisory is to make consumers aware of two deceptive resale solicitations that target timeshare
owners.
According to an April 2010 release issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(FDACS), the newest scheme is being used in combination with other unethical or fraudulent resale solicitations.
Beware of ‘Reloading’
The practice of ‘reloading’ is when an individual or company contacts a consumer who has already been victimized
by an unethical resale company. The claim is that they can recoup the upfront-fee lost in the original scam. The call
may actually be from the same company that conducted the first scam, only reorganized under a new name. Or the
call may be from a disgruntled former employee of the original company who uses the victims’ contact information
to run a new scam.
The FDACS warns that in either case the chances are minimal that consumers will recover any money. The latest
twist on this particular fraud has someone calling the original victim claiming to be from the first company that
took the upfront fee. This time, the caller will offer to refund the victim’s money, but will ask for a credit card
number “to facilitate the transaction.” If consumers again provide credit card numbers, they will lose money a
second time.
Bogus Rental Offers
Timeshare owners should also be skeptical of rental company solicitations that claim the company can rent owners’
vacation weeks or their “extra/bonus” weeks. While bonus weeks or bonus time is a legitimate benefit offered by
some – but not all – timeshare resorts, owners cannot rent them and may be in violation of their resorts’ rules if
they do. (Bonus weeks or bonus time is generally unused time that can be reserved only by other owners for a low
fee typically 30 days before the time is available.
The alleged rental company entices the consumer by claiming to have interested renters. The company quotes an
unrealistically-high rental rate, asks for an advance fee (upwards of $700) and a credit card number so the company
“can be authorized to represent the consumer in the rental transaction.” The advance fee is taken and the consumer
never hears of rentals again.
ARDA cautions consumers to make sure they understand the disclosures, promises, transfer protocols and recourse
available to them prior to writing a check, giving a credit card number or any other form of payment to a reseller.
And please check with your home owners association to see if a less expensive option is available to you. For more
resales information, please visit www.ARDA.org/resales. Visit ARDA’s consumer web site at
www.VacationBetter.org for more information about timeshares.
The Cove on Ormond Beach
The Resort Trades
Thought this was pretty interesting!
The Cove On Ormond Beach Ranked as One of World’s
Best Hotels on Expedia® Insiders’ Select™ List
Expedia® travelers have ranked The Cove On Ormond Beach among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list.
Published May 13, 2010
Expedia® travelers have ranked The Cove On Ormond Beach among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list. The list formally recognizes individual hotels worldwide that consistently deliver excellent service, a great overall experience and a notable value. The full list represents only a small percentage of the world’s top hotels from the more than 110,000 hotel properties offered on Expedia.
“Delivering superior service to our guests is a top priority at The Cove On Ormond Beach,” said Sulyn Stumbras, Island One Resorts Hospitality Group president. “We are pleased that our efforts have been acknowledged by Expedia travelers and look forward to extending our high level of service to even more guests. General Manager Regina Barbour and her team truly exemplify our commitment to hospitality.”
The 2010 Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list is compiled based on the more than one million Traveler Opinions hotel reviews collected by Expedia, combined with a value rating and the local market expertise of more than 400 Expedia employees in local markets worldwide, resulting in an easy-to-browse list that provides travelers with a powerful way to find the perfect hotel using the trusted insight of other travelers like them. The list showcases the diverse selection of travel destinations and hotel properties
The Cove On Ormond Beach, in Ormond Beach, Florida, is a 112-villa resort situated on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean. The resort’s villas are comprised of studios, one- and two-bedroom accommodations. All villas feature an ocean view, full kitchen and private balcony. The resort was originally comprised of a 54-villa tower. An adjacent 58-villa addition to the existing resort structure opened in 2006. Resort amenities include: oceanfront activity deck featuring a two-story tube slide;indoor heated swimming pool;owners lounge; oceanfront hot tub; game room; organized activities; barbecue and picnic area; fitness center; private beach access; 1,500 gallon salt water aquarium; private oceanview balconies; concierge services; and wi-fi access
Island One Resorts has provided extraordinary timeshare vacation experiences through resort development and hospitality management since 1981. The company’s 750 team members are focused upon providing innovative and value-driven benefits to its over 65,000 owners. Its points-based vacation club, Club Navigo, offers 30 resort destinations throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe. Through Club Navigo, developers have access to award-winning sales, marketing and communications programs; operational support; state-of-the-art reservation and computer systems; and one of the most seasoned management teams ever assembled in the industry. To learn more about Island One Resorts, visit islandone.com or clubnavigo.com.
CONTACT: Sheila Morris: 407.215.4255 sheila.morris@islandone.com.
Thought this was pretty interesting!
The Cove On Ormond Beach Ranked as One of World’s
Best Hotels on Expedia® Insiders’ Select™ List
Expedia® travelers have ranked The Cove On Ormond Beach among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list.
Published May 13, 2010
Expedia® travelers have ranked The Cove On Ormond Beach among the world’s best hotels on this year’s Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list. The list formally recognizes individual hotels worldwide that consistently deliver excellent service, a great overall experience and a notable value. The full list represents only a small percentage of the world’s top hotels from the more than 110,000 hotel properties offered on Expedia.
“Delivering superior service to our guests is a top priority at The Cove On Ormond Beach,” said Sulyn Stumbras, Island One Resorts Hospitality Group president. “We are pleased that our efforts have been acknowledged by Expedia travelers and look forward to extending our high level of service to even more guests. General Manager Regina Barbour and her team truly exemplify our commitment to hospitality.”
The 2010 Expedia Insiders’ Select™ list is compiled based on the more than one million Traveler Opinions hotel reviews collected by Expedia, combined with a value rating and the local market expertise of more than 400 Expedia employees in local markets worldwide, resulting in an easy-to-browse list that provides travelers with a powerful way to find the perfect hotel using the trusted insight of other travelers like them. The list showcases the diverse selection of travel destinations and hotel properties
The Cove On Ormond Beach, in Ormond Beach, Florida, is a 112-villa resort situated on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean. The resort’s villas are comprised of studios, one- and two-bedroom accommodations. All villas feature an ocean view, full kitchen and private balcony. The resort was originally comprised of a 54-villa tower. An adjacent 58-villa addition to the existing resort structure opened in 2006. Resort amenities include: oceanfront activity deck featuring a two-story tube slide;indoor heated swimming pool;owners lounge; oceanfront hot tub; game room; organized activities; barbecue and picnic area; fitness center; private beach access; 1,500 gallon salt water aquarium; private oceanview balconies; concierge services; and wi-fi access
Island One Resorts has provided extraordinary timeshare vacation experiences through resort development and hospitality management since 1981. The company’s 750 team members are focused upon providing innovative and value-driven benefits to its over 65,000 owners. Its points-based vacation club, Club Navigo, offers 30 resort destinations throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe. Through Club Navigo, developers have access to award-winning sales, marketing and communications programs; operational support; state-of-the-art reservation and computer systems; and one of the most seasoned management teams ever assembled in the industry. To learn more about Island One Resorts, visit islandone.com or clubnavigo.com.
CONTACT: Sheila Morris: 407.215.4255 sheila.morris@islandone.com.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Resort Equity Marketing timeshare resales
Here is an interesting article I found this morning with complaints about this company. Thought you should check it out too!
http://bit.ly/aQZb2N
http://bit.ly/aQZb2N
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