Last August I got hooked into a time share.....yes you do get something for your ($$) buck but since researching the whole program, you are better out of it than in it. Sadly it cost me $11K for one week per year for 18 yrs with an annual cost of around %440pa indexed to inflation.
I was told that I could get 1 weeks accomodation at 000's of hotels and resorts around the world for around $179 for a week. WRONG!! Total B/S. You have to deposit (Bank) your free week with an exchange company and then you have to pay them $179 to get it out and yes, you can then use it at 000's of resorts/hotels all over the world. But it is only for 1 week and your annual fees to your host resort (in Bali) has to be up to date.
Consider: I paid $480 for 12 days at a nice hotel in Sanur with no on-going fees or B/S like these timeshare people want you to pay.
The so call benefits of you can stay anywhere in the world is not real as they are generally in places you are unlikely to go to in your lifetime.
Once you are hooked it........legally you cannot get out of it and a search of the net will show you how many people are trying to get out of them or trying to selling them at at greatly discounted price. Yes you can buy mine for $8,000.
SO.......over 18 years (The Contract) I will have paid over $25,000 to $28,000 for 1 week a year in Bali...........or more (by adding on the $179) if I want to use another resort somewhere in the world.
The everyday deals you see for Bali flights and accomodation would work out cheaper I reckon.
Yes! I have been burnt and I will "use" what I can BUT I warn people to not even entertain them. I was sold on the portablility of the concept but that is not the case. Please be VERY WARY and if you want to do it the negotiate very hard as they are selling you (nearly) thin air. It is something like Accor is selling in Aust and again......you can't get out of it. They will even sent in the debt collectors to get your annual fees.
KEEP AWAY...........Save your money for the grandkids.