Shopping for Deals

The best deals are owner-to-owner sales or better yet, foreclosures. Ask about any bargain weeks they are trying to sell. Remember, in timesharing, a resale unit is same as a "new" one. Both receive same upkeep and usage year after year. And shop for weeks that fit into your yearly vacation period, in case your exchange plans fall through.

How much should you spend? Of course, it depends on resort, theweek, and unit. Shop around -- you'll probably find weeks selling for under $1,000. If you are uncertain, rent for a couple of years before buying. Remember, if you pay true "going rate" for a unit, based on what owners are willing to sell for and buyers are willing to pay, you'll approach fair market value. If you buy a timeshare week at a fair market price, your future selling price should be closer to what you paid for it.

How to View Your Timeshare

But no matter how much you pay, don't look at your timeshare as an investment, any more than you would any other form of vacation or recreation. If you take a cruise or fly to Europe you don't look for a return on your investment. With timesharing, you should get some money back if and when you sell, but your main reason for buying should be quality of vacations you'll have at your home resort or ones you exchange to.

Happy timesharing!

3. Check that you've set up a PIN number for your voicemail. This will allow you to check any messages received when you are abroad.

4. If you are on a 'pay as you go' phone, check that you can purchase top-up credits in country you are visiting. If you can't, you may need to organize someone who will still be at home to buy top-ups for your phone if necessary.

So long as you can use your phone, that's it.

If you can't use your phone in country you are visiting, you'll need to make alternative arrangements. If phones are cheap enough (for example, in countries such as UK) it may pay you to buy a phone just for your trip. Otherwise, look into international calling cards. These allow you to dial a number, followed by number you really want to contact. International calling cards are almost always cheaper than using regular payphones. But beware using them from your hotel room - check what charges are applied BEFORE you call.