Time Share Downside Over Time

Things change, especially over years. That is one of the biggest drawbacks of a time share. While you think you may visit the same place every year, the reality is that time will likely change that as this person found out:

About 16 years ago, I purchased a one-week time-share in Kissimmee, Fla., near Disney World. About three weeks after I bought it, I heard you on the radio and called in to your program to ask your thoughts on a time-share purchase. You said, "You don't listen to my program much, do you? A time-share is a bad deal -- get out of it." Well, it was too late then, but the first 10 years were mostly OK. However, now the maintenance fees are a whopping $824 per year. Ouch! I have been contacted by at least eight time-share resellers, and they all want an up-front fee to attempt to sell it, claiming they have an excited buyer. Well, that isn't going to happen. I will never pay an up-front fee. So while I was at the time-share in January 2007, I spoke with the front desk to arrange a meeting with the manager to discuss the resort repurchasing it; he wouldn't even speak to me, let alone make an appointment. Further, he had the receptionist tell me they would offer $1,500, take it or leave it. I told them they were out of their minds. My son is now 16, and I doubt we will return to this Disney area again.

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