timeshare sales

Looking to buy the best timeshare at the lowest price or are you looking to sell your timeshare without incurring substantial fees and expenses demanded by so called timeshare resale agents?

Timeshare, as most timeshare owners know, is an investment in quality holidays, either for an agreed number of years or in perpetuity. While the vast majority of timeshare owners are very satisfied with their investment, their circumstances can and do change over the years, forcing them to consider selling their timeshare. Whatever the reason (a bereavement, the timeshare property is too big or too small, etc), there is a regular stream of timeshare owners (points and weeks) wishing to resell their timeshare properties in the most cost effective way.

Selling a timeshare has not however been easy and on occasions, almost impossible, particularly if it is a small studio apartment in a less desirable resort, outside the peak holiday season. Also while there are numerous so called timeshare resale agents and timeshare resellers it is difficult to find a reputable one and one that will actively market your property without demanding payment upfront of a registration fee or advertising expenses.

Equally it has been difficult for genuine timeshares buyers wishing to buy into the dream of holidaying in timeshare accommodation, which as timeshare owners know, tends to be of a much higher standard than most hotel or rented accommodation. The BIG problem however is who do you trust, what is the true value of the property in an open market and how can you avoid paying for the middleman i.e. the fees and expenses charged by the timeshare resale agents and timeshare resellers, which they will undoubtedly seek to recover, or the excessive marketing costs that each timeshare resort must add on to the price they charge either for timeshare weeks or points that can be exchanged into weeks.

eBay is an open transparent market that brings together buyers and sellers and we believe an ideal venue for both timeshare buyers and timeshare sellers. Also as timeshare re-sales on eBay increase in popularity we also believe that it could become the timeshare resale market of first choice – where else would you get a similar exposure for your timeshare sale and at minimum cost. Already this is beginning to happen as it is not just individuals selling their timeshare weeks through eBay but also timeshare resale clubs from some resorts who are selling timeshare weeks and timeshare points on behalf of their respective owners.

As an eBay timeshare seller you will need to provide, among other things, confirmation that you own the week or points being sold, the management fees are paid up to date and that the week has not been banked with an exchange company. It would also be appropriate to provide an indication of the costs (legal or otherwise) that will be incurred in transferring ownership and who is responsible for payment. As a buyer we would strongly recommend that you obtain confirmation of same directly from management at the timeshare resort, plus confirmation as to the amount of the management fee and how it is regulated or controlled. It may also be appropriate for you to seek an indication of value from management at the timeshare resort (they may have there own re-sales programme) and to compare prices for similar timeshare properties advertised in the national press.

In conclusion it is of course always risky to buy any property sight unseen, but many people do this when it comes to timeshare as they view it as buying future holidays rather than as buying property. It addition therefore to the above, while it may be your sole intention to swap the timeshare and travel to other resorts throughout the world, we also recommend that you satisfy yourself that the resort's location (and Unit) and facilities etc are suitable for your requirements.

Check your seller's feedback
And go through it carefully. The percentage of positive feedback is useful, but also look at the individual comments – especially the "neutral" or "negative" comments which can indicate how things could go wrong. Sometimes, fraudulent sellers arrange for fake positive feedback.

Be wary of international transactions
Often fraud is international because it is harder to chase the criminal. If the seller is listed in one of the countries notorious for fraud, such as Nigeria, China, or Russia, exercise extreme caution.

Read the listing carefully
If it is littered with spelling or grammatical errors, it is probably written by a foreigner pretending to be British. Or a teenager.

Tell-tale signs
If they refuse to accept Paypal, make unrealistic claims for a cheap item and it's a one-day listing where the seller asks you to complete the transaction off eBay, it's very dodgy. One-day listings are commonly used so that the seller can dupe and disappear. Often, they come about as a criminal takes over a genuine seller's account to sell as many items as possible, harvest all the cash and then run away without sending any of the goods.

Pay with a credit card for top protection
Paypal is convenient, but doesn't offer the same level of fraud protection. And don't touch anyone who asks for a Western Union or Moneygram wire transfer.

No matter what you are looking to buy, Compare, Buy and save, and get the best deal on product as well as price.