The decision as to what to buy has to do with with whether the particular location is one you want to go to every year, or if you are buying a "trading chip" If it is the latter, that you want to go to other places, then you want to buy on the secondary market and buy the cheapest 5 star week you can find with 'LOW" maintenance fees. Ownering allows you to belong to II or RCI which then allows you to get extra weeks 60 days in advance at VERY reasonable prices. We bought a 2 BR 5 star resort for $1290 including closing costs. The yearly assessment is about $240 a year. The 1 BR we bought 6 months later is only $180 a year. Can I go anywhere I want, anytime - of course not. What you get depends on what someone gives up. Have I had great deals - great places for great prices. You bet!!! These kinds of deals are't always available, but they are out there. Timesharing may not be for everyone, but we have done some pretty great traveling pretty cheaply.

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DtG