Ad nauseam -

For some balance: There are reasons to at least consider buying directly from Marriott.

I like the flexibility of being able to trade my weeks for Marriott Reward points. At this point in my life, conflicts arise occasionally such that I don't have enough vacation to use a week. And "banking" the week for a future year, exacerbates my scheduling issues. At Kauai Beach Club, for example, the trade can be 110,000 to 150,000 points for giving up one year's week, depending on the size of the unit and whether it’s an oceanfront unit. It’s not worth paying big bucks for a week just for the points. But it’s nice to have the option if you can’t use the week in some years.

You may decide you have to have a week at a new resort now. We did at Grande Ocean on Hilton Head some years ago before there were any resales. We have never regretted our decision.