I am trying to educate myself about maybe buying a Marriott Vacation Club resale. My primary interest is purchasing a Platinum week, which I understand can be converted to MR points every year. I have read that if you buy a Marriott timeshare from someone other than Marriott, you don't get the right to use the points. Is this true? I also read that you can get the points-conversion option if you buy from a Marriott-“authorized” reseller, whatever that is.

Does anyone have any bulletproof factual information or real-world experience about the best way to buy a Vacation Club resale? Any chance I could get a good deal from motivated seller? Am I crazy to even be thinking about this?

Thanks.