To get the same kind of advice about timeshares that Flyertalk gives about flying, go to TUG2.NET

I own 7 weeks of timeshare and love it, but there are no quick and easy answers for the perfect program for everyone. The one quick and easy answer, however, is buy re-sale. There are hundreds of sites, and virtually any timeshare can be bought re-sale for no more than 1/2 the price the developer was selling it at. It is more common to buy re-sale for 1/3rd or less of the developer's price. If you go to the TUG board, definitely read the South Africa board if you are interested in a very cheap way to try out timesharing. For less than $1000 total outlay, you can 1) buy a 1 bedroom unit that will trade for 2, 2) pay all closing costs, 3) pay two years' maint. fees (which will be $140.00 or less a year in South Africa compared to $375-$700 a year in the U.S.), which means you immediately have two weeks of lodging paid for vacations in some very nice spots, including Hiltons, and 4) have 10 years paid up membership in RCI, one of the two trading companies for timeshares (RCI is normally $83.00 a year all by itself). Anyway, just a thought if you are intrigued by the timeshare concept.
Pat

[This message has been edited by PStreet1 (edited 04-26-2002).]