The $750 stuff you got from Skymall probably has an actual street price of $350-400. Better off just buying the points...

I was going to say another option is suffering through a 90-minute timeshare presentation at MVCI. But there's two issues with that: (a) you're in Germany, probably not near an MVCI and (b) if you ever *are* near an MVCI, you can usually get a better value by taking cash-credit or other perks instead of Marriott points for your MVCI tour.

For example, in Orlando two weeks ago they offered me my choice of $200 credit on the spot or 15,000 points. I didn't accept either, but I would be more likely to take cash in hand over points when the value is somewhat even like it was in this case.

Buy the points. Marriott's not gouging you with that valuation, and you don't have to leave the house or worry if your points will post in time.