In Reply to: Time share posted by Bruce NZ on Wednesday, 25. January 2012 at 04:25 Bali Time:
We bought timeshare in Bali many years ago (Risata). We have not regretted it. We used it for a few years but mainly swap it now for holidays around the world. Bali is cheap for accom whereas other places are expensive so economically it's better for us. We have stayed in some amazing places.
The thing about Bali is the maintenance fees are $210 a year whereas one I visited in America was $800 a year (prohibitive to me).
If you like to move around Bali or another place and want to swap it, there is a fee to change ($269?). So you will be paying $479 for the week all up. Still cheap for sometimes 5 star accom.
The thing that makes it worthwhile are the bonus weeks. These are weeks that people have banked (put in to swap)that no-one has taken up. You can buy these (on top of your week, as many as you like) for cheap. As they get closer they get cheaper. Less than $200 for the week. From studios to 3 bedroom apartments. I got a week at Peninsula resort in Bali for $99 for the week once.
They are also getting cheap rentals too. So you can get accom at other places for a discount.
If you are considering buying timeshare DO NOT go to a presentation and buy. If you want to know about a particular resort by all means go but don't buy. You can buy timeshare off people who don't use it. They are resales. Just google resale timeshare. There's a good company in Australia. Some go very cheap.
So I would recommend timeshare but not at full price.
I've left my Email open if you need any more info. I don't check here often now.