Are timeshares cheaper than hotel rooms?

[freddy]

My wife is pushing hard for us to get a timeshare because she is convinced that a timeshare is less expensive than a hotel room and we will save money in the long run. We do vacation in Arizona in the same spot each year and that is why she thinks we need to get a timeshare. Is there any study that shows that timeshares save money over hotel rooms? I know this is a selling point that timeshare resorts often use, but I would like more information on how they come to this conclusion. What do you think? Would we really save money with a timeshare over getting a hotel?

[jeffrey]

Technically it depends, but in reality the answer is no.

If you buy a timeshare directly from the timeshare resort, no. You will save much more by going to hotels.

If you buy your timeshare on the used market, possibly, but unlikely. It only take one missed year to throw the entire save money plan into disarray.

What they fail to tell you is that you can rent that same timeshare unit for less money than you can buy it and save on the hotel. Maybe this is a compromise that will save you from buying a timeshare and still work for your wife.

[Susan Foster]

What a lot of timeshare sales people tell you is that you can use the timeshare for years and then sell it and recoup your money. However, in reality, this very seldom is the case.