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For a starter, it can be confusing to decide if they should purchase their first timeshare from the resale market or directly from a timeshare resort or developer. Each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Timeshares were once bought from their developers, but a recent concept hitting the market is buying them from the resale market, such as auctions or classifieds. The internet is benefiting the timeshare market, just as it has the rest of the market. Auction websites for timeshares provide buyers with specific information regarding the property, and a variety of buying options.

The timeshare market was completely different just ten years ago. Buyers used to buy timeshares based on impulse invoked by timeshare presentations, which were hosted by the developers. With advent of internet and auction sites for timeshares, the buyer has powerful research tools at their disposal, even if they decide to attend a presentation. The internet allows the buyer to make more informed choices than he or she could a decade ago.

Buyers can also avoid the trauma of sitting through a timeshare presentation by buying through the timeshare resale market. The presentations sometimes take ninety minutes and can go even longer. At the end of the presentation, the buyers who were brought in on the pretext of a free gift are subjected to high-pressure selling techniques, and this yields to signing a paper and buying a timeshare.

Compare the costs of resale vs. developer's offers: Developer's timeshare offers include the costs of advertising, presenting, free gifts, etc. - 40% of the cost of the timeshare! This alone can exceed the cost of the timeshare resale. If one buys a timeshare through a resale market, one can often buy the timeshare for 30-50% less. Choosing to buy through a resale market offers more choice and freedom in the time and unit. One is also assured of getting the best price. Buying a resale is almost certainly worth it.

But there are a few good reasons to buy from a developer. There are many reputed companies that have ventured into timeshare business like Marriot, Disney, and Hilton etc. When you are buying through a resale market there is a margin of doubt whether your investment is secured or not and the trust factor is low. Where as the timeshare developers spend fortunes in the development of timeshares and have great reputation and thus can be easily trusted. They give you the best and the latest amenities which you can never get from a resale unless it's a relatively new unit. Another high point of buying through a developer is that they offer many incentives and benefits to their customers in the form of bonus weeks, discounts on attraction tickets, car rentals and much more. On the other hand, these benefits may not be available to you if you bought your timeshare through resale market as many developers do not offer timeshare resale units the same amenities compared to those who bought directly from them. Also, the developers usually offer many financing options that you may not get if you buy from a resale market.

If you do opt to buy from a developer, they often feature their listing on the same auction website as timeshare resales, so you can review all your options at one place.