Holiday Presents - Pioneers of Timesharing

7 Questions with The Timeshare User's Group (TUG)

So, What's TUG?

The Timeshare User's Group (www.tug2.net) is a self-help organization composed of timeshare owners and other interested parties. TUG provides timeshare owners with an unbiased source of consumer oriented information regarding timeshare resorts and the timeshare concept. Additionally, TUG provides a variety of services which enhance the Timeshare users' awareness of the current timeshare industry.

How did TUG get started?

I (Bill Rogers) initiated TUG because years ago my wife and I traded our very nice (Gold Crown & 5 Star rating) resort for what can only be described as a run-down converted motel. To say that we were upset is to put it mildly. The picture in the Exchange Resort Directory looked great! The description had everything we were looking for, even tennis. But when we got there...... the condo was probably WW II vintage and still had the original furniture. But the straw that broke the camel's back was the tennis court (we love tennis and all our trades usually have tennis available). The one and only court was over grown with weeds and did not even have a net! When we asked the resort manager about it, we were told it had not had a net for years! So much for Resort Directory pictures and write-ups! We vowed we would never be ripped off again! From that time on, when we are in an area we tour the timeshare resorts to find out what they really are like. We will no longer rely only on the Exchange companies for this information!

During our vacations, we found that most timeshare owners feel the same way. So, with the help of other timeshare owners, we formed the Timeshare Users Group in 1993. Now over 12 years old, our www.tug2.net website has become one of the most active timeshare sites on the Internet.

What features and services does TUG offer?

TUG collects reviews and ratings on more than 2,000 timeshare resorts, from TUG Members who stayed at these resorts, and provides this data along with area activities, sites to see and places to eat for member use.

We currently have 1,000's of web pages on many different topics, including an advice section, classified ads, direct exchange database, info from homeowners associations, resort ranking, etc.

What benefits will a prospective timeshare owner get from TUG?

TUG is a completely independent organization and is not affiliated with any timeshare company. The best source of any help is that provided by individuals who have experienced both successes and failures and are willing to post this knowledge on our site so that others can benefit from it. As a group of individual timeshare owners not in the timeshare business, we are able to provide the TRUTH (unlike a lot of the misrepresentations you hear at the standard developer's presentations) regarding all aspects of timeshares.

And how about existing timeshare owners?

The www.tug2.net website is designed and run by over 40 volunteer members who are all existing owners. Each feature added is a direct result of needs and interests of existing members. Currently in addition to the resort reviews and rankings, there are dozens of other features including direct exchanges, for sale and for rent classified ads, an advice section, a permanent swap database, results of various trades (exchanges), historical sales database and etc.

One of the most popular TUG features is our BBS (bulletin board system). This is the section that both members and non-members can post questions regarding timeshares. Currently there are over 7000 discussions with over 60,000 individual postings. If you need help with timeshares TUG is the place to get it.

Any timeshare trends to note?

The Internet has created major changes to the way the timeshare industry operates. One of the major changes is the availability and access to valuable advice regarding the way to best utilize timeshares and how they really work. It has also provided an excellent way to evaluate timeshare offers and more importantly educate the general public.

One of these changes is the emergence of the timeshare resale market on the internet. Most individuals do not even know of its existence. Many stumble on it only after they attend a developer's presentation. Once back home, they do an Internet search on the word "timeshare" and discover the great bargains that exist in the resale market. The timeshare rental market has also become very popular due to Internet listings for both owners and buyers. It gives the owners a chance to rent their unused units and the buyers a chance to purchase affordable vacations.

The exchange area is another sector being radically changed by the Internet. Both of the major exchange companies, RCI & II, have created websites to provide online exchanging for their members. The one advantage we have not seen yet from the major exchange companies is reduced exchange fees for making these trades to reflect the labor cost savings. Many other exchange companies are expanding and offering similar opportunities at lower costs to the benefit of all timeshare owners. TUG is also helping with exchanges by providing our own direct exchange database where members are able to exchange directly with other members for free.

Anything else you want to add?

The TUG web site was recognized as one of the premiere web sites according to the "Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine" for getting help and unbiased information regarding timeshares. We keep our Advice, Classified Ads, BBS and other basic features free and open for public viewing to provide this help.

For those who wish to join our group and support our efforts, our membership is only $15 for the first 12 months and that provides full access to our "member only" databases.

TUG is a 100% internet organization (www.tug2.net) and we will continue to be one of the great sources of unbiased timeshare information. The quote we hear most from new members is "I wish I had known about TUG before I bought my first timeshare".

Read other stories in our library!