Club Mahindra / Time Share Memberships - Make sense?

SmartCat · 8th April 2010, 16:08

Membership to timeshare resorts from Club Mahindra/Country Club and many other "clubs" cost a one-time fee of anywhere between Rs. 1.5 Lacs to Rs. 2.5 Lacs. For this amount, one gets to holiday in any of the club resorts for approx 10 days per year.

ADVANTAGES -

- No nasty surprises when it comes to resort quality. How many times have we booked a nice looking resort on the internet, only to be disappointed after getting there? Club Mahindra/Country club resorts across locations more or less have the same quality.

- Membership seems to be ideal for the target audience (busy executive who is married with Kids). He takes off on a holiday only twice a year. And on a holiday, he would like to lounge in the pool while the kids go about jumping up and down on a trampoline.

DISADVANTAGES:

- Why pay for something in advance? Instead of paying Rs. 2 Lacs for the membership, why not invest in the stock market and get an average of 20% per annum? That's Rs. 40,000 worth of holidays per year!

- You are stuck with the same old destinations that everybody goes to. Your holiday destination is dictated by locations where Club Mahindra has resorts, rather than where you or your family wants to go to.

- The number of holidays/year is restricted to around 10 (this number varies, though). Plus, when you try to get to a destination during peak season, there are chances that rooms might not be available.

MY VIEW:

When we buy cars, we enjoy the end product (the vehicle) in advance, and pay for it in installments. But when it comes to club memberships, we pay money in advance, but enjoy the end product (the holiday) in installments. Going by the financial performance/profit margins of companies like Club Mahindra (listed in stock exchanges), it looks like promoters are getting a better deal than the customers.

ampere · 8th April 2010, 16:24

I was in the same dilemma. Somehow I still could not justify the cost of membership. Depending on where we want to go, we also can modulate our budget. But in this case the price and places have been pre-planned and pre-payed.

Though I agree that the quality is also pre-decided, but still the cost keeps hitting me back.

tsk1979 · 8th April 2010, 16:34

It does not make any sense.
More so because to book a popular destination you need to book months in advance, unless you are going in off season, for example Goa in Summers.
Moreover, the cost analysis even with 10% interest is a lose lose proposition. Besides that, when you have a package like that, you let packages guide your destination.
You may want to visit some lovely remove place, but it always turns out to be the mussourie trip because thats where the resort is.
If you take 2-3 fixed vacations a year, pre planned, and like to visit 5 star kind acco always with kids then it may make sense, but for the regular traveler, its a bad bad deal.

mobike008 · 8th April 2010, 16:42

I find these offers a big sham ( even if being part of the same group)

Its best to stay away from such schemes and invest that money and use the returns for a holiday ( perhaps, a little less luxurious)

SmartCat · 8th April 2010, 16:49

The promoter of Country Club is probably suspect - going by the number of cases against Country Club in the consumer courts. Almost all of them have something to do with "Free Land/Site" that they offer.

However, Club Mahindra promoter pedigree is impeccable.

mobike008 · 8th April 2010, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartcat

The promoter of Country Club is probably suspect - going by the number of cases against Country Club in the consumer courts. Almost all of them have something to do with "Free Land/Site" that they offer.

However, Club Mahindra promoter pedigree is impeccable.

Absolutely. Just look at Rajeev Reddy and Anand Mahindra and you will know why?

Abhay · 8th April 2010, 17:00

No way is what I voted for. For all the disadvantages listed by OP and more.

I generally do 4/5 small trips and 1 long (7-10 days) per year and to a variety of locations (some of which may not be popular tourist spots as I like to avoid crowds). Also I quite enjoy travelling w/o a set itinerary/booking and neither am I averse to a little bit of risk while choosing locations/resorts on the internet - and rather than lounging about in a comfortable resort throughout my vacation I would prefer doing that at my home at no cost!

SmartCat · 8th April 2010, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobike008

Absolutely. Just look at Rajeev Reddy and Anand Mahindra and you will know why?

We call the Country Club guy as 'Tenga Man'. He keeps showing his thumb for some strange reason in all his TV and print ads.

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Rajiv-Bang · 8th April 2010, 17:07

Country Club is definitely not worth it. That's what majority of the persons known to me had to say.

As smartcat mentioned investing in Stocks or maybe Mutual Funds & getting a return of 20% & then using that money to fund holidays is a workable option.

advaitlele · 8th April 2010, 17:08

As TSK and others have said it, even @ 10% interest calculation would mean we have 20000 interest per year that is enough for a 3N-4D holiday at a decent hotel and destination.

Why would anyone pre-pay for service that he/she is going to avail of in next 10 years? On top of that we have to pay some fixed amount towards maintenance of the membership.

I won't like to be tied down to same resorts, same destinations. Instead would put that money to work and enjoy my vacation on the interest/dividend/returns. Makes sense for me.

jacksons · 8th April 2010, 17:11

Quote:

- Why pay for something in advance? Instead of paying Rs. 2 Lacs for the membership, why not invest in the stock market and get an average of 20% per annum? That's Rs. 40,000 worth of holidays per year!

- You are stuck with the same old destinations that everybody goes to. Your holiday destination is dictated by locations where Club Mahindra has resorts, rather than where you or your family wants to go to.

- The number of holidays/year is restricted to around 10 (this number varies, though). Plus, when you try to get to a destination during peak season, there are chances that rooms might not be available.

1. Investing in stock market is not always gauranteed
2. You are not stuck with the same destinations, with these membership, you also get RCI membership with very nominal price. In year 2008 we went to visit east side of US like Fort lauderdale, Orlando, Atlantic city, New York etc and we had booked 3 resorts for 3 weeks at different destination. With kind of accomodation we were given, if we had to pay for the hotels for that, we had to pay total of US$ 8000 plus, therefore my initial cost of Rs. 125000/- has been recovered from my second trip itself, though my initial cost had been recovered from my first holidays in Europe itself. with RCI you also get lot of bonus weeks like we went to Goa and Mumbai for three weeks last year and used only one week other two were bonus weeks. Most of time we get bonus weeks.
3. With RCI you can take as many as weeks every year. Offcource you need to plan your holidays in advance otherwise you will have to take whatever is available.
I have voted in favour and yes I also used to think, Its a waste of money but now I am changed person.
I am man with few word otherwise I can write lot of benefits but slowly at a time.
I am a Club Mahindra member.

SmartCat · 8th April 2010, 17:17

Good point. RCI membership swings it in Club Mahindra favour for those who are interested in taking foreign holidays without the help of tour operators.

8th April 2010, 18:01

There are many cheating cases filed against Country Club/Country Vacations in various courts in India. Fraudsters and cheats are doing roaring business in India by duping gullible public. I do not pay in advance for enjoying their hospitality in future. Even if it is costlier, better pay and avail of the service instead of getting duped by these fraudsters. So, I voted for 'No way!'.

jacksons · 8th April 2010, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.Ravi

There are many cheating cases filed against Country Club/Country Vacations in various courts in India. Fraudsters and cheats are doing roaring business in India by duping gullible public. I do not pay in advance for enjoying their hospitality in future. Even if it is costlier, better pay and avail of the service instead of getting duped by these fraudsters. So, I voted for 'No way!'.

Every company is not like that, there are exceptions always.
Look at Club Mahindra and RCI, they are very good.

tsk1979 · 9th April 2010, 11:56

I once got a call from Club Mahiindra to attend their "talk". The deal was voucher for a vacation.
The voucher was given to us as promised.
2 Months before expiry I tried booking resorts around Delhi. Month was march(not season time), and none of the resorts were free for the weekends.
With that kind of "full" status does it really make any sense unless you plan your vacations months in advance?
As for international resorts etc., I have discovered, that sites like hotwire etc., enable you to vacation in good resorts for 80$ a night or even less(if you don't mind Inns)

View Poll Results: Are Time Share Memberships VFM?
Yes, definitely.	17	9.83%
No way!	118	68.21%
Not quite sure, I can't make up my mind.	38	21.97%
Voters: 173. You may not vote on this poll

8th April 2010, 16:08	#1
SmartCat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 7,238 Thanked: 52,324 Times View My Garage	Club Mahindra / Time Share Memberships - Make sense? Membership to timeshare resorts from Club Mahindra/Country Club and many other "clubs" cost a one-time fee of anywhere between Rs. 1.5 Lacs to Rs. 2.5 Lacs. For this amount, one gets to holiday in any of the club resorts for approx 10 days per year. ADVANTAGES - - No nasty surprises when it comes to resort quality. How many times have we booked a nice looking resort on the internet, only to be disappointed after getting there? Club Mahindra/Country club resorts across locations more or less have the same quality. - Membership seems to be ideal for the target audience (busy executive who is married with Kids). He takes off on a holiday only twice a year. And on a holiday, he would like to lounge in the pool while the kids go about jumping up and down on a trampoline. DISADVANTAGES: - Why pay for something in advance? Instead of paying Rs. 2 Lacs for the membership, why not invest in the stock market and get an average of 20% per annum? That's Rs. 40,000 worth of holidays per year! - You are stuck with the same old destinations that everybody goes to. Your holiday destination is dictated by locations where Club Mahindra has resorts, rather than where you or your family wants to go to. - The number of holidays/year is restricted to around 10 (this number varies, though). Plus, when you try to get to a destination during peak season, there are chances that rooms might not be available. MY VIEW: When we buy cars, we enjoy the end product (the vehicle) in advance, and pay for it in installments. But when it comes to club memberships, we pay money in advance, but enjoy the end product (the holiday) in installments. Going by the financial performance/profit margins of companies like Club Mahindra (listed in stock exchanges), it looks like promoters are getting a better deal than the customers. Last edited by SmartCat : 8th April 2010 at 16:09.
	(6) Thanks

8th April 2010, 16:24	#2
ampere Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 18,343 Thanked: 13,649 Times View My Garage	I was in the same dilemma. Somehow I still could not justify the cost of membership. Depending on where we want to go, we also can modulate our budget. But in this case the price and places have been pre-planned and pre-payed. Though I agree that the quality is also pre-decided, but still the cost keeps hitting me back.
	(1) Thanks

8th April 2010, 16:34	#3
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,689 Thanked: 23,495 Times View My Garage	It does not make any sense. More so because to book a popular destination you need to book months in advance, unless you are going in off season, for example Goa in Summers. Moreover, the cost analysis even with 10% interest is a lose lose proposition. Besides that, when you have a package like that, you let packages guide your destination. You may want to visit some lovely remove place, but it always turns out to be the mussourie trip because thats where the resort is. If you take 2-3 fixed vacations a year, pre planned, and like to visit 5 star kind acco always with kids then it may make sense, but for the regular traveler, its a bad bad deal.
	(3) Thanks

8th April 2010, 16:42	#4
mobike008 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 12,010 Thanked: 17,212 Times View My Garage	I find these offers a big sham ( even if being part of the same group) Its best to stay away from such schemes and invest that money and use the returns for a holiday ( perhaps, a little less luxurious)
	(2) Thanks

8th April 2010, 16:49	#5
SmartCat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 7,238 Thanked: 52,324 Times View My Garage	The promoter of Country Club is probably suspect - going by the number of cases against Country Club in the consumer courts. Almost all of them have something to do with "Free Land/Site" that they offer. However, Club Mahindra promoter pedigree is impeccable.
	() Thanks

8th April 2010, 17:00	#7
Abhay BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 727 Thanked: 12 Times	No way is what I voted for. For all the disadvantages listed by OP and more. I generally do 4/5 small trips and 1 long (7-10 days) per year and to a variety of locations (some of which may not be popular tourist spots as I like to avoid crowds). Also I quite enjoy travelling w/o a set itinerary/booking and neither am I averse to a little bit of risk while choosing locations/resorts on the internet - and rather than lounging about in a comfortable resort throughout my vacation I would prefer doing that at my home at no cost!
	() Thanks

8th April 2010, 17:07	#9
Rajiv-Bang BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bangalore,Karwar,Vasco-Goa Posts: 112 Thanked: 3 Times	Country Club is definitely not worth it. That's what majority of the persons known to me had to say. As smartcat mentioned investing in Stocks or maybe Mutual Funds & getting a return of 20% & then using that money to fund holidays is a workable option.
	() Thanks

8th April 2010, 17:08	#10
advaitlele BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pune, Vadodara Posts: 528 Thanked: 465 Times	As TSK and others have said it, even @ 10% interest calculation would mean we have 20000 interest per year that is enough for a 3N-4D holiday at a decent hotel and destination. Why would anyone pre-pay for service that he/she is going to avail of in next 10 years? On top of that we have to pay some fixed amount towards maintenance of the membership. I won't like to be tied down to same resorts, same destinations. Instead would put that money to work and enjoy my vacation on the interest/dividend/returns. Makes sense for me.
	() Thanks

8th April 2010, 17:17	#12
SmartCat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 7,238 Thanked: 52,324 Times View My Garage	Good point. RCI membership swings it in Club Mahindra favour for those who are interested in taking foreign holidays without the help of tour operators.
	() Thanks

8th April 2010, 18:01	#13
J.Ravi Posts: n/a	There are many cheating cases filed against Country Club/Country Vacations in various courts in India. Fraudsters and cheats are doing roaring business in India by duping gullible public. I do not pay in advance for enjoying their hospitality in future. Even if it is costlier, better pay and avail of the service instead of getting duped by these fraudsters. So, I voted for 'No way!'.
	() Thanks

9th April 2010, 11:56	#15
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,689 Thanked: 23,495 Times View My Garage	I once got a call from Club Mahiindra to attend their "talk". The deal was voucher for a vacation. The voucher was given to us as promised. 2 Months before expiry I tried booking resorts around Delhi. Month was march(not season time), and none of the resorts were free for the weekends. With that kind of "full" status does it really make any sense unless you plan your vacations months in advance? As for international resorts etc., I have discovered, that sites like hotwire etc., enable you to vacation in good resorts for 80$ a night or even less(if you don't mind Inns)
	() Thanks