[S_U_N]

Reading this thread after attending a session with Club Mahindra in their office. I reached at 7:40 and came out at 9:50.
So, yes there was lot of stuff that I was explained (along with my wife).

So, here is what I can summarize:
1. Aggressive follow up by the call-center girl in scheduling this appointment. She was chasing me for almost a month, but I had an overseas trip in between so this got pushed back till today.
2. 47 locations in India at the moment. Tie up with RCI a bonus.

Most of the stuff is already covered on this blog, but slightly outdated.

I was offered, a Red membership with Studio Apartment for 3.3 lacs and Red with 1 BR for 4.99 lacs. In addition there was an annual fee of Rs. 10-11K (I can't remember now).
I was not told that this figure increases every year, like what I have read on various blogs - so I am not sure of that part.
For that amount I get 7 nights of stay every year.
I would also free RCI membership for 2 years after which I have to pay around Rs. 4500 per year


After further probing and discussing payment options, the deal was sweetened further.
I could pay 10% amount initially and then pay the rest in 24 months installments with no extra interest.
This would give me 7 nights stay outside India. In addition I would get 7000 Rs. worth food voucher (or something similar).

I am documenting this here so that others know the latest prices of this membership. Perhaps it is standard across the country.

I got 2 vouchers for four (total) movie tickets (one of them is past its validity date already). So hopefully I can get 2 movie tickets for free.
Plus I have 2 nights stay in their resort for free.
This was as 'compensation' for the time I spent listening to them.


I did not take the membership simply because they did not allow us time to think about this and get back.
Who is going to commit Rs. 5 lac + annual charges without time to think over?


I did not like this attitude/ scheme (so called 'closed offer') at all.

What I can say from my analysis:

1. When you add other costs such as travel and food, suddenly the per trip cost becomes significant.
2. This is good only if you want to go to the resorts and chill. If your intention is to just find a place to sleep in the night, then paying more than Rs. 2000 is a waste for a common man like me.
3. They promise a lot, and say everything is documented, but if you don't give a customer time to to go through the written material before decision making, then you don't know for sure how much of all this was the truth and how much was just sales talk.
4. They call themselves as "Holiday Consultants" and are offended if you call them "Sales persons".

[csanand]

My thoughts on this, being a Club Mahindra member.

The Math - simplified it without accounting for inflation, etc:

Say you pay Rs 3 lakh for a studio apartment for a 25 yr membership in white season. Add to it the Rs 10K / yr annual maintenance fees. So over time you totally pay 5.5 lakh not accounting for the increase in annual maintenance fees. You lose say 10% interest / yr that you would get from a conservative investment, so add Rs 55K * 25 yrs to it & the figure is Rs 18 lakh approx. for 25 yrs * 7 holidays/yr which works out to about Rs 10K per night of stay. This looks quite expensive but bear in mind that today the avg rate for stay in Club Mahindra hovers around 5-10K for non members, but rates at CM & other resorts roughly double every 5 yrs or so.
So does the Math work out? Maybe not. Is it a really big loss - no to that either.

Apart from the Math (life is not just about Math anyway), advantages:
1. Quality of resorts
2. Forces you to take vacations
3. RCI affiliate network for international & national holidays
4. Typically I might not book such expensive resorts but this way, having already paid in bulk, I enjoy a good resort
5. Meant for relaxation type of holiday, not for covering lots of places
6. Studio or 1 BR or 2BR type of acco with dry kitchen is usually let out only to members while non members who rent typically get hotel units only. This is a big plus especially if you have small kids & cant eat out every time

Disadvantages:
1. Restricted choice of resorts - only at CM or RCI locations
2. Planning needed well in advance. Many times it is disappointing to not get resorts of choice
3. Many resorts are outside the city, so it is not convenient if you want to run around & do lot of sightseeing. Hiring a cab is inevitably needed
4. Activities in resorts are usually paid (cycling, kids joy rides, etc)
5. Hands feel tied having paid so much money & I feel reluctant to go to other resorts

I've tried to bring out a balanced view. I feel good when I finally go on a holiday at CM, especially with the studio/1BR with dry kitchen for members only. I feel bad when many times I cant get bookings or think about the Math!

At the end of the day, it is a lifestyle investment. One cant compare CM with Country Club. There is no scam with CM, but there are pluses & minuses as outlined that one needs be aware of.

[laluks]

Originally Posted by csanand

At the end of the day, it is a lifestyle investment.

Absolutely agree with your views. A refreshing outlook from the normal ranting on the topic

[S_U_N]

@csanand: Very balanced views here.

Has anyone come across Kamat's membership? The same guys who operate the various Kamat outlets? Someone whom I know said that they have very low membership fees.

[dev_kudle]

Hi All,

I'm also a member of such kind of 10 years vacation package at Bangalore. I took this membership last year after a lot of negotiations & a tiring explaination session. The final cost was Rs. 1.30 lac for 10 years for India & Asia holidays. They offered interest free & no servicecharges for 12 EMI option from SBI credit card. I was least interested at that time. However, they offered a free complementary trip for my family to Thailand (5N/6D) for Bankok & Pattya. They said take the complimentary Thailand tour, then pay for the 10 years package with your SBI card. I agreed. Everything they arranged for Thailand trip including flight tickets for 3 persons (myself, my wife & my kid) except VISA cost for us. Local transport, sight seing, 3* accomodation at resorts, breakfast etc was taken care by them. Before starting for this complimentary Thailand trip I confirmed everything with the resorts well in advance.
And, the Thailand trip was really worth
Once back, I swiped my card for Rs. 1.30 lac and it was converted to 12 EMIs.
Now, after this, I have taken 2 yearly trips within India (with maintenance of Rs. 5500 for a year) & I'm pretty much satisfied with the facilities & accomodation which I get. But yes, you have to book well in advance. Sometimes the accomodation includes breakfast otherwise it will be just accomodation & discounts on food & travel.
Overall, I got a good deal.
And yes, there are few more positives for these packages. If you don't trust them, you can take next years tour as advance in this years as well or can gift them to others also. I'm planning to exhaust the 10 trips within nest 3-4 years itself, to prevent myself with any regrets before this vacation company goes out of business

[zulfi hansi]

Originally Posted by dev_kudle

Overall, I got a good deal.
And yes, there are few more positives for these packages. If you don't trust them, you can take next years tour as advance in this years as well or can gift them to others also. I'm planning to exhaust the 10 trips within nest 3-4 years itself, to prevent myself with any regrets before this vacation company goes out of business

Can you mention which timeshare company is this, really looks like a good deal.

[S_U_N]

Back from my first experience with Club Mahindra at Madikeri.
This was a free 2N/3D stay that we got as 'compensation' for giving 1.5 hours to listen to their marketing material.

I am impressed by the resort. We checked out the Masinagudi resort very briefly and that looked good too.

Overall, I recommend the resort at Madikeri. Of course, I am not sure about the membership. I will remain a non-member for now.

[bsdbsd]

My experiences with Club Mahindra have been extremely positive over the past 6+ years. The math(s) works out very well over a period of time - given the quality and distribution of resorts. Those who have not bought CM memberships are certainly missing a lot. My kids dream about these resorts day in and day out, and the planned holidays keep them excited throughout the year. I dont holiday anywhere else where there is no Club Mahindra, and I am not missing anything, how much ever you may try to prove otherwise. I don't know how else to put this...but if you are not a member, close your eyes and become one.

CSANAND above has documented the pros and cons. Thanks csanand. May be even CM does not know the 'lifestyle investment' term! That was a good one.

Personally message me if you need more inputs. Why am I doing this? Because I want you all to have a great time. :-).

I see that 88% have you voted 'No Way'. This is absolutely wrong. Either you are not a member or haven't had positive experiences with your current provider. If the thread was just about Club Mahindra, I think the results would've been different.

Closing statement: Rather than my stocks portfolio going up, its my CM membership that has given me the best returns. It has gone up by 400% ever since I bought the membership.

[absynthguzzler]

Is Club Mahindra or RCI Membership same as having either ? Or are there direct/exclusive benefits of each ?

[S_U_N]

Originally Posted by absynthguzzler

Is Club Mahindra or RCI Membership same as having either ? Or are there direct/exclusive benefits of each ?

They are different. But Club Mahindra bundles RCI membership (for one year, I think) for the international travel part.

[zulfi hansi]

In terms of out right VFM evaluation, NO. But in terms of compelling you to go on short breaks, its the best tool. But nonetheless many like me who own one cannot make time to go religiously, which IMO is actually a good option for those who have not bought a timeshare to rent these from the ones who haven't utilised it. There are a few adds on the net where these timeshare rental are for sale where the member can sell number of days depending on his choice and the buyer can visit the resorts as a guest of this member, incidentally also enjoying the benefits the member enjoys in these places (which may not be available to non-members if they directly visit the resort like 20% discount on F&B in Club Mahindra & Orange County). The deal is only between the member and the buyer of the vacation rental and the timeshare company / resort will not question it.

[drsingh]

Just buy off a membership from an existing member for a fraction of the cost.That's the smart way to do it.look online,there are tens of people who want to get rid of their membership.

[Gokrish]

I am a member of CM holidays since last 3 years and my 7 days of credit is getting elapsed this year as I could not utilize the same in time. In addition to fixed membership fees (which may vary according to person and according to "Holiday consultants"), members will be required to pay an annual maintenance fees which keeps pace with inflation and at times can beat the inflation out. Lifestyle investment (which becomes NIL at the end of 25th year so can we say "Lifestyle cost") for those who can really plan their leave in advance, but again booking depends on the type (or color) of season! A sustained bargain may get you a very good deal and in my case, a discount of around 15k from my last installment. As S_U_N pointed out, they don't give you time to THINK as you may become wiser then.

[jesrani]

I had a White Membership which I sold a number of years back to a guy in Bangalore (yes, this is allowed). From Mumbai there are hardly any CM resorts nearby so you cannot take a short holiday. Also once married and with kids, the off-season White Membership is useless. In the end one is paying more and getting restricted. For someone in a city like Bangalore, with number of CM resorts nearby it may make sense if you are willing to holiday every year at the same places. Would not really recommend.

[S_U_N]

Here is the 'December offer' from CM.
Rs. 2.14 lac, 10 year membership, WHITE 'level'
Includes
1.) 7N/8D stay, Studio apartment
2.) Two year RCI membership

In addition, there is
3.) Rs. 4500 cash discount
4.) 3N/4D bonus stay - not sure if this can be merged with the point 1. above.
5.) Rs. 3000 worth of food vouchers

If 7N/8D is not enough for you, you can buy an extra week of holidays from RCI at rate between Rs. 7000-20000 depending on location/ season/ etc.


I am posting this so that others can comment on the offer.

Every year the rates are going up and a similar membership for 25 years is around 3.2/ 3.3 lac (compared to 3.15 lac earlier)