Research thoroughly or buy a LL package on a impulse?

[jmbklj]

Do you research your travel possibilities and options thoroughly before purchasing a LL package or bidding on an LL auction?

OR, have you ever won an auction based on an impulse bid, on a whim, all of a sudden? And if so, how did it turn out?

[kyshel]

oh yeah--great question!!!
we're so fortunate to go for some of the oddball exotic mystery auctions due to our flt benefits. I've grabbed a few choice pkgs strictly on the basis of getting there--and a few because no one bid at all!
I try to find the new ones that haven't gone up in price yet. It is getting more and more difficult to find the super bargains now that LL is more popular all over the globe.
We also have the luxury (pun intended) of dropping out of an auction that starts to get too much action for my budget for the same reason--we don't HAVE to go (a few I wished I'd kept up but likely would have skyrocketed past my set price)
I am working every day to find the right combo for our next long trip--Asia or Africa end October. C'mon LL--more pkgs, please!!!!!!! New ones would be very nice!

[shygirl724]

I have gotten LL packages both ways. They all turned out being great deals. It is why LL is my "go to" discoount site before checking the others.

Shy ~

[jmbklj]

The reason I ask..........

I just bid & won an auction to a place that wasn't on my radar at all, a place I had not thought about going to, not because it's an exotic location, just hadn't entered my mind until I saw the auction and the facility. And the deciding & most influential factor for me on the property was its long shelf life - available until 9/30/12. So on an impulse I bid and was the only one. I'd love to see more properties with a longer shelf life.

In fact that's one thing I like so much about LL compared to the many other sites springing up like Jetsetter, Snique Away, etc. With those other sites you have to know your exact dates when you buy it. With LL, I love the fact that you buy it and can later work out your dates within certain timeframes.

It's not a trip I was planning at all but i bought it on a whim because:

- it looks like a nice property
- it was a good price
- and I'll have plenty of time to figure it.

I'd love to hear from others who bought something on an impulse & how it worked out for you.

[shygirl724]

when we started with LL, I would only bid on properties when I knew the specific time frame that I would use it. Now, I purchase interesting properties - often ones I have never heard of prior to seeing them on LL - for future use. I usually have at least one in the future "hopper" that we then research the area and plan a trip around. It is fun going to new places. It has gotten us out of the "tried and true" rut when taking a trip.

Shy ~

[bonniejoy03]

I usually look for a region and then might plan a trip around the spot. For example, I am looking at South America and Greece. If a great package comes up, I'll bid on it and then put the pieces together. So far, it has worked out wonderfully for us! Our trip in March to the Chilean desert is a great example. I don't think this was on my radar but when the package to Awasi came up, I bid and won...what an amazing trip! Lots of fun to be surprised!!!

[bonniejoy03]

so....where are you going?!!!

[jmbklj]

so....where are you going?!!!

Well, as I've said it's no place exotic. And I often travel with a group of friends so I'm interested in properties that accommodate large groups.

The long shelf life on this property was also key because we have some extended family health issues going on that prevent my husband & I from traveling this year.

The property is..........

The Montana Sky Lodge

Montana Sky Lodge in Anaconda, Montana - Lodge & Ranch Travel Deals | Luxury Link

[kyshel]

Well, come to think of it, I did make an impulse buy not long ago--I saw a mystery auction for Siam Kempinksi Bangkok. Called my niece who was wanting to go on one of our passes (alone) so I invited myself (after I already started bidding) Good thing she said yes!
With my GC it was such as steal--we had a 700ft2 suite w/massive marble bath, pool walkout and terrace. It was stunning! Champagne, club privs--more than I ever expected for less than I expected to pay! our 3 course dinner ended up being 7 courses of 3 small dishes each on an incredible fusion tasting menu. The pkg came out to about $400 for 4 nts and perks!

[omegaet]

Do you research your travel possibilities and options thoroughly before purchasing a LL package or bidding on an LL auction?

OR, have you ever won an auction based on an impulse bid, on a whim, all of a sudden? And if so, how did it turn out?

We maintain a well researched list of destinations we plan to visit...if something pops up on a Luxury Link auction, we're usually ready to buy (Ecuadorian Amazon - Kapawi Lodge was a good example). On the other hand, we have bought on impulse with no prior research (the first time The Cliffs in Patagonia was offered we knew we wanted it....bonniejoy03 jumped in before us and bought, but we purchased within a day or two when it was offered again. We happened to be on an extended trip at the time of the offering and it was difficult to do any real research.....so we just hit 'buy' and never looked back).

We have also pondered too long on a couple of packages, thinking we would buy at a later offering....example, Aqua Expeditions was offered only a couple of times and we procrastinated and totally 'missed the boat.'