Anybody here own timeshares (except for Cliff)?

I ask because almost every financial magazine that I pick up (that has an article on the subject) treats these things like an albatross around the necks of the purchaser. They are always talking about how you can unload them (but never get what you paid) and how the best places you want to trade yours for are always booked up for months and years in advance. Plus, it seems that you have to pay some kind of on-going fees related to them even after you "buy in".

Much advice I read in the magazines is to pass these things by and just vacation in the places you really want to go without being chained to only those places with a timeshare you can trade for.

I know Cliff is very happy with his, but I'm wondering if anyone else owns one (or more) or HAS owned one (or more) and what your experience was.

And also if you know how come there never seems to be a positive article about them in the financial magazines. Is there something there that isn't obvious?

AM