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An interesting / disturbing comparison

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  • An interesting / disturbing comparison

    I guess my days of comparison shopping now that I have timeshares is far from over. Having decided to use some of my left over points which will expire in May to book an RCI weekend curiosity got the best of me.

    Using just one resort I compared what it would cost to stay at Georgian Manor in Collingwood, ON resort #1761 including the exchange fee and using my underlying per point maintenance fee.

    This is what I found;

    Using my BlueGreen points Fri 8-Apr-2011 to Sun 10-Apr-2011*a 1BDRM was $229.99 and a 2BDRM was $325.99.

    Using my Shell points for the same dates a 1BDRM was $189.99 but a 2 BDRM jumped to $429.99!

    Is this typical? Out of curiosity would anybody else mind calculating out their costs for the same resort for example and actual RCI member or perhaps a Wyndham member?

  • #2
    Shell is notoriously expensive. You can get most Shell properties using Bluegreen Select Connections at a far better price point.

    I have found that studios and one bedrooms are quite reasonable but you get walloped on the the two bedrooms in most cases.
    Lawren
    ------------------------
    There are many wonderful places in the world, but one of my favourite places is on the back of my horse.
    - Rolf Kopfle

    Comment


    • #3
      Well if it was within 30 days on RCI weeks, 7 nights would cost $343.31 using shell points regardless of size.

      (Instant exchange is 700 points)

      I haven't tried this yet but it seems like the best way to use Shell points leftover in RCI

      Comment


      • #4
        In RCI points it would be the equivalent of $114 in MF's for the 1 bed.
        and $160 MF's for the 2 bedroom for the RCI points resort I own.

        The exchange fee would be $59 to do it online so total for me would be
        1 bedroom $114 + $59 + $40(housekeeping) + $10(energy fee) = $223
        2 bedroom $160 + $59 + $40 + $10 = $269


        1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Fri 8-Apr-2011 Sun 10-Apr-2011 11,400
        2 Bedroom 6 (4) Full Fri 8-Apr-2011 Sun 10-Apr-2011 16,000
        GEORGIAN MANOR RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB CHECK-IN CAPABILITIES: DAILY HOUSEKEEPING FEES: STU: $30 1BR: $40 2BR: $50 3BR: $60 ***THERE IS A CD $5.00 ENERGY SURCHARGE PER UNIT PER DAY***

        Now curiously this resort is available for last call as follows so there is no way I'd do a nightly points exchange for this place as it's cheaper by the week.

        1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Fri 01-Apr-2011 Fri 08-Apr-2011 USD 269.00
        2 Bedrooms 6 (6) Full Fri 01-Apr-2011 Fri 08-Apr-2011 USD 294.00
        Studio 2 (2) Partial Sat 02-Apr-2011 Sat 09-Apr-2011 USD 244.00
        1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Sat 02-Apr-2011 Sat 09-Apr-2011 USD 269.00
        2 Bedrooms 6 (6) Full Sat 02-Apr-2011 Sat 09-Apr-2011 USD 294.00
        1 Bedroom 4 (4) Partial Sun 03-Apr-2011 Sun 10-Apr-2011 USD 269.00
        1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Fri 08-Apr-2011 Fri 15-Apr-2011 USD 269.00
        2 Bedrooms 6 (6) Full Fri 08-Apr-2011 Fri 15-Apr-2011 USD 294.00
        Studio 2 (2) Partial Sat 09-Apr-2011 Sat 16-Apr-2011 USD 244.00
        Studio 4 (2) Partial Sat 09-Apr-2011 Sat 16-Apr-2011 USD 244.00
        1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Sat 09-Apr-2011 Sat 16-Apr-2011 USD 269.00
        1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Fri 15-Apr-2011 Fri 22-Apr-2011 USD 269.00

        No exchange fees and no housekeeping fees. I'd just rent it directly.

        Comment


        • #5
          You just had to spoil my fun didn't you!

          I always forget about this housekeeping fees, but are those actually mandatory? Couple that I stayed at previously it was an optional thing.

          Not sure if I have access to the last call stuff or not, and whether there would still be an exchange fee since it would be through BlueGreen / Shell.

          I agree that it would be better to get a week for the same price, my issue is that it is an additional outlay of $$$. If I do rent and have points left over at the end of the year I am no further ahead. One thing to force myself to use points because I do not want them to go to waste, but another to purposefully put myself in that position.

          Originally posted by chriskre View Post
          In RCI points it would be the equivalent of $114 in MF's for the 1 bed.
          and $160 MF's for the 2 bedroom for the RCI points resort I own.

          The exchange fee would be $59 to do it online so total for me would be
          1 bedroom $114 + $59 + $40(housekeeping) + $10(energy fee) = $223
          2 bedroom $160 + $59 + $40 + $10 = $269

          No exchange fees and no housekeeping fees. I'd just rent it directly.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by gandalf252002 View Post
            You just had to spoil my fun didn't you!

            I always forget about this housekeeping fees, but are those actually mandatory? Couple that I stayed at previously it was an optional thing.

            Not sure if I have access to the last call stuff or not, and whether there would still be an exchange fee since it would be through BlueGreen / Shell.

            I agree that it would be better to get a week for the same price, my issue is that it is an additional outlay of $$$. If I do rent and have points left over at the end of the year I am no further ahead. One thing to force myself to use points because I do not want them to go to waste, but another to purposefully put myself in that position.
            Sorry. Didn't mean to upset you.

            The reality is that I've got many ways to skin the RCI cat but I understand that not everyone is in that position, so it would make sense to use what you've got first and then rent. If I didn't own so many different options then that's the way I'd go. I probably should sell some of my options and just rent but then I see the opposite many times in RCI where what I want is more expensive to rent than it is to use my points. I'm sure when you start comparing other reservations you'll see it too.

            My strategy is that for most anything off season, unless it's a Disney resort or some persnicky place that hardly ever shows up online like Hershey then I'd probably wait and either rent last call or use the instant exchange option. I don't know if this resort in Ontario is hard to get but it doesn't seem so, at least not at this time of year. You might be better off using those points to book snowbird season in Aruba or the summer in Outer Banks and renting in Ontario off season.

            You really gotta play with the systems and compare to see what makes sense. Not that anything RCI does makes sense to anyone but them.

            Comment


            • #7
              I guess that is what is so darn frustrating about all this timeshare stuff is the options it gives you. I mean as if I did not already have enough of those! I do like the last call stuff and it is less expensive. Like everyone else I hate finding out after the fact I could have gotten a better deal. Seems there is a lot of "gambling" when you first start out, especially if you do not know what resorts, in what networks, are peak and when. Some of what I figured or thought would be highly sellable or rentable has been far from it. It certainly is a challenging market!

              I have seen though as you have mentioned the highly variable rates, so you still have to shop around. That's the be all and end all of it.

              Originally posted by chriskre View Post
              Sorry. Didn't mean to upset you.

              The reality is that I've got many ways to skin the RCI cat but I understand that not everyone is in that position, so it would make sense to use what you've got first and then rent. If I didn't own so many different options then that's the way I'd go. I probably should sell some of my options and just rent but then I see the opposite many times in RCI where what I want is more expensive to rent than it is to use my points. I'm sure when you start comparing other reservations you'll see it too.

              My strategy is that for most anything off season, unless it's a Disney resort or some persnicky place that hardly ever shows up online like Hershey then I'd probably wait and either rent last call or use the instant exchange option. I don't know if this resort in Ontario is hard to get but it doesn't seem so, at least not at this time of year. You might be better off using those points to book snowbird season in Aruba or the summer in Outer Banks and renting in Ontario off season.

              You really gotta play with the systems and compare to see what makes sense. Not that anything RCI does makes sense to anyone but them.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by gandalf252002
                I guess that is what is so darn frustrating about all this timeshare stuff is the options it gives you. I mean as if I did not already have enough of those! I do like the last call stuff and it is less expensive. Like everyone else I hate finding out after the fact I could have gotten a better deal. Seems there is a lot of "gambling" when you first start out, especially if you do not know what resorts, in what networks, are peak and when. Some of what I figured or thought would be highly sellable or rentable has been far from it. It certainly is a challenging market!

                I have seen though as you have mentioned the highly variable rates, so you still have to shop around. That's the be all and end all of it.
                I don't see it so much as 'gambling' as going up the learning curve. In the beginning we all pay a bit (or alot) more due to our ignorance. But we learn and soon are figuring out the best deals we can get.

                Options are great but they do require work in order to sort thru them and figure out the best one to take. That applies to many siutations in life, not just timeshares. When I start to get overwhelmed and frustrated I try to remind myself that I am dealing with a First World problem here and to just take a step back and realize how lucky I am to be even in a position to be confounded by vacation choices!

                Be patient with yourself. You'll get there. And when you do, the game will change and you'll be right back with the rest of us trying to game the new system!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thanks for the reassurance, needed that positive look on this one. There sure is a big learning curve to this one, but I do see a light at the end of the tunnel. Karen chastized me when I originally looked at it, and I am very grateful to her for our not purchasing through the developer at our first presentation. Going through an alternative source, I was able to get all the developers benefits and paid less than 50% what they were asking and got EY points instead of EOY. Had I only known then what I know now, and found these forums I would have been much better prepared! Glad to know there is never a shortage to learn. I am now getting interested in these free contracts riki's has for Wyndham and if there is any benefit to them in it for me. I can not afford any more then I have right now, so would have to get rid of a couple of my shell contracts and perhaps upgrade my BG first.

                  Originally posted by jlwquilter View Post
                  I don't see it so much as 'gambling' as going up the learning curve. In the beginning we all pay a bit (or alot) more due to our ignorance. But we learn and soon are figuring out the best deals we can get.

                  Options are great but they do require work in order to sort thru them and figure out the best one to take. That applies to many siutations in life, not just timeshares. When I start to get overwhelmed and frustrated I try to remind myself that I am dealing with a First World problem here and to just take a step back and realize how lucky I am to be even in a position to be confounded by vacation choices!

                  Be patient with yourself. You'll get there. And when you do, the game will change and you'll be right back with the rest of us trying to game the new system!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    I have never heard, or considered using this? Is there perhaps to developer purchases only? Unfortunatley getting away for that much time is nearly impossible unless I have pre-booked my vacation. Looking more for weekends and such.

                    Originally posted by chellej View Post
                    Well if it was within 30 days on RCI weeks, 7 nights would cost $343.31 using shell points regardless of size.

                    (Instant exchange is 700 points)

                    I haven't tried this yet but it seems like the best way to use Shell points leftover in RCI

                    Comment

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