Where should SFX add more resorts?

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

Where should SFX add more resorts?

As a newly minted SFX member, I am interested in where members think SFX should seek more resort affiliations. My thoughts would be:

1) Tuscany and Venice in Italy
2) French Riviera, also Chateau de Maulmont
3) Schloss Grubhof in Austria
4) DRI resorts in UK
5) Hapimag generally (they have started trading through DRI and DAE)

I expect that in the future DAE and SFX will get me most places I want to go in timesharing, without having to bother with RCI.

[Ireland's Call Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ireland's Call]

Agree ! We need more European locations . Greece would be great
G

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Where should SFX add more resorts?

As a newly minted SFX member, I am interested in where members think SFX should seek more resort affiliations. My thoughts would be:

1) Tuscany and Venice in Italy
2) French Riviera, also Chateau de Maulmont
3) Schloss Grubhof in Austria
4) DRI resorts in UK
5) Hapimag generally (they have started trading through DRI and DAE)

I expect that in the future DAE and SFX will get me most places I want to go in timesharing, without having to bother with RCI.

Hi Carolinian - SFX continually seeks to improve Member Vacation Experiences, and very much appreciates constructive comments and feedback which helps us to constantly strive to meet Member's expectations. Improvement is alway an ongoing journey.

Sometimes companies make the mistake of assuming all consumers have the same perception and understanding of their brand's business model, as the company does. And more often than not, there is a level of disconnect between model and the perception.

In trying to establish some good customer feedback, may we ask you.... Why do you think we do not display more European timeshare resorts?

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

In trying to establish some good customer feedback, may we ask you.... Why do you think we do not display more European timeshare resorts?

I'm guessing that many do not meet your quality standard. However, I have to agree with the others that I'd like to see more European timeshares, if possible.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I'm guessing that many do not meet your quality standard. However, I have to agree with the others that I'd like to see more European timeshares, if possible.

I would have to agree with Angela's statement - quality is lower.
This is what blocks many of us with our "fancy" ownerships from getting Europe thru II - the quality filter is in effect.
I have turned to RCI for European exchanges but I just don't want to do business with them any longer because of their sleazy business practices.
It would be wonderful to know that SFX has availability in places like Barcelona, Rome, Florence - I know you do in London, not sure about Paris - that is why the 'old' Club Sunterra' properties come to mind.

I think your savvy members will realize that European properties are not the same as American TS and that location is the winner not the lobby but many won't and might be disappointed with their exchanges.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

I would have to agree with Angela's statement - quality is lower.
This is what blocks many of us with our "fancy" ownerships from getting Europe thru II - the quality filter is in effect.
I have turned to RCI for European exchanges but I just don't want to do business with them any longer because of their sleazy business practices.
It would be wonderful to know that SFX has availability in places like Barcelona, Rome, Florence - I know you do in London, not sure about Paris - that is why the 'old' Club Sunterra' properties come to mind.

I think your savvy members will realize that European properties are not the same as American TS and that location is the winner not the lobby but many won't and might be disappointed with their exchanges.

GrayFal and others... you have it essentially correct. It is a "Quality Issue".

We can access any of the timeshare resorts in Europe that Carolinian mentioned. Some of them we already do, but unfortunately most of them are not of the quality that meet the expectations of the SFX member base. In many cases regarding Euro exchanges, we advise our member's to stay in a nice hotel so they can be exactly where they want to be, and use their Timeshare for another trip or location where a certain level of quality can be assured.

European timeshares have been built for their market with regards to size and quality of the units. Unfortunately a large percentage Euro timeshares are quite "bleak and sparse" on the inside, almost like low-income housing. Even some of the castle /palatial properties... they are beautiful on the outside, and typically have a grand lobby. But when you read "reviews", there are complaints of very sparse, poorly equipped and tired interiors.

And if you are spending all that money to fly to France, and investing all that time and effort for a special trip that may only be once or twice in a lifetime... do you really want to stay in the suburbs of Paris, in a very average quality apartment building and take a 30 minute train ride to be where you really wanted to be, "Paris" central? Or do you feel for a trip like this, you would rather stay in a hotel and use your timeshare in a place where you will get more out of it?

Sometimes it can be well argued that if the quality of a property isn't a 5 star timeshare rating (as an example), but it's a solid 3-4.... but it's in a 5 star location that has no or few other properties, then that should be considered as an acceptable exchange. But... unfortunately there are too many properties that are in undesirable locations and substandard quality to meet the expectations of US and Canadian owners of quality timeshares. (which is predominantly the SFX Member base).

We would rather specialize in a certain level of quality, not quantity. And this is what separates us from other exchange companies.

Some places are great for a timeshare exchange... others, your needs may be best served with a hotel.

Hope this insite helps...

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

[QUOTE=Carolinian;381278]Where should SFX add more resorts?
/QUOTE]

East Coast of U.S.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

[quote=Ann-Marie;382442]

Where should SFX add more resorts?
/QUOTE]

East Coast of U.S.

Hi Anne-Marie... We very much appreciate your feedback. We are not quite sure how to respond as we already access any Crown and Star rated resort on the East Coast, and book members into them.

Does this help clarify your suggestion?

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

Mark, there was limited availability when I was trying to book anything West of Arizona and Mexico.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Mark, there was limited availability when I was trying to book anything West of Arizona and Mexico.

Ann-Marie.... there appears to be a misunderstanding here? Your previous post talks about the East Coast... and in your follow up response you are stating "there was limited availability when I was trying to book anything West of Arizona and Mexico".

Please help me out here... How does that relate to the East Coast?

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Ann-Marie Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ann-Marie]

Sorry, anything East of Arizona and New Mexico.

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Sorry, anything East of Arizona and New Mexico.

Hi Ann-Marie.... Very surprised to hear that... we confirm thousands of members every year to areas East of Arizona and New Mexico.

Where there any special circumstances or restrictions you placed? For example did you only want a specific major Holiday week?

Thanks,
Mark @sfx
Member Communications

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

One thing that will help the independents add more resorts and areas is more member deposits from them. While some of the independents do benefit from management and other relationships with specific resorts, I don't think we can expect changes in smaller exchange company inventory without being willing to give them our weeks.

RCI has already sent many scurrying for alternatives. Now that II has changed its bonus week policy to the disadvantage of its members and is discouraging early deposits, perhaps more people will look to the independents. I know I've got two upcoming deposits that won't be going to either of the Big Two.

Unfortunately, neither are in Europe or on the East Coast

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Where should SFX add more resorts?

As a newly minted SFX member, I am interested in where members think SFX should seek more resort affiliations. My thoughts would be:

1) Tuscany and Venice in Italy
2) French Riviera, also Chateau de Maulmont
3) Schloss Grubhof in Austria
4) DRI resorts in UK
5) Hapimag generally (they have started trading through DRI and DAE)

I expect that in the future DAE and SFX will get me most places I want to go in timesharing, without having to bother with RCI.

DRI resorts in the UK might be a tough one. I don't know about the UK trust's but, in the U.S. both THE Club and the DRI trusts prohibit using any exchange company except for I.I.

[eal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eal]

Can a resort legally prohibit the use of a particular exchange company?