SFX - Anyone have some tips about how to get the best value?

[monarch Member Find all posts View Profile Close monarch]

We gave them an expensive deposit (pointswise) for a few reasons...

It is our first try with them and I have 2 requests in.

I read they are good at Mexico and we don't need that.

We got 3 additional weeks, but everyone knows they are not free -

Wondering if anyone can share if there are some tips for maximizing with SFX...

Thx!

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

I've yet to do any exchanges with them but do know that if you work with an agent they will probably get you what you want instead of waiting for it to show up online.

[Keep Traveling Member Find all posts View Profile Close Keep Traveling]

What resort did you give them?

The best for them is 6-9 months out with a wide range of dates like summer in a place. If you get too narrow they charge if they find a match and you don't take it

Where are you looking

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

We gave them an expensive deposit (pointswise) for a few reasons...

It is our first try with them and I have 2 requests in.

I read they are good at Mexico and we don't need that.

We got 3 additional weeks, but everyone knows they are not free -

Wondering if anyone can share if there are some tips for maximizing with SFX...

Thx!

Monarch - perhaps I can chime-in with some helpful advice?

Are there any specific concerns or questions you may have other than general tips for maximizing with SFX? It's okay to be very open in our forum, we will gladly address any questions or concerns.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

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

I'm interested in this topic as well. I've had been working with an SFX rep on a potential exchange into Mexico. I was able to get the exchange I wanted through RCI, so now I'm wondering what my other options are with SFX. Since I can't search availability online, I'm curious to know whether it is still worth making the deposit I'd planned - a 2 bedroom oceanfront in 2015 President's Day.

[monarch Member Find all posts View Profile Close monarch]

I gave them Intrawest Sandestin, April holiday week bc they said it was what they wanted. I need Thanksgiving in New Orleans and after Christmas in Miami.

I know it's narrow and high season, but they will have had over 10 months to find them

I can also use Jersey Shore in August, but haven't asked them and know it is very late for that request.

I have used II for over 20 years, and I understand how to maximize and work their system. Being at the mercy of agents is not a secure feeling when I have no history or pull with any SFX agents.

All things being equal, all things aren't ever equal. So I am asking those in the know, you guys!

Today I am just happy it is Sat, the Sun is shining, and there is no snow falling

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

I'm interested in this topic as well. I've had been working with an SFX rep on a potential exchange into Mexico. I was able to get the exchange I wanted through RCI, so now I'm wondering what my other options are with SFX. Since I can't search availability online, I'm curious to know whether it is still worth making the deposit I'd planned - a 2 bedroom oceanfront in 2015 President's Day.

Akparsa - Thank you for your post. Online availability search is available for Platinum and Diamond Members. As a Gold Member, you can place an online search for an exchange, or you can call an agent and discuss options with them directly. They will be glad to assist you. What areas and dates are you considering for your next exchange?

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

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

I gave them Intrawest Sandestin, April holiday week bc they said it was what they wanted. I need Thanksgiving in New Orleans and after Christmas in Miami.

I know it's narrow and high season, but they will have had over 10 months to find them

I can also use Jersey Shore in August, but haven't asked them and know it is very late for that request.

I have used II for over 20 years, and I understand how to maximize and work their system. Being at the mercy of agents is not a secure feeling when I have no history or pull with any SFX agents.

All things being equal, all things aren't ever equal. So I am asking those in the know, you guys!

Today I am just happy it is Sat, the Sun is shining, and there is no snow falling

Monarch - Thank you for your post. Being a TS owner for over 20 years, you are probably aware that with all exchange companies, a correctly placed has a degree of reasonable flexibility and range of alternative travel dates/locations. That is how the system was designed to work giving maximum results to timeshare owners, and this is how you maximize positive results with any exchange company that you may use.

If you place restrictions for one specific week, or a Major Holiday week, then you are almost setting yourself (and us) up for poor results, as those are the most demanded weeks, with the least availability .... with "all" exchange companies. Major Holiday weeks have probably around a 97% owner-occupancy usage, leaving very little to outside exchangers. Of course it's not impossible, but in the big picture, if you looked at statistics of every exchange company, the odds are against you in this scenario.

Also, with our Bonus Weeks that can be requested like an exchange week (not offered by any other exchange company), the best way to maximize the value is the same flexibility with dates and locations as with an exchange week.

So, a Thanksgiving week in New Orleans, and a New Year week in Miami? Both locations have a very small number of quality resorts, and these are major Holiday weeks, where the demand is drastically higher than the supply of space. Seasoned timeshare owners know what the probabilities are.

...."Being at the mercy of agents is not a secure feeling when I have no history or pull with any SFX agents".

Again... it really comes down to placing requests with industry standard required "flexibility"...as already explained above. No matter which agent is working on your exchange request, the "pull" is the same for everyone. The agents are paid a commission for securing an exchange, so they are very motivated. Placing a request with no major restrictions for Holiday weeks would probably eliminate that insecure feeling.

We want this to work well for you. Are you open to being flexible and able to also travel on non-major Holiday weeks?

We look forward to hearing from you...

PS: By the way.... SFX is networked with several exchange companies and directly with a number of resorts. I have looked at their available inventory, and they too do not have the two major Holiday weeks available that you are requesting, as of today. We will continue to search, and hope you are open to alternative dates.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

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

Mark, thanks -

I am a Platinum member but can't search online because I don't have anything currently on deposit. And I don't know for sure that I want to deposit such a prime week (Feb 2015, Florida, oceanfront, 2 bedroom) without having a good sense of what I could reasonably expect to get. As for what I'm considering, we are tied to school holidays so either spring break (mid-march), Christmas break, or summer. We are a family of five so we'd need minimum 2 bedroom, would love a 3. Caribbean and Hawaii would be highly desirable for spring or xmas break (not so much for summer).

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

Mark, thanks -

I am a Platinum member but can't search online because I don't have anything currently on deposit. And I don't know for sure that I want to deposit such a prime week (Feb 2015, Florida, oceanfront, 2 bedroom) without having a good sense of what I could reasonably expect to get. As for what I'm considering, we are tied to school holidays so either spring break (mid-march), Christmas break, or summer. We are a family of five so we'd need minimum 2 bedroom, would love a 3. Caribbean and Hawaii would be highly desirable for spring or xmas break (not so much for summer).

akparsa - thank you for your post. In evaluating your exchange possibilities, there are certain considerations for you to think about.

1. There is no flexibility, only a specific week restrictions for major Holiday weeks (Spring Break /Xmas).

2. With regards to Trading power, does a Florida high season week have enough trading power for a Caribbean or Hawaii Premium Holiday week?

3. Will requesting specific Holiday weeks in globally demanded locations that have the least amount of exchange availability with “all exchange companies” be more favorable, or less favorable for positive exchange results?

No matter which exchange company you use, these same important questions apply.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

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

akparsa - thank you for your post. In evaluating your exchange possibilities, there are certain considerations for you to think about.

1. There is no flexibility, only a specific week restrictions for major Holiday weeks (Spring Break /Xmas).

2. With regards to Trading power, does a Florida high season week have enough trading power for a Caribbean or Hawaii Premium Holiday week?

3. Will requesting specific Holiday weeks in globally demanded locations that have the least amount of exchange availability with “all exchange companies” be more favorable, or less favorable for positive exchange results?

No matter which exchange company you use, these same important questions apply.

Hope this helps...

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

Mark, unfortunately does not help. Question 1 isn't a question, I stated from the beginning that I have little flexibility ("tied to school schedules").

Question 2 is precisely what I was hoping you could answer. I don't know if a Florida high season week has enough demand for Caribbean or Hawaii premium holiday week? ("what I could reasonably expect to get"). I'm assuming the answer is "no" from your overall post, or "highly unlikely", but it is hard to tell. I"m not looking for a "something for nothing" trade; I truly don't know how much trade power my week has.

Question 3, I confess, I don't understand.

If you can offer any explicit answer to Question 2, I'd sure appreciate it.

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

Mark, unfortunately does not help. Question 1 isn't a question, I stated from the beginning that I have little flexibility ("tied to school schedules").

Question 2 is precisely what I was hoping you could answer. I don't know if a Florida high season week has enough demand for Caribbean or Hawaii premium holiday week? ("what I could reasonably expect to get"). I'm assuming the answer is "no" from your overall post, or "highly unlikely", but it is hard to tell. I"m not looking for a "something for nothing" trade; I truly don't know how much trade power my week has.

Question 3, I confess, I don't understand.

If you can offer any explicit answer to Question 2, I'd sure appreciate it.

akparsa - thank you for your post. Trading-Power for a high quality resort Florida week during February (which is high-season in Florida), will have quite good Trading-Power, enough to possibly match a Holiday week in Hawaii or the Caribbean. However, even if you had the best Trading-Power in the world, it really wouldn't mean much if there was virtually little to no availability for the location and dates you want.

With all exchange companies, major Holiday weeks in prime locations are the least available for an exchange, especially in higher quality resorts, as typically owners at those resorts are using their time, and not relinquishing it for an exchange.

So, based on historical data, although possible, the chances are less likely than more likely. It's simply a situation of the Demand being drastically higher than the Supply of space industry-wide.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

I have not had much success with SFX. So I let it go , now I have upgraded to Grand Luxxe and they give a membership year or something I forget , for SFX...not sure I wil deposit anything as my travel dates they say are always too limited as well, but I am always able to get good trades thru RCI and also II. I also had a very large ubnit in Mazatlan and they would not even take the deposit so mu luck was less than stellar. I may give it a try again but not sure.

I am like the OP I like precise answers not just run around answers that do no help.

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

I wanted New York and placed the request with SFX and RCI. RCI notified me that the Manhattan Club was available within 10 days of my request, so I grabbed it. It might of been dumb luck.
The extra weeks that we acquire at SFX requires a gold member to use it or lose it within a year, so it isn't working to good for me. I haven't given up hope with SFX on my deposited week but so far for me it has always been RCI making the play.

[monarch Member Find all posts View Profile Close monarch]

I have not had much success with SFX.

I am like the OP I like precise answers not just run around answers that do no help.

That is interesting about your letting SFX go.... Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and I am just trying to see if their strengths can fit any travel needs we have. I do appreciate direct and practical answers. Bottom line is bottom line. I gave them Easter week, spring break in Florida in a 2BR bc I know I need high holiday seasons, and this can be a precious request. Maybe it will work out, maybe it won't.


I have heard all the spin around be flexible and you will get something, etc.
If they don't have the inventory I need, and the bonuses are not something that will enhance our travels, then it is just not a good fit AND a lot of work trying to fit into a square hole. I am hopeful they will reach out to owners and find the weeks I need. When I deposited, they looked around at their requests and I deposited that week bc the agent said it was what they need. Time will tell!

I have had great success getting high season through II with enough notice, which is why I gave SFX 10 months and 2 options.
I can add summer at the Jersey shore and Newport, but those will have less notice, so I am not expecting they can fill it.