Private Exchange Questions

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

I have never done a private exchange but am very interested in pursuing this as an alternative to relying on exchange companies. Has anyone here done this? How did you go about finding a fellow timeshare owner to exchange with you? Did everything work out satisfactorily? Would you recommend this method or not? TIA
Julie

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

Hi Julie,
I have done a few private exchanges - I have found the people (or they have found me) via reputable sites like this one and tug. I have even been involved in a three-way where I gave my week to A, he gave his to B, and B gave his week to me.

It is a matter of staying away from anything REMOTELY fishy, exchanging confirmations of our ownership, calling the resort to ensure the ownership, and making sure I have valid addresses and phone numbers, not just email addresses.

I have approached someone just recently with a week I was able to book easily, while they were having a hard time finding it. They have a week that would be a great fit for my 2008 plans. But if it doesn't happen I will be able to rent mine easily enough, no big worries.

Participating in direct exchanges adds to the satisfaction I get from timesharing, because there are no evil exchange companies involved in the mix, and I have contact with interesting and generous people.

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

IMO, as simple and as safe as a rental. Just use a rental-type contract with the exchange as the consideration. Everything else should be pretty straightforward.

I've tried without success to direct exchange our NCV intervals. Main problem is all those TUG'ers and other bright bulbs trying to "trade up"

Pat

[BocaBum99 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close BocaBum99]

I have done several direct exchanges primarily with people on TUG. They posted something they wanted and I happened to have it. I have found that timesharing people tend to be pretty honest.

Once someone found me via a rental listing I had and they offered a direct exchange. It was a good trade for me, so I took it.

I think it's a good way to go. I agree that it's about the same risk as renting a unit. It's a lot less risk if your stay happens first.

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

Also, for the OP, if you own Marriott's, there's a dedicated Marriott owner site geared towards direct exchanging. It's called Ownertrades and run by a TUG'er, Clark. No luck so far getting exactly what I want, but everyone has been friendly and honest, so far.

Pat

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

Thanks, everyone
I don't own Marriott so can't go that route. But I do have some nice & fairly desirable units that I'm sure others would be interested in trading into so just wondered how to pursue a private exchange. I know I could probably rent my units and use the cash to rent what I'm looking for but I'm not sure if I want to pursue that route either. Of course, I like all the stuff I own and would be pretty happy just using them myself, too. Oh my, so many choices. This darn timeshare thing has become much more than I expected when I bought that first one! It seemed so simple at the time. If I hadn't found these forums, I'd still be dumb & happy with my one week in Hawaii

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

Tug has a direct exchange section in the classifieds that you could try for starters.

Redweek.com also provides direct exchange ads.

[arlene22 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close arlene22]

There is also a private exchange group for Starwood owners.

[bev Member Find all posts View Profile Close bev]

Dealing with private owners

I have run into at least 6 or 7 people I have no doubts about exchanging with, in fact three have become good email buddies.. I did meet up with one or two "duds" along the way..I would advise you to look for 'red flags'.. like a person who sounds a little unsure of the description of the surrounding area of the resort you are supposedly getting from HIM.. Of course, if you have The Offeror's resort FIRST.,..that is a Plus. I have used the gateway.com exchange form.. (which is really a rental type form, but can be altered easily... get the person you are dealing with to apply their signature and return form to you.. then (or earlier on) send them via an email a blank form to send to YOU with similar provisions... (contingent on them exchanging w. You... and be sure you get the response papers (if like in my case, their use of your resort occurs first..) Another very cautious technique is to call their resort, and "see" if they are in fact the owner of the week they are offering you. {I once had someone trying to 'give' me Palm Desert for my Aruba... well, I was interested, but since his "USE" of my resort would've come FIRST, I had an urgent question, and wanted a prompt response.. well,,, you know the little option in the "view" mode of one's PC... I asked that feature to 'tell' me when he rec'd the message... very promptly 'opened' it,,, but NO response... so I immediately DROPPED him like a hot potato}
I also once had someone who was going to rent me a week in the Marina Dist. of Puerto Vallarta.. who lived in AK, and was an agent for a website that rented AK retreat type cabins... [like in Sitka] and P.V. timeshares.. well, I got real aprehensive when he 'told' me I would either have a marina view or a "JUNGLE" view... now I have never been to PV before, but I "knew there was something not right here" Having dumped that deal, I really did go and stay at a resort nearly next door to the one he was pushing, and there is no jungle anywhere for about 25 miles. Do your homework... Good Luck !

[cathyb Member Find all posts View Profile Close cathyb]

Private exchanges -- very happy with them

I have the good fortune of at least 8 private exchanges; one of which I am going to next month to Marriott Phuket in exchange for our Marriott Newport Coast. l: Been to Marbella, Spain; Custom House in Boston; Sanibel (thank you BocaBum), etc.
I want to find some Intrawest owner so we can go to their resort in Mexico. Any suggestions on seeking them out?