Interval inventory question...

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

So I have been wondering about this since I have been able to search for exchanges upon joining II.

Where do they get all of their inventory? Is it ONLY from members? I deposited my 2BR which splits into two 1BR units, so now I can get into 2 and sometimes 3BRs using my 1BR so how does this work? Are people often trading down?

Then, what about ACs? What about Getaways? Are there lots of people depositing and never using a week?

Sorry, this is just kind of a mystery to me!

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

I think they get inventory from developers, as well as owners. For instance, if Marriott cannot rent units, that have not been sold yet, they might deposit them into II.

Another thing is that not all timeshares are lock-offs. So, the owner has no option but deposit a two bedroom. Also, if you want to exchange into a 2 bdrm, you must deposit a 2 bdrm. II will not allow you to request a larger unit than you deposit. So, many people deposit the size unit, they want to make a request for.

If you see it while searching, you can grab it, but you cannot put in a request, for a larger unit.

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

II's inventory comes from deposits primarily, but the affiliation agreement may include a provision for developers to give a certain amount of unsold inventory which may also go into the exchange pool. II does have a size for size priority, but you can book larger units online if they are available and you can get around size by requesting a larger unit at a resort which has only larger units. Sometimes you can get a bigger unit over the phone if it's available.

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

Thanks for the replies. I have only done online searching and I see 2BRs all of the time with my 1BR and I have seen 3BR at Marriotts in Orlando as well. I have heard of the rule that if I put in an ongoing search I can't request larger than a 1BR, I just still can't believe how "much" inventory there is considering ACs, etc.

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

Yeah, I've wondered why II has so much inventory sitting around, too.

I suspect that resorts with floating ownerships are part of the reason. Probably, some owners of floating weeks never get around to reserving their weeks. This leaves inventory that the developer ends up with, and then deposits into II in the hopes of getting new sales prospects to trade in and buy at the resort. I don't know this for a fact, but it's what I would do if I were a developer.

DVCforus, would you tell us where you own? That is, what are you using for trading in II?

[Princess Sunflower Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Princess Sunflower]

There's inventory but most of it's crap as far as I'm concerned. You see the same places out there all the time. You have to be really lucky to find good places for when you want to go especially on the East Coast other than Florida just by doing a random search on their website. We feel like we always have to "settle" on something just so we don't lose our week. We went to Ocean MD a few years ago in Sept just by grabbing it up. Next time we tried to go we put in a request and never go it.

[ffxjack Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ffxjack]

What places are always available on II?

I am not a timeshare owner yet b/c my purchase has yet to close. My kid starts school fall of 2008 and cannot be pulled for a week of vacation (my wife has made it clear this point is nonnegotiable).

Anyways, I'm thinking of depositing my platinum HH wk this year to trade into something good + AC, all which needs to be used by Sept 2008. Of course, I probably won't do that if the II inventory is not so desirable. Will most of the high demand locations already be gone for winter/early spring?

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

My grandkids take a week off school every few years for an Orlando vacation with us. Going there at school vacation times you would get to see a lot of long lines and less enjoyment.

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

My grandkids take a week off school every few years for an Orlando vacation with us. Going there at school vacation times you would get to see a lot of long lines and less enjoyment.

I am not a timeshare owner yet b/c my purchase has yet to close. My kid starts school fall of 2008 and cannot be pulled for a week of vacation (my wife has made it clear this point is nonnegotiable).

Anyways, I'm thinking of depositing my platinum HH wk this year to trade into something good + AC, all which needs to be used by Sept 2008. Of course, I probably won't do that if the II inventory is not so desirable. Will most of the high demand locations already be gone for winter/early spring?

While I'm not so keen on an amusement park vacation during school time, Tony is right about a much nicer experience. I do take the kids out for more 'educational' trips as they learn more in a week of vacation in many TS locations than they do in a week of school.

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

I am not a timeshare owner yet b/c my purchase has yet to close. My kid starts school fall of 2008 and cannot be pulled for a week of vacation (my wife has made it clear this point is nonnegotiable).

Anyways, I'm thinking of depositing my platinum HH wk this year to trade into something good + AC, all which needs to be used by Sept 2008. Of course, I probably won't do that if the II inventory is not so desirable. Will most of the high demand locations already be gone for winter/early spring?

to TS4Ms

It helps to let us know what you own so we can assess your trade power.

II has excellent resorts and great availability if you plan your trips a year to 10 months ahead of travel.
They also have great last minute - within 60 days of check-in - availability which you could use your AC for.
Once you have 15 posts, you can see the exchange opportunity board and see what is available.

Winter/Spring/School vacation trades are best requested 12-14 months ahead. But you stated your kids aren't in school yet so you can be flexible in terms of dates of travel.
If you can be flexible - giving II 10 resorts and 8 weeks of dates and PUTTING IN A REQUEST, you should be able to get something acceptable to you. Most of the 'good' stuff never makes it online - it is snatched up by ongoing searches/requests.

Also, if you own in a 'mini-system' such as Marriott or Starwood or DVC, you get certain priorities that allow you to get an exchange.

Platinum HHI would be June thru Sept so I am assuming you are going to deposit your summer 2008 week. Most II inventory is deposited at the 1 year or less pint so you are still in a good position to request for summer 2008.
Maybe use your AC next winter/spring within 60 days and use your week for next summer.
Or plan ahead and use the deposited 2008 week for Winter/Spring 2009.

[ffxjack Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ffxjack]

Looks like I'm a little late

Sounds like my hopes of Aruba in early 08' is not feasible. I was hoping to deposit my summer HHI wk of 08' to try to trade for Aruba + AC. I guess I can go for 09' if my wife will agree to pull my son out of kindergarten for just 1 wk.

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

Sounds like my hopes of Aruba in early 08' is not feasible. I was hoping to deposit my summer HHI wk of 08' to try to trade for Aruba + AC. I guess I can go for 09' if my wife will agree to pull my son out of kindergarten for just 1 wk.

I would think it would be more realisic for 2009 - unless you own a Marriott week and would have priority trading into one of the two resorts.
You would also be more likely to get a studio or 1BR in Aruba but you never know!

[ffxjack Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ffxjack]

still a littlle hope...

Actually, I will be closing on a platinum week at Marriott GO. We fell in love with it when we were down there. It's strange b/c we were put there due to lack of space at Surf Watch but realized that MGO was more to our liking despite the age of the property.

That being said, I doubt Aruba in early 08' will be realistic b/c most of those weeks probably have been snapped up by now. I guess I can always hope for a late deposit.

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

Actually, I will be closing on a platinum week at Marriott GO. We fell in love with it when we were down there. It's strange b/c we were put there due to lack of space at Surf Watch but realized that MGO was more to our liking despite the age of the property.

That being said, I doubt Aruba in early 08' will be realistic b/c most of those weeks probably have been snapped up by now. I guess I can always hope for a late deposit.

If you would accept a 1BR for your 2BR you could get it....Surf Club will be opening buildings 3&4 by Christmas - I would put in a request with flexible dates.
About a month ago I got a studio for Easter week using another Marriott week.

[ffxjack Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ffxjack]

Now you're getting my hopes up again. I can travel any wk between Jan-Apr 2008 but I would definitely need at least a one bdrm. I'm assuming the bathroom is accessible from the living rm.