Am I missing something?

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

So - a little bit of background from the newbie:

The wife and I were vacationing in Vegas, got pulled off the street and spent a few hours 'under pressure' in exchange for some food, shows, etc...

DID NOT BUY...

Did some research (not here) and finally did the eBay thing and bought TWO weeks, of a 2 bedroom lock-off...at a place where a friend had paid $15k years earlier...for close to nothing. So we have 4 weeks a year - on a flex basis.

Wasn't able to use them in 2006 and 2007 so we now have 8 weeks in the bank with II.


Here's my question:


We're going to Florida in a few weeks and I have been searching the II website for places to stay. I have 'simulated' an exchange all the way to the payment part, when you plug in your credit card number and pony up the $$.

I was under the assumption that if II advertised the unit as available, and I paid for it, pack your bags and go - it was a confirmed thing. I've been perusing some of the posts here and seen such words as 'requests' and 'in advance' and this has got me wondering if I was mistaken to think I was booking a sure thing.

We plan to spend a few weeks in Florida and were hoping to book some back to back weeks at the same place - using our banked weeks. Can I do than using (and paying, of course) with my weeks on the II website? Anyone have any better ideas?

Thanks.

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

If you got down to the point of paying an exchange fee on the II site, then it was available for you. You are not traveling in prime season to Florida. If you wanted President's week at a Ski resort you best get a request in to snag someone's late deposit as there's nothing sitting in the bank right now for you.

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

Better way to bank?

Thanks.

There is also a lot of talk about requests and trading power.

I have 'flex' week at my resort in Vegas. The last 2 times I exchanged I waited until the last minute, whe I was sure I was not going to use them, and then reserved at the club and called II to give them the weeks - which were in September.

Should I be banking specific weeks to increase my trading power (if I'm not using the place). Any advice? Thanks.

BTW: I'm sorry if these questions have been asked and answered previously

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

Yes, a September week is basically the weakest week you could deposit. Supply vs demand, Vegas, Orlando, Williamsburg = more supply than demand. Everyone's had their summer break and kids are back in school, no one is traveling. You have shot yourself in the foot by depositing a September week at the last minute. For Vegas you need to reserve New Years. Most exchange companies reward you with better trade power the further in advance you deposit. But you seem to want to travel in Sept/Oct choosing what's there at the last minute so you're probably OK?

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

Ahhhhhhh soooooooooo

'kay - I get it, yet I don't quite catch something:

I've reserved and deposited my weeks at the weakest time. Fair 'nuff.

But how will II reward me when I search on their website for availability? Or will that only come into play when I put in a 'request' for a week at a resort that is not in their listing of available places?

My understanding is that I have 4 weeks to use until 2009, when they expire, and 4 weeks good 'til 2010 - when they expire. Search on their site and reserve...

OR

Are you really saying that whatever is available on the website when I search NOW...is the stuff that is the crappy stuff, i.e. not wanted - and is therefore banked, posted on the II site and waiting.

The good stuff you have to request and go in with strong weeks to trade?

AND

The really good drugs are never found on their site, they get snapped up far too quickly with requests before anyone thinks of posting them online, yes?

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

Drugs?

'kay - I get it, yet I don't quite catch something:
I've reserved and deposited my weeks at the weakest time. Fair 'nuff.

But how will II reward me when I search on their website for availability? Or will that only come into play when I put in a 'request' for a week at a resort that is not in their listing of available places?

Reward you?
II will only show you weeks that they deem match your week trading power UNLESS you are searching in the FLEXCHANGE period 59days or less prior to check-in.

If you put in a 'request' II will only match you with weeks they deem have the same trading power or less.

My understanding is that I have 4 weeks to use until 2009, when they expire, and 4 weeks good 'til 2010 - when they expire. Search on their site and reserve...

OR

Are you really saying that whatever is available on the website when I search NOW...is the stuff that is the crappy stuff, i.e. not wanted - and is therefore banked, posted on the II site and waiting.

The good stuff you have to request and go in with strong weeks to trade?

What you find on their site should be what is left after all ongoing requests have been satisfied or did not match. Your deposited weeks should expire two years past their original usage /check-in date.

The really good drugs are never found on their site, they get snapped up far too quickly with requests before anyone thinks of posting them online, yes?

Drugs? This is a timeshare site. Good weeks often appear but if you want something, you'd better request it.

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

Thanks...

...for your help.

(The 'really good drugs' was just a figure of speech...there's a story that goes with it and involves my brother in law, who was a doctor of pharmacology and worked at a hospital and...I guess you had to be there...)

So what you are saying, is that when I bank my weeks at II, they are 'graded' as to their value. If I don't want the leftovers - I better send them quality weeks to receive quality options.

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

...for your help.

(The 'really good drugs' was just a figure of speech...there's a story that goes with it and involves my brother in law, who was a doctor of pharmacology and worked at a hospital and...I guess you had to be there...)

So what you are saying, is that when I bank my weeks at II, they are 'graded' as to their value. If I don't want the leftovers - I better send them quality weeks to receive quality options.

Yes, but you still don't have your best shot unless you place a request in advance rather than just looking at what's sitting online after the other requests are matched...

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

I agree...however...you have to be able to plan your life pretty far in the future in order to do that.

I'm not too sure what I going to have for dinner tonight...let alone my vacations plans 6 months from now.

There is good and bad in just about everything. To be quite honest I sometimes wish that I had the structure in my life that a lot of the members here, seem to have.

Maybe one day...

(but thanks for the guidance - it is appreciated)

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

I agree...however...you have to be able to plan your life pretty far in the future in order to do that.

I'm not too sure what I going to have for dinner tonight...let alone my vacations plans 6 months from now.

There is good and bad in just about everything. To be quite honest I sometimes wish that I had the structure in my life that a lot of the members here, seem to have.

Maybe one day...

(but thanks for the guidance - it is appreciated)

There are times when I want a special affair and plan it all out. It never comes out as I originally thought, but it would not have been an affair at all without devoting time and effort.

This year we wind up with our points unused due to no particuarly place desired. We now will just go wherever or roll points into an exchange.... No choice made, we eat whatever is served.

When I want hamburg, I go get it. When I want great steak for for special friends dinner. I make a point to visit my butcher ahead of time to get what I want.

ROBERT

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

When I want hamburg, I go get it. When I want great steak for for special friends dinner. I make a point to visit my butcher ahead of time to get what I want.

ROBERT[/QUOTE]

Great analogy and I can appreciate the art of planning ahead for special occasions. In our case, however, our 'butcher' can choose to unilaterally keep us at the butcher shop (i.e. at sea and at work) and throw the best laid plans out the window (along with the pork chops and waxed paper!!)

We have learned (thorugh our experiences and others) that nothing should be booked (hotel, airlines, cars, dinner dates, haircuts!!!!) until you're through customs and on the way to the hotel. We've saved many a dollar, that way...(and then you never pick up the phone when the company calls - always let them leave a message!!!)

It's the price you pay for life in paradise...

On a side note:

You particular to any cut of beef? It's been a struggle to get the wife past chicken and fish - she just won't eat a steak. Hamburger, yes, but not steak...(sigh). Nothing better than a 16oz t-bone, baked potato & salad. Prime rib is good too, but the sizzle on a bar-b-cue...it's all about the bone IMHO...

Frank

[RESORT2ME Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RESORT2ME]

When I want hamburg, I go get it. When I want great steak for for special friends dinner. I make a point to visit my butcher ahead of time to get what I want.

ROBERT

Great analogy and I can appreciate the art of planning ahead for special occasions. In our case, however, our 'butcher' can choose to unilaterally keep us at the butcher shop (i.e. at sea and at work) and throw the best laid plans out the window (along with the pork chops and waxed paper!!)

We have learned (thorugh our experiences and others) that nothing should be booked (hotel, airlines, cars, dinner dates, haircuts!!!!) until you're through customs and on the way to the hotel. We've saved many a dollar, that way...(and then you never pick up the phone when the company calls - always let them leave a message!!!)

It's the price you pay for life in paradise...

On a side note:

You particular to any cut of beef? It's been a struggle to get the wife past chicken and fish - she just won't eat a steak. Hamburger, yes, but not steak...(sigh). Nothing better than a 16oz t-bone, baked potato & salad. Prime rib is good too, but the sizzle on a bar-b-cue...it's all about the bone IMHO...

Frank[/quote]

I like to exagerate a bit at times. Just trying to show a point.

Filet, porterhouse, t-bone, even ribeye if super fine beef. Sister-in-law had NY strip tonight. Very tasty but so full of tissue it was a disgrace. Half got dumpped. No dog here.

As resorts go, I've been disappointed by taking a chance and not knowing the butcher. Most chances are as satisfying as expected. Sticking with known resorts proves itself.

Robert