See my last Post on the Tug thread

[reddiablosv Member Find all posts View Profile Close reddiablosv]

Poipu Point Vacation Resort



Please select an available unit:

Unit Type Dates Maximum Occupancy Private Occupancy Kitchen Weekly Price

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2 Bedroom 05/11/2006-05/18/2006 06 06 Full $ 299.00
2 Bedroom 05/13/2006-05/20/2006 06 06 Full $ 299.00
2 Bedroom 05/15/2006-05/22/2006 06 06 Full $ 299.00

I wonder how how many exchange requests and online searches came up empty because these units were sequestered in the rental pool. Now they appear in the short notice rental pool. Plans are still foiled, people are still disappointed. Most people make their travel plans more than 30 days out. Short notice deals are of little value to the vast majority of RCI members. Ben

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

I sent info on the class actions lawsuits to two of my overseas resorts, one to someone in management and the other to an HOA officer. Both were shocked at the allegations against RCI and asked for any more info I got. One of them used some very strong descriptive language about RCI's actions, expressing their concerns about what RCI was apparently doing.

Some resorts, like some posters on timeshare sites, will never believe RCI could possibly do anything wrong. But there are enough of them who will respond appropriately to this info that it is worthwhile for members to pass it on. I was satisfied with the response of both of my resorts.

Assuming that resort management or HOA's are keeping up with this is an invalid assumption, Many, probably most, have no clue about it. Those who had reps at ARDA, however, probably are familiar with it, as someone who was at ARDA told me it was the talk of the convention.

Going back to Walt's OP, where he is suggesting that we contact our resorts about these problems, as I have said before, I did, our HOA members and the resort Management company. Some time ago.

They don't care. It was fine for them for their RCI rep to vilify and discredit me for the lies I was telling.

I notified them of the recent classactions for the same things, and no one replied.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

I never connected the two, but now that I think about, not only did they vilify me for pointing out that RCI was renting weeks at the resort to the public, but they then told me that I had not paid fees I had paid, through 2007, when I had proof I had.

I did not cave to them. I went back and forth for a month and then sent them copies of the emails where I asked them to Spacebank our future weeks, RCI's Spacebank Deposit Confirmations, and copies of our credit card statements showing where the resort had charged our account. I sent them four years of confirmations, 2004-2007.

Yeah, them trying to make me pay double may have something to do with me reporting the rentals to them.

Not only do the rentals hurt owners who have deposited, but the resort runs their own rental program, so RCI rentals would be in direct competition.

But, frankly, some resorts have no alternatives than to go along with whatever any of the exchange companies do. And yeah, they are affiliated with RCI, II, and some alternate ones.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

Poipu Point Vacation Resort



Please select an available unit:

Unit Type Dates Maximum Occupancy Private Occupancy Kitchen Weekly Price

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Bedroom 05/19/2006-05/26/2006 06 06 Full $ 299.00

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

Poipu Point Vacation Resort



Please select an available unit:

Unit Type Dates Maximum Occupancy Private Occupancy Kitchen Weekly Price

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2 Bedroom 05/19/2006-05/26/2006 06 06 Full $ 299.00

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

Carolinian is right-on with this concept. It used to be that way.

We owned a blue week and used to get incredible trades with RCI to Southern California in SUMMER. I believe that if someone gives up a week at the last minute, and their trading power for that week is drastically reduced, then the blue week owners should be able to grab that week, no matter what time of year or season. We would travel with two weeks notice back then (early to mid 90's) because we drove our van everywhere, so it was a great benefit. We have these benefits, then they are taken away.

RCI is all about themselves. We all know it. The recent increases in points transactions both in cost and numbers of points for everything is proof of that.

And a 45-day window trade is NOT really a trade up. Last minute inventory is distressed inventory with limited shelf life, and therefore of lower market value. A last minute deposit gets very reduced trading power, so it is only common sense that last minute exchange inventory would also have very reduced trading power.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

The past wasn't fair - thats why the deposits fell

We owned a blue week and used to get incredible trades with RCI to Southern California in SUMMER. I believe that if someone gives up a week at the last minute, and their trading power for that week is drastically reduced, then the blue week owners should be able to grab that week, no matter what time of year or season.

You may find the owner of the CA summer week would disagree. It was never a fair trade one for one IMO. The quality exchange networks also seem to agree it is an unfair trade. If you feel it is there are exchange groups that would call it even. But they are unlkely to see that CA week as a deposit. Why would a CA owner put it into a system like that?

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

You may find the owner of the CA summer week would disagree. It was never a fair trade one for one IMO. The quality exchange networks also seem to agree it is an unfair trade. If you feel it is there are exchange groups that would call it even. But they are unlkely to see that CA week as a deposit. Why would a CA owner put it into a system like that?

When a summer CA week is deposited at the last minute, its trading power is greatly reduced, as it should be as distressed last minute inventory. It is only fair and makes good sense that that same week going out at that juncture also have a greatly reduced trading power. You seem not to recognize the reality of the market that last minute inventory is distressed, and therefore devalued inventory, whether it is coming in or going out. Cyrstal deHaan was right on the money on that one! Allowing trades in the 45day window for last minute inventory does more to promote a strong exchange system than renting it for $299 to some non-member!

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

Well, John, that is why we got rid of our blue week. It didn't work anymore....

I still feel that a week dumped back into the RCI system or a last-minute deposit should be available to anyone, especially if no one has an ongoing search for the week. Those were promises made to us when we bought the week, then RCI changes the rules. I don't think developers should be allowed to say that RCI will do this or that, because the developer cannot speak for RCI. John, I know you and I can agree on that.

II does a pretty good job of offering last-minute trades with little regard for trading power. I just saw a Westin Kaanapali one bedroom that I could not get with my Colorado summer week (though it is a red week) ahead of time. It showed up available for the end of the month. I see very few people complaining about II, yet they are offering great last-minute trades to everyone, no matter what resort they own.

I have thought about these great Westin exchanges that pop up every now and then. I think I should stop planning Hawaii and just grab it when I see it. Airfare to Maui from Denver is actually LESS a week or two out than it is when planning ahead six months. What a fun time we could have, going on our last-minute trips. I think I would like it.

[4ARedOctober Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close 4ARedOctober]

I own a fixed So. Cal summer week.....and I am an RCI member. If I deposit it at the last minute then why shouldn't anyone with an exchange week deposit be able to trade for it? no problem with me....blue week or bright red. And it is likely I will still have decent trade power with it. The 45 day window was always a very good sales point that RCI (and/or its developer reps) always made but it is not true any more.

But lets look at the reality of the situation. It is high demand week and now greed has gotten the best of RCI (Cendant)....they will try to rent it even with little time to do it....even at their last minute sites they still make double on it what they would if they let someone exchange for it....is that fair????....I guess that is what is up for debate and RCI is using points as an excuse to take advantage of RCI weeks members. That is pretty clear to me.

You may find the owner of the CA summer week would disagree. It was never a fair trade one for one IMO. The quality exchange networks also seem to agree it is an unfair trade. If you feel it is there are exchange groups that would call it even. But they are unlkely to see that CA week as a deposit. Why would a CA owner put it into a system like that?

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

RCI is no longer the exchange company it used to be. JMHO. This is not what I read here yesterday. Very interesting as it tells you that RCI is looking after all members' best interest.

A late deposit should go to all RCI members until the last 14 days because then you were no longer allowed to deposit. That is how it used to be. Those good old days.