Timesharing . . . Has It's Run It's Course?

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

I agree with both posts and I have told my son this. Yes!!! they are renting t/s for their vacation thru RCI, Red Week and Welcome to Government Employee Travel.

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

For a thread you tried to bury as a personal vendetta (mine or yours), it has proven to be of interest to others besides me.

Sorry. You tried.

Congratulations.
I guess you're well satisfied with yourself and your effect on this thread.
You've managed to attract many others to your negativity and hatred.
What an accomplishment.
I'm sure you're patting yourself on the back.

I'm also amazed at your ability to predict the future with such accuracy.
You should start a 1-900 number and start charging for your gift to the timeshare world. Surely you'd have them calling 24/7. Then you'd be so busy you'd forget all about RCI and TS's and actually start enjoying your new home.

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

For a thread you tried to bury as a personal vendetta (mine or yours), it has proven to be of interest to others besides me.

Sorry. You tried.

I would appreciate if you would stop attacking me and calling me names (other posts on this thread) - I did not try to bury this thread - you asked a question and I answered it.

Even though I am a moderator on this forum and devote countless hours in assisting the site owner, I am also entitled to express my opinion just as you are.
I do not have to agree with you.
No one has to agree with you.
Everyone can voice their opinion.

That's how we do it here.

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

This thread has been very much like the old days.

A good back and forth for the most part.

The things we're talking about are much more serious than they used to be, but we just discuss the issues presented to us. We didn't really used to have many serious issues.

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

If we want timesharing to survive we need to get our heads up out of the sand and take stock of the forces that are threatening it. That is not negativity. That is realism and trying to help something we all love survive. Denialism is not going to help timesharing survive. In the latest Timesharing Today Express, it was estimated that 50% of owner controlled resorts were facing insolvency in the next few years. That should be a wake up call to those who just want to circle the wagons and pretend that there are no Indians.

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

It seems like some people here get all hot and bothered if anybody says anything perceived to be negative about timesharing. As Carolinian implied, they just ignore it and expect everybody to be cheerleaders.

Personally, I don't take any of it too seriously as timesharing is nothing more than another vacation option. If it doesn't suit my needs, then I will switch to other options. However, the fact is that timesharing isn't faring too well and the future doesn't look too bright without some major changes.

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

I agree with Pat......I don't see where she tried to bury this thread, and think it's out of line accusing her of doing so. She has a different opinion, and is just as entitled to have it, as you are to have yours.

Personal attacks are uncalled for, and should not be permitted, by anyone!

I would appreciate if you would stop attacking me and calling me names (other posts on this thread) - I did not try to bury this thread - you asked a question and I answered it.

Even though I am a moderator on this forum and devote countless hours in assisting the site owner, I am also entitled to express my opinion just as you are.
I do not have to agree with you.
No one has to agree with you.
Everyone can voice their opinion.

That's how we do it here.

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

I think all of us, on whatever side of the issues here, need to step back and keep this on the issues and not on personalities.

[ace2000 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ace2000]

This thread may have just set a record for having the most moderator replies... anyone keeping track?

JLB - the moderATOR agitATOR... LOL.

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

If we want timesharing to survive we need to get our heads up out of the sand and take stock of the forces that are threatening it. That is not negativity. That is realism and trying to help something we all love survive. Denialism is not going to help timesharing survive. In the latest Timesharing Today Express, it was estimated that 50% of owner controlled resorts were facing insolvency in the next few years. That should be a wake up call to those who just want to circle the wagons and pretend that there are no Indians.

Looking specifically at that 50% you mention these tend to be the resorts that are older, often conversions, that depended on subsidies from other resorts for their highly seasonal off season times. They need to look at how they can increase value to their off season owners AND stop subsidizing the best weeks on the backs of the off season times (same annual fee for both). If they don't they are likely to go under and it isn't RCI or any other group at fault it is the refusal to see the need to change by those resorts and whoever controls them.

[ace2000 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ace2000]

Looking specifically at that 50% you mention these tend to be the resorts that are older, often conversions, that depended on subsidies from other resorts for their highly seasonal off season times. They need to look at how they can increase value to their off season owners AND stop subsidizing the best weeks on the backs of the off season times (same annual fee for both). If they don't they are likely to go under and it isn't RCI or any other group at fault it is the refusal to see the need to change by those resorts and whoever controls them.

That's a good point, and it'll be interesting to see if any of the resorts can get creative and lead on this one. They could be the model example for the rest.

However, I feel if an owner cannot rent a week for what they pay in maintenance fees, especially a red week; then its time to close the doors. I don't see this being a terrible deal for the current owners, because they can just move those maintenance fee payments to the another timeshare week by purchasing on ebay. That would definitely be acceptable to me.

People like to talk about the value of their timeshare week, and how the memories are priceless, etc.; so they're still very happy. Well, if you're paying maint fees/assessments every year that are higher than what someone else can rent your week for, then where's that value?

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

Looking specifically at that 50% you mention these tend to be the resorts that are older, often conversions, that depended on subsidies from other resorts for their highly seasonal off season times. They need to look at how they can increase value to their off season owners AND stop subsidizing the best weeks on the backs of the off season times (same annual fee for both). If they don't they are likely to go under and it isn't RCI or any other group at fault it is the refusal to see the need to change by those resorts and whoever controls them.

Well, no. The developers sold the off seasons weeks based on RCI's promotion of the 45 day window, and as long as that was in place, everything was fine. The 45 day window was not a subsidy but allowed even trades, since about-to-expire inventory is distressed inventory in the leisure travel industry, no matter what it had once been worth. The old system also allowed some like for like trades for other places with similar supply / demand curves like the overbuilt areas. Rentals to the general public by RCI and diverting 45 day inventory to Points members (they ought to be getting short term Points inventory not short term Weeks inventory) have been degrading the 45 day window for some time and now Points Lite has pulled the financial rug out from under many HOA's as their off season owners who exchange have been left high and dry by RCI's changes.

If you look at resort budgets, there is no ''subsidy'' of off season weeks in most cases. If the pool is not enclosed and is closed in winter, I guess it's expenses might be, but that is a small amount. Otherwise all expenses are apportioned on an equal basis between weeks. What you are really suggesting is that high season weeks should subsidize the off season weeks in order to keep the off season owners who exchange onboard and not bail out in response to RCI's changes. IMHO it is a better strategy to replace the off season exchangers with new owners who do not exchange, and there are several strategies afoot on the OBX to do that at several resorts. The other way to go is to talk to exchangers about other options instead of RCI.

Also, as to the m/f issue, as has been discussed previously in other threads, state law in some states requires that all weeks of similar size be treated the same.

[ace2000 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ace2000]

Also, as to the m/f issue, as has been discussed previously in other threads, state law in some states requires that all weeks of similar size be treated the same.

You don't think there's any loopholes in that one? I mean like offering extra perks or adding a bonus week, etc. Seems like they could do something and still stay within the intent of the law (with the states that have that provision).

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

You don't think there's any loopholes in that one? I mean like offering extra perks or adding a bonus week, etc. Seems like they could do something and still stay within the intent of the law (with the states that have that provision).

I have never dealt with one of those laws, so I don't know.

When I was on my HOA board, we identified markets for off season weeks that did not involve exchanging. We felt that was a much better strategy. We saw the handwriting on the wall with RCI some time back. I really feel sorry for those resorts that have not thought about strategic planning to deal with these changes. While Points Lite itself could not have been predicted, the general direction of RCI has been obvious for some time.

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

Gosh, I probably should not be associatiing with the little people:

Dear (me):

You were recently chosen as a potential candidate to represent
your professional community in the 2010/2011 Canterbury Who's Who Registry
among Executives, Professionals & Entrepreneurs.

We are pleased to inform you that your candidacy was approved.
Your prompt response is needed to ensure your correct professional
information. For accuracy purposes, please be sure to visit your
personal website to verify your biographical information.

On behalf of the Managing Director, we look forward to your appearance
in this year's edition.

Best wishes for continued success.