Pitfalls of doing a direct exchange?

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

I have been contacted by an individual who is interested in doing a direct exchange for one of my weeks in 2008. (I tried the redweek free offer to list a week for an exchange.) Apparently the potential exchanger has several weeks of timeshares that she owns. If I don't want what she has, she's willing to put in a request for an exchange through RCI and pay the exchange fees and guest fee.

So, what assurances should we expect of each other? What pitfalls should I look out for?

Have any of you done this type of exchange?

Thanks,
Sue

[T. R. Oglodyte Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close T. R. Oglodyte]

First, I wouldn't enteri into a direct exchange where all I was getting was the promise to look for a week. The other party needs to have or be able to immediately reserve the specific week I want.

Second, I wouldn't enter into a direct exchange where I would be receiving an exchange week. That is probably against exchange company rules, which means I would be assuming the risk of RCI canceling the exchange altogether.

Direct means direct exchange - owner to owner, bypassing an exchange company. It does not mean owner to exchanger.