how do you choose?

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

I am new to all this having only bought in April this year. But I am busy planning a holiday to Europe.

So my question is - do you take what is offered or risk getting nothing. could you really end up with nothing?

We are planning to travel in dec/jan 08/09 - so winter in Europe. I have already confirmed a week in Tuscany. Today we have been offered a place in the French Alps. It is not a rated property but it has been given 5 stars by an RCI guest. I can not find any info on this property on trip adviser so going off one review is a bit of a gamble. oh and that reviewer travelled in summer?

So the up side is it is within driving distance of tuscany(? ) it is the week immediatley prior to Tuscany and It would be the first week of our holiday so means that in January when the fares are released we can get on to frequent flyers and book a flight. Also we have never skied and there is a ski-school nearby which is something we and the kids wanted to do. so it does cover all requests. Just thinking is it possible since it is more than 12 months that something better might come up or should i grab it now?

what do you all do? my husband is thinking about it and my thoughts are go for it. then it is done and we can start sorting an itinerary with plenty of time to book flights.

I did also ring for my brother to do one of those last minute bookings and this same place is available this year same week as we want next year.

sorry it is so long, hope it all make sense.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

When something in a good area comes along grab it because you may not get a 2nd chance in peak season. Also if you want sking try getting if available Austria Alps.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Sometimes it takes a little time and a few exchanges to figure out what's acceptable to you and what is not. It also takes a little time, a lot of reading and learning how to search effectively to decide what's likely to be available and what's likely to be just dreaming for the unit you have to exchange.

If the week fits your plans and is in the area you want to be I'd probably go ahead and take it. Keep in mind the European standards for excellence and American idea of excellence can vary greatly. The one exchange we made into Scottland was a dissapointment compared to what we had become use to in the United States but, it was nice enough and we had a great time touring Scottland from that location. We were close enough to the rail system that every day we were hopping on and going someplace else to explore the country side.

[Jya-Ning Silver Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close Jya-Ning]

You may not be able to find anything about the resort, but if you can adjust to a little bit wide range (since someone rank it pretty good, so probably means the resort is not going to be too bad, I usually found that people's taste are so wide range, so it very hard to really judge a resort, especially, if it is a hugh one), then you can look around the area, if you think the local area can provide enough interest point without driving too far around, then take it.

Otherwise, do some call to the resort, so you can get a feel what the management team will be look like. If they have website, go there. Ask about if they have rent program and ask the rental price, and compare to local resort, which may give you some idea. Although usually, the price does not really reflect too much.

Jya-Ning

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

thanks guys, I am australian and am aware that the standard is different to what Americans are use to. we own in america and am not sure we would find anything here that compares to the american standard. I am not really worried so much about that. It is just i know there are so many really good places and once I have accepted then I am not in the running for those.

I have been researching the area and it looks great. we will probably take this one. Like i said first exchange - just not too sure how it all works. I did go to the resorts web site and the exchange fee is about 1/3 to a 1/4 of the rental so we are winning I guess in that sense.

the area is Jausiers near sauze super suaze? in the Alpes de Haute -provence if that means anything to anyone. looks like there are lots of ski resorts and as we have not been skiing or to a ski resort we will be impressed I guess anyway.

one thing it states they charge for electricity is this the norm for europe? how much is that likely to be considering it will be winter and we have never experienced even 0 degrees celcius? so thinking we will b using the heat.

thankyou for all your replies. Iwas not expecting any until tomorrow due to time difference.

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

There's a bit of information over at TUG (Timeshare Users Group) from two families who have vacationed at this "resort" Jausiers Vacances (#1884) France - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

Is this your first trip to the area? Have you investigated the transportation options available? I believe this property is "way up" in the mountains. If you are planning on driving up in a rental car, the roads could be icy and treacherous. Even in the best summer days, many mountain roads are very scary. I have no knowledge of this particular area, but it is definitely something you need to check out.

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

yes i knew it was out of the way. that is the resort so i will check that out. did not think about the roads. will talk with husband about that as he is the driver while we are on holidays.
he just wants to drive on the WRONG side of the road hehehe!!!

doesn't look like it is fantastic - was not expecting it to be though. makes the decision a little tougher. really we would not spend much time in apartment. we would prefer to be off playing in the snow.

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

For the alps, I would look for Schloss Grubhof in the Austrian Alps. The resort, a restored 14th century castle, is in the valley, so the roads are not bad. I have driven them in the winter without problems, in spite of lots of snow. It is also close to Salzburg and Bertesgaden, and an easy drive to Innsbruck.

Many European resorts do charge for utilities and other things that are not the norm in the US. I have found at some resorts, that if you trade in through DAE, they do not charge all of the extra fees that RCI exchangers are charged.

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

see that goes back to my original question - Is it worth waiting for something better or is there a chance we would miss out altogether?

i know there are much better places but is waiting for one a dream or likely to happen?

It does seem to be very convienient to our plans. but Austria could be too.

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

The first positive thing is that it does align with a week you already have scheduled. I haven't exchanged into Europe, so I can't advise on what other opportunities might come along if you decline this one. From reading the other posts, it seems that it has one positive review, is in a ski region and skiing is in your plans, and within easy travel distance to other key areas for day trips. It would seem like a good match for you, but I like the advice to call the resort and ask a few questions related to your personal tastes and electric cost.

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

A few years ago, I would have said wait for something better. However, in the last year or so, with RCI's rentals of spacebank inventory to the general public, the inventory availible for exchange in Europe has gone down dramatically compared to past years. It is most glaring in summer, but impacts all seasons. In the current climate at RCI, perhaps it is better to go with the bird in the hand.

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

well I rang to confirm and they had another choice for me. wasn't there yesterday. this one is in the Dollarmites. I have not researched i but took it anyway. hope I have done the right thing.

The reason is we really want to take the kids to Venice and from this one we can drive there or train? but either way it means we do not have to spend money on accomodation there or drag a family of 5's luggage to yet another stop. We were watching a travel program on the Dollarmites a few weeks ago, and it looks great.

better go and find what I can about this place.
thanks for all the advise. Am starting to think though - Maybe better would have come up since i had a choice?? really happy about the location of this place anyway.