Rookie VC's or Veterans

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

My spies tell me II is having problems because so many new vacation counselors are messing up.

Does anyone ask how long the VC has been with the exchange company RCI or Interval International.

Sometimes it can be good or bad ? Whats a veteran. Maybe 3 years.


Buff/Scott

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

That's a good question to ask the VC,,,I never thought to do that!

i have a friend who is trying to exchange into Marriott Aruba Surf Club at New Years. When she called II, they suggested she use her Grande Vista (Orlando) studio - when she asked about using her Surf club studio - the VC said 'oh, it doesn't matter, they will trade the same".....

I explained to her how to do a 'request first' exchange using her surf club studio - still retaining the use of her studio.......not giving it up until they matched for her.
When she called II back, she got an experienced VC who told her "the request first definitely has a much BETTER chance of matching as 1. the Surf Club was a much stronger trader then Orlando (duh!) and 2. she would have the home resort advantage.....

So it REALLY pays to call and get a 'second' or even a 'third' opinion on what is the best move.

Thank Goodness for sites like this!

Hi Scott

[Bootleg Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bootleg]

Guides with RCI go through 5 weeks of training, 16 applicants to a class, which is concentrated with up to 5 trainers and coaches working 8 hour days with them.

In the fourth week of training they start taking live member calls for an hour or so a day to see how they are able to use their new training and relate to the members. These calls are closely monitored by their coaches, so if a new guide runs into a problem, there is someone within arm's length that will assist.

During the initial 5 weeks, there is usually a 10% attrition rate, 1 or 2 trainees will leave the program before completion.

After completion of the training, the new guides go to their respective teams, which usually number between 14 - 18. In the first year, they are part of a New Hire division which is very closely monitored by their supervisors, with daily feedback sessions, using recordings of the previous days' calls. This is where approximately 40-50% of the guides leave, finding that they just aren't suited to the job.

Once they have completed their first year of training they undergo upgrading to handle certain specialty accounts and get additional clearance to do such things as overrides.

We generally consider the first year to be the real learning period for the guides, because during that time they absorb so much day-to-day information about the exchange business and handle more different, unique and sometimes difficult calls than their initial training could have prepared them for.

Less than 5% are still with the company at the 5 year mark.

[SteveH Member Find all posts View Profile Close SteveH]

Hi Bootleg:
Something you may be able to answer that's kept me curious for quite a while, when I speak to a VC at RCI and don't get the information I want and then call back a second or third time, is each call recorded on my account file so that each subsequent VC would see that I'd already called?
Thanks
Steve

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

I've always had more knowledgeable and friendlier calls to RCI than II. II's guides seem to be on the average less experienced and less knowledgeable. I still prefer II as an exchange company, but for a novice owner calling in, it can be disasterous.

[Bootleg Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bootleg]

Hi Bootleg:
Something you may be able to answer that's kept me curious for quite a while, when I speak to a VC at RCI and don't get the information I want and then call back a second or third time, is each call recorded on my account file so that each subsequent VC would see that I'd already called?
Thanks
Steve

The calls are recorded independently by a computer program that randomly selects a certain number of calls per day. The guide's supervisor can then select which call(s) the guide will be appraised on.

Repeat calls to RCI by the same caller aren't specifically targetted by the system; However, when you call, a guide may enter notes on your account to provide assistance for the next guide who handles your call, such as "Mr no longer owns at XXX resort" or "Mr calling back regarding spacebank" to help the next guide by saving time and avoiding unnecessary questions.

[Bootleg Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bootleg]

I've always had more knowledgeable and friendlier calls to RCI than II. II's guides seem to be on the average less experienced and less knowledgeable. I still prefer II as an exchange company, but for a novice owner calling in, it can be disasterous.

Sort of like driving a Ferrari as opposed to a Chevy, Tony?

[Anne1125 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Anne1125]

I've had some great guides and some that knew nothing. I wonder if it's rude to ask them how long they have worked there.

Anne

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

Chevy parts and repairs are a lot cheaper.

Sort of like driving a Ferrari as opposed to a Chevy, Tony?

[penguinpower Member Find all posts View Profile Close penguinpower]

I've had some really great guides and some so unknowledgeable, it's hard to believe they had all that training. But mostly they have been very good. I only had one that I would call truly unhelpful.

[Bootleg Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bootleg]

I've had some great guides and some that knew nothing. I wonder if it's rude to ask them how long they have worked there.

Anne

Anne - many members ask how long I have worked for RCI; Its not regarded as impolite at all!