Burned again - unit numbers deleted from confirmations

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

And isn't it great that people who are mostly interested in buying a resort to use can own at resort that places first priority on meeting owner requests, while people who want to use a resort to trade can own at resorts that try to preserve trading power?

Celebrate diversity; don't bemoan it.

I hear you. I wouldn't mind as much if existing confirmations hadn't been changed, and am still hoping it's a glitch.

When I trade into a floating unit resort, I know what to expect. Some places treat exchangers better than others, for sure.

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

You know, in the end I don't think the issue of what unit a person will receive has ever been in RCI's control at all. The actual control of what unit a person receives has always been determined by the resort.

I've always understood that all the confirmation ever did was guarantee you that a unit was to be available for your check-in on the check-in date, the unit being of the size and having amenities as provided in the confirmation.

******

As it happens, when running a fixed week inventory control system, it's easy and simple to link a specific owners deposit of their week with the incoming exchanger who received that week. But I think it's always been in the power of the exchange company to actually give the exchanger a different unit than the one deposited as long as it met the amenity requirements.

*****

Now, if I were running an exchange company I would want some kind of unique unit identifier for purposes of linking specific deposit and exchange. In the days of fixed weeks, that would logically be the unit number and week number. But ultimately that information was only inventory control data - in reading the terms and conditions from my first RCI exchanges I never gathered that there was any guarantee that I would receive any specific unit.

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

What I object to most is that the resort has the right to rent the best units out if it is a hotel/resort. They belong to the owner or the exchange company for an exchanger if the owner puts it in an exchange company and not to be rented out by either company. I don't know what inventory RCI is renting out?

I am well aware that some timeshare developers give their floating units to their owners first but you know that when you buy there but it should be different for fixed week/units as the owners paid extra for them when they bought. They should go to the exchanger. JMHO.

With floating units, you never know where you will end up even as an owner. All you can do is make a request and hope that you will get it. They did this because they can manipulate the inventory but sold you on flexibility. Fixed week/units are just as flexible but it cost you an exchange fee. That's all.

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

My impression is that it isn't RCI picking the best units and renting them out(causing this problem). RCI doesn't advertise views or specifics even on its rental sites. I think that some resorts DO make the changes and give out better units to rentals, friends, other owners, those that agree to presentations, or for whatever reason even when it is owned by fix week- fixed unit owners. Other places float and who know what anyone will get. Exchangers would come in with unit numbers on their confirmations and get mad when they didn't get the rooms they were expecting. I think some of the bigger resorts where this may be the case pressured RCI to drop the unit number from the confirmations. RCI has a fairly long history or catering to developers as their "real" customers instead of the exchanging members.
You are somewhat assured of your occupancy levels and at places like Smuggs where it can vary greatlyfor a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom 8/2,8/4, 6/6, 6/4, 8/6, etc (and they usually give you the unit that is deposited) it will at least give you an idea of the location.
And then again maybe it's one of RCI's infamous "bugs" and the problem is temporary and will be restored later.

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

I agree with Carolinian, it must be largely RCI motivated - turns out that FOUR of my confirmations had units assigned but are now all generic.

I bet that RCI is busy "selling" it to the resorts, though.

I put up a poll just to check the membership at large.

I know for a fact that RCI rents Buganvilias too and I just checked. I didn't see any in Last Call but I saw Extra Vacation GetAways and the fees are lower than what we pay in maintenance fees.

What fools we are for owning timeshares today as renting is cheaper and you get what you want and pay for. We have rented from the hotel and through RCI in Last Call in Building A which are all floating units.

How does RCI gets their inventory? It has to be from the developer but can they mix this inventory as they see fit?

I asked her how exchanging works but her first question was if it was through RCI? I should have asked her who the other exchange companies are. I didn't know that there were others too.

They may have an agreement with each other that they can rent any of the RCI deposists. All we can do is take it or leave it.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

My impression is that it isn't RCI picking the best units and renting them out(causing this problem). RCI doesn't advertise views or specifics even on its rental sites. I think that some resorts DO make the changes and give out better units to rentals, friends, other owners, those that agree to presentations, or for whatever reason even when it is owned by fix week- fixed unit owners. Other places float and who know what anyone will get. Exchangers would come in with unit numbers on their confirmations and get mad when they didn't get the rooms they were expecting. I think some of the bigger resorts where this may be the case pressured RCI to drop the unit number from the confirmations. RCI has a fairly long history or catering to developers as their "real" customers instead of the exchanging members.
You are somewhat assured of your occupancy levels and at places like Smuggs where it can vary greatlyfor a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom 8/2,8/4, 6/6, 6/4, 8/6, etc (and they usually give you the unit that is deposited) it will at least give you an idea of the location.
And then again maybe it's one of RCI's infamous "bugs" and the problem is temporary and will be restored later.

I think it's easier on the resort staff for exchangers to be given the units deposited and put the unit number on the confirm - it avoids all the hassles of people calling with unit requests the way we do with floating unit resorts. It's reasonable for a resort to switch to something comparable if there are maintenance issues.

Yes, by process of elimination you can get an idea of where the sleep configuration(s) are at Smuggs.

I am curious to see if it's a bug... one VG I spoke to said she could see the unit #s....

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Well I for one am not happy with this new change...since I have an exchange confirmed and it has a unit number on it which someone kindly checked for me to see if it was a good unit, now who knows what i will get, if they choose to change things it should apply to all those following the change...grrr...

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Pam, I called the office and found out the following. Wi-Fi is not free for exchangers. I had no idea. The rates are as follows:

1 hour - 75 pesos
1 day (24 hours) - 150 pesos
1 week - 700 pesos

Also, they may not honor the reservation numbers that are on the confirmation. She recommended contacting them a week before arrival if you are still going there.

Internet wasn't free for the owners even at the Grand Velas and their fees were higher yet. The fees that both resorts are charging are their business rates at the hotel.

Good news is that there are many places in the mall or around town in restaurants where you can sit down and have a cup of coffee and use free Wi-Fi as they will give you a log-in code.

http://vallartablog.com/puerto-vallarta-wi-fi-hotspots/

Boingo | The Worldwide Leader in Wi-Fi Software and Services

Emmy do you know is that the price for wifi in your room or in an office of theirs? Yeah I know wifi is expensive in Mexico, and many places to use free....the resorts would have a draw if they offered it free at least to owners...Thanks for your help

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

The lady asked the right department and this is the fee that they charge to exchangers in their exchanged condo or around the pool or anywhere else on the premises. I wished I had better news for you or any other exchanger too.

Go and get your discount card for meals and drinks and recommend it at the timeshare presentation that you need to take that Wi-Fi fees should be free for everyone.

You can buy an all-inclusive package for a few days only, I believe. We never do as there are so many restaurants in walking distance or going downtown. Even a cab fare is inexpensive from this resort as it isn't far. The location is very good but there is one location closer to the Malecon yet, I read on one of the forums.

PS. I found the resort that is closer to downtown Puerto Vallarta and it exchanges with RCI, II and Dial An Exchange and others. Here is the link. We have choices! It looks brand new to me.

PPS. I don't know anything about this timeshare but I know the Buganvilias from many years visiting there.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Thanks iconnections..I like to have wifi in my room so I can go online at night when cannot sleep etc..

Yes I think we might do the timeshare thing, not buying though and get the discount and whatever I can talk them into LOL. Probably will not do the AI...I am night owl, mom early riser, so we compromise but usually eat breakfast very light in room, lunch also light and out for dinner....I may try to get 4 days after or before at Casa Velas anyway so that wil lbe enough fattening food...LOL

Hmmm...that resort looks interesting, have to see if we can find it, when there just to check it out...

I think I am gonna keep my trade despite y issues with RCI and Bouganvillas, since have always wanted to at least try it there.....Thanks again...

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

Back to unit numbers, could it be as simple as since there are two ways resorts do it RCI decided just to drop listing unit numbers?

That way each resort can do it either way, or even the change their way.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

JLB...if my confirmation never had a unit listed I would be fine with that, but since it does in print or did online then i feel i should still get that room, but whatever JMHO!

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

iconnections......apparently Bouganvillas has some rules on the AI and also internet ...per an email to me...

"Please be advised the parking lot is free of charge for all of our guests, you may purchase the all inclusive for at least 3 days (has to be in a row, not separately).



As mentioned by my coworker the charge for all inclusive at the moment is 80 USD per person per day, however it may vary without previous notice, you may confirm the charge upon your arrival to the Vacation Club. "


So it appears we must do the AI for a minimum of 3 days ina row if we choose to do that which most likely we will not....( we do AI a lot when it is just me and Mike as we lounge around beach more than mom & I will etc.) , also the price is subject to change in 4 months..hmm..
There was also an email stating that the wifi did not work in all the rooms...but they had places you could use it, that does not work for me, I like it in my room, anyway this should be an experience, and of course I will be sure to post of it afterwards. Always wanted to try there so better now than never...

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

JLB...if my confirmation never had a unit listed I would be fine with that, but since it does in print or did online then i feel i should still get that room, but whatever JMHO!

I feel you should too.

but whatever

(RCI has not modeled much of their present business model after what I feel. )

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

I feel you should too.

but whatever

(RCI has not modeled much of their present business model after what I feel. )

So true, have said my piece now so will just deal with it..LOL