RCI online regression

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

It's been a long time since I've used RCI's online search by resort ID#. But today I added one resort to my ongoing search, for different dates than my current regional searches. So the search looks like this:

Region 1 dates: 4/18 -4/20

Region 2 dates: 4/18-4/20 (but for purposes of illustrating this problem, it could just as well be different dates from Region 1)

Resort Id: 1234, dates: 12/25-12/28

With the addition of the resort ID search for a different date range than my regional searches, the system will no longer allow me to modify anything online.

I just got off the phone with someone from RCI tech support who at least sounded like he knew what he was doing (a step up from the usual weekend crowd), and he said the addition of the separate date range from the region date ranges did the trick. This is new since I last tried it, it used to be that you could easily run two regions with two different date ranges, with one more date range for as many as up to 30 specific resorts. But that if you wanted one date range for some resorts and another date range for other resorts (by resort ID), THEN it could only be input or modified online.

But I was able to input this search myself, and now can't modify it (or search with it). So I guess this is what I get for asking RCI to make their site more search-friendly

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

I noticed the same thing last night, for the first time also. Quite frustrating...I wonder if you modify it, does it change the timeframe of the original request. I have an ongoing search that was requested in about 22 months out..I want to modify it now with the addition of different resorts, different dates...what does it do to the original request? If i modify it, will the request now be, say..17 months out instead of 22?

Does anyone know?

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Modification of an on-going search ie. adding, deleting resorts for the same dates does not change your search start date.

Changing your dates will.

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

Thanks Lawren! I guess I will leave it just as it is.

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

I called RCI yesterday to try to grab an oncoming unit (which was taken by on ongoing search, or so I was told) and the rep told me that ongoing searches CAN NOT be modified AT ALL. This is a new thing...don't know how new though. I specifically asked as she wanted me to start an ongoing search. I said "Can I modiify it online?" "No" "What if I start the search online instead of with you?? "No, you can no longer modify ongoing searches online". "Can I search with it while it's in an ongoing search?" "No. YOu must call a rep to do any modifications at all".

So... are some of you still able to modify an ongoing search??? If so, is it a search that's been ongoing for quite some time (ie: grandfathered so to speak)? I do know that reps are no that reliable as far as accuracy of info they hand out.

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

I called RCI yesterday to try to grab an oncoming unit (which was taken by on ongoing search, or so I was told) and the rep told me that ongoing searches CAN NOT be modified AT ALL. This is a new thing...don't know how new though. I specifically asked as she wanted me to start an ongoing search. I said "Can I modiify it online?" "No" "What if I start the search online instead of with you?? "No, you can no longer modify ongoing searches online". "Can I search with it while it's in an ongoing search?" "No. YOu must call a rep to do any modifications at all".

So... are some of you still able to modify an ongoing search??? If so, is it a search that's been ongoing for quite some time (ie: grandfathered so to speak)? I do know that reps are no that reliable as far as accuracy of info they hand out.

Oh, that would just make too much sense. Can someone please test this before the system goes down tonight -- see if you can enter an ongoing request and then modify it?

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

Well, I just checked an ongoing search that I have with RCI and I was able to modify online like the wind...

The moral of the story? Never underestimate the stupidity and ineptitude of an RCI "guide" (and I use the term loosely).

Also when you get a line from them about something that sounds strange just hang up and call back. It is better to start over again with a new one than to argue hopelessly with the one you were originally talking to.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Well, I just checked an ongoing search that I have with RCI and I was able to modify online like the wind...

The moral of the story? Never underestimate the stupidity and ineptitude of an RCI "guide" (and I use the term loosely).

Also when you get a line from them about something that sounds strange just hang up and call back. It is better to start over again with a new one than to argue hopelessly with the one you were originally talking to.

Thanks for checking. I had a feeling that was all BS.

and it is Vacation Counseler to you.

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

Thanks for checking. I had a feeling that was all BS.

and it is Vacation Counseler to you.

Ok, so we're just back to the system having become slightly less friendly, rather than completely use(r)less...

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

Why would the VC say something like that then? It didn't make me want to put in an ongoing request, that was for sure! Of course she did ask about me depositing another unit for looking when my first unit was busy with the ongoing request. Hmmm...

Anyway, would you all please help me on this? I've not done an ongoing request before and would like to avoid the obvious errors.

I want West Yellowstone (preferred) or Island Park Village, minimum 2 bedroom for July 2009. I have a tiger trader. If I put in an ongoing request for exactly that above and I get it I will be very happy.

In the meantime, I can modify my request online a zillion times, changing dates, places, etc. and I am ok as long as at the end I do NOT SAVE any changes...right?? Please use small words so I don't get confused

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

Why would the VC say something like that then? It didn't make me want to put in an ongoing request, that was for sure! Of course she did ask about me depositing another unit for looking when my first unit was busy with the ongoing request. Hmmm...

Anyway, would you all please help me on this? I've not done an ongoing request before and would like to avoid the obvious errors.

I want West Yellowstone (preferred) or Island Park Village, minimum 2 bedroom for July 2009. I have a tiger trader. If I put in an ongoing request for exactly that above and I get it I will be very happy.

In the meantime, I can modify my request online a zillion times, changing dates, places, etc. and I am ok as long as at the end I do NOT SAVE any changes...right?? Please use small words so I don't get confused

Not sure yet whether it's a new across-the-board-policy FOR NEW SEARCHES ONLY, or an anomoly that certain ongoing searches can't be modified online henceforth by the user - so you can probably still modify and SAVE your changes on a new search, as you could in the past - but whichever is true...

there's nothing to fear since you have nothing permanent to lose. Just do it yourself online - not on the phone. If you don't like it, you can cancel and get a refund if you don't want to keep your $ on account.

You have nothing to lose by starting this, other than tying up your cash earlier. You have everything to gain, because the exchange you're looking for will never sit online for more than a few minutes.

Edited to add: I've had an ongoing search going for a few months. I just modified it online myself, no problem, and saved it, no problem. I changed dates for resort-specific search, and added a new regional search, which differ from my other regional search in both dates and location. In other words, all 3 searches have different sets of dates.

And I can still search with it every hour if I want, without saving new searches. No reason to deposit another week to look with.

And to add this: Why would they say it? Because as a group, VC's at RCI are the most under-trained, mis-informed customer service people in the universe. This is exactly why you are best-served by having an ongoing computer search, rather than having to ever do business on the phone.

What are the dates of your banked week? One last suggestion: if you don't have the exchange you want by July 08, and can make this trip in 2010, consider using this banked week, or a newer one, to add a search for 2010, if you can be flexible on year - then take whichever year comes up first. I confirmed a 3-BR at West Yellowstone for July 2009 on 7/21/07, and find best availability to be in the 18-24-mo window. We sort of have a list of places we'd like to go, but aren't set on specific years.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I want West Yellowstone (preferred) or Island Park Village, minimum 2 bedroom for July 2009. I have a tiger trader. If I put in an ongoing request for exactly that above and I get it I will be very happy.

In the meantime, I can modify my request online a zillion times, changing dates, places, etc. and I am ok as long as at the end I do NOT SAVE any changes...right?? Please use small words so I don't get confused

By jove I think you've got it!

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

Thanks Laurie and Lawren! Sorry it took me so long to get back here.

I bit the bullet and started an on-going search online last week. I've checked it most days and modified the dates and bedroom size to see if anything smaller/broader range was available (nope) and then kept my origonal search intact. Seems to be ok.

My RCI membership expires 2/10 so I'll have to add a year to implement your suggestion Laurie - but I think it's worth it. DH would like to go next year but waiting one more year is ok too...and if it means getting a larger unit, it's definitely worth it. Thanks for the tip!

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

Many moons ago we(a group of experienced exchangers) tried hard to get a July week there - no success. I've assumed since that this is a very hard trade.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Many moons ago we(a group of experienced exchangers) tried hard to get a July week there - no success. I've assumed since that this is a very hard trade.

It ain't easy but they show up and I'd recommend trying with TPI as well for IPV. 2BDRM summer deposits are as rare as hen's teeth in RCI.