Best way to handle RCI- I have a problem with reservation

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

I called RCI about a month ago to reserve a place in the dominican republic for my daughters honeymoon. After speaking to a lovely young lady she convinced me to change my reservation to a NEW resort Moon Palace-- saying it was opening January 10 and it would be the premire spot in DR. I looked at the website at the other Moon Palaces and indeed it looked grand. But now when checking out reviews of the place it isn't completed. Seriously the pools have no water, there are only 3 out of 9 resturants ... the rooms have no toilet seats.. horrible reviews. Now I know that in 70 days alot can happen but I really feel that this will not be a FUN place How do I approach RCI to get a reservation change without this costing me money??? Do I immediately ask for a manager?

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

I would certainly phone and ask to speak to a manager. Remain polite no matter how difficult that may seem, given your feelings on the situation.
What you should bear in mind is that when you booked you were aware that the resort wasn't actually complete, or even open! and you should have considered the possibility of delays before booking. You cannot absolve yourself of all responsibility by saying the RCI rep convinced you to change.
That said, any reviews already posted for a resort that is only one week old are very likely to have complaints about unfinished works. As you have also said, much can happen over the next 10 weeks.
I suspect that you won't feel easy about your daughter's honeymoon accommodation if you stay with the current resort, and your best plan of action will be to change it to an established resort with good reviews if one is available. My gut feeling is that that is the way to go even if you have to pay any costs in the rebooking process. After all you can always argue that part after the event
Good luck, and enjoy the wedding.

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

I would look up alternatives available for your dates on-line and armed with that data call RCI. Explain the situation to them and hopefully they will switch at no cost.

I realized one year I had booked the wrong springbreak week and a compansionate RCI VC did switch my ressie with no additonal exchange fee or penalty. I had done my homework prior to the call and knew there was a week at another resort I would accept for the dates I actually needed.

Good Luck and let us know if it works out for you.

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

Thanks for the encouraging words-- I have heard through the grapevine that the resort is offering a credit towards another stay currently (which does us no good) and that RCI is offering to move you once you are there if its not to your standards. Not exactly how the kids want to be spending their honeymoon --shuffling from hotel to hotel.

Really I thought that a grand opening meant that it was READY-- what other business has a grand opening but isn't ready for customers... seriously I have read they have no phone service in the rooms!!

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

If you are new to timesharing, or RCI, or JLB, let me offer a tidbit.

Never, ever, allow a Guide to do what you can do yourself. Never, ever, trust a Guide.

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

Thanks for the encouraging words-- I have heard through the grapevine that the resort is offering a credit towards another stay currently (which does us no good) and that RCI is offering to move you once you are there if its not to your standards. Not exactly how the kids want to be spending their honeymoon --shuffling from hotel to hotel.

Really I thought that a grand opening meant that it was READY-- what other business has a grand opening but isn't ready for customers... seriously I have read they have no phone service in the rooms!!

Construction has so many components, and a slowdown on one thing can affect many other actions. For an international resort, I'd rather do without a phone in the room than many other possible problems.

Grand Opening dates are usually set well ahead of when construction actually completes. I can't imagine waiting until everything is done AND THEN scheduling Grand Opening.

What I would suggest is calling that resort yourself to find out what's really going on. I would not take internet reviews from strangers to be the whole truth. Could be that the no-phone thing was just the last floor to get phones. Who knows? Better yet, get RCI to make that call, give them a list of your concerns to check out for you.

GOOD LUCK

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

I agree with Board Girl. Many folks ask for assistance without calling resorts directly. I am a firm believer that many properties have some good people who have been working there for a while and will tell you anything from refurbishment schedules to construction.

Always call a resort first

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

... seriously I have read they have no phone service in the rooms!!

They'll be on honeymoon. The last thing on their minds should be phones in the room.