My experience with SFX

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

I have had a very pleasant experience with SFX to make my deposit. I will be starting my search soon for a week next year in Aruba. The rep I talked to was great and gave me her email and I think that is great. Makes it easier to communicate. She did let me know that Aruba is a hard exchange to get so we will see how that works out. We can always go somewhere else in the Caribbean.

The bonus weeks, free platinum membership, and free guest certificates are a great add-on. So at least for me it has been great so far. So if anyone has a week in Aruba deposit it for me!

[wizards8507 Member Find all posts View Profile Close wizards8507]

Be advised: People looking quickly at "My experience with SFX" might do a double take, especially when the words are underlined, i.e. SFX

Mature, I know.

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

I don’t think it is an issue. Most of us who have been on this site for a while are well experienced with SFX and their services. They are the only company I have used for an exchange.

Here it isn't an issue, but there is if I say it in a conversation with friends, then I have to explain what it is.

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

I don’t think it is an issue. Most of us who have been on this site for a while are well experienced with SFX and their services. They are the only company I have used for an exchange.

Here it isn't an issue, but there is if I say it in a conversation with friends, then I have to explain what it is.

I have never found a person at any of the resorts we have visited that has ever heard of SFX. That includes people that are pretty familiar with timesharing which the average timesharer is not.

We have used SFX exclusively for the past 13 years. I have recommended SFX to several people we have met at different resorts. Often the subject comes up because of the RCI 1 in 4/5 rule. People that find out that we can exchange into any resort as often as we want ask how we can do that. This has come up frequently at the Grand Mayans ( 1 in 5 ), HGVC ( 1 in 4 ), and several others that are on RCI exchanges. They seem very interested when I tell then about SFX but I don't know how many of them follow up on it.

[Icc5 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Icc5]

First Time

I know we will be using them for the first time this coming year.
Bart

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

I joined SFX 6 years ago after reading JWC's posts. I also use Trading Places and occasionally II, although since the recent Starwood changes I won't be using II for anything other than Diamond points exchanges. I'll let my personal account expire and trade my Starwood units at SFX or TPI.

I've been very happy with SFX and always gotten what I consider good and fair exchanges. I'm not enamored with the big glitzy resorts and often care more about the destination rather than getting a branded resort with superficial amenities. I don't care if there are granite counters and swim up bars. SFX has always gotten me to the locations I have requested, often for a very specific week. So far all my requests have been filled quickly. But then, I don't ask for the moon and stars, just a clean, comfortable place to enjoy my vacation.

As the big guys shift more and more to favoring the Corporate Brands at the expense of the owners, I think the Independents will become our only avenue for real choice as exchangers. II and RCI are evolving into rental outlets for the Hotel brands.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

I am more concerned with location than the resort most of the time. I have always deposited a 2 BR and I'm as likely to take get a 1 BR in exchange. This works for me so I'm not complaining. I've been with SFX for 4 1/2 years and I've gotten just about everything I've requested. Still waiting for that Alexandria week. They had one show up on the sell-off list a couple of months ago, but I was completely booked for this year already. I have found the people who work there friendly and easy to work with. Thumbs up to each and everyone of the people I've worked with.

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

I'd be interested in hearing of some of the non-Mexico and non-Hawaii exchanges that SFX has executed, particularly from Barndweller (but others, as well), as I have the same thoughts about timeshares -- give me my desired location, and I'll forego amenities.

[brisket lover Member Find all posts View Profile Close brisket lover]

I'll be putting in my request Tuesday so we will see how it goes.

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

I've gotten Las Vegas and Scotland. The Scotland week was in July and I had my pick of the weeks in July. It wasn't necessarily one of the most popular resorts, but it was 1/2 way between Edinburgh and Glasgow, as I'd requested.

I also have booked a London week from the sell-off list for a friend of mine, and Thanksgiving week in San Francisco using a bonus week.

Sue

[falmouth3 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close falmouth3]

I forgot to mention this year's vacations. A studio at W. 57th in Manhattan was an exchange.

Island Park in the summer (Yellowstone area), and Hilton Seaworld in November. Both of these were bonus weeks. I got the Hilton week confirmed within 1 1/2 hours after I placed the request.

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

We pick specific locations but we are also very picky about the resort. We like the upscale resorts and not just some condo. As such I usually will request specific resorts at our desired location.

We have received exchanges to the following locations:

1. Las Vegas - several exchanges at 3 different resorts.
2. New York City - Manhattan Club summer 2008, confirmed exchange for this August at HGVC West 57th Street.
3. Scottsdale AZ - mid-March for MLB Spring Training. Very tough exchange.
4. Sedona AZ
5. Branson MO
6. Fort Lauderdale - Marriott
7. Mexico - Grand Mayans( Best resorts period ) several times, and Royal Mayan.
8. Hawaii
9. Lake Tahoe

I may have left out a couple as these are off the top of my head.

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

I'd be interested in hearing of some of the non-Mexico and non-Hawaii exchanges that SFX has executed, particularly from Barndweller (but others, as well), as I have the same thoughts about timeshares -- give me my desired location, and I'll forego amenities.

I've done really well in California.

Lake Tahoe

SF

Solana Beach

Capistrano Beach

San Diego

A couple of those were bonus weeks.

[jaym Member Find all posts View Profile Close jaym]

Has anyone had success getting shoulder seasons at Marriott's Newport Coast through SFX? Interested in early Fall, after Labor Day or late April periods.
How about the Marriott HHI resorts?

If not, what do you consider your best SoCal exchange, most enjoyable resort you've gotten from them?
thanks for any feedback.

J-

I've done really well in California.
Lake Tahoe
SF
Solana Beach
Capistrano Beach
San Diego
A couple of those were bonus weeks.