A question of value vs reality

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

Hi John - That is a good point. There are a number of different ways to travel outside of the Timeshare world, in which case Bonus Weeks / exchanges etc. are not desirable. Some people only vacation with timeshares, others blend different types of vacations in addition to their timeshares, and one of the main reasons people want to sell their timeshares, is because it doesn't meet their needs for a changed lifestyle.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

One of the reasons that I was attracted to the SFX Diamond membership was the ability to convert weeks into cruises and other forms of travel.
Maybe you could go over some of the benefits of this program so that others who are tired of their timeshare vacations can see that it's possible to mix it up a bit.
Thanks

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

So, how about Snowbird Season in SW Florida?

4/16/05 Post:

http://www.tug1.net/tugbbs1/Forum11/HTML/004223-5.html

JLB.. The very difficult can be attainable. The impossible? ... well that's another story!

If everyone is using their time (99.999% Owner occupancy), no one can trade-in. And apparently that is the dynamic for that location in prime time. There also hasn't been much in the way of new TS development in that corridor, and even if there was... it would all be relative. As much as they build, it would be 99.999% Owner occupancy.

Those Snowbirds migrate down to SW FL like clockwork every winter... and that's why they purchased; to stay warm. (at least for week).

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

One of the reasons that I was attracted to the SFX Diamond membership was the ability to convert weeks into cruises and other forms of travel.
Maybe you could go over some of the benefits of this program so that others who are tired of their timeshare vacations can see that it's possible to mix it up a bit.
Thanks

Hi Chriskre -Thank you for your post. Next week I will be glad to go over the benefits of our Diamond Rewards program, as I think our current website does a lousy job of explaining the Value-Proposition.

Some time in Q1 2015, we will be launching a new website, and major changes in our memberships.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

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

Hi Sally - Thank you for your post. In those instances you mention above, there is a huge oversupply of space (Orlando /Mexico), therefore easy to get an exchange and Bonus Weeks. However, its the many other desirable areas where there is a very limited supply of space, where having the ability to Request an SFX Bonus Week in a similar way to an exchange, is where there is great value to the consumer.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

But I guess that is where I have the question of value. Let's say I wanted a two br resort in Vegas for my birthday (mid June) and was ok with the Grandview or any of half a dozen other resorts. If I wanted to book a bonus week because I was using my exchange week elsewhere the $899 for a unit 91+ days in advance or $799 at 31-90 days isn't much of a bonus. Even if I had bonus cash it's overpriced. I think I could find it available at any other exchange company 6+ months for around $550 or less. Even you 0-30 day in advance is probably double what it would cost at rci for a last minute U
Rental with no deposit ever required.

People like to go to over built areas, it's just that even more owners of those areas want to go elsewhere for their primary exchange and pricing those areas at the same rate as everywhere else makes me question the value of the bonus weeks with the current price structure.


So with that in mind it means that I would have to keep my paid membership with the other companies who price rental weeks priced much more competitively. II does let you search with their bonus weeks given for incentive to deposit they just limit the areas to places where they have more supply but the bonus weeks cost under $300. Rci bonus weeks are given as an incentive from the developer to buy and although they don't let you request I can get whatever leftovers, late deposits, or late cancellations with a medium threshold held back for ultra high demand weeks. So there were definitely last minute summer studios in SF as well as 3 br units in Hilton Head over the summer appearing in availability at 1am 2 weeks or so prior to check in for a $209 exchange fee.

And speaking of chicken and egg, if you are giving extra vacation weeks and sometimes 2 or 3 for every one deposit and are not limiting the bonus weeks to the oversupply how are you balancing out the inventory? If you are sourcing that inventory from non deposited weeks why couldn't you just source it all and not require any deposits?

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

Hi Chriskre -Thank you for your post. Next week I will be glad to go over the benefits of our Diamond Rewards program, as I think our current website does a lousy job of explaining the Value-Proposition.

Some time in Q1 2015, we will be launching a new website, and major changes in our memberships.

Thanks,
Mark @SFX
Member Communications

Is that why I keep getting this message when I click on the Diamond Rewards store?


There was an error...

There seems to be a problem accessing your account, we apologize for this delay. Please contact an SFX Vacation Counselor at 800-739-9969 to have this issue resolved. Thank you.

< Go Back

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

Is that why I keep getting this message when I click on the Diamond Rewards store?


There was an error...

There seems to be a problem accessing your account, we apologize for this delay. Please contact an SFX Vacation Counselor at 800-739-9969 to have this issue resolved. Thank you.

< Go Back

Actually no. I was referring to our membership's page in the SFX site. I do not think it does a good job of explaining the Value-Proposition of SFX Diamond Rewards. The error message is a separate item. If you would be kind enough to pm me your name and account number, we can look into this first thing Monday morning.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Thanks,
Mark@SFX
Member Communications

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

But I guess that is where I have the question of value. Let's say I wanted a two br resort in Vegas for my birthday (mid June) and was ok with the Grandview or any of half a dozen other resorts. If I wanted to book a bonus week because I was using my exchange week elsewhere the $899 for a unit 91+ days in advance or $799 at 31-90 days isn't much of a bonus. Even if I had bonus cash it's overpriced. I think I could find it available at any other exchange company 6+ months for around $550 or less. Even you 0-30 day in advance is probably double what it would cost at rci for a last minute U
Rental with no deposit ever required.

People like to go to over built areas, it's just that even more owners of those areas want to go elsewhere for their primary exchange and pricing those areas at the same rate as everywhere else makes me question the value of the bonus weeks with the current price structure.


So with that in mind it means that I would have to keep my paid membership with the other companies who price rental weeks priced much more competitively. II does let you search with their bonus weeks given for incentive to deposit they just limit the areas to places where they have more supply but the bonus weeks cost under $300. Rci bonus weeks are given as an incentive from the developer to buy and although they don't let you request I can get whatever leftovers, late deposits, or late cancellations with a medium threshold held back for ultra high demand weeks. So there were definitely last minute summer studios in SF as well as 3 br units in Hilton Head over the summer appearing in availability at 1am 2 weeks or so prior to check in for a $209 exchange fee.

And speaking of chicken and egg, if you are giving extra vacation weeks and sometimes 2 or 3 for every one deposit and are not limiting the bonus weeks to the oversupply how are you balancing out the inventory? If you are sourcing that inventory from non deposited weeks why couldn't you just source it all and not require any deposits?

Las Vegas is a bad example because it has an over supply of timeshare weeks. I can rent a week cheaper than $550.00. Las Vegas is one of the easiest places to exchange into.

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

As posted elsewhere:

2 Bedrooms 6 (6) Full Sat 20-Sep-2014 Sat 27-Sep-2014 USD 294.00

It's a shame that some of the better things about owning timeshare is not directly related to the actual owning of the timeshare.

Did that come out right?

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

Las Vegas is a bad example because it has an over supply of timeshare weeks. I can rent a week cheaper than $550.00. Las Vegas is one of the easiest places to exchange into.

Lost Wages :

1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Fri 12-Sep-2014 Fri 19-Sep-2014 USD 269.00
1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Sat 13-Sep-2014 Sat 20-Sep-2014 USD 269.00
1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Sat 20-Sep-2014 Sat 27-Sep-2014 USD 269.00
2 Bedrooms 6 (6) Full Sat 20-Sep-2014 Sat 27-Sep-2014 USD 294.00
1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Sat 27-Sep-2014 Sat 04-Oct-2014 USD 269.00
2 Bedrooms 6 (6) Full Sat 27-Sep-2014 Sat 04-Oct-2014 USD 294.00
2 Bedrooms 6 (6) Full Sat 04-Oct-2014 Sat 11-Oct-2014 USD 294.00
1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Sat 04-Oct-2014 Sat 11-Oct-2014 USD 269.00
1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Fri 10-Oct-2014 Fri 17-Oct-2014 USD 269.00
1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Sat 11-Oct-2014 Sat 18-Oct-2014 USD 269.00
2 Bedrooms 6 (6) Full Sat 11-Oct-2014 Sat 18-Oct-2014 USD 294.00
1 Bedroom 4 (4) Full Sat 18-Oct-2014 Sat 25-Oct-2014 USD 269.00
2 Bedrooms 6 (6) Full Sat 18-Oct-2014 Sat 25-Oct-2014 USD 294.00

[Mark @SFX Industry Representative Find all posts View Profile Close Mark @SFX]

But I guess that is where I have the question of value. Let's say I wanted a two br resort in Vegas for my birthday (mid June) and was ok with the Grandview or any of half a dozen other resorts. If I wanted to book a bonus week because I was using my exchange week elsewhere the $899 for a unit 91+ days in advance or $799 at 31-90 days isn't much of a bonus. Even if I had bonus cash it's overpriced. I think I could find it available at any other exchange company 6+ months for around $550 or less. Even you 0-30 day in advance is probably double what it would cost at rci for a last minute U
Rental with no deposit ever required.

People like to go to over built areas, it's just that even more owners of those areas want to go elsewhere for their primary exchange and pricing those areas at the same rate as everywhere else makes me question the value of the bonus weeks with the current price structure.


So with that in mind it means that I would have to keep my paid membership with the other companies who price rental weeks priced much more competitively. II does let you search with their bonus weeks given for incentive to deposit they just limit the areas to places where they have more supply but the bonus weeks cost under $300. Rci bonus weeks are given as an incentive from the developer to buy and although they don't let you request I can get whatever leftovers, late deposits, or late cancellations with a medium threshold held back for ultra high demand weeks. So there were definitely last minute summer studios in SF as well as 3 br units in Hilton Head over the summer appearing in availability at 1am 2 weeks or so prior to check in for a $209 exchange fee.

And speaking of chicken and egg, if you are giving extra vacation weeks and sometimes 2 or 3 for every one deposit and are not limiting the bonus weeks to the oversupply how are you balancing out the inventory? If you are sourcing that inventory from non deposited weeks why couldn't you just source it all and not require any deposits?

...........But I guess that is where I have the question of value. Let's say I wanted a two br resort in Vegas for my birthday (mid June) and was ok with the Grandview or any of half a dozen other resorts. If I wanted to book a bonus week because I was using my exchange week elsewhere the $899 for a unit 91+ days in advance or $799 at 31-90 days isn't much of a bonus. Even if I had bonus cash it's overpriced. I think I could find it available at any other exchange company 6+ months for around $550 or less. Even you 0-30 day in advance is probably double what it would cost at rci for a last minute U
Rental with no deposit ever required.......

A 2BR or 3BR suite Gold Crown rated, 91 + Days in advance is only $899 (could be as little as $699 +/- with the Cash-Card). That could be as little as $99 per day for a 2 or 3BR suite. (No deposit required).

A 2BR or 3BR suite GC rated 30 days or less is only $399 minus a 20% discount, making it only $319 for the week ($46 per day). (no deposit required).

I am sorry you don't see the value in that

Any exchange company can get you good last minute Bonus Week deals, but that is NOT the point. The point is, SFX is the only exchange company that allows you to request a Bonus Week up to a year in advance, like an exchange week, for lower prices than the other companies, that typically (not always) restrict you to around 60 days or less, and take it or leave it what is in inventory, without the ability to request what you want.

Request and book a Bonus Week with other exchange companies 6+ months in advance??? I didn't think you could. Are you sure?

People like to go to over built areas, it's just that even more owners of those areas want to go elsewhere for their primary exchange and pricing those areas at the same rate as everywhere else makes me question the value of the bonus weeks with the current price structure.

Once again... the Value is "in Advance" long term requesting of what you want, for a lower price than others in the market, including High-Season, versus having to take what "left-overs" are sitting on the shelf within around 60 days, when you usually get stung with high last minute airfare. There are plenty of good left over deals with all companies, and if "last minute" stuff is your preference, then shop around for the best deals, as you should. There are lots of them.

And speaking of chicken and egg, if you are giving extra vacation weeks and sometimes 2 or 3 for every one deposit and are not limiting the bonus weeks to the oversupply how are you balancing out the inventory?

In addition to "oversupply", we also source unsold developer inventory.

If you are sourcing that inventory from non deposited weeks why couldn't you just source it all and not require any deposits?

Why would it make sense to acquire inventory from just one source?? That doesn't make any sense when there are multiple sources therefore expanding customer fulfillment through more choice. Thus... the option for exchange and/or Bonus Week inventory... giving our Members more choices.

I do understand that truly understanding the timeshare product/concept can seem confusing, and somewhat overwhelming. One of the biggest challenges our industry has faced over the years, is a lack educational programs for consumers. I wish there was as much emphasis on educational programs as there is for sales.

Hope this helps....

Mark @SFX
Member Communications