How does SFX contact members with a match?

[Bill4728 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Bill4728]

Mark

How does SFX contact members with a match?

It seemed that the problem in this thread Link was that the member never returned the messages from SFX in a timely manner. Can members instruct SFX on which method thay would perfer to be contacted? So for me, I like a call during business hours to my work number.

TIA

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

I've gotten calls at my home number

My home number is in my profile and they always have left the message at home. Since I check the answering machine each day from work, I get the message in a timely fashion.

Sue

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

I am contacted by phone.

[katie Member Find all posts View Profile Close katie]

What's considered an exact match?

That same thread talked about a two bedroom deposit receiving exact matches on studios & one bedrooms and being charged an exact match exchange fee.

Is there a way to specify that the exact match exchange fee should only apply if the same size unit or larger is found ?

Thanks

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

That same thread talked about a two bedroom deposit receiving exact matches on studios & one bedrooms and being charged an exact match exchange fee.

Is there a way to specify that the exact match exchange fee should only apply if the same size unit or larger is found ?

Thanks

I read the thread and it's not clear to me if SFX was offering a studio or a 1br or a 2br to the OP when SFX considered these offers "exact matches."

I always request 2brs (5 people traveling) and I thought that unless SFX came up with a 2br, it wasn't considered an exact match. This is a good question for Mark.

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

I assumed an exact match meant the date, unit size, as well as anything included in the comments such as specific resort names, amenities, etc. Is this correct Mark?

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

Mark

How does SFX contact members with a match?

It seemed that the problem in this thread Link was that the member never returned the messages from SFX in a timely manner. Can members instruct SFX on which method thay would perfer to be contacted? So for me, I like a call during business hours to my work number.

TIA

Bill - thank you for your post. When there is an exact match, or a close match, the week is put on hold in your name. The agent will phone you at the numbers in your SFX account. They will then give you the information and answer any questions you may have. If you are not available when they call, they will leave a message for you to call back as soon as possible. Once they have made contact with you, and given you all the information, the unit will then be placed on hold for 24 hours for you. If it is an exact match to what you asked us for, the exchange fee is due whether or not you book the week. We like anyone else expect to be paid for services rendered. If it is a close match, you may accept or decline without any fees being due.

With regards to timely manner ?? Unfortunately calls weren't returned at all on several occassions. However, in moving forward..... Members can most definitely advise SFX agents their preferred method of contact.

Hope this helps...

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

I read the thread and it's not clear to me if SFX was offering a studio or a 1br or a 2br to the OP when SFX considered these offers "exact matches."

I always request 2brs (5 people traveling) and I thought that unless SFX came up with a 2br, it wasn't considered an exact match. This is a good question for Mark.

Katie - thank you for your post. I didn't go into further details in the other post, as it really isn't appropriate to discuss transactional details from members, even with their permission.

Your comment is correct. If you have 5 people traveling, then a 2 bedroom unit would be considered the appropriate exact match, as 1 bedroom units as a rule sleep 4, and wouldn't be offered if there are more than 4 in the party.

Hope this helps...

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

That same thread talked about a two bedroom deposit receiving exact matches on studios & one bedrooms and being charged an exact match exchange fee.

Is there a way to specify that the exact match exchange fee should only apply if the same size unit or larger is found ?

Thanks

Katie- thank you for your post. What wasn't disclosed in another thread was the amount of people traveling in the party. With no reference to the other thread, but as an example, if you deposit a 2 bedroom sleep 6, and there is only one or two people traveling in your party to a destination that has huge demand and very small supply, and there are a large number of parties of 6 waiting for a 2 bedroom unit and there is a match for a one bedroom sleep 4... it would be unfair and unreasonable to give a party of 1 or 2, a unit for 6 under such circumstances.

If it was for an area that had an abundance of 2 bedroom space and a massive supply in prime time... then the dynamic is different and it doesn't matter giving a party of 1 or 2 a unit for 6. (Common sense).

If you wanted for example to go to London, NY or San Francisco... and 90% of the space is Studio and 1 bedroom units... and you deposited a 2 bedroom sleep 6, but there is only 2 of you going... would you accept the opportunity of a great vacation week in a studio or 1 bedroom unit... or decline just because it doesn't sleep 6?

Hope this helps...

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

Mark,
Please clarify. If I deposit a 2-bedroom unit, and I request a 2-bedroom unit with 2 adults in my party (perhaps I'm traveling with a friend and we both want a private bedroom), would a 1-bedroom unit, sleeps 4 be considered an "exact match"? I understand why it would be offered for consideration, but would I be expected to pay the exchange fee if I were to decline the exchange?

This is strictly a hypothetical question and not something I'm considering. I was just curious.

Thanks
Yolanda (lanalee)

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

Mark,
Please clarify. If I deposit a 2-bedroom unit, and I request a 2-bedroom unit with 2 adults in my party (perhaps I'm traveling with a friend and we both want a private bedroom), would a 1-bedroom unit, sleeps 4 be considered an "exact match"? I understand why it would be offered for consideration, but would I be expected to pay the exchange fee if I were to decline the exchange?

This is strictly a hypothetical question and not something I'm considering. I was just curious.

Thanks
Yolanda (lanalee)

Hi Yolanda - great question...

At the point of making the request, if you mention in the Comments Box your party of two requires two separate bedrooms... and a one bedroom sleep four matches, then it would "not" be considered as an "exact match". You would be offered the unit for acceptance or decline, as the occupancy is equal to or greater than the number of people traveling.

Hope this helps...

[barndweller Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close barndweller]

This info is very helpful in regards to making requests for exchanges. It serves to point out even more how flexability is such a big factor in getting a satisfactory exchange. Mark's explaination to the unhappy poster on the other thread clarified the basic problem which seems to be the main one for most of us: timely communication. Reading all the SFX themed threads both here & OY have helped me to better understand how to work with SFX. One thing I have learned is to be reasonable about what I request & not ask for a miracle trade! No exchange company is able to conjure up a unit that is never available for exchange no matter what one offers in trade! I only wish that I'd get a courtesy call or even an e-mail once in awhile just to let me know my requests have not been forgotten. It is hard to be patient when I'm used to being able to do some searching on my own at the other exchange companies (even when there's nothing I want )

I am quite happy with the exchanges I've gotten so far & I am happy to see the steady improvements to the website. I find SFX very honest & upfront about how their system works unlike the larger companies. And the bonus weeks are a real value with very little restrictions.

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

.............I only wish that I'd get a courtesy call or even an e-mail once in awhile just to let me know my requests have not been forgotten...............

Barndweller - thank you for your post, part of which is quoted above. I am glad you mentioned that. For quite a while we would send members an email with a status report of any search still in progress. That feature ceased about 6-8 weeks ago.

As part of our commitment for continuous improvement, that feature is being improved and enhanced with much more information than before. It is almost out of the design phase, and ready for launch in about 2 weeks from now. It will then automactically communicate with you about every 2 weeks while you have a search in progress.

[Kola Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kola]

As part of our commitment for continuous improvement, that feature is being improved and enhanced with much more information than before. It is almost out of the design phase, and ready for launch in about 2 weeks from now. It will then automactically communicate with you about every 2 weeks while you have a search in progress.

Mark
Thanks for letting us know about this planned improvement. Could you explain what do you mean by "much more information than before" ? Would you be able to indicate what alternative dates or resorts are available ? Or, perhaps, indicate how do you see my chances of securing an exchange within the requested time frame ? Another question: what if I happen to have ongoing requests for, lets say, TEN different places? Will I be getting ten messages every two weeks ?

Kola

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

Mark
Thanks for letting us know about this planned improvement. Could you explain what do you mean by "much more information than before" ? Would you be able to indicate what alternative dates or resorts are available ? Or, perhaps, indicate how do you see my chances of securing an exchange within the requested time frame ? Another question: what if I happen to have ongoing requests for, lets say, TEN different places? Will I be getting ten messages every two weeks ?

Kola

Kola - thank you for your post. All good questions, but for now I cannot go into details. We will launch what we feel is a good improvement. Then subject to our Member's feedback, we will modify any necessary items that will bring it to a satisfactory level for all.