RCI Devalues Branson Resorts

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

The new RCI Wish Book(ette) arrived and a few Branson Resorts have lost their medals, or been demoted.

Let me first say that except on paper, guests will likely not see much difference in the resorts from the days of higher rankings.

First, and most expected, the Westgate grudge continues. All former Grandvista resorts have been demoted. All were formerly Gold Crowns and Branson Yacht Club & Emerald Point are now Silver Crowns. The former Cedar Ridge is now nothing. Except for a lot of pictures of a certain someone on the walls, and a new midrise building at Cedar Ridge, those resorts are pretty much the same as when they were Grandvista.

Point Royale has gone from Gold Crown to Hospitality.

Holiday Hills from Gold to Silver.

One Surrey is now nothing and other has dropped to Silver.

The Colonnade has dropped to Silver.

A resort that had no business being a resort, West Branson Bluffs, appears to be gone, or I am just blocking it out and can't see it.

It appears that RCI did not read the couple of scathing reviews of Palace View OY, as it is still a GC.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

You decide the rank - don't give it to resorts that cheat you

The new RCI Wish Book(ette) arrived and a few Branson Resorts have lost their medals, or been demoted.

It is not RCI that demotes or raises the rankings it is the exchange guests. But of course RCI influences those results by changing the criteria and by the very methods they use to rank and gather results. It appears RCI is actively trying to reduce the number of higher ranked resorts to make them more exclusive. If so the plan is working. It is being helped greatly by the dwindling number of RCI exchanges - not rentals or mini-system reservations as would occur within the Wyndham system as they don't get ratings cards - so the total number of ranking cards has dropped significantly in the past couple of years. That means it's harder for a resort to overcome a few bad results and maintain a high ranking with RCI or II if they return to a rating system (the meaningless 5* is thankfully gone).

It also means that you as an exchange guest suddenly hold far more power than ever before to influence a resorts ranking. If you get hit with unfair charges (such as the Manhattan Club instituted along with DVC and a growing list of others) that aren't charged to owners at those resorts hit the resort HARD with low scores and comment that the charges are why you rated them that way. It is tough for them to overcome as RCI/II doesn't care why the scores are low - they count them no matter what. Once the resort/owners see their ranking go away because they are unfairly charging an exchange penalty maybe they'll get the hint and drop those bogus fees. If not you will have helped lower or remove their ranking as, if they are pulling that, they don't deserve one anyway. Be proactive and don't take being nicked for unfair fees lying down. Make the resort / owners pay too.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

It is not RCI that demotes or raises the rankings it is the exchange guests.............

If you really believe this, then I have a couple of bridges to sell you (yes I did read your entire post). Not believing that RCI's system is crooked at best is simply keeping your head in the sand.

Westgate Branson Woods is nothing? We've stayed at a lot of Branson resorts and Westgate Branson Woods is one of the top resorts we've spent time in, save for an noise/insulation issue and that issue was Grand Vista's doing (the developer that built those units).

It is impossible to take RCI's rankings seriously based on what I know about the resorts listed. By knowing I mean sleeping in, staying at and enjoying the amenities of the resort. RCI's ranking system has no value and is obviously politically (or cash) motivated.

As for rankings being low do to resort fee's, I'm unaware of any resort fee's charged by the above Branson resorts. These ranking adjustments have nothing to do with resort fee's or guest disatisfaction IMO. They have to do with a corupt RCI system.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

The cards rule. It isn't pretty.

If you really believe this, then I have a couple of bridges to sell you (yes I did read your entire post). Not believing that RCI's system is crooked at best is simply keeping your head in the sand.

Westgate Branson Woods is nothing? We've stayed at a lot of Branson resorts and Westgate Branson Woods is one of the top resorts we've spent time in, save for an noise/insulation issue and that issue was Grand Vista's doing (the developer that built those units).

It is impossible to take RCI's rankings seriously based on what I know about the resorts listed. By knowing I mean sleeping in, staying at and enjoying the amenities of the resort. RCI's ranking system has no value and is obviously politically (or cash) motivated.

As for rankings being low do to resort fee's, I'm unaware of any resort fee's charged by the above Branson resorts. These ranking adjustments have nothing to do with resort fee's or guest disatisfaction IMO. They have to do with a corupt RCI system.

The fact that GREAT resorts - even those OWNED by the RCI Parent - have suffered drop or loss of rankings this year shows that it is the cards that rule. When a resort is new and there aren't enough exchange guests the rank, if any, is based on RCI politics. But once 3 or 4 years go by it is based on the cards. And RCI has managed to screw that up so badly now that it is a tiny minority who determines the ranking fate of all RCI resorts except the absolute newest.

What is needed is a neutral, third party to handle rankings. That should be an AAA or ARDA type function but neither has shown any interest in what would be a valuable service. As it is take the rankings, which used to represent a huge majority of all exchange guests but now represent a tiny slice of usually dissatisfied guests with an axe to grind, with a grain of salt. II dropped theirs as it had become worse than meaningless. If they are smart they won't revive it or anything to replace it unless they figure out some way to make it truly representative. Not easy to do and most likely far beyond the "brain trust" of II or RCI to accomplish.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

The fact that GREAT resorts - even those OWNED by the RCI Parent - have suffered drop or loss of rankings this year shows that it is the cards that rule. When a resort is new and there aren't enough exchange guests the rank, if any, is based on RCI politics. But once 3 or 4 years go by it is based on the cards. And RCI has managed to screw that up so badly now that it is a tiny minority who determines the ranking fate of all RCI resorts except the absolute newest.

What is needed is a neutral, third party to handle rankings. That should be an AAA or ARDA type function but neither has shown any interest in what would be a valuable service. As it is take the rankings, which used to represent a huge majority of all exchange guests but now represent a tiny slice of usually dissatisfied guests with an axe to grind, with a grain of salt. II dropped theirs as it had become worse than meaningless. If they are smart they won't revive it or anything to replace it unless they figure out some way to make it truly representative. Not easy to do and most likely far beyond the "brain trust" of II or RCI to accomplish.

You won't find me disagreeing with your second paragraph. For that matter, it really doesn't matter whether it's a tiny contingent that turns in review cards to I.I. or RCI or politics behind their rankings. What matters and what we both seem to agree on is that the rankings are about as acurate as guessing how many drops of water are in the ocean. They just aren't any good.

I.I. is amussing in that they announced the end of the 5 star ranking yet, as of this date they still have that useless symbol of resort quality.

The only reliable way to determine resort quality is TS4M's reviews and TUG reviews and even with those, you really have to read between the lines.

The only way for an independant company to rank timeshares would be if there was a way to make money out of the activity. Without profit there's very little incintive to put in the work. As far as RCI and I.I. are concerned, I would think it would be a tough sell for something they don't see as necessary to their bottom line.

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

Gold Crown is based on two things. One is exchange guest comment card rankings, and other is a check off list of availible amenities. If a resort loses its GC status it has either had its numbers drop or it has cut back and no long meets the list of amenities. Silver Crown is based entirely on comment card scores, as is Hospitality.

Resorts receive monthly reports on their comment card numbers, with averages, and also copies of each guest's comments and scores. Resort know over time how their number look and can take action to try to halt declines.

This is the first year that resort award status has been determined after RCI raised the qualifying scores, but also changed the value terms on the comment cards. It was assumed that changing the value terms on the comment cards would raise scores but not as much as RCI had raised the bar to qualify. That generally fewer resorts would achieve award status was a foregone conclusion from this change, and that apparently has happened.

Unlike some other things that RCI has done, this is not one that in the past has been subject to developer politicking except in awarding GC status when a resort opens, before any numbers exist. Reports of resorts suddenly having GC status ''restored'' after the list was announced this time, however, does now seem to make things suspect.

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

If all that is said here is taken to be true, that would mean that those WG resorts still affiliated with RCI that now have no rating (gosh, let's see, that would be all but WG Branson Lakes and WG Painted Mountain) have no rating solely because of comment cards, rather than politics, since it is only the guests' comment cards that are considered when demoting from Silver Crown or Hospitality.

And, all that has been said here is certainly true, because it has been said in such an assertive, true-like manner.

Gosh, that would mean that it is solely the opinions of guests at WVV, the original, that makes it unrated, and that ties into the discussion OY.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Quanity and quality counts

If all that is said here is taken to be true, that would mean that those WG resorts still affiliated with RCI that now have no rating (gosh, let's see, that would be all but WG Branson Lakes and WG Painted Mountain) have no rating solely because of comment cards, rather than politics, since it is only the guests' comment cards that are considered when demoting from Silver Crown or Hospitality.

And, all that has been said here is certainly true, because it has been said in such an assertive, true-like manner.

Gosh, that would mean that it is solely the opinions of guests at WVV, the original, that makes it unrated, and that ties into the discussion OY.

Don't forget there is also a minimum number of ratings reports (they can no longer be called cards as there are web based versions now) required to qualify for a ranking. II in particular uses that to prevent a ranking assignment when they had the 5* (now thankfully retired) and RCI does also have it in the rules. if not many RCI guests get to a specific resort and if not enough of those report then even a high ranking average may still result in an unranked status.

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

I don't believe any of the resorts being considered are lacking for numbers of RCI guests.
- - - - - -
But, that brings up another aspect of the new Wish Bookette, that being that resorts have been moved from the full listing to the Other Vacation Destinations sections because of Limited Availability.

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

Hello,

Thank you for your e-mail. Gold Crown considers more than member
comment cards. Please see the breakdowns below:

Comment Cards are based on the following --

Check-in/out
Resort Hospitality
Resort Maintenance
Resort Amenities
Resort Activities
Unit Quality
Unit Maintenance
Unit Housekeeping
Unit Amenities
Overall Vacation Experience (Is this included?)
Weather (Not included)

Gold and Silver Crown are based on the following --
Check in/out
Hospitality
Resort Maintenance
Unit Maintenance
Housekeeping

Additionally for Gold Crown --
Resort amenities
Unit amenities
Guest services

Thank you for your interest in our program.

Sincerely,

E-Communications
RCI - North America

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

Hello,

Thank you for your e-mail. Gold Crown considers more than member
comment cards. Please see the breakdowns below:

Comment Cards are based on the following --

Check-in/out
Resort Hospitality
Resort Maintenance
Resort Amenities
Resort Activities
Unit Quality
Unit Maintenance
Unit Housekeeping
Unit Amenities
Overall Vacation Experience (Is this included?)
Weather (Not included)

Gold and Silver Crown are based on the following --
Check in/out
Hospitality
Resort Maintenance
Unit Maintenance
Housekeeping

Additionally for Gold Crown --
Resort amenities
Unit amenities
Guest services

Thank you for your interest in our program.

Sincerely,

E-Communications
RCI - North America

If all of this is true, then I just don't see how Westgate Branson Woods went from Gold Crown to nothing.

Don't get me wrong I have a very serious dislike for Westgate resorts but, we have stayed at Westgate Branson Woods and it meets all of RCI's qualifications for Gold Crown in our opinion. I've also stayed at Palace View by Spinnaker and, while I really don't care for that resort, it also meets the qualifications for Gold Crown but is not as nice as Branson Woods. Still, both resorts are on par with each other. For RCI to have one ranked Gold Crown but the other one not ranked gives me reason to pause and question the authenticity of RCI's ranking system.

As for I.I. dumping their 5 star ranking, at this point that's all still just talk. There's no rankings in their exchange book but online I.I. continues to employ the 5 star ranking.

As far as the two major exchange companies ranking their member resorts I think we can all agree that those rankings are pretty much worthless. I agree with the principle that rankings must be done by an independant company but the company should have no vested interest in either the resort or the exchange company to have much merit.

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

Rentals too.

I agree with the principle that rankings must be done by an independant company but the company should have no vested interest in either the resort or the exchange company to have much merit.