Do DVCers dislike RCI traders?

[krmlaw]

Honest answers greatly appreciated. I "know" a few DVCers from these boards, and it seems like they arent happy that non-DVCers from RCI can trade in ...

I guess I understand why, considering the low price some of us non-DVCers have paid for their timeshares on the resale market ...

Your honest opinions are welcomed :)

[Deb & Bill]

Nah, they just hate seeing DVC villas for rent on the regular WDW website because someone traded out to a non-DVC Disney stay.

If you have a nice trader and can get someone to take your stay, you are entitled to a nice DVC stay. Enjoy your Disney trip.

[AuntTink]

It does not matter to me that anyone gets a better deal than me. In fact, that's a person I probably need to get to know to learn something from them. It would not be in my best interest to dislike you.:thumbsup2 I am happy for you!

Welcome to Disney and DVC!:grouphug:

[missy2217]

What actually irked me about RCI traders was that they have access to our resorts before we do. For example I own at SSR and in order for me to get into BWV I have try and get in at 7 months. In the meanwhile someone with RCI may have already been able to swap in at 11-10-9-8 months. I actually own a RCI timeshare as well and was able to book a week at the Boardwalk using my RCI week. So I just banked my DVC points and am going to HHI instead this summer :banana:

[CarolMN]

What actually irked me about RCI traders was that they have access to our resorts before we do. For example I own at SSR and in order for me to get into BWV I have try and get in at 7 months. In the meanwhile someone with RCI may have already been able to swap in at 11-10-9-8 months. I actually own a RCI timeshare as well and was able to book a week at the Boardwalk using my RCI week. So I just banked my DVC points and am going to HHI instead this summer :banana:If you must be irked, please be irked at DVC/DVD. That's who deposited the time into RCI. Plus, the time they deposited was probably owned by the developer. DVC members wouldn't have access to that anyway.

Have fun at HHI!

[Brian Noble]

DVC members wouldn't have access to that anyway.
A Member who owned at that resort and was exchanging out would.

My experience as an exchanger has been just fine. There are a few Member-only perks that you are not eligible for (internet and valet parking, for example) but otherwise you'll be treated just like everyone else staying there.

[CarolMN]

A Member who owned at that resort and was exchanging out would.




I must be missing something. Members do not have access to inventory owned by the developer.

[gkrykewy]

If you have an RCI property that can trade into DVC, more power to you! I don't think there are terribly many.

[Dean]

To be honest, I think there are some here that are not especially happy to see people trade in. You'll usually see some reason associated but the bottom line is that I believe some are elitist when it comes to DVC and quite a bit more than would actually say so. Often it's related to "how come a non member can get something that I wanted and can't get" but there are others that simply think DVC is better than everything else and in some aspects they may be correct. Still, it shouldn't matter to you, if you can trade in, do so and enjoy it. DVC is actually quite accommodating to exchangers overall often treating them the same or better than members who happen to exchange in.

[Dean]

I must be missing something. Members do not have access to inventory owned by the developer.No but if a member actually exchanges, DVC often uses the home resort priority of that members points to secure the exchange that is given to RCI thus depositing that unit in RCI before it was available to other members that do not own at that resort. Those who have been around very long are likely aware that to me a member at a given resort should be held far above non owners who happen to be DVC members. Thus an exchange, high demand home resort rental, etc are more worthy uses than would be a non owner member of the system trying to reserve.

[bwvBound]

Oh, sure! I hate myself every time I trade into DVC! :lmao:

[utahkennedys]

Oh, sure! I hate myself every time I trade into DVC! :lmao:
Agreed! We own DVC and trade in with RCI (and formerly with II) and it works great for us to do both.

[krmlaw]

thansk guys. i feel a bit better. im been on the planning boards, but not telling anyone i was trading in! haha.

i have gotten our TS off ebay for literally pennies, and did the closings myself, so Im pretty proud that we havent spent alot of money on TS :)

I would love to own at DVC, but when i can buy an RCI trader off ebay that can pull DVC for literally less than $500 (including all closing fees), than i cant justify spending the $$$$ on DVC.

We cant WAIT to go to Disney now!!!

[wulfekamp]

Get yourself a set of mouse ears and a refillable mug. Some really nice people here.

[CarolMN]

No but if a member actually exchanges, DVC often uses the home resort priority of that members points to secure the exchange that is given to RCI thus depositing that unit in RCI before it was available to other members that do not own at that resort. Those who have been around very long are likely aware that to me a member at a given resort should be held far above non owners who happen to be DVC members. Thus an exchange, high demand home resort rental, etc are more worthy uses than would be a non owner member of the system trying to reserve.

Thanks, now I get it, lol.

FWIW, I still think the majority of the RCI deposits are made on behalf of the developer. For example, if I understood the process correctly, the incentive RCI vacations members received for recent purchases/add-ons were secured with developers points. Members never had access to that inventory.

I personally don't have a problem with DVC using the member's home resort priority period to pick & deposit the DVC week the member has to use to secure an exchange. I suspect if DVC didn't do it that way, members would not be able to get some of the more desirable properties in RCI.

All that said, we have not exchanged and have no plans to exchange so I really don't have any skin in this game. But I agree that members who own at a resort (whether they use their points for themselves, rent their points or elect an option in one of the Collections) have priority over members who use the 7 month booking window. That's just the way the system was designed.

[Dean]

Thanks, now I get it, lol.

FWIW, I still think the majority of the RCI deposits are made on behalf of the developer. For example, if I understood the process correctly, the incentive RCI vacations members received for recent purchases/add-ons were secured with developers points. Members never had access to that inventory.

I personally don't have a problem with DVC using the member's home resort priority period to pick & deposit the DVC week the member has to use to secure an exchange. I suspect if DVC didn't do it that way, members would not be able to get some of the more desirable properties in RCI.

All that said, we have not exchanged and have no plans to exchange so I really don't have any skin in this game. But I agree that members who own at a resort (whether they use their points for themselves, rent their points or elect an option in one of the Collections) have priority over members who use the 7 month booking window. That's just the way the system was designed.With II, DVC never did developer deposits and I've seen no indications they are now. What they are apparently doing is giving RCI villas that can be rented. I don't know the exact arrangement, whether they are giving them on consignment, selling them outright to RCI, or giving them to RCI as a means of payment related to the changeover. Developer deposits are traditionally freebies (or nearly so) to the exchange company to get access to fresh meat. Since DVC does not actively market nor solicit tours to exchangers (wrongly IMO), there is absolutely no reason for them to do developer deposits unless they are simply committed to filling a room which they have never done in the past as a freebie.

I would not personally look at the recent sales incentives as a developer deposit but rather a member use. In reality, given the restrictions associated, they are likely free weeks RCI has given DVC to use that are generated by higher demand member deposits. They are likely, in effect, bonus weeks. Or they could be short notice inventory that DVC deposited that would have gone unused, they would act similar with somewhat similar restrictions.

[gkrykewy]

i have gotten our TS off ebay for literally pennies, and did the closings myself, so Im pretty proud that we havent spent alot of money on TS :)

I would love to own at DVC, but when i can buy an RCI trader off ebay that can pull DVC for literally less than $500 (including all closing fees), than i cant justify spending the $$$$ on DVC.

I think this is a pretty transparent "why are you suckers paying 20x more than you have to?" thread, but I would still be curious which viable traders you're able to acquire for that price -- might recommend to my TS owning relatives who used to be able to trade in via II, but now cannot (although I suppose DVC could switch back to II at some point).

[Brian Noble]

I think there are some here that are not especially happy to see people trade in. You'll usually see some reason associated but the bottom line is that I believe some are elitist when it comes to DVC and quite a bit more than would actually say so.
That may be true. But, unless the OP stalks folks at the pool telling them about her cheap RCI trader (hint hint) it won't be an issue. Except for a few modest discounts and perks, the staff will treat you exactly the same as an owner or cash guest.

gkrykewy: places that seem pretty reliable are coastal summer, either California, Cape Cod, or mid-Atlantic, excepting the last week or two of August. Peak-demand inland resorts are hit or miss---some years yes, some years no. Have your relatives consider a dual-enrolled resort for flexibility.

An exchagne guest has to be flexible about either when they visit, where they stay, or both. You either need to have a pretty broad range of dates that you are willing to accept, or you have to be willing to stay offsite if a DVC exchage doesn't come through. If you aren't willing to stay offsite, and you want to plan specific dates (especially during peak-demand time) there's no substitute for owning.

Edited to add: even more broadly, an exchange guest can never assume that what worked last year will still work this year. Trade power, exchange affiliation, etc. etc. change all the time. In the world of exchange, nothing lasts forever.

[TammyAlphabet]

I am still getting exactly what I paid for when I signed up for DVC. I have a 1 bedroom Boardwalk View for Dec. 26 to Jan. 3. I think it would be hard to get that time frame with a trade.

I also have a Hilton Head week that I will be depositing for trade in RCI. It is a summer week but I have no guarantees that I will be able to get what I want or need anywhere.

So there is alot of RCI availability now for DVC, who knows if that will continue? There is certainly more than there used to be in II.

So I guess I am happy that I will be able to get what i paid for, and that is all that I need.

[TammyAlphabet]

That may be true. But, unless the OP stalks folks at the pool telling them about her cheap RCI trader (hint hint) it won't be an issue.



Well, every DVC pool I have been in there was at least one person talking about how cheaply they rented their unit and how Disney will never get their money for points. Which always cracks me up.:)

[scubalover]

Let's clear something up on trading with RCI. First a person who buys on Ebay an RCI location for $5.00 will never been able to trade into DVC because they own a less valueable property.RCI and DVC have agreed that only the high ended properties can exchange into DVC. Also a guest can not book further in advance then a DVC member. Also remember that the only time a non DVC can exchange into DVC is when a member exchanges out through DVC. The points owned through DVC are not exchange out, DVC will rent those villas out. In talking with member servies after booking a trip through RCI, I was told that exchanges are up over II. She said that they were up over 65% over last year. One of the reasons is that even though Marriott in Aruba a member can exchange into, members never got the exchange. RCI and DVC are working very close together to get members the exchanges that they want.
:thumbsup2

[Dean]

Let's clear something up on trading with RCI. First a person who buys on Ebay an RCI location for $5.00 will never been able to trade into DVC because they own a less valueable property.RCI and DVC have agreed that only the high ended properties can exchange into DVC. Also a guest can not book further in advance then a DVC member. Also remember that the only time a non DVC can exchange into DVC is when a member exchanges out through DVC. The points owned through DVC are not exchange out, DVC will rent those villas out. In talking with member servies after booking a trip through RCI, I was told that exchanges are up over II. She said that they were up over 65% over last year. One of the reasons is that even though Marriott in Aruba a member can exchange into, members never got the exchange. RCI and DVC are working very close together to get members the exchanges that they want.
:thumbsup2Not necessarily so. With timeshares up front cost (either way) often doesn't translate to trading power, or lack of. There is certainly more risk involved if the measure of risk is being successful trading in to DVC, but the potential reward and savings is dramatic and well worth it for many situation including for many that haven't chosen to go that route. For most options you can get for essentially closing costs only, I'd agree with you but it's not always true even then. However, there are a number of ways that have a guaranteed real potential of getting DVC through RCI. One is to join RCI points, at least for a non Orlando resort. Another is to buy BG points and deposit high demand weeks/properties. Same is true of anything that trades with RCI, has high demand resorts and allows you to pick the resort/week deposited. Unfortunately that leaves out Wyndham, on of the better values overall for other options. $1500 (inc closing) for Bluegreen points will get you access to essentially any unit deposited if you plan appropriately, yearly fees about $500 a year with free RCI membership. Then there's the exchange fee and $95 extra DVC fee to add on. The same or just over will get you an RCI points account with no trade power issues (if non Orlando) at about $450-700 a year total including RCI membership.

I'm not sure that DVC can set the trade power but rather than RCI has elected to look at DVC separately from the rest of Orlando and assign it the trade power commensurate with it's demand due to the on property location and resort quality. I don't believe there's any conspiracy between RCI and DVC to keep out people from lower demand locations/weeks simply to be exclusive other than the limitations of their trade power model.

Certainly one can only trade in when someone trades out or IF DVC deposits time they own. Still given 3% plus members trading (recent history), that's quite a number of units in RCI. I've seen as many as 200 units at any given time and do not recall a time when there have been less than 100 units total (weeks vs points), since things got geared up. That includes quite a few of early Dec, Summer, 4th of July, Xmas week, Easter and Thanksgiving weeks. If they're up, which we won't really know for sure for a year when the audit is complete, that's even more units. I'd take info given out by a CM on an exchange call with a large grain of salt.

For me as an RCI weeks and RCI points member along with being a DVC member, the increased deposits and ability to trade up in unit size are large plusses for me.

I think this is a pretty transparent "why are you suckers paying 20x more than you have to?" thread, but I would still be curious which viable traders you're able to acquire for that price -- might recommend to my TS owning relatives who used to be able to trade in via II, but now cannot (although I suppose DVC could switch back to II at some point).Maybe. To me it's absolutely no different than buying SSR or OKW to stay at a different DVC resort, well, other than the usually much cheaper up front and yearly costs. Plus being factual of what you can do, what you can potentially save and what your investment limits are is not inappropriate unless you make it personal.

[gkrykewy]

$1500 (inc closing) for Bluegreen points will get you access to essentially any unit deposited if you plan appropriately, yearly fees about $500 a year with free RCI membership. Then there's the exchange fee and $95 extra DVC fee to add on. The same or just over will get you an RCI points account with no trade power issues (if non Orlando) at about $450-700 a year total including RCI membership.

Thank you for the thorough explanation! So under the above examples specifically, which types of DVC accommodations can you typically trade for? A week in a studio, 1BR, 2BR?

[bwvBound]

Let's clear something up on trading with RCI. First a person who buys on Ebay an RCI location for $5.00 will never been able to trade into DVC because they own a less valueable property. RCI and DVC have agreed that only the high ended properties can exchange into DVC.A low resale price does not automatically translate to an undesirable property in poor repair. It simply reminds us that there are fewer folks looking to buy timeshare than those trying to sell. The timeshare resale market is ripe with values.
Also a guest can not book further in advance then a DVC member.True for DVC home-resort reservations but not true when booking DVC non-home-resort reservations. Similar to missy2217's comments in post #4, I own SSR and can book BWV 10 months out through RCI but must wait until 7 months out to book same reservation through DVC. I've been successful booking at/near the 10 month window for at least 6 exchanges. To a great extent, I consider my DVC points as a "back-up strategy" in case the exchange request fails.

[Sammie]

I don't understand how trading in and out works well enough to dislike any of it and I certainly would not hold it against the person that can do it.:hug:

DVC itself does enough to irritate me without worrying about traders. ;)

Enjoy your trip.

[Dean]

Thank you for the thorough explanation! So under the above examples specifically, which types of DVC accommodations can you typically trade for? A week in a studio, 1BR, 2BR?As noted, it's subject to what's traded out. Any such plan will work better for off season than the highest times though recently, traditionally difficult times have been routinely available. I currently have 2 1 BR unit booked the same week at Kidani for early Oct, one is Savannah and the other standard. I also have a 1 BR unit at OKW FOR thanksgiving. Total cost about $500 per week including the exchange fee and extra $95 fee that DVC charges exchangers. I've seen a ton of 2 BR units on the weeks side including Xmas, Thanksgiving, early Dec and even for the specific weeks I already have booked that I saw at VWL. We're actually only going to use the exchanges for a long weekend for each and every one of them and getting it this way makes the costs reasonable to do so. If I used my owned points and only reserved the nights we plan to stay, it'd cost me almost 450 points for the trips mentioned and I'd still lose part of a day on all 3 units. For the full weeks, just under 650 points total.

As a rule, the majority of the exchanges I've seen have been 1 BR and a fair amount of studios. But as I said, I've seen plenty of 2 BR units for great weeks and at the smaller and higher demand resorts, not just at OKW or SSR. The 2 BR do seem to have been less available lately than earlier. I have seen 2 OKW GV in the points side. But even it you trade a 2 BR for a 1 BR, you're usually better off given the value most of us place on DVC. What I've searched with and seen the most with is actually a 1 BR Bluegreen unit. I use the above information as examples of what can be done if you know what you're doing and position yourself correctly. Still, as noted, there is more risk involved and simply buying RCI to trade to DVC is a gamble. OTOH, for one looking at an occasional DVC stay plus trading out regularly, there is little gamble compared to simply buying DVC. Plus the 2 are not exclusive. IMO, a small DVC contract combined with various other components of timesharing can be a great approach.

I find that every time I add something totally different to my portfolio, I have more and better options than I did before. Overall each option has it's best uses whether it be Bluegreen, Marriott, DVC, RCI weeks, RCI points or II. I haven't added Wyndham but I have investigated it somewhat, there are many others.

[skoi]

Not to hijack the thread, but how can you check trading power within RCI? We're waiting on closing on another timeshare contract, with the plan to use it to trade out through RCI or II in the not-so-distant future. Do we have to deposit weeks, or can we just check when we get our RCI membership?

To the OP- no problem here with RCI trade ins. I'm actually hoping my sister will be able to trade in via RCI in September 2010 when we all go down for oldest daughter's grad trip. One of the reasons we bought another timeshare was to trade into other resorts ourselves in the future. Good luck getting what you want. We love all the resorts, and would be happy at any of them.

[Dean]

Not to hijack the thread, but how can you check trading power within RCI? We're waiting on closing on another timeshare contract, with the plan to use it to trade out through RCI or II in the not-so-distant future. Do we have to deposit weeks, or can we just check when we get our RCI membership?Both II and RCI keep their trade formulas a secret. You can get some of the info. One of the best ways is to investigate trade power is to find out what others are able to get with similar units at the same resort. One also needs to investigate the best weeks and resorts if a points system or floating week system. The best way to maximize trading power is to find out the best week to deposit and where applicable, the best resort. Then make sure you secure the best week you can and deposit as early as feasible. IF you have to pay dues early to get that done, do so. TUG is the best general place to get this type of info but there are others, esp for some type of ownerships. What resort and weeks are you buying?

[krmlaw]

I actually lucked out grabbing a 3 bedroom in Myrtle Beach during the summer on ebay. Paid closing of $295 (I did half of the closing too). Bought it for $.99. Yes, $.99. I really lucked out in grabbing this. MF at $670, so thats not too bad.

It pulls all the disney weeks, which is great. SO Im super excited. I didnt see any disney weeks with my II trader (a different unit), so Im glad I have this one now.

Actually, we have 4 TS, and out of the 4, the myrtle beach one is the only one that sees disney. Looks like im never going to sell that one!

And no ... Id never mention how little we spent to anyone else, but wanted an honest opinion here ...

[Dean]

I actually lucked out grabbing a 3 bedroom in Myrtle Beach during the summer on ebay. Paid closing of $295 (I did half of the closing too). Bought it for $.99. Yes, $.99. I really lucked out in grabbing this. MF at $670, so thats not too bad.

It pulls all the disney weeks, which is great. SO Im super excited. I didnt see any disney weeks with my II trader (a different unit), so Im glad I have this one now.

Actually, we have 4 TS, and out of the 4, the myrtle beach one is the only one that sees disney. Looks like im never going to sell that one!

And no ... Id never mention how little we spent to anyone else, but wanted an honest opinion here ...Congratulations, nice pick up for a summer unit.

[skoi]

Both II and RCI keep their trade formulas a secret. You can get some of the info. One of the best ways is to investigate trade power is to find out what others are able to get with similar units at the same resort. One also needs to investigate the best weeks and resorts if a points system or floating week system. The best way to maximize trading power is to find out the best week to deposit and where applicable, the best resort. Then make sure you secure the best week you can and deposit as early as feasible. IF you have to pay dues early to get that done, do so. TUG is the best general place to get this type of info but there are others, esp for some type of ownerships. What resort and weeks are you buying?

We bought Bluegreen- and are waiting for the closing, etc. We're planning on using it for Bluegreen resorts for the first few trips, alternating with Disney. After that, we'll be planning to trade every once in a while. So the trick is to book the right place at the right time and hope it will be in demand with RCI. I'm guessing there are some tried and true choices such as the beach in summer, trading power depending on the resort, but that would be better than Hershey PA in winter. There are a few resorts in Egypt and Morocco that trade through both RCI and II our 10 year old really wants to go to, so hopefully someday we'll be able to work that out some day.

[Dean]

We bought Bluegreen- and are waiting for the closing, etc. We're planning on using it for Bluegreen resorts for the first few trips, alternating with Disney. After that, we'll be planning to trade every once in a while. So the trick is to book the right place at the right time and hope it will be in demand with RCI. I'm guessing there are some tried and true choices such as the beach in summer, trading power depending on the resort, but that would be better than Hershey PA in winter. There are a few resorts in Egypt and Morocco that trade through both RCI and II our 10 year old really wants to go to, so hopefully someday we'll be able to work that out some day.There is some info out there so far but it generally is peak weeks during prime times at top resorts. One thing to know about BG is while they don't limit the weeks you deposit, they do limit the units that are deposited. Rather than going into detail here and boring the non BG people, you may want to email me directly at deandal@bigfoot.com and I can give you a few suggestions about do's and don'ts. I love BG for exchanging but like Marriott or anything else, there are the haves and have nots and you need to know how to approach it for a given goal.

[skoi]

Thanks Dean- you're always an invaluable source of info. :thumbsup2

[gkrykewy]

Thanks Dean- you're always an invaluable source of info. :thumbsup2

Honestly, he should charge for it :lmao:

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

RCI owners trading in is the reason we can trade out. It'd be great if you owned that week in Europe I was hoping to get next year. ;)

[ldo]

I deposited my top rated (Gold Crown), 3 BR 4th of July HHI beach week with RCI to request a summer 2 BR DVC resort. I would expect that many RCI trades are similar to mine. I also know that many on other boards have said that they can't "pull" DVC with their RCI traders--so, you do need a strong trader, but right now, you can buy strong weeks on ebay for under $1K---there are many "Deals" right now b/c people are in trouble and dumping TS to get out from under the annual fees. However, many of those "Deals" have skyrocketing maintenance fees compared to DVCs and have issues with foreclosure and nonpayment of annual fees--and if you want to resale that TS--you are going to get that same low price you paid, or even worse, not be able to sell it at all.
And, yes, there are still many benefits to owning DVC. The ability to book what and when you want---I am waiting to trade into DVC and we really want certain DVCs, but know we might have to take whatever is offered to us. With my points, I could book that summer week pretty much wherever I wanted. Elaine

[littlestar]

I actually lucked out grabbing a 3 bedroom in Myrtle Beach during the summer on ebay. Paid closing of $295 (I did half of the closing too). Bought it for $.99. Yes, $.99. I really lucked out in grabbing this. MF at $670, so thats not too bad.

It pulls all the disney weeks, which is great. SO Im super excited. I didnt see any disney weeks with my II trader (a different unit), so Im glad I have this one now.

Actually, we have 4 TS, and out of the 4, the myrtle beach one is the only one that sees disney. Looks like im never going to sell that one!

And no ... Id never mention how little we spent to anyone else, but wanted an honest opinion here ...

That's a good price for summer at Myrtle Beach. Heck, if you can trade it for DVC, more power to you. The maintenance fees alone on a 2 bedroom DVC unit will be more than that (not to the mention the upfront cost of buying the DVC points). Sounds like you're playing it smart with your money as long as it's a well-managed resort you wouldn't mind using, too, if DVC leaves RCI in the coming years.

I'm in the opposite boat now - I'm unloading one of our timeshare weeks and have decided to only keep 155 DVC points and two EOY lock off timeshares - one with Marriott and the other a dual affiliated 4th of July week in the mountains. Our dual affiliated resort gives me access to RCI's last call cash deals. I'm finding more and more that I like staying at whichever resort in Orlando has been updated recently or is brand new. And it definitely doesn't have to be DVC. ;)

[Dean]

I deposited my top rated (Gold Crown), 3 BR 4th of July HHI beach week with RCI to request a summer 2 BR DVC resort. I would expect that many RCI trades are similar to mine. I also know that many on other boards have said that they can't "pull" DVC with their RCI traders--so, you do need a strong trader, but right now, you can buy strong weeks on ebay for under $1K---there are many "Deals" right now b/c people are in trouble and dumping TS to get out from under the annual fees. However, many of those "Deals" have skyrocketing maintenance fees compared to DVCs and have issues with foreclosure and nonpayment of annual fees--and if you want to resale that TS--you are going to get that same low price you paid, or even worse, not be able to sell it at all.
And, yes, there are still many benefits to owning DVC. The ability to book what and when you want---I am waiting to trade into DVC and we really want certain DVCs, but know we might have to take whatever is offered to us. With my points, I could book that summer week pretty much wherever I wanted. ElaineAre you seeing the 130 or so deposits currently there? I've seen quite a number of BWV, VWL, AKV and BCV units for summer though they have come and gone for the most part. Maybe you started too late or possibly you have a resort quality issue, not uncommon for HHI in RCI as the RCI resorts there are not stellar. Ignoring the Marriott's that trade in RCI, there are no top notch timeshares in RCI for HHI and only a handful of good ones. No doubt it's a gamble but it is a gamble with a large payoff for many. As a rule DVC dues are about 150% of a very comparable non disney timeshare and 200-300% of many that will trade in to DVC, comparing a week to a week. For example, the dues attributable to my trader are around $400, if I only owned enough BG points for this trade alone, they'd be more, in the $600 range but it also includes an RCI weeks account.

[ldo]

yes, I can see everything. I am waiting for summer 2010.

[Lisa P.]

What actually irked me about RCI traders was that they have access to our resorts before we do.
The RCI trader only has access to weeks because a DVC member had access to it first and their points were used to deposit a week for their exchange.

To be honest, I think there are some here that are not especially happy to see people trade in. You'll usually see some reason associated but the bottom line is that I believe some are elitist when it comes to DVC and quite a bit more than would actually say so.
ITA!

i have gotten our TS off ebay for literally pennies, and did the closings myself, so Im pretty proud that we havent spent alot of money on TS :)
Remember that exchangers have no assurance of future exchanges, are rarely able to get larger units in popular seasons and are much more limited in lengths of stay. There's a trade-off. We prefer to save and trade in too but you may want to consider discussing your excitement more on a general timeshare owners forum rather than bringing it into the home camp. Just a thought.

[Dean]

yes, I can see everything. I am waiting for summer 2010.Great, let us know what happens.