DVC to add RCI as trade

[Brian Noble]

If that means DVC will start depositing weeks earlier

I woud not expect this. Wyndham has a home/system-wide reservation model that is very similar to DVC's---rather than 11/7 months, it's 13/10. Wyndham tends to deposit 8-9 months in advance, after they get a sense for what is booking internally.

That doesn't have a huge negative impact. If you deposit a strong week at 6-8 months, it's not that much different from a year out. The overall demand for the week/time matters more than how early it is deposited, as far as I can tell.

 

[Dean]

I woud not expect this. Wyndham has a home/system-wide reservation model that is very similar to DVC's---rather than 11/7 months, it's 13/10. Wyndham tends to deposit 8-9 months in advance, after they get a sense for what is booking internally.

That doesn't have a huge negative impact. If you deposit a strong week at 6-8 months, it's not that much different from a year out. The overall demand for the week/time matters more than how early it is deposited, as far as I can tell.

Trade power starts to diminish one you get under 10 months out from what I understand. It's true that it may not make a lot of difference on top deposits but it is more important on borderline deposits. And it may be the difference in getting what you want vs not getting it.

 

[Liljam]

If that means DVC will start depositing weeks earlier than they have in the past (or more weeks in peak seasons), I think it will negatively impact members who do not exchange out.

I don't think DVC can deposit earlier than 11 months under the current rules, but I am not very anxious to see them deposit much before 6 1/2 months, either. Seems as though DVC members should have opportunities to stay at non home resorts before exchangers - and I know some will argue that a member should be able to deposit whatever week will get them the best exchange elsewhere.

My opinion is colored by the fact that I do not (and can't see that I ever will) use DVC for an exchange. When I tire of it, I'll sell.

I skimmed over much of this thread and I am agree with this idea of exchange although I'm sure most would not. I was concerned and interested to learn more about RCI when I heard recently that my friend bought in to RCI after a promo trip in Massanuttun VA. I wasn't sure how it all worked and it seems like she got a great deal for what she paid - nearly pennies! I'll say this - if she can get a BLT room before I can because of her RCI, I'm gonna flip my lid, ! I actually considered buying RCI after she told me the cost of her own purchase and how she got it for such a low cost, but you guys have me nervous after reading through this thread! If getting a non home resort due to exchanges ever became a horrible issue, I think I would look in to buying points at the DVC I was really looking at staying at most, but I would be flustered if I found I could never trade because of exchanges. Sorry if I make no sense, I'm drained!

 

[rsackett]

Well as a Marriott owner and not a DVC owner, I am VERY sad to see DVC leaving II. Good luck to all of you. I guess I will be staying at Marriott's in Orlando from now on.

Ray

 

[tjkraz]

If that means DVC will start depositing weeks earlier than they have in the past (or more weeks in peak seasons), I think it will negatively impact members who do not exchange out.

I don't think DVC can deposit earlier than 11 months under the current rules, but I am not very anxious to see them deposit much before 6 1/2 months, either. Seems as though DVC members should have opportunities to stay at non home resorts before exchangers...

I think someone is going to lose either way.

One of the recurring complaints here is that DVC hurts our trading power by depositing resorts/dates/room sizes that are not in high demand by those looking to trade in.

If DVC deposited higher demand periods or allowed members to make their own deposits, then trading power may improve. But as you say, then you've got more II/RCI non-members getting those peak periods instead of DVCers who book to actually stay in the room. It's very similar to the process of reserving peak periods for the express purposes of renting and maximizing revenue.

More of a philosophical (or ethical) debate than anything. You either subscribe to the "members should be able to do whatever they want with their points" perspective or the "DVC exists to service members before renters/traders" theory.

But it looks like there are clear downsides to either approach in the case of trades.

 

[RobDoc]

RCI's trade power is based on two things - the strength of the resort you are trading (desirability - Gold Crown, RID - and "color" of the week - Red, White, Blue) and how far in advance you bank your week or seek to use your RCI points. You can bank up to a year ahead and then have up to 2 years after to use the exchange.

As Dean has stated, there is a point where when you banked begins to diminish as your deadline to use the banked exchange gets closer. Like II, RCI members have access to online booking and can have an ongoing search for specific resorts and dates. The available exchanges improve with the higher rated resort and if you look at trading a 2BR for a 1BR (I would personally NOT consider a studio) and multiple searches can easily be accessed online.

DVC members are not likely to have access to online searches - I would anticipate that MS will need to handle all exchange details just as with II. I would also not expect to see the last minute cash deals available to RCI members made available to DVC members. I do not expect to see trades into Orlando area resorts (like Bonnett Creek) on the DVC/RCI list.

It will be very interesting to see how DVC works with RCI and whether utilization of the WPC increases with this relationship. It will also be interesting to see whether preference is given to RCI "points" members over RCI "weeks" members.

 

[dvc-NE]

And it's unrealistic to think that either DVC or II would ever come right out and say "you have virtually no chance of booking the Four Seasons Residence Club at Troon with DVC points."

Good one, Tim. One aspect of the World Passport that DVC does enjoy is the fact that you can never say never about a trade, since anything is possible. The fact or reality of the situation is that even if the odds are less than 1 percent of obtaining an awesome trade, it's a non-issue for the sales team.

 

[jjpenguin]

Well.... I'm pretty happy with this as there are so many more resorts outside the US. It would be great to trade for Africa, Australia, or India - all places on our " to see" list. And with 1300 in Europe against the 300 or so before it gives us a lot more possibilities

 

[alldiz]

I'm just trying to go with the flow here....I haven't traded yet...but it was on my to do list.

I might just have to move that up and try to get a match to the Surf Club in Aruba...before the "jig" is up

Does anyone know What timeshare Gurneys in Montauk, NY is part of?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[Anal Annie]

I skimmed over much of this thread and I am agree with this idea of exchange although I'm sure most would not. I was concerned and interested to learn more about RCI when I heard recently that my friend bought in to RCI after a promo trip in Massanuttun VA. I wasn't sure how it all worked and it seems like she got a great deal for what she paid - nearly pennies! I'll say this - if she can get a BLT room before I can because of her RCI, I'm gonna flip my lid, ! I actually considered buying RCI after she told me the cost of her own purchase and how she got it for such a low cost, but you guys have me nervous after reading through this thread! If getting a non home resort due to exchanges ever became a horrible issue, I think I would look in to buying points at the DVC I was really looking at staying at most, but I would be flustered if I found I could never trade because of exchanges. Sorry if I make no sense, I'm drained!

I also know somebody who owns at Massanuttun...it is not where we want to go on vacation for a whole week and probably why it's so cheap. The cost would not persuade me that it's a good place to own. It's just not our cup of tea tho. I would not consider that an equal trade for BLT!!

 

[kikiV]

being in the business for 15 years, RCI is the WORST trading company on the planet. They outsource their calls to other countries and you can't understand them, they make mistakes left and right, the staff is not trained and they are just plain rude. The quality of their resorts is disgusting. They have no standards. I have all of my members enroll with II. All I listen to with those in RCI is exactly what I said above and how they can never get an exchange. RCI sells all of the space as getaways! If DVC goes soley with RCI, everyone's in trouble, believe me!!!!!!!

 

[kikiV]

Well.... I'm pretty happy with this as there are so many more resorts outside the US. It would be great to trade for Africa, Australia, or India - all places on our " to see" list. And with 1300 in Europe against the 300 or so before it gives us a lot more possibilities

You will never get an exchange to those places. They advertise the locations but there is NEVER any availability so don't let the numbers fool you.

 

[Brian Noble]

Will there be plague and locusts too?

I use both exchanges as an individual member. Both have their good and bad points, and I'm able to get equitable (and sometimes, much better) trades in both systems. I've actually gotten better service, on average, from RCI, but that's in part because as a Wyndham owner, I have a dedicated call center with folks who handle only Wyndham owners, so they tend to know what they are doing.

I'm assuming that DVC Members will never speak with RCI directly; they will talk to someone at MS, just as they do today. If that's not what happens, then I would expect a dedicated call center, just as Wyndham uses, because the DVC/RCI interface will be unique.

 

[kikiV]

I inherited a RCI contract a few years ago and it was a miserable experience. I could not trade it for anything except a pre-season stay in Branson or a dump in Tahoe. Customer service was extremely poor and unresponsive. As a Hilton Honors member I can tell you that beyond their vacation ownership properties, most of their hotels are at the airport or in middle of a city. They have very few true "resort" destinations among their regular properties. I personally was thrilled when DVC changed to II and I am really disappointed with this announcement.

EXACTLY what happens.

 

[Brian Noble]

EXACTLY what happens.

We both know that's not going to be what happens to DVC owners.

RCI is quite a bit more picky about letting folks move up in terms of trade power than II is---II's emphasis is more on quality level than supply/demand. If you own a mud season week in Iowa, then all you're going to get from RCI is pre-season Branson or Mass-o-nuttin'. If you've got a week with a good supply/demand curve, you can see just about everything. And, while there are a lot of sketchy resorts in RCI, there are a lot of good ones too---you need to do a bit more research to tell the difference, but $15 a year at TUG will give you access to a TON of resort reviews to be able to sort things out.

DVC won't have the best supply/demand curve possible, just because it's Orlando, but it should fare reasonably well.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

being in the business for 15 years, RCI is the WORST trading company on the planet. They outsource their calls to other countries and you can't understand them, they make mistakes left and right, the staff is not trained and they are just plain rude. The quality of their resorts is disgusting. They have no standards. I have all of my members enroll with II. All I listen to with those in RCI is exactly what I said above and how they can never get an exchange. RCI sells all of the space as getaways! If DVC goes soley with RCI, everyone's in trouble, believe me!!!!!!!

This is exactly what I've also heard/read from other timeshare owners. Lets not paint some rosey picture here for the sake of change. It is what it is, and that is an inferior move on DVC's part to cover their excess inventory, albeit having ultimate control and smoke screening the change by increasing the number of "potential" trades, thus trying to quiet the crowd that doesn't know any better.

 

[PEANUT1]

thankfully my trade to Hawaii came through last month!! I would have been really bummed if my search was cancelled at the end of the month. sorry to those who will be disappointed.

 

[bwvBound]

Does anyone know What timeshare Gurneys in Montauk, NY is part of?

Gurney's Inn Resort & Spa exchanges through RCI (#0342). You can search RCI's directory online:

• point your web browser to http://www.rci.com
• Click on the [Resort Directory] tab
• Pick from several search tools:
  • Search by LIST
  • Search by MAP
  • Search by RESORT CODE
  • Search by KEYWORD (at the bottom of the page, very useful!)

Resulting Directory Information will tell you resort name, rating, address, web link, seasons, local attractions, etc.

 

[tjkraz]

The issue with II is two. Trade power and internal trading preferences. It's not that II limits DVC but that the number of top options that make it to the general trade pool are very limited. That's true in RCI as well as II.

Thanks Dean. I didn't mean to suggest that II was discriminating against DVC, rather that DVC just isn't rated as high as many would expect. As such, the top destinations in II's roster are effectively off limits to DVC members. We just don't have the strength to get into those locations.

Whether or not that is true with RCI remains to be seen. As you said, DVC adds quite a feather to their cap. We could end up having the run of the program with RCI.

This is exactly what I've also heard/read from other timeshare owners. Lets not paint some rosey picture here for the sake of change.

I don't think the doom-and-gloom is any more appropriate at this stage. Most of the people here whose opinions I have come to respect (Doc, Dean, Brian) seem to be either optimistic about the change or taking a wait-and-see approach. For every first-hand report of problems with RCI, I'm seeing similar issues with II.

Since we know that 135,000 DVC members have not attended Dean's "II for Dummies" classes I'd be willing to be that DVC has received some pretty harsh criticism of II over the years.

There is a lot of speculation about what DVC/RCI COULD do to members, but at this point we know almost nothing. I've read the comments about RCI's history (poor customer service, poor website, selling reservations) but we don't know what the future will hold.

Until proven otherwise, I'm not inclined to believe that DVC would simply sell-out to RCI to make a few extra bucks. DVC knows how important their reputation is to future sales and the trading company with which they are affiliated is certainly an element of that, and DVC is certainly aware of all of the public issues reported here. I wouldn't be surprised if the agreement with RCI includes certain guarantees over quality of service, website improvements, etc.

This isn't a move that can be judged after 48 hours. There certainly will be people disappointed with their RCI experience...just as is the case now with II. It's going to take months or years to get a sense of whether overall member satisfaction improves compared to recent years under II.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Thanks Dean. I didn't mean to suggest that II was discriminating against DVC, rather that DVC just isn't rated as high as many would expect. As such, the top destinations in II's roster are effectively off limits to DVC members. We just don't have the strength to get into those locations.

Whether or not that is true with RCI remains to be seen. As you said, DVC adds quite a feather to their cap. We could end up having the run of the program with RCI.



I don't think the doom-and-gloom is any more appropriate at this stage. Most of the people here whose opinions I have come to respect (Doc, Dean, Brian) seem to be either optimistic about the change or taking a wait-and-see approach. For every first-hand report of problems with RCI, I'm seeing similar issues with II.

Since we know that 135,000 DVC members have not attended Dean's "II for Dummies" classes I'd be willing to be that DVC has received some pretty harsh criticism of II over the years.

There is a lot of speculation about what DVC/RCI COULD do to members, but at this point we know almost nothing. I've read the comments about RCI's history (poor customer service, poor website, selling reservations) but we don't know what the future will hold.

Until proven otherwise, I'm not inclined to believe that DVC would simply sell-out to RCI to make a few extra bucks. DVC knows how important their reputation is to future sales and the trading company with which they are affiliated is certainly an element of that, and DVC is certainly aware of all of the public issues reported here. I wouldn't be surprised if the agreement with RCI includes certain guarantees over quality of service, website improvements, etc.

This isn't a move that can be judged after 48 hours. There certainly will be people disappointed with their RCI experience...just as is the case now with II. It's going to take months or years to get a sense of whether overall member satisfaction improves compared to recent years under II.

I am going to listen to comments from people who are actively involved in RCI and II. Just your opinion here, and I am happy you are so optimistic. There have been PLENTY of other posts stating the problems with RCI. The change with Disney is a purely business decision. Not done with the members benefit in mind. Did you get a questionaire if you feel the change would be good? Did they give us any considerable length of time before making the changes? The answers will tell you the story. Not the end of the world, I'll live with it. But lets just not kid yourself.