How I lost 134 points in one easy trade

[ldo]

unlike my college days (25 years ago), from what I have heard and seen, Ft L is not the same college-age hang out as it used to be. Because drinking age is 21 and hotels, bars, etc. get in trouble, they have really cracked down and, thus, it's not quite as appealing for college age kids as it used to be--they like Cancun now.
If you have no other options--Ft. L would be OK and nice weather--I also have a 5th grader (and would not pull out of school either)--check out Wannnadocity near Ft.L--you could spend a day of two there and have a lot of fun. My child's teacher took her kids and they LOVED it. good luck--we have had to "ditch" a few timeshare exchanges over the years--makes you REALLY appreciate the flexibility of DVC. Elaine

 

[Starr W.]

People are trying to help you, but you are free to lose the points if you wish. There are many studio options that will be fine for Spring Break. With just Marriott you could go to Palm Springs in CA, Canyon Villas in AZ, Grande Vista in FL, Ocean Point in FL, Manor Club in VA, Ko Olina in HI, Surf Club in Aruba, etc. etc. and that is just one company.

Studios are almost never traded for and Spring Break is a popular week to reserve and deposit. The earliest people can deposit is one year in advance, but most people will wait until they have firmer plans. Pick where you want to go, put in a request and you are sure to get somewhere.

PS: All Marriott studios sleep 2 privately 4 total.

Good advice, I've stayed at the Manor Club and it is a very nice resort. My really picky sister, loved the Manor Club.

 

[Slakk]

See if they'll allow you to trade back in to DVC. They normally won't but see if they'll make an exception. You might also consider resorts like Marriott's Ocean Point and Beach Place which do have lockoff units as do some of the non Marriott HH resorts. Lodge Alley Inn and Harbour Lights in MB also have studios though at HL, they are just hotel units. Go through the list and find as many resorts that have studios that fit your needs. You can do a search for which resorts have studios in a given area, we can talk you through it if you need us to. Put in a request that includes all applicable and acceptable resorts. Pay the fee again but you'll get it back if you don't match something. There are 15 resorts in FL and the SE US on the DVC exchange list that have studios, there are many more in other areas like Williamsburg. What about Cancun, usually good air and often you can get a large unit when searching for a smaller one. Also look at Aruba as US Air flies direct out of Charlotte and air is usually fairly good to very good. Also see where else US Air flies to directly from Charlotte which might open up your options even more.

This illustrates two of the existing problems with trading DVC and trading in general. That there are inherent risk in exchanging, esp if done well ahead of time and that DVC costs full price (can't trade up) even in flexchange time (60 days out). If you get something else then cancel again, you will not be given another option to trade this unit. You could also give it to family/friends if you wanted. This situation also illustrates one of the issues with depositing first because you can't ask for a larger unit than you deposited unlike essentially every other timeshare trade in the world. While trying to trade a studio for a 2 BR might have a lower chance of success, it'd be better than your current change which is zero. See the recent thread where one had 320 developer points and was considering deposit first as an option.

Didn't we have this discussion back in March and were told you couldn't rent it at the time.

Yes Dean I did post about it in March but DVC told me I COULD rent it out and at that point I put it out to TUG hoping someone could use it. Honestly I just have no interest to *settle* for just somewhere to stay just to lose it. In the grand scheme of things the room itself is the least of the costs and nothing that I have as an option really interests me for a April trip.

We are just going to forget about it and let the points go. I am not interested in spending more money to recoup the points. I just learned that if I want to do II again then it will be with OWNING an II timeshare.

The point of my post was to remind people that despite your best intentions, despite getting a good trade you still can gt burned and life is not all roses and rainbows when you trade.

 

[global_mom]

Yes Dean I did post about it in March but DVC told me I COULD rent it out and at that point I put it out to TUG hoping someone could use it. Honestly I just have no interest to *settle* for just somewhere to stay just to lose it. In the grand scheme of things the room itself is the least of the costs and nothing that I have as an option really interests me for a April trip.

We are just going to forget about it and let the points go. I am not interested in spending more money to recoup the points. I just learned that if I want to do II again then it will be with OWNING an II timeshare.

The point of my post was to remind people that despite your best intentions, despite getting a good trade you still can gt burned and life is not all roses and rainbows when you trade.

Well that sentiment is quite depressing, but I learned some good things about trades by reading this whole thread.

Many thanks to those that took the time to post about the various options with trades. The OP may not need the advice but I learned alot so your efforts were not in vain!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Well that sentiment is quite depressing, but I learned some good things about trades by reading this whole thread.

Many thanks to those that took the time to post about the various options with trades. The OP may not need the advice but I learned alot so your efforts were not in vain!

I agree. I learned if I trade, to be flexible.

 

[jodifla]

Again the issue is I have a STUDIO and I need it to allow 3 people which takes out most choices. I thought I could get HHI but no studios so it is out I do not want Florida due to all the kids and still VERY limited choices and really am not interested in early April in VA.

I do appreciate everyone's help to try and make lemonade but I am limited to spring break and studio and those do NOT seem to want to work.

Fort Lauderdale during spring break has COMPLETELY changed. The hotels no longer recruit college students, they are out for the family market.

April is a FANTASTIC time of year in Florida. Your images of Fort Lauderdale from Spring Break are of the wild 1980s. It's no longer like that.

 

[CarolA]

Yes I could get Ft Lauderdale at Spring Break but there is nothing like me, my hubby my 11 year old son and 943958934875484575 drunk college students - NOT

I tried Hilton Head but there is only one studio choice. Basically I am stuck due to time constraints since I cannot split the week up.

Well, just an FYI. Fort Lauderdale has chased off most of the "spring break" college kids. THey are up in Daytona and/or Panama City. The city and hotel management have pretty much said Thanks, but no thanks! I am sure there is still some business, but it's not "THE" place anymore!

 

[Laxmom]

I still think it is too early to give up but that is your decision. We got our trade to Hawaii at the 6 month mark.

 

[Dean]

Yes Dean I did post about it in March but DVC told me I COULD rent it out and at that point I put it out to TUG hoping someone could use it.

I'd say this board is a lot more reliable than MS overall.

The point of my post was to remind people that despite your best intentions, despite getting a good trade you still can gt burned and life is not all roses and rainbows when you trade.

A point I've made many times.

Still it seems you've given up when you don't have to. I can see not settling but certainly Ocean Point, Manor Club, Beach Place Towers among others are fine places and in many ways, nicer resorts than DVC. The one choice in HH is not a good choice, IMO. You've got several resorts in Gatlinburg and several Hyatt's in FL. There are also several very decent resorts in Virginia Beach. It's also possible they will offer you a larger unit at one of these or other units on the back end.

Worst case scenario would be to allow someone else to use it. II will also allow one to extend a deposit for a year for a fee, I wonder how DVC would handle that situation?

 

[Slakk]

I'd say this board is a lot more reliable than MS overall.

A point I've made many times.

Still it seems you've given up when you don't have to. I can see not settling but certainly Ocean Point, Manor Club, Beach Place Towers among others are fine places and in many ways, nicer resorts than DVC. The one choice in HH is not a good choice, IMO. You've got several resorts in Gatlinburg and several Hyatt's in FL. There are also several very decent resorts in Virginia Beach. It's also possible they will offer you a larger unit at one of these or other units on the back end.

Worst case scenario would be to allow someone else to use it. II will also allow one to extend a deposit for a year for a fee, I wonder how DVC would handle that situation?

I understand and appreciate the suggestions but to be honest I am just flat not interested in any of the options available (meaning within driving distance of NC). I show horses and to go at spring break would mean I would need to give up two really big horse shows and I can't imagine doing that just to not lose a week at a hotel in a place I really am not interested in staying.

Shows usually dry up over the summer and so we prefer to travel then or 4 day weekends in Jan or October and none of these are available to us (school year is than transitional year so no 4 day weekends). It is totally and completely our fault - we knew that trading was risky and I did it and now I am stuck. My vacation patterns do not allow for us to use this - bad on our part. Never EVER again.

II will not let me extend, or I should say DVC will not allow me to - believe me if they did I would not be in this predicament. I could not find someone to take a JUNE week in Hawaii - I doubt I could find someone to buy it now...

I tried trading it here, I tried putting it on TUG and got ZERO interest - heck had someone offered me 50 points or 500 bucks I would have grabbed it but the fact is no one even SNIFFED at it.

Now I have a worthless (to me) week. I understand that it may be worth something to someone else but there is no way for me to find this mythical person. I tried and got no where...I just chalk it up to experience.

 

[Dean]

I understand and appreciate the suggestions but to be honest I am just flat not interested in any of the options available (meaning within driving distance of NC). I show horses and to go at spring break would mean I would need to give up two really big horse shows and I can't imagine doing that just to not lose a week at a hotel in a place I really am not interested in staying.

Shows usually dry up over the summer and so we prefer to travel then or 4 day weekends in Jan or October and none of these are available to us (school year is than transitional year so no 4 day weekends). It is totally and completely our fault - we knew that trading was risky and I did it and now I am stuck. My vacation patterns do not allow for us to use this - bad on our part. Never EVER again.

II will not let me extend, or I should say DVC will not allow me to - believe me if they did I would not be in this predicament. I could not find someone to take a JUNE week in Hawaii - I doubt I could find someone to buy it now...

I tried trading it here, I tried putting it on TUG and got ZERO interest - heck had someone offered me 50 points or 500 bucks I would have grabbed it but the fact is no one even SNIFFED at it.

Now I have a worthless (to me) week. I understand that it may be worth something to someone else but there is no way for me to find this mythical person. I tried and got no where...I just chalk it up to experience.

Why not use it for a long weekend by getting a Friday or Sunday unit?

 

[Slakk]

Why not use it for a long weekend by getting a Friday or Sunday unit?

No choices local enough to me. HHI is really my only local choice and it is unavailable. The coast of NC is really far (our highway system here gives you no direct path) it is funny that HHI is easier to access then my own coast.

 

[Brian Noble]

Thread summarized:

How dare you pour sugar on my lemons!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thread summarized:

Quote:
How dare you pour sugar on my lemons!

 

[Laxmom]

 

[jodifla]

No choices local enough to me. HHI is really my only local choice and it is unavailable. The coast of NC is really far (our highway system here gives you no direct path) it is funny that HHI is easier to access then my own coast.

I don't think I'd ever trade without having several Plan Bs. While your note is a good cautionary tale, you make things harder on yourself by your refusal to consider other good options....and I'll say it again. Florida IS GREAT IN APRIL!

That being said, I imagine there's someone in your life who'd really appreciate being able to go to Florida ...why do you pay it forward and give someone special in your life a gift?

 

[dianeschlicht]

snip)... That being said, I imagine there's someone in your life who'd really appreciate being able to go to Florida ...why do you pay it forward and give someone special in your life a gift?

That is a GREAT idea!! Since you are destined to lose the points anyway, why not gift the trip?

 

[pilferk]

That is a GREAT idea!! Since you are destined to lose the points anyway, why not gift the trip?

Or donate it to a charitable organization as a raffle prize/auction item.....

 

[Brian Noble]

Unfortunately, donations of "use" are not deductible.
http://www.tug2.net/advice/TUG_Taxes_and_Timeshares.htm

 

[JudyS]

I don't think the original poster (Slakk) intended this thread as, "I have a World Passport Collection credit I haven't been able to use; please give me suggestions on how to use it." I think Slakk intended this thread as, "I've learned that using your points for a World Passport Collection trade means you give up a lot of flexibility. I'm really frustrated by this, and I wanted to give you all a heads up."

I think that's a perfectly legitimate thing to say. If the available options aren't all that appealing, then they're not appealing. And I agree that the accommodations are only a small part of the expense. I know that people will often stay at a timeshare that doesn't really interest them just to avoid losing the timeshare credit, but given the cost of food, transportation, etc., that is often just throwing good money after bad.

I think this thread serves as a useful warning about the risks of using DVC points for II trades. As for me, after I bought my BWV contract, I bought another timeshare to use just for II trades. (And then I bought another, and another, and another, but that's a very different "problem" )

....
I tried trading it here, I tried putting it on TUG and got ZERO interest - heck had someone offered me 50 points or 500 bucks I would have grabbed it but the fact is no one even SNIFFED at it.....

I don't know about the rules for renting WPC trades, but if Doc says the rules allow renting it, I'd guess they allow it. (I know that VRI*ety trades can be rented, even though VRI*ety hires RCI to administer their trades and regular RCI trades can't be rented.) Of course, it would be a good idea to try to verify this with II directly, or at least with several WPC reps. Slakk, I take it you have already canceled the Hawaii trade? If you haven't, or if you can get something else desirable, then the place to offer timeshare rentals is eBay, if you want the best chances of finding a renter, and aren't looking for top dollar. (I have rented several timeshares that way -- not trades, of course, but fixed deeded weeks that I own.)