I can't believe this is happening!! RCI owners please help!

[poohbear2]

I was just looking at my time share week and just noticed that my week is not the same as it was last year! I have week 16 which was the last week of April. Well, now I notice it is the second to last week which I can't do since I teach. To make matters worse, I've allready purchased my plane tickets! What are my options? I tried calling RCI and they told me that there is nothing available for exchanges for my time period. Is it worth it to have ORANGE LAKE rent the property for me or is it better for me to rent on my own? PLEASE HELP!!

 

[DVC California]

Hi poohbear2 -

Do you own at OLCC? If so, try calling them directly to see if they can do an internal exchange, rather than going through RCI.

If not, you could try doing a trade using the TUG Classifieds Index or bank your week for another trip and bid on OLCC through Skyauction.com. I just got a 2-bedroom at Orange Lake for $536.00 ($326 bid + $210 tax & Fees).

Good luck, Steve

 

[poohbear2]

Thanks Steve....



I own at Orange Lake and I did call this evening. However, they told me that I would have to go through RCI since they don't do this sort of thing at their level. I called RCI and a gentleman there told me that there are no week s available for exchange at this time. I asked about having Orange Lake rent my week ; I think they get like 35% and I get 65%...

I will also try TUG...

 

[Lisa P.]

Poohbear2, it sounds like you simply were not aware of what you owned and when your check-in date falls in 2004. Hopefully, you will become aware of your resort's calendar for the next few years much earlier in the future. That responsibility rests with each owner. RCI can't help you by offering you something that doesn't exist. They've clearly already confirmed a lot of other people into the resort for the week you want. Now, at this late date, in order to obtain an RCI trade back into your home resort, another owner would need to deposit their week late.

A couple of things are in your favor though...

It's not December yet. If your resort does what most do, they send out annual maint fee bills in December or January. Shortly after paying their 2004 bill, many owners go ahead and deposit their weeks. The bill reminds them that they need to consider their travel plans with their next year's week.

Also, many families gather at Thanksgiving and Christmas. They may discuss their spring and summer travel plans. At that time, previous plans to gather at OLCC may fall through. So, there are likely a few cancellations and late deposits with RCI over the holidays.

OLCC is a large resort with many, many owners. This improves your chances of snagging a late deposit.

Msot significantly, as an owner at OLCC, you move directly to the head of the waitlist if you place an ongoing search request to trade back into your home resort, especially during a similar timeframe. So if RCI does receive additional deposits, it's very much in your favor to have an ongoing search request running and waiting to confirm the first week that shows up. If this were me, my problem, I'd deposit my week and place that request ASAP.

If it doesn't work out and you have to look for a last minute rental (sometimes a good deal with RCI or other owners at TUG), you could still use your RCI deposit to trade for next year. That would give you plenty of time to rent out your next year's week. Nothing lost over the plan to rent it out this year. Wish you well!!!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Don't forget that if you rent your timeshare unit, it is considered income by the IRS and is taxable.

 

[Julia M]

I agree with Lisa. I would deposit your week and put in a request for OLCC or another resort you wouldn't mind staying at (the more the better) Even though it's prime season (spring break) my guess is that you will be able to get some kind of exchange. Except, Lisa, correct me if I'm wrong, aren't Orlando owners not allowed to trade into other Orlando? You would just be able to trade into OLCC. OOPs, sorry that suggestion won't work.

What does OLCC say about how likely it is to rent? The last week in April is not a really busy time.

Good luck

Julia

 

[Tiger Fan]

We own week 13 and it varies a little from year to year. We always have to check dates versus Spring Breaks to see if we match. I suggest that you immediately bank your week with RCI. The sooner you bank the better. Next, put in a request for a trade for the week you need. OLCC is a Gold Crown and will likely bring up a match for you, although it might be closer than you'd like for comfort. Good luck.
Lisa

 

[Disney Fool]

I, too, agree with Lisa. If all else fails, bank your week; put in a request for the week you want (as an owner, you go to the top of the waitlist) and also, start looking now for a "bonus" week on RCI's website, probably at another resort.

 

[Lisa P.]

...aren't Orlando owners not allowed to trade into other Orlando?

Julia, some Orlando resorts which trade via II do have this restriction. I thought that RCI did away with this restriction a few years back. I still think it's pretty likely that the OP could trade back into their home resort within the next 4 months and won't need another resort option, though it doesn't hurt to add a few to the request.

 

[poohbear2]

Thank you all for your responses! I really appreciate your suggestions and I will be following them!

 

[spiceycat]

make sure that you have what you need for next year - otherwise go through RCI NOW - they have already posted summer,2005 for exchanges.

week 16 never on the calender on tug looks like the final week in April.

 

[spiceycat]

what happened?

there were some in Sheraton's Vistana. they are listed in skyauction - so RCI does have them.

RCI doesn't have the timeshares can't exchange into Orlando (that is II) - they have the 1-in4 or 1in3 - you can only exchange to that resort every 4 years or 3.

 

[poohbear2]

I called RCI and they said to call on Monday after the long weekend. I will bank my week to try to get into ORANGE LAKE or other timeshare in the area. If I don't get the week I want , I'll try skyauction etc. I checked future weeks on the ORANGE LAKE web site and it looks like most future weeks fall into my schedule. I just think next year and the next are just fluke years. So I will probably bank both weeks and try to go someplace different those years or maybe somewhere for two weeks. I am not very knowledgeable in this process but I might as well start learning now. I intend to also join TUGS also. Thanks!

 

[poohbear2]

Hi! I just wanted to give an update on my situation. I banked my week and requested the following week at Orange Lake. The rep said that I should have no problem getting my week ; where this is my home resort I will have top priority. Thanks again for your help!!

 

[hercamore]

Good job, poohbear.

HOpe it all works out. We need our teachers well rested and happy.

herc.

 

[poohbear2]

THANKS!!

JUST GOT MY CONFIRMATION IN THE MAIL THIS WEEK!!!

 

[mcnuss]

RCI doesn't have the timeshares can't exchange into Orlando (that is II) - they have the 1-in4 or 1in3 - you can only exchange to that resort every 4 years or 3.

I am not sure I follow this, but I can say for sure that if you own in the Orlando area and belong to RCI you CAN trade for another in the area. I traded my 2 BR Vistana for a 3 BR CP this past October. I was not told of any restrictions on how often this can be done...perhaps your home resort is the determining factor?

poohbear, I am very, very glad that this worked out for you. If you bookmark this page, you'll have the timeshare week calendar for the next 4 years! http://www.thetimesharebeat.com/weeks.htm

BTW - we are virtually neighbors - I am in Londonderry!