Message on rciredemption site (checking for SkyAuction)

[A Mickeyfan]

Has anyone else been getting this message when they try checking for units thru the rciredemtion site that SkyAuction has you use...????


We are currently experiencing technical difficulties and are unable to display inventory at no additional charge. Please call a Vacation Guide for assistance at (866) 280-7823.

I got this message yesterday & today. I am honestly wondering if this is up because they want you to call to check. Beware once you give them your cert number, you have activated it & cannot get a refund in the event you cannot find anything that suits your needs. That is what happened to me several months ago when their GetawayWeeks site was down, prior to them completly changing over to RCIredemption.

 

[lawgs]

Has anyone else been getting this message when they try checking for units thru the rciredemtion site that SkyAuction has you use...????


We are currently experiencing technical difficulties and are unable to display inventory at no additional charge. Please call a Vacation Guide for assistance at (866) 280-7823.

I got this message yesterday & today. I am honestly wondering if this is up because they want you to call to check. Beware once you give them your cert number, you have activated it & cannot get a refund in the event you cannot find anything that suits your needs. That is what happened to me several months ago when their GetawayWeeks site was down, prior to them completly changing over to RCIredemption.

according to the tugbbs board, RCI is in the processing of implementing new "software" and there have been a number of "glitches".....like phatom inventory .....etc....

 

[Brian Noble]

RCI also normally goes down Saturday night through Sunday morning for weekly maintenance. It's possible that you were just checking during that time.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I checked on Friday and Saturday, they show inventory for the "additional charge units" but not the "no charge".. I just checked now and the site is still doing the same thing. I really cannot see it being software upgrade. If that were the case, it would happen on all of the unit, not just the "no charge"

 

[Brian Noble]

Ah, you're right. I mis-read your original message.

 

[spiceycat]

tried to get a refund and was told no refunds.

so going to PBC for the day after thankgiving (no interstate)

 

[A Mickeyfan]

tried to get a refund and was told no refunds.

so going to PBC for the day after thankgiving (no interstate)

yep..that is what is happening with me with this last certificate that I have! I cannot get a refund on it. I will never use SkyAuction again Seems they change their rules and you are stuck with something other than what you purchased I know they read these boards because over the summer when I did get my refund, they mentioned to me that they hope I mention on the DIS how my problem was handled. I did mention how I got my refund.. well now I am mentioning how they did a bait and switch. I purchase something different than what they are now offering. They seem to want you to pay extra for the units that were always available when these certifiates were purchased. There were no black out periods, now it seems there is not any availablity for season..
I apoigize to this forum if I am breaking any rules here, but to SkyAuction, I hope you are reading this.. you are not on the up and up anymore... If you cannot honor what you have sold, then a refund should be given

 

[lawgs]

yep..that is what is happening with me with this last certificate that I have! I cannot get a refund on it. I will never use SkyAuction again Seems they change their rules and you are stuck with something other than what you purchased I know they read these boards because over the summer when I did get my refund, they mentioned to me that they hope I mention on the DIS how my problem was handled. I did mention how I got my refund.. well now I am mentioning how they did a bait and switch. I purchase something different than what they are now offering. They seem to want you to pay extra for the units that were always available when these certifiates were purchased. There were no black out periods, now it seems there is not any availablity for season..
I apoigize to this forum if I am breaking any rules here, but to SkyAuction, I hope you are reading this.. you are not on the up and up anymore... If you cannot honor what you have sold, then a refund should be given

might it also be true that RCI has had a hand in the changing complexion of what skyauction can offer???

 

[Brian Noble]

Of course it did. But, all due respect to the OP, that's exactly what you would expect.

SkyAuction is the ultimate in clearance sales---it takes distressed inventory that even RCI can't rent out themselves, and tries to rent it. If RCI can rent a week to anyone else at a higher price first, they will, and it won't make it to SA. If RCI has to move a week to SA, and they think they can get a better price for it, they'll do that too.

A SkyAuction certificate is like buying a gift card to a store, but it can only be used on clearance merchandise. You just never know what will be on the rack when you get there. In particular, what you saw on a clearance rack last year has nothing to do with what might be on it this year.

SkyAuction certificates are basically for the leftovers---weeks RCI can't get rid of any other way. It seems to me that anyone buying one of these certificates should understand that---especially given the frequent warnings posted here by others that they were unable to find anything they considered acceptable.

 

[grammynelliebelle]

I agree that Skyauction is the leftovers. That being said, we did get three great weeks this fall using the certificates. We have one more to use and hope our luck holds out! Worst case, we could factor that $200 into the mix and still have gotten a great deal with the other three. In the future, I will only buy if they are available shortly before we plan to use them and see something we can use. Grammy

 

[fac]

was anyone able to get anything from rciredemption with no charge recently?
I had great success in the past and even able to book a week in FL during Jersey week, but I am not able to find anything with no charge recently.

 

[Trixiezzz]

I am glad I found this thread. I am having the same problem.

I bought a Home and Away certificate. Then I went to see what was available. Nothing. But the error message.

So what do I do now?

When I called the Customer Service Number (866) 280-7823 the operator said I had to enter my certificate code number to do a search.

I was scared to do that, as people on this board have said that is the 'point of no return'. But if I can't get a refund anyway, does it matter?

I really don't want to travel until May. I'm wondering if I should just wait and see a bit.

Anyone got any advice?

 

[fac]

I am glad I found this thread. I am having the same problem.

I bought a Home and Away certificate. Then I went to see what was available. Nothing. But the error message.

So what do I do now?

When I called the Customer Service Number (866) 280-7823 the operator said I had to enter my certificate code number to do a search.

I was scared to do that, as people on this board have said that is the 'point of no return'. But if I can't get a refund anyway, does it matter?

I really don't want to travel until May. I'm wondering if I should just wait and see a bit.

Anyone got any advice?

I have used the certificate twice. My experience is that as long as I do not pick a resort, I can use the same certificate to search again and again. However, I cannot speak for refund though.

In the past, even without the certificate, I could search and find "no charge" resort. I am looking into purchasing another certificate and I thought I had read some where that the policy has changed that there is no more "no charge" resort (AGAIN, I do not know for sure), hence I have been checking.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Of course it did. But, all due respect to the OP, that's exactly what you would expect.

SkyAuction is the ultimate in clearance sales---it takes distressed inventory that even RCI can't rent out themselves, and tries to rent it. If RCI can rent a week to anyone else at a higher price first, they will, and it won't make it to SA. If RCI has to move a week to SA, and they think they can get a better price for it, they'll do that too.

A SkyAuction certificate is like buying a gift card to a store, but it can only be used on clearance merchandise. You just never know what will be on the rack when you get there. In particular, what you saw on a clearance rack last year has nothing to do with what might be on it this year.

SkyAuction certificates are basically for the leftovers---weeks RCI can't get rid of any other way. It seems to me that anyone buying one of these certificates should understand that---especially given the frequent warnings posted here by others that they were unable to find anything they considered acceptable.

I hear what you are saying, but when you purchase something that is suppose to "cover the cost in full" and then it no longer does because they have changed the rules.. that doesn't fly well with me. That is like saying you purchased your airfare before the rates went up, the day you go to fly, they will charge you more because the rates went up. If people are purchasing the certificates now when they know there is an additional charge for units, that is fine, you know what you are getting into, but to have to pass this new rule onto certificates that were purchased prior isn't right. Or to use your example of a gift card for a clearance rack.. I don't expect to get to go to the store to find out that my gift card is still good but I have to add money since they no longer have any clearance around, yet still continue to sell these gift cards.. (which is what they do... they are still selling & now charging an additional fee for units). A refund should be given since this is not what was purchased. I purchased a certificate that was to be redeemed thru Getawayweeks.com not even rciredemptions.com .. even the actual sites have change since my purchase. I purchased mine (three of them) in Dec 2007. I used one in June, was issued a refund on one in July and was told I had to keep the other since it was activated because I had to give the number to look for availabilty (that was activating it). I have been using SkyAuction since 2003 (if not before that)... and never had any problems until this past summer, when they changed everything...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have used the certificate twice. My experience is that as long as I do not pick a resort, I can use the same certificate to search again and again. However, I cannot speak for refund though.

In the past, even without the certificate, I could search and find "no charge" resort. I am looking into purchasing another certificate and I thought I had read some where that the policy has changed that there is no more "no charge" resort (AGAIN, I do not know for sure), hence I have been checking.

You can use your certificate to search as many times as you want.. just as long as you don't pick a resort, you are correct. However, your certificate is now activated. Their rule use to be (as of the summer because I did get one), if it was not activated, you could get a refund on your certificate. They may have even changed this now. Once you purchase, that is it, it is yours.. you cannot get a refund.. even if they have no units for you..

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I am glad I found this thread. I am having the same problem.

I bought a Home and Away certificate. Then I went to see what was available. Nothing. But the error message.

So what do I do now?

When I called the Customer Service Number (866) 280-7823 the operator said I had to enter my certificate code number to do a search.

I was scared to do that, as people on this board have said that is the 'point of no return'. But if I can't get a refund anyway, does it matter?

I really don't want to travel until May. I'm wondering if I should just wait and see a bit.

Anyone got any advice?

My honest opinion, I would call to see if I could get a refund before giving out that certificate number! If you can.. grab it, especially since you are not traveling until May. Who knows what kind of inventory they will have by then, if any! Don't get stuck like me.. I have an activated one that I will end up not being able to use. If I do, I am going to have to add money towards it That makes it no bargin for me then!

 

[Brian Noble]

is suppose to "cover the cost in full"

Yes, but cover the cost in full for what? Nothing specific is every promised---just "what's available." Would you prefer to not have those extra-cost weeks available to you at all?

 

[Trixiezzz]

This is classic 'Bait & Switch'.

Sears got into big trouble doing it. They would advertise a washer, for example, for a really low price. You would come in to buy it. Then the salesperson would downgrade that "economy" model and say it isn't available. But, for a little more money, you can have this nicer model...

The rules are as long as you WILL sell the "bait" you're ok. SkyAuction doesn't.

So the problem with SkyAuction is that they are still selling these Home and Away vacations and they don't currently have ANYTHING to fulfill their ad.

If they had one or two 7-night condos listed at some dumpy destination, you could at least fall back on the "sorry, that's all that is available" line.

But they don't offer any. If the $195 fee doesn't buy you anything, how can they keep selling it?

===============

Here's how the ad reads:

"...7 Night Stay at the Resort of Your Choice..."

You will also receive (1) one Resort Vacation Certificate good for a seven-night stay. Please note that when searching for a vacation resort the system will only allow you to look approximately 1 year in advance."
...

"...Book spacious condominiums ranging in size from studios to three bedrooms. Relax in large living rooms and dining rooms, and prepare food in fully equipped kitchens.

Purchase all-inclusive price plans at select resorts.

Your choice of destination lets you stay in tropical paradises, snow-capped mountains, lush country sides, bustling cities and more. Travel the farthest reaches of the world or explore regions close to home.
Choose from thousands of resorts worldwide, including international stays in Europe, the Caribbean, Australia, and Mexico. Travel the USA and experience the best of Florida, Colorado, California, Hawaii and more."

 

[Brian Noble]

I think you forgot to cut-and-paste the "subject to availability" part.

 

[Trixiezzz]

I think you forgot to cut-and-paste the "subject to availability" part.

I'm not arguing that these auctions are based entirely on availability. I agree.

This is basically a scratch-and-dent sale of leftovers that haven't sold. I realize that.

The only point I'm making is that to charge someone to come and take something out of the 'leftover' pile, there needs to at least be 1 leftover thing in that pile.