SFX Exchange Company

[tamu91]

Has anybody used San Francisco Exchange company to trade DVC points? I'm looking for an alternative way of exchanging DVC points, every few years perhaps, and this seems like an easier way to go instead of looking for direct trades?
I read some postings on the TUG board about SFX members seeing DVC trades and I'm wondering how it works and whether this way is better than trading through DVC.
I think SFX does change $129 for trades but if I can trade one week worth of studio/1 bdrm points for a 2 bdrm unit in an upscale resort, it might be worth it
Just a thought so what do y'all think

 

[JandD Mom]

Tamu,

I was wondering the same thing. Did you think about posting this question on TUG to see what you come up with ? I would love to know the answer!

 

[tamu91]

I'm not sure if TUG is the place for this question. It seems to me like most people on TUG boards do not appreciate DVC. I get the feeling most TS veterans sees DVC as a high priced timeshare only good for Diseny snobs. We don't have any DVC vets that used SFX in the past?

I did find out this afternoon that your deposit must cover 7 consecutive days but it can be enough points for a studio, 1 bdrm or 2 bdrms. However, the fees you pay varies depending on your membership level and the unit you request. For example, if you deposit enough DVC points for a 1 bdrm unit but you request a 2 bdrm unit for your trade, SFX will access an upgrade fee to your account unless you're a Platinum member. Fees, fees and more fees

I'm still just toying with the idea but it's another option I didn't think I had several days ago.

 

[Beth]

I'm pretty sure Dean has talked about SFX, before. If he doesn't respond, you may want to PM him...

 

[kathleena]

I just should never try to look at my computer with out my glasses. Trying to read SFX was like trying to distinguish between an "F" and an "E" on the optometrist's screen!

 

[zillow]

Kathleena! I just did the exact same thing - don't have my glasses on and mistook SFX for the other word and Exchange for Change! LOL! I was wondering why that question was asked on a DVC board - discover new uses for my membership every day I guess...

 

[JandD Mom]

I did find out this afternoon that your deposit must cover 7 consecutive days but it can be enough points for a studio, 1 bdrm or 2 bdrms. However, the fees you pay varies depending on your membership level and the unit you request. For example, if you deposit enough DVC points for a 1 bdrm unit but you request a 2 bdrm unit for your trade, SFX will access an upgrade fee to your account unless you're a Platinum member. Fees, fees and more fees

Tamu,

You might be right about the fees, however, remember that DVC charges you exchange fees also to trade through II. It might be worth a PM to Dean to see if he has any insight. I would do it, but since you are the OP, I do not want to step on your toes.

BTW, you are totally right about TUG. I love TUG, but the entire mindset is "get a cheap timeshare that will pull up Hawaii any time you want!" DVC does not fit that mold.

When you spoke to SFX, did they tell you they will accept DVC for trade? DVC is not listed as one of their resorts. Thanks!

 

[Luigi's Girl]

Kathleena! I just did the exact same thing - don't have my glasses on and mistook SFX for the other word and Exchange for Change! LOL! I was wondering why that question was asked on a DVC board - discover new uses for my membership every day I guess...

I DON'T WEAR GLASSES and I thought the same thing!!! I started to post and talk about my double take but then I felt funny so I didn't. But since a couple of people responded this way I feel better now!

 

[carolina traveler]

Besides Dvc I own another timeshare that I just did bank with SFX.
After much reading in Tug and other timeshares boards web sites about SFX
I decided to give them a try. They have two kinds of memberships, Gold (free) and Platinum (reasonable fee) the main difference is that with gold you pay a higher exchange fee than with a platinum membership (125 vs 99). There are other minor advantages as well, like free upgrades ( bank one room and get two rooms if requested). To use their services you will have to reserve a full week accomodation, send them the information and they will contact you by email when you are ready to make your request. Other big advantage of SFX is the will give you TWO weeks (bonus week) for your 2006 week, actually I think they have an offer that will give you two weeks PLUS a week in one of the Mayan resorts in Mexico.
3x1 can not be beat. For specific information and details contact them, their web site is www.sfx-resorts.com click on memberships. I am very happy with them. I have note yet done my exchance but they called me in less than a week offering me the Hilton Grand vacation club in sea world. Other thing is that they will accept DVC. Their web site list is just a guide and they accept other resorts. They specialize in high end resorts only. I encourage you to give them a try. Their phone number is 1-800-739-9969. You could bank a One bedroom in low or mid season and get a great value out of it IF you take a little time and learn how it works and can get advantage of their bonus weeks. For florida they prefer you bank your week from the following time frame: 2-1 to 4-15 and
6-15 to 9-7.

 

[tamu91]

Other big advantage of SFX is the will give you TWO weeks (bonus week) for your 2006 week, actually I think they have an offer that will give you two weeks PLUS a week in one of the Mayan resorts in Mexico. 3x1 can not be beat.

Thanks, Carolina traveler. I did not know about the bonus weeks. Wow, 3 weeks for 1 week worth of points in a 1 bdrm DVC unit doesn't sound out of line to me
BTW, I will send a PM to Dean seeking his insight on this matter. I love my DVC membership and we really enjoy going to WDW but being able to bank with an independent exchange company like SFX, I think, give us all another level of flexability that I hadn't counted on. That's a plus in my book. And it seems like DVC carries a much greater trading power than I first realized. I spoke with a SFX rep yesterday and he sounded very excited about having DVC inventory in their system.

 

[JandD Mom]

I signed up for a gold membership to see what SFX is like. I am waiting for them to get back to me on whether I will be accepted. Gold is free.

However, does SFX allow the ability to request first?

ALso, do you have to deposit the week you are looking for? For instance, if I want to travel April 1-7, must I deposit April 1-7, or can I deposit Feb 1-7?

 

[Cruelladeville]

Even with glasses on, I thought that was an E! When y'all started talking about trading, I really began to think that I'd found out the reason why people were paying over $90 per point for DVC.

 

[Dean]

SFX has a free membership and a pay membership. The main differences between gold and Platinum (about $150 for 3 years) if I recall correctly, is that you get the chance to search first and one level upgrade (I think it's one a year) with Platinum. There is some question whether SFX will take DVC. I know several years ago they told me they would but at least one person (maybe two) has said they were told no and this was more recent. If they will accept it, they usually don't accept studios for Orlando and in the past they told me that included DVC. But SFX seems to change with who you speak to and when on some of these issues, much like DVC.

If they will take it, here's what happens. You would make the reservation in your name and contact SFX (or whomever). You would "deposit" or do a request first against a reservation. The company would be banking on your honesty as you cannot put the reservation in a company name and it would essentially be treated like a guest or rental reservation. Once the exchange company had someone matched, they'd have to contact the DVC owner and have them change the reservation over to the other exchangers name. It works just like a private exchange or rental right down to the risk for the other exchanger as has been discussed in another ongoing thread.

 

[JandD Mom]

I applied for the free membership today, and got a message that they will contact me if they would accept me. The only TS we own is BWV. Here is the email I got from them a little while ago:

Welcome to The San Francisco Exchange Company, specialists in high quality
timeshare exchanges. We look forward to sending you on many great
vacations.

For your convenience, you can transact online.

To activate your online account, please click:
http://www.sfx-resorts.com/sfx_login.asp and then click "Activate your
online account here".

Thank you for choosing SFX.

Sincerely,
SFX Member Services

So I guess they took us. Not that I have anything to exchange. AT least not right now ...

 

[Dean]

I applied for the free membership today, and got a message that they will contact me if they would accept me. The only TS we own is BWV. Here is the email I got from them a little while ago:



So I guess they took us. Not that I have anything to exchange. AT least not right now ...

They will accept your membership. The question is will they accept a deposit. IF you do it, let us know how it goes.

 

[tamu91]

..... the only reason I opened the thread was because I made the same mistake you two did. I thought maybe DVC was offering a new perk...... How would Marriott compete with a perk like that ?

You guys are too much