SkyAuction and the Blowout sale.. beware.....

[A Mickeyfan]

OP -- HELP

I have 1 more cert to activate -- Please explain what the "new" type of Cert is...Sounds like I need to call SkyAuction & see if I can get changed to the new cert type because I'm in the same situation & only have the old cert.

Where are the new certs booking from?

The newer Cert's have a code on it where they can access inventory online and book right from there even after hours. You and I cannot do that. We have the older ones where you must call to book. If you have not activated your cert's, I suggest you contact SkyAuction and see what they can do for you. They may be able to switch them to the newer ones. With ours, you can book 2 days out, with the new one, it is 3 days out. I am starting to think that really doesn't matter since the newer certs can book after hours and get the units, where as you and I must call & by then they are gone. I will say one thing, I have learned a lesson. While they are cheap, I will never purchase them again unless there is a unit for a date I want when the sale comes around. It is not worth getting them and "thinking" you can get something later.... during peak that is. When I purchased them in Dec (Dec 26th), they had units for that week! That is peak and that was how I based my decision. Wrong.... I never should have done that. With less inventory, more people purchasing, I am getting nothing now.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

essentially an RCI problem ( skyauction is just the middle man ) but we have all had a good run with skyauction, it is just the RCI landscape has changed ( fewer better timeshares being found, perhaps the timeshare resorts got tired of people not buying into their "vacation opportunity"...ie ..why should i buy your time share and pay $xxxxx.xx and then $xxx.xx each year in mtn/taxes when i can get the same thing on skyauction for 199$,.... you can be sure the resorts heard that from many who "attended" the presentations while using weeks they booked via skyauction, which would then change the way they suppled inventory to RCI.....Vistana and Orange Lake come to mind here )

but, heck when this was all new to skyauction they even had Bonnet Creek available on their ready set go auctions

so once again it is the RCI landsape that has changed....big time

Oh yes, I do remember those days with Bonnet Creek on it, when it first opened up! Like I said, I have used them for years and never had a problem with getting a unit.. up until this summer. Also to be fair, they never had blowouts like this either, seems these are the ones with the most problems for getting the inventory. I can't speak for the home-a-way from homes. I had several of them and never had a problem. Maybe once the blowout sales started, too many were sold. When you have more people than units, you will have a problem.. and we now have a problem with some times of the year. Many are going for the peak season.. many more than before. SkyAuction never really had blowout sales like they have been the last 6 months either.

 

[muffyn]

The newer Cert's have a code on it where they can access inventory online and book right from there even after hours. You and I cannot do that.
I am starting to think that really doesn't matter since the newer certs can book after hours and get the units, where as you and I must call & by then they are gone. :

I have the newer certificate, I think there are pros & cons to each one.
we cannot book through getawayweeks , & I have found MORE inventory on THAT site than the redeemavaction one. I see the 3 bedrooms all the time on getawayweeks, but none on the site WE have to use.

I would say that we can book online is a major advantage, but I see the places I'd like to book readily available during the day on the sites I cannot use

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I have the newer certificate, I think there are pros & cons to each one.
we cannot book through getawayweeks , & I have found MORE inventory on THAT site than the redeemavaction one. I see the 3 bedrooms all the time on getawayweeks, but none on the site WE have to use.

I would say that we can book online is a major advantage, but I see the places I'd like to book readily available during the day on the sites I cannot use

I guess there are really pros and cons to each. I know the rep told me that he felt the older ones were really better which was why he would be more than happy to exchange my non-activated one into a new one. He said there are people that would buy my old one.

 

[bearzabout]

On 6/27, I booked a three bedroom at Grand Beach in the fall using the new system. I saw it first on Getawayweeks then grabbed it online using the new system. I have both types of certificates. It seems that three bedroom units are still available at times with the new system.

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Has anybody stayed at Barefoot in the Keys at Old Town. Im not a big old town fan, but it is one resort listed for the times we need it. TIA Grammy

 

[riu girl]

When I purchased them in Dec (Dec 26th), they had units for that week! That is peak and that was how I based my decision. Wrong.... I never should have done that. With less inventory, more people purchasing, I am getting nothing now.

just curious, would you mind sharing with me what you saw available for Christmas week last year? Each year, I search a lot for Christmas and new years week and never find anything!! BUT I give up by October and book alternate (not skyauction) for those two weeks since I don't ever want to wait until last minute booking for holiday weeks.
Thanks

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm guessing that was a last-minute cancellation that was probably snapped up quickly by someone else---just luck of the draw, there one second, gone the next.