posted 05-28-2005 16:35            

The second reason I haven't join is because I own Marriotts and right now and so far all my exchanges have filled through II. So, until my membership runs out I probably won't look at other exchange companies.

Tina

------------------
You can see my timeshare photos here:

posted 05-28-2005 16:43               

quote:

---

Originally posted by John Cummings:
I am curious why you have to belong to RCI? I wasn't aware that you have to belong to any exchange company.

---

When we toured Hyatt Pinon Pointe we were told that if you buy into Hyatt you HAVE to belong to II. Well, actually the way it works is that part of your maintenance fees go towards your mandatory II membership. Maybe there is some resport that has the same tie in with RCI.

posted 05-28-2005 16:44               

quote:

---

Originally posted by ciscogizmo1:
Hmmmm.... I always thought you had to purchase the Platinum Membership to get access to the Vacation sell-off list. The gold membership on their site does not list the vacation sell-off list as a benefit. So, I didn't know they offered it to gold members. Unless I misread the fine print...

---

Tina,

Gold members do get the list but only after the platinum members have had first dibs at it. It gets sent to platinum member first then to gold members around a day or two later. There is still good stuff on there, but the cream gets taken by platinum members. For some people it's worth paying the $59 a year just to have access to their sell off list.

posted 05-28-2005 16:54               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Luanne:
When we toured Hyatt Pinon Pointe we were told that if you buy into Hyatt you HAVE to belong to II. Well, actually the way it works is that part of your maintenance fees go towards your mandatory II membership. Maybe there is some resport that has the same tie in with RCI.

---

Luanne,

One of our timeshare resorts tried that one on us too. Our attorney pointed out to them certain Federal and State anti trust laws, they backed down. It would have been outrageous for a developer to have tied us into an outside service that is not legally part of a timeshare purchase, and to have the HOA pay for it !!!

posted 05-28-2005 18:15               

quote:

---

Originally posted by SandraWorld:
Luanne,

One of our timeshare resorts tried that one on us too. Our attorney pointed out to them certain Federal and State anti trust laws, they backed down. It would have been outrageous for a developer to have tied us into an outside service that is not legally part of a timeshare purchase, and to have the HOA pay for it !!!

Sandra

---

Since we weren't interested in buying anyway we didn't bother to challenge them on this.

posted 05-28-2005 18:25               

Even if they did accept the resort, we can only travel during school vacation weeks, and I haven't heard much about anyone getting, say, a week 52 exchange through them, or a summer week in Europe, or something else really difficult.

posted 05-28-2005 21:13               

quote:

---

Originally posted by 3kids4me:
I called SFX once a couple of years ago and was told that they did not accept my resort (Smugglers' Notch in Vermont). In fact, they had never heard of it. I was surprised.

Even if they did accept the resort, we can only travel during school vacation weeks, and I haven't heard much about anyone getting, say, a week 52 exchange through them, or a summer week in Europe, or something else really difficult.

Sharon

---

Sharon. Friends of ours also own at Smuggler's Notch. A very nice resort. There must be a misunderstanding. SFX has taken, their deposit every year for the last 3 years. They have two weeks.

If you look at some of the exchanges we have had, they are not easy. In fact we were unable to get them through RCI or I.I., but were able to with SFX.

We and friends of ours have received European Summer week exchanges to England, Spain, Vienna and Salzburg. We have also had Christmas, Thanksgiving and other Holiday weeks too. Major holidays weeks are not always the easiest to get, but we have had a few.

Sandra

posted 05-28-2005 21:17               

quote:

---

Originally posted by bsilly:
SandraWorld,
How far in advance did you deposit your weeks into SFX to get those prime exchanges to Westin and Marriotts? We own at Embassy Maui as well and would like to get some advice on how to get the same prime weeks you've gotten. Thanks.

---

Beth, we typically bank our weeks with SFX when they mail out their first round of marketing for the following years deposits. That usually comes out around June/July. The weeks we deposit start around 9 months in advance of our deposit dates. They get many Embassy Maui deposits, and offer good incentives to owners to bank them in advance.

Sandra

posted 05-29-2005 06:25               

quote:

---

Originally posted by barndweller:
I have been doing lots of homework to decide whether to purchase for trading. My choices close to home are fairly costly even on ebay & have pretty substancial yearly fees since I live in California. My priority trade preferances are Hawaii or Europe. Plane fares are becoming prohibitive so I want to be able to spend several weeks at my destination to maximize my transportation dollars. Those unused weeks offered at SFX and II available at the last minute may be the only way for me to afford my trips whether I choose driving to a western US location or flying to Hawaii.

As for European travel...I feel timeshare stays are too restricted. They are not located where I want to go so are of little value to me. I guess I'll just have to continue doing my homework before I get any further into timesharing.

For now my one lone week at a place I love is enough.

---

Both of my resorts where I own are coastal California resorts. I would never consider buying anywhere but the California coast. The M/F are not particularly high at either resort and they have been very stable over the past several years.

posted 05-29-2005 06:34               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Luanne:
When we toured Hyatt Pinon Pointe we were told that if you buy into Hyatt you HAVE to belong to II. Well, actually the way it works is that part of your maintenance fees go towards your mandatory II membership. Maybe there is some resport that has the same tie in with RCI.

---

I sure would NOT like that at all. I have never heard of a resort forcing an owner to pay for an exchange company's membership fee. What if the owner doesn't want to exchange their week but instead use it themselves. They are being forced to pay for something of no value to them.

------------------
John

posted 05-29-2005 06:40               

quote:

---

Originally posted by 3kids4me:
I called SFX once a couple of years ago and was told that they did not accept my resort (Smugglers' Notch in Vermont). In fact, they had never heard of it. I was surprised.

Even if they did accept the resort, we can only travel during school vacation weeks, and I haven't heard much about anyone getting, say, a week 52 exchange through them, or a summer week in Europe, or something else really difficult.

Sharon

---

SFX was the only exchange company that could deliver on the tough trades that I requested. That is why I switched to them 9 years ago.

posted 05-29-2005 10:53               

quote:

---

Originally posted by SandraWorld:As they say, the weeks given out are only as good as the weeks taken in. They don't accept junk or mediocrity. This is the kind of assurance people like me want. Yes it's limited, limited to the "good stuff".Sandra.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by John Cummings:
They do not have to have the week you want in their inventory. As I said before, SFX tries to keep their inventory to a minimum. Unlike RCI and II which passively wait for the deposits to come in, SFX actively will search for the week that you want. This often involves trading weeks with RCI and II.

---

posted 05-29-2005 22:58               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Judy:
Do you think SFX would find me a week in a lower quality resort if there were no top-rated resorts where I want to go? Have you ever confirmed a lower quality resort or off-season week through SFX?

[This message has been edited by Judy (edited 05-29-2005).]

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I have never requested a lower quality resort because I haven't had to. I have requested non prime weeks before with no problem.

------------------
John

posted 05-30-2005 06:36               

quote:

---

Originally posted by SandraWorld:
Bocabum, sorry I have to disagree with you. We have been using SFX for nearly 10 years, so have many of our friends upon strong recommendations from each other and resort management.

The point being, we have made many specific requests and have gotten what we "specifically" asked for. Including New York, London, San Francisco, Vienna, Salzburg. All of these locations at least twice and in Prime Time !!! Also, Maui at the Westin for Xmas, Bay Club Hawaii, Embassy Maui, Marriott Newport Beach July 4th week, Marriott Desert Springs, Hilton at Las Vegas, Four Seasons Aviara in July and others.

How much more specific can you get !!

As far as being thin on inventory? No disrespect, but perhaps you may be relatively new to timeshare? That kind of specialized inventory is never sitting there in abundance with any exchange company. SFX has a lot of incredible inventory and there is always a waiting list for it because the demand is always greater than the supply for that kind of stuff industry wide. You think incredible weeks just sit there waiting for BillyBob to walk in and take it? I don't think so. As soon as it comes in, it is matched and booked.

I have seen SFX has build up an incredible network of strategic alliances directly with resorts over the years, creating a direct network. As you will learn, this is a very different model than RCI and I.I. It's not junk heavy. They specialize in the top 20% of space.

With RCI and I.I. I found that kind of space virtually impossible to get, just like thousands of other members.

With regards to your comment "no way SFX can get you summer Oregon" Hogwash !! We have booked that from them too, and so have friends.

Their system does not work the way you believe it does, and your comments are ill informed and innacurate. Facts, not guesses.

Interesting, at the time you contacted them they never had an Oregon Summer Coast just sitting there,(they could have done a search and gotten you one) but they did have a great unit at the Kona Coast in "HAWAII". mmmm... Thats's a tough one. I will have to think which one I would take!! LOL

Sandra

[This message has been edited by SandraWorld (edited 05-28-2005).]

[This message has been edited by SandraWorld (edited 05-28-2005).]

[This message has been edited by SandraWorld (edited 05-28-2005).]

---

Sandra,

There is a big difference between getting a good resort in a good location and knowing that you can get any size unit, in any resort in the system by calling at a specific timeframe.
I am sorry, but you just can't do that in SFX. You may not see that as a worthwhile benefit, but most people outside of the timesharing world probably would.

I said that SFX is good. I just don't believe it is for everyone for that reason.

This quote from their website should say it all:

"... Probably the most important number one rule is, be as flexible as you can with dates and/or locations... and Deposit your week early..."

If you are a traveller who is NOT flexible with dates and/or locations, then SFX and timeshare weeks exchange is NOT for you.

As an example, I made a request with SFX for 3 specific resorts in Key West for next Spring. Then, I expanded the search to ALL of the caribbean, ALL of the Gulf Coast and ALL of South Florida. It still took SFX 3 months to fill the order. I got something I am satisfied with. But, that's not something that people unfamiliar with timesharing would find acceptable.

By the way, I am not trying to knock SFX because I am a member and I like it. What I am trying to do is de-mystify timesharing and inform people of the truth of it. I was baffled when I saw that some people loved and other people loathed SFX. Now I think I know why.

As for prime weeks just sitting there, at good point systems like WorldMark, the first day of the exchange period is loaded with those weeks. Everyone gets a fair shot at them and the time to call is pre-determined. So, there are systems where prime weeks are just sitting there in plentiful abundance. They don't last long, but they can be confirmed by average Joe and average Jane. Notice I didn't say II and RCI. Although I have had great luck with II and RCI points for holiday weeks I needed.

posted 05-30-2005 10:12               

quote:

---

Originally posted by BocaBum99:
Sandra,

There is a big difference between getting a good resort in a good location and knowing that you can get any size unit, in any resort in the system by calling at a specific timeframe.
I am sorry, but you just can't do that in SFX.

This quote from their website should say it all:

"... Probably the most important number one rule is, be as flexible as you can with dates and/or locations... and Deposit your week early..."

If you are a traveller who is NOT flexible with dates and/or locations, then SFX and timeshare weeks exchange is NOT for you.

As an example, I made a request with SFX for 3 specific resorts in Key West for next Spring. Then, I expanded the search to ALL of the caribbean, ALL of the Gulf Coast and ALL of South Florida. It still took SFX 3 months to fill the order. I got something I am satisfied with. But, that's not something that people unfamiliar with timesharing would find acceptable.

As for prime weeks just sitting there, at good point systems like WorldMark, the first day of the exchange period is loaded with those weeks. Everyone gets a fair shot at them and the time to call is pre-determined. So, there are systems where prime weeks are just sitting there in plentiful abundance. They don't last long, but they can be confirmed by average Joe and average Jane. Notice I didn't say II and RCI. Although I have had great luck with II and RCI points for holiday weeks I needed.

---

I basically disagree with most of what you have stated.

99% of the time we were NEVER able to get such requests with the other two exchange companies when we had first placed them. They were high demand and high seasons and we had to do searches. Most searches went on for 5-10 months and about 99% of the time they never came through! I am not talking about the Oregon Coast in the Summer.

You can't just get any size any time readily available in places like London, SF, NY, Maui, Paris etc. etc. because demand vs supply has a huge disparity. Yes, if you want Orlando, or Spain or maybe Branson, but not the premium stuff. For that you have to search nearly every time.

Bocabum's quote from SFX; "... Probably the most important number one rule is, be as flexible as you can with dates and/or locations... and Deposit your week early...And that says it all"

I am sorry, but where have you been? Don't you do your homework? The above quote is the industry standard with "ALL EXCHANGE COMPANIES". That is an industry prerequisite! (not just an SFX cliche).

Bocabum says; "If you are a traveller who is NOT flexible with dates and/or locations, then SFX and timeshare weeks exchange is NOT for you".

Wake up, if you are not flexible with dates or locations, then timesharing "period" is not for you. (Timeshare 101 again). RCI and I.I. ask for several choices for your preference. This is because without flexibility timeshare exchange would break down. If you look at RCI and II's audit's, they claim they fulfill about 97% of exchange requests. What I haven't seen is the breakdown of based upon first, second, third choice,or better take anything from the pool because what you really want wasn't available !!!

Come on Bocabum, this is Timeshare 101 stuff!

Almost everyone over the years before they purchased timeshare was unfamiliar with it. Let' be real here! How many of you understood it when you got home after buying your first timeshare? I don't see too many hands in the air! Any exchange company will tell you Spring Break periods in any high quality resort typically are not sitting there waiting for you to book it. Key West during that period is extremely difficult to get in to. So is the Caribbean Feb to March.

You say "people unfamiliar with timeshare wouldn't find having to wait for space and do searches would find this unacceptable".

Come on TS 101 again, that is the "norm" most of the time if you want high demand, best resorts in the best seasons. It's very well known, that demand is virtually always higher than supply during such periods. Real basic stuff here!

With SFX in the last 10 years, we have received about 29 exchanges out of I believe 33 requests. These have been to the most difficult places and high seasons. Again just to name a few (London 5 times, New York 4 times, San Francisco, Vienna, Salzburg, Maui Xmas, Hawaii July 4th, Marriott Newport Beach, and a whole bunch more).

We and many others we know were not getting exchanges like this from the other exchange companies. Although Oregon Coast I am sure is wonderful to many, it's not the kind of exchanges we are interested in. Our lifestyle and needs are "different" for our vacations. We are very demanding and specific with our vacation needs.

Bocabum says ......"As for prime weeks just sitting there, at good point systems like WorldMark, the first day of the exchange period is loaded with those weeks. Everyone gets a fair shot at them and the time to call is pre-determined. So, there are systems where prime weeks are just sitting there in plentiful abundance. They don't last long, but they can be confirmed by average Joe and average Jane......."

Your "fair Shot" assumption really is on the basis that everyone at Worldmark that wants the best locations and dates has to call the very first day the booking window opens!

To get those prime weeks, certainly doesn't mean all that want them will get them. That is based upon all the members of your resort calling at the same time with the hope there is enough to go around. If it's really a prime resort in prime location and season, even at Worldmark there is not enough to go around for those weeks for everyone that wants them. It's all "subject to availability"!!

Oh by the way, people only love an exchange company when they get what they want. And hate and bad mouth exchange companies when what they want isn't available. Kind of like blaming a travel agent if the hotel or airline was full, right?

Sandra

[This message has been edited by SandraWorld (edited 05-30-2005).]

posted 05-30-2005 15:26               

Let me restate - I belong to Bluegreen, who charges me for RCI membership - I cannot opt out as it's "included".

Since I own points, I have the option of "budgeting" my vacation. We don't go where/when everyone else does. Sometimes we just take long weekends.

It doesn't make sense for me to blow 2 years of points to book a week that's highly desireable to others when frankly, we just aren't people that have to have the very best and I would rather dodge the crowds than travel at the most popular times. Maybe after we've been at it a few more years we'll see more of a difference in Gold Crown vs Standard. right now, I want the most choices of areas.

So far we've been getting nice trips from RCI and Bluegreen. I've waded into DAE to get us to Europe and Hawaii is also on the near-term list. Last Call and Bonus Nights fills in the gaps - I don't need another exchange company, plus, I'm not in a position to need to pay a premium to get what everyone else thinks is the best stuff. Next Best is prob'ly ok for us just now ; )

To each his own.

posted 06-02-2005 06:27               

quote:

---

Originally posted by SandraWorld:
I basically disagree with most of what you have stated.

99% of the time we were NEVER able to get such requests with the other two exchange companies when we had first placed them. They were high demand and high seasons and we had to do searches. Most searches went on for 5-10 months and about 99% of the time they never came through! I am not talking about the Oregon Coast in the Summer.

You can't just get any size any time readily available in places like London, SF, NY, Maui, Paris etc. etc. because demand vs supply has a huge disparity. Yes, if you want Orlando, or Spain or maybe Branson, but not the premium stuff. For that you have to search nearly every time.

Bocabum's quote from SFX; "... Probably the most important number one rule is, be as flexible as you can with dates and/or locations... and Deposit your week early...And that says it all"

I am sorry, but where have you been? Don't you do your homework? The above quote is the industry standard with "ALL EXCHANGE COMPANIES". That is an industry prerequisite! (not just an SFX cliche).

Bocabum says; "If you are a traveller who is NOT flexible with dates and/or locations, then SFX and timeshare weeks exchange is NOT for you".

Wake up, if you are not flexible with dates or locations, then timesharing "period" is not for you. (Timeshare 101 again). RCI and I.I. ask for several choices for your preference. This is because without flexibility timeshare exchange would break down. If you look at RCI and II's audit's, they claim they fulfill about 97% of exchange requests. What I haven't seen is the breakdown of based upon first, second, third choice,or better take anything from the pool because what you really want wasn't available !!!

Come on Bocabum, this is Timeshare 101 stuff!

Almost everyone over the years before they purchased timeshare was unfamiliar with it. Let' be real here! How many of you understood it when you got home after buying your first timeshare? I don't see too many hands in the air! Any exchange company will tell you Spring Break periods in any high quality resort typically are not sitting there waiting for you to book it. Key West during that period is extremely difficult to get in to. So is the Caribbean Feb to March.

You say "people unfamiliar with timeshare wouldn't find having to wait for space and do searches would find this unacceptable".

Come on TS 101 again, that is the "norm" most of the time if you want high demand, best resorts in the best seasons. It's very well known, that demand is virtually always higher than supply during such periods. Real basic stuff here!

With SFX in the last 10 years, we have received about 29 exchanges out of I believe 33 requests. These have been to the most difficult places and high seasons. Again just to name a few (London 5 times, New York 4 times, San Francisco, Vienna, Salzburg, Maui Xmas, Hawaii July 4th, Marriott Newport Beach, and a whole bunch more).

We and many others we know were not getting exchanges like this from the other exchange companies. Although Oregon Coast I am sure is wonderful to many, it's not the kind of exchanges we are interested in. Our lifestyle and needs are "different" for our vacations. We are very demanding and specific with our vacation needs.

Bocabum says ......"As for prime weeks just sitting there, at good point systems like WorldMark, the first day of the exchange period is loaded with those weeks. Everyone gets a fair shot at them and the time to call is pre-determined. So, there are systems where prime weeks are just sitting there in plentiful abundance. They don't last long, but they can be confirmed by average Joe and average Jane......."

Your "fair Shot" assumption really is on the basis that everyone at Worldmark that wants the best locations and dates has to call the very first day the booking window opens!

To get those prime weeks, certainly doesn't mean all that want them will get them. That is based upon all the members of your resort calling at the same time with the hope there is enough to go around. If it's really a prime resort in prime location and season, even at Worldmark there is not enough to go around for those weeks for everyone that wants them. It's all "subject to availability"!!

Oh by the way, people only love an exchange company when they get what they want. And hate and bad mouth exchange companies when what they want isn't available. Kind of like blaming a travel agent if the hotel or airline was full, right?

Sandra

[This message has been edited by SandraWorld (edited 05-30-2005).]

[This message has been edited by SandraWorld (edited 05-30-2005).]

---

Not sure where you are coming from. It just sounds to me like you are a big fan of SFX (nothing wrong with that) and are just trying to defend them as a business (which is fine). I don't know how you can say you disagree with my facts and then say it's timeshare 101.

I didn't say that SFX was bad and I didn't say that II or RCI were any better.

What I did say and I did imply is that a system like WorldMark works more like was an average non-timesharer would expect it to work. That's one of the reasons why I believe it will eventually be more appealing to the masses. Do you disagree with that statement? If so, that's fine. That's my central premise. But statements like saying it's timeshare 101 don't refute the premise. In fact, it reinforces it.

I am not sure why you seem to think I don't do my research. Anyone who reads what I post will note that I do extensive research. Since you keep modifying your posts, it sounds like you don't have your arguments well thought out.

Here is another point that you have reacted to negatively in the past. Not sure why. I believe it to be fact.

When I used SFX, I got 3 weeks for my one deposit. My guess is that SFX has a relationship with the Mexican resorts and so therefore get access to those weeks without having to trade anything. However, I still got two weeks for the one I put in. Plus, those weeks that end up on the sell off are in the breakage category you have expressed in the past.

My thought is this. How happy with SFX are those people who have deposited weeks in SFX and got nothing in return? There are obviously lots of them because I believe that there are a lot of people like me who get two or more for one. For every person who gets two or more, there is someone else who got nothing. They can't be thrilled.

In SFX, they are now starting to promote their new bonus program. They will give you a bonus week that is good until the end of next year. I think it's great. I will probably deposit a week and get 2 or 3 in return. I am wondering what is happening at the macro level.

But, if it's true that everyone is depositing prime weeks and many don't get anything in return, does that in any way help to explain why many people seem to be very happy with SFX and others seem to not like it. What is your theory as to why many people have expressed great like and dislike for SFX (or any other timeshare exchange company for that matter)? You've haven't posed one that I can recall.

My theory is that the exchange companies are like the Long Distance phone companies. And, that over time, the exchange companies will move more towards a model where the developer/resort manager will also do exchanges ala Fairfield, WM, Bluegreen and others. I could be wrong, but at least I have a well thought out theory as to why. What's yours?

posted 06-02-2005 18:42               

quote:

---

Originally posted by BocaBum99:
Not sure where you are coming from. It just sounds to me like you are a big fan of SFX (nothing wrong with that) and are just trying to defend them as a business (which is fine). I don't know how you can say you disagree with my facts and then say it's timeshare 101.

---

Hi Bocabum,

I really don't wish to drag this out. So please don't take offense as no disrespect is meant. Where am I coming from?

Yes we are big fans of SFX. They are stongly endorsed by all the resort management from all the resorts where we own, and a large number of owners whom we see on a regular basis through HOA meetings also have had great experiences with them too. It doesn't bother me if people say they love or hate RCI, I.I. or SFX that's just their opinion, and we all have those. What does bother me is when people make "factual statements" and they are only half true or completely false. Amongst other things, it's deceptive and misleads the public.

I still stand behind my comments. I took each of your statements and gave direct answers to them. And with all respect, many of your comments clearly leave no doubt your homework is not as accurate you believe. I do have an advantage as we have been members with SFX for about 10 years and have attended several of their Exchange Seminars organized by resort management. If you had the opportunity to learn at these seminars about how their system works, you would realize how far "off-base" most of your theories and assumptions are.

There is a big difference between your "theories" and actual facts. I notice you have not backed up any of your "theories & assumptions" with actual data. And until such time, they are just "theories" without substance.

If you really feel your information is accurate and not misleading, why don't you ask the same questions at the SFX Forum at www.tstips.com. At least that way you, and the rest of us will get specific answers to your "theories". And then it doesn't matter what I say or you think, because we will have the "facts" from the source. Then we won't have to waste our time bantering back and forth like this.

Oh one last note. With regards to your last paragraph

BocaBum Theory: "My theory is that the exchange companies are like the Long Distance phone companies. And, that over time, the exchange companies will move more towards a model where the developer/resort manager will also do exchanges ala Fairfield, WM, Bluegreen and others. I could be wrong, but at least I have a well thought out theory as to why.

What's yours?"

I don't have a theory. Here are the facts; Wake up, what do you think SFX has been doing for the last 14 years??? Now had you made that statement at least 15 years ago, your theory would have come true a year later.

Have to go now, just received an email from SFX, another exchange week booked in New York, and one in Vancouver!!!

Have a great evening and remember to post your questions at the SFX forum. Then we can look forward to finding out what the reality is. And think of all the time we could save LOL.

Sandra