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Author
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Topic: Vacation Internationale Inc
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sunstarved
TUG MemberPosts: 720
From: Washington State
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 04-22-2005 09:28
   
I have been searching for info on this points based club. Their web site keeps coming up as "unable to display." Anyone own points in this system and would you recommend it?Thanks,
Gayle IP: Logged |
aliikai2
TUG MemberPosts: 1587
From: Bellingham WA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 04-22-2005 10:23
Try this link.  Vacation Internationale
This program has some great uses, and for a Hawaii traveler or someone that wants to see the NW it is fantastic.
Rather than writing an entire book here, email me with your questions. Greg My Website
quote:
Originally posted by sunstarved:
I have been searching for info on this points based club. Their web site keeps coming up as "unable to display." Anyone own points in this system and would you recommend it?Thanks,
Gayle
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We will be at the Kona Hawaiian Village from October 15th till November 6th, Mahalo IP: Logged |
PA
TUG MemberPosts: 3930
From: San Antonio, TX 78258
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 04-22-2005 12:08
I bought into VI in 1988. Approximately 8 - 10 years later, it was purchased by Sunterra and became known as Sunterra Pacific. It had approximately 18 resorts when I bought in, 21 resorts when Sunterra bought it. They added a few rooms in the Sante Fe location to make 22, and that's the last resort they added. While Sunterra managed it, they sold all the inventory (or mostly, anyway) while letting maintenance slip badly. When Sunterra went bankrupt, owing Worldmark a lot of money, Worldmark got ownership of most of the Steamboat property. A few years later (maybe 2 years ago), when Sunterra's contract to manage the system expired and the owner's voted them out, Sunterra refused to leave gracefully, forcing the HOA to file suit. The name has since been changed back, and I guess the HOA is managing it themselves. The reason I got out a few years ago is that the properties are kind of in the same general locations as Worldmark, the maintenance/housekeeping isn't as good, and the maintenance fees are much higher. Close to 50% higher, as I recall. Points can be had CHEAP, but a lot of owners own more than they need and book the days before holidays so they can book the holiday weeks, so the little guy doesn't stand a chance. I bought into Worldmark and haven't had any problems. Also, a lot the original contracts will be expiring in the next few years. So if you can get a contract with 5 years of so remaining for close to free, it might be worthwhile to get such areas as Sun River, Sun Valley and other nice locations during hard to get weeks. Beware the transfer fee, I believe it has gone up to over $300. Also, some of the points don't ever expire, and some of the points have some ownership of a share of a timeshare project a year or 2 after they expire.IP: Logged |
ragtop
TUG MemberPosts: 469
From: National City, CA, USA
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 04-22-2005 14:37
VI is the oldest points-based timeshare company the US and the largest such company in North America that is truly owner-controlled. The 30,000+ VI owners elect a Board of Directors that oversees management by VRI. The resorts are owned free and clear by a trust, and virtually all the employees are employed by a subsidiary of the association. Since the termination of the Sunterra Pacific management agreement, a new resort has been added in Leavenworth, WA and additional new resorts have been approved by the Board in Orlando, Hawaii and Arizona. The Board has addressed the deferred maintenance and lack of reserves by directing a refurbishment program and assessment; that will continue until the resorts are back on track. The higher fees are one factor that put VI ownership at a disadvantage to WorldMark, but at least there is no conflict of interest in who sits on the Board. That’s an interesting tradeoff, isn’t it? The Board has announced that all reservations will be on a 12 month rule starting in July, so owners won't be able to reserve ahead to get the best units after that.[This message has been edited by ragtop (edited 04-22-2005).] IP: Logged |
EJC
TUG MemberPosts: 374
From: Eastern Washington State. Owner: Sunterra Pacific, Worldmark, Dikhololo, Condominios Solamar Inn
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 04-24-2005 08:05
Could you explain your last sentence? I thought V. I. owners could only book 12 months out. What has changed?IP: Logged |
lv_maui
Non MemberPosts: 10
From: EVR Kaanapali and Poipu
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 04-25-2005 13:12
PA, where you concocted this story is behind me! Your perjury is severe in this statement. Sunterra sold their unbuilt land to Trendswest, AND faciliated the take over of management by Worldmark. Sunterra made the decision to get out of the Steamboat market because of their need to sell off land. Trendswest paid Sunterra for the land, and there was no trade off or set off. Neither did an HOA vote Sunterra out.
quote:
Originally posted by PA:
When Sunterra went bankrupt, owing Worldmark a lot of money, Worldmark got ownership of most of the Steamboat property. A few years later (maybe 2 years ago), when Sunterra's contract to manage the system expired and the owner's voted them out, Sunterra refused to leave gracefully, forcing the HOA to file suit.
IP: Logged |
ragtop
TUG MemberPosts: 469
From: National City, CA, USA
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 04-25-2005 15:03
quote:
Originally posted by ragtop:
The Board has announced that all reservations will be on a 12 month rule starting in July, so owners won't be able to reserve ahead to get the best units after that.
For reservations made or changed starting July 1, owners will not be able to reserve units where the arrival date for any unit type is more than 12 months ahead of the booking date, even if the owner has enough points to reserve one type of unit for enough time to access a more desireable type of unit beyond the 12 month window. Reservations for Hawaiian resorts will not be subject to this 12 month window and any reservation that starts within the 12 month window can extend beyond the 12 month period and change resorts/unit types without having to have all arrival dates be within 12 months. This will make all the most desireable units available to all owners, not just those with enough points to "waste" on smaller units while they reach ahead to the more desireable units outside the 12 month window. IP: Logged |
PA
TUG MemberPosts: 3930
From: San Antonio, TX 78258
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 04-25-2005 15:27
quote:
Originally posted by lv_maui:
PA, where you concocted this story is behind me! Your perjury is severe in this statement. Sunterra sold their unbuilt land to Trendswest, AND faciliated the take over of management by Worldmark. Sunterra made the decision to get out of the Steamboat market because of their need to sell off land. Trendswest paid Sunterra for the land, and there was no trade off or set off. Neither did an HOA vote Sunterra out.
I don't know what your stake is in this arguement. I have none any longer. Do you work for Sunterra? If your story is the way management is spinning it, you can choose to believe it if you want. 1) There was a bitter legal battle between the HOA and Sunterra. 2) Trendwest not only got the land, they got all the units in building 2 except for 5 units. 3) Sunterra didn't get out of the Steamboat market, VI still owns building 1 and Sunterra still has the 5 units in building 2. IP: Logged |
aliikai2
TUG MemberPosts: 1587
From: Bellingham WA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 04-25-2005 16:40
According to the most current VI newsletter,what Phillip said was true. Also, the change coming into effect on July 1st, effectively stops some of the abuse that was occurring, and as far as annual fees go, VI has 3 levels of use time for every resort, unlike WM. So you can book a 1 bedroom low season week for 77 points, vs. 8000 for WM. 77x6.35( $1.00 is a special assessment to bring the resorts back up to quality) is $488.95 vs. $460 for WM.
fwiw, Greg quote:
Originally posted by ragtop:
For reservations made or changed starting July 1, owners will not be able to reserve units where the arrival date for any unit type is more than 12 months ahead of the booking date, even if the owner has enough points to reserve one type of unit for enough time to access a more desireable type of unit beyond the 12 month window. Reservations for Hawaiian resorts will not be subject to this 12 month window and any reservation that starts within the 12 month window can extend beyond the 12 month period and change resorts/unit types without having to have all arrival dates be within 12 months. This will make all the most desireable units available to all owners, not just those with enough points to "waste" on smaller units while they reach ahead to the more desireable units outside the 12 month window.
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We will be at the Kona Hawaiian Village from October 15th till November 6th, Mahalo
My Website [This message has been edited by aliikai2 (edited 04-25-2005).] IP: Logged |
PA
TUG MemberPosts: 3930
From: San Antonio, TX 78258
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 04-25-2005 16:42
quote:
Originally posted by ragtop:
...The higher fees are one factor that put VI ownership at a disadvantage to WorldMark, but at least there is no conflict of interest in who sits on the Board. That’s an interesting tradeoff, isn’t it? ...
Yeah Man! You said a mouthful there. Sunterra proved how important the management is.
IP: Logged |
PA
TUG MemberPosts: 3930
From: San Antonio, TX 78258
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 04-25-2005 16:54
quote:
Originally posted by aliikai2:
... So you can book a 1 bedroom low season week for 77 points, vs. 8000 for WM. 77x6.35( $1.00 is a special assessment to bring the resorts back up to quality) is $488.95 vs. $460 for WM.
..
A 1bedroom low season week at Worldmark is 4000 points. MF = approx 4.5cents per point(depending on the number you own). So that's less than $200, compared to almost $500 at VI. Also, I thought 77 points just got a studio? regardless, it's a pretty significant difference in MF. Too bad, I blame Sunterra. Although VI was a tad high even before Sunterra's poor management. IP: Logged |
PA
TUG MemberPosts: 3930
From: San Antonio, TX 78258
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 04-25-2005 17:01
quote:
Originally posted by lv_maui:
PA, where you concocted this story is behind me! Your perjury is severe in this statement. ...
You come into this chat room, have 8 posts under your belt, and proceed to call into question the wisdom of the pre-eminent member of this forum. One of the most widely respected members of the community; Nay, not just this community, the entire internet. The pillar upon which the entire bedrock of TUG stands. Not only that, you were wrong. Now say you're sorry, change your TUG ID, come back, and be nice. By the way, perjury means "lying under oath". I believe the word you are looking for is libel, which means "publishing false info that damages someones reputation". Either way, the info isn't false, so it doesn't matter. IP: Logged |
aliikai2
TUG MemberPosts: 1587
From: Bellingham WA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 04-26-2005 07:27
aAAH, YES, but what WM has a low season in Hawaii? And all the WM's cost 10k year round.
Yea, as the Bedrock of the entire internet I respect your Eminent Wisdom Oh Great One, I feel it is my duty to blame your advisors for giving you the wrong facts on this ..roflmao.. Greg ------------------
We will be at the Kona Hawaiian Village from October 15th till November 6th, Mahalo IP: Logged |
PA
TUG MemberPosts: 3930
From: San Antonio, TX 78258
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 04-26-2005 11:05
quote:
Originally posted by aliikai2:
aAAH, YES, but what WM has a low season in Hawaii? And all the WM's cost 10k year round.
[b]Yea, as the Bedrock of the entire internet I respect your Eminent Wisdom Oh Great One, I feel it is my duty to blame your advisors for giving you the wrong facts on this ..roflmao.. Greg [/B]
We're talking about Hawaii? Yes, you're right about hawaii. I wouldn't ever join Worldmark to use the Hawaian properties, they are not as nice as lots of other properties on the islands, and take lots of points. IP: Logged |
lv_maui
Non MemberPosts: 10
From: EVR Kaanapali and Poipu
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 04-26-2005 13:28
PA, I apologlize only for a strong post. I am NOT wrong, was there during this time period, and know the facts. I am sure with some research on the internet, the Bankruptcy court approval of the sale of the Steamboat property could be found. Of course, where Trendswest paid to Sunterra market value of the property in cash. What did Dave Akins say about this? What I do not understand is why you would come up with such a false story and attempt to create ill will toward Sunterra.8 posts or not, I know the facts about this issue. quote:
Originally posted by PA:
You come into this chat room, have 8 posts under your belt, and proceed to call into question the wisdom of the pre-eminent member of this forum. One of the most widely respected members of the community; Nay, not just this community, the entire internet. The pillar upon which the entire bedrock of TUG stands. Not only that, you were wrong. Now say you're sorry, change your TUG ID, come back, and be nice. By the way, perjury means "lying under oath". I believe the word you are looking for is libel, which means "publishing false info that damages someones reputation". Either way, the info isn't false, so it doesn't matter.
[This message has been edited by lv_maui (edited 04-26-2005).] IP: Logged |
PA
TUG MemberPosts: 3930
From: San Antonio, TX 78258
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 04-26-2005 18:07
1) I didn't "come up" with the story.
2) I am not attempting to create ill will toward Sunterra (as if Sunterra needs help doing that).How do you (and you alone) happen to have the straight scoop? Did you work at Sunterra? Did you work for Sunterra's legal council? IP: Logged |
ragtop
TUG MemberPosts: 469
From: National City, CA, USA
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 04-26-2005 20:09
Well, really, Sunterra is in the past now. VI has a lot of catching up to do in resort refurbishment and doesn't have a developer subsidy to hold down MFs like some of its competitors. But it does have some very popular properties including Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Sunriver and some others. It also has a cooperative relationship with Trendwest including a growing direct exchange program at Worldmark resorts and some places where VI manages WM units and vice versa. IP: Logged | |
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