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Re: How can I rent a timeshare? (by Marie M.):

[/Q} Some of the smaller, independent exchange companies MAY have different rules (or lax enforcement). I haven't reviewed their policies lately. But you might want to check out the San Francisco Exchang Company, Donita's Dial-an-exchange, Trading Places, etc...[/Q]

Jennie, do most resorts let you deposit with ANY exchange company? How does that work if your resort is only affiliated with RCI or II?

You own your week. The resort cannot tell you what to do with it. You can exchange it through any exchange company willing to accept it. Some resorts have chosen to be affiliated with RCI or II or both. This is supposedly for the benefit of their owners. If such a contact exists, RCI or II must accept deposit of your week, if you wish to do so , as long as all fees have been paid.

The smaller, independent companies may or may not accept your week. It's their choice. But if they are willing to accept it, you may do business with them without any "permission" from your resort.

San Francisco Exchange Company has a specific list of resorts they will accept deposts from. They generally take only top quality resorts and weeks. And that is the type of week you will receive in return. They also have a very generous bonus week policy. I used to do a lot of exchanges through SFX. But in recent years I have found their customer service to be lacking. Unless you are willing to call them frequently, leave voice mail messages, and wait a few days for a call back, you are not likely to get the week you are requesting. I think their motto has become: "Out of sight, out of mind." If you own one week, and are willing to make the calls, you will likely get two awesome trades.

Donita's gives excellent custoer service and is less "picky" about the weeks they will accept.

Trading Places, Int'l has lots of inventory in Hawaii.

Some owners speak well of Platinum Exchange. I have not had any personal experience with them.

Timesharing Today Magazine www.tstoday.com publishes a chart with detailed information about these and other exchange companies about once a year. If you subcribe to the magazine, you receive a new username and password in each issue that allows you to access all of the articles in all their back issues (over 10 years).

You will also have access to numerous great articles about many other phases of timeshare ownership. They call the magazine "The Trusted Independent Voice of Vacation Ownership since 1991"..RCI will not allow them to place ads in their members magazine "Endless Vacations" presumably because they do not want us owners to learn too much about the "games" RCI allegedly plays. Nor receive info about alternative exchange companies.

If you subscibe on-line, you gain instant acess to the Archives. And there is a 100% satisfaction guarantee or you can request a refund.

I do not have any financial or other connection with the magazine. I've just been a very satisified customer for over 10 years. As an owner of 15 timeshare weeks, I like to keep informed of anything that impacts upon or enhances the benefits of timeshare ownership.