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Re: R. C. I. (by Mary D.):

adahiscout wrote:

langdonmic wrote:

pgolfer47 wrote:

langdonmic wrote:

rebeccar77 wrote:

My husband and I just bought our first timeshare in summer '06. I wanted to exchange a week for March 2007. I called RCI (in Nov '06), completely naive, and thought this would be a fast and easy phone call. I have gotten nothing but lies, a screaming lady, and even a hang up from their employees. I am VERY disappointed with RCI. When we bought the timeshare, they gave us our first year free. I definately will NOT renew. They were VERY eager to take my gold crown red week and asked during every phone call if I'd like to depositing more weeks. They even asked me to renew my dues. I think not!!!

Horrible Experience, Texas

Rebecca I've found that it is easier to exchange yourself online. I've done that my last two exchanges, with great results. I've exchanged a gold crown blue for gold crown red for 07 and 08. Just go into exchange your vacation and put in areas and dates against your deposit. you can even select specific resorts. It gives you results right away. it's fun and easy, alot better than talking to someone. the key to enjoying timesharing is knowledge. learn how to use the system, and you'll enjoy. Lenny

Hey Texas! How do you exchange your unit online yourself without the help of RCI? Is there a website? Thanks, Pam

Pam If you're already a RCI member, all you need to do is set up an online account at rci.com. Then you'll be able to see what you have deposited, review and print your reservations etc... As long as you have a week to exchange. You can go to the exchange tab and just fill in areas or resorts that you want to go to and "click". You'll know what's available right away. Lenny

Tex,

When you look at your account on the RCI website, you will see your current deposits listed. If they are for a specific named resort (a "Visible Deposit") you can search for an exchange and book it on line yourself.

However, some deposits are shown just as "Studio Red" or "1 bedroom Blue". In this case, the site directs you to make the exchange by phone. This is most likely to occur if you are depositing a week from a points based or floating week resort group. Sometimes your resort group will assign you a Visible Week for deposit if you request it. While I am not positive, I THINK the vague deposits may give RCI more flexability in requesting what it needs from your resort group to fill requests received.

You surely need SOME exchange company and it MUST be one with which your your own resort has a working arrangement. Any exchange company has charges. (The magazine is automatic with membership in RCI or II.)

Try letting RCI do a continuing search for what you need if it is not instantly available. They can't give you what nobody has deposited yet but you can be first in line if it does appear! I have had very good luck in a couple of cases.

It is very true that salespeople oversell the ease with which you can exchange "for anytime to anywhere." Remember, folks, the fact that a resort itself has openings means nothing unless a resort owner has deposited those weeks for RCI to use. The phone people at RCI must get pretty frustrated with us when we forget this.

An exception to this rule is that resorts with unsold inventory may give some of it to RCI. They want travelers to come, see their facilities and ,perhaps, buy. This is a plus for them and for us since it supplies more options for us, often at the newest and nicest places.

Mary D