Original Message:
Re: Catch 22 - Need advice as 1st time renter........ (by R P.):
If the renter owned the week there would be NO NEED for an RCI guest certificate or for RCI to be involved in any form. It looks like the lady has rented you an exchange (it's not your fault).
I would go ahead with your trip, since you already have the confirmation in your name. I would then contact RCI as soon as you get back home to let them know this lady is making a business of renting exchanges, since she's been "doing it for YEARS".
This practice is not fair to other RCI members and people wishing to rent from her ads and if she is caught renting exchanges her renters can be turned away at check-in. This is the main reason rentals of exchanges are illegal with RCI, II and the independent exchange companies ... people making a business of it.
In the future, before you rent from anyone else, make sure you are given verification that the owner is renting his/her week, not an exchange. You can call the resort and make sure that the person renting is the owner or have the owner send you some type of verification that they actually own the week.
You have done nothing wrong, however it's too late now to call RCI about this woman. Enjoy your trip. You have the comfort of knowing the reservation is in your name and that should ease your mind.
Also, it looks as though this woman is lying to RCI saying she's gifting the week to you (it's legal to gift an exchange to friends or family when no profit is made however friends/family are allowed to reimburse the exchanger the guest certificate fee and the exchange fee which is less than $200), but she's charging you $600, which is defintely a profit being made (this is illegal).