Original Message:
I'm dubious... (by KC):
adahiscout wrote:Actually, RCI makes most of its money through exchange fees.
While that was certainly true in years past, I'm not sure that it's still the case today at all. With RCI having aggressively entered into direct rentals in recent years, including the acquisition of two additional, separate direct rental outlets (SnapTravel and Leisure Link), rentals are now certainly a HUGE (maybe the PRIMARY) source of income for RCI. Consider, just for example, that a single rental generally brings about TEN TIMES the amount of money into RCI coffers as one exchange fee. Viewed another way, it takes the collection of ten (or more) individual member exchange fees being paid to RCI to bring in the amount of money that just ONE single direct rental brings into the RCI coffers.
I also note with considerable interest that in its' own press releases in recent years, RCI has openly and plainly described ITSELF, in writing, as a "Rental and Exchange company". The fact that "Rental" is now clearly listed FIRST by RCI describing itself really speaks volumes...
I readily admit I'm no fan of RCI, but the above is still objective fact.