Whos who of redweek?

I have been visiting the Redweek website about 1x/month for the past 6-8 months and recently paid my dues and joined a couple months ago. We purchased a week at Marriott Mtn Valley Lodge in Breckenridge, CO (13 years ago) from the developer and got the studio (queen bed and a queen sofa-sleeper). It is a floating winter week. We turned our weeks into II every other year and got the 110,000 points the odd years. Initially this worked out well and we travelled a good deal w/our points and even got some "bonus weeks"--but we NEVER stay at our home resort, nor did we intend to when we bought it. Recently we are finding that we can never get a trade through II from the week we turned in. I am beginning to suspect it may have something to do w/the size of our unit, but can't figure out why we can't get what we want (last try was No Carolina in the 1st week of July about 7 months in advance). We are now wondering if we should just sell it (on Redweek) and rent our weeks through Redweek and be done w/this TS potential liabilty. Or should we hang on to it b/c Marriott is a fairly reputable organization to work with? It just doesn't seem worth the $765 dues we are paying when it has been so difficult to use it in the past 2-3 years (I now know that II is a big part of this problem)! Advice???

kathyk117 states, quoted only in pertinent parts:

>> We purchased a week at Marriott Mtn Valley Lodge in Breckenridge, CO (13 years ago) from the developer and got the studio (queen bed and a queen sofa-sleeper). It is a floating winter week. We turned our weeks into II every other year and got the 110,000 points the odd years. Initially this worked out well and we travelled a good deal w/our points and even got some "bonus weeks"--but we NEVER stay at our home resort, nor did we intend to when we bought it. Recently we are finding that we can never get a trade through II from the week we turned in. I am beginning to suspect it may have something to do w/the size of our unit, but can't figure out why we can't get what we want...<< >> We are now wondering if we should just sell it (on Redweek) and rent our weeks through Redweek and be done w/this TS potential liabilty. Or should we hang on to it b/c Marriott is a fairly reputable organization to work with? It just doesn't seem worth the $765 dues we are paying when it has been so difficult to use it in the past 2-3 years (I now know that II is a big part of this problem)! Advice??? << ===================================

You may be well aware already that some of the "exchange" comanies have, to varying degrees, gotten more and more into renting out deposited timeshare weeks in recent years (more profit than mere exchanges). RCI is by far the worst offender (and is now a defendant in a lawsuit as a result), but II may also be playing that game now too, to your detriment.

The bigger obstacle you have undoubtedly encountered is that II is also much more firm in recent years on allowing only "like for like" exchanges. In other words, with a studio to deposit you'll rarely "see" anything except another studio. To be honest, many people in timeshare don't want anything to do with studios, whether for purchase, rental or exchange. Quite often, studios are nothing more than motel rooms converted to "timeshare units" (I do not claim to know anything at all about your particular resort, however). Accordingly, studios usually don't trade well (regardless of the particular exchange company involved). For a motel room sized unit, some people feel that they might as well just rent (not buy and pay annual fees on)....a motel room, without ownership costs and obligations.

Advice? You might first consider at least submitting your week to RedWeek for their "evaluation" of its exchange value in their relatively new exchange system. No cost, no committment. You can also see what's available for exchange there before actually depositing, as well as see the "point" requirements to conduct an exchange. A pretty fair and transparent approach, although I personally think that "provisional weeks" (which I would instead call "virtual weeks") border on useless and should be ignored as being nothing more than "unlikely to actually become available weeks". Something that *MIGHT* someday become available doesn't help you much in making travel plans and airline reservations, at least in my personal opinion. Either it's available, or it isn't --- never mind "provisional".....

With a $765 annual fee for a studio sized unit (quite high), I would not guess that your prospects for selling would be all that promising. And since you paid developer pricing initially, you would likely take a pretty serious financial "shellacking" (if you even found a buyer at all). That said, however, I don't know how the Marriott "points" fit into the evaluation equation as being of use or value to you, as I know nothing at all of the Marriott system. Accordingly, my advice lacks knowledge of ALL the relevant facts which apply here.

My own advice, to take or ignore as you may see fit, would be to first examine alternative exchange avenues besides II and RCI, such as RedWeek. Dial an Exchange is another no-cost, no obligation option to also examine. Selling, I suspect, would ultimately be the least useful and most expensive option (if you plan to take annual vacations), but I don't know your particular financial circumstances. Selling would be great and likely the best course in a perfect world, but it's also the least likely outcome to actually happen successfully ---unless you are willing to take a real beating on resale.

Good luck, whichever course of action you choose.

P.S. While I don't encourage double posting in multiple forums for the same post, your inquiry might get much more exposure and elicit more feedback if placed in the "Buying, Selling & Renting" forum (instead of the "Timeshare Companies" forum).

kathyk117 wrote:

I have been visiting the Redweek website about 1x/month for the past 6-8 months and recently paid my dues and joined a couple months ago. We purchased a week at Marriott Mtn Valley Lodge in Breckenridge, CO (13 years ago) from the developer and got the studio (queen bed and a queen sofa-sleeper). It is a floating winter week. We turned our weeks into II every other year and got the 110,000 points the odd years. Initially this worked out well and we travelled a good deal w/our points and even got some "bonus weeks"--but we NEVER stay at our home resort, nor did we intend to when we bought it. Recently we are finding that we can never get a trade through II from the week we turned in. I am beginning to suspect it may have something to do w/the size of our unit, but can't figure out why we can't get what we want (last try was No Carolina in the 1st week of July about 7 months in advance). We are now wondering if we should just sell it (on Redweek) and rent our weeks through Redweek and be done w/this TS potential liabilty. Or should we hang on to it b/c Marriott is a fairly reputable organization to work with? It just doesn't seem worth the $765 dues we are paying when it has been so difficult to use it in the past 2-3 years (I now know that II is a big part of this problem)! Advice???

Doesn't Marriott have an internal trading system? Have you tried that route?

As far as trades with II or RCI, studios are the least demanded of all timeshares.

As Ken said, you could get an evaluation of your week from Redweek to see how many points you would get and possibly deposit your week with them for a trade. If you don't have enough points from your timeshare for what you want you can then buy extra points from Redweek to make up the difference.

BTW, is your winter week a ski week? If so, from what I've read, ski weeks in Colorado are very popular, therefore it's probably the studio (size) that's holding you back from getting what you want in a trade.

jayjay wrote:

I'm here just to give timeshare advice that I've learned over the years and I'm not employed or aligned with any timeshare related company. I love helping people with my knowledge. If I can help just 10 people with their timeshare questions, I feel that the time I've spent here has been well worth it.

I've owned 9 timeshares, sold 9 timeshares, belonged to both RCI and II and have made numerous exchanges, so I believe I'm qualified to answer many (not all) questions that are asked here.

I've never dealt with points, so I seldom access the points forum.

Hi, We bought a timeshare 10 years ago at a resort we love and never planned on exchanging. Last year my husband died and I have contacted RCI to see about banking a week. I explained I had never banked and had lots of questions. Of course all they wanted was me to bank. I did bank a week & requested a search for next year.

I then rec'd a letter stating my week was not elgible and to contact my home resort. My home resort said since I owned a week there was no issue dues were paid, to call RCI. I called RCI they now say o.k. but did not show my search request which they have charged me $164.00 for. They advised now in system.

Then I rec'd another letter stating NOT elgible, I called again was told everything O.K. " just a glich in the system." This does not make me the least bit comfortable. How do you know if they are actually working on your search?? Do they notify you I gave them flexible dates & resorts.

I appreciate any information and steps I can take to work with in the system to get results. I was willing to trade on Redweek but it appears everyone is afraid to commit all are provisional so how will there ever be any to exchange to if we won't take the step?

Pat

patsyd3 wrote:

Hi, We bought a timeshare 10 years ago at a resort we love and never planned on exchanging. Last year my husband died and I have contacted RCI to see about banking a week. I explained I had never banked and had lots of questions. Of course all they wanted was me to bank. I did bank a week & requested a search for next year.

I then rec'd a letter stating my week was not elgible and to contact my home resort. My home resort said since I owned a week there was no issue dues were paid, to call RCI. I called RCI they now say o.k. but did not show my search request which they have charged me $164.00 for. They advised now in system.

Then I rec'd another letter stating NOT elgible, I called again was told everything O.K. " just a glich in the system." This does not make me the least bit comfortable. How do you know if they are actually working on your search?? Do they notify you I gave them flexible dates & resorts.

I appreciate any information and steps I can take to work with in the system to get results. I was willing to trade on Redweek but it appears everyone is afraid to commit all are provisional so how will there ever be any to exchange to if we won't take the step? Pat

This is one of the reasons RCI is getting such a bad reputation .... they can't seem to get their act together by either overbooking a resort or cases such as yours. They've given you the run-around and that's just plain not right.

I haven't used RCI in a few years, since we sold all of our timeshares, but what you are saying is that you have an ongoing search with RCI or have you deposited your week and are waiting on something to come along that you want in an exchange?

I don't understand why they charged you $164 since there has been no confirmed exchange yet.

BTW, I never did business with RCI using guides (phone) ... I did my own searching online without use of a guide. You can do that yourself by going to www.rci.com and registering to become an online member.

jayjay states, quoted in pertinent part:

>> I don't understand why they charged you $164 since there has been no confirmed exchange yet. <<

RCI usually now charges that fee when a member initiates an "ongoing search" (or in this case, a MAYBE ongoing search) . That fee then later becomes the actual exchange fee if/ when a suitable exchange is found and accepted by the member.

I'd like to say something good about RCI here --- but I just can't seem to think of anything...... ;-)

ken1193 wrote:

jayjay states, quoted in pertinent part:

>> I don't understand why they charged you $164 since there has been no confirmed exchange yet. <<

RCI usually now charges that fee when a member initiates an "ongoing search" (or in this case, a MAYBE ongoing search) . That fee then later becomes the actual exchange fee if/ when a suitable exchange is found and accepted by the member.

I'd like to say something good about RCI here --- but I just can't seem to think of anything...... ;-)

SHEESH !!!

I dealt with Holiday when i purchased my timeshare....well done.

ken1193 wrote:

jayjay states, quoted in pertinent part:

>> I don't understand why they charged you $164 since there has been no confirmed exchange yet. <<

RCI usually now charges that fee when a member initiates an "ongoing search" (or in this case, a MAYBE ongoing search) . That fee then later becomes the actual exchange fee if/ when a suitable exchange is found and accepted by the member.

I'd like to say something good about RCI here --- but I just can't seem to think of anything...... ;-)

I'm not surprised that there was a problem getting the first week in July. Aren't we talking about 4th of July Holiday? If anyone banked that in the first place, it would go quickly. MD

adahiscout wrote:

ken1193 wrote:

jayjay states, quoted in pertinent part:

>> I don't understand why they charged you $164 since there has been no confirmed exchange yet. <<

RCI usually now charges that fee when a member initiates an "ongoing search" (or in this case, a MAYBE ongoing search) . That fee then later becomes the actual exchange fee if/ when a suitable exchange is found and accepted by the member.

I'd like to say something good about RCI here --- but I just can't seem to think of anything...... ;-)

======= Yes, you do have to pay up front for an ongoing search, though there is no charge to search what is currently on hand unless you decide to reserve. If nothing you want results from this ongoing search, you normally just keep the credit on hand with RCI for the next time you want to search or exchange.

I'm not surprised that there was a problem getting the first week in July. Aren't we talking about 4th of July Holiday? If anyone banked that in the first place, it would go quickly. MD

patsyd3 wrote:

adahiscout wrote:

ken1193 wrote:

jayjay states, quoted in pertinent part:

>> I don't understand why they charged you $164 since there has been no confirmed exchange yet. <<

RCI usually now charges that fee when a member initiates an "ongoing search" (or in this case, a MAYBE ongoing search) . That fee then later becomes the actual exchange fee if/ when a suitable exchange is found and accepted by the member.

I'd like to say something good about RCI here --- but I just can't seem to think of anything...... ;-)

======= Yes, you do have to pay up front for an ongoing search, though there is no charge to search what is currently on hand unless you decide to reserve. If nothing you want results from this ongoing search, you normally just keep the credit on hand with RCI for the next time you want to search or exchange.

I'm not surprised that there was a problem getting the first week in July. Aren't we talking about 4th of July Holiday? If anyone banked that in the first place, it would go quickly. MD

My request was anytime in July or Aug. I am flexible but want summer in order to take my granddaughters. I guess for now I will just wait and see. They did offer me a hotel room but my trade is a 1 bedroom 2 bath so that falls in to what has been said about them "renting" the good units.

Pat

patsyd3 wrote:

patsyd3 wrote:

adahiscout wrote:

ken1193 wrote:

jayjay states, quoted in pertinent part:

>> I don't understand why they charged you $164 since there has been no confirmed exchange yet. <<

RCI usually now charges that fee when a member initiates an "ongoing search" (or in this case, a MAYBE ongoing search) . That fee then later becomes the actual exchange fee if/ when a suitable exchange is found and accepted by the member.

I'd like to say something good about RCI here --- but I just can't seem to think of anything...... ;-)

======= Yes, you do have to pay up front for an ongoing search, though there is no charge to search what is currently on hand unless you decide to reserve. If nothing you want results from this ongoing search, you normally just keep the credit on hand with RCI for the next time you want to search or exchange.

I'm not surprised that there was a problem getting the first week in July. Aren't we talking about 4th of July Holiday? If anyone banked that in the first place, it would go quickly. MD

My request was anytime in July or Aug. I am flexible but want summer in order to take my granddaughters. I guess for now I will just wait and see. They did offer me a hotel room but my trade is a 1 bedroom 2 bath so that falls in to what has been said about them "renting" the good units.

Pat

It is my understanding that RCI rents out weeks which are about to expire as well as weeks deposited toward such things as cruises (which do not take an exchange week out of the bank). I believe some resorts also place unsold weeks with RCI to bring in "new blood". MD

Thanks, I will give it a try. I have not really used RCI web site other then to view my account I did not see where I could do a scearch. I banked over the phone since I had lots of questions. But knowing this I will take more time on their site. I have viewed the resorts which is how I chose Maui I gave them 4 resorts of interest. I did not see anywhere that said exchanges available. I will take a closer look.

Thank you again,

Pat

patsyd3 wrote:

Thanks, I will give it a try. I have not really used RCI web site other then to view my account I did not see where I could do a scearch. I banked over the phone since I had lots of questions. But knowing this I will take more time on their site. I have viewed the resorts which is how I chose Maui I gave them 4 resorts of interest. I did not see anywhere that said exchanges available. I will take a closer look.

Thank you again,

Pat

A page will come up asking what Region and Sub-Region you are interested in. You can indicate your preferred check-in Date and also say how many weeks from that date you would also like to have searched. (Ten is the maximum allowed.)

For the heck of it, I just put in Rocky Mts and Western Canada. As a sub-region, I put Arizona for ten week search span starting next July 1. (I'm offering a White season 1BR Branson, Silver Crown and asking for Studio or larger.) Click "continue". Hmm. I got a Red Season Studio or 1BR at Pinetop, AZ, available for several dates between July 10 and August 15. This is a Hospitality Award property in the White Mountains, so it should be reasonable cool in summer. There was one review posted as well as some pictures and information about the resort. Not bad, but I can "Return to Search Results" if I want to check out something else. If I like it, I can hit "confirm" or a temporary "Hold" so that the date I've selected does not disappear while I look at something else. There is a button, top right, on the Search Results page if I want to modify my search--other dates, other areas.

I just switched to Orlando area. My White 1BR got six offers there including 2 or 3 bedrooms at Orange Lake's East Village, a Gold Crown resort. West Village has only Studios and North Village has 1 bedrooms only. (Orange Lake is one heck of a big place!) There are also 4 other Gold and Silver rated resorts. Not bad. This is Red time in exchange for my White.

Switched to Hawaii. No results there. Not a great surprise!

Sometimes I play around with this site late at night till it gets sick and tired of me and starts saying nothing is available anywhere. If I sign out and sign in again, things magically reappear! MD

QUESTION: How did this column, "Who's Who of Redweek", go from Who's Who, to everything else under the sun?

Why don't posters start a new forum? That's what makes "searching" for a subject almost impossible. If I was looking for "RCI searches", I sure would not look in "Who's Who of Redweek", even though the above RCI info is good info.

Please, people, lets stick to the subject. Makes the Forum's much more worthwhile and interesting. Thanks for listening!

adahiscout wrote:

patsyd3 wrote:

Thanks, I will give it a try. I have not really used RCI web site other then to view my account I did not see where I could do a scearch. I banked over the phone since I had lots of questions. But knowing this I will take more time on their site. I have viewed the resorts which is how I chose Maui I gave them 4 resorts of interest. I did not see anywhere that said exchanges available. I will take a closer look.

Thank you again,

Pat

========== I gather you are an RCI Weeks member, so sign into the Weeks home page. One of the tabs across the to says "Exchange Your Week". Tap this and it will show what you have on deposit with RCI. Choose the one which you want to "offer" at this time.

A page will come up asking what Region and Sub-Region you are interested in. You can indicate your preferred check-in Date and also say how many weeks from that date you would also like to have searched. (Ten is the maximum allowed.)

For the heck of it, I just put in Rocky Mts and Western Canada. As a sub-region, I put Arizona for ten week search span starting next July 1. (I'm offering a White season 1BR Branson, Silver Crown and asking for Studio or larger.) Click "continue". Hmm. I got a Red Season Studio or 1BR at Pinetop, AZ, available for several dates between July 10 and August 15. This is a Hospitality Award property in the White Mountains, so it should be reasonable cool in summer. There was one review posted as well as some pictures and information about the resort. Not bad, but I can "Return to Search Results" if I want to check out something else. If I like it, I can hit "confirm" or a temporary "Hold" so that the date I've selected does not disappear while I look at something else. There is a button, top right, on the Search Results page if I want to modify my search--other dates, other areas.

I just switched to Orlando area. My White 1BR got six offers there including 2 or 3 bedrooms at Orange Lake's East Village, a Gold Crown resort. West Village has only Studios and North Village has 1 bedrooms only. (Orange Lake is one heck of a big place!) There are also 4 other Gold and Silver rated resorts. Not bad. This is Red time in exchange for my White.

Switched to Hawaii. No results there. Not a great surprise!

Sometimes I play around with this site late at night till it gets sick and tired of me and starts saying nothing is available anywhere. If I sign out and sign in again, things magically reappear! MD

Thanks this is great to know I will give it a shot. I might find another area with something good to exchange for.

Pat

timesharejudi wrote:

ken1193 wrote:

bobd157 wrote:

I log in every now and then and share my frustrations and have noticed the "redweek" veterans. It is kind of hard to tell between who is a industry expert, ex employee nut job, company rep acting as consumer, etc.. Are there employees of Redweek as users or is everyone in here just forum gurus.

=======================================

I am not affiliated with RedWeek, nor with any other commercial entity in or around the timeshare industry, nor have I ever been so associated at any time in the past. That clearly stated, I have owned several weeks of timeshare for about 23 years now, most are fixed weeks, one is a multi-location RTU flex week. Earlier this year, I also bought into RCI points, in order to expand my trading capability by being able to convert "weeks" into "points" when convenient or preferable to do so, since quality RCI exchanges have otherwise greatly diminished in recent years. Certainly, none of the foregoing ownership information makes me an expert of any kind, but a strong legal background and plenty of experience (both good and bad) in the timeshare world has at least imparted many valuable lessons.

Having seen a lot of fraud, misrepresentation and deceit in the timeshare industry over the years (and, frankly, it's not much better even today, in my opinion), I contribute to assorted Internet forums, in order to try to help people safely enter and swim in waters which are dangerous and shark infested. However, my "tone" is too blunt and direct for a few folks here on Redweek. I certainly have no interest in "reinventing" myself to accommodate the overly sensitive, so I'll compromise by cutting back considerably on my input here on RedWeek in order not to "offend" the delicate or thin skinned. :-)

I am Judi Kozlowski with Re/MAX. Been in real Estate since 1968 and have specialized in the resale of timeshare for 11 years. I am careful about what I comment on as I am very open to libel suits. However, we do not charge any upfront fees; we belong to the TSXchange MLS that does not allow Brokers who charge upfront fees. Timeshare can be sold professionally and ethically. I also own and use timeshare

Melanie Furumori Old Republic Title & Escrow of Hawaii Pacific Guardian Center 733 Bishop Street, Suite 2700 Honolulu, HI 96813

(808)522-0356 (808)522-0355 MFurumori@ortc.com

QUESTION: How did this column, "Who's Who of Redweek", go from Who's Who, to everything else under the sun?

Why don't posters start a new forum? That's what makes "searching" for a subject almost impossible. If I was looking for "RCI searches", I sure would not look in "Who's Who of Redweek", even though the above RCI info is good info.

Please, people, lets stick to the subject. Makes the Forum's much more worthwhile and interesting. Thanks for listening!

jons29 wrote:

QUESTION: How did this column, "Who's Who of Redweek", go from Who's Who, to everything else under the sun?

Why don't posters start a new forum? That's what makes "searching" for a subject almost impossible. If I was looking for "RCI searches", I sure would not look in "Who's Who of Redweek", even though the above RCI info is good info.

Please, people, lets stick to the subject. Makes the Forum's much more worthwhile and interesting. Thanks for listening!

jons, I agree. People, please stay on topic or start another thread with your specific questions.