I am certainly no defender of RCI and I never have been. However, I don't agree that RCI is actually a "rip off". Exchange availability through RCI has certainly declined in recent years, due in part to their direct rental practices, but I've also learned along the way (to my utter amazement) that some folks who own a white, summer, studio week in "dime a dozen" Orlando wonder why they can't seem to exchange it for a prime beachfront unit in Maui over a New Years holiday week.
I have to agree with Ken's copmments. I am fed up with people complaining about timeshare developers and timeshare exchange companies. I now own in four timeshare systems (Westgate Town Centre fixed week; King's Creek Plantation Townes floating week; RCI Points at Silver Lake; and Wyndham Resorts, 700,000 points at Bonnet Creek), and have learned to use each system to my best advantage. The only one I bought from the developer was at Westgate in 2001, and the great service I have recieved from my original sales agent in follow up has "almost" made up for the developer price I paid!
Individuals need to make informed decisions when spending 1,000's of dollars on anything. Do your research and then find out how your trading companies work. You must also make your plans 9 - 12 months in advance if you intend to travel during peak periods.
I understand that there are some unscruplous or ill informed timeshare sales people out there. Hopefully you have not been led to purchase based on their promises. But it's important to rember that it is important to insist that anything they say, they can also point to in a written contract.
Learn to use and love your timeshare. Learn what works for you and what doesn't. I hope you make the very best of your timeshare experience.
Greg P.
