Well Beyond Furious

Madge-

I have talked to several VC and even a couple executives at RCI and I am extremely angry. I relied to my detriment on the advertising regarding the Points for Deposit (PFD). I purchased a points TS with the plan to deposit my Silverleaf Branson in my points account. I don't like this TS and it has been nothing but a headache for me. It is a poor trader so I thought at least I could get points for it. The website says in two different spots that I can deposit this with RCI. Yet the 3 times I have tried to do so I am informed that Silverleaf will not allow it. I have talked to Silverleaf too but their staff is so ignorant that the person who claims to be responsible for the approval says that we are not a "points resort" DUH!!! Furthermore, she claims not to know anything about points. I said I just want "Points for Deposit". She said we can't do that. Why not? We are not a points resort? DOUBLE DUH!!I did find out that Silverleaf does have "approximately 800 unnamed owners with the right to deposit for points". For some reason, (even though I owned there prior to the development of the points system and should be grandfathered in) I can not be allowed to deposit into points. Personally, I believe it is yet another attempt to squeeze more money out of me. But what about RCI? RCI has clearly distorted the program. I cannot deposit my resort for points despite the fact the website says that I "can". The rci website says I can and without any qualification whatsoever. Apparently RCI allows individual resorts to veto the Points for Deposit program. I have heard every sort of lame excuse from both RCI and Silverleaf. The usual cop out for RCI is "but we don't own the resorts". How true- but you represent on your webpage that you can control the deposits. You can't have it both ways!! To me the integrity of the program is in jeopardy. Can you deposit a week for points in a points account under PFD or not? I talked to Donna Hurt at RCI who represents herself as a senior specialist and she claims I can not use the PFD program. How bogus is this!!! I would like to get an answer that makes sense.

Jimster,

This is not something I've been made aware of. I'll see what I can find out and follow up here. Thanks for the question.

Madge

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Jimster,

Points for Deposit is an RCI program that was initiated as a promotional benefit to help grow the RCI Points program when it was new. While Points-for-Deposit was not originally intended to be a permanent program or a core benefit of RCI Points membership, it has been popular with our members. For this reason, we have chosen to continue it long past the time we originally envisioned. We may choose to discontinue it at any time, and there may be occasions where this extra benefit is not available. Silverleaf Resorts represents one example of such an occasion. At the request of this resort client, RCI no longer offers Points-for-Deposit to its owners. The ability to preserve good relationships with our affiliates by accommodating requests such as this is necessary in order for us to continue the Points-for-Deposit program in any form. If this were not possible, we would need to discontinue it altogether.

I realize this answer does not relieve your situation; however, I hope it will help you to have a definitive response.

Madge This Is Just Double Speak!

This is not a reply. It is a brush off. Your website says that PFD is available. It doesn't say they may be available. It doesnt' say they might be available. It says they are available. Read it for yourself.

Here is the text of the RCI website:

"Points for Deposit Points members who also own at Weeks resorts can choose to receive points for their Weeks deposits via the Points for Deposit program, (for non-commercial use only) even if that resort is not participating in Points. The Weeks ownership is not actually being "converted"; however, those deposits can be converted to additional points. The member decides which weeks to convert and which to leave in Weeks, one deposit at a time. If the member chooses to take the points, that deposit is moved to Points inventory and instead of confirming an "exchange", the member will reserve Points resorts or Points Partner services. To take advantage of this opportunity, and to determine how many Points you can receive, call 1.877.968.7476"

Show me where that representation says anything remotely qualifiying the program. I bought a points resort relying to my detriment on what was represented. Now you are telling me that the above is not true! If I asked you to go out and buy a car for me today and that I would pay you tomorrow (and I put it in writing for all to see) and when tomorrow came I left you holding the car and not paying you, what do you think would happen? It is totally irrelevant that the program can be discontinued. It was in force when I asked for it. It is also totally irrelevant what the purpose of the program is. RCI made a representation which they now appear to now unwilling to fulfill. IF RCI CAN'T BRING ITSELF TO CONTROL THE OFFENDING RESORT OR TO EVEN CHANGE THEIR REPRESENTATION, THE LEAST THEY CAN DO IS ADMIT THE PROBLEM AND CREDIT MY ACCOUNT EACH YEAR WHEN I DEPOSIT MY WEEK. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!

Jimster,

The quote you provided is from the FAQ section of the Points site here.

Because Points-for-Deposit is a widely used benefit, it makes sense for us to include information about it in our FAQ's. Silverleaf's request that we not extend this benefit to its owners is fairly recent; however, in order to avoid further confusion I will ask that a note be added to indicate that some resort ownerships may not be eligible.

RCI relies on its two major customers, Members and Resorts, to continue its exchange program. We must try to balance the needs and wishes of both and compromise where we can. Since Points-for-Deposit is an add-on benefit that was not originally intended to be a core benefit of the Points program, it would be irresponsible for us to jeopardize a resort relationship over it.

I can appreciate your unhappiness about this issue. However, I can also understand why we as a business chose to honor Silverleaf's request.