RCI vs II

[timeos2]

But you evade the question. Do you believe that a sucker overpaying a developer for a dud week should have preference over a savvy buyer of a good week?

I don't believe anyone has recently stated that developer price plays any part in the trade value picture. It is even a stretch to say that annual fee plays although often a high quality resort in a good area will have higher annual fees. There would be some case that a lower fee resort - which tend to be less well featured and may be less well maintained - shouldn't be an equal trade in. But under the weeks system if you enforced that there would be virtually no trades allowed. The weeks systems depend on the unequal being twisted and values factored in until it is made to seem to be equal. All done in total back room secrecy of course since there is no real basis for any of it. If the convoluted process was ever actually revealed publicly the laughter and disbelief of potential users would bring the systems crashing down. It's one of many reasons it isn't a sustainable model over the long term as is becoming more and more obvious all the time.

 

[Carolinian]

I don't believe anyone has recently stated that developer price plays any part in the trade value picture. It is even a stretch to say that annual fee plays although often a high quality resort in a good area will have higher annual fees. There would be some case that a lower fee resort - which tend to be less well featured and may be less well maintained - shouldn't be an equal trade in. But under the weeks system if you enforced that there would be virtually no trades allowed. The weeks systems depend on the unequal being twisted and values factored in until it is made to seem to be equal. All done in total back room secrecy of course since there is no real basis for any of it. If the convoluted process was ever actually revealed publicly the laughter and disbelief of potential users would bring the systems crashing down. It's one of many reasons it isn't a sustainable model over the long term as is becoming more and more obvious all the time.

Transit is contending that the price paid for a timeshare should determine its trade value, and that would, logically include developer prices.

What is not a sustainable model is a points system like RCI Points that totally ignores the realities of supply and demand, even those published by RCI itself, in setting a points numbers racket that is rigged to favor developers in sales and blatantly overpoints the overbuilt areas. Any numbers system that publishes the results but not the secret process to set them gives both motive and opportunity for fraud and it is there is spades in RCI Points. Supply and demand are not convuluted, but merely the normal working of any market based system. Rigging and freezing rigid numbers like RCI Points, smacks more of a command economy, wage / price freezes, or rent control and are very anti-market.

The only thing that has sustained RCI Points so far is its parasitical relationship in which it rips off RCI Weeks. Weeks needs to pluck this blood sucker off of our backside.

 

[Transit]

But you evade the question. Do you believe that a sucker overpaying a developer for a dud week should have preference over a savvy buyer of a good week?

My whole point is it's not about what anyone believes it's whats happening now.There are closed door deals with developers and exchange companies that allow brand name blue week resorts to see inventory before others.Mini systems grab good weeks of there own and points systems get their share ,that leaves whatevers left to those who have tiger traders.Some of the best inventory is not necceseraly going to those with tiger traders anymore because of this.Granted good traders will still get good units in shifts and bands but certain brand units will trade on a different plain amoungst themselves.If they open the next Hyatt in Edison N.J. Its an automatic tiger trader in II right or wrong thats the way it is.

 

[Transit]

Transit is contending that the price paid for a timeshare should determine its trade value, and that would, logically include developer prices.

I'm not saying that it should .I'm saying that it does. Developers work with exchange companies to make sure of it. Even in areas like Branson and Orlando ,Marriotts trade very well just to mention one.

 

[barndweller]

Perhaps the OP question should be : II or RCI or Independent which is better?

The answer is, of course, that depends.

Where at one time RCI was the only game in town, now there are plenty of different choices for the potential exchanger. Arguing points vs weeks is of no concequence if we look at all the exchange venues available. All we need to do is choose the one that will best serve our needs for the exchange desired. No one has to be stuck with only one avenue. Personally, RCI is not an option for the quality resorts I desire and with a Diamond account, I can use II with a points system. Trading Places & Hawaiian Timeshare Exchange have loads of Hawaii availability that will allow upgrade in size for an additional fee, a feature not available at II. DAE gives me an avenue into European & Australian exchanges. SFX offers excellent Mexico & western US exchanges. And Redweek is trying to become the new version of points for all. The end result for exchangers today is that with the internet, the explosion of owner rental availability and rising interest in niche independent companies, RCI & II are rapidly loosing their importance. Once the big name developers form relationships with the independents or develope their own mini systems, we exchangers can pick among them all for what is important to each of us whether location or quality. And as the population ages, we may even see a change in desirable locations, as well. As travel costs escalate, retirees & young families may choose locations closer to home and demand may increase for areas that are now considered secondary choices. Supply and demand will always be a factor but who has the supply & exactly where is the highest demand will change over time.

The weeks vs points argument is getting obsolete before it hardly got going.

 

[Carolinian]

As more timesharers become aware that they do have options with independent exchange companies, you are exactly correct. The big boys, and particularly the arrogance of RCI is playing fast and loose with exchange deposits, will be humbled by genuine competition from other players who keep the customers interests in mind to a greater degree.

But that time is not fully here, yet. Better informed timesharers are aware of and often use the independents. Too often, however, the resorts do not bother to inform members of these options. We can all be proactive in this regard and urge our resorts to fully inform all of their members of their ability to use independents. We can write a letter to the editor of the resort newsletter, for example, as well. Some independents will even pay the postage of the HOA newsletter if they will include a brochure from the independent exchange company. That saves the HOA some money, especially if they do it for more than one independent.

Instead of just complaining about the decline of the big exchange companies, we can be part of the solution by helping to spread the word on the independents.

Perhaps the OP question should be : II or RCI or Independent which is better?

The answer is, of course, that depends.

Where at one time RCI was the only game in town, now there are plenty of different choices for the potential exchanger. Arguing points vs weeks is of no concequence if we look at all the exchange venues available. All we need to do is choose the one that will best serve our needs for the exchange desired. No one has to be stuck with only one avenue. Personally, RCI is not an option for the quality resorts I desire and with a Diamond account, I can use II with a points system. Trading Places & Hawaiian Timeshare Exchange have loads of Hawaii availability that will allow upgrade in size for an additional fee, a feature not available at II. DAE gives me an avenue into European & Australian exchanges. SFX offers excellent Mexico & western US exchanges. And Redweek is trying to become the new version of points for all. The end result for exchangers today is that with the internet, the explosion of owner rental availability and rising interest in niche independent companies, RCI & II are rapidly loosing their importance. Once the big name developers form relationships with the independents or develope their own mini systems, we exchangers can pick among them all for what is important to each of us whether location or quality. And as the population ages, we may even see a change in desirable locations, as well. As travel costs escalate, retirees & young families may choose locations closer to home and demand may increase for areas that are now considered secondary choices. Supply and demand will always be a factor but who has the supply & exactly where is the highest demand will change over time.

The weeks vs points argument is getting obsolete before it hardly got going.

 

[timeos2]

Perhaps the OP question should be : II or RCI or Independent which is better?

The answer is, of course, that depends.

Where at one time RCI was the only game in town, now there are plenty of different choices for the potential exchanger. Arguing points vs weeks is of no concequence if we look at all the exchange venues available. All we need to do is choose the one that will best serve our needs for the exchange desired. No one has to be stuck with only one avenue. Personally, RCI is not an option for the quality resorts I desire and with a Diamond account, I can use II with a points system. Trading Places & Hawaiian Timeshare Exchange have loads of Hawaii availability that will allow upgrade in size for an additional fee, a feature not available at II. DAE gives me an avenue into European & Australian exchanges. SFX offers excellent Mexico & western US exchanges. And Redweek is trying to become the new version of points for all. The end result for exchangers today is that with the internet, the explosion of owner rental availability and rising interest in niche independent companies, RCI & II are rapidly loosing their importance. Once the big name developers form relationships with the independents or develope their own mini systems, we exchangers can pick among them all for what is important to each of us whether location or quality. And as the population ages, we may even see a change in desirable locations, as well. As travel costs escalate, retirees & young families may choose locations closer to home and demand may increase for areas that are now considered secondary choices. Supply and demand will always be a factor but who has the supply & exactly where is the highest demand will change over time.

The weeks vs points argument is getting obsolete before it hardly got going.

Very well said. No right - no wrong and no one answer for all. Use what works for you from the ever growing pallet of choices. Trying to keep people in the box of the old week for week only option simply doesn't fly anymore but is one of many options every owner should use when appropriate.

 

[Carolinian]

The problem is that the majority of timesharers do not know about their options. Once there is true competition, it will be a new day in timesharing, but as long as resorts keep their members in the dark about options such as independents and don't dual affiliate to give the II option, RCI will continue to effectively be a monopoly on exchanging at many RCI-only resorts.

This is what concerned timesharers can help change by working with our resorts to help grow the competition.

 

[Transit]

The problem is that the majority of timesharers do not know about their options.

Tuggers have a better advantage exchanging than the average timeshareowner because of this. Demand,supply,quality all involved with trading but if the owners not determined they wont get good trades.