After purchasing a DRI Sampler, I made my first visit to a timeshare and got talked into buying a timeshare which I had not intended when I went there. So in doing my after the fact research I found this site and have typed up my Rescind Notice to be sent out tomorrow within the Rescind Window. Thank you for this site and the information herein.
As I read on other post, I received some of the same information as other (and did not read all of the fine print). I thought that they were offering real point values (20,000 of real point value with limitations) and then was informed at the second presentation that these have a special Sampler Point system that is about 1/4 the value of the real point system. Second I was told that the Club Combinations was For Life upon buying the Sampler, then informed at the second visit that is not true. I was told that only the first stay on the sampler was to a limited list of resorts, again not true. I was told that the Full Price of the Sampler would be applied as a credit if I bought a TS any time later during the sampler use, which is true (maybe) only if enough points are purchased and they are purchased on the first Sampler stay.
However, I was going to overlook all these mistakes because my wife and I really liked these trips to Sedona and with our kids out of high school we have time to take the quick getaways. However, after purchasing I am not sure that I can trust the sales pitches. First, they only credited the portion of the Sampler that I had already paid which was 39% even though we qualified for 50% according to the Sampler documents.
Since I am still considering ownership, I have a few questions. I am interested in the drivable vacations from Phoenix AZ which DRI has Sedona, Scottsdale, Lake Havasu, El Paso, and Palm Springs in easy distance.
1. The sale pitch is that rooms are regularly deeply discounted. The salesperson showed pricing on their phone as low as 550 for a week at the Ridge on Sedona Golf Course. Then stated that if booked within 30 days of the stay, a 75% discount (2 x 50% discounts) would apply making the stay 137.5 points for a week or as little as 13.75 points per week night; thus making a one night stay on the ridge at that time $4.68 for a night (13.75 x 25% x 10% weeknight stay x $0.34 /flex point). Is this realistic? And if so, I would assume this is the same for resale points as well (except I’m not sure if Diamond Flexibility points are available through resale).
Similar listings and points were shown for Palm Springs and Italy.
2. It sounds as if DRI limits resale US Collection points to the collection only. No trade to II for other destinations. True? Also, is Club Combinations included with resale or only developer purchase, as this would still give access to other destinations?
3. Is there other brands that may have better offers if we would like Sedona to be part of the profile?
4. It seems in resale, Non-US Collection Resorts, Travel Services, Member Benefits (Cruises, Guided tours, etc.), Diamond Luxury and Interval International are all out; but those don’t seem nearly worth the price tag. Not sure on some of the other perks (Diamond Flexibility Points, Instant Getaways/Discount Deals, Associate Members - kids). Are there any other limitations on resale I should be aware of?
I hope to have a better understanding before I go to buy again so that I feel good about what I am getting. For now we are stuck with the Sampler even though it doesn’t seem to be a good deal any more, but we’ll make the most of it. Thanks for your help.
As I read on other post, I received some of the same information as other (and did not read all of the fine print). I thought that they were offering real point values (20,000 of real point value with limitations) and then was informed at the second presentation that these have a special Sampler Point system that is about 1/4 the value of the real point system. Second I was told that the Club Combinations was For Life upon buying the Sampler, then informed at the second visit that is not true. I was told that only the first stay on the sampler was to a limited list of resorts, again not true. I was told that the Full Price of the Sampler would be applied as a credit if I bought a TS any time later during the sampler use, which is true (maybe) only if enough points are purchased and they are purchased on the first Sampler stay.
However, I was going to overlook all these mistakes because my wife and I really liked these trips to Sedona and with our kids out of high school we have time to take the quick getaways. However, after purchasing I am not sure that I can trust the sales pitches. First, they only credited the portion of the Sampler that I had already paid which was 39% even though we qualified for 50% according to the Sampler documents.
Since I am still considering ownership, I have a few questions. I am interested in the drivable vacations from Phoenix AZ which DRI has Sedona, Scottsdale, Lake Havasu, El Paso, and Palm Springs in easy distance.
1. The sale pitch is that rooms are regularly deeply discounted. The salesperson showed pricing on their phone as low as 550 for a week at the Ridge on Sedona Golf Course. Then stated that if booked within 30 days of the stay, a 75% discount (2 x 50% discounts) would apply making the stay 137.5 points for a week or as little as 13.75 points per week night; thus making a one night stay on the ridge at that time $4.68 for a night (13.75 x 25% x 10% weeknight stay x $0.34 /flex point). Is this realistic? And if so, I would assume this is the same for resale points as well (except I’m not sure if Diamond Flexibility points are available through resale).
Similar listings and points were shown for Palm Springs and Italy.
2. It sounds as if DRI limits resale US Collection points to the collection only. No trade to II for other destinations. True? Also, is Club Combinations included with resale or only developer purchase, as this would still give access to other destinations?
3. Is there other brands that may have better offers if we would like Sedona to be part of the profile?
4. It seems in resale, Non-US Collection Resorts, Travel Services, Member Benefits (Cruises, Guided tours, etc.), Diamond Luxury and Interval International are all out; but those don’t seem nearly worth the price tag. Not sure on some of the other perks (Diamond Flexibility Points, Instant Getaways/Discount Deals, Associate Members - kids). Are there any other limitations on resale I should be aware of?
I hope to have a better understanding before I go to buy again so that I feel good about what I am getting. For now we are stuck with the Sampler even though it doesn’t seem to be a good deal any more, but we’ll make the most of it. Thanks for your help.