entitlements for members only ? what would RCI say?

BoardGirl · #1 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 04:02 PM

Not real sure what forum to put this in, so move it if ya need to...

On TUG there was a suggestion that people start claiming Last Calls, etc., to "preserve the best weeks" for Tuggers, and put the "I got timeshare x on hold" into a members-only forum.

As I'm not a member of Tug I didn't want to weigh in over there. But I'll do it here.

I'm actually somewhat disgusted by the idea of grabbing stuff out of the public pool just in case a buddy wants it. It's one thing if I know that Joe Doe has been frantically searching for Place X on week B, but to just grab good stuff and offer it around, I have a huge problem with this. I didn't dare say so over there as laying low seems to be a good idea all around, and certainly my Guest status would get me blasted. [honestly, I can't travel enuf to make use of it, so not having access to the board myself is really not the point - I could pay the $15]

We have a "be on the lookout for" over here that I think serves the purpose.

Am I being overly-sensitive to this or did it also rub other people the wrong way?

katiemack · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2005, 05:53 PM

outrageous to me.

I believe something like that has happened with some other "goodie" a short time back when someone was trying to "help" by offering some weeks for a very good price to folks.

It has been said that loose lips sink ships... some who know the history of such practices can illuminate what that means.

My feeling is that anyone who rounds up prime weeks to save for "you and me, not them" is going to encourage RCI to come up with a great way to ditch the whole Last Call.

I have viewed the LC and the inventory is entirely volatile, changes all day long and all night long....so RCI has at least gotten smarter at how to load the inventory so such trolling is more difficult, but if someone makes it a habit to put things on hold just in case someone in a select group might want it, then they are probably only one step away from trying to rent it out, and RCI won't allow them to do it for very long.

In fact, I think RCI has a program in place to watch accounts for "unusual" activity, like frequent guest certs and such, and then they do what they have to to squelch the activity.

I have heard of some who got their online status suspended, and that must be pretty harsh for some....because that would mean having to call a VG every time you want to check on inventory.

In many cases, having to deal with RCI Vacation Guides

by phone is truly punishment!

tonyg · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 12:08 AM

It sounds rather stupid to me. I don't think I would book a week in case somebody else might want it in the next month or two - what if they didn't -or thought it was too much- or just waited for another to save the guest cert. fee?

Fern · #4 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 05:14 AM

I can't sleep, so I've been watching the Last Call on and off for the past two hours. First, I noticed that they say you can't hold more than three Last Call weeks at once...don't think that used to be there...

Second, the amount of weeks changes from minute to minute. Quality of these weeks is pretty high in general. I'm guessing some of these are last minute cancellations that are funneled in at staggered times. Some of the things are pretty good. I've seen a Kona Coast Resort, Bay Club at Waikoloa, Destin Beach, Charter Club of Marco Beach, Vistana's Beach Club, Kahana Falls, Pono Kai, Scottsdale, Lake Havasu, and lotsa Kissimmee. Most of the dates are either this weekend or next.

So I'd say if you have a yen to travel pronto, and can stay up late, go to it!

Fern

BoardGirl · #5 (**permalink**) 08-03-2005, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fern

...
So I'd say if you have a yen to travel pronto, and can stay up late, go to it!
Fern

so you are in favor of the idea?

Fern · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2005, 12:00 AM

NO!!! I think it sukks. Somebody "holds" a week in case "anybody" might want it. I go and look two minutes later, and there's nothing there. Its not right and its not fair. I'd rather RCI had a "no holds" policy for Last Call or at least No Guest Certs than have this happen.

I thought I was being clear earlier, but I guess I wasn't.

Fern

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoardGirl

so you are in favor of the idea?

Deer Path · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2005, 10:43 AM

I am not in favor of it either....Seems pretty ridiculous to put on hold or even purchase something that I may or may not use....(likely not use)..just in case I might.
I frequently see tuggers post weeks that they have purchased (last call, extra vacation or other) and then find they cannot use them as the time nears. Some seem to have lots of weeks to get rid of for lack of use. Too bad when others have been looking for those weeks for weeks or months. Seems the only ones making money on this is RCI with the fees and the other timeshare users are the losers for not finding what they want when they want it.
Judy

Kevin · #8 (**permalink**) 08-04-2005, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katmandu

No, you are not being overly-sensitive in the least. I can't believe Tug administration has not deleted the entire thread (on second thought I can believe it especially if a long time in crowd TUGger started the thread). They seem to turn their eyes the other way with certain members. If this catches the eyes of RCI then Tug may be in deep trouble.

Why would you think TUG admin would or should delete a thread like that?

I don't like the idea either. I've seen some people "hold" sightings in case others wanted that particular week also. I can see trying to help other TUGgers out... but it takes away from the other members who are actually searching on a daily basis. JMHO. I don't think it's fair to shift blame to TUG.

Kevin

BoardGirl · #9 (**permalink**) 08-04-2005, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fern

NO!!! I think it sukks. Somebody "holds" a week in case "anybody" might want it. I go and look two minutes later, and there's nothing there. Its not right and its not fair. I'd rather RCI had a "no holds" policy for Last Call or at least No Guest Certs than have this happen.

I thought I was being clear earlier, but I guess I wasn't.

Fern

thanks for clarifying - I know you're one of the industry veterans so I was worried!!!

I'm glad to find I'm in good company on this issue. I debated about saying anything at all.

I wouldn't blame TUG, either. Someone had an idea. Some liked it. Some didn't.

their thread deletion/closing policies, I don't know enuf about, but it was still open last I looked.

Sydney · #10 (**permalink**) 08-04-2005, 07:42 PM

It is not strictly unethical as the rationale can be quite sound - one friend helping another. It's just unfair to most. I don't think TUG admin should be blamed for allowing the thread to continue. Who are they to judge what is and isn't against RCI rules or unethical when even RCI as yet does not have a rule against it. As far as RCI is concerned, they don't care how they make money for the week, as long as they do, since these weeks are such short notice.

I know that RCI encourages timesharers to gift weeks to friends, hence gift certificates. There would only be a fine distinction between personal friends and internet acquaintances.

I personally don't like the practice of holding lots of good weeks in case some one on an internet message board might want them. I'm all for holding a week in case a close friend who one knows is after a nice holiday might want it.