VRI /Porter III Solutions Inc / RCI Points ????

azgirls · #1 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 06:43 PM

We were offered RCI Points at a resort in Sedona Az that is managed by VRI (Villas of Sedona). The company offering the points for sale at the resort is Porter III Solutions(papers said they are located in Williamsburg). The sales pitch sounded good on the surface but we had doubts about some of the claims and wanted to do more research.

I have found tons of info on VRI and have stayed at many of their resorts BUT I cannot find any info on Porter III Solutions. It's like they don't exist. No webiste, no phone listing. I called another VRI resort to see if their sales dept knew anything about it and they said no.

I tried to call the Sedona resort after we left to ask some questions and left several messages (they were never in when I called) but havent' heard back.

Has anyone had any experience with Porter III? The name of the sales people coincidently, were Buddy and Faye Porter, presumably they are the "Porter" in Porter III Solutions.

Am I being to careful? Maybe I sound like a lunatic - VRI and RCI are huge names, and probably wouldn't allow any shady business. But I know there are horror stories out there, and something just doesn't seem right.

I appreciate any input.

eal · #2 (**permalink**) 06-07-2009, 07:44 PM

"VRI and RCI are huge names and probably wouldn't allow any shady business..."

Unfortunately the world of timesharing is filled with shady characters. You can find Villas of Sedona weeks on ebay being sold for very reasonable prices by reputable sellers. Keep your eye out on ebay and then come back to this site and ask more questions about purchasing on ebay.

For example, here is an auction for Sedona Springs, right next door to Villas of Sedona

Sedona Springs - Sedona, Arizona - eBay (item 150347615145 end time Jun-22-09 23:40:44 PDT)

dustin · #3 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 02:01 AM

I just went to the same meeting today. I don't believe that it is any kind of scam. but I did not find the price to convert to be worth the cost. I am staying at the sedona springs now, the point values you would receive for the maintenence fees at sedona springs are reasonable, though I the ratio of points for the maintence fees at the villas are not as good. most people of knowledge on here would advise someone who wanted to be in the rci points program to watch the auctions on ebay for timeshares which are for sale which are already converted to rci points. make sure to research the resort and get one that has a high point value to maintanence fee ratio.

I will say they did have some good food there, and the presenter was fairly entertaining and knowledgeble

GrayFal · #4 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 04:39 AM

If what u want is RCI points - consider having a discussion with this person
WTS: RCI Points - Back in Business 1-1-2009 - 3 year lease - Timeshare Forums

Very little outlay, minimum risk and if it is not for you, in 3 years u r done.

Laura Biggs · #5 (**permalink**) 06-10-2009, 07:54 PM

Stay away from them. Believe they are con artists. Also look out for Marcia Stover at 928-301-3808. We fell for their presentation at Crown Point in New Mexico back in December 2008. We have never been able to get our timeshare converted to the point systems. We have called the following numbers at all hours of the day and night and get no reply. We have contacted a lawyer to start legal action. The numbers we have for Faye and Buddy are 757-561-6846 and 757-253-8989.
Believe that all timeshare facilities should be required to verify that the individuals doing business at their location are who they claim to be.

azgirls · #6 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustin

I just went to the same meeting today. I don't believe that it is any kind of scam. but I did not find the price to convert to be worth the cost. I am staying at the sedona springs now, the point values you would receive for the maintenence fees at sedona springs are reasonable, though I the ratio of points for the maintence fees at the villas are not as good. most people of knowledge on here would advise someone who wanted to be in the rci points program to watch the auctions on ebay for timeshares which are for sale which are already converted to rci points. make sure to research the resort and get one that has a high point value to maintanence fee ratio.

I will say they did have some good food there, and the presenter was fairly entertaining and knowledgeble

They weren't trying to sell me a week ( I already own an RCI week elsewhere), just points. Maybe we went to to different meetings - I found Buddy the pitch guy "snake-oil-salesman" like, and the food was fried chicken and potato salad, which didn't look that great so we skipped it.

azgirls · #7 (**permalink**) 06-16-2009, 02:56 PM

It looks like others are searching for info on the Porters as well, I don't I'm allowed to post the link, but there's a blogger blog on the subject. Here goes:
Porter III Solutions Information

Laura Biggs · #8 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 08:58 PM

An update for everyone.
Finally was able to reach Faye Porter. Then we were able to contact VRI and they worked with Faye to get all the required documentation needed to convert our timeshare from weeks to points. This past Monday, we checked with RCI and our weeks have converted to points.
The delay was frustrating, however we finally got everything in order, and we look forward to using our points.

Porter III Solutions does exist and they are contracted with VRI to provide timeshare conversions.

Laura Biggs · #9 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 09:01 PM

As a token for the inconvenience and frustration that we went thru, Faye did offer 5 week certificates and 5 point weeks certificates.

henry · #10 (**permalink**) 09-24-2009, 10:56 AM

I went to a Porter III free dinner and RCI update about 7 monthss ago in Sedona and heard Buddy tell everybody how RCI points worked . He claimed that with Points, RCI wants everybody to make 45 day or lees reservation and that RCI has a 96% fullfillment on those reservations. Further more Buddy claimed that last year a woman in Texas who had attended his meeting there , heard that points could be used for crusies, she immedatly signed up. Her reason was that she was going on a 7 day cruise with her husband and it was going to cost her $4700.00. Buddy claimed she called him back a few months later thanking him because she booked the cruise for only 28,000 points including round trip air fare. That put that $4700.00 right back in her pocket. The price to convert to points was only 2,995. plus a 385 closing fee. All of these and other claims by Buddy caused some serious doubt in my mind,so the next day I called RCI for more infomation. This is what I learned....... RCI informed me that 45 or less reservations fullfillment was about 10% and only if you traveled off season. Reservations past 46 days has a lower fullfillment then RCI's exchange system. A timeshare in FL for example would cost a member more points then they were likely to recieve for the exsisting timeshare that they had paid Buddy Porter over $3,000 for. Airfare was discounted $100 for every 12,500 points that one would give up to RCI, meaning that a $1000 ticket would cost 125,000 points. Asking about cruises, I was informed that 50,000 points would get me $1200 off a cruise. After comparing prices on the internet I found I could get a lower price without giving up my points. Checking with the Realators board in AZ I found that niether Buddy or his wife Fay were licented agents in AZ at all......... My question is how do they get away with this crap? If one wants to get into points with RCI buy a points timeshare off the internet and save thousands, without fatting the wallet of such a bullshiter......