SFX trade power issues

[g4fishing]

I've had a hard time getting a clear answer from SFX about the differences in trade power or 'pull' of weeks deposited with them. I'm looking at purchasing a Sedona Springs week and want to know if a prime week there (Easter) would have the same pull as say a summer S. Cal. week. If there is a difference in trading power how much variance is there at SFX and is it a major consideration when dealing with them? Any experiences?

My hope through SFX would be to be able to get say the Manhattan Club looking quite aways out with a six month window. Is this realistic?

 

[DeniseM]

The problem with SFX is that they have no online presence and all trades are done behind closed doors, so it's all over the place. A few years ago I deposited my very expensive Maui week, and asked for any resort on Kauai, a year out, and didn't get the exchange...very disappointing...

 

[eal]

I regularly book my Villas of Sedona (sister resort of Sedona Springs) 2-bedroom units for Easter. I have deposited two with SFX, and gotten exchanges to Grand Timber Lodge in Breckenridge prime summer and to Sloane Gardens in London during spring break.

The puzzle for me with SFX is that when I get the phone call saying they have a match I can then choose the week to use for the exchange - I am not obligated to use the one that I used for the request. It is as if all my deposits have equal value.

 

[bellesgirl]

In my experience with SFX, (I did 5 exchanges) it seemed more important to have a relationship with the VC than to have a strong trading power. If I called or emailed I often got a response to a search that had been going on for a while. But if I turned down a match because it did not work for me - like one time the check in date was on Xmas day and out on NY day and it was a mediocre resort, so I did not want the exchange - then I would get stonewalled. When I would call to check on the progress of my search I was told "well.. we already offered you a week and you turned it down". In the meantime, there were numerous exchange opportunities with RCI for my criteria, which was frustrating.

Like an earlier poster said, everything is behind closed doors so you really have no idea of what is going on. I decided after I used my last week that they are just too hard to work with. Many here will disagree.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Bellesgirl, you have described my experience to a "T".

I settled for something different from where and when we usually go, just to use our deposit. This was for our first exchange, and the guides tend to remind me of how ridiculous my past expectations were. For instance, I told them I wanted a king bed in the master bedroom on Maui, which basically took Kahana Falls out of my search criteria (on purpose), and they keep reminding me how I limited the search by that one thing (my search criteria was for several consecutive months), which is why I didn't get the exchange. I didn't want Kahana Falls, but any other resort on their list would have been fine for me, and I gave them several months to get me something, and I didn't expect high season for that exchange, but I wanted a 2 bedroom, and those are obviously very rare in SFX inventory.

Then I had friends who were going to Hawaii for Christmas and were looking for a hotel at a high price, so I called at the last minute, just to see if they happened to have anything, so one guide emailed me recently, telling me how limiting I am in my requests, expecting Christmas at the last minute! I wasn't EXPECTING Christmas, but I thought if they had it, I would get it for my friends with my deposited week that had produced nothing in my ongoing search. Ironically, I did get a week for them through a last-minute rental from another exchange company for their exact dates.

If they had a search feature, you could scan their availability for the next few years and see if there is anything you hadn't thought of trying. As it is, you have to say to them, "Do you have Nashville or Williamsburg? Okay, so what about Wisconsin for anytime May-September? What about any Hawaiian island for 2011? Okay, what about something in San Francisco for any month between February and June." (SF is one they can do. I deposited a 2 bedroom Hawaii and I get a 1 bedroom in SF, which was okay by me, since we have relatives there that we haven't visited forever.) It's not easy to guess what they have that you can use.

And you are right, there are many people who really love SFX, but so far, my experiences have been so-so to not good, and we have a Platinum membership that is due to expire in a little over 3 years. Will I renew? Doubtfully, because my current request has already been given the "doubt it will come through" estimate. I am asking for something very difficult, so I won't hold it against them, if that particular request doesn't come through. For a five-year membership, I just wanted five exchanges that I would be thrilled to get.

RCI and II have usually come through for me, and I have never deposited a 2 bedroom Hawaii Gold Crown week with either of them, ironically, but that is what I deposited with SFX. I hope for a better experience in the near future. I want to sing their praises, but so far, I cannot.

I am VERY WELL AWARE that SFX watches posts on this forum. I had emails from the "powers that be" from my last tirade on TUG about SFX, the weekend of Labor Day. I think comments like this might hurt my chances of getting some good exchanges with SFX. I hate to think it, but I believe it. Rick thinks I am goofy for joining SFX in the first place, but I had very high expectations, and those have not been met in any way.

We are definitely getting to the point where buying where we want to go is preferable to exchanging. I want Maui for two weeks EOY. We are going in 2012 again to Maui and have 2010 already planned. So we bought an EOY even oceanfront (literally a stone's throw from the water) Maui week, 2 bedroom, very average resort. We are thrilled with the purchase, and we are looking forward to some great whale-watching trips in that unit. I can pay a lot of the maintenance fees with the savings on exchange fees and membership fees to alternate exchange companies. For Kauai and the Big Island, we have Wyndham points. I just need to find another oceanfront 2 bedroom for Maui, EOY!

Now Wyn has a SF resort, too. I am covering the "buy where you want to go" with those Wyn points. I am loving those points more and more.

 

[esk444]

I am VERY WELL AWARE that SFX watches posts on this forum. I had emails from the "powers that be" from my last tirade on TUG about SFX, the weekend of Labor Day. I think comments like this might hurt my chances of getting some good exchanges with SFX. I hate to think it, but I believe it.

It wouldn't surprise me. In the other timeshare forum, a poster had commented several times that SFX could not match their request for Hawaii, so they had to settle for something in Sedona. Mark, the SFX representative who posts on that site, posted several very vindicative messages in response slamming that person and including details of her account and details of phone messages.

I was just a lurker thinking about joining SFX and was totally shocked at this unprofessional behaviour. After reading those messages and the numerous complaints of poor service, I didn't bother. I can't do business with people I can't trust.

 

[bnoble]

We are definitely getting to the point where buying where we want to go is preferable to exchanging.

What took you so long?

 

[rickandcindy23]

What took you so long?

I am a slow learner. What can I say?

With the recent changes to RCI, I am definitely not getting what I could before. I can cover some of my needs with RCI Points, too, until RCI ruins that for me.

 

[rickandcindy23]

It wouldn't surprise me. In the other timeshare forum, a poster had commented several times that SFX could not match their request for Hawaii, so they had to settle for something in Sedona. Mark, the SFX representative who posts on that site, posted several very vindicative messages in response slamming that person and including details of her account and details of phone messages.

I was just a lurker thinking about joining SFX and was totally shocked at this unprofessional behaviour. After reading those messages and the numerous complaints of poor service, I didn't bother. I can't do business with people I can't trust.

I actually remembered that happening to a Forums member. I have remained fairly quiet as a result, because I was shocked by the posts over there. I didn't like getting my email from SFX this last time, after my Labor Day post, nor did I feel good about the resulting phone call from SFX, when my email from them ended up in the junk mail folder (I didn't see it until they called and said they had sent one). I won't mention names, but needless to say, I worry my exchange requests will be given very little attention. My platinum membership is turning out to be a very big disappointment.

I would love to report a great experience, truly I would. I know teepeeca Tony has gotten great results, and he was actually able to use the bonus weeks to his advantage. I had one offer of a bonus week, and it was a 1 bedroom in the early ski season (I think it was a week 48) at Christy Lodge in Avon, CO. I really dislike that resort and had no idea I would even be offered a resort that isn't even in their list of accepted resorts. I needed a 2 bedroom, and they said a 2 bedroom would be more $$$. What happened to free upgrades for platinum?

I was able to get something with RCI Points, 7,500 points, at our home resort in Frisco, for a week 50 for our daughter and son-in-law and their friends. The net cost was much less than what SFX offered.

 

[bnoble]

I won't mention names, but needless to say, I worry my exchange requests will be given very little attention.

Intuition says that it would work the other way. If I were stacking the deck to give some people preferential treatment, I'd probably be working hard to give great exchanges to those who were known to post their strong opinions about both good and bad timeshare-services experiences.

 

[PigsDad]

I had one offer of a bonus week, and it was a 1 bedroom in the early ski season (I think it was a week 48) at Christy Lodge in Avon, CO. I really dislike that resort and had no idea I would even be offered a resort that isn't even in their list of accepted resorts. I needed a 2 bedroom, and they said a 2 bedroom would be more $$$. What happened to free upgrades for platinum?

Actually, if you read it carefully, it does state that the free upgrades are only for your exchanged week, not bonus weeks. But I agree, it was confusing.

For my limited experience with them, I have been pleased. I have given them one week -- a 1BR HGVC Hawaiian Village prime summer week, which I reserved using 4800 of my 8400 annual HGVC points. I received two "bonus" weeks, of which we only used one -- 2BR Mayan Palace Riviera Maya Thanksgiving week. For my exchange week, I got a 2BR January ski week at The Village at Steamboat.

Overall, I was pleased with their service, and would definitely plan to use them again in the future.

Kurt

 

[rickandcindy23]

Kurt, I am glad you had a great experience with SFX. It is very good news for those of us who are always hoping for a great exchange. My deposit of 2008 was a 2 bedroom summer, July week, at Kona Hawaiian Village, and this past deposit was one I was able to get for a discount in points, so I wouldn't lose as much $$. I deposited a 2 bedroom KHV about six weeks before check-in, but that date was still 8/1. I suppose a late deposit may get less results. I don't know what the policy is for late deposits, but I didn't want to throw it away, so I am hoping for something good.

I have SO MANY weeks that qualify with SFX as deposits, now that I have found TUG and discovered some great resorts to buy. I just have to decide whether I should take the chance with SFX. I have Myrtle Beach summer 2 bedrooms (SBP), and I have SDO I can deposit as well.

With Wyndham, I have to purchase a guest certificate for the exchange, which is annoying but necessary for Wyndham's greedy CEO to be able to afford his private jet.

 

[Kola]

"I was just a lurker thinking about joining SFX and was totally shocked at this unprofessional behaviour. After reading those messages and the numerous complaints of poor service, I didn't bother. I can't do business with people I can't trust."

Agree 100%. "Poor service" is too mild, 'we don't care service' is correct.

Hopeless.

 

[post-it]

I'm so glad I read this posting. I was also going to deposit my week and give SFX a try.

Not now!

 

[barndweller]

I am a happy SFX user. I have always gotten the exchanges that I have requested and used several bonus weeks as well. I think my success is based on the fact that my requests have been just an area not a specific resort and often more than one area and always with a span of several weeks. I have been willing to take a 1 bedroom since that is the lion's share of deposits. How many of you with lock-offs actually deposit the whole thing? None is my guess. Everyone locks off and splits to make maximum use. I also NEVER request major holidays although I have exchanged in prime season. I currently have a request in for 3 different areas (two requesting specific resorts) and for several different time frames. I am confident that one of these will eventually come through. Knowing which resorts and which areas SFX seems to work with the most helps. They most certainly have a relationship with Manhattan Club and with the Mayan Resorts in Mexico.

The days of finding great exchanges that get a prime 2 bedroom somewhere in exchange for a mediocre studio at Mudflat Acres is long gone. Upgrades from a studio lock-off to a 2 bedroom aren't gonna happen if no one deposits 2 bedroom units and developers are not handing them to II and RCI anymore. Or maybe it's that RCI and II are renting those units. I really don't know. So when people complain that SFX is not transparent I'm not sure what company they are comparing it to. Certainly we no longer have any idea what the Big Guys are doing behind the scenes and trade power has become a complete crap shoot.

The big complaint that got so much attention over on the other forum was a draw in my view. The complainer left out a lot of details about her request and the effort SFX had mad to try to fill her request.

I will continue to use SFX as well as TPI instead of II and RCI. They offer personal service while all the big guys offer is diminishing return for ever rising prices.

 

[falmouth3]

The big complaint that got so much attention over on the other forum was a draw in my view. The complainer left out a lot of details about her request and the effort SFX had mad to try to fill her request.

I too have always received very courteous and prompt service when I call SFX. I have gotten the trades that I wanted and requested.

My memory also was that the OP on the other board misrepresented the situation greatly. Although I don't think it the best approach by making the details public, SFX was trying to set the record straight. I thought it was impressive that they were able to reconstruct all the ways they tried to please the individual. SFX said that while they normally wouldn't share details, the individual presented her side of the story publicly, with details, so SFX did the same.

Sue

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

The big complaint that got so much attention over on the other forum was a draw in my view. The complainer left out a lot of details about her request and the effort SFX had mad to try to fill her request.

Yes - the poster essentially trashed SFX, selectively providing information about their request to make SFX look back and omitting other important information. When SFX provided important missing information then it was alleged that SFX was publishing account information

My take on the matter follows the general principle that when a person makes a decision to take a private dispute public, that person does not then get to decide which information shall be public and which information shall remain private.

 

[g4fishing]

Talked to Mark

After I started this thread I contacted Mark at SFX and he gave fairly straight forward answers to my questions. The resorts are assigned different trade weights that are dependant on their location and the demand for them. I think that this is fair but because it is done behind a closed door it makes it challenging to weigh your trade options. He did give me an indication of my chances for trading into the Manhattan Club (good, no guarantees)which I appreciated. RCI has the online info but forget getting the kind of personal contact that Mark provided. The RCI guides generally know less than I do and just want you to deposit another week or extend your membership. I'm hoping for good exchanges with SFX but understand that this has not been the case for everyone.

 

[g4fishing]

Talked to Mark

duplicate post

 

[happymum]

I have certainly had my differences with SFX in the past, but must say that I have been pleased with recent transactions. San Francisco was always a very difficult trade for me with RCI. SFX seems to have a readily available supply. :whoopie: I think that they are a good resource for their areas of strength and getting around RCI's 1 in X rules.

 

[bnoble]

After I started this thread I contacted Mark at SFX and he gave fairly straight forward answers to my questions. The resorts are assigned different trade weights that are dependant on their location and the demand for them.

I wrote this in some other SFX thread, but it seems to me that it is very important to check with Mark before you make a deposit---he seems to be quite open about things. To his credit, he'll tell you if a deposit wouldn't really have strong demand in their system.

 

[esk444]

Yes - the poster essentially trashed SFX, selectively providing information about their request to make SFX look back and omitting other important information. When SFX provided important missing information then it was alleged that SFX was publishing account information

My take on the matter follows the general principle that when a person makes a decision to take a private dispute public, that person does not then get to decide which information shall be public and which information shall remain private.

Here's the thread, so people can make their own decisions on the egregiousness of the complaints by customers and whether the responses by SFX were appropriate (1 current SFX customer, 1 former SFX customer). http://www.timeshareforums.com/forums/ask-sfx/48554-very-disappointed-sfx-service.html

To me, Mark's behaviour in that thread and whoever contacts other TUG members who complains is a method of intimidation (other than to resolve the problems amicably). In my experience, the businesses that aggressively try to silence their critics, especially semi-anonymous individual customers on a message board, are rarely the companies I like to do business with.

 

[John Cummings]

Yes - the poster essentially trashed SFX, selectively providing information about their request to make SFX look back and omitting other important information. When SFX provided important missing information then it was alleged that SFX was publishing account information

My take on the matter follows the general principle that when a person makes a decision to take a private dispute public, that person does not then get to decide which information shall be public and which information shall remain private.

I agree 100%. I closely followed the thread.

 

[rickandcindy23]

A person should be able to complain about a timeshare exchange company without a backlash. We all complain about RCI, but if we say anything about SFX, not only do you have to worry about having your exchange request being put in the back of the line for posting your disappointments in an open forum, but you have current happy members that act like you are nuts because you aren't happy.

I am still a skeptical customer, not yet unhappy, just always hoping for the best possible exchanges for my prime summer Hawaii weeks. I know my deposited 2009 week was deposited late (I didn't get any bonuses), but they had need of that week, according to Elena, who accepted the deposit. The date was 8/1. I added a guest certificate within a few days of the deposit, so I know they used that week for a successful exchange. My 2008 week was deposited WAY in advance, like 9 months, and it was a July 4th week. I did get Powell Place for March, and that is our 37th anniversary. I think we will enjoy the area, plus we have relatives in and near SF, and we happen to have need to visit a few while we are there. Not exciting for me, but Rick is thrilled.

I broadened my search last night specifically for the purpose of getting a 2 bedroom unit in exchange for my deposited 2 bedroom, and to get Hawaii for 2011. I will consider depositing another week this fall sometime, before the deposit bonuses are done. I won't deposit Hawaii, because it seems to be hard to get Hawaii back.

 

[happymum]

As the OP on that very painful thread, I must confess that I still don't phone SFX , all transactions have been completed through e-mails !
I have no wish to re-open old wounds, so will not comment further on the thread.
Suffice it to say that I had a remaining deposit with SFX , I deposited another unit to keep that deposit alive, and have since been very pleased with their service.