I recently posted on the Beachwoods thread - in at least one post BIS Duck was mentioned - but didn't get much in the way of comments so I thought I would post this here since it is really about BIS Duck. My husband is on the Board at BIS Duck. He gets to read all or most of the comment cards submitted especially those which come in via RCI. The comments are generally not good and in addition to those about the interiors - which we will be dealing with hopefully this year - a significant area of concern seems to be the starter packs and the number of towels we provide. It seems like RCI traders expect more in the starter pack - more dishwashing detergent,soap, toilet paper, towels, etc. In my mind starter packs should be just that starter packs. (When BIS Duck was just providing a few coffee filters which were folded, I had a problem with that given the extremely low price of filters and the folding ruined them, but it is my understanding that has been corrected.) Since the Board wants to consider adding to the starter packs (we are working with SPM on this) as well as some other things that will increase costs (again for now forget about the interior issue) I am wondering if BIS Duck should consider implementing a daily fee for resort amenities in the Summertime for RCI Traders as well as renters other than those renting from an Owner? I have not discussed this at all with my husband but if people are expecting more, maybe they should be willing to pay for it. By the way when the lack of good WiFi was one of the main concerns, BIS spent a fair amount of money for that, so in addition to our great location, we do have excellent WiFi which it sounds like Beachwood doesn't. Some thoughts on implementing a daily fee for RCI traders and renters not renting from Owners is appreciated? Along with my husband, I am looking for ways to increase our revenues, and if RCI traders have these expectations, which will cost additional funds to fulfill, then maybe they need to help pay for them. Finally I noticed a Question Mark appears above my name. I don't know how to get rid of it although I admit I started this thread with a question.
Well, I was just notified by RCI that Barrier Island Station Duck and Barrier Island's Ocean Pines will now have a $125 "cleaning/linen fee" for incoming exchangers. I haven't exchanged in, but simply have a reservation for my "home week" through RCI Points for my Ocean Pines week. I plan to contact the resort to find out if by utilizing my home (deeded) week if I, too, will have to pay this fee. I don't feel that I should since this is my deeded week. However, I'll have to find out what the resort says and go from there.
It states that no matter if it's for 1 night or more nights that there will be a $125 fee for "exchangers".
While I have for many years enjoyed owning and exchanging into both Barrier Island Station Duck and Barrier Island's Ocean Pines, I now know that exchanging in to these resorts will no longer interest me due to what I consider an unreasonable fee. I am currently looking for an exchange during March for the OBX Taste of the Beach. However, these two resorts will no longer be a consideration.
Over the years, I have seen the argument on other threads that as a timeshare owner, I am already paying "cleaning/linen" or amenity fees that are part of my maintenance fee. Why should those exchanging in to use my week have an added fee tacked on?
Location, location, location is great. However, in considering that I'm being charged such a high fee for cleaning and linens (which should be a part of any timeshare stay), I'll opt out for exchanging back in when I need different dates from which I own. BIS and Ocean Pines timeshare exchanges aren't the only "game in town" when staying on the Outer Banks.
A $125 add-on fee for cleaning and linens is ridiculous. Any add-on cleaning fee for exchanging back in would have been questionable, but $125; that's ridiculous. I look forward to hearing how such a fee is justifiable. My gosh, it seems like those responsible for this fee are really "grasping at straws". It's very telling to me. Maintenance fee + RCI membership fee + exchange fee + resort cleaning fee = too much to even consider an exchange into either resort, especially during the off or shoulder seasons.
I bet it was a tough one to name this new fee. It couldn't be called an amenity fee since the amenities, especially at Ocean Pines, couldn't justify such a high fee. But "cleaning/linen" fee....? It seems quite obnoxious to me, whatever you call it.
Also obnoxious, RCI stating that their same cancellation rules apply if you cancel due to this newly created fee. One should be able to cancel an exchange when a fee is added after an exchange has been made or it should be waived if it did not exist at the time of exchange.