Are you complaining (giving feedback) to Marriott?

[MikeZ]

While we are sorting through how the new system affects us and posting here with our concerns, it might be good to understand how Marriott is handling our SPECIFIC issues with the changes. I have sent an e-mail to Marriott and have gotten an auto-reply, but feel that the more "noise" they hear over this, the better.

My "specific" issue:

My Waiohai Platinum OV (week 1-51) does not allow me enough points to trade into Ko Olina, which is supposed to be an equivalent property, in terms of costs, etc. That was one of the selling points originally, and seems unfair that I need to "find" almost 1000 points in order to go back there, even though the Waiohai chart shows the same number of points for someone coming TO Waiohai.

We'll see what kind of response I get, but the more that they hear from us, the better!

 

[brigechols]

What type of response do you expect from Marriott? I'm not sending any feedback directly to Marriott - I just will opt out of the point system.

 

[GregT]

Please see my feedback to Marriott


http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124262

 

[GregT]

My "specific" issue:

My Waiohai Platinum OV (week 1-51) does not allow me enough points to trade into Ko Olina, which is supposed to be an equivalent property, in terms of costs, etc. That was one of the selling points originally, and seems unfair that I need to "find" almost 1000 points in order to go back there, even though the Waiohai chart shows the same number of points for someone coming TO Waiohai.

We'll see what kind of response I get, but the more that they hear from us, the better!

Mike,

I think they've structured the point values intentionally so that most people are short about 1,000 points when they redeem their unit. Accordingly, that means they need to buy 1,000 points from Marriott at $9.20 per pop, and agree to pay $400 in MFs (which I believe is highly inflated value).

I believe they think they have a good chance of selling many many 1,000 point packages to existing owners who find they are just short of being able to utilize the system. What's amazing to me is that I think the program would have been hugely successful with existing owners if existing owners felt they got full/real value for their properties, instead of Marriott skimming approximately 15% of the value.

I still can't believe Marriott did it. Now they will have a vocal group of existing owners who feel cheated out of the true value (whatever true value is) and will avoid the system for that reason.

Yes, it's a voluntary system but how many people would have joined (and gladly paid $695 and $199/year) that won't now?

And the Marriott brand will suffer.

 

[LAX Mom]

I called Marriott yesterday twice and let both reps know I was not happy with the new program. I tried to be nice, but I was very clear about the terms I didn't like.

 

[scrapngen]

While I am actively dissecting information, I want to be sure I have a reasonable understanding - then will talk with reps to see their responses and evaluate what they say with the docs. While I am unhappy and see a lot of negatives - especially the value received, I am not yet ready to share my concerns to the company. I am not yet even 100% positive that I won't sign up (probably more like 95%:hysterical: )

I want to take enough time while the offers are out there and everyone is sharing info to truly decide what I am just personally concerned about, or what I view as a problem with the program in general.

When I do get a chance to talk with knowledgable reps and/or salepeople I will definitely share my concerns with them and voice my dismay/disbelief/etc.... And if/when deciding not to join, I will make sure it is clear why. And any feedback or surveys will also be answered in detail. At that time I will then determine how to let Marriott as a company know my opinions about this new product and unhappiness with same.

 

[MikeZ]

My "specific" issue:

My Waiohai Platinum OV (week 1-51) does not allow me enough points to trade into Ko Olina, which is supposed to be an equivalent property, in terms of costs, etc. That was one of the selling points originally, and seems unfair that I need to "find" almost 1000 points in order to go back there, even though the Waiohai chart shows the same number of points for someone coming TO Waiohai.

We'll see what kind of response I get, but the more that they hear from us, the better!

Well, I got my response, and it made me even madder! My VOA (who I have worked with for years and really like) responded that she had done all of the calculations and determined that I would have no problem trading my points from Waiohai for an ISLAND VIEW at Ko Olina! And I think she felt like she was doing me a favor! Lots of training still needed here! My next e-mail wasn't as pleasant as my first!

I know, I know, I wasn't really expecting the whole system to change because of my e-mail, but my original point is that we ought to at least keep burning up the phone lines and e-mails with our specific concerns. The analogy of "New Coke" has been used here many times over the past two days. The reason that "Classic Coke" made a quick return is that Coke felt the heat from their loyal base of customers!

 

[eileenpat]

Marriott rep.

I have posted on at another Marriott thread, but I did call Marriott to have them explain the system to me and with 2 reps on the line the contradictions were interesting. I am not sure that they understand the program yet.

What was clear: if you bought resale not from Marriott you pay more for your enrollment ( I was very terse about this in speaking with them)

The enrollment fees are very high (in this economy I think they are just out to screw the owners who have been loyal to them)

I will write my concerns when I have reread all the information but, I am not happy with the point values, the cost and the upper hand way that Marriott has handled this.

Ps. To date I have not received any e-mail telling me about the program.
Very unprofessional!

Not happy!

 

[NJDave]

Please see my feedback to Marriott


http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124262

Greg,

It would be interesting to find out if the breakage is being applied to the points that Marriott is selling as well. For instance, are they selling 100 % of the points for a particular resort or holding back 7 - 22%. Wouldn't it be inconsistent if they were selling 100% of points for their new resorts since there would be more points sold than would be used at that new resort using the theory they explained to you.

 

[nygiants11991]

Where is everyone finding out about the new system? I have not heard a thing.

 

[DanCali]

Greg,

It would be interesting to find out if the breakage is being applied to the points that Marriott is selling as well. For instance, are they selling 100 % of the points for a particular resort or holding back 7 - 22%. Wouldn't it be inconsistent if they were selling 100% of points for their new resorts since there would be more points sold than would be used at that new resort using the theory they explained to you.

But they won't sell resorts anymore, right? just points...

 

[GregT]

Duplicate post

 

[GregT]

Greg,

It would be interesting to find out if the breakage is being applied to the points that Marriott is selling as well. For instance, are they selling 100 % of the points for a particular resort or holding back 7 - 22%. Wouldn't it be inconsistent if they were selling 100% of points for their new resorts since there would be more points sold than would be used at that new resort using the theory they explained to you.

Dave, I think the breakage is definitely applied to the points that Marriott is selling, but they don't care. It appears to me that the real value of the timeshares ('The Matrix') is 85% of what Marriott is showing -- that's what they are willing to give us/me, the true owners of the those units.

In turn, they are going to charge the points purchasers a 120% premium (the inverse of 85%) over what the unit is really worth.

So someone who wants to reserve a 4,500 point Property X (for which you, the owner of the unit, get 3,800 points) will have to pay $1,800 in MFs to reserve it (don't forget that the MF is already paid). How many weeks in the system are really worth $1,800 in MFs?

Hawaii units -- unless there is a profit component here (and I believe there is).

Think about it -- a unit that you own, and that you are getting 3,800 points for, someone else must pay $1,800 in points MFs to reserve it.

That covers a lot of the unsold inventory MFs at Lakeshore/Marco/Shadow Ridge/Ko Olina.

And they can sell this because of The Skim -- they will sell many many 1,000 point packages to existing owners for $9,200, because they the existing owner has been shorted them 15% of what their unit is truly worth.

I still can't believe it. I feel like Perry.

 

[NJDave]

But they won't sell resorts anymore, right? just points...

Marriott builds a new resort and they believe that each week should be assigned 10,000 points. For each unit there is thus 520,000 points for the year. At $10 per point, each units is worth $5,200,000. Will Marriott sell 520,000 points or something less. They would have to assign a value of more than 10,000 points per week to the units if they wanted to apply their theory consistently and still collect $5,200,000 per unit.

 

[m61376]

I could understand the logic of a surcharge for "breakage" IF they were similarly offering a discount for a full week. What I mean is this- I could accept point values for booking individual days to be slightly higher than the amount needed to book a full week (which would then reflect increased costs of splitting up reservations). IF Marriott charged the same number of points allotted for a week's stay, but 15% higher when the week was split up, their rationale would be understandable. But as it stands now, they are just commandeering part of my ownership.