Claims a Vacation Village made during recent presentation

[larrydeboer]

I attended a presentation in Weston and the salesman said a few things I am not sure I believe. If you know for a fact that these statements are true or untrue, please let me know.

When I become a Vacation Village Premier member by upgrading my Grandview ownership....

1. I would have the highest trading power possible. He said that even in RCI points, your weeks have a trading power. If you have a low trading power, you will not be shown available weeks that have a higher trading power. I certainly believe that is true in RCI weeks, but is it also true in RCI points?
2. I would be able to get EVERY full week available within 45 days using 9000 points or less. EVERY single one!

I have owned RCI properties for 20 years, so I feel pretty comfortable with the system. I asked him for clarification on what he said since it didn't sound sensible, and he said the same thing several times. I asked him for proof, which he didn't have, or to put it in writing, which he wouldn't do. We actually did make the purchase, but are strongly considering rescinding it if these claims are blatantly false. So please let me know if there is any truth at all to either of these two things he was saying. Thank you.

 

[bnoble]

I certainly believe that is true in RCI weeks, but is it also true in RCI points?

It's not true in Weeks. It was in the pre-TPU days, but no longer.

 

[tschwa2]

There is at least 1 premier VV member. Can't remember who but hopefully he will see it and comment.
1.I think there is some availability that certain non standard rci points members can't see. That has been evidenced by someone with a Welk membership in points and the other VV premier member. It may be from time to time rci may slip in a few units that are typically reserved under registry collection affiliates. I don't think it happens often so overall in a year there might be an extra 50-100 units that may be of absolute no interest to you.

2. I could not imagine number 2 being true; its more likely that they may offer more weeks at the discount but still not all. Currently only weeks that drop below 7-8 tpu's become available for the discounted points amount. I could see rci possibly extending it up to about 12 for VV premier members; which would still hold back a lot of the more desirable last minute inventory while still providing more for VV premier.

My understanding is VV paid RCI a lot of money upfront (in the millions) to design a program that they could upsell their members (to recoup their fees and make a profit) that gave them addition access and perks not available without the program.

@rboesl could you comment on this topic?

 

[travel maniac]

2. I would be able to get EVERY full week available within 45 days using 9000 points or less. EVERY single one!

We actually did make the purchase, but are strongly considering rescinding it if these claims are blatantly false. So please let me know if there is any truth at all to either of these two things he was saying. Thank you.

I'M NOT A NOT A VACATION VILLAGE/GRANDVIEW OWNER but have been RCI member for 15+ years.

#2. Somewhat true but as tschwa2 has stated there are possibly few weeks available at 9k points or below. The emphasis here is on "available" weeks - and that availability related to RCI points! These 9k points or less are true if you own RCI points regardless of membership to VV. FWIW, we gave up on RCI points after they started adding a lot of additional fees to points reservations.

The more IMPORTANT POINT is your purchase of the timeshare. RESCIND NOW! Learn the RCI points system on TUG and elsewhere. If you post your purchase/upgrade price, others who are knowledgeable in the VV/GV system may be able to guide you better

 

[larrydeboer]

I owned a 1 bedroom, 61000 point, biennial week. They offered me a 2 bedroom, 98000 point, biennial week. To trade weeks, and give me VV Premier, the cost was $7000.

 

[Jodyv]

The last time I went to an owner's update at Grandview (probably August of 2020) as a final offer, they would change my weeks account to a points account. Think the offer was for $4000.00. (I declined...) I'm still not sure how a points account would provide me with 4000.00 worth of benefits....

 

[tschwa2]

I owned a 1 bedroom, 61000 point, biennial week. They offered me a 2 bedroom, 98000 point, biennial week. To trade weeks, and give me VV Premier, the cost was $7000.

what would be the difference in MF"s between the 2? There are some benefits in terms of lower exchange fees and extra bonus certs but how long until those make up for the $7000 you are paying out of pocket.

 

[travel maniac]

I owned a 1 bedroom, 61000 point, biennial week. They offered me a 2 bedroom, 98000 point, biennial week. To trade weeks, and give me VV Premier, the cost was $7000.

Assuming these are RCI points - you're paying $7k for an additional 37k points. Correct? If so, it's an awful deal!

And I'm not sure what "to trade weeks" means.

Have you looked at the marketplace section of TUG? here's a link for points for sale - some are RCI points
https://tug2.com/timeshare-classifi...or-Sale-Points&ForSale=True&AdTypePoints=True

There is also the free timeshare and bargain deals forum - yes, there are people giving away their timeshare for free!
https://tugbbs.com/forums/forums/free-timeshare-giveaways-and-bargain-deals.55/

Your first reaction that "you're strongly considering rescinding" is a good indication that you're not sure about this deal. I suggest you RESCIND first - follow the directions mentioned in your contract/binder. Then you'll have ample time to research FACTS (on TUG and/or elsewhere) and make a meaningful decision.

Please let us know whatever you decide.

Good luck!

 

[travel maniac]

Just saw the following 2 posts under bargain deals that are for RCI points

https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/f...lly-and-129-000-banked-points-week-21.332654/

Grandview Las Vegas 49,000 RCI points

I would like to give away my Grandview Las Vegas annual unit. It is week 17 and it is a one bedroom. It is an RCI points unit and receives 49,000 points each year. The 2022 maintenance fees were $438.50. I would be willing to give the new owner 2022 usage but would like the buyer to pay...

tugbbs.com

 

[larrydeboer]

The wording I used 'to trade weeks' meant Vacation Village was taking back my 1 bedroom week while selling me a 2 bedroom week.
The maintenance fees would be double what I am paying now. 100% more maintenance fees for 61% more points. I don't like the disproportionate increase in maintenance fees, but if the benefits of VV Premier were close to the salesman's claims, I wouldn't mind paying more.
Thank you for your responses. After reading them, I feel that I might have marginal improvement in the selection of timeshares, and also in the number of 9000 point or less weeks available to me. But the possible positives come at a high price. So I think you have convinced me to rescind this purchase.

 

[rboesl]

There is at least 1 premier VV member. Can't remember who but hopefully he will see it and comment.
1.I think there is some availability that certain non standard rci points members can't see. That has been evidenced by someone with a Welk membership in points and the other VV premier member. It may be from time to time rci may slip in a few units that are typically reserved under registry collection affiliates. I don't think it happens often so overall in a year there might be an extra 50-100 units that may be of absolute no interest to you.

2. I could not imagine number 2 being true; its more likely that they may offer more weeks at the discount but still not all. Currently only weeks that drop below 7-8 tpu's become available for the discounted points amount. I could see rci possibly extending it up to about 12 for VV premier members; which would still hold back a lot of the more desirable last minute inventory while still providing more for VV premier.

My understanding is VV paid RCI a lot of money upfront (in the millions) to design a program that they could upsell their members (to recoup their fees and make a profit) that gave them addition access and perks not available without the program.

@rboesl could you comment on this topic?

I am a VV Premier owner. Have been for about 5 years now. But, strictly points so I can't comment on weeks ownership.

1. If you're upgrade meeting was in Weston then your new home resort would be Weston. You would not get maximum points value from Weston. The most points you would get would be 98,000. Still quite good but not the maximum. There are VV resorts that get 122,000 and a couple that get 141,000.

2. Is not true. RCI does have a menu option that shows you weeks available for 10,000 points or less that are only available within 45 days out. But, those are available to all RCI members. Not just premier.

But, there are some Premier perks that are of value:
A. Bonus weeks. You get 2 per year that allow you to book weeks up to 180 days out for just the exchange fee. No points needed. It's a limited inventory but much wider inventory than getaways.
B. Discount guest certificates. It's 20% off.
C. Extending points before they expire up to 2 years. And a discount on the fee.

 

[rboesl]

what would be the difference in MF"s between the 2? There are some benefits in terms of lower exchange fees and extra bonus certs but how long until those make up for the $7000 you are paying out of pocket.

Vacation Village fees are consistent. Currently it's $945 plus real estate taxes for a 2 bedroom and exactly half that for a 1 bedroom plus real estate taxes. Regardless of location.

 

[larrydeboer]

Thanks, rboesl. Do those benefits you mentioned come automatically as a Premier member? I get most of them now, except the bonus weeks, with Vacation Village Plus. Of course, that costs something every year. Will I have to pay anything extra for those perks, or do they come 'free' with Premier?
There is nothing in any paperwork they gave me giving precise details of what Premier really is.
Thanks, again.

 

[rboesl]

Thanks, rboesl. Do those benefits you mentioned come automatically as a Premier member? I get most of them now, except the bonus weeks, with Vacation Village Plus. Of course, that costs something every year. Will I have to pay anything extra for those perks, or do they come 'free' with Premier?
There is nothing in any paperwork they gave me giving precise details of what Premier really is.
Thanks, again.

The paperwork I got laid out the bonus weeks. The remainder of the benefits are actually part of RCI's Premier membership level. VV actually has 3 levels of ownership. Basic (1 bonus week book 2-45 days out), Premium (1 bonus week book 2-90 days out), and Premier (2 bonus weeks book 2-180 days out).

There was no extra charges for the bonus weeks that I recall. And, we haggled quite a bit. I even got them to throw in converting my VV@Bonaventure 3br from weeks to points at no charge.

 

[richkadams]

I upgraded to Premiere in December 2021. I was told (at Grandview) that Premiere got huge discounts on Hotel stays by using exchange points. I was told that the amount of points used for the exchange were based on Trip Advisor ratings for the hotel. (the better the hotel, the more points it cost). The sales person showed me on her laptop examples of how cheap hotels were. A 4-5 star hotel was around 20,000 points for a week, plus some cash. The cash was extremely low, so low in fact, I kept asking is that for a day or for the week and she assured me it was for the week. It sold me! So I upgraded (by purchasing another timeshare at the Berkley for $11K and got 49,000 more points). But ever since I upgraded I cannot find out to get those cheap hotel rates. I go to RCI.com and the "Hotel plus Cash" deals are the same for everyone (2000 points a day) and a little discount on the room. It's NOT what I had expected. I've called the Concierge, RCI, Vacation Village and Nobody knows what I'm talking about. My salesperson will not return calls, The sales department at the Grandview will not answer the phone, it goes to a recording and they will not return my calls. Has anyone else experienced this? Has anyone heard of this Hotel aspect of Premiere? I'm at a loss of what to do. Thanks for any and all help. Someone in another page mention something about using a different app to get the hotel rates. Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

 

[Mongoose]

I upgraded to Premiere in December 2021. I was told (at Grandview) that Premiere got huge discounts on Hotel stays by using exchange points. I was told that the amount of points used for the exchange were based on Trip Advisor ratings for the hotel. (the better the hotel, the more points it cost). The sales person showed me on her laptop examples of how cheap hotels were. A 4-5 star hotel was around 20,000 points for a week, plus some cash. The cash was extremely low, so low in fact, I kept asking is that for a day or for the week and she assured me it was for the week. It sold me! So I upgraded (by purchasing another timeshare at the Berkley for $11K and got 49,000 more points). But ever since I upgraded I cannot find out to get those cheap hotel rates. I go to RCI.com and the "Hotel plus Cash" deals are the same for everyone (2000 points a day) and a little discount on the room. It's NOT what I had expected. I've called the Concierge, RCI, Vacation Village and Nobody knows what I'm talking about. My salesperson will not return calls, The sales department at the Grandview will not answer the phone, it goes to a recording and they will not return my calls. Has anyone else experienced this? Has anyone heard of this Hotel aspect of Premiere? I'm at a loss of what to do. Thanks for any and all help. Someone in another page mention something about using a different app to get the hotel rates. Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

Its amazing to me how they play off standard RCI features as something new and upgraded if you just buy more. Log in to RCI and choose Book and then hotels. You are basically getting the Priceline rates +/-.

 

[Ty1on]

I attended a presentation in Weston and the salesman said a few things I am not sure I believe. If you know for a fact that these statements are true or untrue, please let me know.

When I become a Vacation Village Premier member by upgrading my Grandview ownership....

1. I would have the highest trading power possible. He said that even in RCI points, your weeks have a trading power. If you have a low trading power, you will not be shown available weeks that have a higher trading power. I certainly believe that is true in RCI weeks, but is it also true in RCI points?
2. I would be able to get EVERY full week available within 45 days using 9000 points or less. EVERY single one!

I have owned RCI properties for 20 years, so I feel pretty comfortable with the system. I asked him for clarification on what he said since it didn't sound sensible, and he said the same thing several times. I asked him for proof, which he didn't have, or to put it in writing, which he wouldn't do. We actually did make the purchase, but are strongly considering rescinding it if these claims are blatantly false. So please let me know if there is any truth at all to either of these two things he was saying. Thank you.

1. Trading power in Points is measured by the number of points you get. If you have enough points for a resv, you will be able to book it. There is no 80k contract that can see availabilty another 80k contract can't.

2. LoL no.

What could VV have sold you that you cannot get resale?