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determining trading power before buying

ph48

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I'm new to TUG and looking at buying a timeshare. I have a basic understanding of maximizing value in exchanging (banking early, red/white/blue weeks, etc.). Another piece information I need to determine it's value is to get some sense of the trading power of the particular resort (Superior Shores on Lake Superior). I called RCI and the person I spoke with told me that this information was part of the program that searches for trade matches, but it was not available as stand alone information.

I intend to ask current owners their opinion but my sense is that people owning this resort do not readily or routinely trade their time.

Any ideas?

Thanks
 

falmouth3

TUG Review Crew: Expert
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I couldn't tell you have to check trading power specifically, but I can give you some suggestions to see when the best weeks fall. One way of seeing when demand is highest for a certain area is to check hotel rental rates for various weeks in the area where the rsort is located, including rental rates for that resort, if possible.

Another way, is if it is a point resort. They could have different point rates for different weeks, with the highest points being at the busiest times.

Check the ratings and reviews for the resort here on TUG. If the resort has good ratings, you can be comfortable that it's a pretty good resort.

Good luck!

Sue
 

sfwilshire

TUG Review Crew: Expert
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Even if you knew the exact trading power for a week today, it can and does change over time.

In general, think of all the places the most people want to go, south Florida in Jan - Mar, Orlando at Christmas and Easter, any great beach location in the peak summer and those areas will have to best trade power. The fewer resorts in the area, the higher the demand will be.

I'm not familiar with the specific resort you name, but likely an owner will come along soon and share their experiences.

Sheila
 
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philsfan

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I'm new to TUG and looking at buying a timeshare. I have a basic understanding of maximizing value in exchanging (banking early, red/white/blue weeks, etc.). Another piece information I need to determine it's value is to get some sense of the trading power of the particular resort (Superior Shores on Lake Superior). I called RCI and the person I spoke with told me that this information was part of the program that searches for trade matches, but it was not available as stand alone information.

I intend to ask current owners their opinion but my sense is that people owning this resort do not readily or routinely trade their time.

Any ideas?

Thanks

I always offer to let the prospective buyer log on to my RCI account and test drive any deposits I have for the resort I am selling.
 

sandkastle4966

Tug Review Crew: Rookie
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to echo philsfan......

I am losing a great trader because of Wyndham/Fairfield policy changes and complaints that fall on deaf ears....ok off my soapbox...so I need a trading replacement

I asked for trade tests on 3 weeks I thought would be equal to my week for where I wanted to go. I keep it simple - 3 specifics, and just ask for the total found for each one, and a cut/paste for 1 specific resorts dates.

One did not know what a trade test was (how could he claim how great it traded if he did not know what a trade test WAS), one had nothing banked to trade test with me, and one offered to let me "play" on the account for a few hours.

Took me all of 15 minutes to determine that the week was equiv. I then just had to wrestle through do a I take "a sure thing" that I would never visit, or take one that I was "pretty sure" was a great trader that I would use in a pinch.

(i took the sure thing)

Being able to test drive it made all the difference in the world.

You will find that trade power is a mystery. I have wyndham deposits that are crap - but will pull almost all wyndhams weeks in the system. my aruba week pulls more carribean than my tiger trader, and less other "quality" weeks.

if you have nothing to compare to, you should join tug and use the sightings board as a guide - if its been sighted, and its a high priority area/time for you - test drive for those findings.

good luck to you
 

DianneL

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Extra vacations

Another clue as to a weak or strong trader would be to look at the RCI website under Extra Vacations. If the week you are considering appears on Extra Vacations a lot for a cheaper price, that would say to me that this week possibly doesn't trade well. And, I would be skeptical of a week that is constantly on Last Call for a really cheap price. I realize there are some exceptions to this, one being the airfare costs now to get to some of the resorts that require flying.
 

mdurette

Sighting Expert & TUG Review Crew: Expert
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Still new at this....but couldn't the person ask on this board if anyone owned that resort and had that person tell him how well it typically trades?
 

ph48

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Thanks

Thanks for the thoughtful replies. I'm looking at a 1/8 ownership so I would have 6.5 weeks to rent, use, and trade. I will look into the various suggestions everyone offered. Only 1 current review on TUG and that person gave it an 8 but also commented that weeks do not seem to be deposited with RCI that often.

They will always be there and the more I read the more I wonder if there is better value elsewhere.

I very much appreciate this website!
 

sandkastle4966

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Are you looking for a trader or a place to use? 6 weeks is a LOT of weeks of an unknown....plus as I understand these - you are not going to get 6 prime season - but would be getting some prime plus low.....the low is most likely going to be a poor trader.

Lake superior does not strike me as a prime trader - having spent a lot of years on this board - I've never heard of a northern lake property as one that is "finding the sightings......".

You may want to consider finding 1 quality week as a start rather than jumping in with 6+ weeks.
 

sandkastle4966

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ratings caution....

the ratings do not reflect the trading power of the resort....it is only about the experience at the resort.....there very nice, 8+ resorts in Orlando - but trade quite poorly...
 
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