Uh - no - using your home week because you couldn't get an exchange is NOT the same thing.
Having to use my home week because I couldn't get an exchange hasn't happened to me yet. Although I would not mind it, since I rent weeks for my personal use in my home resort every year in addition to exchanging my home week.
Everytime I request first, so far, I get what I want. I haven't had to settle.
When I did "deposit first" exchange requests in the past I did have to settle.
I know this runs counter what most exchange companies will say, but it is definately my experience.
Of course, if you don't deposit your week you run the risk of not getting a desirable exchange, but this is the case even if you do deposit your week ahead of a matching exchange. I would hope that having to use your week is better than having a deposit expire.
The other nice thing about "request first" exchange requests is that you can do several requests against the same week in different exchange companies. I use II, RCI, SFX, DAE, and TPI for request first exchanges regularly all at once against the same week. This can't be done if you deposit your week first. Once a match comes through, I then cancel all other requests.