First exchange!

[dr.debs]

I just completed my first II exchange. My SDO just recorded, and SVN sent me my number. When I called I could only convince them to deposit shoulder season for me as it was so late in the year. I locked off, and exchanged the studio for a 2br at Eagle crest in central Oregon for MLK week to ski! I am quite pleased. It took a little patience as initially the week wasn't seeing much. I checked daily as recommended by many tuggers and a bunch of weeks finally appeared. Thanks Tug! Now I hope to find a Maui week in Oct 2009.

 

[Egret1986]

Daily checks have worked for me over the years!

It took a little patience as initially the week wasn't seeing much. I checked daily as recommended by many tuggers and a bunch of weeks finally appeared. Thanks Tug! Now I hope to find a Maui week in Oct 2009.

I think patience can be a key factor. I've owned a blue week for over 20 years and never felt I "settled" on exchanges with it. With patience, things have always shown up at some point and I have been to many great places during high season. Congratulations!!!!! How exciting!!!

 

[summervaca]

Getting a great exchange is so much fun isn't it? I don't enjoy gambling like slots etc. but exhanging or making a great reservation feels like it to me:whoopie:

Have a great time!

 

[Steamboat Bill]

Congrats...have a great time

 

[freewheelin01]

I just did my first II exchanges this week too! Just got all my confirmations - we are having a big family vacation in the Poconos next April! This is so much fun! Timesharing is great & thanks to all you tuggers who have helped get me initiated into all this! :whoopie:

 

[yumdrey]

Congrats!
I started first II exchange 2 months ago, and already made 7 exchanges
Enjoy your travel!

 

[mamadot]

Thanks all for sharing your successful trades. It's so nice when you see folks actually knowing how to enjoy/trade their t/s. I know so many friends that just can not get the hang of it.

Enjoy!

 

[maddaug]

Well I'll join the rest and say we just got our exchange. We will be traveling to Key West and we feel pretty fortunate to have gotten an exchange so fast give we only requesting 7 months out.

 

[Denise L]

Congratulations on your successful exchange :whoopie: !

You are ahead of me! I have two weeks to exchange by January 7, and I don't know what I am going to do with them. I did try a "sample" exchange to see what would happen, and then I cancelled it within 24 hours to see how that process worked. I am working my way up to actually grabbing an exchange . In the meantime, I have some longshot ongoing requests going while I use my weeks to practice searching.

 

[Egret1986]

Wow, over 2100 posts! This is your first time attempting to exchange, Denise L?

Congratulations on your successful exchange :whoopie: !

You are ahead of me! I have two weeks to exchange by January 7, and I don't know what I am going to do with them. I did try a "sample" exchange to see what would happen, and then I cancelled it within 24 hours to see how that process worked. I am working my way up to actually grabbing an exchange . In the meantime, I have some longshot ongoing requests going while I use my weeks to practice searching.

Have you always gone to the timeshares you own for vacations? Or did I misunderstand your post? Sorry, I just found it unusual to see someone with so many posts talking about seeing how the process works and using weeks to practice searching. Just curious. Have fun searching. I'm thrilled to get exchanges I want; however, I miss the opportunity to look at availabilities when I don't have any more deposits to search with. My RCI Points account is different. I can still search even though I don't have any points left right now. Some might think why look if you can't potentially get an exchange, but I just like seeing what is out there and saying, wow, look at that.

P.S. Regarding my earlier post, about being patient....I just got what I consider a great exchange. I, unfortunately, deposited my week very, very last minute a little over a month ago after not being able to rent it out. It was a 3BR summer Hilton Head week. I was searching many areas with flexible timeframes, though no off-season times. I was basically only seeing studios and one bedrooms, which was really disappointing though not really unexpected due to the very late deposit. However, tonight a 3BR July week in Hilton Head at Port O'Call showed up. The unit couldn't have been better if I picked it myself, with lagoons on two sides of the cottage and one of the closest to the beach access. I'm thrilled. Patience has always paid off for me with RCI over the last 24 years. I never have felt I settled for something just to make an exchange with a week.

 

[Denise L]

Have you always gone to the timeshares you own for vacations? Or did I misunderstand your post? Sorry, I just found it unusual to see someone with so many posts talking about seeing how the process works and using weeks to practice searching. Just curious. Have fun searching.

Yes, you read my post correctly . We have always believed in the "buy where you want to go" mantra, so we've done that for the past five years and always use our weeks without trading. This year, I decided to dabble in exchanging, so bought my first two "traders," and am just now testing the waters with my toes :whoopie: . I knew nothing about II before, so am learning from reading posts and asking the experts on the boards . I don't know if I am up for the challenge, but I thought I had to try to find out what all the excitement was about!

 

[dr.debs]

Yes, you read my post correctly . We have always believed in the "buy where you want to go" mantra, so we've done that for the past five years and always use our weeks without trading. This year, I decided to dabble in exchanging, so bought my first two "traders," and am just now testing the waters with my toes :whoopie: . I knew nothing about II before, so am learning from reading posts and asking the experts on the boards . I don't know if I am up for the challenge, but I thought I had to try to find out what all the excitement was about!

Denise- What traders did you buy?

 

[Denise L]

Denise- What traders did you buy?

We bought two Sheraton Desert Oasis EOYs!

 

[Egret1986]

Have fun, Denise!

With all your knowledge gained here at TUG, you're ahead of the game already. I love the challenge of the search and then the triumph of the score!!! Just looking at the possibilities is fun!!

 

[dr.debs]

I have an SDO EOY as well. I am thinking of getting another trader. I am a little reluctant to get another Westin property as a trader given their reluctance to deposit the week reserved into II. I might get another Marriott property so I can reserve at 13 weeks. I also have a MCV EOY but plan on using that. Having another Marriott would allow me to reserve spring break week EOY at MCV.

 

[Denise L]

With all your knowledge gained here at TUG, you're ahead of the game already. I love the challenge of the search and then the triumph of the score!!! Just looking at the possibilities is fun!!

Looking *is* fun, and then it makes me wish that we could travel on a moment's notice .

I've learned so much on TUG, but have barely skimmed the top of the exchanging barrel. There is a lot for me to learn!

 

[Egret1986]

You're right! Those last minute exchanges...

....wow. I'd be on the go alot with those if I had the flexibility and money! That's where some of the really incredible stuff is at. Huge units and awesome locations!