Got A "crummy" Week For An Exchange

[gnipgnop]

I am so upset with Starwood! I have a two (2) BR at SBP ~ floating week ~ Gold + season. I paid my MF for 2011 and told them I wanted to deposit this week into RCI (just like I do every year). When I checked with RCI I noticed that Starwood gave me week Feb. 26th week. Come on......this is a beach resort, my deed has week 17 on it which is last week of April. When I questioned this I was told that at the time when I paid my MF that was the best week available. What kind of a scam is that???? If I was to get such a crummy week I wonder why they never mentioned it??? I am getting so disappointed with there system.....I feel like telling them to stick it!

 

[sb2313]

Call back and complain. They did that to me with sdo, and after calling back and talking to a RCI deposit specialist, I was able to get week 51 deposited into my rci account(which was the week I had reserved first before banking). I am able to see dvc with that week, so I was happy. It should be the same for sbp, starwood has previously bulk banked weeks with rci and you get one of those weeks that they select.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Withdraw the week immediately and reserve a summer week to rent is one idea you can do. Too bad you paid your MF's, because I understand you don't have to pay the current fees to hold a week for next year for yourself. Is that true, or am I making things up?

That must be week 9 that they gave you for deposit, so it would be the first week in the Gold Plus season.

You need to tell RCI that if you cannot deposit a summer week (better for them), you won't be depositing any SBP in the future, so if they want your summer weeks, they need to accept the weeks you deposit, then reserve a June 2011 week and try to deposit that one. But if RCI refuses the deposit, be sure you have a good week to rent.

 

[Captron]

The people you talk to have no ides what week will be deposited and I believe you got a standard response. However, you are depositing early and later 2011 weeks may not be deposited yet.

My suggestion would be this. Call SVO and go through your case again with the first line agent. WHEN (if) they do not satisfy you, ask to talk to "resolution services" and explain your case to them. These people have direct access to all the weeks deposited with RCI and may be able to swap your week with another to give you better trading power. No guarantees this will work but if you are calm, reasonable and nice to the people you deal with you may benefit.

The unfortunate issue is that what happened is totally within the new guidelines. You are entitled to a week "within your use season" for deposit only, not your deeded week. This is one of the hazards of owning a floating product.

 

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

I don't think the OP is saying this is RCI's issue. They don't choose the week to be deposited. That is a Starwood issue, so you need to talk to Starwood about it. I don't think what it says on your deed has any relevance to what week is deposited, that is just a holding place. Can you tell Starwood what week you want to reserve and then have them deposit that week?
Liz

 

[Captron]

Withdraw the week immediately.

I would only say good luck with that one. They very clearly tell you that this is a final transaction when you deposit. I know it has been done in the past, but it is a very rare occurrence.

You need to tell RCI that if you cannot deposit a summer week (better for them), you won't be depositing any SBP in the future, so if they want your summer weeks, they need to accept the weeks you deposit, then reserve a June 2011 week and try to deposit that one.

It has been very clearly established recently that RCI can and will not accept direct deposits from members. You can only try to arrange to be assigned a better week from what is available from the bulk deposits.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Captron, I have done it at least ten times in the last 3 years, so it is possible to withdraw a very recent deposit. I withdrew deposits that I had in the system for several months (they gave me replacement weeks).

 

[jarta]

gnipgnop, ... You gave back a week 17; Starwood deposited a week 9. Both are Gold+ weeks at SBP.

If both have the same assigned trading internal value in/by II or RCI, you broke even. If they don't, you lost. Do you know what the trading value assigned by II or RCI to a week 9 is as opposed to a week 17 at SBP? If both are Gold+, maybe they have the same internal II or RCI value.

BTW, both have the same Staroption value. If II or RCI assigns its internal value based upon Staroption value, you broke even. Again, do you (or anyone) know how II or RCI assigns the internal II or RCI trading value for SBP? ... eom

 

[rickandcindy23]

Week 17 would have better trading power, by far, than week 9. Week 9 is the lowest in the season. Why assign someone the LOWEST week, when there are probably better weeks on deposit to assign.

Ask for a week 17 or something around spring break. Maybe Starwood can assign you a different week.

 

[gnipgnop]

I'm not sure if I understand what exactly you mean by withdrawaling the week and reserving a summer week. Do I call Starwood to do this ~ or do I call RCI.

Here's my problem, and I think I'm too late to take any action. I paid my MF in early May, 2010 for 2011. I was hoping by doing this early it would better my chances to get an exchange week in Hawaii for our 50th wedding anniversary ~ Deposit early! Yeah - right! So, I deposited my week from Starwood (Feb.26) in early May, 2010. However I never knew they gave me that crummy week until I put my search on and saw it. I guess it's too late to do anything about it now.

Cindy: I just read your last post. Could you please tell me how you were able to get a different week from Starwood? I will do whatever it takes. Thanks, Mary

 

[Captron]

gnipgnop, ... You gave back a week 17; Starwood deposited a week 9. Both are Gold+ weeks at SBP.

If both have the same assigned trading internal value in/by II or RCI, you broke even. If they don't, you lost. Do you know what the trading value assigned by II or RCI to a week 9 is as opposed to a week 17 at SBP? If both are Gold+, maybe they have the same internal II or RCI value.

BTW, both have the same Staroption value. If II or RCI assigns its internal value based upon Staroption value, you broke even. Again, do you (or anyone) know how II or RCI assigns the internal II or RCI trading value for SBP? ... eom

Jarta,

Both weeks, being in the same season, would be assigned the same trading power if assigned in II under the new arrangements as you receive the "season average" trading power. With RCI they still pick an actual week from the bulk deposits and you receive the trading power of that week. The trading power varies greatly within the seasons. For example a 1-52 season week at SDO could be assigned a spring or spring training week or a summer week in Scottsdale. Your trading power would vary greatly between the two. (and that is an UNDERSTATEMENT!)

Weeks get their trading power based on week demand (with all other factors - size, view [if applicable], how far advance it is deposited, etc - being equal). Week 17 would have far higher demand than week 9. SO value has no effect except as it correlates with season/demand.

I know you do not use the external exchange systems so this is a very brief primer related to your questions.

 

[Captron]

I'm not sure if I understand what exactly you mean by withdrawaling the week and reserving a summer week. Do I call Starwood to do this ~ or do I call RCI.

Here's my problem, and I think I'm too late to take any action. I paid my MF in early May, 2010 for 2011. I was hoping by doing this early it would better my chances to get an exchange week in Hawaii for our 50th wedding anniversary ~ Deposit early! Yeah - right! So, I deposited my week from Starwood (Feb.26) in early May, 2010. However I never knew they gave me that crummy week until I put my search on and saw it. I guess it's too late to do anything about it now.

There is a good chance that week has already been assigned to another RCI member in exchange. That would make it very difficult to withdraw anything, although they may give you a replacement week.

I think that R&C experience is certainly the exception. I know of many cases where people have tried to withdraw weeks and only a few have been successful in doing so and only after escalating the case in RCI. Within II it is easy to withdraw a week. That is standard practice and a selling point made by SVO with the changes to the new trading system. Theoretically, you can withdraw your week from II in December and and use SO to book at a resort within the system (if there are any you would like available). The reverse is also possible, and even promoted with the new trading system, you could cancel a SO reservation in December and deposit a week with II with NO impact on trading power since all weeks are assigned the "season average" regardless of when they are deposited.

I would certainly talk with resolution services and see if they have a better week on deposit that could be reassigned to you. Like I said above, you have to request to be transferred to resolution services from the front line service people. I believe this would be your best course right now, and the one most likely to have an outcome in your favor. Please let us know how it goes.

 

[gnipgnop]

CAPTRON: I will do as you suggest and let you know what happens. I will be calm and very courtious as I make this request. Thank you for your help. Keep your fingers crossed for me PLEASE!

 

[scrapngen]

CAPTRON: I will do as you suggest and let you know what happens. I will be calm and very courtious as I make this request. Thank you for your help. Keep your fingers crossed for me PLEASE!

Take deep calming breaths before dialing. While talking, smile at the phone as if it is the person. Your voice will come across warmer - really!!

And best of luck!!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Cindy: I just read your last post. Could you please tell me how you were able to get a different week from Starwood? I will do whatever it takes. Thanks, Mary

I didn't do it, but another TUG member did. It was in another thread, but I cannot find it. They called Starwood and told them they were very unhappy with the trading power of the assigned week, and Starwood assigned a different deposited week to them. It might work for you.

 

[Captron]

I didn't do it, but another TUG member did. It was in another thread, but I cannot find it. They called Starwood and told them they were very unhappy with the trading power of the assigned week, and Starwood assigned a different deposited week to them. It might work for you.

I was one of the people that had an assigned week in RCI changed. There have been at least a few. To my knowledge they have all been done via resolution services as I outlined above.

Last year I had a SDO lockout deposited as two 1 BR week 51 units. I just had my 2011 SDO lockout deposited as two 1BR week 16 units. (I couldn't get March weeks I was trying for but the April weeks have already done very well for me as posted previously in the thread entitled "Why not deposit your SBP or SDO into RCI?" found here. ( http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123027 )

 

[esk444]

I didn't do it, but another TUG member did. It was in another thread, but I cannot find it. They called Starwood and told them they were very unhappy with the trading power of the assigned week, and Starwood assigned a different deposited week to them. It might work for you.

Not for RCI, but for II I asked for a different deposit under the old rules three separate times. Each time they gave me the absolutely worst "platinum" weeks initially. For example, I always seemed to get SBP week 47, even though I don't own SBP. (I didn't know back then they aren't supposed to do this). The trading power was always awful. For example, I could only trade into a small 1BR for Kierland off-season with the large 1BR at SBP.

The first agent always said they couldn't do anything about it, transfered me to a supervisor or someone else (one time it was a 5 star representative, though I'm not 5 star). They would call the banking dept. or transfer me to them and I would explain that they gave me the absolutely worst possible week for trade. I told them since I was depositing 12 months in advanced, I shouldn't get the absolutely worst weeks possible for a Platinum week.

Each time they relented and gave my a different week (though nothing spectacular) like early December in Kierland or late April ski week at Mountain Vista. The weeks changed in my account in a few minutes.

 

[rickandcindy23]

esk444, have you done anything for 2011? Now all weeks in II are supposed to be designated as Gold Plus, or One Season (SDO), so you should be able to see the same availability as anyone else with a week in that same season. I guess there will be no assigned week....

I plan to rent all of our weeks for 2011, and I am hoping SBP gets a new management company by 2012. I would love to get VRI, SPM, or some other management company that will work WITH owners, and not AGAINST owners.

 

[Captron]

Not for RCI, but for II I asked for a different deposit under the old rules three separate times. Each time they gave me the absolutely worst "platinum" weeks initially. For example, I always seemed to get SBP week 47, even though I don't own SBP. (I didn't know back then they aren't supposed to do this). The trading power was always awful. For example, I could only trade into a small 1BR for Kierland off-season with the large 1BR at SBP.

The first agent always said they couldn't do anything about it, transfered me to a supervisor or someone else (one time it was a 5 star representative, though I'm not 5 star). They would call the banking dept. or transfer me to them and I would explain that they gave me the absolutely worst possible week for trade. I told them since I was depositing 12 months in advanced, I shouldn't get the absolutely worst weeks possible for a Platinum week.

Each time they relented and gave my a different week (though nothing spectacular) like early December in Kierland or late April ski week at Mountain Vista. The weeks changed in my account in a few minutes.

Within SVN under the old rules they could assign you an "equivalent" week from any resort. That is stated within the SVN rules. If you are not in SVN someone likely did this assuming you were in SVN or they applied SVN rules in error.

As stated in a previous post, the new rules with II are very different from the old rules. Pulling weeks back is easy, if not encouraged. The RCI rules are very similar to the old II rules for this situation. I would suspect that it may have been SVO resolution services that made the changes for you. They have direct access to the weeks on deposit. I was told the actual deposit department people do not have any direct contact with customers.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I think that R&C experience is certainly the exception. I know of many cases where people have tried to withdraw weeks and only a few have been successful in doing so and only after escalating the case in RCI.

Perhaps, but I don't think it would be hard to get SBP back, since RCI has lots of listings. It's really all about complaining to everyone, until they get sick of you. I just looked (all of my traders are mediocre to poor) and saw enough decent weeks they could have given to her.

I had to talk to the resort's manager to get my three summer Foxrun weeks back from RCI last year. She talked to the local RCI rep, and he made it happen. This is all about being "in the know." All areas have their own RCI reps that deal directly with the resorts and live in that area. These people are your allies for arguing your case with RCI.

 

[BillandSusan]

I had the same thing happen

I paid my MF a year early so I could deposit early hoping to get Hawaii in a trade. I deposited my week 26 and was not only given a crummy week to exchange, but even a different Sheraton resort was deposited. At first they argued with the "same week in season", but I continued to argue back and finally got a week 27 to use as an exchange.

Funny thing tho, that week 27 didn't do anything for me. I could never pull Hawaii so it still sits in II. I was able to use my Wyndham points to snag Hawaii, but I extremely disliked the place. Oh well, maybe Sheraton was trying to do me a favor?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Funny thing tho, that week 27 didn't do anything for me. I could never pull Hawaii so it still sits in II. I was able to use my Wyndham points to snag Hawaii, but I extremely disliked the place. Oh well, maybe Sheraton was trying to do me a favor?

What resort did you get using Wyndham points that you disliked so much?

Did you enter an ongoing search through II, and what island did you request, and what resorts?

 

[Captron]

Perhaps, but I don't think it would be hard to get SBP back, since RCI has lots of listings. It's really all about complaining to everyone, until they get sick of you. I just looked (all of my traders are mediocre to poor) and saw enough decent weeks they could have given to her.

I had to talk to the resort's manager to get my three summer Foxrun weeks back from RCI last year. She talked to the local RCI rep, and he made it happen. This is all about being "in the know." All areas have their own RCI reps that deal directly with the resorts and live in that area. These people are your allies for arguing your case with RCI.

I certainly agree "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". I think most people are told NO by the front line service people and take that as written in stone and give up there.

It sounds that in these cases the escalation to the local RCI rep certainly worked for you. That is awesome! Honestly, Cindy, I am not trying to be argumentative and respect your experience and contributions here immensely. My point is just that I would not count on being able to pull weeks back from deposit as a standard practice. The script when making a deposit is "once this transaction is complete it is a final transaction and can not be reversed". This is also clearly delineated in the RCI rules. If they wanted to strictly apply the rules they could.

Personally, I consider these transactions very carefully and try to consider many permutations of my TS plan before making them. This is how I try to avoid situations when I have to get the rules "bent". I also proactively check the deposit being made before it actually occurs so I can have it changed if necessary. This usually requires escalation to resolution services. The other advantage of dealing directly with RS is that the deposits are available for exchange immediately instead of encountering delays of up to 48 hours reported by some when going the standard route.

The new rules with II certainly add a new flexibility in planning and utilization for users in that system. The advantages are actively promoted by SVO. They do leave out the disadvantages like after pulling something back there will/may not be any DESIRABLE time left in the SVN system or within their season at their resort. I wish they would educate the average owner better and disclose both sides of the transaction. By being here most demonstrate they are not that average owner and you certainly come in several steps above that at least.

Happy Travels!

 

[BillandSusan]

What resort did you get using Wyndham points that you disliked so much?

Did you enter an ongoing search through II, and what island did you request, and what resorts?

We stayed at the Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk. We had a tiny little room with a beautiful view of a parking garage. Absolutely no ocean in site. We couldn't sit on the tiny balcony because we were getting hit with car exhaust from the parking garage. There was a night club on the bottom floor that kept us awake into the early hours of the morning with it's music and then siren's from police arriving to escort people out. We had to walk by the door of that nightclub to get into our elevators. We were constantly dodging drunken people in the hallway. I know none of that is Wyndham's fault, I'm just explaining why I hated it.

We were on one of those trips that was part business and part pleasure. During the business part, we stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village - not in the TS part, the regular hotel. That was a lovely place.

No, I didn't do an ongoing search. I don't think I knew enough to do that at the time. I had always dreamed of a vacation in Hawaii and now after being there, I would never go back.

 

[Captron]

I had always dreamed of a vacation in Hawaii and now after being there, I would never go back.

I felt the same way after staying on Ohau. Then the DW convinced me to go to Kauai and I LOVED it! We have yet to try Maui but it is on the books to do. My understanding is that it is half way between the business of Oahu and the totally laid back (rural) feel of Kauai.

It is all not Waikiki. Possibly consider visiting some other island in the future. If you do not I believe you will miss out. I think any of the SVO resorts (Marriott and others too) would be great, just research a little and ask here to see what may be a best fit for you. With the SVO exchange priority you may do very well.

I am VERY glad I gave it a second chance (off Oahu) an just thought you may too!