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How to buy best value now!

You cannot compare what you see in II with what you can see in RCI. They are two completely different systems, and I guarantee that II keeps almost all of its inventory hidden from view, especially in highly desired areas. That is why you see only last-minute stuff in II for Hawaii, even though you can probably see Marriotts further out (with your Marriott preference period).

RCI doesn't seem to hide inventory. I could be wrong, but I have never had a guide at RCI say, "I see what you are looking for right here, do you want to take it?...........", but II has said that to me several times in 27 years. I have also put in a request for Hawaii and had them call me with several options a few hours later.

Brian is right, it could be that Orlando is overbuilt, too. I wouldn't buy an Orlando week for that reason, unless I planned to use it every year myself. I just love to trade into Cypress Harbour, and I do it for far less than your maintenance fees because I get a bonus week for my deposted week from II.
 
Setting your open hostility aside, and despite my attempt to put logic to what those with more experience are saying isn't real, maybe you're on to something. I guess it's time for me to go check out those dollar deals on eBay!

Dave
 
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Location, Location, Location

In the same way that not all U.S. Gold Crown or 5 stars timeshares have the same trading power, not all SA timeshares are the same either.

The trading power, among other parameters, is determined by resort location and the supply and demand for the specific resort. I'm very happy with mine and obviously many owners are very happy too..

Despite general comments that you can buy what I have for $1 on ebay, this is not the case. Otherwise I'll obviously buy more!

Your accommodation can make or break your vacation. Not only is the resort location important. The unit location that you get as a trade is vital. So if you get a unit near the ice maker facing the alley, your vacation experience will be totally different than if you always get the ocean front villa!

The California company (13 years in business) is contacting the resorts directly before your check-in date for a free upgrade to ensure best unit location. I find this service priceless.
 
Lazarescu said:
The California company (13 years in business) is contacting the resorts directly before your check-in date for a free upgrade to ensure best unit location. I find this service priceless.
Click to expand...

Frankly, I don't believe this.

Resorts don't guarantee locations or upgrades on exchanges, and they certainly don't communicate through 3rd party companies.

What possible motive would a resort have for giving the clients of this company (which you are obviously promoting) an advantage over other exchangers???

If it seems too good to be true....
 
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I don't believe it either, but he does have a point in stating the accomodation/unit and it's importance. Some units frankly are much better than others, and can be a huge improvement in the quality of your vacation. I'd like to see a forum category dedicated to the discussion of this actually.
 
jdetar said:
I don't believe it either, but he does have a point in stating the accomodation/unit and it's importance. Some units frankly are much better than others, and can be a huge improvement in the quality of your vacation. I'd like to see a forum category dedicated to the discussion of this actually.
Click to expand...

We have a comprehesive reviews section dedicated to this topic. Click on TUG Resort Databases in the red bar at the top of the page.
 
If there is an ice maker in the hallway, I'm pretty sure I'm not in a timeshare.

I also don't believe some company can weasel My Resort out of My Unit for My Week.
 
jdetar said:
The hostility is only frustration because so many people are too quick to put down SA. You can get plenty of top notch places, not just dog's. And as far as logic? It's real simple, we all have the same goals in mind:

1) Cheapest upfront cost
2) Cheapest MF
3) Highest trading power

I mean this in all honesty, I would love to see someone show me anything that can beat SA in 2 of those 3, let alone all 3. If so, then point me in the direction to buying it. My goal here like everyone else is knowledge, and timesharing to the best of my ability.

No offense to anyone here, but sometimes being seasoned in something can be blinding to change as well.
Click to expand...

jdetar,
Those who own/owned SA used to say 'SHHH' to this kinda stuff on public forums so as to minimize the backlash higher-priced TS owners gave RCI which later reduced trade power for SA. LOL, just so you know some history. Owners used to get 'very interesting feedback' and decided it was best to let people believe what they want and go about their merry ways with less competition. What's that old saying? "Don't bite off your nose to spite yourself." ??
 
And there's my "newbieness" messing me up again. oops. :)
 
No problem. Actually, I did a search on that old saying--just curious where the heck it originated, and found many versions. No mind, you obviously understood what I was saying and that's all that matters. :)

Hang loose, check the past posts, hang out on the SA forum, though it's been pretty quiet lately, but maybe you can liven it up. As always, it's not an investment, it's a hobby which has good and bad returns. Hmmm, kinda reminds me of gambling and the stock market.
 
Ho hum -- nothing new here.

People started posting here about what a good deal SA timeshares were TEN years ago in 1998. There was so much talk that eventually SA got its own separate forum, which it still has today.

Some of the initial early chatter was preserved here in our Advice section. Note that these posts are from our original home-brew bulletin board, which only showed you one message at a time. Also, the links at the the bottom of the individual message pages no longer work, so you'll have to return to the message-list page to go to another message.
 
Seeing is Believing

DeniseM said:
Frankly, I don't believe this.

Resorts don't guarantee locations or upgrades on exchanges, and they certainly don't communicate through 3rd party companies.

What possible motive would a resort have for giving the clients of this company (which you are obviously promoting) an advantage over other exchangers???

If it seems too good to be true....
Click to expand...

For all the skeptics, I can email the upgrades with the resorts confirmation and the communication with the 3rd party.

It's not as difficult as it may sound. All the resorts are doing is matching the number of the guests to the number of units available. Most of the units allocations are done by the resort and not by the exchange company.

The resorts want to keep good relationship with the vacation company. It does not cost them more to allocate a better unit to a certain person.

Obviously, as an individual you have no pull, but if a company with influence is doing for you, it can make a big difference to your vacation experience.

Seeing is believing...
 
geekette said:
If there is an ice maker in the hallway, I'm pretty sure I'm not in a timeshare.

I also don't believe some company can weasel My Resort out of My Unit for My Week.
Click to expand...


The Grand Mayan - a Gold Crown Resort, like many other resorts do have ice makers!

Obviously, no company can get your week unless you have released it to a vacation exchange company like RCI or II.

However, since most people don't like to vacation every year and for the rest of their life in the same location, there is no need for anyone to "weasel" your week.. Remember that many resorts have hundreds of units so there are hundreds of weeks available at any given time.

BTW, according to RCI market research, more than 90% of timeshare buyers state the main reason for purchasing is because they want to vacation at other locations.
 
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