II question: Deposit first or Request first

[California Craig]

Hi-

I've been lurking for some time now reading as much as I can, but I'm still not clear on the best strategy for timeshare trading through II. What are your opinions on the best strategy for trying to get exactly what we want through II, "deposit first" or "request first"?

Common sense would say that depositing first would increase trading power because in doing so, the TS owner is giving up something and taking on a little risk (i.e., the risk of not getting an acceptable trade back and thus would be relegating to accepting a lesser property than that which he/she gave up). But is that really true? We did a deposit first about 6 months ago, never got our hit, and ended up grabbing something at our home resort. When we caught up with our home resort rep, she told us that "[you] did it all wrong. You should call II, tell them that we have a week 52 at Ko Olina and see what they can do." I tried that, and *presto!* Nothing special happened. They said log on, do a deposit first or a request first. So I'm back where I started.

So to all our experienced fellow BBS colleagues.....what do you suggest? Deposit or request first?

Many thanks in advance!

 

[FlyerBobcat]

also consider AC difference

I'm interested in the replies (so I can continue to learn). But keep in mind also that ACs are not given for "request first" -- in the event that you would qualify for one when doing a "deposit first".

 

[gmarine]

It depends on your individual needs. Request first only provides a travel window from one year before up until the date of your deposit. Deposit first provides a three year window, one year before and two years after.

If you dont plan on using your home resort then definitely deposit first. If you might use the hoem resort if you dont get a match then request first is the way to go.

 

[Phill12]

Since we only use request first my answer is easy of which is best for us.

I couldn't careless about the AC'S.

For many owners like us if you own your timeshare where you love going each year then Request First always best.

We have July fourth week each year in Lake Tahoe so if we think of exchanging then we get what we want or we stay in our unit. No problem if II didn't come through with our choices because we also let them know upfront and they have always had one of our choices of resorts.

PHIL

 

[Dave M]

Common sense would say that depositing first would increase trading power because in doing so, the TS owner is giving up something and taking on a little risk . But is that really true?

Not true, according to II. Also, Craig Urbine, who was an II VP that represented II here at TUG about six years ago, stated that the exchange power for depositing first was equal to doing a request-first. He added, “If all other factors were equal, we would confirm the deposit first request first.”

However, the chances that owners of the same week at the same resort would deposit or do a request-first on the same day and would be requesting an exchange at the same resort for the same week are pretty close to zero. Thus, that tiebreaker ("if all other factors were equal") would almost never come into play.

 

[FlyerBobcat]

Since we only use request first my answer is easy of which is best for us. I couldn't careless about the AC'S.

For many owners like us if you own your timeshare where you love going each year then Request First always best. .....
PHIL

Since the OP posted under the newbies forum, just wanted to link to a recent post from an experienced TUGger that values ACs...