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[merged-RCI Bk.] No European Resorts or Even MAPS??? - New 2009 RCI Weeks Directory

W

Wonka

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OK, I'll admit I haven't been paying much attention to RCI and what's going on with them recently. Today, I received an RCI book of resorts. It's labeled "The Ultimate Vacation Guide" for RCI weeks subscribing members. It's 244 pages. Earlier books I've received were about twice the thickness...what's going on?
 
Got mine today also. I did notice they got rid of the little demand bar that was in all the resort descriptions, that's now on the main section page.

I just glanced at a few sections, didn't drop any resorts in those areas.
 
I also just got mine yesterday and was soooo disappointed in its size. However, as I leafed through it, I discovered that it only contained the resorts on this side of the globe. International destinations are to be found at RCI.com. It made me feel better to figure this out, I thought they had dropped resorts.
 
Unbelieveably small. don't throw away your old editions.
 
rapmarks said:
Unbelieveably small. don't throw away your old editions.
Click to expand...
I was so upset the other day because my old one must have gone into the recycling bag. I don't like using the online directory very much. I have not gotten the new one.
 
I thought it was a magazine, not a catalogue...
Connie
 
Has # resorts available decreased?

Is everyone saying the volume of resorts for weeks owners hasn't decreased? Is there a different exchange book for points owners?
 
There seemed to be more resorts moved to the section at the rear of each area for limited availability. They take up less space since you don't have details.
 
I was distraught. I look forward to getting that RCI catalog like I used to anticipate the Sears Wish Book when I was was a kid. It was like having Christmas cut in half. Oh well, my 401(k) is down almost that much too....:hysterical:
 
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I was disappointed too. They get smaller and less informative each new edition. I still hold on to my 2000-2001 wish book, and refer to the newer ones for updated phone numbers, new resorts, etc.
What a let-down!

Dori
 
Wonka said:
Is everyone saying the volume of resorts for weeks owners hasn't decreased? Is there a different exchange book for points owners?
Click to expand...


Yes it has points resorts for an area, then lists all the weeks resorts for that same area just after it.

In the last version the points resorts spaces were bigger (6 per page) and the weeks resort spaces were smaller (8 per page).
 
I used to use it but now use the online edition mostly.
I suspect that is what RCI's market research showed for most so they shrunk it
What the heck that is the "Greener" Solution it saves paper and a tree. :clap:
 
rapmarks said:
Unbelieveably small. don't throw away your old editions.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. I have kept the last three since it has less resorts every year and now it only includes USA, Canada, Mexico and Caribbean. I also have an old european addition that I have kept for the great information and pictures listed that we can no longer see unless you check the on line directory.:hi: :shrug:
 
I got mine yesteday. I noticed that some caribbean resorts are not listed even though they are still online. Two that are always available online are listed under limited availability. Go figure!!!

Suzanne
 
I'd be shook up too if I had ever looked at last year's book after the day I received it. I'll keep last year's book for another year just in case. ;)
 
I don't like the new format.
Some resorts like the Royal Mayan Cancun are no longer listed even in the limited availability section. They do however show Royal Mayan on the Map.
Being greener is all fine and good.
I'M getting a little tired of companies claiming they are being greener when what they are really doing is cutting Service level for customers and reducing their costs.
 
Lots of resorts that formerly were featured with photo and descriptions are now listed in fine print under "Limited Availability". Hey, at least RCI is admitting that affiliated resorts have limited availability to members/exchangers. After all, RCI wants to provide ample supply to their rental outlets and other sectors where they can maximum their profit.
 
One good thing came from it. Thanks to the thinner paper, more resorts per page and fewer resorts pictured, I will take this book with me when I go to Vacation Village at Weston this March, to share with family. The other books were too big and heavy to drag along.

I thought I would be angrier than I am, but everybody is going online nowadays, so I don't blame them for making the book so small. Oh yes, one other thing -- I didn't renew my membership, so the last thing they did for me was mail that book. ;)
 
[merged] No European Resorts or Even MAPS??? - New 2009 RCI Weeks Directory in Print

We just received our new "2009 Directory of Affiliated Resorts | RCI Weeks." It's down from 404 pages to just 244, only the thickness of a typical magazine. And here's why...

It now ONLY includes affiliated locations in Canada, the U.S.A., Mexico and the Caribbean. :(

There is ONE two-page spread that mentions the existance of affiliated resorts ("see RCI.com") in Central & South America, Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia, Australia... but NO MAPS, no line item listings, nothing about them in the alphabetical listings at the back. I miss the maps... it was what made it a wish book for considering a future tour of Europe. :rolleyes:

I realize most things are going paperless and cost-saving, greener efforts are a good thing. But we actually pull out our print directory whenever we're planning to travel with friends and we want to discuss options with them over coffee or dinner. So we do make good use of our print directory. Gathering 6 or more people around a laptop isn't quite the same (sloooow) and it's not even an option if there's no wireless wherever we are.
 
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I noticed that myself and definitely agree. Just last night we were talking about possibly Spain next year and dahhhhh......where do I look? Off to the computer except internet service was down!!
 
I wonder if developer timeshare salepeople will be showing this skinny-minnie version to their potential "victims" during a sales presentation. One of the main reasons clueless people decide to purchase a timeshare at the inflated developer price is the implied "promise" that owners will be able to exchange into great resorts world-wide. Showing this shrunken RCI book will not have the same impact. Maybe that's a good thing.
 
Jennie said:
I wonder if developer timeshare salepeople will be showing this skinny-minnie version to their potential "victims" during a sales presentation. One of the main reasons clueless people decide to purchase a timeshare at the inflated developer price is the implied "promise" that owners will be able to exchange into great resorts world-wide. Showing this shrunken RCI book will not have the same impact. Maybe that's a good thing.
Click to expand...

LOL, Jennie, that is what got our interest! Not from a developer, but from another couple at the resort where we were staying. They showed us this very thick book and said we could exchange everywhere in the world...not sure they were that savvy themselves at the time.

They had the best location on the property compared to our hotel-like unit. So that sunk in, and then I found out a friend was exchanging low-cost resales for great vacations. Bingo.
 
So That's Why The Timeshare Sellers Keep Using The Worn-Out R. C. I. Books.

Jennie said:
I wonder if developer timeshare salepeople will be showing this skinny-minnie version to their potential "victims" during a sales presentation. One of the main reasons clueless people decide to purchase a timeshare at the inflated developer price is the implied "promise" that owners will be able to exchange into great resorts world-wide. Showing this shrunken RCI book will not have the same impact. Maybe that's a good thing.
Click to expand...
At the most recent timeshare sales presentations we've attended (Virginia, Florida), the RCI books were dog-eared & well worn. But the worn books were also world-wide, creating the impression that RCI timeshare owners can trade into "like" resorts anywhere any time.

I imagine the timeshare sellers will stick with the old books till the bindings fall apart rather than switching to the new skinny-minny versions.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​
 
The smart developers will then demand that RCI provide them with the European and Pacific editions of the directory as well. Three books to show should be impressive.

Being ''green'' is an excuse to stick it to the average Joe these days, whether it is RCI skimping on their directory or the UK socking air travellers with a massive ''save the planet'' air ticket tax. It makes me want to puke when I hear it. It is like an airline announcing ''enhancements'' and customers know they are going to be hosed.
 
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