My $0.02 worth...
I think you are right. We are getting tired of being locked into the same unit at the same time of year. The flexibility of venues and their offer that we would get 4 weeks instead of one and 1-4 BR units for the same price sounds attractive. We would be "Platinum" members. They tell us that this gives us special privileges like getting at the top of the list for preferred units.
So your advice, and the advice of others, is to look for something less expensive like your referenced eBay deal.
The deal does sound good, but I don't want buyer's remorse. I'm still open to advice and suggestions.....
With respect, you are being told some "half-truths" ( e.g., 4 weeks instead of 1, 1-4 BR units available for the same "price"). It might matter to you later when you inevitably discover that those "multiple" weeks are often low demand weeks in off-seasons, and / or that it's
never actually "preferred units" being made available to you under your "Platinum" membership, but instead just a better spot in the line of hopefuls, a bit closer to the front of the line than those with "garden variety" memberships, for
whatever units / weeks might become available at any given facility. The units don't get better --- just your place in the line seeking the exact same inventory.
Keep in mind that in the "exchange game", space availability rules all. The fact that you might
want to go to some particular place at some particular time does not
ever necessarily mean that there will be any space availability at that particular time in that particular place --- this year, next year or any other year.
Personally, I think it would be a complete waste of $6k for you to proceed with this "offer". You could give away what you currently own (and in fact might just
have to do so in order find a willing new recipient) and then easily pick up a RCI Points ownership on the resale market for pennies, thereby leaving that $6k in
your bank account instead of putting it in theirs --- and still having RCI Points to use at different times and places
as space is available. Or, just rent and skip
all RCI and maint. fee costs.
Just my personal opinion; you've asked. Not trying to be negative --- just being truthful in offering a
realistic perspective without sales weasel hyperbole and half-truths.
P.S. That impressive RCI catalog simply means that all facilities appearing therein are
affiliated with RCI --- nothing more. Remember the indisputable mantra that "space availability rules all". Space availability is never somehow just magically "created" by those glossy color photos appearing in that catalog. Good luck, whatever you decide.