SDO acquired-questions

[GreenThumb]

Hello, I've been around here for a bit, learning, figuring the ropes out as best I could. We rented a TS from our neighbors last year for MF fees, and realized that we liked it. It sounded like a couple options would work for our family, in California or Arizona. We ended up liking the availability, MFs and potential for trading at a couple places. So we waited for one of our preferred places to come up on EBay for a low price.

After much watching and waiting, we bid a buck on an SDO 1-bdrm/annual 1-52 float (CJ timeshares - my cost $300).

So, we won a not-quite-free SDO 1 bd larger side, annual use. I don't mind paying the extra MFs for the larger side, as we will probably use this 1/2 the time and seek to trade the other 1/2. We will want the bigger side when we go there.

I'm happy with it, though wonder a bit about the SoCal options (eg: GPP or Welk) that we decided not to try for due to higher MFs, location. We think the Scottsdale spot will appeal more to us, in the end.

I've read the articles here, but I still don't really get all of it. Would love to know more about tricks for using it well, trading it. I'm concerned about relying on the advice of the customer service people since it sounds like they vary a lot in what they know. I think I'm supposed to deposit a week at the earliest in the window. Then, can use it for on-going trade requests?

Also, if we wanted to try to trade for something on the islands (HI) or internationally, maybe in every 3rd to 5th year.... I know that it might be hard to win those trades; how do we improve our chances of getting something? I work in a school, so timing is a problem. We are flexible about exactly where, or sizes of units.

Finally, idiot question I know, How do a open my account with II or RCI? Just call them up and pay?

 

[DeniseM]

Hi and congrats on your ownership! -

I moved your post to the Starwood forum - that's the best place for all Starwood questions. At the top of this forum, there is a II and Starwood FAQ that will introduce you to exchanging with II. Check it out and then let us know what questions you have. I also recommend that you read the Starwood FAQ (a different article at the top of this forum) for more info. about how the Starwood system works.

The main advantage of buying a Starwood trader is for Starwood to Starwood trades, because you have priority for those trades through II. (ALL Starwood owners have first dibs on Starwood exchanges.) You do not have that priority with RCI, and most Starwood resorts are NOT with RCI, so you probably want to deposit it with II. RCI has gone to a points system - a 1 bdm. deposited with RCI won't get you many points, and RCI is not the best exchange company for Hawaii anyway, since Marriott and Starwood are not with RCI in Hawaii.

 

[Rent_Share]

So, we won a not-quite-free SDO 1 bd larger side, annual use. I don't mind paying the extra MFs for the larger side, as we will probably use this 1/2 the time and seek to trade the other 1/2. We will want the bigger side when we go there.

You bought a 1 Bedroom not a 2 Bedroom lock off so there is no splitting of the unit

 

[Sloane S]

You bought a 1 Bedroom not a 2 Bedroom lock off so there is no splitting of the unit

I don't think he's talking about splitting the unit, but rather splitting the use from year-to-year between staying in it and trading it.

 

[GreenThumb]

Not splitting, correct

Yup, we know it isnt an lo with the option of splitting the unit. We decided that we can't use that much vacation time cinsistently, so starting with a single week of a one bedrm works for us. If we do want a second week, we are thinking of balancing this with something in a city or in the mountains.

Thanks denise too for your info. And moving my post to a better home. I was wondering if rci would work for us, but seems like probably not. And, i see lots of posts aboutg the point systme and the confusion / frustration caused, which worried me. I do like the starwood resort locations so i hope that we'll be able to take Advantage of that... Scottsdale sure sounds like a nice place for us in spring, though. We like to dry out about then. We have wet winters here.

I'm typing from someone elses ipad so my typos may be bad tonight, sorry!

 

[Sloane S]

While you can exchange it with RCI, you will. Get much better results with the Starwood pref in II.