Three-day preference period in II is an obvious myth

[DeniseM]

Fred - thank you! I'm happy to say I stand corrected!

That is great info., how'd you find this out?

Also, with developer weeks, Starwood reserves the right to choose the week deposited, so it has been speculated that Starwood does not routinely deposit high season weeks. So it seems like putting in an on-going request for high season weeks isn't going to be very productive. Of course, if Starwood is finally following their own rules about resale deposits, maybe that's becoming a mute point.

 

[Ken555]

When one considers how low prices are now, combined with Marriott backing off its ROFR for the time being, this may be a real opportunity to buy into Marriott very cheaply, and actually get to own it simply for the trading opportunities otherwise not available at any price.

I think you've eloquently stated exactly what I've been contemplating...

I doubt the resale market will change much in the next year or so, and I'm hoping to pickup a Marriott (or other, non-SVN) week by the end of 2009. There's only this small problem of having enough vacation time...

 

[Ken555]

I think you have that right. II and Starwood probably don't appreciate threads bragging about our trades. The paranoid part of me thinks we should stop bragging. Maybe we should brag via PM's or something. TUG is very public, and we don't have a place to post these things in secrecy.

This is a membership site, yet it doesn't have a member-only area. Perhaps it should.

 

[ciscogizmo1]

HOnestly... I don't think II is smart enough to write code for it to be treated differently for pending request and then, ongoing searches. I've worked enough with II to know they aren't that smart. However, since NOBODY really knows the REAL answer because they don't work for II or Starwood.. I'd just put this on my list of NEGATIVES about Starwood. They practically make it impossible for you to extend your vacation. Such ashame since it could be a really great program.

 

[Transit]

I called the Starwood/II desk on this today and the operator stated that there is NOT a preferance period with Starwood deposits. Not 3 days or any period of time .She said it does not work like Marriott where Mariott units can exclusively see other Mariott units for a certain time period. For me this clears this up but if anyone wants to call themselves or has information different please post.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I called the Starwood/II desk on this today and the operator stated that there is NOT a preferance period with Starwood deposits. Not 3 days or any period of time .She said it does not work like Marriott where Mariott units can exclusively see other Mariott units for a certain time period. For me this clears this up but if anyone wants to call themselves or has information different please post.

We know there is a preference period because Marriott owners cannot see Starwood units, but Starwood owners can. The time is not defined, but it does exist.

This guide just doesn't know, or is not going to divulge any such information.

 

[Transit]

We know there is a preference period because Marriott owners cannot see Starwood units, but Starwood owners can. The time is not defined, but it does exist.

This guide just doesn't know, or is not going to divulge any such information.

Starwood and II both deny this .? Mariott promots it ?

 

[Kimberly614]

We know there is a preference period. Right now, there are several Westins online that only Starwood owners can see. The only question is how exactly it works.

 

[DeniseM]

Starwood and II both deny this .? Mariott promots it ?

Marriott does not have an internal exchange program like Starwood does, so using an external exchange company is the only way for Marriott owners to exchange. Therefore Marriott promotes it's special relationship with II as one of the perks of ownership.

Starwood would prefer that owners deposit their weeks into the SVN, so they have no reason to promote II deposits.

I called the Starwood/II desk on this today and the operator stated that there is NOT a preferance period with Starwood deposits. Not 3 days or any period of time .She said it does not work like Marriott where Mariott units can exclusively see other Mariott units for a certain time period. For me this clears this up but if anyone wants to call themselves or has information different please post.

You're kidding, right?

I take anything that II or Starwood say with a whole salt shaker full of salt! I'm afraid that you will get more accurate info. here, than you will from Starwood, 90% of the time... Have you had a chance to read Fred's article about this in Owner Resources? Good info!

 

[SDKath]

Of course there is a preference period! Gimme a break. It has been documented here on TUG MANY times. I think this last batch of WKORV deposits seems to have been erroniously open to everyone (or maybe the sighting was a bit older than 3 days and we just didn't notice??).

I agree, operators at Starwood and II don't know what the heck they are talking about 75% of the time. It's a real joy to finally find someone on the phone who knows more than I do at this point.

Katherine

 

[Transit]

I take anything that II or Starwood say with a whole salt shaker full of salt! I'm afraid that you will get more accurate info. here, than you will from Starwood, 90% of the time... Have you had a chance to read Fred's article about this in Owner Resources? Good info!

Yes ,I have read Fred's artical (Nicely done) .I have SBP unit that was deposited for me when Harborside was cancelled (re-Ike Oct 2008).I had no choice on what was being deposited because my unit is a standard 2 bedroom and was split by use of staroptions. I used 44,000 SO's for WSJ and 37,000 for Harborside.Being that this is not a standard lockoff Starwood placed a 1 bed SBP unit in my account ( from May 2008 ).This was done only because of the hurricain and because I wasn't able to use 37,000 SO's by the end of the year.So I have been searching with this SBP unit and have seen some good trades which surprised me because I didn't think it would see anything good .The Starwood 3 day preference would come in handy in this situation and I'm hoping it does. Like I said II/Starwood deny this preference period so I will be conducting my own trade searches daily.MY QUESTION TO YOU GUYS IS CAN WE HAVE THIS LISTED IN THE STARWOOD OWNER RESOURCES AS FACT IF IT CANNOT BE VERIFIED BEYOND RANDOM TRADE TESTS ?

 

[DeniseM]

MY QUESTION TO YOU GUYS IS CAN WE HAVE THIS LISTED IN THE STARWOOD OWNER RESOURCES AS FACT IF IT CANNOT BE VERIFIED BEYOND RANDOM TRADE TESTS ?

We sure can, because I'm the one who decides what goes up there!

Just kidding! Actually most of the info. that the members of this board have collectively gathered has never been verified by Starwood. If we only listed info. that was verified with Starwood in the FAQ or Owner Resources, it would be pitifully short.

I don't think there is any doubt about the 3 day priority, the real question is if II applies the policy consistently and without errors.... And I think we know the answer to that question!

 

[DeniseM]

This is a membership site, yet it doesn't have a member-only area. Perhaps it should.

Ken - The Sightings Board IS members only. Non-members can't even see the link to it on the home page.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Transit, you should be seeing Westins on Maui and Kauai that are currently showing in the preference period.

 

[Transit]

Transit, you should be seeing Westins on Maui and Kauai that are currently showing in the preference period.

Yes , Thanks I see them. I see 1 bedrooms and studios for dates in April on Maui.1 and 2 bedrooms on Kauai for April and early May.

 

[divenski]

Yes , Thanks I see them. I see 1 bedrooms and studios for dates in April on Maui.1 and 2 bedrooms on Kauai for April and early May.

Yes, I see them too when I use a Westin week, but I can't see any of the Maui or Kauai Westin units when I search with a prime Marriott ski week. So it does look like the Westin preference period is in effect.

Also am happy to report that I snagged a 2bd POV week in Sep 2009 that I saw earlier today. The II system worked for me.

 

[GrayFal]

Yes ,I have read Fred's article (Nicely done) .I have SBP unit that was deposited for me when Harborside was canceled (re-Ike Oct 2008).I had no choice on what was being deposited because my unit is a standard 2 bedroom and was split by use of StarOptions. I used 44,000 SO's for WSJ and 37,000 for Harborside.Being that this is not a standard lockoff Starwood placed a 1 bed SBP unit in my account ( from May 2008 ).This was done only because of the hurricane and because I wasn't able to use 37,000 SO's by the end of the year.So I have been searching with this SBP unit and have seen some good trades which surprised me because I didn't think it would see anything good .The Starwood 3 day preference would come in handy in this situation and I'm hoping it does. Like I said II/Starwood deny this preference period so I will be conducting my own trade searches daily.MY QUESTION TO YOU GUYS IS CAN WE HAVE THIS LISTED IN THE STARWOOD OWNER RESOURCES AS FACT IF IT CANNOT BE VERIFIED BEYOND RANDOM TRADE TESTS ?

To your first comment about SBP - this is the strongest II SVN trader - your surprise must come from NOT reading any of the Starwood/II discussions here which is understandable if you have only used SO's n the past.

As to the second comment I highlighted, feel free to re-invent the wheel - those of us who do daily searches with multiple ownership weeks have already confirmed there is a 3 day preference - the sighting that questioned this was a 'system glitch' at II, nothing more. When there was a large deposit of Harborside weeks last fall, my PGA week was not 'seeing' it even thought it was in the Starwood preference period. I was on the phone for an hour with II Tech Support who finally realized the week when deposited was not 'coded' correctly as a Starwood deposit so was not picking up the sightings.It all depends on who you get on the phone!

 

[rickandcindy23]

For everyone who is wondering, the 3-day preference is working this time, with the Maui and Kauai sightings.

 

[jerseygirl]

This week's deposit was not the first one that has disappeared after one day .... we documented the same thing here on Tug a couple of months ago. I hope it's a system glitch (with II that's certainly possible).

Today, I couldn't see the bulk Hawaii deposits that were there yesterday morning when I searched "all available." However, when I searched by resort -- they came up -- with my SBP, but not with my Hyatt points -- meaning this bulk deposit made it to day 2 (or is it day 3 -- I'm in Las Vegas where time has no meaning!).

Speaking of Vegas, I saw Jimmy Buffett last night -- what a blast that was! My newly minted 21-year old daughter could not believe old people could be so much fun!!

 

[rickandcindy23]

This was morning three of the current sighting. I am glad to know that this was an II glitch.

Jimmy Buffet would be great to see in person! I am jealous.

 

[GrayFal]

This week's deposit was not the first one that has disappeared after one day .... we documented the same thing here on Tug a couple of months ago. I hope it's a system glitch (with II that's certainly possible).

Today, I couldn't see the bulk Hawaii deposits that were there yesterday morning when I searched "all available." However, when I searched by resort -- they came up -- with my SBP, but not with my Hyatt points -- meaning this bulk deposit made it to day 2 (or is it day 3 -- I'm in Las Vegas where time has no meaning!).

Speaking of Vegas, I saw Jimmy Buffett last night -- what a blast that was! My newly minted 21-year old daughter could not believe old people could be so much fun!!

Congrats on the 21 year old - did u think you would live thru those teen years!

and yes, II is full of glitches - I am visiting Four Seasons next month thanks to a 'glitch' when they were adding the Laurel/pineapple thingies a while ago. :whoopie:

 

[Transit]

To your first comment about SBP - this is the strongest II SVN trader - your surprise must come from NOT reading any of the Starwood/II discussions here which is understandable if you have only used SO's n the past.

As to the second comment I highlighted, feel free to re-invent the wheel - those of us who do daily searches with multiple ownership weeks have already confirmed there is a 3 day preference - the sighting that questioned this was a 'system glitch' at II, nothing more. When there was a large deposit of Harborside weeks last fall, my PGA week was not 'seeing' it even thought it was in the Starwood preference period. I was on the phone for an hour with II Tech Support who finally realized the week when deposited was not 'coded' correctly as a Starwood deposit so was not picking up the sightings.It all depends on who you get on the phone!

You learn something new everyday.

 

[Fredm]

As an add-on to my trading week comments, I offer a guess for how long Marriott will not be exercising its ROFR.

Background: Marriott funds its development by selling timeshare notes in the credit markets. This has not been doable most recently, because of the crisis in the credit marketplace. The alternative is to fund it directly, which they are very reluctant to do. It ties up large amounts of capital, and defers revenues for long, and unknown periods. As a consequence, Marriott has not been spending its money to buy inventory.

The credit markets are beginning to calm down, and appear on the road to rational underwriting, and liquidity. Again, just a guess, but it does appear that the credit markets will be "normal" enough by January 2009. How this may influence Marriott's ROFR program decisions is anyone's guess. But, for those who are seriously considering the purchase of a Marriott trader, look to mid-January 09 as the closing window of opportunity.