UPDATE: RCI CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT - must read for all RCI members [Includes Results]

[jdp0906]

Need some help here.

I was starting to fill out the online form. I want to be part of the class action suit, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot.

I got o the inquiry of what I would settle for and don't want to settle for any of them and say that that is it. I want to proceed as objecting to their 'trinkets' and stay aboard to bring this action to a more satifying end for all members.

Should I just opt for one of the offerings and then object.

Please help me to make sure I don't legally forfeit my rights to force these greedy individuals in doing what is right.

Jane Pietras

 

[Goofyhobbie]

Poll

Posted by TugBrian: Just out of sheer morbid curiosity, I added a multiple choice poll to this thread. please vote.

*note your username is not displayed publicly in this poll, and the last option was so I can see the results without clicking "view results" every time i visit the thread...im lazy =) but feel free to click it and make me happy!

Also if ive missed a viable option or two, please let me know and ill add it to the choices
__________________
Brian Rogers - Owner
Timeshare Users Group

Brian,

For what ever reason I can not find the poll within the thread or anywhere else on the BB.

Apparently I am doing something wrong or I have missed something somewhere.

Your help in finding it would be most appreciated.

 

[Goofyhobbie]

Posted by Jane Pietras: Please help me to make sure I don't legally forfeit my rights to force these greedy individuals in doing what is right.

Jane recommend that you wait a few days before filling out the form. Keep checking back here for more input from the Lawyer Susan Collins or our point person Jeannie.

Meanwhile: The instructions on the site about your options were not written very well and may be confusing. You may choose one of the rather worthless benefits AND object to the settlement at the same time. But if you choose to "Opt Out" then you cannot request any of the "trinkets" and you are on your own.

 

[jdp0906]

Thank you Goofy - my most favorite Disney Character, OBTW.

My position is that that RCI is not acting in a fair and just manner with their inventory assignments. Furthermore, I believe that the Berman law office is not working on behalf of their clients, the T/S owners representives. 4 million for nothing but lip service.

I will be a strong fighter, but need a direction on how to proceed.

Jane

 

[KJV]

Rci Canceled

After 20 plus years with RCI and II I did not renew RCI last week. What ever little settlement they agree to with some new catch is not worth giving them a new membership. After a couple years I was always questioning the fairness of how the system worked. I do not think I have received any e-mail telling of the class action law suit. Thanks for a place to vent.

 

[Goofyhobbie]

If You Are No Longer an RCI Weeks Member - What Can You Do?

To Guest: KGV and others who come here to "vent" or seek guidance.

If you have stopped your membership with RCI since 2000 or are contemplating ending your membership you must have had a reason for leaving the fold.

People who were members of the RCI Weeks Exchange Program at any time from January 1, 2000 through August 31, 2009 are members of the settlement class.

YOU STILL HAVE A DOG IN THE FIGHT!​

NOTE: If you are or were a member of the RCI Points Exchange Program, but you were not also a member of the RCI Weeks Exchange Program at any time from January 1, 2000 through August 31, 2009, you are not a member of the Settlement Class.

Those of us who strongly feel that this Settlement proposal is wrong and that RCI should be held accountable need help to get enough OBJECTORS!

We need well over a thousand members of the class to object in writing to the settlement.

You as former Members of RCI WEEKS or about to be former Members of RCI WEEKS also should consider objecting to the possibility that the Plaintiffs attorneys may be granted up to $4,000,000.00 in legal fees.

If YOU think that it is fair for RCI to receive a COURT's stamp of approval to RENT deposits made by MEMBERS OF RCI, then so be it!

If the Settlement is approved (and it is likely to be approved UNLESS enough members of the class OBJECT), RCI will be able to point to the Court Approved Settlement of This Class Action and say:

For two years:You as an EXCHANGER can deposit your week more than 12 months before the check-in date and RCI will leave your week for other Exchangers for up to 31 days from the date of deposit. After 31 Days, including the date of deposit, RCI is free to use the UNIT for any purpose and without limitation for RENTAL.

If you as an EXCHANGER deposit less than 12 months before check-in, RCI is free to use the UNIT for Exchange or for RENTAL if there is no Exchange Request for your WEEK on the date of deposit.

What happens after the TWO YEAR period has expired: I will leave it up to your imagination!

On average, when you did deposit a UNIT with RCI how many months before check-in did you make your deposit?

When you begin your search for a Vacation how far in advance on average do you set-up the search?

If this Settlement is approved the door is WIDE open for any EXCHANGE company to take your deposits and OPENLY RENT the UNITS.

Where will unsophisticated Timeshare EXCHANGERS go to make their exchanges?

Folks, we are on the edge of a slippery slope. How long before we completely lose the ability to Exchange with a major Exchange company?

 

[GadgetRick]

So, to sum it up...should we still wait before doing anything or participate? It's all gotten very confusing...just the way they want it.

 

[Tia]

Great post. I'll put a link here to my resorts yahoo group but need a link to where people can object if there is such?

To Guest: KGV and others who come here to "vent" or seek guidance.

If you have stopped your membership with RCI since 2000 or are contemplating ending your membership you must have had a reason for leaving the fold.

People who were members of the RCI Weeks Exchange Program at any time from January 1, 2000 through August 31, 2009 are members of the settlement class.

YOU STILL HAVE A DOG IN THE FIGHT!​

Those of us who strongly feel that this Settlement proposal is wrong and that RCI should be held accountable need help to get enough OBJECTORS!

We need well over a thousand members of the class to object in writing to the settlement..............

?

 

[Goofyhobbie]

How To Object To The Settlement

My recommendation is to continue to wait until "Jeannie" and/or "Susan" come back to this thread and tell us their recommendation on HOW and WHEN to object. But, for those that can't wait here is the information requested:

The following is available at the RCI web site. To get access YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A CURRENT MEMBER OF RCI.

Note: If you are a current member of RCI the link disappears IF you Log on the site. GO TO RCI.COM. (Do NOT log on!) Once you are at the site scroll down to the bottom of the FRONT PAGE.

http://www.rci.com/RCI/

The selection that is quoted below is found in the Frequently Asked Questions section.

How do I object to the settlement?

If you’re a Class member, you can object to the settlement if you don’t like any part of it. You can give reasons why you think the Court should not approve it. The Court will consider your views. To object, you must send a letter saying that you object to the settlement in In re: Resort Condominiums International, LLC, Civil Action No. 06-1222 (PGS). Be sure to include the class member’s name, address, telephone number, RCI Weeks Exchange Program Identification Number, Resort Identification Number, resort name and your signature, and the reasons you object to the settlement. Mail the objection to these places postmarked no later than November 20, 2009 to:

Clerk of Court
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
402 East State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08608


David C. Berman
A Professional Corporation
P.O. Box 111
Morristown, NJ 07963-0111 David S. Sager, Esq
DAY PITNEY LLP
P.O. Box 1945
Morristown, NJ 07962-1945



What is the difference between objecting and excluding?

Objecting is telling the Court that you don’t like something about the settlement. You can object only if you stay in the Class. Excluding yourself is telling the Court that you don’t want to be part of the Class. If you exclude yourself, you have no basis to object because the case no longer affects you.


May I speak at the hearing?

You may ask the Court for permission to speak at the Fairness Hearing. To do so, you must send a letter saying that it is your “Notice of Intention to Appear in In re: Resort Condominium International, LLC, Civil Action No. 06-1222 (PGS).” Be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, and your signature. Your notice of Intention to appear must be postmarked no later than November 20, 2009 and be sent to the Clerk of the Court, Co-Lead Class Counsel, and Defense Counsel, at the following addresses:

Clerk of Court
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
402 East State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08608
David C. Berman
A Professional Corporation
P.O. Box 111
Morristown, NJ 07963-0111 David S. Sager, Esq
DAY PITNEY LLP
P.O. Box 1945
Morristown, NJ 07962-1945

What are the deadlines?

•If you wish to exclude yourself from the Settlement, you must send in a written request for exclusion to the Co-Lead Class Counsel postmarked no later than November 20, 2009.


•If you wish to object to the Settlement, you must send your objection to the Clerk of the Court, Co-Lead Class Counsel and Defense Counsel so that it is received by them by November 20, 2009.


•If you wish to appear at the Final Settlement Hearing, you must file a Notice of Intention to Appear with the Clerk of the Court, and serve the Notice on Co-Lead Class Counsel and Defense Counsel so that it is received by them by November 20, 2009.


•The final settlement hearing will be held November 30, 2009 at 2:30 pm.

 

[GadgetRick]

Ok sitting tight...

 

[mempho_to_diego]

i just got an email today, here are the contents:

You May be a Member of a Class Action Settlement Regarding RCI Weeks® Timeshare Program and Entitled to Benefits

A Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit that claims that RCI, LLC unlawfully rented or otherwise disposed of timeshare inventory deposited by members of the RCI Weeks® Exchange Program. RCI denies any wrongdoing.

The Settlement affects anyone who was a member of the RCI Weeks® Exchange Program at any time from January 1, 2000 through August 31, 2009. If the Settlement is approved, Settlement Class Members who submit Claim Forms may receive monetary, travel-related or program benefits. Claim Forms must be submitted to the Settlement Administrator by November 20, 2009. If you previously submitted a Claim Form, you do not need to submit a new Claim Form.
• If you wish to exclude yourself from the lawsuit and keep your right to sue RCI on your own, you must send a written request for exclusion to David Berman, P.C., P.O. Box 111, Morristown, NJ 07963-0111 by November 20, 2009. If you do not exclude yourself, you will be bound by the Court's ruling in the case.
• If you do not exclude yourself, you can enter an appearance in Court through your own attorney at your own cost. You may also object to or comment on the Settlement. Objections and/or notices of appearance must be filed with the Clerk of the Court by November 20, 2009 and mailed to Class Counsel and counsel for Defendant.
The Court will determine whether to approve the Settlement at a Fairness Hearing on November 30, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. at the United States District Court, 402 East State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08608.

For Detailed Information and a Claim Form
Visit: www.weeksprogramsettlement.com, Call: 1-866-783-5876,
or Write: Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 1966, Faribault, MN 55021-6162.
Questions may also be directed to Class Counsel by email at rcisettlement@njlawyer.com.

i just got my timeshare this summer on July 21st, 2009 - so I think I became a member of RCI at the same time, as I got all my RCI information sometime in the first or second week of September. Hmmm, so what should I do? Should I fill out a claim form?

 

[Goofyhobbie]

Welcome to Timesharing and Exchanging for as long as it is a viable concept.

Yes you most definitely are a member of the class. You can file a claim for the same benefits as the old timers and you can also OBJECT to the Settlement as offered to the court.

Our purpose in objecting is to get a MUCH better Settlement and/or to light a fire under RCI as well as other like minded companies who would prefer to take our Weeks or Points and Rent same rather than provide them to their membership for Exchange.

Please check back here often for updates and to get guidance on what you should do. It will be forthcoming.

 

[Fredm]

Suggestion

We all appreciate the effort Jennie and the other objectors are putting forth in the name of justice. RCI has become a parasite on timesharing.

Words alone cannot support the selfless investment of time, energy and money being spent to represent our interests in this case.

How about TUG starting a defense fund to support the efforts of Jennie and others that are representing all of us?
If nothing else, it can help offset the cost of gas, supplies, and other necessary expenses.

If TUG will act as a repository, I will kick in my $20.

 

[stevedmatt]

So if I opted out of the class previously, I have no basis to object now? I actually thought at the time that my actions were the same as objecting.

 

[Goofyhobbie]

Status of Class Member If He Opts Out

Steve,

Based on my understanding of how a Class Action suit works, once you opt-out you are no longer a member of the class and therefore have no standing before the Court.

That means your Objection, if made, would probably fall on deaf ears.

However, if you feel strongly enough about the issue, you could write a letter to the Court (following the procedures above) and point out that you as a layman thought at the time that by opting out you were giving notice that you OBJECT!

If it was truly not your intention to take yourself out of the class maybe the Court would allow you back in as a member of the class and give weight to your written objection.

It should be obvious to all concerned that you are not trying to reap a gain ("trinket") from the settlement. You are simply asking that your objection be noted!

Go for it! The most you have to lose is a few minutes of your time and the cost of mailing. What you have to gain is a lot of satisfaction!

 

[martinimary]

rci weeks settlement

i also rec'd no email or snail mail, and i check my suspect email all the time. i own both weeks and points and i am not happy with either.

 

[Carolinian]

It is important that as many people as possible object to the ''settlement'' (sellout by official attorneys for plaintiffs to line their own pockets at our expense).

 

[JPD]

no email yet

Here it is 6 oct, and I have not received my email yet. How long should we wait for this email before it's too late. Is there a site where it's posted so we can make sure our name is included as an objector in this suit.

 

[lgreenspan]

I have never recieved any e-mails concerning this lawsuit. Although I still recieve a e-mail about once a week on some special they have?

 

[Tia]

I might even be a member of the class since the date is 2000....going to have to look at my old RCI books.

 

[Goofyhobbie]

Site Where You Can Object To Settlement

Posted by JPD: Here it is 6 oct, and I have not received my email yet. How long should we wait for this email before it's too late. Is there a site where it's posted so we can make sure our name is included as an objector in this suit.

Please refer to Post # 384 of this thread.

 

[mempho_to_diego]

Yes you most definitely are a member of the class. You can file a claim for the same benefits as the old timers and you can also OBJECT to the Settlement as offered to the court.

Our purpose in objecting is to get a MUCH better Settlement and/or to light a fire under RCI as well as other like minded companies who would prefer to take our Weeks or Points and Rent same rather than provide them to their membership for Exchange.

Please check back here often for updates and to get guidance on what you should do. It will be forthcoming.

goofy, so i plan to object to this to try and get a better deal from RCI ... so, according to your post; should i just check back later on in this thread to see how, as an entity/individually, i/we will object? I want to ensure we do this before the nov. 20th timeframe.

 

[Goofyhobbie]

What Can You Do!

Posted by mempho_to_diego: goofy, so i plan to object to this to try and get a better deal from RCI ... so, according to your post; should i just check back later on in this thread to see how, as an entity/individually, i/we will object? I want to ensure we do this before the nov. 20th timeframe.

Yes, keep checking back.

The "objector team," which is led by an Attorney who is a Member of The Class and a very avid timeshare user, is working on their strategy.

We want to do as much as possible to get the word out about the issues involved in this lawsuit, and what action owners can take, if they wish.

For specifics on the Attorney go to Post # 42, & #46 in this thread.

"Susan2" (the attorney) and "Jeannie" (who started this thread), have both contributed many times here and their comments are definitely worth your time). They have personally interacted with the Judge and the other key players in this case.

There are many objectors who have signed up for Susan Collins to represent them. Soon Ms. Collins will be communicating with those objectors who have signed up. I anticipate that she will also post here once strategy has been communicated.

Rest assured information will be forthcoming in plenty of time to get your objection into play.

If you want to let her know of your interest, consider contacting her directly; but, to keep things managable, I am willing to take your Name by PM.

The minimum information necessary is your Name, TUG USERNAME, and E-Mail address. (They will be put into a spreadsheet and conveyed to the "objector team" for easy access.)

It no doubt will be easier for her if she receives just a few E-Mails as opposed to what we hope will be thousands of objectors.

Meanwhile, think about who you can reach out to!

It is important that as many RCI Members as possible understand what is at stake. Personal communication to your friends, HOA, relatives etc will mean a lot.

 

[TUGBrian]

hopefully some new and useful info will be available on TUG soon for all of you to read. =)

 

[bunny217]

so many questions....

Okay..I just stumbled upon all of this...We have 2 weeks RCI and another 2 weeks that were converted over to points at Orange Lake. I'm trying hard to understand everything - but I'm getting more confused the more I read. We are not happy with RCI either (haven't been for a long time)...and have never gotten ANY emails from them...not even "specials" -
In our family - all together we have 4/5 people that are owners...they are not happy either, and when I asked if they knew about any of this - I was told they didn't.
Can anyone point us in the right direction? Is it too late to be involved?
We've been RCI members since about 1985...we've just followed along like sheep I guess.....
Can anyone explain in a nutshell what we should do to help or get involved?
thanks...Barb in Texas