VEP clarification

[Mel]

I would NOT remove the VEP filter online, because it would be too easy for some to click it, and not really understand what they are agreeing to. I understand RCI's concern in that case.

However, I would instead want to know if there is a way RCI could waive the VEP of an individual deposit permanently. The problem with the current way of waiving VEP is that as I understand it, it only applies while the VC is searching, at the moment. If you enter an ongoing search, the VEP still applies. Thus if the exchange you want is low VEP, but if limited supply you must rely on knowing it's available when you place the search. Permanent waiver of VEP for an individual deposit would allow us to have an ongoing search with that unit, and still be able to get the week we seek.

Of course, I could also understand RCI choosing not to do so, on the grounds that they want to preserve the ability of lower VEP weeks to secure that exchange first, with their ongoing searches - and that it would only become available for a higher VEP request once it makes into the general pool.

So here's my question to Madge - I like the idea of choosing which home resort to use for extra vacations & last call. However, it does not address the other concerns. Will RCI consider permanent waiver of VEP on a deposit-by-deposit basis? It could still be limited by having to talk to a VC, to ensure the member truly understands what they are asking for, but it would allow more flexibility.

 

[Daverock]

VEP?

Hi Madge,

Boy, after reading all the posts re: VEP I get more confused. Here is my question. I own week 52 at Sheraton Vistana. The resort was downgraded, recently, from a GC to a SC. How does that effect my trading power for week 52?

Does it affect my searching online by restricting the search away from GC resorts?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Dave

 

[Madge]

...why can't we make the decision to have the VEP removed from our accounts permanantly? ... will not try to hold RCI responsible if we are unhappy with the exchange.
:

Suzanne,

Our system applies VEP to every transaction. It cannot be removed for individual accounts. It must be addressed manually by transaction if an exception is to be made.

When members contact us during exchange vacations because they are in distress, we're going to try to help them. Somehow, a response akin to: "Sorry, Charlie, you were warned." just wouldn't constitute good customer service. It does cost RCI in compensation when we make exceptions to VEP -- nearly every single time, even among experienced travelers. That is the truth of our experience with VEP.

 

[Madge]

Will RCI consider permanent waiver of VEP on a deposit-by-deposit basis?

Once again I must say that RCI is not ashamed of its use of VEP. This is a very important safeguard that the vast majority of our members count on. I imagine that RCI would be very reticent to create any kind of permanent way to override VEP, even one deposit at a time.

However, the point is really moot, since our system is not currently capable of doing this and it would take a significant number of programming hours to accomplish it. Because so very few of our members request this, it would not make sense to devote the hours necessary to make that change.

 

[Madge]

Does it affect my searching online by restricting the search away from GC resorts?

Daverock,

Award status changes only once per year; whereas, VEP changes continually. You should not notice a change from your regular online searching. Additionally, even though VEP does change, the allowable range is very wide. You are not likely to be blocked from a Gold Crown resort just because your resort is Silver Crown, Hospitality, or in many cases even Standard. It's all about the underlying VEP of the two resorts.

 

[Pit]

It does cost RCI in compensation when we make exceptions to VEP -- nearly every single time, even among experienced travelers. That is the truth of our experience with VEP.

Madge

Could you please elaborate on that statement? How does it "cost" RCI to allow an exchange that would otherwise be blocked by VEP?

 

[Keitht]

It does cost RCI in compensation when we make exceptions to VEP -- nearly every single time, even among experienced travelers. That is the truth of our experience with VEP.

Surely the simple requirement that the member e-mail RCI acknowledging that the assigned unit may not be up to the normal standard could stop that dead in its tracks. I accept that there would be a small financial cost to RCI in administering such a system, but neither membership fees nor exchange fees are exactly low.

 

[Madge]

Madge

Could you please elaborate on that statement? How does it "cost" RCI to allow an exchange that would otherwise be blocked by VEP?

Overwhelmingly, members call us to say the accommodations are not acceptable. Even with our caution, their expectations did not allow for what they actually encountered at the resort. RCI then tries to make things "right." It's a losing proposition for us.

 

[Madge]

Surely the simple requirement that the member e-mail RCI acknowledging that the assigned unit may not be up to the normal standard could stop that dead in its tracks. I accept that there would be a small financial cost to RCI in administering such a system, but neither membership fees nor exchange fees are exactly low.

I recall several tests over the years with downward VEP, all with disastrous results. One that comes to mind involved a handful of Guides who were required to read an eight-point checklist of cautions to members and then transfer the calls to supervisors for verification. Only then would we make the exceptions and confirm the resorts outside of VEP parameters. The percentage of those members who requested some type of compensation for their experiences was alarming (80-90%). Other tests have had similar results.

We will make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Generally the member has visited the resort before and knows it well, has another timeshare ownership that is comparable, or has an emergency requiring them to be in the area.

If members call us in distress, no matter what "dotted line" we may have them sign on, we're still going to try to help them. We choose instead to try not to put members in those situations, except for the examples above.

 

[Keitht]

I understand from what I have read about the VEP system that it doesn't tie in directly with GC, SC etc, but presumably there will be broad correlation between VEP info and the overall rating.
If that is broadly the case does it mean that in general somebody depositing a GC resort will not see 'standard' resorts amongst the hits for a search?

 

[Laurie]

We will make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. Generally ... the member has another timeshare ownership that is comparable...

Even this could be a big help, if you can program for it on an ongoing basis, just as you've mentioned being able to choose among various ownerships for Last Calls/ Extra Vacations.

If someone could choose a VEP range from their various ownerships for a specific search, within the Trade Power range for the deposit they're searching on, maybe this could open up lots more exchange options for people, and they'd have a better idea what they're getting, and a waiver would be more meaningful.

I've also been frustrated by this filter, and had to sell one of my ownerships because its VEP was too high, coupled with its Trade Power not quite high enough, so that I got almost nothing returned in many online searches, as compared with much lower VEP resorts I owned. Believe it or not, it was a 2-BR Gold Crown Maui week 34 - probably the best resort I have ever owned.

 

[Madge]

Laurie,

It might bear some analysis of what percentage of our membership overall owns multiple resorts. Anything that would require a significant investment in programming hours, which this would, is going to be a real challenge to implement. I'll do some poking around and see what I can find.

I appreciate your creativity!