What are my chances (SFX)?

[DeniseM]

With SFX that doesn't really work as I don't know what they do have.

That is really the point of putting in an OGS - with any exchange company. With an OGS, you are putting in your request, for the resorts that are acceptable to you, BEFORE the deposits are made. Then, when a deposit comes in, it will match your OGS (you hope.)

With ANY exchange company, you cannot see what goes on behind the scenes, and what you see online is basically the "leftovers." The best exchanges never make it to the online inventory - they get snagged with an OGS.

In other words, OGS's are filled FIRST.

 

[JuliGee]

Thanks - I do hope it will work out. I was hoping that end of August is a bit better than earlier and I thought some of the other posters did see Welk available?

I think my problem is that you can't see inventory with SFX. That is fine if they manage to get good trades (as they did with London last year) that fit one's needs. But if not it would work better for me if I could see what there is available.

Let's say I had a deposit with another exchange company where I can see availability. Maybe I see two great weeks in Florida, New England, or Atlantic Coast. I could then deposit my 2016 week and grab both weeks.

With SFX that doesn't really work as I don't know what they do have. If I for example put in for Orlando I would first have to see what I get. Then I would deposit my second week and again wait without knowing for sure that it will work. As I still have to purchase airfare it is just too risky.

This would work better if I was more flexible with when to travel but can't change this at the moment. And to be honest, as my deposit is on the rare side (Summer in Southern California) as you say, I don't really want to exchange it for a no name resort in an overbuilt place like Orlando during hurricane season.

Welk is a very nice resort, but I thought you really wanted a coastal property? You can see inventory online with sfx, but you have to have a week deposited first before you can see what is sitting there. And Denise is absolutely right, the only weeks you see online with any exchange company, are the weeks they have no requests for from their members, because people who place a search get first dibs on the deposits when they come in, and not viewable online. So typically you never see a super premium week in high season sitting around waiting for someone to book it. I don't think you would get a no name resort from sfx. For the most part they have a better general level of quality than others. It also depends where you are going. Some locations are great, but the best timeshare in that area might be very average. And you actually can tell them what resorts you will only take.

Juli

 

[John Cummings]

One thing that you need to keep in mind is that SFX is an independent exchange company, so they do not get bulk deposits from the major resort systems.

The major resort systems like DVC, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, etc. are contractually affiliated with II and RCI - so that is where the vast majority of deposits go.

That doesn't matter because SFX uses a much different model. They proactively will look for the week and often get them from RCI. I have exchanged several times into the major resort systems with SFX where the weeks actually came from RCI.

 

[Vacationsarefun]

Thanks everybody.

Yes, I did hear that SFX has a different model so I am hoping they will come through on this. As other exchange companies do have availability it at least looks like my requests aren't completely impossible.

I don't really need a coastal property. Would love Newport Coast Villas but almost more because of the resort character. We will have a week at the coast first so I am looking for a relaxing/fun place with kids that is in easy driving distance. Welk or Anaheim would be fine.

I only have a free membership so only see very little inventory (for my dates it is just a handful, mostly in Mexico).

I do realize that a OGS is the way to get the best properties but I have had a chance to look at the RCI site before (a nice TUG member let me try their account) and did see fairly nice things sitting there. The main advantage would be that I would have the impression of having more control. I might see a property I didn't originally request (or even a location) and suddenly decide it could work.

 

[SmithOp]

SFX only has limited inventory online to search not everything gets loaded into the online database, usually only a 90 day upcoming window. RCI inventory is visible to everyone once its loaded and passes through the OGS requests.


Sent from my iPad Mini 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Vacationsarefun]

Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that SFX did come through and find me something: We got confirmed at the Coronado Beach Resort for the week starting 8/28 (so will have to spend one night somewhere in between)!

Pretty excited about this as it seems a nice resort, very close to the beach.

 

[presley]

Just wanted to let everyone know that SFX did come through and find me something: We got confirmed at the Coronado Beach Resort for the week starting 8/28 (so will have to spend one night somewhere in between)!

Pretty excited about this as it seems a nice resort, very close to the beach.

That is excellent that they were able to get that for you!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Happy to hear you got something you really wanted. You will be happy with that resort!

 

[John Cummings]

Just wanted to let everyone know that SFX did come through and find me something: We got confirmed at the Coronado Beach Resort for the week starting 8/28 (so will have to spend one night somewhere in between)!

Pretty excited about this as it seems a nice resort, very close to the beach.

It is a great location. We spend a lot of time at Coronado.

 

[HudsHut]

Great catch! I'm delighted for you.

 

[taterhed]

Congrats!

I thought they might find something...that week seemed to have quite a bit of inventory at various locations....

Patience is a virtue, no?

 

[Vacationsarefun]

Thanks, everyone. It does look like a very nice place and I am excited for our stay.

Of course now I am not sure whether I want to actually use my own week this year or exchange it after all...

 

[JuliGee]

Congrats!

I thought they might find something...that week seemed to have quite a bit of inventory at various locations....

Patience is a virtue, no?

yes, at the inland properties, but not the coastal resorts, which have a much higher demand. One of our properties we own at is along the California coast, and every single summer week gets grabbed about a year in advance. California coastal properties are extremely difficult to exchange into during the summer.

Juli

 

[taterhed]

I certainly believe that. However, WorldMark Anaheim was available for direct booking at least one point during the discussion. there was also a partial week in Dolphin's Cove but not a whole week. Again, by a direct booking with WorldMark

sent from my cell phone...

 

[garyk01]

Lawrence Welk Desert Oasis

I own at the welk resort in Palm Springs so I can trade into any other resorts internally. if you would like me to check availabity and cost for you , give me the week(S) you want , bedroom size and ill get it priced out.

garyk01@shaw.ca to email me

Glad to hear it worked for you. What additional details do you think are necessary to form an opinion?

We would need a one bedroom (or I guess a studio as long as it sleeps at least 3) and the resorts I asked for are (* means that I realize it is highly unlikely but you never know):

*Disney's Grand Californian in Anaheim
*Aviara
*Newport Coast Villas
Coronado Beach Resort, San Diego
Harbortown Point Marina (not sure about this one though, might take it out)
Dolphin's Cove, Anaheim
Welk Resort, Escondido

I am looking either for a resort that would be fun and relaxing with kids or a location that is sufficiently different from our first week. Either way it needs to be within easy driving distance.

 

[Larry M]

DAE Independent?

Obviously, there is no direct correlation between RCI/II/DAE etc... and SFX.

I was wondering why you placed DAE in with the exchanges which get inventory directly from the resorts. I thought their inventory, like SFX's, came only from individuals who offered their properties for exchange?

It wouldn't be the first time I was wrong, though.

Larry

 

[taterhed]

I was wondering why you placed DAE in with the exchanges which get inventory directly from the resorts. I thought their inventory, like SFX's, came only from individuals who offered their properties for exchange?

It wouldn't be the first time I was wrong, though.

Larry

From SFX:

SFX invites those who own in the best located and preferred quality resorts to participate; This is called “Market Matching”. If everyone has something that everybody wants, then you have a system of equitable supply and demand. In addition to Member deposits, SFX obtains special blocks of quality space directly from resorts.


SFX: In this instance, SFX would aggressively seek the space through its network of strategic alliances, which includes developers, cooperating exchange companies and resort management.

From DAE:


We're matching member requests continuously, and working to source extra exchange and rental inventory at your favorite destinations when you tell us you want it.


As part of our service we accept inventory deposits from members worldwide. We use these member deposits to fulfill as many requests as we can, but in many cases need to source special weeks from other partners to satisfy special requests.

My point was simple and uncomplicated: supply and demand.

When you can log onto 4 exchange/booking systems and see inventory for a given week in a given area (dessert to coast in SoCal), then there is some inventory available through these 'mysterious sources' they speak of.

It's just my HO and YMMV.

I think it works very well in reverse: you see nothing on several exchange/booking systems--well, you'll have to get lucky, be fast and probably need an OGS to grab anything...even if it does get deposited/cancelled etc....

Again, I'm not claiming there is a direct connection between systems. But if there is inventory.....it's going to get sold/rented/exchanged or getaway'd somewhere. Again, just personal opinion.

 

[falmouth3]

I thought their inventory, like SFX's, came only from individuals who offered their properties for exchange?
Larry

I don't know about DAE, but SFX does have other outlets for weeks. A number of years ago, I was looking for a 2 BR in Las Vegas so we could take my mother to celebrate her 80th birthday. SFX asked if I would accept a particular resort. Then they asked me to give them a few hours. Lo and behold, they found a week for me.

 

[JuliGee]

I don't know about DAE, but SFX does have other outlets for weeks. A number of years ago, I was looking for a 2 BR in Las Vegas so we could take my mother to celebrate her 80th birthday. SFX asked if I would accept a particular resort. Then they asked me to give them a few hours. Lo and behold, they found a week for me.

We have also had a similar experience on a couple of occasions with SFX. Once in NY for a Hilton property, and the second one was for Vancouver at a Club Intrawest property. Seems they work more broadly and creatively than RCI or II.

Juli