What is most important in an exchange?

[Mel]

Many factors influence us when making exchanges, including general location of the resort, vicinity to attractions (beach, theme, park, ect), quality of resort as a whole, quality of unit, and many others

ARDA did their own survey of people buying in 2005, but let's get some statistics for TUG members when making exchanges.

How important do you concider each factor when making an exchange:

1 - General location of the resort

2 - Quality of the resort

3 - Proximity to attractions (ON beach vs. a walkable distance away, 2 miles to Disney vs. 10 miles, downtown vs outskirts of city)

4 - Assortment of on-site amenities

5 - Quality of the units

What else is of importance to you?

 

[AwayWeGo]

All Of The Above.

Each of those variables affects our timeshare exchange preferences to a greater or lesser extent.

But we're not systematic enough around here to work'm all out & factor'm all in & make evaluations based on weighing the ins & outs of all the variables. That's too much like work.

We're more spur of the moment around here -- we decide to take a trip, we see what nice timeshares are out there & available, & when we find 1 we like we go for it.

One factor we apply in an unsystematic & semi-subliminal way is not exchanging into timeshares where we've already stayed, unless nothing else is available. We have our favorites, but we also like variety.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

 

[Aldo]

Number 1 and then number 3.

In comparison, for myself and my family, the other issues are rather minor details.

 

[timeos2]

You missed one

You forgot the MOST important one - the DATE.

After we find an area for the dates we want it goes:

- Unit size
- Ranking (if any in the area)
- exact physical location of the resort (too bad as exchangers the unit location within the resort isn't in the mix)


Once those have been established we may choose between a ranking (Gold Crown) vs physical location (beach or inland) as we narrow it down.

The importance of the exact physical location can vary based on where we may be traveling to. Same with unit size. Ranking is always a wild card. But DATE is number one. We know we can get OBX for February Break but we want California then. We know we can get Orlando summer but we want Cape Cod beach. The date, far more than physical location, is the over ruling factor.

 

[Elan]

Location, hands down.

 

[BKnTsDad]

I like Alan's approach, particularly the part about variety of different places.

I pick a general area for a general time period and find out what's available. Looks good and I grab it, if nothing's available, I move on to another location. When making the final choice I weigh all the factors you mention in a completely unsystematic way and then pull the trigger.

 

[bruwery]

As John said, the right dates are the first consideration for me. After that the factors listed vary in order of importance based upon the destination and/or purpose of the trip.

Of course, proximity to a beer store with a good selection of local brews is the primary factor in determining whether I'll return to a resort...

 

[sfwilshire]

How important do you concider each factor when making an exchange:

1 - General location of the resort

2 - Quality of the resort

3 - Proximity to attractions (ON beach vs. a walkable distance away, 2 miles to Disney vs. 10 miles, downtown vs outskirts of city)

4 - Assortment of on-site amenities

5 - Quality of the units

What else is of importance to you?

Date is absolutely first since we're tied to school schedules.

Location --- critical. Sometimes we just want something in a general category, such as beachy. Other times we have a very specific location in mind.

Quality of the resort --- we like nice flowers and attractive buildings, but are not generally particularly concerned about this.

Proximity --- pretty important, though not necessarily a deal breaker. We'd rather be five minutes from Disney than 15, but we still go to Summer Bay. I've been looking for a beach week for Spring break and saw one this morning for one on the intercoastal waterway across the street from the beach. Just can't bring myself to pull the trigger when I know I won't be able to sit on the balcony and look directly out over the beach.

Amenities --- we seldom use them, though we enjoy the resorts that have fun things for the kids to do.

Quality of the units --- depends on what you mean. We're just as happy with our little beach cottage with dust bunnies under the sofa as we are with a Marriott. We do want comfort and general cleanliness, but we don't get too upset when DH has to make a minor repair or call maintenance, so I guess quality is low on our list.

It's really all about the dates and the location for my family.

Sheila

 

["Roger"]

I start with time. (If summer, for example, how does this fit in with the vegetable garden. I don't want to go the peas are coming in, etc.)

Then, it is a balance between location (in the sense of a region that my wife and I want to go to - not in the sense of is it on the beach or near an amusement park) versus quality (not necessarily looking for amenities, but I would like the place to be nice) versus points requirements.

 

[lawren2]

WHEN

I must deal with school calendars so the date is most important to me.

Once when is established then WHERE comes into play. PROXIMITY is an integral part of WHERE. I don't want to be a half mile or even a block from the beach. I will gladly sacrifice glitzy resorts for ON BEACH.

 

[lawren2]

- exact physical location of the resort (too bad as exchangers the unit location within the resort isn't in the mix)

.

au contraire.

Many resorts give the exact unit that was deposited with the exchange company. I always call and check the unit number before accepting the exchange.

See photo in my previous post. Unit B2, Golden Strand OBX, June 23 2007.

or this one from Celebrity Brigantine Penthous "C" July 2006:

I could go on and on...

 

[e.bram]

I agree with Lawren, the exact unit is important. What good is being in an oceanfront resort, to be assigned a unit facing the parking lot or road.

 

[Carolinian]

First, I look at general areas, then dates, then location of particular resorts within the resort area, then specific attributes and features of the resorts

 

[grest]

Date first (restricted to a school schedule), then area, then quality of resort and proximity to whatever activity...I'll then try to figure out the location of the unit. So far so good...
Connie

 

[PerryM]

A layered cake is what I want....

Many factors influence us when making exchanges, including general location of the resort, vicinity to attractions (beach, theme, park, ect), quality of resort as a whole, quality of unit, and many others

ARDA did their own survey of people buying in 2005, but let's get some statistics for TUG members when making exchanges.

How important do you concider each factor when making an exchange:

1 - General location of the resort

2 - Quality of the resort

3 - Proximity to attractions (ON beach vs. a walkable distance away, 2 miles to Disney vs. 10 miles, downtown vs outskirts of city)

4 - Assortment of on-site amenities

5 - Quality of the units

What else is of importance to you?

I use a multi-layer approach to vacations and that includes exchanges:

1) I make a "Worst Case" reservation with my WorldMark resort (I don't want to stay at a WM but sometimes do)

2) If there is no WM nearby I will make a hotel reservation (suites preferably)

3) I place on-going exchange searches to upgrade the above accommodations

4) If I get an exchange I cancel my WM reservation within 30 days of check-in and get back all my credits or rent out the WM to some other lucky person


I routinely get many exchanges into various resorts and turn down 50% of them. I eventually get something that I like and dump the WM.

Throughout the year many things will affect my decision as to whether I accept the exchange or return it and keep searching. I, of course, demand an upgrade from my WM credits at the very least.


P.S.
I will have a half dozen of these things going on all at the same time - I like to be surprised as to which adventure will be our next vacation.