What keeps you from using Redweek Exchange?

Nothing - I use the Redweek Exchange Program.

However, I've noticed a couple of changes that are of concern.

1. Redweek is adding a "hidden fee" by inflating the the number of points to reserve an exchange deposit over and above the number of points given for the deposit.

2. Redweek is renting exchange inventory for cash.

I wish that Redweek would make clear what the Exchange Program policy is in regard to these issues.

jamesd84 wrote:

However, I've noticed a couple of changes that are of concern.

1. Redweek is adding a "hidden fee" by inflating the the number of points to reserve an exchange deposit over and above the number of points given for the deposit.

2. Redweek is renting exchange inventory for cash.

I wish that Redweek would make clear what the Exchange Program policy is in regard to these issues.

These questions have been asked by me and others with no reply from Redweek!

I asked months ago after all the profit they have built into their exchange program if they also add more hidden profit in a difference of points/money given to the owner and points/money charged the person taking the unit. Redweek already charges a exchange fee so there should be no need to have a second fee to just make more profit!

This is one of many questions I guess they just hope to fade away.

PHIL

Hi Phil,

Yes, i read you earlier post. I think it's important that Redweek respond. I've asked privately and now publicly.

Marty, follows this thread. I'm sure he can explain what the Redweek policy is in these areas.

Redweek's award winning exchange program should be open and fair.

I'm not aware that Redweek offers rentals ..... only owners offer rentals via Redweek ads and I don't understand about the hidden fee you mention.

Are you saying that Redweek takes deposited weeks that are not exchanged and rents them out ?????

jayjay wrote:

I'm not aware that Redweek offers rentals ..... only owners offer rentals via Redweek ads and I don't understand about the hidden fee you mention.

Are you saying that Redweek takes deposited weeks that are not exchanged and rents them out ?????

Yes, I received 1219 point for my deposit and that week requires 1240 points to acquire via exchange. The additional 21 points reflects the "hidden fee".

Yes, If you look at any Last Minute Exchange which Redweek has discounted you will find a corresponding rental posting for the same week offered for cash via "dae_rental".

jamesd84 wrote:

jayjay wrote:

I'm not aware that Redweek offers rentals ..... only owners offer rentals via Redweek ads and I don't understand about the hidden fee you mention.

Are you saying that Redweek takes deposited weeks that are not exchanged and rents them out ?????

Yes, I received 1219 point for my deposit and that week requires 1240 points to acquire via exchange. The additional 21 points reflects the "hidden fee".

Yes, If you look at any Last Minute Exchange which Redweek has discounted you will find a corresponding rental posting for the same week offered for cash via "dae_rental".

Ah, so they are being offered via DAE ? The only thing I would suggest, if you aren't satisfied with Redweek, is to not deposit your week into their system ..... same was my suggestion concerning RCI before the lawsuit began concerning RCI renting deposited weeks.

That's why it's always been suggested by many savvy timeshare owners that prospective buyers should buy where they like to go each year and not depend on any exchange company ... that's what we did (ocean, gulf, mountains), however we did enjoy some great exchanges (but that was then, early 2000s when requested exchanges were more successful, and this is now, 2009) ..... exchanging is always a gamble (ie: RCI recently downgrading trade power for many owned weeks) that have made those owners furious.

jamesd84 wrote:

Yes, I received 1219 point for my deposit and that week requires 1240 points to acquire via exchange. The additional 21 points reflects the "hidden fee".

I understand what you mean now. Have you contacted Redweek concerning this? Go to 'contact Redweek' at the bottom of this page and send them an email, if you haven't already. I'm not sure how closely they monitor the forums.

If you look at the samples thay have consistant exchange ponts versus rental rate. Example:

4 Seasons at Desert Breezes – Exchange (399 points) – Rent $459

Bryan's Spanish Cove – Exchange (499 points) – Rent $574 Kinston Manor at Foxwood – Exchange (499 points) – Rent $574 4 Seasons at Desert Breezes – Exchange (499 points) – Rent $574

4 Seasons at Desert Breezes – Exchange (599 points) – Rent $689 The Wren Cove – Exchange (599 points) – Rent $689 The Starr Pass Golf Suites – Exchange (599 points) – Rent $689

Sint Maarten Sea Palace – Exchange (699 points) – Rent $804

Sheraton Vistana Resort – Exchange (799 points) – Rent $919

The RENTAL is ALWAYS CHEAPER than the exchange points (assuming 1 point = $1) plus $125 cash exchange fee.

P.S. I've contacted Redweek and still await a response that identifies the Redweek Exhange Program policies with regard to these issues.

jamesd84 wrote:

If you look at the samples thay have consistant exchange ponts versus rental rate. Example:

4 Seasons at Desert Breezes – Exchange (399 points) – Rent $459

Bryan's Spanish Cove – Exchange (499 points) – Rent $574 Kinston Manor at Foxwood – Exchange (499 points) – Rent $574 4 Seasons at Desert Breezes – Exchange (499 points) – Rent $574

4 Seasons at Desert Breezes – Exchange (599 points) – Rent $689 The Wren Cove – Exchange (599 points) – Rent $689 The Starr Pass Golf Suites – Exchange (599 points) – Rent $689

Sint Maarten Sea Palace – Exchange (699 points) – Rent $804

Sheraton Vistana Resort – Exchange (799 points) – Rent $919

The RENTAL is ALWAYS CHEAPER than the exchange points (assuming 1 point = $1) plus $125 cash exchange fee.

P.S. I've contacted Redweek and still await a response that identifies the Redweek Exhange Program policies with regard to these issues.

Hi James,

The difference between what you received for your exchange and what we offer it to others is because that when weeks are deposited, a small percentage of the inventory goes unused - or "burns" - creating a loss for RedWeek. The small points adjustment you noticed allows us to break even or gain a small profit on the exchange program, allowing us to continue to offer this benefit to our members and ensure our exchange and membership fees remain among the lowest available.

Your other question about the rental price vs. the exchange points is somewhat confusing. The rentals are posted and price set by the owners. We don't have any control over what they set their rental price for. We only have control over what we offer the exchange points for. When the exchange time gets closer we sometimes discount the points in hopes of moving it. If the dates of the rentals and exchanges happen to be the same that is pure coincidental.

I also saw that you had written into RedWeek asking some of these questions and I'm sure will receive a reply at the beginning of the work week.

Thank you, Marty

Hi Marty,

I appreciate your responding here. The "hidden fee" is really a "tax" so that you don't run at a loss, I wonder if there is any limit to how high this "tax" may go. If the burn rate goes to 25% of the deposits does the "tax" then jump to 33% so Redweek remains at break even on points?

What do you find confusing about the rental ads on Redweek that list a contact of "dae_rental" for the exact same weeks the exchange program has listed as Last Minute Exchanges. This is no "coincidence". These exchange weeks are being offerred for rent by "dae_rental". I'm asking what the Redweek policy is on this behavoir.

For a Topic that is so Simple, UNComplicated, Easy, Understandable, Straight forward, Quick, Cheap, Universal, Satisfying, good tasting, whatever.... I question WHY three pages of discussion...

marty8084 wrote:

The difference between what you received for your exchange and what we offer it to others is because that when weeks are deposited, a small percentage of the inventory goes unused - or "burns" - creating a loss for RedWeek. The small points adjustment you noticed allows us to break even or gain a small profit on the exchange program...

Marty, haven't you heard? Ever since Obama was elected he wanted people to share the wealth. It's not fair that RedWeek is making a profit while all us poor people are waiting for our handouts :)

Seriously, if the points adjustment is used to make a profit, then please tell me what the exchange fee is for?

I still contend that RedWeek should start lowering the points values of deposited weeks 3-4 months before the week expires. Remember RedWeek makes most of the $$ on the exchange fee, so it doesn't matter if the resort was 2000 pts or 500 pts. On another note, if someone has 1500 pts, RedWeek would get several multiple exchange fees from one deposit. The biggest problem I've seen is the lack of inventory and the lack of consistency in assigning points.

jamesd84 wrote:

If you look at the samples thay have consistant exchange ponts versus rental rate. Example:

4 Seasons at Desert Breezes – Exchange (399 points) – Rent $459

Bryan's Spanish Cove – Exchange (499 points) – Rent $574 Kinston Manor at Foxwood – Exchange (499 points) – Rent $574 4 Seasons at Desert Breezes – Exchange (499 points) – Rent $574

4 Seasons at Desert Breezes – Exchange (599 points) – Rent $689 The Wren Cove – Exchange (599 points) – Rent $689 The Starr Pass Golf Suites – Exchange (599 points) – Rent $689

Sint Maarten Sea Palace – Exchange (699 points) – Rent $804

Sheraton Vistana Resort – Exchange (799 points) – Rent $919

The RENTAL is ALWAYS CHEAPER than the exchange points (assuming 1 point = $1) plus $125 cash exchange fee.

P.S. I've contacted Redweek and still await a response that identifies the Redweek Exhange Program policies with regard to these issues.

The burning question is how much control does Redweek have in what DAE charges for rentals ?

There are several questions regarding the rentals (which I don't necessarily think is a bad approach to get some value out of last minute inventory that may go to waste otherwise).

Why is it cheaper to rent than exchange for the same week? Since it is exchange inventory I would think the "better deal" should go to exchange members than the public at large.

If an exchange week is rented intead of exchanged that means that $$ have been received but member points have not been reduced. Is the exchange system getting the proceeds of the rental?

How is the exchange system inventory supplemented to offer exchange opportunities to match the members outstanding points inventory?

Since the exchange week didn't exchange how does this factor into the "burn rate" that Marty spoke of?

Are rentals limited to Last Minute Exchange inventory?

Hi Robert, I'm just now reading thru this thread and see your interest in The Grand Chateau in Vegas. I noticed that the exchange price has been dropped by quite a bit

You might take a look. Randy

What keeps me from using it? I deposited one week a year and a half ago and another week 6 months ago; each at 1280 points (2560 total). However, exchange units and dates seems to be scarce. There appears to be a number of rental units and provisional units, but the exchange stock is minimal in comparison (10:1). I keep searching for areas of interest, but it is extremely hard to find an exchange in the areas I want to travel to, and if I do... its always during time-frames I am not available for travel / vacation. If and when that rare blue moon occurs, it I can find hotel deals making an exchange the poor choice.

I had to deposit at least 90 days ahead, but every so often I see new entries posted for exchange less than 30 days out. This makes me wonder if Redweek is holding back on exchanges. I don't know, but I may look for other alternative companies for exchanges. I hope Redweek reinvigorates itself before I deposit with other companies.

sethm5 wrote:

I keep searching for areas of interest, but it is extremely hard to find an exchange in the areas I want to travel to, and if I do... its always during time-frames I am not available for travel / vacation. If and when that rare blue moon occurs, it I can find hotel deals making an exchange the poor choice.

I had to deposit at least 90 days ahead, but every so often I see new entries posted for exchange less than 30 days out. This makes me wonder if Redweek is holding back on exchanges. I don't know, but I may look for other alternative companies for exchanges. I hope Redweek reinvigorates itself before I deposit with other companies.

The earliest deposits get the most points with Redweek, and if you're depositing only 90 days out and then starting to search it's no wonder you can't find anything you desire.

It's best to deposit at least 9 months in advance and start searching then in order to get popular locations, timeframes and resorts. Many members (with RCI and II) deposit a year (or more) in advance then start searching for what they want. We did that many times in order to get very popular locations such as Sedona, AZ and Southern California.

Timesharing is not for those that plan last minute exchanges for very popular locations.

My statement reflected the rules of a minimum 90 day out deposit. I didnt know someone can deposit less than 90 days out. My personal 2 deposits have been 11 and 11 1/2 months out for max value. (use date is Xmas week and deposits were Jan prior. I started looking monthly 1 1/2 years ago; weekly since Feb, and almost daily since early June. I purchase air travel in March for Sept despite not seeing anything in the area or time frame I was looking at. Usually I do this the other way around before booking air, but could find anything

I have owned my time share since 1995 and was on the BOD where I owned. I have become very familar with the process. I am trying to decide if Redweek is value added to me and if it can provide exhanges for my weeks that I deposited 1 yr 8 mss ago and the other at 8 mos ago.

sethm5 wrote:

My statement reflected the rules of a minimum 90 day out deposit. I didnt know someone can deposit less than 90 days out. My personal 2 deposits have been 11 and 11 1/2 months out for max value. (use date is Xmas week and deposits were Jan prior. I started looking monthly 1 1/2 years ago; weekly since Feb, and almost daily since early June. I purchase air travel in March for Sept despite not seeing anything in the area or time frame I was looking at. Usually I do this the other way around before booking air, but could find anything

I have owned my time share since 1995 and was on the BOD where I owned. I have become very familar with the process. I am trying to decide if Redweek is value added to me and if it can provide exhanges for my weeks that I deposited 1 yr 8 mss ago and the other at 8 mos ago.

In timesharing if one is flexible in choices (and not ridgid) one can usually find something they desire in an exchange, however there are those very popular resorts/timesframes/areas where 90% of exchangers desire 10% of the available exchanges. If I may ask, what/where area are you looking for in an exchange?

All exchange companies have a number of deposited weeks that go unused, which is the nature of the process. If we could take back credits for weeks that members deposited but that nobody seemed to want we would have no problem. The fact is that you really cannot “bank” time. As in your life, a day not used just passes away. In our business, these are commonly referred to as “burned weeks”.

To do our job well (providing the best service, best pricing and still stay in business) we need to minimize burned weeks as they put a drain on the total of the accounts that we can only make up if we get “breakage”. Breakage - in the case of exchange - is when a depositor doesn’t use their week before the deposit expires. At RedWeek we’ve tried to minimize your breakage to increase your personal value in our exchange.

How do we work to minimize your breakage?

1) You get three years rather than the customary two years to use your credits.

2) You see the value of your deposit BEFORE you even commit it to us.

This allows you an open and honest view of what you can buy with your deposit. The larger exchanges simply tell you that you don’t have enough “trading power” to get what you’ve asked for. They can use this “Go fish” game, where they know the value and you do not, to string you along until you finally take something they offer at lesser value or that is about to burn. We don’t do that.

3) We also send you an alert on weeks deposited that you’ve told us you are interested in. Other companies make you check back and continually look, with the likelihood you’ll forget about your deposit and become “breakage”. You tell us where you’re interested and we monitor our inventory and automatically notify you when something becomes available..

The rental rates we put on the weeks is at a realistic market rate (not a severely discounted rate). If we can get them rented they aren’t being burned, and gives us dollars to use toward replacement weeks, hopefully with something more desirable. When we do put weeks up for rent – they are still available in the exchange program so members with existing deposits ALWAYS have the opportunity to use their exchange credits to take the week. They just need to make the decision before the week is sought by another member.

Keep in mind that ALL our rentals are to RedWeek Members only. They don’t all have deposits, but they all are paid members.

Lastly, we use DAE to process the rentals in the same way they process the exchanges. Our alliance with that company has brought thousands of additional units to our exchange program from around the world giving our members much more range of choices than we are generating on our own.

The RedWeek Exchange program is still an infant compared to the big two that have been in business over 30 years. But we’re excited about the market-based approach we’re using to give you MORE value not less, through lower fees, more flexibility and less loss and frustration. We think that more and more of our members will see the benefits of the system we’re developing as we continue to improve it.

Hopefully, this will help answer some of your questions and concerns.

Thanks, Marty