REDWEEKS NEW TIMESHARE EXHANGE PROGRAM

Also, I have to ask you if your week is so desirable, why hasn't someone jumped on it as an exchange? Just because you rented for mega bucks last year doesn't mean you will do the same every year.

jayjay wrote:

Also, I have to ask you if your week is so desirable, why hasn't someone jumped on it as an exchange? Just because you rented for mega bucks last year doesn't mean you will do the same every year.

Nice response! It just so happens that I've owned this TS for years and have rented it a few times.

OK this is my last follow up to your responses, as I believe my point has been made. Those reading this should be able to understand.

Let's give RedWeek the benefit of the doubt and say that they have had fifty decent deposits since its inception. Out of those fifty, how many want to go to Beaver Creek on March 15, 2008 - probably none. Now, if RedWeek had 1000 deposits that number probably jumps up to more than one. It's a simple mathmatical equation.

Easy enough , I hope, to understand why most people's deposits are still available.

terry314 states, quoted only in pertinent part:

>> Truth is, by reading on TugBBS, it has become obvious that most of the provional weeks are just people testing the RedWeek system. I have read that many people don't even own the weeks they were getting quotes for!<< =======================================

As a TUG memebr and poster myself, that's simply not an accurate or correct summary of those discussions. While some folks there admit to having submitted weeks for "valuation" (and maybe including weeks they don't actually own, I'm not sure), the FACT remains that in order to then become a provisional week, the person submitting that valuation request must next, overtly and separately, openly assert that they own this week AND that they would exchange if offered something suitable in trade. Merely submitting a week for valuation does NOT mean that the week just "automatically" appears as a provisional week. An additional, separate step beyond mere valuation request is overtly required FIRST. My guess (and fervent hope) is that a "provisional" week not actually owned by the "submitter" would (and should) result in revocation of any and rights to belong to / participate in RedWeek at all.

====================================== Re: >> I did commit my unit to RedWeek, so I do feel I should live up to my end of the deal. I do also feel, however, that the rules have changed since then, and that I should be compensated accordingly. ======================================

Under the circumstances of RedWeek apparently "changing the rules after the game had already begun", I agree with you that RedWeek should now at least afford you the option to retroactively change your week to a provisional week, since I seem to recall (I hope correctly) you saying that the deposit at issue is still "sitting" unclaimed?

ken1193 wrote:

As a TUG memebr and poster myself, that's simply not an accurate or correct summary of those discussions. While some folks there admit to having submitted weeks for "valuation" (and maybe including weeks they don't actually own, I'm not sure), the FACT remains that in order to then become a provisional week, the person submitting that valuation request must next, overtly and separately, openly assert that they own this week AND that they would exchange if offered something suitable in trade. Merely submitting a week for valuation does NOT mean that the week just "automatically" appears as a provisional week. An additional, separate step beyond mere valuation request is overtly required FIRST. My guess (and fervent hope) is that a "provisional" week not actually owned by the "submitter" would (and should) result in revocation of any and rights to belong to / participate in RedWeek at all.

Quote from Kylie with RedWeek a couple of days ago:

Quote:

.....When a user submits a valuation, we ask them directly and honestly to check a box that says "I have this week reserved and would consider depositing if a suitable exchange can be found on RedWeek.com". Some responders may have been confused or chose to lie to test our system. But we have no reason to assume that most lied....

Quote from a Tug poster:

Quote:

...As far as misrepresenting, that's my whole point. If I misrepresent my ownership, it may not be totally honest, but I'm not attempting to profit from it (in actuality, I was just trying to determine if they verified ownership prior to listing it as a provisional week on the site -- I only did this once). Since they (RedWeek) chose to list the week in order to induce others to deposit, that's the true misrepresentation, IMHO. Furthermore, if I did own the week at the time of the valuation submission, I may not have it by the time they get back to contacting me regarding depositing it for exchange (sold it, rented it, deposited it elsewhere, etc.). I just don't agree with listing anything publicly until RW has it in their hands and has verified it. I feel it's intentionally misleading for RW's financial benefit....

RedWeek knows that "fake" provisional weeks are being posted. Question is how do you stop it?

Marty - Kylie, I hope you guys are working on this!

Terry

Just because one receives a valuation of a week they own doesn't mean that week automatically goes into the provisional listings. You have to check a box in order for that to happen.

Also, I'd like to know what purpose would serve anyone that would deposit a week they don't own since maintenance fees have to be paid before the deposit can be accepted by Redweek? Please clarify.

RedWeek's new exchange program is different, without question.

Though similar to others' points programs, RedWeek has gone a step further. They make your week fully visible and others' valuations fully visible. This visibility may be something that actually works against them. People can't "see" anything there worth trading.

Truth is, II or RCI doesn't have "good" weeks available at any given time. They do "get" good weeks, but they are snapped up right away as most actually have a waiting list. Redweek's program may be what RCI's looks like without the cloak. Of course RedWeek offers a few more options, like buying points and akeeping the change.

I believe many people are taking advantage of RedWeek's openess to see what the value of their TS is, as they have never really known before. Some are probably actually submitting "bogus" weeks for the purpose of just valuing their own units. IMO

terry 314 said:

"Truth is, II or RCI doesn't have "good" weeks available at any given time. They do "get" good weeks, but they are snapped up right away as most actually have a waiting list. Redweek's program may be what RCI's looks like without the cloak."

I love it! You are getting the point! And as RW tries to fine tune the operation "transparency" will become less clear, just because of the unavoidable new policies and complications such as Terry already experienced. MD

terry314 has stated, quoted only in pertinent part:

>>I believe many people are taking advantage of RedWeek's openess to see what the value of their TS is, as they have never really known before. Some are probably actually submitting "bogus" weeks for the purpose of just valuing their own units. IMO<< ======================================[

You may be correct about SOME people's intentions (I don't claim to know about others' thought processes). However, your conclusion above seems to presume that people believe that RedWeek has some unique insight or somehow otherwise "knows" true value.

Personally, I have some difficulty with that premise. I own a few weeks and yes, I submitted all of them for RW valuation (NONE subsequently made "provisional"). My own view (admittedly subjective, but still based upon two decades of ownership experience) was that some valuations were actually too high, others too low. In short, I don't personally believe that RedWeek has ANY better idea of the actual "value" of my particular weeks than I do.

Opinions aside, however, it's still an 8 weeks old program.

Kylie or Marty, how does Redweek value a week? What are the criteria? Perhaps we can put this question to rest for good.

ken1193 wrote:

Quote:

....My own view (admittedly subjective, but still based upon two decades of ownership experience) was that some valuations were actually too high, others too low. In short, I don't personally believe that RedWeek has ANY better idea of the actual "value" of my particular weeks than I do.....

I agree!

jayjay wrote:

Quote:

Kylie or Marty, how does Redweek value a week? What are the criteria? Perhaps we can put this question to rest for good.

They will not tell you. They will call it proprietary information.

The valuations vary based on resort and seasonality factors, the amount of time to check-in at the point the user deposited, and several other things. If anyone feels there was an unjustice, please send an e-mail to support@redweek.com.

We appreciate the feedback.

Thank you, Marty

marty8084 wrote:

The valuations vary based on resort and seasonality factors, the amount of time to check-in at the point the user deposited, and several other things.

Thanks for the explanation Marty.

Quote:

If anyone feels there was an unjustice, please send an e-mail to support@redweek.com.

terry, the above answers your question as to what you can do to try to rectify your situation. I'm surprised you have not previously contacted Redweek with your complaint.

jayjay wrote:

terry, the above answers your question as to what you can do to try to rectify your situation. I'm surprised you have not previously contacted Redweek with your complaint.

Thanks,

As I posted above, they (RedWeek) have always been good at responding to my emails, and posts on this board for that matter.

I have been in contact with Kylie since last week. We are sending emails back and forth (latest one earlier this morning). I hope to get something worked out with her and/or Marty.

Terry

For those of us on a points system, like DVC or HGVC, we have alot available to us besides a certain week. I see a "provisional" week for DVC that is near, but not exactly the week I am looking for. I know DVC members can change their weeks easily, and without cost. Also, the week I would like to exchange is HGVC. I have alot of options available to me that would give an exchanger more options. I can also change my week easily for a nominal fee, even if I already have a reservation confirmed. Is there any way I can exchange "points" like this? For example, I would like to exchange a week in a 1BR at DVC, and give the DVC member the option to exchange into the Hilton network, not just my home resort. Can this be done, or do I have to submit a certain "week" that I have already confirmed?

terry314 wrote:

jayjay wrote:

......You have to remember that Redweek's exchange program is only 2 months old (began June 21, 2007). Any new venture takes time for the word to spread. I think it will one day rise to it's potential.

I was quoted points by RedWeek on the 11th of June and deposited my week on the 12th. The program actually began a few prior to that. It was a quiet "soft" opening before the mass email went out. Us early depostors knew the email was coming.

Anyhow, I too have been very disappointed with the lack of action. I have seen weeks come online that have rent much lower than mine being offered for more points than I was given. I now think I got a bum deal and wish I hadn't deposited with RedWeek.

I almost feel like I was penalized for deposting early. JMHO

I did my own experiment. In June I put in one of my weeks for evalutation and it was given 1700+ points. Last night I did that same week and was given 1300+ Points.

kathleenc103 wrote:

I did my own experiment. In June I put in one of my weeks for evalutation and it was given 1700+ points. Last night I did that same week and was given 1300+ Points.

Could it be becauase it was an almost 3 month difference when you would be depositing? I believe the earlier you deposit, the more points you get.

nicolea10 wrote:

For those of us on a points system, like DVC or HGVC, we have alot available to us besides a certain week. I see a "provisional" week for DVC that is near, but not exactly the week I am looking for. I know DVC members can change their weeks easily, and without cost. Also, the week I would like to exchange is HGVC. I have alot of options available to me that would give an exchanger more options. I can also change my week easily for a nominal fee, even if I already have a reservation confirmed. Is there any way I can exchange "points" like this? For example, I would like to exchange a week in a 1BR at DVC, and give the DVC member the option to exchange into the Hilton network, not just my home resort. Can this be done, or do I have to submit a certain "week" that I have already confirmed?

With a points-based timeshare or vacation club, you will need to reserve a week before depositing with RedWeek, and should ensure your club permits the depositing of that week for exchange.

Thanks, Marty

jayjay wrote:

kathleenc103 wrote:

I did my own experiment. In June I put in one of my weeks for evalutation and it was given 1700+ points. Last night I did that same week and was given 1300+ Points.

Could it be becauase it was an almost 3 month difference when you would be depositing? I believe the earlier you deposit, the more points you get.

I bet your right that it lost some points over 3 months. Maybe though some of it was it was givin more points in the very beginning of the program to get depostors which is okay. This unit is week 8 Feb 24 to March 2 in the Pocono Mountains PA

kathleenc103 wrote:

jayjay wrote:

kathleenc103 wrote:

I did my own experiment. In June I put in one of my weeks for evalutation and it was given 1700+ points. Last night I did that same week and was given 1300+ Points.

Could it be becauase it was an almost 3 month difference when you would be depositing? I believe the earlier you deposit, the more points you get.

I bet your right that it lost some points over 3 months. Maybe though some of it was it was givin more points in the very beginning of the program to get depostors which is okay. This unit is week 8 Feb 24 to March 2 in the Pocono Mountains PA

That was indeed the intention of the program from the beginning. “Deposit early and get more points.”

I too just requested a quote for a week (a week I deposited with RedWeek in mid June). My week was for March 15-22, 2008.

Well, guess what? It was not 400 points less; it was actually 11 points more! I asked Kylie to explain how this could be. She said she checked with the people who actually do the valuations and was told that there was virtually NO difference between depositing now or back in June.

The fact that you were offered 400 points less, sort of blows Kylie’s comments out of the water. Now, trust is becoming an issue.

Like I said two weeks ago, I still feel penalized for depositing early with RedWeek.

Marty, can you explain this???

terry314 wrote:

kathleenc103 wrote:

jayjay wrote:

kathleenc103 wrote:

I did my own experiment. In June I put in one of my weeks for evalutation and it was given 1700+ points. Last night I did that same week and was given 1300+ Points.

Could it be becauase it was an almost 3 month difference when you would be depositing? I believe the earlier you deposit, the more points you get.

I bet your right that it lost some points over 3 months. Maybe though some of it was it was givin more points in the very beginning of the program to get depostors which is okay. This unit is week 8 Feb 24 to March 2 in the Pocono Mountains PA

That was indeed the intention of the program from the beginning. “Deposit early and get more points.”

I too just requested a quote for a week (a week I deposited with RedWeek in mid June). My week was for March 15-22, 2008.

Well, guess what? It was not 300 points less; it was actually 11 points more! I asked Kylie to explain how this could be. She said she checked with the people who actually do the valuations and was told that there was virtually NO difference between depositing now or back in June.

The fact that you were offered 300 points less, sort of blows Kylie’s comments out of the water. Now, trust is becoming an issue.

Like I said two weeks ago, I still feel penalized for depositing early with RedWeek.

Marty, can you explain this???

One thing I'm finding very funny and is we can't add LOL. It's a 400 point difference 1300+-1700+=400 :0) I'll have my 5th grader check my math next time. :0)