What keeps you from using Redweek Exchange?

mike1536 wrote:

marty8084 wrote:

As far as the valuation that robertj384 received, I'm checking into the inconsistency of that and will report back when I hear from DAE.

Does DAE do all the valuations? Maybe we are directing suggestions/complaints to the wrong people.

In any case, thanks for the update. Mike

Yes, Mike, DAE does all the valuations.

Edited to say that DAE does NOT do the valuations but RedWeek handles this.

What I heard back about robertj384's situation was this:

"We are constantly working to improve our valuation models to better reflect market conditions. The example you provided below identified a prior submission that was made prior to us modifying the valuation model to reflect seasonality factors in the Las Vegas market in the May to September period."

I hope this helps explain why the difference in valuation points given.

Thanks, Marty

marty stated: Re: >> I hope this helps explain why the difference in valuation points given.<< ==============================================

With all due respect, the quoted DAE response may vaguely admit the disparity, but it's not clear (to me, anyhow) which valuation DAE indirectly concedes was actually incorrect in the first place.

Was the deposited studio week "overvalued" when submitted (as I am personally very much inclined to believe), or was Robert's 2BR submission "undervalued" when it was submitted for evaluation? The rather cryptic DAE reply sheds no real or meaningful light upon which one of those two distinctly different explanations applies.

ken1193 wrote:

marty stated: Re: >> I hope this helps explain why the difference in valuation points given.<< ==============================================

With all due respect, the quoted DAE response may vaguely admit the disparity, but it's not clear (to me, anyhow) which valuation DAE indirectly concedes was actually incorrect in the first place.

Was the deposited studio week "overvalued" when submitted (as I am personally very much inclined to believe), or was Robert's 2BR submission "undervalued" when it was submitted for evaluation? The rather cryptic DAE reply sheds no real or meaningful light upon which one of those two distinctly different explanations applies.

My understanding is that the first valuation was probably overvalued and was done before values were restructured for the summer months in Las Vegas.

Thanks, Marty

marty8084 wrote:

My understanding is that the first valuation was probably overvalued and was done before values were restructured for the summer months in Las Vegas.

Thank you Marty for that clarification, which is precisiely what I had believed. There was/is no way that a summer, studio size week in the Nevada desert is worth anywhere near (let alone more than) 1,000 dollars / points. That's clearly neither accurate nor realistic.

I have SCOURED this thread to determine Who or what DAE is or represents and I need help..... Anyone??

Simple??? methinks not.. Points are still 'confusing' to me.

donaldd67 wrote:

I have SCOURED this thread to determine Who or what DAE is or represents and I need help..... Anyone??

Simple??? methinks not.. Points are still 'confusing' to me.

Hi Donald,

I misspoke when I said that DAE determines all our valuations. RedWeek does this. I apologize for the confusion. We are constantly trying to make improvements on coming up with the point valuations.

DAE handles processing the week deposited -- called "clean and press". Much of what DAE handles is after the deposit such as communication with the resort, the reservation process, etc.

If anyone has any comments on the valuation that they have received please email support@redweek.com.

Thanks, Marty

My New Year's resolution... to attempt to be a better communicator.

Quote: --by marty8084 "Redweek does this".... Question:... Does What? Surely a human Being involved, No? A schoolboy who has never been out of his hometown? I am still wondering for the REAL NEED for ANY type of Conversion, EValuation, whatever.... for Seasonal, Size, location, age, name, of Vacation Units. Dealing with Euro, US/AU/NZ/CD $$$ is more than 88% of vacationers can handle. Redweek (and others) permit Owners to advertise whatever property they wish to offer (with details, conditions, terms, etc) for a Very Reasonable Rate... My THANKS to Redweek Management and anyone with access to internet can peruse our posts (I WISH it was Free .. but accept that $9.99 is also a Fair Fee) and make decisions. True Free Enterprise. And Simple.

Truly, ANY Sort of Exchange requires FOUR TIMES the Steps ... think about them.... all contribute to confusion, potential problems, bad deals.

donaldd67 states / asks in part: >> Quote: --by marty8084 "Redweek does this".... Question:... Does What? << ============================================ Marty clearly means that Redweek assesses the value of a week which a member submits for potential exchange via the RedWeek exchange program.

The RedWeek exchange program is relatively new, first constructed just over a year or so ago, in partnership with DAE (which, since you asked, is an abbreviation for Dial an Exchange; a small independent "exchange" company"). In my opinion, the RedWeek exchange program has great potential, since (unlike RCI, by comparison) RedWeek provides a clear, specific, numerical "valuation" of a potential "deposit" BEFORE the owner chooses to "deposit" it. This is a fair and transparent process, in concept. However, RedWeek has clearly had some "growing pains" with making accurate valuations. Those valuations have been quite wrong in BOTH directions --- too high AND too low. Personally, I believe this inconsistency to simply be the result of inexperience and a lack of sufficient familiarity with some "markets". In short, these inaccuracies and inconsistencies are NOT due to any malfeasance or dishonesty, at least in my personal opinion. Starting a new exchange program cannot be an easy undertaking. Hope this input helps...

The reason that I don't use Redweek Exchange, although I have an interest in doing so, is that I pay my maintenance fees on a monthly basis. Since maintenance fees must be paid congruent with the week to be exchanged, it makes the exchange unattractive to me. I understand why Redweek has that policy, but for people who pay maintenace fees on a monthly basis, the Redweek exchange program does not work that well. Stan.

Ken: Thanks for explaining [DAE]... I truly had not remembered seeing the Term previously... and could not Find it in previous posts.

I am 'new' to Redweek and have 'interest' in several Threads which I cannot NOW ReLocate.... Can you please give some 'clues' for my hunting? (getting frustrated).

donaldd67 wrote:

Ken: Thanks for explaining [DAE]... I truly had not remembered seeing the Term previously... and could not Find it in previous posts.

I am 'new' to Redweek and have 'interest' in several Threads which I cannot NOW ReLocate.... Can you please give some 'clues' for my hunting? (getting frustrated).

You can use the 'search forums' feature on the right side of this page to locate previous threads of interest to you.

I miss the simple "I have this week here, you have this week here... would you like to trade use for this year"

No fees, no points, simple contract. done.

I would be nice if they just had a "no points" exhange page.

I sent my RED week in for points and was dissappointed by the number. So I just put my weeks up for rent.

erik96 wrote:

I miss the simple "I have this week here, you have this week here... would you like to trade use for this year"

No fees, no points, simple contract. done.

I would be nice if they just had a "no points" exhange page.

I sent my RED week in for points and was dissappointed by the number. So I just put my weeks up for rent.

Hi Erik,

You might consider posting a RedWish to arrange for a trade. http://www.redweek.com/account/member/add_redwish/

Thanks, Marty

Good day to you all. I have just found this thread, and it's very interesting. I actually have deposited three weeks into Redweek and made one resulting exchange in an off-season unit. The problem I have today is that there are very few people depositing compared to the number of people listing places to rent. I have 2300 banked points, more or less, and I can't find anyplace that I want to go . . . but if I search for a rental, there are many places and weeks I'd like to consider.

This system is so much more transparent than II that it has lots and lots of possibilities--even if you don't agree with the valuations, they are clearly stated. I would love to ditch my II membership and stick with Redweek, BUT then what would I do with my 2300 points?

Redweek folks, how do you plan on getting people to stop listing their weeks for rent, and start depositing them for exchange? How do you plan on getting more weeks and more "prime" weeks & destinations listed for exchange? Do you have a business plan, and would you share it with those of us who really like your model, and have "bought in" to the tune of 2300 points?

elizabethl98 wrote:

Redweek folks, how do you plan on getting people to stop listing their weeks for rent, and start depositing them for exchange?

Owners who rent out their weeks usually do so because they can cover their MF and maybe make some profit. Many people own several high demand timeshares that they use striclty for renting. In my case, I own a timeshare that I've rented for that past few years. It covers the MF and a little extra to help with the MF of my other units. In fact last year, I rented two units that paid all my MFs for the year and I still went on two weeks of vacations.

If I do not get a renter, then I will use it or deposit it. Whether or not Redweek gets my deposit is based on what they offer for value and what they offer for exchange. At this point, I do not deposit because there is nothing that I can get that won't end up costing me additional money. Of course if Redweek is willing to pay cold hard cash instead of "points", I will gladly deposit my TS into their system :).

elizabethl98 wrote:

How do you plan on getting more weeks and more "prime" weeks & destinations listed for exchange? Do you have a business plan, and would you share it with those of us who really like your model, and have "bought in" to the tune of 2300 points?

It's the ultimate catch-22. Until the exchange availability increases, people are not going to deposit their prime weeks. Until prime weeks are deposited, inventory will be limited.

Also, you don't have the ability to put in a search like you do with II or RCI. You can get notified if a week is deposited, but by the time you get online to complete an exchange, that week could already be gone.

You may want to keep an eye out for people looking for rentals. You may be able to use some of your 2300 pts to book a week, then rent it. Unless the ploicy has changed, you can rent out a RedWeek exchange.

elizabethl98 Good day to you all. I have just found this thread, and it's very interesting. I actually have deposited three weeks into Redweek and made one resulting exchange in an off-season unit. The problem I have today is that there are very few people depositing compared to the number of people listing places to rent. I have 2300 banked points, more or less, and I can't find anyplace that I want to go . . . but if I search for a rental, there are many places and weeks I'd like to consider.

===================================================== Elizabeth,many owners would rather rent and put money in their own pocket. If they don't rent then they can use it or deposit into their exchange company of their choice!

As far as you getting one week in off season,this is one of the main problems with Redweek in that many of the units available are off season or low tier resorts.

There are a number of owners with points still waiting for something they want!

PHILL12 =====================================================

[Elizabeth] This system is so much more transparent than II that it has lots and lots of possibilities--even if you don't agree with the valuations, they are clearly stated. I would love to ditch my II membership and stick with Redweek, BUT then what would I do with my 2300 points? =====================================================

Your one of a very few that don't seem to like II and their better resorts and exchanging system. Even if you have a smaller resort with II and don't get what you want in exchange because II works on a fair trade system. You can still exchange within 59 days and get many top resorts with II and it doesn't cost you more money to upgrade.

Also getaways very good and cost much less than upgrades with Redweek Exchange.

Your with one of the top exchange companies in II which means you bought a nice resort and should try using it more before jumping off the wagon.There are many owners stuck with Rci that would love to join II but their resort doesn't rate high enough for II standards. I know because we had one years ago and had to sell it and buy a unit that was with II.

As far as your last statement I'm missing something here? You want to leave II but then what do you do with your 2300 points you have with Redweek just doesn't make sense! What does the points have to do with weather you stay or go from II?

I feel most II members love II exchange and might use Redweek for a second or third unit but never as their main unit unless they are dealing with Rci exchange. I could understand that move to get away from Rci.

Good Luck in what ever you decide is best for your family!

PHILL12

Frankly, the exchange program is stumbling along on life support. The rentals seem to be doing well (at least given the current economy). If you really wanted to boost the exchange program, you should raise the rental fee, and take that increased revenue and bait some of the "provisionals" to convert. Take the hottest provisionals (based upon notification signups), and make them an offer they can't refuse. Make "exchanging" easier than "renting". Convert their leg-work, to your leg-work.

rcnet wrote:

If you really wanted to boost the exchange program, you should raise the rental fee, and take that increased revenue and bait some of the "provisionals" to convert.

If Redweek charges too much to place a listing, people would stop using their services.

I just signed up for a year, got my valuation, and don't really see anything that would induce me to deposit my week. Disappointing so far.

Nothing. I deposited 2 weeks into this program (within the last month) without first having a suitable exchange, and found a great one within a week! I find it interesting that everyone appears SO AFRAID to deposit their week here? If you look at the number of Provisional Units (include provisional units when you do a search for exchanges) that have received point offers, its 5 or 6 times the number of actual units being offered for exchange. From this, I can infer that everyone is looking, but that they're afraid to test the waters, so to speak. Come on folks, get real. If nobody places their unit into the system, then of course they'll be fewer exchanges. Can you seriously tell me that you wouldn't be able to find something suitable in 3 years? (that's how long the points are valid). Further, to imply that the only units in the system are sub-standard is merely further propagating this myth. Again, if nobody deposits the system can't work! Plain and simple. This can be a great program, if everyone decides to participate! In closing, I might add that the week/s that I deposited with RedWeek, are with an RCI Gold Crown resort. In fact, we like this resort so well, that we've never joined RCI (no need) and have not previously exchanged our week/s. That said, with the RedWeek Exchange, I ended up exchanging for a top rated Marriott' Resort (II Premier Resort), over a holiday weekend! As for the RedWeek Exchange Program, come on in, the water's fine.