Forums39
Topics38,657
Posts312,479
Members26,568
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
1 registered members (1 invisible),
996
guests, and 106
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Re: Sapphire beach club problem
[Re: Dansc]
#35621
01/23/2015 11:36 AM
01/23/2015 11:36 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,648 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,648
Brookfield, CT.
|
Dan,
Our personal dealings with RCI were always the pits.
We found them to be great at raising their fees and changing their rules with little or no warning at all - just not too terrific at making suitable trades for us, and we were extremely flexible both times we attempted to do week exchanges at other destinations. They did finally come up with one exchange for us but everything else they offered was either a hotel room or a studio, usually in Mexico or Marguerita Island, neither of which were places we wanted to visit, and these were in exchange for our two bedroom 7th floor Towers unit.
After our complimentary years ran out we paid for two more and then quit RCI completely, using our Towers weeks year after year and doing internal exchanges as we saw fit. This has actually worked out very well for us and we have had no regrets walking away from RCI. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Sapphire beach club problem
[Re: Dansc]
#35624
01/23/2015 12:05 PM
01/23/2015 12:05 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,648 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,648
Brookfield, CT.
|
Hopefully, they will follow the suggestions of so many seasoned travelers, and recheck their reservations - ALL OF THEM - periodically and won't end up with any last minute surprises.
And judging by what Toronto has said about GREAT BAY ROYAL ISLANDER you may be very pleasantly surprised with it. We chose to stay 'in town' for a few nights a couple of years ago but at the other end of the Bay, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. And if all else fails, you do still have the option of driving to all the other great SXM venues.
Good luck with RCI and whatever you ultimately decide to do. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Sapphire beach club problem
[Re: Dansc]
#35625
01/23/2015 12:17 PM
01/23/2015 12:17 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,143
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
|
WE have always been very happy with our RCI membership and have never had any problem exchanging anywhere. If you are a points member, you have the advantage of exchanging at either a points or a weeks resort which definitely increases your chances of a good exchange. We have even been able to stay at other resorts in SXM for three weeks in exchange for the one week we own there.The Sapphire has not been looked upon favorably by RCI for several years since they have not kept the resort up to standards.
Hopefully things will work out for you at one of the better resorts on the island. If not, there are lots of places available at relatively good rates.
|
|
|
Re: Sapphire beach club problem
[Re: islandgem]
#35626
01/23/2015 01:01 PM
01/23/2015 01:01 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,648 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,648
Brookfield, CT.
|
Elizabeth,
Just to clarify, our experiences with RCI were long before the 'points' program became available and were strictly 'weeks' exchanges.
The first attempt was made, giving them our two bedroom red time and giving them a four month range we wished to travel in from January through April (excluding the very high New Years, Presidents and Easter weeks which we really didn't want....) and they could only come up with the destinations I originally mentioned. In year two of our on-going search they did finally find a week we could agree upon.
The second attempt at exchanging our week ended up in us taking a lesser unit back at the Towers than we had given them in the first place and it took them almost two years to find this and we took it only because we were tired of playing their game. Totally unsuccessful experiences, both.
Perhaps with the advent of the more widely available internet options and the addition of the points program things improved but we were perfectly content to do our SXM weeks (having added a few more as we went along) and booking our other travel experiences completely independent if RCI.
I'm glad it has worked for you but lately I've been reading that many 'points' owners are becoming dissatisfied but I really haven't paid all that much attention as to their reasons since it hasn't been anything we were directly involved in.
Will you be there in April this year or traveling elsewhere? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Sapphire beach club problem
[Re: Dansc]
#35627
01/23/2015 01:11 PM
01/23/2015 01:11 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,269 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,269
Boynton Beach, FL
|
I think the problem is with the Sapphire itself. before going and blaming RCI etc...i do believe that RCI has received so many complaints over the years about the condition of the resort, that they don't want to deal with the Sapphire anymore. Most of the RCI properties are great properties, and when a non suspecting person exchanges into a place like the Sapphire, and find all the problems, they complain, as they should. I applaud RCI in dropping the Sapphire...it's places like it that give the timeshare industry a black eye.
Before everyone goes off on RCI, blame the condition of the Sapphire first. If I were RCI, i would've dropped them years ago. my two cents.
|
|
|
Re: Sapphire beach club problem
[Re: EdB]
#35628
01/23/2015 01:56 PM
01/23/2015 01:56 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,311 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,311
Vancouver, WA
|
On a bit of the same page there, who would want to trade into the Sapphire? What a bad surprise that would be.
As for RCI, I dropped them several years back but have since rejoined. I also have an II membership. I find that one often works better than the other and since we travel a fair amount I like being able to take advantage of the extra vacation options. Last week, Vegas, in a bit over the month I got a place in Nashville for two weeks at a rate that is pretty low. So I take advantage of those benefits and it works for me. For trades, not always the best but we have done ok. Will be in Cabo in early April and their trade options were a lot better than II. Between the exchange cost and the new RCI merging points fee's (using weeks) it is more expensive than it used to be but I still feel we do fine but takes a bit more planning.
Not sure which I like better, II or RCI but right now RCI is on a roll for me and II has the back seat but I know that changes like the sand at Maho.
Cheers, Todd
I prefer the Isle seat
|
|
|
Re: Sapphire beach club problem
[Re: Dansc]
#35631
01/23/2015 02:44 PM
01/23/2015 02:44 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,311 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,311
Vancouver, WA
|
I really doubt that the Divi situation is at all related to the Sapphire one, or the Caravanserai situation. Resorts change their affiliation, some to both RCI and II and some do one or the other or neither. I have seen some add RCI or II so it is no surprise that they stop the affiliation and I am sure there is a cost associated for the resort. There are a lot of timeshare resorts on SXM, there will be a lot of changes to exchange memberships over the years.
As for Sapphire, it would just be speculation on why they have decided to no longer deal with RCI or possibly they did not comply with RCI. Speculating is not fair to either party.
Good luck, hope you find a better place for the others. Todd
I prefer the Isle seat
|
|
|
Re: Sapphire beach club problem
[Re: bigbobthib]
#35634
01/24/2015 05:01 PM
01/24/2015 05:01 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71 Florida
chicstersun
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 71
Florida
|
Just received a letter from RCI indicating "effective immediately, Sapphire Beach Club has been placed in a suspension status and we must suspend your privileges in both the RCI Weeks and RCI Points Programs. Should you have specific questions about this matter, please contact the resort directly." We are members of the points program.
CHICSTERSUN Palm City, Florida
|
|
|
Re: Story in the Daily Herald today
[Re: january]
#35643
01/27/2015 11:19 PM
01/27/2015 11:19 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,269 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,269
Boynton Beach, FL
|
I strongly disagree about the comment comparing the RCI situation to Caravanseria. Sapphire has been in trouble with RCI for years now.....all the trades into it, and then all the very disgruntled customers afterwards. The Sapphire was way below the fine standards RCI expects from their ''member resorts".
The Caravanserai was a resort that went bust....was taken over by the bank...and sold to a new conglomerate. Not a regular sale...a Foreclosure sale. It is no different than one not paying for their homes, and the bank taking it over and selling it at auction! Comparing the two resort situations are like comparing apples to oranges...with nothing in common.
The owners of Sapphire can continue using it, unlike the owners of Caravanserai. The only difference is that they cannot swap it out with RCI, not because of finances...but because of all the work that has not been done there, including everyday preventative maintenance. If someone trades a great resort into a place like Sapphire, and receives a run down, mold infested, non working air conditioned unit, with a crumbling pool floor, lack of dishes, refrigerator, and the like what would you do?????? Obvious RCI finally pulled the plug on this happening to their members again....and again...and again. This suspension should've been done years ago!!! It was only a matter of time.
|
|
|
Re: Story in the Daily Herald today
[Re: J_Jansen]
#35648
01/28/2015 11:53 PM
01/28/2015 11:53 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 26
mchalem
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 26
|
I would agree with Jansen. Sapphire at this point has very little value to me. Has anyone had any luck "giving" their weeks back?? I would think with all of the violations including health concerns and loss of their RCI affiliation there would be some kind of out. Any ideas or thoughts ?
Last edited by mchalem; 01/28/2015 11:54 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Story in the Daily Herald today
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#35649
01/29/2015 07:02 AM
01/29/2015 07:02 AM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 680 Burlington, Ontario, Canada
JohnandBev
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 680
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
|
Small bit of trivia, driving past the Sapphire yesterday, going towards the airport, as you approach the Sapphire, you see some flags including a RCI flag, It appears from that direction the RCI flag applies to the Sapphire. I actually went back to check as I thought the Sapphire was flying the RCI flag. Nope its the building immediatly to the west, flying 3 flags, US, Can and RCI J&B
|
|
|
Re: Story in the Daily Herald today
[Re: LittleDeb]
#35652
01/29/2015 01:12 PM
01/29/2015 01:12 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,648 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,648
Brookfield, CT.
|
OMG! That really was disgusting!!
I'd be hard-pressed to see them refusing you after an experience like that. Just the thought of it has totally grossed me out. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Story in the Daily Herald today
[Re: LittleDeb]
#35653
01/29/2015 01:26 PM
01/29/2015 01:26 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,269 Boynton Beach, FL
EdB
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,269
Boynton Beach, FL
|
LittleDeb said: Yes, we gave our weeks back last year. Contacted Sapphire and told us to sedn a notorized letter where we paid our maintance fees. We have had no problems. The reason we gave them back was awful!! My husband was brushing his teeth in the bathroom & a rat went up his leg into the vanity!! I was downstairs in the lobby talking to friends! He took the vanity apart in the bathroom! Our friends had 3 rats they caught on sticky traps below us the week before. Told the manager & said she would get an exterminator from France! Really!!! Sapphire was a great place at one time & met so many wonderful friends. and with stories like this...people wonder why RCI dropped the Sapphire????? After reading this..i guess our lack of stuff when we stayed there wasn't so bad....LOL and all this time i thought the only ''rats'' at the Sapphire were the owners and management. Guess i was wrong.
|
|
|
|