Reviews on Resorts

ken1193 wrote:

adahiscout has asked, quoted in pertinent part: >> Don't understand what you mean by "hiding" deposits, Ken. Are you referring to the generic/invisible deposits? << =======================================

The lawsuit allegations against RCI contend (in relevant part) that RCI accepts prime weeks deposited by the owner(s) of said prime weeks, but then never makes them available (or even viewable) for exchange by the RCI membership. Instead, the allegations contend, RCI holds (personally, I like "HIDES" as being a more appropriately descriptive allegation) those prime weeks from view and/or exchange by any and all hopeful exchangers, with RCI choosing instead to just "hide" and then rent out those prime weeks directly to the public themselves, thereby ensuring a profit which is obviously much more money than a mere $169 exchange fee.

I'm not a party to this suit, but I've been following it closely, having both a legal background and a keen interest in RCI's downward plunge in quality, honesty and ethical practices (...that's just my own personal opinion) over about the past decade.

Right now in the lawsuit, there are matters pending regarding class certification, with both sides having specific filing deadlines, all of which actually end soon (within a few weeks from right now). Once class certification is resolved, the case either then moves forward (if certification is granted) or is thrown out and terminated (if class certification is denied by the court). I have no crystal ball -- and I know enough not to second guess the thought processes of sitting judges, but I am nonetheless very interested in these particular proceedings.

======== Time will tell with the law case. The only thing we can know for sure is that it will divert a lot of time and money from RCI's main job--which we all agree we'd like them to do really well.

I personally feel that the idea of "hidden prime weeks" is itself mythical. If they were ever there, they were eaten by the Early Deposit Birds. MD

adahiscout has opined, quoted in pertinent part: >> I personally feel that the idea of "hidden prime weeks" is itself mythical. If they were ever there, they were eaten by the Early Deposit Birds << ======================================

I guess we shall all see about that when/if RCI is ultimately subjected to the bright and focused spotlight of full disclosure in the courtroom. I'm not a gambler, but if I was I surely would NOT bet on RCI here......

All it will take to transform "mythical" into "established fact" on the issue of (allegedly) "hidden" prime weeks is for the plaintiffs to openly present some RCI member prime week depositers --- and then next openly present (right behind the prime week depositors) some non-RCI members who rented those very same prime weeks from RCI at top dollar. Either that has happened and, if so, it can be easily proven, or maybe it has never happened at all. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen (no, on second thought, don't do that --- Internet gambling is illegal). To me, it simply strains belief that the plaintiffs could / would ever have filed this lawsuit in the first place if they didn't already have a good hand of cards to play, firmly grasped and ready to "call" and place those cards face up on the table for all to see.

....And why would RCI bother to undertake the ongoing legal expense of contesting the class certification, if the facts were in their favor in the first place and would actually exonerate them upon disclosure? I'm not drawing any premature conclusions here, but I am merely pointing out that what is believed today to be "mythical" could instead soon become "proven, documented fact" in open court. We'll see.....

If I was a gambler, I'd bet on RCI settling this case (or losing, if it actually ever goes to trial). What is far more uncertain and interesting (at least to me) is the prospective terms and nature of any settlement compensation and/or restitution, whether voluntary or court ordered. I'm no expert, and I don't claim to be, but I'm certainly unaware of any legal precedent on this particular timeshare matter, so it seems to be new (and very interesting) legal ground. I find it all fascinating --- and I will readily admit that although I am an RCI member (for now), I also welcome the "bright sunlight" which may soon come shining down to clearly and publicly illuminate some of RCI's internal practices.

It all has to now play out in court. Internet speculation and/or crystal ball guesses will not interest or impact the decision(s) of the sitting judge in Murillo vs. RCI. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Several edits made over the past 24 hours to the above posting, solely to correct typo or spelling errors (I'm a big fan of accuracy, precision and attention to detail). No changes to content, won't edit further...... Ken

ken1193 wrote:

adahiscout has opined, quoted in pertinent part: >> I personally feel that the idea of "hidden prime weeks" is itself mythical. If they were ever there, they were eaten by the Early Deposit Birds << ======================================

I guess we shall all see about that when/if RCI is ultimately subjected to the bright and focused spotlight of full disclosure in the courtroom. I'm not a gambler, but if I was I surely would NOT bet on RCI here......

All it will take to transform "mythical" into "established fact" on the issue of (allegedly) "hidden" prime weeks is for the plaintiffs to openly present some RCI member prime week depositers --- and then next openly present (right behind the prime week depositors) some non-RCI members who rented those very same prime weeks from RCI at top dollar. Either that has happened and, if so, it can be easily proven, or maybe it has never happened at all. Place your bets, ladies and gentlemen (no, on second thought, don't do that --- Internet gambling is illegal). To me, it simply strains belief that the plaintiffs could / would ever have filed this lawsuit in the first place if they didn't already have a good hand of cards to play, firmly grasped and ready to "call" and place those cards face up on the table for all to see.

....And why would RCI bother to undertake the ongoing legal expense of contesting the class certification, if the facts were in their favor in the first place and would actually exonerate them upon disclosure? I'm not drawing any premature conclusions here, but I am merely pointing out that what is believed today to be "mythical" could instead soon become "proven, documented fact" in open court. We'll see.....

If I was a gambler, I'd bet on RCI settling this case (or losing, if it actually ever goes to trial). What is far more uncertain and interesting (at least to me) is the prospective terms and nature of any settlement compensation and/or restitution, whether voluntary or court ordered. I'm no expert, and I don't claim to be, but I'm certainly unaware of any legal precedent on this particular timeshare matter, so it seems to be new (and very interesting) legal ground. I find it all fascinating --- and I will readily admit that although I am an RCI member (for now), I also welcome the "bright sunlight" which may soon come shining down to clearly and publicly illuminate some of RCI's internal practices.

It all has to now play out in court. Internet speculation and/or crystal ball guesses will not interest or impact the decision(s) of the sitting judge in Murillo vs. RCI. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Several edits made over the past 24 hours to the above posting, solely to correct typo or spelling errors (I'm a big fan of accuracy, precision and attention to detail). No changes to content, won't edit further...... Ken

===== Would you mind explaining this "class certification" business to those of us who are not lawyers? MD

adahiscout has asked, quoted in pertinent part: >> Would you mind explaining this "class certification" business to those of us who are not lawyers?<< =======================================

In what will be my first and LAST posting of viewpoint or opinion on any matter of law, I'll give it a try:

The defendant in a class action suit (RCI in this one) can challenge (and RCI HAS challenged) the "standing" or "vailidity" of the plaintiffs (the class / group members) filing the suit. In order to now prove their legal "standing" and "vaildity" and have the class officially "certified" before the case can proceed forward, the "class" (plaintiffs) must now, because of the RCI challenge, now formally and satisfactorily prove itself to the judge to comprise actual RCI members; members who openly assert having been negatively impacted in some specific and demonstrable way by the defendants' (RCI) actions.

Since it strains belief that the plaintiffs would file suit in the first place without clearly knowing that they have such validity and standing right from the outset when first filing suit, RCI now contesting the class "certification" might be seen (by a cynical onlooker....) to be nothing more than a stalling tactic.

That same (hypothetical, cynical) uninvolved onlooker might then further speculate that the "stall" could be for the defendants and their lawyers to busily work on the terms of a settlement agreement to promptly present to the plaintiffs immediately after class certification is (inevitably??) granted. Or perhaps just to have more time to prepare for a trial, if they actually believe they can "defend and win"? Or, a REAL cynic might theorize, RCI might even just be borrowing themselves more time in order to purge / sanitize its records before those records are demanded for presentation in "discovery" proceedings, which would happen right after class certification was granted. I don't, not for one moment, profess or claim to know....

Again, the truth and the facts --- not Internet speculation --- hopefully will ultimately prevail. I just hope that any pre-trial settlement agreement (if that's what ultimately happens) not only satisfies plaintiffs' past harm, but also clearly identifies and requires a specific and detailed "clean up your act" mandatory program for RCI to adopt going forward.

ken1193 wrote:

adahiscout has asked, quoted in pertinent part: >> Would you mind explaining this "class certification" business to those of us who are not lawyers?<< =======================================

In what will be my first and LAST posting of viewpoint or opinion on any matter of law, I'll give it a try:

The defendant in a class action suit (RCI in this one) can challenge (and RCI HAS challenged) the "standing" or "vailidity" of the plaintiffs (the class / group members) filing the suit. In order to now prove their legal "standing" and "vaildity" and have the class officially "certified" before the case can proceed forward, the "class" (plaintiffs) must now, because of the RCI challenge, now formally and satisfactorily prove itself to the judge to comprise actual RCI members; members who openly assert having been negatively impacted in some specific and demonstrable way by the defendants' (RCI) actions.

Since it strains belief that the plaintiffs would file suit in the first place without clearly knowing that they have such validity and standing right from the outset when first filing suit, RCI now contesting the class "certification" might be seen (by a cynical onlooker....) to be nothing more than a stalling tactic.

That same (hypothetical, cynical) uninvolved onlooker might then further speculate that the "stall" could be for the defendants and their lawyers to busily work on the terms of a settlement agreement to promptly present to the plaintiffs immediately after class certification is (inevitably??) granted. Or perhaps just to have more time to prepare for a trial, if they actually believe they can "defend and win"? Or, a REAL cynic might theorize, RCI might even just be borrowing themselves more time in order to purge / sanitize its records before those records are demanded for presentation in "discovery" proceedings, which would happen right after class certification was granted. I don't, not for one moment, profess or claim to know....

Again, the truth and the facts --- not Internet speculation --- hopefully will ultimately prevail. I just hope that any pre-trial settlement agreement (if that's what ultimately happens) not only satisfies plaintiffs' past harm, but also clearly identifies and requires a specific and detailed "clean up your act" mandatory program for RCI to adopt going forward.

========= Thanks for the clarification. As you say, these surely must be actual RCI members who are initiating the suite. (Easy to check!)

Demonstrating that they have been illegally harmed gets tougher. The RCI policies which they feel have harmed them may well be spelled out in print in the RCI rules, regulations, etc. by which RCI members are bound. (They run on for at least 20 pages on the RCI website.) MD

adahiscout notes, quoted in pertinent part: >> Demonstrating that they have been illegally harmed gets tougher. The RCI policies which they feel have harmed them may well be spelled out in print in the RCI rules, regulations, etc. by which RCI members are bound. (They run on for at least 20 pages on the RCI website.) << =======================================

Well, I will merely make 3 observations as my final words on this matter:

1. There are serious and costly consequences to filing a frivolous lawsuit. Personally, I do not believe this suit to be frivolous.

2. 20 pages of rules and regulations is child's play for a competent legal team to read and fully understand every word therein. I would be shocked if a full and absolute understanding was not achieved before ever filing suit in the first place.

3. This suit did not get filed by people who expect to lose.....

So stand by, folks. Developments are forthcoming in this case. A gambler might advise RCI cheerleaders to put down the pom poms and start working on their resumes and job applications....but I'm not a gambler.

Does this class action suit apply to everyone who has RCI or does one have to initiate some kind of action individually?

traveler wrote:

Has anyone ever been to "Clover Ridge" resort in Panora Iowa? We have never been there and would like to sell it but would like to know a first hand "users" comment to pass on.

======= We made a last minute RCI exchange into Clover Ridge a few years ago when our deposit was about to expire--and we didn't want to drive to Texas. Only Studio units were available, but ours was quite roomy, could sleep 4, and had a partial kitchen. (Did not realize there was no oven till after buying the frozen pizza!) The place was clean and in good condition.

The buildings are single story in groups of two units which can either be used as two bedroom lock-offs or as a 1BR and a Studio. (Maybe they were 2BR & Studio. As I said, we were in the smaller part.) They are laid out along the single "ridge" road. We were not in view of Lake Panorama but it was a pleasant area. Lots of folks seem to come regularly. They brought their own golf carts!

There is an outdoor pool by the main building which is also the check-in, golf pro shop, and resturant (did not serve every day or every meal). You can also use the beach on Lake Panorama. Pontoon rides are available. However, golf does seem to be the main draw for this resort. Not being a golfer, I am not an expert judge of courses, but the prices were the most reasonable we have noticed anywhere. One would even dare bring a child to learn the game!

The town of Panora is small though it has some charming shops. The oddest thing when we were there was the shortage of food places that served in the evening. Most were breakfast and lunch only. There was a nice dinner place on the lake, but one might prefer to eat out during the day and cook in the unit at night.

Des Moines is reasonably close. The Living Farms there are definitely worth a day trip. The covered "Bridges of Madison County" of book and movie fame are also very real and in driving distance. John Wayne fans will enjoy visiting his birthplace in Winterset. County fairs were going on around the area when we were there.

All in all, this is a good family resort. Older folks might also appreciate the fact that climbing is not required. Adahi

Has anyone ever stayed at Rio Selva Resort Santa Cruz De La Sierra, Bolivia? I have been unable to get in touch with them to let them know of our late check in and I would like to know about rental cars there. Lisa

lisas503 wrote:

Has anyone ever stayed at Rio Selva Resort Santa Cruz De La Sierra, Bolivia? I have been unable to get in touch with them to let them know of our late check in and I would like to know about rental cars there. Lisa

========

No, but I'd love to hear more about it when you return. I have a "Son" there via Christian Children's Fund and might try exchanging into Bolivia sometime. MD

adahiscout wrote:

traveler wrote:

Has anyone ever been to "Clover Ridge" resort in Panora Iowa? We have never been there and would like to sell it but would like to know a first hand "users" comment to pass on.

======= We made a last minute RCI exchange into Clover Ridge a few years ago when our deposit was about to expire--and we didn't want to drive to Texas. Only Studio units were available, but ours was quite roomy, could sleep 4, and had a partial kitchen. (Did not realize there was no oven till after buying the frozen pizza!) The place was clean and in good condition.

The buildings are single story in groups of two units which can either be used as two bedroom lock-offs or as a 1BR and a Studio. (Maybe they were 2BR & Studio. As I said, we were in the smaller part.) They are laid out along the single "ridge" road. We were not in view of Lake Panorama but it was a pleasant area. Lots of folks seem to come regularly. They brought their own golf carts!

There is an outdoor pool by the main building which is also the check-in, golf pro shop, and resturant (did not serve every day or every meal). You can also use the beach on Lake Panorama. Pontoon rides are available. However, golf does seem to be the main draw for this resort. Not being a golfer, I am not an expert judge of courses, but the prices were the most reasonable we have noticed anywhere. One would even dare bring a child to learn the game!

The town of Panora is small though it has some charming shops. The oddest thing when we were there was the shortage of food places that served in the evening. Most were breakfast and lunch only. There was a nice dinner place on the lake, but one might prefer to eat out during the day and cook in the unit at night.

Des Moines is reasonably close. The Living Farms there are definitely worth a day trip. The covered "Bridges of Madison County" of book and movie fame are also very real and in driving distance. John Wayne fans will enjoy visiting his birthplace in Winterset. County fairs were going on around the area when we were there.

All in all, this is a good family resort. Older folks might also appreciate the fact that climbing is not required. Adahi

traveler wrote:

adahiscout wrote:

traveler wrote:

Has anyone ever been to "Clover Ridge" resort in Panora Iowa? We have never been there and would like to sell it but would like to know a first hand "users" comment to pass on.

======= We made a last minute RCI exchange into Clover Ridge a few years ago when our deposit was about to expire--and we didn't want to drive to Texas. Only Studio units were available, but ours was quite roomy, could sleep 4, and had a partial kitchen. (Did not realize there was no oven till after buying the frozen pizza!) The place was clean and in good condition.

The buildings are single story in groups of two units which can either be used as two bedroom lock-offs or as a 1BR and a Studio. (Maybe they were 2BR & Studio. As I said, we were in the smaller part.) They are laid out along the single "ridge" road. We were not in view of Lake Panorama but it was a pleasant area. Lots of folks seem to come regularly. They brought their own golf carts!

There is an outdoor pool by the main building which is also the check-in, golf pro shop, and resturant (did not serve every day or every meal). You can also use the beach on Lake Panorama. Pontoon rides are available. However, golf does seem to be the main draw for this resort. Not being a golfer, I am not an expert judge of courses, but the prices were the most reasonable we have noticed anywhere. One would even dare bring a child to learn the game!

The town of Panora is small though it has some charming shops. The oddest thing when we were there was the shortage of food places that served in the evening. Most were breakfast and lunch only. There was a nice dinner place on the lake, but one might prefer to eat out during the day and cook in the unit at night.

Des Moines is reasonably close. The Living Farms there are definitely worth a day trip. The covered "Bridges of Madison County" of book and movie fame are also very real and in driving distance. John Wayne fans will enjoy visiting his birthplace in Winterset. County fairs were going on around the area when we were there.

All in all, this is a good family resort. Older folks might also appreciate the fact that climbing is not required. Adahi

Thanks so much for such a great evaluation and comments. We are encouraged ! SK

traveler wrote:

traveler wrote:

adahiscout wrote:

traveler wrote:

Has anyone ever been to "Clover Ridge" resort in Panora Iowa? We have never been there and would like to sell it but would like to know a first hand "users" comment to pass on.

======= All in all, this is a good family resort. Older folks might also appreciate the fact that climbing is not required. Adahi

Thanks so much for such a great evaluation and comments. We are encouraged ! SK

=======

I'd suggest advertising for a buyer in the Des Moines area. Many bought and built homes around Lake Panorama but then discovered that the commute was harder than they expected. They might still like to come as timeshare owners.

Does anybody know how to leave a review on RCI.com? I can't find a link anywhere. The last review for Grand Beach where we just stayed was in 2004. I think if rci.com made it easier to leave a review maybe more people would!

Also, how do you start a new forum topic? I can't find that on Redweek.

Joan

Also, I joined Redweek because I thought that they would have more recent reviews and have been very disappointed that the resorts I have checked reviews on are not any more recent than RCI's! I guess its back to tripadvisor.com to check resort reviews. Joan

joanp60 wrote:

Does anybody know how to leave a review on RCI.com? I can't find a link anywhere. The last review for Grand Beach where we just stayed was in 2004. I think if rci.com made it easier to leave a review maybe more people would!

Also, how do you start a new forum topic? I can't find that on Redweek.

Joan

Hi Joan,

To start a new topic, please go to the main forum page, http://www.redweek.com/forums/ then click on the topic you want to post under. Then on the next page there will be a box on the right side of the page that says "I Want to" - click on "Start a New Topic".

Thanks, Marty

joanp60 wrote:

Does anybody know how to leave a review on RCI.com? I can't find a link anywhere. The last review for Grand Beach where we just stayed was in 2004. I think if rci.com made it easier to leave a review maybe more people would!

Also, how do you start a new forum topic? I can't find that on Redweek. Joan

I'm not sure if there IS a place at RCI to post reviews any longer, however there are many other sites where you can post reviews. My favorites are here at Redweek and www.tripadvisor.com (reviews there are from timeshare owners and non timeshare owners alike). We never go anywhere without first checking Redweek and tripadvisor

joanp60 wrote:

Does anybody know how to leave a review on RCI.com? I can't find a link anywhere. The last review for Grand Beach where we just stayed was in 2004. I think if rci.com made it easier to leave a review maybe more people would!

Also, how do you start a new forum topic? I can't find that on Redweek.

Joan

======== Wandering around the RCI site a few days ago, I ran into a way to request a card to review a resort recently visited via RCI but I'm not sure how I got there! This review seems to be entirely for RCI's information.

I actually asked an RCI vacation counselor the other day why there were no recent resort reviews given for RCI resorts on line. She said that they stopped adding them because so many were inaccurate. Some writers didn't seem to know which resort they were talking about and criticized (or complemented) the pool in a resort that had no pool, etc. Reviews are very subjective, of course, with one hating a resort for the things that made another person love it! The posted reviews now are getting so old that the resorts that were "getting shabby" have probably been refurbished and the ones which were great may be getting shabby! MD

I got this response from RCI when I wrote asking how I can add my review of a resort to rci.com. Joan

----------------------- Hello,

Thank you for your e-mail.

The reviews you are able to view online originated from a phased-out program with a third-party vendor. These reviews can still be read in the RCI.com online directory or when space is available in a direct search.

We hope to be able to offer this capability again at RCI.com in the near future. In the interim, if you wish to write a review, we suggest you go to www.IgoUgo.com, a trusted vacation-related website. Please note that this review will not be accessible via RCI.com.

Thank you for your interest in RCI.

Kind regards,

Kathleen McGinnis Customer Communications Specialist RCI North America

adahiscout,

I did find where I think you were talking about. If you go to "My Account" on rci.com, then go to "comment cards", you you went to a resort recently it will have it listed there and you can fill out a comment card online. The comment cards are used to determine if a resort gets a gold crown or other rating.

Joan