RCI Class Action Lawsuit, Murillo vs. R.C.I.
RCI weeks members should be aware of developments regarding a possible class action lawsuit that is currently undergoing the class certification discovery process. The lawsuit is related to an alleged practice through which RCI takes out a lot of the gold crown, and highly sought after properties to rent out to the general public for profit, or for use as a fringe benefit for RCI employees and special guests. This skimming of available weeks makes it difficult for RCI timeshare resort weeks members to bank weeks for exchange at other resorts, since the availability pool is severely limited by this activity.
The class action suit was originally filed in May of 2006 so we can expect it to be quite some time before this case would go to trial. The current status of the case seems to be tied up with uncovering evidence to show that the lawsuit can hold its weight in the courtroom, and this could take quite some time - usually years. If you are a weeks member that wishes to be included if the lawsuit is heard in a court of law you do not need to do anything. All weeks members will receive relevant literature regarding the case by mail prior to the trial date, and at that time you will have the option to opt out of the case - which basically means you will not be held to any of the binding litigation that comes as a result of the trial.
This lawsuit should prove interesting, especially considering that RCI has financial interest in two companies that rent out timeshare weeks to the general public - Snap Travel and Leisure Link. I am not sure if they have controlling interest in SnapTravel and LeisureLink, but I look forward to hearing them try to talk themselves out of the accusations of selling highly sought after time share resort properties to non-members while RCI members are forced to trade their weeks for stays at resorts that can be considered mediocre at best.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I find this article very interesting due to the fact that my family has been wondering about some of the issues and/or difficulties in exchanging for the “better” units. Seems strange that with RCI you are ENCOURAGED to deposit early for “better trading power”; however, you cannot exchange for a period of more than 24 months in advance. Problem being when you get ready to exchange…..most and/or all of the BETTER and/or GOLD CROWN and award-winning units are non-existant. My husband and I were just discussing this lack of availability of good locations and units…and I even said……”I guess some people get “special treatment” from RCI…..and are allowed to book before we common-folk are allowed to”. Seems a little underhanded if this is the case. Will definitely bookmark this page and will try to stay up on this lawsuit. If what I read in this article in factual…it makes me furious!!! Thanks!
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:02 pm
I look forward to this action and have plenty of the same experiences with RCI over the last 18 months that I have been a member. No premium properties available during desired times even with a year or more of advance request. The web site for week exchanges is pathetic; sort of ironic that their improvements to UI (user interface) are all in the last minute and extra getaway properties which are only available if you pay for them, no exchanges. The customer service team is not knowledgeable, but does recite well management’s preselected playbook of answers. So far I have 2 weeks banked, have purchased a 5 year membership and have committed funds to search for 2 exchanges — nothing to show for it. Our home property is a 5 star ski resort in the northeast U.S. I think will enjoy my weeks there
—RCI is one of the worst services I have ever come in contact with. Please keep me on the class action info list.