Private Escapes Legacy members forum

DC4MS · 08-05-2008, 01:15 PM

I have received several requests to create a private members-only subforum for PE legacy members to discuss the merger and latest paperwork in private.

While I may add private forums in the near future, I am not ready to work on this feature at the present due to current (non-destination club) travel and business commitments as I am running these forums from my laptop on the road for the next few weeks.

It is Summer after all and I have a serious case of "wanderlust".

I am creating this thread so anyone interested in private PM or e-mail discussion can network with each other.

I would also suggest that one person sign up for a conference call service like www.gotomeeting.com or something like that so everyone can call at a specific date and time as I have used these services in the past and it works well.

So, if you are a current PE legacy member and want to participate in a "non-DC4MS sanctioned" conference call, just respond to this thread and one of you will have to organize and set-up this conference.

Please don't post anything other than your desire to participate and one person - "do I hear any volunteers?" will have to organize this information.

Kagehitokiri · 08-05-2008, 02:01 PM

question - how can anyone except the club itself verify whether someone is a member?

DC4MS · 08-05-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri

question - how can anyone except the club itself verify whether someone is a member?

That is one challenge I have with setting up a private sub-forum.

If a sub-forum is really going to be private, there needs to be some validity of membership. Thus, the temporary solution I came up with is to provide a public forum and if someone wants to splinter off in a private group of 3-10 people on a conference call, it may work out fine in the short run.

Desties · 08-05-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri

question - how can anyone except the club itself verify whether someone is a member?

Well there is a way. As long as an actual member is the gatekeeper, he/she can ask the prospective member to look something up on the member-only website (like availability of a certain property or the name of a local host, etc.).

Ultimately, it's probably more hassle than its worth. It would not benefit DC4MS if members of a particular club moved their rants and raves behind a wall. It also cuts against the transparency that a lot of us seem to strive for.

I can tell you 10 great things about UE for every 1 that irks me, and I don't mind laying it out here in the open. If there is something that is club-sensitive, I know I'm not the only one that has used the PM feature here to communicate with my fellow club members.

The reason we have so few ER members on DC4MS, despite it being the largest club by far, is that the club is smart enough to host discussions on its members-only site. The lack of a UE forum on the member-facing side of the site and the cancellation of the town hall discussion will only funnel people here to voice their pleasure and displeasure.

caribbeansun · 08-05-2008, 04:33 PM

Uhhh...guest access to those considering the club...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desties

Well there is a way. As long as an actual member is the gatekeeper, he/she can ask the prospective member to look something up on the member-only website (like availability of a certain property or the name of a local host, etc.).

DC Skeptic · 08-05-2008, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desties

The lack of a UE forum on the member-facing side of the site and the cancellation of the town hall discussion will only funnel people here to voice their pleasure and displeasure.

I pushed very hard when I was a member of PE for a community forum but Rich was adamantly against it. He was afraid they wouldn't be able to control negative dialogue. It was always about the spin. I thought the club was great and that open communication between members, and members and management would be a good thing but they didn't agree. The only piece they did incorporate (poorly) was the ability to provide comments on trips and activities. So today's lack of communication is actually consistent with how Rich has viewed this all along IMHO.

Kagehitokiri · 08-05-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC Skeptic

...Rich was adamantly against it. He was afraid they wouldn't be able to control negative dialogue...

"..."

the problem with comments etc is that theyre not a discussion.

do guests on club websites receive unrestricted access?

Desties · 08-05-2008, 06:07 PM

I can see where one bad apple on a member board can begin to eat away at the more upbeat members, but that's only a problem for a club if it perpetually displeases its base. After all, if someone is really upset, they'll leave the club eventually. If they don't, the other members will see through the hipocrisy, bonding together in the process.

Ironically enough, if controlling spin and damage control are the priorities, hosting the board is actually the best way to keep things in check. Why is it that you didn't hear a whole lot of dissent here when ER began charging extra for holidays, and other fee hikes? It's the largest club, by far. Why aren't people talking about it here? Well, it's because they are talking about it THERE, away from the sightlines of any potential members that the moves may scare away.

Why woudn't a DC want to emulate the top dog in the industry that way? It's not just about the rants. It's about the practicality. I know that when I'm going to a new PE/UE property, that I have quesitons that may seem trivial. How far away is the Coral Gardens reef for snorkeling from The Somerset in Turks? How safe is it to ride bikes at the Currituck Club for kids? Can I use the non-gated pool down the street from the home in Reunion? Best places to eat within walking distance? I'm not going to call my Escape Planner for that. I may wind up asking the Local Host, but by then it may be too late. Discussion boards with propety-specific threads open up that kind of chatter, and get members excited about sticking around the club long enough to check them out. It's also a great feedback system for the club itself.

I don't know why ER is the only club that wants its members to mingle virtually within its own boundaries. Is every other club that insecure? I doubt it. Is every other club unaware of the social needs of its members to chat with one another? Probably.

smtravelor · 08-05-2008, 06:19 PM

A few PE members, including members of the Board of Advisors, are interested in obtaining PE member email addresses to potentially organize a call. If you are interested in being contacted, please send me your name and email address via a private message.

DC Skeptic · 08-05-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Desties

It's not just about the rants. It's about the practicality. I know that when I'm going to a new PE/UE property, that I have quesitons that may seem trivial. How far away is the Coral Gardens reef for snorkeling from The Somerset in Turks? How safe is it to ride bikes at the Currituck Club for kids? Can I use the non-gated pool down the street from the home in Reunion? Best places to eat within walking distance? I'm not going to call my Escape Planner for that. I may wind up asking the Local Host, but by then it may be too late. Discussion boards with propety-specific threads open up that kind of chatter, and get members excited about sticking around the club long enough to check them out. It's also a great feedback system for the club itself.

This is exactly the argument I made to PE. To Kage's comment, I provided my view on Rich's perspective simply to make clear that this lack of dialogue isn't an oversight or a misunderstanding, it is deliberate. If you understand that you may make a greater effort to be heard. So I am only trying to be helpful in a trying time. If I am not I apologize because that is not my intent. I am truly rooting for Legacy PE to be heard and be treated fairly.

DC Skeptic · 08-05-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri

do guests on club websites receive unrestricted access?

At PE we were talking about a message board on the Member Only Website, so if I have your question right, the answer is a categorical "No".

caribbeansun · 08-05-2008, 06:45 PM

The UE rep claimed that access was to the full member only website - you can see concierge names, reviews, comments, full property details, view availability, etc.

So either that wasn't true OR picking some piece of info off of the Members only website would effectively open a private forum here up to anyone with a guest pass ID and password which was my point - it's not really secure nor a guarantee that you are dealing with actual members.

See also this email in a thread here that specifically mentions access to the Members only website.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC Skeptic

At PE we were talking about a message board on the Member Only Website, so if I have your question right, the answer is a categorical "No".

Kagehitokiri · 08-05-2008, 06:49 PM

DC Skeptic, i dont think Desties was questioning the accuracy of your statements.

willmyclubmakeit · 08-05-2008, 06:58 PM

i don't see reviews on the website. Are they there and if so where?

DCTraveler · 08-05-2008, 07:31 PM

There is no place for an active dialog on the member's only web-site. Members do have the opportunity to go back and rank something, like a restuarant, and add their comments. When you go to a specific destination you can go to "View Member Hints" or go to Dining Information and look at restaurants that have been ranked (not many have) and for those who have you can click on "comments" to see more.

DC Skeptic · 08-05-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kagehitokiri

DC Skeptic, i dont think Desties was questioning the accuracy of your statements.

Absolutely agree. I was affirming his point, the benefit of a members only message board, which I failed to articulate when I first mentioned my request to PE.

08-05-2008, 01:15 PM	#1
DC4MS Administrator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,727 Club: DC4MS.com	Private Escapes Legacy members forum I have received several requests to create a private members-only subforum for PE legacy members to discuss the merger and latest paperwork in private. While I may add private forums in the near future, I am not ready to work on this feature at the present due to current (non-destination club) travel and business commitments as I am running these forums from my laptop on the road for the next few weeks. It is Summer after all and I have a serious case of "wanderlust". I am creating this thread so anyone interested in private PM or e-mail discussion can network with each other. I would also suggest that one person sign up for a conference call service like www.gotomeeting.com or something like that so everyone can call at a specific date and time as I have used these services in the past and it works well. So, if you are a current PE legacy member and want to participate in a "non-DC4MS sanctioned" conference call, just respond to this thread and one of you will have to organize and set-up this conference. Please don't post anything other than your desire to participate and one person - "do I hear any volunteers?" will have to organize this information.

08-05-2008, 02:01 PM	#2
Kagehitokiri Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,652	Re: Private Escapes Legacy members forum question - how can anyone except the club itself verify whether someone is a member?

08-05-2008, 06:07 PM	#8
Desties Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 263 Club: Ultimate Escapes Signature	Re: Private Escapes Legacy members forum I can see where one bad apple on a member board can begin to eat away at the more upbeat members, but that's only a problem for a club if it perpetually displeases its base. After all, if someone is really upset, they'll leave the club eventually. If they don't, the other members will see through the hipocrisy, bonding together in the process. Ironically enough, if controlling spin and damage control are the priorities, hosting the board is actually the best way to keep things in check. Why is it that you didn't hear a whole lot of dissent here when ER began charging extra for holidays, and other fee hikes? It's the largest club, by far. Why aren't people talking about it here? Well, it's because they are talking about it THERE, away from the sightlines of any potential members that the moves may scare away. Why woudn't a DC want to emulate the top dog in the industry that way? It's not just about the rants. It's about the practicality. I know that when I'm going to a new PE/UE property, that I have quesitons that may seem trivial. How far away is the Coral Gardens reef for snorkeling from The Somerset in Turks? How safe is it to ride bikes at the Currituck Club for kids? Can I use the non-gated pool down the street from the home in Reunion? Best places to eat within walking distance? I'm not going to call my Escape Planner for that. I may wind up asking the Local Host, but by then it may be too late. Discussion boards with propety-specific threads open up that kind of chatter, and get members excited about sticking around the club long enough to check them out. It's also a great feedback system for the club itself. I don't know why ER is the only club that wants its members to mingle virtually within its own boundaries. Is every other club that insecure? I doubt it. Is every other club unaware of the social needs of its members to chat with one another? Probably.

08-05-2008, 06:19 PM	#9
smtravelor Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NY Posts: 31 Club: Ultimate Escapes	Re: Private Escapes Legacy members forum A few PE members, including members of the Board of Advisors, are interested in obtaining PE member email addresses to potentially organize a call. If you are interested in being contacted, please send me your name and email address via a private message.

08-05-2008, 06:49 PM	#13
Kagehitokiri Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,652	Re: Private Escapes Legacy members forum DC Skeptic, i dont think Desties was questioning the accuracy of your statements.

08-05-2008, 06:58 PM	#14
willmyclubmakeit Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 184 Club: UE Signature	Re: Private Escapes Legacy members forum i don't see reviews on the website. Are they there and if so where?

08-05-2008, 07:31 PM	#15
DCTraveler Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 133 Club: Ultimate Escapes Elite	Re: Private Escapes Legacy members forum There is no place for an active dialog on the member's only web-site. Members do have the opportunity to go back and rank something, like a restuarant, and add their comments. When you go to a specific destination you can go to "View Member Hints" or go to Dining Information and look at restaurants that have been ranked (not many have) and for those who have you can click on "comments" to see more.