Tedpilot

Leah - When are we going to debate?

TradeToTravel

Tedpilot, you cannot debate that which you cannot understand. If, after participating in the entire TTT thread, you still cannot understand the difference between "renting" and "trading," I have no interest in you. There's nothing you and I could "debate" in another venue which we can't debate right here.

Tedpilot

Right, you don't understand DCs... Renting is easy, I've done plenty of that from both ends. Trading, all the same. So, Leah, we're jockeying for terms then? Ok, THIS THREAD is about renting lux properties vs DCs. It's not about TTT. Lets lock, load, and let our fingers do the debate then with previous terms amended with this as our venue...?

TradeToTravel

Tedpilot, what do you want to debate? If it's something regarding TTT, we'll do it in the TTT thread. If it's about luxury rentals vs. destination clubs, we'll use this thread. If it's about something else, we'll start another thread.

Tedpilot

I hate quoting myself, let alone repeating myself. Anyhow, we can debate in these forums, that is just as fine...we'll start a new thread, clean.

Topic choices...
Lux rentals vs DCs - I'll argue that DCs are better
TTT vs DCs - I'll argue that DCs are better
TTT is a DC - I'll argue in the negative

To repeat the terms if you agree: Here's the agreement...when it is over, we'll post the transcript here and then current members of this website (as of today/prevents padding) vote and the loser never comes back (moderators can block ISP address or something). Additionally, if you win I will send you a written apology you can frame above your desk or flush down the toilet, I don't care. If I win, I want the debate posted clearly on your TTT website with a direct link from the home page.

Since you're not agreeing to a real-time debate we need to set a time limit from the start...one week, two? Forum will then be locked and members can vote. In any case, this will be your opportunity to stay on topic, articulate only in applicability and present your point.

Take this opportunity to send me packing. The ball is in your court...

TradeToTravel

Tedpilot, I've already said everything I need to say about TTT and destination clubs in order for people to form their own opinions about TTT and/or destination clubs (between this thread and the TTT thread). By the time I'm finished participating in this thread, I will have said everything I want to say about luxury rentals vs. destination clubs. There does not need to be a timeline or change of venue (I don't know why you think I should debate you and only you instead of having everyone participate who wants to participate). Everything will play out just fine in these forums.

There is already a direct link to the TTT thread on the "In The News" section of our website:

Holiday Home Exchange | Holiday Home Swap | Exchange Holiday Homes | Holiday Home Exchange News

And in our latest newsletter there's a link to this thread:

Delivra

Very Generous One

Do you remember the Seinfeld episode where Kramer took Karate lesson with a bunch of little kids? That's about the size of things here.....

TradeToTravel

Hi, DC4MS, are you going to enforce the BBS rules against insulting/flaming and take down all offending posts both in this thread and the TTT thread?

Tedpilot

Right, OK, then nothing else to say. See ya then. Good luck w/ TTT and have fun, fun, fun where-ever your mind takes you.

TradeToTravel

Hi, All, for those who think TTT is a luxury vacation rentals company, we have new text on our home page which will clarify who we are and what we do (there's no mention whatsoever of vacation rentals). Following is a link:

Vacation Home Exchange | Holiday Home Swap | Holiday Home Exchange | Vacation Home Swap

Regarding the question of whether or not TTT is a "destination club," following is an excerpt which compares our services to those of destination clubs:

A few years ago, Michael Espindle (Managing Editor of "Elite Traveler" magazine) said Trade to Travel is the biggest news in the luxury travel industry since the advent of destination clubs. But it's even better than that. Trade to Travel wasn't born after destination clubs. It was born before them. We make more luxury properties in more countries available to our members than any destination club. Plus, many of our members' fully-staffed villas and estates are grander and offer a more sumptuous array of services than any property offered by destination clubs.

For those who don't own and who don't want to own a vacation property for whatever reason(s), some destination clubs may be a good value (for those who haven't heard of "destination clubs," they're luxury vacation clubs). For those who do own one or more vacation properties, TTT is the luxury vacation club without rival.

TradeToTravel

For those in this thread who've suggested that TTT create a forum, I'm happy to announce that we're in the process of creating "TTT Forums." Following is a link to the newsletter we sent out today letting our members know it's coming soon!

HTML Online Version

DC4MS

Good luck...how about updating your photo as the colors look a little off.

TradeToTravel

Lol, I'll see if I can come up with a better pic.

TradeToTravel

Hi, All, for those who don't own a vacation property, TTT announces the creation of our "Players Club" and we're waiving our $2495 initiation fee as an introductory offer for members of destination clubs for the remainder of 2008.

Following is new text which will soon be up on the home page of our website:

"A few years ago, Michael Espindle (Managing Editor of "Elite Traveler" magazine) said Trade to Travel is the biggest news in the luxury travel industry since the advent of destination clubs. But it's even better than that. Trade to Travel wasn't born after destination clubs. It was born before them. We make more luxury properties in more countries available to our members than any destination club. Plus, many of our members' fully-staffed villas and estates are grander and offer a more sumptuous array of services than any property offered by destination clubs (for those who haven't heard of "destination clubs," they're luxury vacation clubs).

For those who own one or more vacation properties, TTT is the luxury vacation club without rival.

For those who don't own a vacation property, we offer "The Players Club" (for details, please click on "The Players Club" in our left menu). "The Players Club" is an alternative and/or supplement to destination club membership. Whereas destination clubs own or lease the properties which they make available to their members, TTT arranges fully vetted luxury rental properties for our "Players Club" members (many of the properties belong to our "Owners Club" members, while others are arranged via partnerships with preeminent real estate and rental companies worldwide). Our "Players Club" members enjoy exponentially more properties/destinations than can be offered by any destination club, plus you receive the same devoted concierge services enjoyed by our "Owners Club" members."

To have your "Players Club" initiation fee waived, simply give our offices a call at 800.922.6001 and let us know to which destination club(s) you belong. If you adore your current vacation club, "Players Club" membership is a great way to supplement and diversify your vacation portfolio. Since it's highly unlikely that any club can fulfill all travel needs, we'd love to take 5 Star care of you when you travel to destinations in which your club doesn't have properties and/or when your club's properties in an area aren't available for the dates you wish to travel.

Following your first year of membership in "The Players Club," annual dues are a mere $99.

"The Players Club" - no upfront monies, no risk (we've been in business for 17 years, but even if we were to go out of business, sell, or merge, you'd lose nothing), and exponentially more properties/destinations/services. There's really no reason not to be a member and we'd love to hear from those of you who would like to supplement/diversify your vacation portfolio.

All the best,
Leah

TradeToTravel

Hi, All, following is the text that'll soon be up on "The Players Club" page of our website:

"The Players Club by TTT" is for those who want to enjoy the world's greatest vacation properties and TTT's full array of dedicated concierge services, yet who don't want the responsibility and/or costs of owning a vacation property.

It's our idea of the perfect "destination club." For those who aren't familiar with destination clubs, they're luxury vacation clubs and TTT was the original luxury vacation club.

While destination clubs are marketed as an alternative to second home ownership, we believe that our "Players Club" far outshines all traditional destination clubs. Whereas traditional clubs own or lease the properties they make available to their members (limiting their members to the properties in their club's portfolio), TTT arranges fully vetted luxury vacation rental properties worldwide for our "Players Club" members.

We provide the best of the best services, properties, and availabilities because we're not limited to the properties, destinations, or services offered by any one club or company. Many of the properties we recommend belong to our "Owners Club" members, while others are arranged via partnerships with preeminent real estate and rental companies. We hand select the best possible options to offer you, saving you hours of research and assuring that you'll be delighted with the property upon arrival and throughout your stay.

You let us know your needs/wants/wishes and we fulfill them. It's that simple.

There's no risk. No high cost of entry (our initiation fee is $2495 while traditional destination clubs often require deposits of several hundred thousand or more). Almost no annual fee (a mere $99). No long term commitment. No restrictive reservation policies or arbitrary club rules/costs.

As a member of The Players Club, you "pay only when you play" and we charge you nothing for our services (the 10% commission which we receive from the owner/agency covers our costs).

Traditional destination clubs are focused on real estate acquisition and asset-building (though 90% of them offer no equity, which is why HalogenGuides.com likens membership in most destination clubs to parking your money in someone else's garage). The Players Club, on the other hand, is focused solely on your EXPERIENCE.

A few years ago, Michael Espindle (Managing Editor of "Elite Traveler" magazine) said Trade to Travel is the biggest news in the luxury travel industry since the advent of destination clubs. But it's even better than that. Trade to Travel wasn't born after destination clubs. It was born before them. We make exponentially more luxury properties in more countries available to our members than any destination club. Plus, many hundreds of the fully-staffed villas and estates we arrange for our "Players Club" members are grander and offer a more sumptuous array of services than any property offered by destination clubs.

The Players Club by TTT - the "destination club" without rival.