Email to RCI

Dear RCI

In November 2008 I lodged a complaint on your web page client relations email, and on HelloPeter.com, regarding the fact that Even though we had asked for timeshare for December as far back as Feb 2008, and were told we were on a waiting list, we had had no feedback / offers.
Needless to say, to date I have not heard from client relations (unless Colin works for them) and only got a response after I went the HelloPeter.com route!
Be that as it may, we were going to lose points (about 3000) if we didn't use them before end 2008, apart for the fact we would not be in a position to go on holiday if we didn't get a space somewhere.

Now, I refuse outright to believe that there were no "Spacebanking" in the regions of Natal North Coast, Natal South Coast between Feb 2008 and end Nov 2008, which we could have been offered. As a last resource we were eventually offered Sedgefield, which I rejected on the basis it does not fit our family holiday profile.

Then at the last minute we were offered Forest Lodge in Mtunzini.... I had to accept, as we had run out of time and would forfeit the points if we didn't take something.

Well, this brings me to my next point. it's a shithole!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Literally, for 5 out of the 7 days we were there the sewerage tank alongside our unit overflowed!!!! (photos attached!) The first time was the Saturday after we booked in. It was pumped out the Monday (supposed to have been). By Tuesday it overflowed again, and we don't think it was pumped again before we left, as every day the flow got longer, and the smell richer!!!!
Apart for the fact that when I called the Complex manager on the first Sunday at about midday, he was still asleep!!! Moonlight's was his words, and only got to bed at 5 am!!! Nice - it's no wonder the staff don't care!
My bed room smelled, on and off, of burnt wood. There was no telling where the smell would come from. So, either I closed the windows, and suffocated on the smell of a Kaya! or I opened the windows and suffocated on the smell of sewerage!

60 Second Critique:-
RCI - Unsatisfactory
Reception - Average
Switchboard - n/a
Management - Unsatisfactory
Housekeeping staff - Average i suppose under the conditions
Maintenance staff - Unsatisfactory
Standard of cleanliness - Unit - Average - however the monkey droppings (fresh) on the deck on the Friday we arrived, was still there on the Friday we left...... The deck was never swept or cleaned off. In fact, they hung our towels on the deck railing to dry! and then the wind blew the towels onto the deck floor - luvly!!!!! / Grounds - Unsatisfactory
Furnishings / Comfort - Unsatisfactory - very old and you would think considering the heat and high humidity levels that they would install air conditioners? The fans, if turned up to fast, were trying to wobble themselves free of the roof beams!!!!
Cottage Equipment - Unsatisfactory - we reported some stuff unavailable against the supplied checklist - they replaced the wine glass a day or two later - we went with a shortage of towels for the week!
Gardens and Grounds - the forest is magnificent - the raw sewerage was not!


Overall a very disappointing experience. it's not a family "friendly" resort as there is NOTHING for young people to do. The beach, although accessible, is a long walk away. Not manned / guarded, you cant send the kids down unattended. it's a great place for senior citizen types who want to read a book all day - in the sweltering heat and humidity!!!!!!
If this is the class of resort that now passes muster and gets into the RCI list, it does not bode well for RCI.
If this is the class of unit I have to accept on the basis of the level of unit I space bank - I am very disappointed.
I am not prepared to accept second best. The money I pay as a member of RCI, and the exchange fee is such that I demand better accommodation in future.
I will expect better service from RCI as this is the only avenue we have really, for depositing out timeshare, and exchanging resorts.

I did get to spend 2 days in Ballito, just so that the kids could have some form of a sea side holiday experience, and I did see that the area was not as busy as usual for December (having spent many holidays there in the past I was able to judge the crowd size), which says to me there was probably space at some of the resorts there. I didn't bother to go into any to ask, as that would just have upset me more if I was right - but I accept that according to RCI it would have been full!

I repeat, I do not believe that there were no units come available during for period between Feb and Nov 2008 in what would be considered "Beach Holiday Resorts" - I don't accept that I was so far down a waiting list that even if units did come available I never got to the top of the list.
I believe the service we received was below acceptable standard, your staff are not operating to the best interest of your members (clients) and that should I have similar experiences in future I will certainly cancel my subscription with RCI.

In closing - I had a call from your contact center asking for feedback on the resort. I gave them a miserable 1 rating on probably every factor, but no one from RCI has bothered to call me about this. So, either you don't care anyway!!!! or, it's so common to get this level of feedback for this resort, you can't be bothered to do anything about it.SewerageSewerageSewerage

Salagatle!

Received from a reader and was worth posting....

Jeannine has left a new comment on your post:

These scammers are so ridiculous. Here's an email my mother received in regard to a horse she was selling. BTW, her name isn't Thomson, but the guy was trying to scam so many people that he obviously got confused.

Hello,Thomson"

I hope you're pretty doing well. I seriously appreciate your reply and am Okay with the Horse condition and its really my desire to purchase it. I want to let you know that I will be handling the the Pick up and the Shipping of the Horse my self via my private Shipper who will be moving the Horse from your place to my place together with the Horse I bought already.
I will like to let you know that I need the Horse as a matter of urgency and I will address payment through Certified credit card, Money transfer So I would like to havethe credit card informations bellow as to instrut my bank to transfer money to you without any delay,
card number:..
card limit:..
card owner:..
card owner address:..
date of birth:..
mother's median name:..
bank name and address:..
telephone number of card owner:..
cvv numbers:..
bank phone number:..
While I stop my mail here, I sincerely would appreciate your rapid reply, meanwhile kindly extend my regards to your family.. Thank you!

Warmest regards,

james


My question here has to be, apart from thje obvious erros with regards spelling and grammar (which considering todays education systems around the world is probably to be expected), is why would they need the following information:-

card number: Ok so as to make a deposit into it...
card limit: Excuse me????
card owner: Ahem - what the hell for - however, that's ok....
card owner address: And why?
date of birth: of the horse???
mother's median name: median name - is that like a geographical coord of her place of birth???
bank name and address: For purpose of? Wanna plant a bomb maybe - raghead brother
telephone number of card owner: for the purpose of?
cvv numbers: oh, yea, how about I give you some dna samples as well, hey, here's a pile fo shit, see if you can use that!!!

See? I mean it's so glaringly obvious the guys a spammer.... problem is some people fall for it....

Salagatle!

Pics as promised

Owl in a tree - Duh!
Xmas tree at my brothers house in Richards Bay.
Fun in the sea - no, that's not me on the water bike - no, I don't know who it was - does it matter?
A pic of the beach and sea at Mtunzini Forest Lodge.
Remains of one of the homes on the beach front in Ballito that was wrecked with the mini tsunami they experienced there last year. It's well and truly stuffed...
And finally, as promised, pic of the sewerage running down past the side of our chalet....

Salagatle!

The Middle east and stuff

Now, I don't claim to be all knowledgeable on the happenings in the middle east, but I know this:-

Let's say you are a 68kg weakling, living next door to a 120kg body builder. Every now and then you throw a stone through one of his windows. Sometimes you even scare the crap out of his pets. Once or twice you threaten his children. Don't you kind of expect that at some point he's going to come around and bitch slap you?

Well, that's how I see the problems in Israel / Palestine right now. And for all those whining raghead cocksuckers out there who are protesting and throwing stones / burning flags / weeping / crying foul, fuck off. Get a life - no better still, get a PF4 vest, and go blow yourself up!!!!

Not that I'm taking sides here - in fact - I don't care one way or another (although any raghead basher is a friend of mine), it's just so pathetic. And the fact that some of the European countries are condemning the Israeli actions (defensive strikes I call them) shows how molly colly / nanny state they have become. The ragheads do nothing for the advancement of peace. They add no value to quality of life in the countries they emigtate to. In fact, all they do is cause shit. Something like our papvreter friends do.

Salagatle!

Spam mail fun 3

So, I searched on Google for a MTCN Number, and found this one, which was linked to a Spam mail / Trojan thingy....
http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/archives/00001490.html. So I used this number:-
Herewith the content of my response to the latest request for transfer of funds, etc.:-


FEDEX Courier Payment Information.
Receiver's Name: SOLOMON CLEMENT
Address: 147 OLUWA ROAD, GARKI, ABUJA, NIGERIA
AMOUNT TO SEND: USD $200
Please provide us with the following after sending the funds.
Senders Name : WRECKLESS EUROAFRICAN
Senders Address : SUITE 37 HILTON HOTEL, HARARE ZIMBABWE
Senders Tel Number : +27 555 6778
M.T.C.N ( 10 Digit )/Reference Number: Western Union MTCN#2989115571

Now we wait..... Stupid fucking Nigerians...

Salagatle!

Spam mail fun 2

So, almost immediately I get this, 3 times no less, and am I going to have fun with this one:-


INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE DEPT, IRD.
ATM PAYMENT DEPARTMENT.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATION
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN).
GARKI, ABUJA, NIGERIA.
SWIFT CARD PAYMENT

Attention: WRECKLESS EUROAFRICAN

This is to acknowledge the receipt of the order from the senate house, in respect with the provision act of decree 114 of the 1999 constitution; I am directed to inform you that your payment verification and confirmations is correct. Therefore, we are happy to inform you that arrangements have been concluded to effect your payment as soon as possible and in our bid to transparency. Be informed that your ATM CARD is 100% secured, guaranteed and its protected from any breach of law.

It is my pleasure to inform you that ATM Card Number; 5951 3901 2365 2671 have been approved in your favor. Your Personal Identification Number is 822. The ATM Card Value is $1,800.000.00 USD (ONE MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS). You are advised that a maximum withdrawal value of $5,000.00 USD is permitted on withdrawal per Day and we are duly Inter Switch and you can make withdrawal in any location and ATM Center of your choice.

We have concluded delivery arrangement with FEDEX COURIER SERVICES, to be fully insured by Nicon Insurance Corporation. In view of this development, you are to have your ATM CARD delivered to you through First Flight Courier and remember that the only commitment you have in this transaction is to have the courier fee paid and that would only cost you $200.00 USD in order for your ATM CARD to be immediately delivered to you.

PARCEL WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE BELOW ADDRESS,PLEASE INFORM THIS OFFICE IMMEDIATELY IF THE DELIVERY ADDRESS IS NOT CORRECT,OR IF YOU WISH TO CHANGE THE ADDRESS OF DELIVERY FOR IMMEDIATE CORRECTION BEFORE DISPATCH.

Delivery Receiver: WRECKLESS EUROAFRICAN
Delivery Destination: SUITE 37 HILTON HOTEL, HARARE ZIMBABWE
Country: ZIMBABWE
Telephone: +27 555 6778
Email: ma8xz@yahoo.com

All verifications has been made and you are the sole beneficiary of the funds.

FEDEX COURIER COMPANY(48 Hours Delivery Service)
Mailing $80.00
Insurance $60.00
Vat (5%)$60.00
TOTAL $200.00

Please go ahead and make the payment of $200.00 through any Western Union Money Transfer/Moneygram office close to you with the information of the FEDEX payment officer's details in order to confirm payment and have your ATM CARD shipped to you and provide you with the Tracking Number to enable you ascertain the status of your package.

FEDEX Courier Payment Information.
Receiver's Name: SOLOMON CLEMENT
Address: 147 OLUWA ROAD, GARKI, ABUJA, NIGERIA
AMOUNT TO SEND: USD $200
Please provide us with the following after sending the funds.
Senders Name : ??????????
Senders Address : ??????????
Senders Tel Number : ??????????
M.T.C.N ( 10 Digit )/Reference Number: ??????????
Send the M..T.C.N # (10 Digit )/Reference Number to me via email once you have made the payment. Be informed that delivery will be made to your address in 48 hours after our confirmation of this payment for delivery, as you already know that the delivery fee receipt will be attached to your parcel to avoid being delayed by customs.

PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR ATM CARD WILL GET TO YOUR LOCATION AFTER THE PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE AND CONFIRMED BY FEDEX COURIER COMPANY AND YO SHALL BE SENT A TRACKING NUMBER, ROUTINE WAY BILL AND THE DATE OF DELIVERY WILL BE SENT ACROOS TO YOU TO ENABLE YOU HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR LEAVING PARCEL WHICH SHALL ONLY TAKE 48HRS UPON THE NOTIFICATION OF PAYMENT RECEIPT. .

Treat very urgently as your ATM Card is ready for delivery.
Congratulations once again.

Regards.
Barrister. Jimmy Harrisson.
ATM AWARD OFFICER
Direct Telephone Number: :+2348050724454


Any surprise that its a Nigerian Address?? More to follow.
Salagatle!

Spam mail fun 1

So, I got another one of those spam mails that promise you tons of cash. Decided to tag along for a laugh. Herewith details, with my "Personal Details" filled in by me.....:-

From: Rev Kate Henshaw
Sent: Saturday, January 3, 2009 2:35:58 AM
Subject: ATM Card Notice

Dear ATM Award Beneficiary

Russian Foundation was established in 1992 by the decree No.
426 of the President of the Russian, Federation in
conjunction with the ECOWAS ( Economic community of West
Africa States), United Nation ( UN) and the European Union.
These bodies was set up to promote charity organisation
with objective of Human Growth, Educational and Community
and social warefare development.

We are giving out a yearly donation of ATM Card Value of
$1,800.000.00 USD to 5 lucky recipients, as New Year
promotion in accordance with the enabling act of Parliament
ECOWAS. Please endeavor to send the below informations to
the Foundation's Attorney and remember to quote your
Qualification numbers ( No: W-342-8876,U-500-32) in your
correspondence when sending your claims inquiries.

ENTER PERSONAL DETAILS (Compulsory)
First Name: WRECKLESS
Last Name:EUROAFRICAN
Annual Income:100,000,000 ZIMBABWE DOLLARS
Address Line 1: SUITE 37
Address Line 2 (optional):HILTON HOTEL
State:HARARE
Country:ZIMBABWE
Valid Phone Number: +27 555 6778
Qualification numbers:No: W-342-8876,U-500-32
E-mail:MA8XZ@YAHOO.COM
-----------------------------------------------------
Barrister Jimmy Harrison.
EMAIL: bar_harryj@mail2judge.com
-----------------------------------------------------------
All information is strictly confidential and will only be
used for the purpose to which it is been requested.

Regards.
Donation Co-ordinator

Salagatle!

Vacation part 2

Day 8
We're out of here. Sewerage running down the hill almost to the road. Damn am I glad to be blowing this shithole. At reception she asked if we had filled in the comments form. LOL! I said I had, but would be submitting it directly to their head office, and to RCI. Have a nice day, she sed. Dumb arse!
Arrived in RBay, and settled in at my brothers place quickly. What a pleasure to be here. It's a bit crowded, he has a small place, but it's the e\next best thing to being at home. Chilled for most of the day. Got to bed not too late.

Day 9
I was up by 5 am! Geezzz - just couldn't sleep. Hit the shops early to beat the rush, did some shopping (food and stuff), then back home to the pool. Went to the Triathlon club later, and the kids messed around with some paddle skis. The adults just chilled in the slight breeze. Damn but this place gets hot. Back home we had a braai, and watched a movie. Played some cards, stuffed around, swam....

Day 10 - Sunday. Slept late. The ladies went to town to buy stuff for lunch and supper. I got into a poker game, or two, and spent the whole day playing. It was a scorcher, 40deg.C and humidity must have been in the high 70's! Dip in the pool, and poker under the lapa. Didn't even get to read the Sunday papers till about 6pm! What a great, peaceful, resting day. Bed not too late, and all was well.

Day 11
Chilled in the pool. Not much to write about when all you doing is trying to stay alive with a sun out there that will kill you if it catches you alone. Damn, now I remember why, two years ago this time, I said I'd never come down here in December again. Going to have to put a reminder on my phone, or have it tattoo on my forehead, but I can't do this heat thing so well anymore!!!!

Day 12
Back to the shops. This time I went with my brother, and LuckyL. Had a long list of the requirements for a few days meals, as well as all the stuff for Xmas day. We going to be 10 people, so the list was long. Also found a present for the Princess from the kids. And at a good price too. So, a successful morning, even though we spent over ZAr1800 on meal stuff and drinks, lots of drinks. Went for a drive to Pelican island (LIU) and a walk on the beach there. Back home, and we decided a braai was a crap idea, and settled for flatties (LIU) in the oven. I had leftover steak from last night. Not big on this chicken vegetables!
Decided to do some work on the lapa, and made more work for ourselves than we thought. However, it now looks great, so it was worth it.

Day 13
What a slow day. Got up quite early, but due to the overcast skies, we didn't really get going too quickly. Did some shopping for Xmas (again) and got me some new shorts, and spent some time playing poker. Did some work on the lapa - putting up caps and stuff (will post a photo), and got the one quad sorted so that it's now usable / sellable!
Apart from that - we now just waiting for tomorrow so that Xmas, presents, lunch etal can come and go.
Oh, got an sms from the boss to say that client has said they will sign my deal by Monday.
Made a call to my exec. on the account, a friend, and he confirmed he had a word with the new CIO and he had given the go ahead to do the deed. So, with a bit of luck I can a) make my number and some commission, and b) maybe still get the ZAR42k bonus that was linked to this deal. Will go a long way to reduce the credit card debt.....

Everyone's trying to get me to church tomorrow. I sed I wasn't going, however, I probably will anyway, with or without their begging. Not sure right now.
Oh, and the back light on my cellphone decided to back up. Hope it's still under warranty. Will have to wait till I get back to Joburg to have it fixed though. In the meantime I'll be using LuckyL's second phone....

We stayed up till 12 pm, just to open our first presents. Kids got me a new cordless drill. Nice... I have 2 back home, both with cooked batteries. However, am still going to contact the makers and see if I can get replacement batteries for them.
Then it started to rain, and the gutters overflowed (downpipes were blocked cause of work we had done earlier in the week to clean the roof). So, there we were, at midnight, clearing gutters in the rain, What a croc. Anyway, got that done, showered, and went to bed.

Day 14
Xmas day - Merry Xmas everyone.
Got up quite early - and we all opened another present each. My brother and his family have this thing where they each open a present once every hour. What crap! LOL!
Anyway, got a great, fold out 200 piece set - drills, screw tips, and stuff. GREAT! Went to church with the rest of them - was ok - in and out in 30 minutes!
Back home we did breakfast, and then the presents - one an hour. Geeezzzz. later we started the braai, and cooked tons of meat- The girls did the rest of the food, and once the other family arrived we had lunch. Turned into a long day, with the visitors only leaving at about 10pm. Was ok though, the kids, ours and theirs got on very well - in fact they getting together boxing day (26th) to spend more time together.

Day 15
Got up quite early, but most slept in. Once my brother got up we sorted the quads, and then his car (dead battery - but needs to be replaced), then went to town to check out the "post-Xmas sales"! Not on yet, so now we back home, chilling. Might get around to doing something a bit later. Gets hot around midday here - to hot to go outside and do much physical stuff. And the beach is a no-no. They bus the PD's in from all over and take over the public places with their bad B/O, filthy manners, drunkenness and stupidity. More than likely going to be some serious crime again as usual.

Day 16
Last day before we drive back to Jo'burg. At this point I am starting to prepare for the long drive, and packing, and sorting out stuff. A bit of time spent chilling, tool LuckyL to the beach to fly kite - he did well till the spine pole broke. I couldn't get the other kite up - maybe because the top cross pole isn't the original, and might be a bit heavy.
Anyway, Saturday night we took the whole family out for dinner on us, as a small thank you for the time we spent with them. Got too bed at a reasonable hour so that we could be up and gone by latest 5 am......

Day 17

It was a long drive home. I drove the first half to Newcastle, stopped there for lunch, then GMan drove - all the way home. Took us 7 hours, taking it easy, so we were home at a good hour, time to unpack, and then a snooze.
Overall, a good time was had by all. I have had a good rest, much needed, and am now preparing for Old years eve......

Salagatle!

Monday 5 Jan, 2009

Back to work. Been off for some time, and it's not going to be easy to get back into this game, however, with a good year (eventually) behind me, and a relatively good year to come, maybe it wont be too bad. Only, this time round, no negotiating - full frontal attack, sign here, or fuck off. No more pussy footing for business.
So, what else is happening out there?
Salagatle!