AOL Archive June/July 05

"One thought on the HMC vs Erna Low comparison: I have not checked the prices (and you may have already taken this into account) but, as owners, we pay 75% of the HMC listed prices, not the full ammount.

Andy"

17/07/2005 12:33 PM

"Once again we, as owners have got a bad deal with regards to the rates for OUR apartments. Our 2 bed for a week in Jan comes out at £662, but if you go through Erna Low the same week WITH eurotunnel, it wil cost £765 so they are obviously getting a far better rate than us. Therefore its cheaper for our friends and relatives to go through a tour company then through us."

06/07/2005 9:56 AM

"For those that don't have them, the spreadsheet Carine mentioned with details of occupancy levels and the prices/seasons for next year can be downloaded from here:

http://www.littleriverview.co.uk/arc1950.html

Kevin

"

05/07/2005 6:45 AM

"I have just received next season's tarrifs and HS/MS/LS weeks. It seems all of January is now classified as Mid season and the only LS weeks are 2 before Christmas and 3 from 8/4/06. In previous years all of Jan. after NY was low season. This is bad news for 7 weekers and seems a back door way of reducing the value of our weeks in kind. Does anybody else feel the same.I have emailed florence just to confirm this is not a misprint but if not I'm not impressed"

04/07/2005 6:20 PM

"Have just received a letter from CAPIMMEC which has been forwarded on by someone somewhere in FRANCE. The original address it was sent to was:
Les Dailles, Le Prince des Cimes.
Its obviously something to do with asking for money but havn't a clue as its all in french. Has anyone else had a similar letter and know what it is asking?"

27/06/2005 1:16 PM

"anyone had sight of independently audited accounts re HMC?
Don`t think that this would happen in the UK or Canada somehow!
As owners are we meant to just accept this? Not sure I would have bought or entered in leaseback if I knew that the hotel operator would not be accountable to anyone.
"

23/06/2005 7:30 PM

"With reference to the Sunday change over day, HMC are reveiwing the possibility of an option to change over on Sunday for owners that prefer that. It is not an obligation. So all the owners who travel by train or simply prefer Saturday they can maintain that day.
I presume that the Sunday option will have to be maintained throughtout the season if embarked upon. It will releive the chaos on Saturday on the roads, airports and reception and offer a peaceful ski on Saturday! It is an owners prerogative!
Rob"

23/06/2005 9:22 AM

"Travelling on eurostar seems a popular option - why? Living in York we've just left the steam era and the thought of a 15 hour train journey doesn't really do a lot for me......is there a free bar on board?"

22/06/2005 7:48 PM

"Re Change over days - I've put a Poll on the other website (arc1950owners.com), so why not register you views there, and then we will have some more info about what the silent majority would like."

22/06/2005 6:24 PM

"hi all, same as with others we used the eurostar 4 times this winter,as it arrives early sat morning6:30am and departs 9:15 pm following sat we were able to enjoy 2 full sat's ski-ing,so would be very dissapointed if things changed !!
especially without consultation.
regards to all
geoff"

22/06/2005 1:35 PM

"Tickets for eurostar go on sale in the near future. From previous experience the ones for peak times such as Feb. half term go very quickly so from this point of view alone it would be nice to have a definitive answer to to the changeover day ASP"

22/06/2005 10:17 AM

"FYI.

The Ski-Thompson online brochure for next year

http://195.188.132.30/thomson/brochure_OnlineViewThankYou.asp
(you may not be able to get to it direct from this link, I think you have to register your email address with them)

has Saturday change over dates. Of course this is only the first draft of their paper version, so don't take it as conclusive one way or the other.

PS Rob, the picture in their brochure detailing the "superb interiors" of an apartment: it's either yours or ours!

Jim & Jenny
RduM 252"

21/06/2005 10:10 PM

"Not going to get hot under the collar until a definitive statement produced - have spent far too much emotional energy on HMC/ITW communications cockups in the past to worry just yet.

There are definite advantages to Sunday... except when a Eurostar traveller, which we are too!

Gotta believe a split operation is the better, although more complicated, solution, but may result in a lower occupancy rate if the balance isn't managed properly. Still, thats what we pay them experts for eh?

And, most importantly, if this is a response to our issues, then they have well and truly missed the point. Moving to Sunday may reduce the traffic chaos in BSM and improve airport throughputs, but it does absoutely nothing to reduce check-in chaos, which is squarely in the court of too few HMC staff and a parsimonious attitude.

But as I say, I remain sanguine for the moment, and shall wait for more information before getting embroiled."

21/06/2005 7:37 PM

"Hmmmmm. Part of our diScussions with HMC were how to solve the chaos of change-over day. Phillipe Burgue mentioned the possibility of a split Sat/Sun change over. We said that it would be difficult to sort out but if in principal it works then it would be looked at. However no more than that was decided and I am surprised to hear it. I will contact them and find out wahts going on. I am also a Eurostar traveller!"

21/06/2005 2:15 PM

"Hi all

Just had some contact with Florence Servais.

One result is that she informs me that the chage over day next year is a Sunday. As far as I am concerned this is crazy. Like, many I am sure, I use the Eurostar ski train, this now becommes impossible, I would very much appreciate any or all people emailing HMC to tell them to change this decision, it is yet another arbitrary decision with no thought as to the majority of the owners (British)

Regards

Howard
"

21/06/2005 12:07 PM

"HMC has proposed a meeting in London for the existing owners as a q&a session sometime Oct/Nov.Date TBA. This will enable everyone to voice their opinion and have direct anserws back to us. However lets hope that most of our question have been answered by that time. I am not sure whether the top table will inv
olve ITW but we are pushing for that to happen."

15/06/2005 4:35 PM

"Spa/Pool... All parties agree that there is a problem, both ITW and HMC are trying to resolve.
The monitoring and cleaning of these areas are
being addressed.From last month May, a meeting between ITW and HMC has put one person in charge of solving problems, however these problems are bigger than we know( building,plumbing etc) . By the end of June an agreement and solutions will be put inot practice.
This comment may raise more question than answers but I have seen from the people involved a very keen interest in sorting out all these problems. And I left the meeting feeling that all parties are striving to reach the same goal.
More as it happens"

15/06/2005 3:04 PM

"Hi Carine and everyone,
Been a busy this week and havent had time to put down my thoughts. But precis'd
Meeting with Myself, Ivan and 2 HMC: Phillipe Burgue and Msr Clavirey.
HMC were under pressure last season because of the many leaks and plumbing problems toujours!.
However, they understood and did not disagree with our sentiments, that all was not well at Arc regarding the service in general.
I raised the many points and it was conceded that work would have to be done to reach the required level of service expected of the owners. I am making a list for Phillpie to consider and rediscuss with us. An onsite meeting has been arranged in July. Our meeting lasted 3 hours and would have lasted another 3/4 if the details were discussed. But the best thing is we have a good communication level at present and HMC are keen to achieve what they set out for and become efficient and helpful.Basically its ongoing and I will send out more detail as and when I get it."

15/06/2005 2:56 PM

"Hi

Just thought I'd add a posting to see if there has been any news on the meeting with HMC this week?

Carine"

09/06/2005 10:27 PM

"Hi Denise et al

I thought that was the case but have you got something "official" stating that or can Rob get it from HMC?

Assuming we are right, (and it's a point I've mentioned before ;-)) it seems sensible for "7 week owners" in PDC and JDC to switch to 2 weeks and book their extra 1-5 weeks with HMC as then the cost of the extra weeks is split between owners and HMC instead of HMC pocketing it all but if people are going to do that I guess we need to make sure we are on firm ground.

Hence my second q. because if you do have to pay to park the car for "extra weeks" over your 2/7 week allowance that needs factoring in as an extra cost of moving down to 2 and staying for longer than 2 weeks."

05/06/2005 6:14 PM

"Re hot tubs and pool areas, Jessica is working hard to establish an answer to temps, covers, cleanliness. Answers soon, but will be discussing with HMC as well
Rob"

04/06/2005 8:05 PM

"Kevin
PdC owners have to pay back 'overdraft' - it was one thing I did notice when reading through all the stuff during the purchase 'experience'!"

04/06/2005 9:42 AM

"Rob

Others have covered the service issues pretty well - some financial qs.

1) We've established that if rent in kind deduction takes Hdg and Rdm owners into an overdrawn position then nothing is owed back. Queried my sales lady re possibly buying a place in Manoir and she confirmed in Manoir any "overdraft" will be repayable. Can HMC confirm that is the case in PDC and JDC - simple example - one bed place gets 5500 euros advance - say actual rent pool share is 6000 euros and rent in kind (seven weeks) is 5000 - will the owner owe 4500 euros back? I'm told in Manoir they will and assume that is the case in PDC & JDC - can HMC confirm. If it is then for PDC and JDC owners the question of moving from open 7 to open 2 makes sense and paying for extra weeks. (Jim - I can't let this one go 8-) )

2) If staying an extra week over your 2/7 week allowance do we have to pay to park the car - some have received free of charge tickets from Florence this winter and others have not."

04/06/2005 12:37 AM

"My comments for the meeting based on a stay in the PdC in March are:

1. No robes in room on arrival...after five requests (including three of the same person) over three days these still didn't make an appearance...in the end we had to go to the laundry ourselves!! Not 5, 4 or 3 star service as far as I can make out.

2. Swimming pool area...masses of water on the floor every day, opened lockers to find wine bottles and other rubbish. Little evidence of intra day rota's for spot cleaning. Also with the number of people running about it's an accident waiting to happen and who's going to pay the lawsuits?? Maybe there should be more control?

3. Ski room...again not sure how often this was cleaned...some rubbish was in the same place all week.

4. Heating...found the building very hot and had the windows/doors opens more times than not. We didn't put the heating on once in the week. Depending on how the building is heated can they reduce it and cut the running costs. Maybe they could then afford to heat the pool properly!!

5. Smashed light fitting in hall way...happened somehow on the Monday..when we left the fitting still hadn't been changed. How difficult is this!

Underlying all this is probably a question on how HMC incentivise their staff to ensure the customer comes first. It appears they don't? Maybe this should be brought up in the discussion?"

03/06/2005 8:00 PM

"hi jimjenny,maybe you spoke with marc archard ????
i'm glad i'm not the only one ! it isnt rocket science,all it needs is someone in charge of housekeeping with a little common sense.all their problems are small ones and easy to overcome, but
they add up to very frustrated owners,who i think have been very patient as they have had two full seasons to get it right.as you say this is in everyones interest to get this right.
geoff"

03/06/2005 7:34 PM

"Geoffrey - only once getting the linen yourself? - I had it twice! - both times due to lack of Saturday change over when I had 2 weeks of occupancy, and the second time with notification on the Thursday, Friday and 3 times on the Saturday (each time with a dutiful note being taken at reception, and assurances that the housekeepers would be informed, and 'not to worry'. Housekeeping denied all knowledge and it needed a major scene to get the bedding for ourselves to do it in the end.

Shocking and woeful customer care.

But as I said earlier, I have already had a meeting with the HMC director (name escapes me - any one remember his moniker?), pointed out that we all wanted to make money out of the resort, so let's make it work, and settled nice and amicably over coffee. With bulbs fixed, balcony cleared of snow (that was a laugh: I asked to borrow a shovel, "no no, we have to do it for you"... 2 days later: "Oh we couldn't, it is too slippery and dangerous" - I know it is, you muppet:- that's why I want it cleared...) and another bed linen change on the Tuesday.

So yes, I agree, more staff on change-over days, with ID, with proper communication between front desk and housekeeping and maintenance, with account taken of the fact that owners staying for 2 consecutive weeks might just have guests arriving on the Saturday."

02/06/2005 10:41 PM

"hi rob.hmc points for your meeting.
usual ones first,hot tub rdm,cleaners still not on the ball,why no uniform or at least an i.d they don't seem to speak english,so for all we know they could be anyone in and out of our appts on change over as the doors are left open,there doesnt appear to be a housekeeper that checks the appts finished and all appropiate linen towels etc for the right number of occupants, several times this last season the sofa bed had not been changed,i even once had to get linen from reception at 11:30pm and make it up myself 5* not!
dont let the wife know !! also can you find out why since january the mens changing room in the sauna(refuge) has been locked,so we had to use the toilet as it was not fair on the ladies to pinch theirs,i asked every month and in april the only reason i was given is that someone tampers with the controls,which i find strange as they are in a locked cupboard! also the ladies seats had been removed,so we find everyone using the sport equipment as hangers,tough if you wanted to use the equipment! i would also like to know how regualar does anyone check and clean the sauna area,because we had a week with no soap or light in shower,discarded shampoo bottle on the floor even after requests to reception.
thats all i can think of at the moment rob,good luck.ilook forward to your report.
geoff"

02/06/2005 9:56 PM

"Rob re HMC points:

1) Usual beef: Where's the cover for the hot tub?

2) Old beef: Swimming pool was obviously fed from fresh mountain springs this winter.
Needs some work and less cr@p about "the water has just been replaced for cleaning, it will heat up soon" which was OK the first week, but slightly suspicious when said the second week: obviously HMC were relying on most people being only 1 weekers, and just putting it down to bad luck / timing. Truth please.

3) Q: are they deducting their Club1950 fees from turnover before calulating the 40% bonus pool? - if so, I suggest we are paying twice, and I would like them to stop.

4) Would like to see occupancy rates and detailed accounts - having HMC declare the profit is very much like having them mark their own homework.

5) Are they responsible for clearing snow from door entrances? - if so, they were pretty poor this winter, I cleared / made steps out of RduM on three separate occasions, despite asking on a daily basis.

6) 2 week occupancy and change over - its no good saying we'll do the linen on MOnday - if I have guests arriving on Saturday to join us I need new linen on Saturday. Employ enough cleaners!!!

7) And are HMC paying rental into our pool for the staff living in the flats for the winter? (yes, it IS happening)


Escalating to the boss worked ( indeed sorted a whole raft of issues), but I shouldn't have had to.
Jim
Rdu M 252"

02/06/2005 10:44 PM

"Tony

I've used foreign currency UK direct fcukdirect.co.uk and found them very good - very simple account opening procedure, rates seem very competitive and they give you the rate on the phone and do the deal at that rate there and then - one thing I always do is ask if they can do a little better for me and they do tend to come back with a rate that is slightly better so worth asking when you do the deal. Transfer fees are free for amounts of £50k or more or £15 for less than that - takes about two to three days to get there (to my account with CCF in Annecy anyway).

Only minor issue is payment - they need a payment from you very quickly after the deal is done. Payment options are personal cheque (best sent using special delivery) and they then wait for it to clear before sending the funds, CHAPS (too expensive really) and BACS although if you use BACS its best to call them before the deal and arrange it - you may need to make the BACS payment a day or two before the deal so that the payment is there in time.

The minor payment issue hasn't been enough to make me look elsewhere but somewhere that accepts BACS without any problems or takes debit cards for the deal would be a good and personally, I would also like to just do the deal on-line rather than on the phone."

01/06/2005 9:33 AM