In a recent ad in The Robb Report Collection magazine, Private Escapes claims that a “leading independent market research firm” conducted a survey of their membership. Some of the results of that survey:

• Membership Communication – 93%
• Cleanliness of Properties – 97%
• Reservation Process – 90%
• Sales Process – 99%
• Total Satisfaction Rating – 96%

Our reaction to the above: we would not expect them to publish the results if they were not favorable. Sales scored 99% - and this mirrors our own experience with these clubs - great, in some cases lavish, marketing materials, good follow-up from professional sales people (“membership directors”). But who cares. The MOST important aspect of membership in our opinion is the reservation process and availability experience.

So “attaboys” to Private Escapes for commissioning the study and posting the results – we want to know more though: who is the research firm, when was the study done and how many members were surveyed (and how were they chosen). We also want to see the scores on member satisfaction with availability.