Timeshare Survey Control Sheets

Pilot Survey
The survey control sheets (Appendix 1) were created using Microsoft Excel. The questionnaire (Appendix 2) was piloted to 10 RCI affiliated resorts in the UK. They were selected by implementing Microsoft Excel's Data Analysis Tool to randomly generate ten numbers from the range 1 to 74. The Pilot Questionnaire was mailed out on 21/8/97. Three of the replies were received back after eight days, promising a good response for a larger survey of the UK. In fact, replies received actually represented eight resorts or 10.8% of the total population of UK timeshare resorts affiliated to RCI. This anomaly was due to the unanticipated action of the questionnaire being filled in for more than one resort in some cases.

After mailing out, the following problems were noticed with the Pilot Questionnaire:

PROBLEM 1. – Q12 words 'if "yes" to Q10 …" should have read 'if "yes" to Q11'.
This problem arose after a last minute re-juggling of question order, within SNAP questionnaire design, to get everything onto two sides of paper.

ANALYSIS OF PROBLEM
Redeeming factor is that Q11 and Q12 appear on same side of paper and logically follow each other. Worst scenario is that Q12 will not be answered at all. Best scenario would be if all those replying "YES" to Q11 also make any reply to Q12 then no problem should arise.

PROBLEM 2. – Spelling mistake in Q19 "excepted" should have read "expected".
ANALYSIS OF PROBLEM
Whilst spelling mistakes can be irritating to readers, when noticed, no untoward error in replies would be expected in this case.

ANALYSIS OF ACTUAL PILOT QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE

3 replies within 8 days (w.e. 29/8/97) – a 30% return.
The questionnaire, designed using SNAP 4 PLUS, was in need of some changes. The amended questionnaire would aim to:

  1. Overcome the 'Questionnaire Problems' indicated above.
  2. Provide more blank lines for respondents who reply on behalf of more than one resort (Q1).
  3. Provide more blank lines for "marketing techniques (that) work".
  4. Include directives to guide "points only" marketers around questions about number of weeks sold and for sale.
  5. Facilitate quicker answering of questionnaire by offering check boxes for some of the replies to the pilot "marketing techniques (that) work".
  6. Reduce the apparent number of questions and any wordiness.
  7. Improve logical questionnaire order.
  8. Invite a response name for any future contact.
  9. Still contain the questionnaire on two single sides of paper.

The changes were done on 30/8/97.

The Full Survey
  1. August 1997Changes made to survey questionnaire from within SNAP 4 PLUS.
  2. August 1997Diana, Princess of Wales dies. National mourning may put people off replying?
  3. September 1997 Printing of individually addressed letters and individual envelopes using Microsoft Mail Merge routine. Printing of reply envelopes. Photocopying of revised questionnaire.
  4. September 1997Stamping of all envelopes and posting via second class postage.
  5. September 1997 In all, fourteen responses received to qualify for National Lottery Draw. None of the numbers in the survey cover letter came up. Wanted 8, 15, 16, 21, 25, 47. Draw = 9,30,38,40,43,44, Bonus Ball 31.