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Thoughts on private rentals

DeniseM

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Lately, a few people have asked me what to do when the owner will not provide any documentation of their rental.

In one case, even though the renter couldn't get any documentation from the owner, they went ahead and sent the money, because the price was so good - and they got scammed.

There are basically 2 reasons an owner won't provide any documentation:

1. They aren't business-like, or they are disorganized, and don't really know what they are doing.

2. They are scammers.

In either case, why would you want to do business with this person???

Even if they are honest, if the owner is not organized, business-like, and helpful, you are likely to have problems with them down the road.

As a potential renter, if the owner is not cooperative, all you can do is walk away - there is no way to make a scammer or uncooperative owner provide documentation.

If you ignore the red flags and pay then because "it's such a good deal," you are setting yourself up to be scammed, because scammers always offer a price that is lower than the going market rate, to convince potential renters to ignore the red flags.

It's not hard to verify a rental, but if you can't verify it, you have to walk away...
 
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ace2000

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I've seen some other threads on this topic in the past, and does this include renting from TUG members too? Have we had any known unresolved issues with renting from TUG members? Seems there are seldom issues there, and those rentals might be treated differently. Don't know for sure, I rarely rent at all (either way).
 

silentg

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I prefer direct exchanges, no money changes hands and so far have had great experiences. Except for one timeshare, all my resale weeks have been from TUG members.
Silentg
 

DeniseM

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I've seen some other threads on this topic in the past, and does this include renting from TUG members too? Have we had any known unresolved issues with renting from TUG members? Seems there are seldom issues there, and those rentals might be treated differently. Don't know for sure, I rarely rent at all (either way).
Absolutely -

1) Unfortunately, once in awhile a scammer slips through the cracks and posts an Ad on TUG.

2) Even a TUG member may be unbusiness-like or poorly organized.

3) We have lots of people who advertise in the Marketplace who never post in the forums, so you are not going to know them.
 
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Sandy VDH

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I posted this regarding a Hyatt rental, but it is worth repeating....

Another consideration is where did you rent from. If you rented from a TUGger, check to see how long they have a been a member. Long time members are not likely to screw people over and have someone not hear about it.

You could also ask for references. If I have nervous renters, I provide references from past renters. I request if I can use them as a reference after the reservation has been used, I almost always get people to agree to provide their contact info to a prospective renter. If used, I do give them a heads up, so they know someone might contact them. A few people have emailed the references. Clearly I would not have references if i was ripping people off.

I think that having an actual conversation with each other will provide a better understanding and comfort level. So pick up the phone.
 

DeniseM

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If you rented from a TUGger, check to see how long they have a been a member. Long time members are not likely to screw people over and have someone not hear about it.

It may not be possible to do this - there are many people who post in the Marketplace, who don't post in the discussion forums. I don't think you should hold that against them.
 

Sandy VDH

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It may not be possible to do this - there are many people who post in the Marketplace, who don't post in the discussion forums. I don't think you should hold that against them.

Well it goes back to my rent from people you feel comfortable with. If you don't know them from BBS then maybe you don't know them. I'm not holding anything against everyone, but I am trying to to ascertain who I would deal with.
 

DeniseM

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If you will only rent from Tuggers who post in the discussion forums, that really limits the rentals that are available to you.

It is certainly possible to do a safe rental from a sites like the TUG Marketplace and Redweek - but you have to do your due diligence - EVERYWHERE.

On the other hand - if you are extremely nervous about a private rental, or feel like you just don't understand the whole thing, you are not a good candidate to do a private rental.
 
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TUGBrian

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note that on every ad in the marketplace, it shows how long the person has been a TUG member.
 

icydog

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I'm glad Denise started this thread. It bears repeating every once in a while. If something seems too good to be true, it's probably a scam!
 

davidvel

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note that on every ad in the marketplace, it shows how long the person has been a TUG member.
Unless the scammer hacks the member's account, which I think is what happened in the recent case.
 

TUGBrian

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but that should have easily been caught because the scammer provided totally different contact info.
 

VacationForever

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Denise, I think in a separate post, you have said private rentals is not for everyone. You got it nailed. I consider myself pretty savvy and I still do not feel comfortable renting a timeshare. Even in a one in a 100000 chance that after doing due dilligence that the renter cancels the reservation at the last minute, it is too much stress to fly to a location and not have a reservation that I think I have.
 

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I also think it is good advice to remember this goes both ways. Whether you are the renter or the owner, buyer or seller. Lots of little scams out there that can hit anyone. I had one renter spinning me around before I realized they were trying to gain data to hack my ownership account (which sadly is not hard).
The internet makes lots of things easier, including scams. Be careful out there.
 

scootr5

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I prefer direct exchanges, no money changes hands and so far have had great experiences. Except for one timeshare, all my resale weeks have been from TUG members.
Silentg

But even with that, the person getting the later date exchange must have trust that they are going to have the unit at check in.
 

silentg

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We contact the resort as well as the person exchanging with us. Just doubled checked today before I made plane reservations. Glad I did because the person sold his timeshare and neglected to tell us. I called my Resort and told them we would be coming there instead of the guests. I was a bit miffed but not so much since I like staying at my own timeshare.
Silentg
 

vacationhopeful

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We contact the resort as well as the person exchanging with us. Just doubled checked today before I made plane reservations. Glad I did because the person sold his timeshare and neglected to tell us. I called my Resort and told them we would be coming there instead of the guests. I was a bit miffed but not so much since I like staying at my own timeshare.
Silentg

Lucky catch! What a jerk! And BS artist!

At least you still have a vacation week that you don't mind go to. I would call the 'exchanged into' resort and speak to the resort manager ... you want to be absolutely right and get paper documentation ... least you be sued for not providing 'your week' if they or their guest should show up at YOUR resort to checkin ... with 'fake' paperwork signed by you.
 

silentg

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I never signed anything, nothing in writing just a verbal agreement that seemed to slip his mind. I emailed him last week and he didn't reply, so I had a feeling the deal fell thru. The deal was more for his benefit than mine. I would have gone thru with it. But was not that excited it was a Siesta Key for Cape Cod the deal was better for him like I said, but I contacted my resort and they happily crossed his name out. So we are going to Siesta Key in October!
Silentg
 

tschwa2

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Some resorts and/or resort systems make it hard to verify rental information. I have a number of mom and pop type resorts that do not send out confirmations.

I have a points type group that has units in a mixed use resort that they control several unit/weeks but don't manage and the resort itself and the front desk/reservations doesn't get the name of the actual guest until about 3-4 days prior to the trip. I do get a confirmation that I can forward and the vacation club can verify the reservation on their end but it isn't the resort itself.

Then there is Vistana, who now doesn't want the club or the resort to verify anything for the guest. Yes I have a confirmation I can forward. Yes I can do a 3 way call but really if the owner is doing the calling couldn't they call a friend who says yes they are Vistana and yes the reservation is all set up.
 

silentg

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Seems like a lot of trouble. I'm relieved now, since we are going to Texas in September was going to be a challenge to go to Cape Cod too. All is well!
Silentg
 

TUGBrian

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its all about risk vs reward for timeshare rentals.

some deals are so good its worth trusting another owner (provided you have done at least some basic verification)...however no deal is too good to ignore obvious red flags!
 

buzglyd

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I always contact my renters after the rental and offer them ROFR for the following year.

They know I'm legit and I don't have to advertise. It works.
 

DeniseM

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Seems like a lot of trouble.

It depends on where you want to go. If you want to visit a premium resort in a high demand area (like Hilton, Hyatt, Vistana, Disney, Marriott), renting from the resort, or doing an exchange may not be feasible or possible, and that is why owner rentals are so popular.

At the top resorts, the resort itself often charges more than TWICE as much than an owner, so we are talking about a difference of thousands of dollars.

Example:

Westin Ka'anapali 2 bdm. garden view

From an owner: $3,600 + TAT Tax $105 = $3,705

From the resort: $6,034 + $210 resort fee + $809 additional taxes + $70 parking fee = $7,123
 
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