Change to Redweek process and all those extra fees... And not in a good way.... [MERGED]

[hurnik]

That is what I was seeing. I will list on both I guess and hope it rents out on Redweek, lol.

Are there pros/cons for each in regards to a renter that cancels? On Koala for example, I specified no cancellations, but what are my protections if they do?

With Redweek, you do not specify the rental terms and conditions. They do. (Redweek removed the DIY option for you to supply your own rental contract, terms, cancellation policies, etc.) It's now 100% up to Redweek. In the past, Redweek HAS screwed owners with cancellations during COVID and I believe at least one case post-COVID where the renter didn't "like" the unit or something and the owner didn't get their money and lost their week as well. THAT past behavior (plus other Redweek behaviors) make me not trust them. Fool me once... and all that.

I don't know if I've seen/heard of Koala screwing the owners like Redweek has, but I also don't know about any rental contract stipulations, etc. (ie: in what terms can a renter say the unit wasn't "up to standards" and get a free partial or complete stay, or get cold feet and cancel for a reason and leave the owner empty handed).

It's entirely possible for both that there is no recourse for an owner in any scenario. All I do know is that Redweek has a proven track record of not siding with the owner and always the renter.

 

[montygz]

That is what I was seeing. I will list on both I guess and hope it rents out on Redweek, lol.

Are there pros/cons for each in regards to a renter that cancels? On Koala for example, I specified no cancellations, but what are my protections if they do?

Redweek spells out the details in the rental agreement:

Sample Rental Agreement | RedWeek

Sample Rental Agreement

www.redweek.com

 

[Norcal5]

I rented my unit through Finding Meili this year, and in the future will list on there before giving Redweek anymore money, because F Redweek, if I'm being honest.

Do you have a contact for finding Meili? I joined and tried to list an property and the Purchase button doesn’t seem to do anything.

 

[NTP66]

Do you have a contact for finding Meili? I joined and tried to list an property and the Purchase button doesn’t seem to do anything.

Nope, and that's one of my issues. I literally cannot find a customer service e-mail address or phone number for them. This is why I will only do a DIY rental there, because then I control the contract terms, payment, etc. I can't imagine having an issue and then not knowing who to contact. The only contact info I found was legal@findingmeili.com, which is listed in their privacy policy.

Edit: Scratch that, managed to find a support contact: support@findingmeili.com. Hidden on a page not linked on the main site, lol.

 

[DeniseM]

hello@findingmeili.com

 

[NTP66]

I'd be shocked if the hello address wasn't a generic mailbox that doesn't accept mail. That's where their welcome e-mails come from.

 

[hurnik]

I'd be shocked if the hello address wasn't a generic mailbox that doesn't accept mail. That's where their welcome e-mails come from.

I have used it before and did get a response from that email address back in June, 2025.

 

[NTP66]

I have used it before and did get a response from that email address back in June, 2025.

Good to know. I just sent them an e-mail to see if they had other contact info, like I don't know, a phone number.

 

[hurnik]

Good to know. I just sent them an e-mail to see if they had other contact info, like I don't know, a phone number.

Yes, I agree the contact info leaves much to be desired.

 

[DeniseM]

It's not a generic email address - if they contact you, they use that email themselves.

 

[NTP66]

Well, color me shocked. The site still throws up some red flags for me, but since it has a DIY option right now, I can ignore them. My renter's check cleared, and they signed my contract.

 

[bdh]

With Redweek's changes that no longer offer DIY listings and have significantly increased fees for owners and renters, there's been a few new rental websites. In addition to the new rental websites previously listed in this thread, there's a new one that is completely DIY. Since it is new, they're offering free listings from now till May. Unlike Redweek and other sites, the owner and renter are in direct contact with one another and able to confirm arrangements to the satisfaction of each side.

With it being so new, all of the listings at the moment are Hyatt Residence Club properties.

https://www.timesharerentalonline.com/

 

[dioxide45]

With Redweek's changes that no longer offer DIY listings and have significantly increased fees for owners and renters, there's been a few new rental websites. In addition to the new rental websites previously listed in this thread, there's a new one that is completely DIY. Since it is new, they're offering free listings from now till May. Unlike Redweek and other sites, the owner and renter are in direct contact with one another and able to confirm arrangements to the satisfaction of each side.

With it being so new, all of the listings at the moment are Hyatt Residence Club properties.

https://www.timesharerentalonline.com/

I did another search and was able to find the entity.

I'm always kinda curious and also skeptical when new timeshare resale and rental websites get posted here. Especially those that don't really have a name or contact information behind the website and also lack a privacy policy on their website. The only available way to contact someone is via an anonymous form, though it does look like there is a phone number. The website looks to belong to a Sea Winds Realty of SW Florida Inc. in Cape Coral Florida but the only similar reference with the Florida Division of Corporations is a Sea Winds Realty where the principle has an address of West Palm Beach. I can't seem to find any exact matches to any of the names in the Fictitious Name registery with the Florida Division of Corporations.

I'm all for new rental listing startups, but they really need to be more transparent to the people who are actually behind these outfits. Is the person operating it a licensed real estate agent? Not that they need to be but the name of the company would make us think that. Why not share their license number?

All said, looking across a number of the different websites that have popped up over the past couple years, they all seem to have these same things in common.

 

[billymach4]

I have been posting across several other sites aside from Redweek including TUG, Koala, several FB groups.

So far this season Redweek continues to be the winner in my court. Will keep trying.

 

[bdh]

The website looks to belong to a Sea Winds Realty of SW Florida Inc. in Cape Coral Florida but the only similar reference with the Florida Division of Corporations is a Sea Winds Realty where the principle has an address of West Palm Beach. I can't seem to find any exact matches to any of the names in the Fictitious Name registery with the Florida Division of Corporations.

Florida SunBiz was one of the top 5 sites in a Google search of Sea Winds Realty of SW Florida Inc. The company name and address on SunBiz matches the name and address listed on www.timesharerentalonline.com web page. SunBiz also lists the name of the company Registered Agent - a Cape Coral real estate professional.

 

[dioxide45]

Florida SunBiz was one of the top 5 sites in a Google search of Sea Winds Realty of SW Florida Inc. The company name and address on SunBiz matches the name and address listed on www.timesharerentalonline.com web page. SunBiz also lists the name of the company Registered Agent - a Cape Coral real estate professional.

Thanks. I did another search on Sunbiz and did turn up the entity. It looks to be Don Heisler who I understand is quite involved in the Hyatt Resale market, perhaps why the site right now only has a few Florida Hyatt listings.