Blatant DVC exchange rentals on Redweek.com

[Dean]

I didn't rent. I guess my question is rhetorical.

I don't see how it changes the answer. The question was what would happen and we don't know, the bottom line is there is risk. I listed things I've seen actually happen.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

My complaint to Redweek got an answer already:

Susan D (RedWeek Customer Service) Jun 16, 2023, 11:22 AM PDT Hi Richard, Yes, the owners of these postings added postings as a do it yourself posting. Redweek does not verify get involved with any posting or transaction that does not offer verification or online booking. Unfortunately, we are not able of offer Full Service Rentals or our RedWeek Verified enhancement on any week booked through Interval International or RCI. Kind Regards, Susan

is it just me or is that one of the most "Don't Waste My Time" responses ever? add Redweek to the koala & VC list of websites for which I have no R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
THose place make hotel chains look like they're run by Mother Theresa

 

[rickandcindy23]

It's amazing how many TUG members are okay with renting exchanges. They figure it doesn't affect them, but it actually does.

I know someone who worked for RW, she said there was a person on RW renting exchanges, promising views based on the view codes. These were Hawaii exchanges, and he was making big money. He was sure sorry when Marriott didn't stick by the view code on the confirmation, and this gentleman had to pay big money to get his renters the views they were promised and had to issue refunds. He was also banned from RW.

Renting exchanges on II is a bad business. You can get caught and lose your exchange company membership. Say you rented an exchange to a resort on Maui and just advertised it as island view. Every upscale resort worth renting also offers sales' presentations. That could be an interesting conversation, "Why would I buy Marriott's Maui Ocean Club, when I rented this week from RW for $2,000?" Or what about the front desk staff who knows this is an exchange and gets a complaint that the "owner" promised a view and they paid a premium for that view. That is how people get caught.

Interval used to check ebay and RW rentals for legitimacy. I see that coming back in the near future. Right now, RCI exchanges are still coming through. When it's just II, the fraud department will be working overtime to stop them. It's just so risky to rent exchanges.

 

[TUGBrian]

I deal with it multiple times a week, including today!

when we request a rental confirmation and get an II exchange email instead, we always inform the owner that it is not permitted as part of the II membership agreement.

almost to the letter, every single one of the responses is a 50/50 split between the owner simply didnt know or realize its not allowed, and they knew but just didnt care.

either way, when we come across them on TUG, we do not permit them to be posted in the marketplace. I may not agree with the rule itself, but that doesnt change the fact that its a rule and that every single II (or rci) member agreed to it when joining and making an exchange.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I am noticing very few rentals of Disney studios and one bedrooms on Redweek.

Ironic that I had a listing on RW for a five-night stay in a studio for December, a great time to rent Disney.

I had an interested party who said she would like to rent the five nights (standard RW jargon that is automatic). I sent her the confirmation with my name on it to show her I had the reservation. I sent her the contract and she didn't do anything, didn't sign and didn't pay the 50% down. I requested that she send back the contract and she said not until I put her name on the confirmation instead of mine, which I would not do without 50% down.

Finally, I told her that she could always rent through go-koala.com. I didn't tell her I had the nights listed on Koala. I guess I should have told her it's still me. Within minutes, the rental came through on go-koala.com with her name on it. She sent me an email saying she rented elsewhere because I wouldn't add her name to the contract, but it's still through me. The irony. Anyway, Koala isn't having me add her name until 62 days before, so her name is not on the confirmation as of yet.

I don't get the hesitation in renting from me after I sent her proof that I had the five nights.

 

[HudsHut]

Hilarious!!

 

[RX8]

I am noticing very few rentals of Disney studios and one bedrooms on Redweek.

Ironic that I had a listing on RW for a five-night stay in a studio for December, a great time to rent Disney.

I had an interested party who said she would like to rent the five nights (standard RW jargon that is automatic, unless you change it as the interested person. I sent her the confirmation with my name on it to show her I had the reservation. I sent her the contract and she didn't do anything, didn't sign and didn't pay the 50% down. I requested that she send back the contract and she said not until I put her name on the confirmation instead of mine, which I would not do without 50% down.

Finally, I told her that she could always rent through go-koala.com. I didn't tell her I had the nights listed on Koala. I guess I should have told her it's still me. Within minutes, the rental came through on go-koala.com with her name on it. She sent me an email saying she rented elsewhere because I wouldn't add her name to the contract, but it's still through me. The irony. Anyway, Koala isn't having me add her name until 62 days before, so her name is not on the confirmation as of yet.

I don't get the hesitation in renting from me after I sent her proof that I had the five nights.

Just curious as I own DVC but have yet to rent out. What harm is there in adding the renter’s name to the confirmation in advance? DVC doesn’t charge any fees to do so and if the renter doesn’t sign the contract and pay the 50% right away then you could just remove their name, no? This info will be useful if/when I decide to rent out.

Thanks!

 

[rickandcindy23]

Just curious as I own DVC but have yet to rent out. What harm is there in adding the renter’s name to the confirmation in advance? DVC doesn’t charge any fees to do so and if the renter doesn’t sign the contract and pay the 50% right away then you could just remove their name, no? This info will be useful if/when I decide to rent out.

Thanks!

You have to call to change name of the main guest. You cannot do it online. Sometimes the wait is over an hour. I happily call, once I have the deposit. If they decided not to take the five nights and don't pay the deposit, it's another call. I am not okay with sitting on the phone for hours of my life for no reason at all.

I don't like to play games with people. My terms are clear.

 

[RX8]

You have to call to change name of the main guest. You cannot do it online. Sometimes the wait is over an hour. I happily call, once I have the deposit. If they decided not to take the five nights and don't pay the deposit, it's another call. I am not okay with sitting on the phone for hours of my life for no reason at all.

I don't like to play games with people. My terms are clear.

I made a DVC reservation for a friend once but made them the primary guest at the time of booking. I just assumed that all changes could be made online just like the initial booking. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I am noticing very few rentals of Disney studios and one bedrooms on Redweek.

Ironic that I had a listing on RW for a five-night stay in a studio for December, a great time to rent Disney.

I had an interested party who said she would like to rent the five nights (standard RW jargon that is automatic). I sent her the confirmation with my name on it to show her I had the reservation. I sent her the contract and she didn't do anything, didn't sign and didn't pay the 50% down. I requested that she send back the contract and she said not until I put her name on the confirmation instead of mine, which I would not do without 50% down.

Finally, I told her that she could always rent through go-koala.com. I didn't tell her I had the nights listed on Koala. I guess I should have told her it's still me. Within minutes, the rental came through on go-koala.com with her name on it. She sent me an email saying she rented elsewhere because I wouldn't add her name to the contract, but it's still through me. The irony. Anyway, Koala isn't having me add her name until 62 days before, so her name is not on the confirmation as of yet.

I don't get the hesitation in renting from me after I sent her proof that I had the five nights.

There are a lot of scams around DVC rentals and asking the owner to put your name on the reservation first before sending money is pretty standard. Over on Disboards in the rent/trade forum, it is recommended that no money exchange hands until the owner sends you a reservation confirmation that you can add to MDE. It is too easy to get scammed otherwise, since someone can fake a screenshot. Given that there is no cost to the owner other than the slight time commitment to call MS, I don’t think this is unreasonable. I’ve rented my DVC points before and I’ve always sent a resort confirmation in the renters name before requiring payment.

 

[MIDisfan]

There are a lot of scams around DVC rentals and asking the owner to put your name on the reservation first before sending money is pretty standard. Over on Disboards in the rent/trade forum, it is recommended that no money exchange hands until the owner sends you a reservation confirmation that you can add to MDE. It is too easy to get scammed otherwise, since someone can fake a screenshot. Given that there is no cost to the owner other than the slight time commitment to call MS, I don’t think this is unreasonable. I’ve rented my DVC points before and I’ve always sent a resort confirmation in the renters name before requiring payment.

Regardless of whose name is on the reservation the DVC owner has full control of it up until check in. Rentals require a lot of trust between the involved parties.

 

[rickandcindy23]

There are a lot of scams around DVC rentals and asking the owner to put your name on the reservation first before sending money is pretty standard. Over on Disboards in the rent/trade forum, it is recommended that no money exchange hands until the owner sends you a reservation confirmation that you can add to MDE. It is too easy to get scammed otherwise, since someone can fake a screenshot. Given that there is no cost to the owner other than the slight time commitment to call MS, I don’t think this is unreasonable. I’ve rented my DVC points before and I’ve always sent a resort confirmation in the renters name before requiring payment.

As I just said on another thread with RW making calls to verify legitimate confirmations, I can cancel at any time. Once the DVC confirmation # is added to MDE, I think the renter should trust that I won't cancel.

 

[dioxide45]

As I just said on another thread with RW making calls to verify legitimate confirmations, I can cancel at any time. Once the DVC confirmation # is added to MDE, I think the renter should trust that I won't cancel.

I think the issue is more around people who don't own DVC at all scamming people. They get a real conformation, doctor it up to match the dates the renter is wanting and convince the renter to send money without the reservation being able to be linked to the renters MDE. I seem to recall a thread on DISBoards where a scammer only owned a few points and rented them multiple times over using the same points to make new reservations each time they got money from a renter. The renter being able to add the reservation to their MDE is an assurance that the confirmation is 100% legitimate before sending money. Yes, an owner can still scam them by removing the name but at least there is a real reservation behind is that can be verified by more than just a piece of paper.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I think the issue is more around people who don't own DVC at all scamming people. They get a real conformation, doctor it up to match the dates the renter is wanting and convince the renter to send money without the reservation being able to be linked to the renters MDE. I seem to recall a thread on DISBoards where a scammer only owned a few points and rented them multiple times over using the same points to make new reservations each time they got money from a renter. The renter being able to add the reservation to their MDE is an assurance that the confirmation is 100% legitimate before sending money. Yes, an owner can still scam them by removing the name but at least there is a real reservation behind is that can be verified by more than just a piece of paper.

One bad apple for sure.

I tell my renters that I am a member of TUG with over 30,000 posts, give my username (which is similar to my email address), and they can verify through TUG, if they want.

You have to trust people. RW certainly should trust the members who have had multiple rentals.

 

[The Colorado Kid]

One bad apple for sure.

I tell my renters that I am a member of TUG with over 30,000 posts, give my username (which is similar to my email address), and they can verify through TUG, if they want.

You have to trust people. RW certainly should trust the members who have had multiple rentals.

@rickandcindy23 That's a great idea...RW should have a Trusted Renter badge that avoids all this malarky.

 

[Dean]

As I just said on another thread with RW making calls to verify legitimate confirmations, I can cancel at any time. Once the DVC confirmation # is added to MDE, I think the renter should trust that I won't cancel.

It is my understanding that DVC will not talk to anyone other than the member so you'd have to do this with a 3 way call.

 

[DanCali]

I am noticing very few rentals of Disney studios and one bedrooms on Redweek.

You're looking at the wrong resorts

Take a look at how DVC Shop monopolized AKV, especially the rare value studios at Jambo House. I'm pretty sure they have a bot hunting for those single nights as those walking reservations drop nights.

 

[rickandcindy23]

You're looking at the wrong resorts

Take a look at how DVC Shop monopolized AKV, especially the rare value studios at Jambo House. I'm pretty sure they have a bot hunting for those single nights as those walking reservations drop nights.

When things are rented on RW, they are grayed out. Very few are grayed out.

I think RW has a lot of competition for Disney rentals.

I had someone who wanted just two of my four nights at AKL, Kidani, and she wanted to pay a reduced price for two nights. I need to cancel that and book elsewhere, as the dates are approaching quickly.

 

[BostonKingB]

I would really love to rent a 2 bedroom DVC unit (or a 1 bedroom) for our family's first Disney trip in the second week of December 2023. But Redweek has NOTHING available for rent. Is there a reason why there are no rental listings on Redweek for 1 or 2BR's? And should I be checking somewhere else instead? I thought December (early December) was a "down time" to visit Disney so the availability would be a bit better.

 

[dioxide45]

I would really love to rent a 2 bedroom DVC unit (or a 1 bedroom) for our family's first Disney trip in the second week of December 2023. But Redweek has NOTHING available for rent. Is there a reason why there are no rental listings on Redweek for 1 or 2BR's? And should I be checking somewhere else instead? I thought December (early December) was a "down time" to visit Disney so the availability would be a bit better.

Down times for visirting disney usually mean lower point values and higher times for DVC owners to use their points to go there. Redweek is not the best place to source DVC rentals. Check out some of the bigger point rental brokers; DVC Rental Store, DVC Shop or David's.

 

[ljmiii]

I would really love to rent a 2 bedroom DVC unit (or a 1 bedroom) for our family's first Disney trip in the second week of December 2023. But Redweek has NOTHING available for rent. Is there a reason why there are no rental listings on Redweek for 1 or 2BR's? And should I be checking somewhere else instead? I thought December (early December) was a "down time" to visit Disney so the availability would be a bit better.

Aside from Christmas Week, there is no more competitive time for DVC reservations than early December. Points are low and interest is high because of the Christmas decorations and parties. And as @dioxide45 wrote, you will do much better looking for confirmed reservations on the major DVC rental sites than on Redweek.

That said, it's really late to be looking for a December 2023 rental. There's a lot of activity around 11 months out as non-owners decide to stay in hard to get villas and another round at about 7 months as people try to use their 'cheap' DVC points to book stays at the more expensive MK and EPCOT/HS resorts. And if a "confirmed reservation" hasn't rented out at 31 days people will often modify and/or cancel it.

 

[theo]

deleted --- failed to notice the (old) date of the post to which I was responding.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I would really love to rent a 2 bedroom DVC unit (or a 1 bedroom) for our family's first Disney trip in the second week of December 2023. But Redweek has NOTHING available for rent. Is there a reason why there are no rental listings on Redweek for 1 or 2BR's? And should I be checking somewhere else instead? I thought December (early December) was a "down time" to visit Disney so the availability would be a bit better.

You’re never going to get this. Early December is peak demand period for DVC, and you’re talking about something that is one month away, when rooms are booked 11 months out.

 

[BostonKingB]

Aside from Christmas Week, there is no more competitive time for DVC reservations than early December. Points are low and interest is high because of the Christmas decorations and parties. And as @dioxide45 wrote, you will do much better looking for confirmed reservations on the major DVC rental sites than on Redweek.

That said, it's really late to be looking for a December 2023 rental. There's a lot of activity around 11 months out as non-owners decide to stay in hard to get villas and another round at about 7 months as people try to use their 'cheap' DVC points to book stays at the more expensive MK and EPCOT/HS resorts. And if a "confirmed reservation" hasn't rented out at 31 days people will often modify and/or cancel it.

Thanks! This makes sense to me. Most of the major DVC rental websites are just studios or random assortments of dates that don't perfectly align with what I need. I have a confirmed rez at one of the on-property Marriotts but would love to upgrade. Sounds like that will be unlikely. As always I appreciate TUG chiming in!!!

 

[DanCali]

Thanks! This makes sense to me. Most of the major DVC rental websites are just studios or random assortments of dates that don't perfectly align with what I need. I have a confirmed rez at one of the on-property Marriotts but would love to upgrade. Sounds like that will be unlikely. As always I appreciate TUG chiming in!!!

I've tried both renting confirmed reservations and also just advertising points for rent. I've had better success with the latter, but in all cases I ended up booking studios and got 6+ or even 11+ months notice from the renters. I worked with a family from Australia to make them two reservations and they were very stressed they wouldn't get the rooms if I didn't get them right at 8am at 11 months out even though it wasn't warranted at all (BLT Lake View and AKV Savanna studios).

A week in a 2BR rental may cost you as high as $8000 in mid-December (e.g. ~400 points for Riviera Preferred view) or slightly less at some other resorts. But if that's within your budget, you may be able to still find the week you're looking for on one of the Facebook DVC points rental groups. For example, I did a quick search and saw a post listing 6 nights during Christmas and another post for 5 nights in 2nd week of December (both at SSR) and both seemed available. Those FB groups are very active groups and owners are very competitive with each other to try and fill rental "ISO" requests.