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

[rickandcindy23]

When I wanted to take down a listing because I rented it to a friend, I emailed RW and told them to take the ad down, but in the meantime I increased the price astronomically, so I wouldn't have to wait for RW to make it unrentable. I raised the price to $10,000 on a Sheraton week. I knew no one would pay that.

 

[jwalk03]

When I wanted to take down a listing because I rented it to a friend, I emailed RW and told them to take the ad down, but in the meantime I increased the price astronomically, so I wouldn't have to wait for RW to make it unrentable. I raised the price to $10,000 on a Sheraton week. I knew no one would pay that.

But would you have kicked your friend out if someone DID rent it for $10,000?! LOL

 

[chapjim]

When I wanted to take down a listing because I rented it to a friend, I emailed RW and told them to take the ad down, but in the meantime I increased the price astronomically, so I wouldn't have to wait for RW to make it unrentable. I raised the price to $10,000 on a Sheraton week. I knew no one would pay that.

Not knowing how long it would take for RW's Customer Service to take down the listing, and because I'd seen where you did that before, I did the same thing!!

 

[hgregory133]

If not, get that timeshare ownership isolated into a trust so you have a little insulation from potential future changes that may really restrict your options in a few years.

Can you please explain why having your ownership in a trust would provide more protection? I've never heard this before and I would love to understand the mechanics. Thank you Richard!

 

[BigDawgTUG]

Maybe this had been discussed before, but I'm just now realizing another significant adverse change in Redweek's new policies. In the past, when a Verified and Protected listing is within 10 days of the check-in date, the ad would automatically revert to a Do It Yourself ad, with Redweek noting on the ad that the Verification and Protection has been :"broken." But the ad survived and renters could contact the owner directly to pursue a last minute rental. Now, when a listing gets to be within 10 days of the check-in date, Redweek cancels the listing, such that you now no longer have the ability to rent any timeshare within 10 days of the check-in date. In the past many of my listings have rented within that 10-day period, with that period probably having been one of the most productive time for me to rent.

 

[montygz]

Maybe this had been discussed before, but I'm just now realizing another significant adverse change in Redweek's new policies. In the past, when a Verified and Protected listing is within 10 days of the check-in date, the ad would automatically revert to a Do It Yourself ad, with Redweek noting on the ad that the Verification and Protection has been :"broken." But the ad survived and renters could contact the owner directly to pursue a last minute rental. Now, when a listing gets to be within 10 days of the check-in date, Redweek cancels the listing, such that you now no longer have the ability to rent any timeshare within 10 days of the check-in date. In the past many of my listings have rented within that 10-day period, with that period probably having been one of the most productive time for me to rent.

Its disappointing. I enjoyed picking up last-minute rentals, but clearly they were more trouble than they were worth to Redweek.

These Redweek moves are clearly narrowing its focus. What is is left must be the most profitable parts of its business --- and the part with the least number of headaches, customer service and potential fraud issues.

If it becomes harder to rent last-minute inventory, I wonder if that will drive down rental prices earlier to beat the two-week deadline, or perhaps have more people will be throwing inventory back the resorts, perhaps opening up more last-second inventory for owners.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

narrowing its focus. What is is left must be the most profitable parts of its business

Wow. It is almost like they are acting like a real company with mature mgmt.
Early days: need growth, throw stuff at wall to generate volume, attract attention
Mature: how do we actually make $$$$$$$? We're not in this for giggles.
This seems extreme, bwdik: " when a listing gets to be within 10 days of the check-in date, Redweek cancels the listing". Does the refund policy change at 10 days?

 

[chapjim]

Wow. It is almost like they are acting like a real company with mature mgmt.
Early days: need growth, throw stuff at wall to generate volume, attract attention
Mature: how do we actually make $$$$$$$? We're not in this for giggles.
This seems extreme, bwdik: " when a listing gets to be within 10 days of the check-in date, Redweek cancels the listing". Does the refund policy change at 10 days?

Actually, what RW is acting like is a monopolist. Having little competition, they raise prices.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

Having little competition

Pffffffttttttttttttttttttttttttt. You ain't seen nothin yet.
minimizing competition is why Early days: need growth, throw stuff at wall to generate volume, attract attention. Simple land grab

 

[hgregory133]

I am so frustrated with Redweek! I've been with them since 2018 and I stuck with them even as they went from $22 for do-it-yourself all the way up to $60 in a relatively short time period. I honestly would have even stuck with them at $60 but then to change their entire system so dramatically with zero notice and no explanation to the members that have been loyal to them? Nope, that's just bad business. But I have to say a part of me really appreciates what they did because I was just too complacent to even research alternatives. I was really impressed with Koala (https://www.go-koala.com/) They're growing and their site isn't perfect yet but it has far better functionality and actually looks like a modern webpage, as opposed to Redweek. Plus they're working on a lot of interesting features that would be really nice to have. Last, all in, they're actually less that what I've been paying with Redweek annually. I deactivated anything I still had with Redweek and I moved over to Koala today.

 

[BigDawgTUG]

I have written Redweek asking for a full refund of my listing fees for those orders which they cancelled within 10 days of check-in. I have also told them that I am moving on and will not be placing any more listings with them. I'm done with Redweek. My fees paid to them have been in the 4 figures for 4 of the last 5 years.

 

[NTP66]

For those of you who still post float ads on Redweek, have you still seen traffic and rentals? Looks like we'll be posting our 1BR OV unit in Maui for next summer, and I was considering using the float option to still have the DIY features (as mentioned previously in this thread). I'll be posting on other sites, too, but was curious if float listings actually work. I only ask because I have never actually even clicked on a float link in the past when attempting to rent a second unit to extend our stay.

 

[NTP66]

Welp, nevermind, the ability to post float weeks is apparently gone entirely. What a clown show.

 

[montygz]

For those of you who still post float ads on Redweek, have you still seen traffic and rentals? Looks like we'll be posting our 1BR OV unit in Maui for next summer, and I was considering using the float option to still have the DIY features (as mentioned previously in this thread). I'll be posting on other sites, too, but was curious if float listings actually work. I only ask because I have never actually even clicked on a float link in the past when attempting to rent a second unit to extend our stay.

Welp, nevermind, the ability to post float weeks is apparently gone entirely. What a clown show.

As a renter searching for a specific week to rent, I hated float weeks. That is one change they've made I 100% support.

Perhaps they could have come up with a way to filter them out. I can imagine a lot of frustration over renters asking about a week, then finding out it wasn't available, wasting everyone's time.

One of the reasons I liked renting on ebay was that when a week was shown, the availability was real.

 

[NTP66]

Yeah, I guess this is just the reality of it now. Going to post on all sites and just see what happens I guess.

 

[rickandcindy23]

A "Float" listing allows guests to request dates they need. I had float weeks with Shell's Peacock Suites. I could get just a few nights for people, or full weeks, and the inventory was there for much of what people wanted, especially if they planned 5 months out.

Dolphin's Cove was another one I could get with WorldMark. Lots of one bedrooms available to book, even fairly last-minute.

 

[HudsHut]

Fair point—any marketplace needs both quality listings and engaged renters. That said, Redweek’s rising fees are pushing owners to look for better options—just like it did for me—and that’s where FindingMeili.com naturally comes in.


It’s not just about listing—it’s about making rentals more cost-effective for both owners and renters. Many owners are probably already seeing the benefits of lower costs, and as more listings grow, so does the renter base. If owners keep feeding Redweek despite the constant nickel-and-dime tactics, nothing will change.

If you’re tired of overpaying, I found it worth trying a platform actually built to solve these pain points—which is why I mentioned FindingMeili.com in the first place, to help other owners looking for a better option

@Oceans8
I'm curious to know what have you actually rented out via FindingMeili in the six months since you posted ?

 

[cinematic]

But owners aren't paying the fees. Renters pay the additional 17% in taxes and fees. Perhaps you meant to say renters prefer paying the extra fees? I think it really comes down to that they haven't done the math and analysis to determine the savings vs. the risk. They can save money if they are willing to take a risk and send an owner all the money up front without a 100% guaranty. Some are willing to take the risk and save the money while it seems that many aren't. Of course Redweek hasn't made it easy to do the analysis since they've suppressed DIY rentals for a while.

There are other outfits out there that offer similar services as Redweek did two years ago, they just don't seem to get the needed traffic to take away market share from Redweek. Redweek brings in renters through a lot of advertising. Advertising is expensive and small startups may not be able to afford it.

Here are other options to consider from a list I've been maintaining;

• Finding Meili - www.findingmeili.com
• Koala - www.go-koala.com
• Vacation Candy - www.vacationcandy.com
• TUG Marketplace - https://www.tug2.com/timesharemarketplace/rentals
• My Resort Network - https://www.myresortnetwork.com/
• Rialto Vacations - https://rialtovacations.com/
• Vakay Mood - https://vakaymood.com/

Thanks for this thread - it led me to Finding Meili where I rented directly from an owner for my Waiohai Beach Club stay. The process was super easy, and I didn’t get stuck with the extra platform service fees like Airbnb usually adds. Redweek didn’t have the exact week I needed, and when I checked a similar week, redweek's total price was almost $1,000 higher from the owner's listed price with fees - which kind of defeats the point of me trying to book direct since it ends up close to Airbnb’s pricing (and I’ve been trying to get away from airbnb or vrbo).

Quick question for the owners here - what’s the actual benefit of booking a “verified” week? I noticed Finding Meili has "meili approved" listings and the guest service fees are not high, compared to Redweek or Airbnb. I may have gone the "approved meili" route, but the Owner's Finding Meili direct booking rental was available for the exact dates I wanted...and frankly it was $200 cheaper than the Saturday check-in... The owner I rented with gave me the resort confirmation right away and I was able to confirm directly with Marriott, so it felt secure.

Just curious if “verified” or “approved” is more for the owner’s benefit, or if it actually gives guests any extra perks (like priority placement requests, priority check-in, etc.)?
Just trying to understand for future bookings.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[NTP66]

FindingMeili.com is what, $30 for a year for an owner to list their unit? I've got nothing to lose, so I'll give it a go.

Edit: $2.75/month for a 6-month listing, which they don't actually tell you until you join. At least, I didn't see it. So $31.50 for a year's membership and a 6-month listing.

 

[Cyberc]

FindingMeili.com is what, $30 for a year for an owner to list their unit? I've got nothing to lose, so I'll give it a go.

Edit: $2.75/month for a 6-month listing, which they don't actually tell you until you join. At least, I didn't see it. So $31.50 for a year's membership and a 6-month listing.

Do the renters even know about the site?, I guess thats one of redweeks strong sides that renters actually know them.

 

[NTP66]

Do the renters even know about the site?, I guess thats one of redweeks strong sides that renters actually know them.

Honestly? No idea. Just figured it was worth trying another site for reach, because I'm unhappy with the direction Redweek is going. I will say, I am not happy with Finding Meili's site right now. There is virtually no information for the fields you're filling out. Listing my unit, there's a field for "taxes and fees" that I need to fill out. Is this for the unit fees paid by the renter at the resort? No information, and I'm hesitant to add that to the listing in case those fees wind up being paid to me directly.

 

[NTP66]

Welp, my unit is listed. Well below the other units ($5k for a 1BR island view? lolol), so we'll see how this goes.

 

[ZacharyBattles]

Do the renters even know about the site?, I guess thats one of redweeks strong sides that renters actually know them.

Honestly? No idea. Just figured it was worth trying another site for reach, because I'm unhappy with the direction Redweek is going. I will say, I am not happy with Finding Meili's site right now. There is virtually no information for the fields you're filling out. Listing my unit, there's a field for "taxes and fees" that I need to fill out. Is this for the unit fees paid by the renter at the resort? No information, and I'm hesitant to add that to the listing in case those fees wind up being paid to me directly.

It looks like they distribute their inventory across several travel platforms (byowner.com, rentbyowner.com, VRBO, hawaii.villas, vacationrenter.com, etc.). In my experience, these types of platforms often perform better—sometimes with higher rental rates—than traditional timeshare rental sites (with the exception of DVC), likely because travelers are comparing directly against retail pricing.

That said, I can’t speak to this company’s effectiveness or reliability, as I’ve never personally worked with them.

@NTP66 Please keep us posted on your experience—did you pre-book specific dates or leave it open as a floating fulfillment request?

 

[NTP66]

It looks like they distribute their inventory across several travel platforms (byowner.com, rentbyowner.com, VRBO, hawaii.villas, vacationrenter.com, etc.). In my experience, these types of platforms often perform better—sometimes with higher rental rates—than traditional timeshare rental sites (with the exception of DVC), likely because travelers are comparing directly against retail pricing.

That said, I can’t speak to this company’s effectiveness or reliability, as I’ve never personally worked with them.

@NTP66 Please keep us posted on your experience—did you pre-book specific dates or leave it open as a floating fulfillment request?

Will do. I listed my specific week, since it's already booked. Right now, I've got my unit listed on Redweek, KOALA, Vacation Candy, Finding Meili, as well as a realty company that has helped both myself and my father rent units in the past (they list on VRBO and others, as well).

 

[rickandcindy23]

Vacation Candy is always a possibility, also Koala.

Koala doesn't charge upfront fees, and Koala provides insurance for the owner, in case the guest damages the unit. I know a lot of people here will deny it, but it absolutely does happen. I had one guest who did damage to several units last November. I don't know what happened, she denied it vehemently, but I believe Sheraton and Marriott over the guest. I am lucky they didn't come after me because it was my own rental. Just plain lucky. It was SBR.