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

[richardm]

If you use Redweek, be aware that they've changed their operating process without notification.. The do it yourself option is basically gone. If you try to post an advert, the new cost is $49. plus another $99. when someone clicks the "offer" button I guess. Their website states you can still handle payments and contracts yourself, but on the last advert I posted the system only defaulted to using Redweek payments and those additional fees. I tried calling, but the call center rep said they weren't updated about the changes other than being told to take names and numbers of people who complained and forward it to their direct supervisor.

If you are going to advertise on Redweek, just make sure you have a clear understanding of what the actual fees are:

The timeshare owner pays $148. I imagine there could be potential issues with the mandatory $99 fee being charged without an actual rental completing, but I hope Redweek finds ways to work on that.

On top of the advertising fees, Redweek also charges the renter an additional transaction fee and taxes on top of your pricing.

Example: Marriott Grande Vista week advertised at $1,890. Owner paid $148 in advertising fees. Renter would have to pay $2,322. That is another $432 in charges on top of the owner's rental price. Add that to the original $148 charged, and means Redweek has $580 in charges on this rental..

Hopefully, Brian will spend some money to have the Tug classifieds updated and improved...

 

[WaikikiFirst]

Marriott Grande Vista week advertised at $1,890. ... Redweek has $580 in charges on this rental

that = 30%+. Is that all Rdwk or is there a 10% or so "sales" tax in that going to the state?

 

[chapjim]

Seems that RedWeek.com might be exercising its monopoly power.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Seems that RedWeek.com might be exercising its monopoly power.

The problem is they think they have a monopoly, but they don't. Ultimately they need to be able to compete with cash rental rates from the hotel chains themselves and as they edge ever closer to that point where it doesn't make sense to rent a timeshare, they put their whole model in jeopardy.

 

[dioxide45]

Here is a lengthy thread in the Marriott forum about this topic;

Is Redweek only offering two verified and protected options now?

I created an ad just last week with the DIY option with Redweek NOT handling the payment. Today I'm wanting to create another one and not seeing that option. Am I missing this option or is it not there anymore?

tugbbs.com

 

[dioxide45]

that = 30%+. Is that all Rdwk or is there a 10% or so "sales" tax in that going to the state?

Here is a better breakdown. $231.25 of that is taxes to the state of Florida. Redweek gets the $148+191.50 minus any merchant credit card processing fees.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Use go-koala.com with no fees to list, and hopefully with more people renting on that site, renters will find Koala over RW.

I cannot believe RW has gone this direction. I get a lot of rentals through RW, but many of mine have been DIY. I am very disappointed in RW taking away the DIY.

My Resort Network is still a DIY option, also TUG. I rented two on TUG for next month. I was thrilled with that one because they know my reputation on TUG.

 

[hurnik]

Use go-koala.com with no fees to list, and hopefully with more people renting on that site, renters will find Koala over RW.

I cannot believe RW has gone this direction. I get a lot of rentals through RW, but many of mine have been DIY. I am very disappointed in RW taking away the DIY.

My Resort Network is still a DIY option, also TUG. I rented two on TUG for next month. I was thrilled with that one because they know my reputation on TUG.

I'm also disappointed. The $49 (vs. $39) I can live with. The extra $99 on top? Eh, not so much, but I'd increase my rates to compensate for that. The BIG thing for me is Redweek holding the payments for 9-12 months and possibly screwing me out of getting paid (like they did during COVID and I think once/twice afterwards where someone had posted the renter backed out like 1-2 days before check-in and they were unable to recoup their week). I don't trust Redweek in that regard. They have a history of changing/modifying things without notice (this is now what, the 4th-5th time including the COVID fiasco that they've changed policies/procedures without notice).