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 ?