First time renting from owner - tips?

[Ishyjo]

Hi TUG members,
I'm looking at Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale AZ for a week of rental in April. I found a posting on Redweek (NOT Redweek verified and protected) and the contact would like me to use paypal to pay THEN he'll change his reservation to my name.

Do I have any assurance that he'll change the reservation to my name? What if he change it back to his name and walk away with the rental fee? Does this feel like a scam? Any tips are appreciated!
TIA!

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Hi TUG members,
I'm looking at Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale AZ for a week of rental in April. I found a posting on Redweek (not Redweek verified and protected) and the contact would like me to use paypal to pay and he'll change his reservation to my name. Do I have any assurance that he'll change the reservation to my name? What if he change it back to his name and walk away with the rental fee? Does this feel like a scam? Any tips are appreciated!
TIA!

I would ask Redweek if they will stand behind the reservation. Guessing if it is verified and protected then they will, but only a guess.




.

 

[timetofly]

not sure but came across this regarding Paypal and rentals, see https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/paypal-and-renting-a-timeshare.216571/

 

[SteelerGal]

Not unusual actually. Other Tuggers have indicated that they use PayPal or even checks.
I use RedWeek for rentals but go the verified route.

 

[Ishyjo]

Thanks for the responses so far.

Once I get the confirmation in my name, is there any guarantee that the owner cannot switch it to another party? Or remove my name down the road?

 

[emeryjre]

I have rented my units using paypal.

The first thing I do is send my confirmation letter for the week I am renting to the person that wants to rent from me.

This verifies to them that I do in fact have a confirmed reservation for the period and place I am offering.

At that point, the potential renter makes a 50% deposit into my paypal account. I then change the reservation into their name and email them the confirmation.

I then tell them to give it 24 hours and then contact the reservation desk at the resort in question and confirm that their is a reservation in their name at the resort.

I then request the remaining balance 30 days before the date of the reservation.

If you want to use an escrow or have more guarantees in the process, you will pay a higher fee for the escrow. A VRBO rental will cost you at least 11% more but you have their guarantee. Not sure what the redweek fee is, but they do have one for the escrow process.

An owner could change the name on the reservation, but to do so would be very problematic for them down the road.

 

[Iggyearl]

I have seen your concern posted on Redweek. Their answer to your question is that you can contact them regarding your concern. They make no guarantees, but they will tell you how long the renter has been on Redweek and if there are any complaints about the renter. I guess honest owners would have no complaints.

 

[CPNY]

Hi TUG members,
I'm looking at Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale AZ for a week of rental in April. I found a posting on Redweek (NOT Redweek verified and protected) and the contact would like me to use paypal to pay THEN he'll change his reservation to my name.

Do I have any assurance that he'll change the reservation to my name? What if he change it back to his name and walk away with the rental fee? Does this feel like a scam? Any tips are appreciated!
TIA!

I’d ask to see proof of reservation before paying, Or search for a redweek verified unit. If there are non you can ask him to upgrade the listing and offer to pay for it to allow for redweek to verify. You should be fine but sometimes you never know.

when I list on redweek I’ll email a confirmation with my name and confirmation number blacked out to at least show proof that the reservation exists.

 

[brianfox]

Once I get the confirmation in my name, is there any guarantee that the owner cannot switch it to another party? Or remove my name down the road?

Unfortunately not the case at all. Owner can remove your name.

At a bare minimum there should be a rental agreement signed by both of you.
Or look for a Redweek full service listing.
That will probably be more expensive but will offer a renter far more protection.
First, you can pay with a credit card, which may earn you some points.
Second, there is a rental agreement.
Third, Redweek verifies the name has been changed to yours.
Fourth, although you still pay upfront, the money is held in escrow, meaning the owner doesn't get paid until you check out. If he decides to screw you over and change the name, he doesn't get paid and you get your money back.

Honest owners really don't like going this route, but I wouldn't rent any other way.

Lastly, consider getting trip insurance that covers quarantine!

 

[Tank]

If it is Redweek it should be ok.
They have both party's important information on file. This paid membership alone weeds out the scammers.
TUG does not, anyone can aproch a rental. Leaving a margin for scammers.
Getting ones information on record is a huge deterrent.


For the most part we just want to find a renter, and you just want to find a place to rent. Verified cost more money and unnecessary.
Trust is the biggest hurdle, they also have to trust you as well.

Search the name here, or on Redweek. If someone did something shady the name, email would be blasted all over here.
That goes for both renter or rentee
PayPal is ok as well

Dave

 

[echino]

At minimum, ask to see the owner's reservation before paying.

An owner can change a name on the reservation at any time. But if it's a legitimate owner, they won't do it because they can't get away with it.

When you see the reservation, make sure it says "Home Resort Reservation". This proves it's an owner's reservation that can be rented.

 

[Tank]

Our reservations do not say
"Home Resort Reservation"

Every system is different.

Some systems don't allow renting, look the system up here and get your answer.

RCI bookings do not allow it.

I'm a points owner and we have 29 resorts to use with our points.

I will show you my reservation , and you can call and confirm it before paying anything.

The only reason to cancel a reservation would be for non payment.

I can actively book a new reservation for you if it shows availability , but I won't do it without a down payment , the trust issue again, it cost me money to make a reservation.

I love repeat customers, once we establish trust we have many years of happy transactions letting our guards down.

Dave

 

[CPNY]

Our reservations do not say
"Home Resort Reservation"

Every system is different.

Some systems don't allow renting, look the system up here and get your answer.

RCI bookings do not allow it.

I'm a points owner and we have 29 resorts to use with our points.

I will show you my reservation , and you can call and confirm it before paying anything.

The only reason to cancel a reservation would be for non payment.

I can actively book a new reservation for you if it shows availability , but I won't do it without a down payment , the trust issue again, it cost me money to make a reservation.

I love repeat customers, once we establish trust we have many years of happy transactions letting our guards down.

Dave

Correct, but for the vistana units if booked in your season with home resort star options it will specify on the reservation “home resort reservation”. In this case, the resort is a vistana resort.

 

[Tank]

That's fine and dandy but nobody would know that by the post unless you are a owner of that resort / system.

It's in the general area asking for renting tips,
not a Vistana page so since everybody learns by these posts one might not want to rent from me or someone else because the reservation does not say
"Home Resort Reservation"

Everyone learns from these general posts.
I usually keep my nose out of specific system questions not pertaining to my system so if it was in the Vistana timeshare section I wouldn't of paid attention.

Who knows he might be looking at our Scottsdale resort next

Dave

 

[Ishyjo]

Thanks guys for the responses!

I emailed the owner to see if he's agreeable to sign a rental agreement and if he can show me the reservation confirmation.

He responded that he's been doing it for over 15 years and never had a problem at all. Previous renters have called and thank him for the rental.
He did not say he's willing to sign a rental agreement. He did mention he's traveling and he can forward a confirmation to me when he gets home.

At this time, I'm still a bit hesitant. I will give Redweek a call to see if there has been any complaints about this person's account.

Edit: Redweek responded that the user has been using Redweek since 2004. Had numerous transactions, no complaints on record.

I think at this time I'll wait for him to send me the reservation confirmation and go for it.