Giving Up On Craig's List

[rapmarks]

For the past several months, I have had a dozen or more listings at the same time on Koala, canceling and adding listings as I cancel and book reservations. All in all, probably fifty or sixty listings.

I have had exactly zero queries from potential renters. Koala people are great, just no action. Listing is easy and free so there's nothing lost except time.

Thanks I will not bother. That is my experience with Airbnb

 

[Sandy VDH]

I have rented 1 week on Koala. Thanksgiving week in a 3 BR at Wyndham Bonnet Creek. I placed about 7 ads, I cancelled ads, as no nibbles were found and I was coming up against the cancellation window. I currently have 3 ads in place (March Break - Hawaii, July 4th - Hilton Head, October - WDW 50th Anniversary).

So I think Koala may still lack some traffic, as people are just finding them, but it will be increasing. So if you have the right item at the right place at the right price, it will get picked up if someone wants that week. Travel is still down, especially for non-timeshare folks.

But it is only your time but not money to place an ad. I am being selective, putting quality weeks and locations at desirable times, in their pool. Again since it only costs commission if you rent vs placing an ad, I think it is a viable alternative, given the rental market is a bit shaky right now. So I think patience is required.

 

[SmithOp]

I had a 3 day new years eve listed at Elara in Vegas on Koala, gave up Dec 5 and canceled, rolled my points into next year.

Not impressed, the unwashed masses haven't discovered it yet.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[BeckyG]

We've used AirBnb for last few years to rent out timeshare nights in Tahoe with very good results. Much less hassle than Craigslist.

 

[rapmarks]

We've used AirBnb for last few years to rent out timeshare nights in Tahoe with very good results. Much less hassle than Craigslist.

I have no luck with Airbnb but I think it’s because I want more than two nights. With a 138 cleaning free per stay I can’t getvv by enough off two nights

 

[loris]

I recently bought a mid-September timeshare week in a New England ocean beach town, but I can't use it this upcoming year because my son is getting married that week. I bought it because I own another unit at the resort and enjoy being there, so I plan to rent it out for this year only. Koala and free listing and their 8% fee sounds like a better deal than the Craigslist hassle. As this is a one time only, does anyone have any other advice?

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I recently bought a mid-September timeshare week in a New England ocean beach town, but I can't use it this upcoming year because my son is getting married that week. I bought it because I own another unit at the resort and enjoy being there, so I plan to rent it out for this year only. Koala and free listing and their 8% fee sounds like a better deal than the Craigslist hassle. As this is a one time only, does anyone have any other advice?

Try renting right here on TUG in the Marketplace or run an ad on Redweek.


.

 

[exyeh]

I googled koala, and do not know what it is?

 

[SmithOp]

I googled koala, and do not know what it is?

try go-koala


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

 

[dioxide45]

I have had some conversations with the CEO of Koala. They seem to be pretty invested in the website with a whole new site rolling out early next year. Quite a few knowledgeable people both in timeshare and travel are involved. It seems they started up right when travel started to go south. They have a bundle of venture capital behind them, but may not want to be investing in advertising at the moment until travel starts to pick up again. No sense advertising a lot if people really still aren't going anywhere. It does seem to be a good concept that while similar to AirBNB or VRBO (Ver-boh) but the accommodations would be more resort like vs someone's home. Personally this is a reason we avoid AirBNB and the like, we prefer the consistent product most timeshares tend to offer.

 

[davidvel]

I have had some conversations with the CEO of Koala. They seem to be pretty invested in the website with a whole new site rolling out early next year. Quite a few knowledgeable people both in timeshare and travel are involved. It seems they started up right when travel started to go south. They have a bundle of venture capital behind them, but may not want to be investing in advertising at the moment until travel starts to pick up again. No sense advertising a lot if people really still aren't going anywhere. It does seem to be a good concept that while similar to AirBNB or VRBO (Ver-boh) but the accommodations would be more resort like vs someone's home. Personally this is a reason we avoid AirBNB and the like, we prefer the consistent product most timeshares tend to offer.

We feel the same about the someone's home effect. Inconsistent cleaning, residential neighborhoods, random cutlery, odd furnishings, lack of maintenance etc., just have never been up to par with a resort, in addition to the stand alone feel. Many like them, but not really to our taste.

 

[chapjim]

I had my first booking through Koala today. That is, my first booking from one of my listings. I had one a while back that Koala asked me to book for them.