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I don't think I've seen a tougher rental year than this.

dioxide45

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As a landlord, I've seen irrational competition.
I had a guy list his week by mine on Redweek and undercut my offering price by $300. This made no sense whatsoever.
I had four separate units to rent, and through the various sites I used, I had them all rented by the time this guy posted, luckily. (And, I had inquiries still pouring in.)
So, I emailed the guy telling him I closed my listing, as it had been rented, and asked him to bring his rental price up to $895 like mine. I even offered to forward all inquiries on to him. Again, I had three inquiries in two days wanting my unit that I had to turn away.
This was a high demand location, high demand time period. There is a ball tournament in the area and a major festival for this week. It makes no sense to price his unit for $130 less than maintenance fees, $300 less than me.
The guy emailed me back with a rude reply: "I don't see where any of this is your business."

Couldn't this be construed as an attempt at price fixing?
 

csxjohn

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I am in marketing and when I go around to different offices I have been asking the staff if they have any plans for vacation this summer. I am always shocked that many people have not made plans-YET! Being a timeshare owner, it is a foreign concept to me that in mid-June someone would not have their vacation plans wrapped up by now! Sure- there are some that are doing day trips or staycations, but many people said they just haven't decided what they're doing or booked yet!:shrug:

I'm willing to bet that most of those have never heard of or thought of renting someone's timeshare week.
 

vacationhopeful

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I'm willing to bet that most of those have never heard of or thought of renting someone's timeshare week.

More likely, I would bet most of them:
1) don't talk to the other people who live under their roof.
2) have NO interest in doing the work necessary to PLAN a vacation
3) have NO money set aside for a vacation
4) the kids are sent to camp, grandparents, sports clinics, etc
5) are working like dogs to just pay some of the bills
6) summer is not slow season to many families - farmers and contractors, for example.
 

WinniWoman

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"I'm willing to bet that most of those have never heard of or thought of renting someone's timeshare week."
__________________

"More likely, I would bet most of them:
1) don't talk to the other people who live under their roof.
2) have NO interest in doing the work necessary to PLAN a vacation
3) have NO money set aside for a vacation
4) the kids are sent to camp, grandparents, sports clinics, etc
5) are working like dogs to just pay some of the bills
6) summer is not slow season to many families - farmers and contractors, for example."

For sure on all of these. I guess because I live for vacations and they are a top priority for me, it's hard to understand how people are thinking of going away for the summer but just haven't gotten around to booking something.. I get the lack of money excuse, but I think it is also a big lack of planning and prioritizing. My coworkers are always amazed at how often I go away with out timeshares and renting. Not doing anything extraordinary, but going away nonetheless. We usually are pretty frugal with our vacations- people just don't get the timeshare thing- no matter how I try to educate them. Their loss! But also a loss to owners of timeshares who want to rent as well.
 

vacationtime1

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As a landlord, I've seen irrational competition.
I had a guy list his week by mine on Redweek and undercut my offering price by $300. This made no sense whatsoever.

I had four separate units to rent, and through the various sites I used, I had them all rented by the time this guy posted, luckily. (And, I had inquiries still pouring in.)
So, I emailed the guy telling him I closed my listing, as it had been rented, and asked him to bring his rental price up to $895 like mine. I even offered to forward all inquiries on to him. Again, I had three inquiries in two days wanting my unit that I had to turn away.
This was a high demand location, high demand time period. There is a ball tournament in the area and a major festival for this week. It makes no sense to price his unit for $130 less than maintenance fees, $300 less than me.
The guy emailed me back with a rude reply: "I don't see where any of this is your business."

It's not irrational if he's renting exchanges; his cost is lower than yours and he needs to turn his inventory quickly.

(I know that it violates the exchange company agreement to rent an exchange, but this renter apparently doesn't care -- and he certainly doesn't want anyone else watching closely.)
 

vacationhopeful

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It's not irrational if he's renting exchanges; his cost is lower than yours and he needs to turn his inventory quickly.

(I know that it violates the exchange company agreement to rent an exchange, but this renter apparently doesn't care -- and he certainly doesn't want anyone else watching closely.)

Yes, that is a very good bet ... renting exchanges. I know more and more people than ever are renting exchanges out ... and the resorts are getting way more complaints from owners.

People feel "who does it hurt?"; RCI rents out our deposited weeks; I paid the exchange fee and the guest certificate fee ... just sending my good friend who I just met via Craigslist (or Redweek, etc); why would RCI have a Guest Certificate if not so my GUEST (who is renter) can checkin?.

I just love it when a person sits around the pool and tells everyone HOW STUPID they are to own a timeshare ... they renting their vacation stay for $499 or less ... but definitely less than the $1100 Wyndham MFs.
 

skimble

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Couldn't this be construed as an attempt at price fixing?

Yes... price fixing. Or genuine collaboration.

I don't care if the guy is renting an exchange. I offered him a genuine opportunity to make an extra $295 off his rental. All he had to do was take the referral.

Sure, I am motivated to keep prices up, but I'm also motivated by collaboration. I have helped other owners at this resort before, and it's come back around. I've had others defer to me when they have an inquiry for a week that they do not have and I do.
It's called networking-- and it can benefit all of us.
 

vacationhopeful

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Actually, when I see something priced 20-30-40% (hundreds of dollars) LOWER than everyone else, I wonder WHY? Am I missing something? Quick sale? Bad unit location? Exchange?

So, I might talk to the ad holder - to see what they know about the resort AND exactly where the unit is. After all, I usually do know what the cost of ownership is for a week at those resorts.

Sometimes, it is a "I just want it rented TODAY" or "it's my parent's timeshare and they can't use it" - even this one "I rented it last year thru the resort, they took a big commission and sent me a 1099; figured if I was going to get nothing but a 1099 & chump change, I could cut out all the middle men and LOSE just as much; why make them rich?".
 

1st Class

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Yes, that is a very good bet ... renting exchanges. I know more and more people than ever are renting exchanges out ... and the resorts are getting way more complaints from owners.

People feel "who does it hurt?"; RCI rents out our deposited weeks; I paid the exchange fee and the guest certificate fee ... just sending my good friend who I just met via Craigslist (or Redweek, etc); why would RCI have a Guest Certificate if not so my GUEST (who is renter) can checkin?.

I just love it when a person sits around the pool and tells everyone HOW STUPID they are to own a timeshare ... they renting their vacation stay for $499 or less ... but definitely less than the $1100 Wyndham MFs.

Here's a prime example to support this:

https://maine.craigslist.org/vac/5085049589.html

... and this one makes no attempt to disguise the exchange :shrug: "Certificate guaranteed by Resort International Resorts, Inc." I'm guessing it's supposed to mean RCI, but maybe its intentional to prevent the unsuspecting victim from calling RCI to confirm.
 

skimble

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Here's a prime example to support this:

https://maine.craigslist.org/vac/5085049589.html

... and this one makes no attempt to disguise the exchange :shrug: "Certificate guaranteed by Resort International Resorts, Inc." I'm guessing it's supposed to mean RCI, but maybe its intentional to prevent the unsuspecting victim from calling RCI to confirm.

Even in this situation, you don't totally know....
With an RCI Points account, you have your home resort. You can book your home resort week each year. You get a reservation through RCI, just like an exchange.
In this situation, if you choose to rent this week, it would still require a guest certificate, but it's perfectly legit.
 

chapjim

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Here's a prime example to support this:

https://maine.craigslist.org/vac/5085049589.html

... and this one makes no attempt to disguise the exchange :shrug: "Certificate guaranteed by Resort International Resorts, Inc." I'm guessing it's supposed to mean RCI, but maybe its intentional to prevent the unsuspecting victim from calling RCI to confirm.

What is there about this listing that makes one think he's renting an exchange? Sounds to me like it could just as easily be a unit he owns but cannot use, just like he says.

I own fixed weeks that I don't always use and could easily have the same kind of guarantee of a guest confirmation confirmed by Wyndham, Diamond Resorts International, VRI, etc.
 

chapjim

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Does Craiglist care about RCI's rules, though? I woner if RCI knows about this :)

Craig's List is anarchic when it comes to flagging -- no rules, no accountability.
 

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I've been looking to rent a week at a Sheraton resort in Orlando. I've had the problem of owners being rude, not replying to emails, not reading the emails properly and resulting in mass emails back and forth and WAY overcharging. One owner wanted $1,000 OVER what it would cost if I rented directly from the resort. They said they were renting their Star Options and that is how much it would cost them. ????

The problem is more complex than a shortage of renters.
 

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I have no experience with RCI, so it may very well be within the rules. The red flag for me is the "Resorts International Resorts, Inc." Perhaps a typo but I'm not convinced. I've seen too many of these, mostly for II resorts, to think it is an innocent mistake. Typos generally signal scammers.

The word "certificate" is what caught my attention. Thank you for pointing out how RCI uses certificates. In II when I've used a certificate, it has always been for an exchange or getaway. II does now have a points program, but again I have no experience with that.

Linda, it's back! What happens when a listing is flagged?
 

Egret1986

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About two years ago I got admonished by a couple of folks on a TUG thread

Even in this situation, you don't totally know....
With an RCI Points account, you have your home resort. You can book your home resort week each year. You get a reservation through RCI, just like an exchange.
In this situation, if you choose to rent this week, it would still require a guest certificate, but it's perfectly legit.

The Moderator supported it, so now I have no idea about people renting exchanges or not. A new Guest was posting lots of last minute rentals on the LMR Board. I contacted them for a Virginia Beach rental they had listed. They said that I would get an RCI Guest Certificate. His rentals were $499 and $599. From all that has been posted on exchanges and Guest Certificates, I called this Guest out on TUG.

What is there about this listing that makes one think he's renting an exchange? Sounds to me like it could just as easily be a unit he owns but cannot use, just like he says.

I own fixed weeks that I don't always use and could easily have the same kind of guarantee of a guest confirmation confirmed by Wyndham, Diamond Resorts International, VRI, etc.

I was told that this person had some tie-in with RCI that allowed them to rent RCI last minute inventory. Another member came to this new Guest's defense by admonishing me for posting that this person was renting exchanges and that I shouldn't be posting inaccurate info against them. This was from someone that is a long-time TUG member and posts rentals often. The Moderator checked into things apparently and said that the rental listings were legit. Few can compete with this type of pricing. I can't. Since these types of rentals have come on the scene, in great numbers, many folks are waiting around for these last minute, greatly reduced rentals.

I have contacted many people on Redweek this Summer that indicate their rentals will require an RCI Guest Certificate. I just rented a 2BR July 4th week at the beach for $495. It required an RCI Guest Certificate. How are we supposed to truly know what we're getting into? :shrug: How can those of us that own timeshares and pay maintenance fees compete with this type of pricing on our rentals? :wall:

I don't think that it's cut and dry, apparently. :confused:
 

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internal banked RCI deposits for rent?

What is an internal banked RCI deposit? I'm communicating with an owner for the rental I'm looking for and was told it was that type of 'ownership'. Also there is no rental contract. :shrug:

Please advise.
 

MuranoJo

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Have you asked him/her for a contract to sign? Have you seen the resort confirmation, and is it from the resort, or is it an II or RCI guest certificate? Don't give them the deposit until you see the confirmation in their name. And then don't give them the full payment until you see the confirmation changed to your name.

If it is an exchange with an RCI guest certificate, you can always take your chances and hope you have no issues. Obviously, given all the blatant online exchange rentals, seems to be fairly good odds you're not alone and may very well have no issues.
 

amycurl

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Well, Harbor Ridge doesn't trade in RCI, so that's a big red flag on that rental. And "Arcadia" is another one.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

skimble

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What is an internal banked RCI deposit? I'm communicating with an owner for the rental I'm looking for and was told it was that type of 'ownership'. Also there is no rental contract. :shrug:

Please advise.

Could this be a vacation club? And... are vacation club members (or vacation clubs themselves) precluded from renting?
 

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Have you asked him/her for a contract to sign? Have you seen the resort confirmation, and is it from the resort, or is it an II or RCI guest certificate? Don't give them the deposit until you see the confirmation in their name. And then don't give them the full payment until you see the confirmation changed to your name.

If it is an exchange with an RCI guest certificate, you can always take your chances and hope you have no issues. Obviously, given all the blatant online exchange rentals, seems to be fairly good odds you're not alone and may very well have no issues.

No, I'm not interested in this week. I was just using this as an example and pointing out possible discrepancies in the ad. I do tend to look occasionally with a roll of the eyes at rentals I know are almost certainly exchanges. I agree with and appreciate your kind advice regarding payment, however.

I think the wording of the ad was changed since I first saw it. It know for certain it previously listed the week as needing a guest certificate and I'm quite sure there was a reference to "RCI". That's what makes me wonder if it was changed intentionally.

When I occasionally rent my owner weeks, I have been surprised at how trusting my renters are! I stress that they should contact the resort to confirm my ownership and reservation. I had one that insisted on sending full payment after I asked for a deposit! I also have advised a couple to be careful about renting exchanges when comparing my rental with others, trying to impress upon them that they may wind up being refused by the resort if it turns out to be an exchange. I think some may think it salesmanship but it's really quite the opposite!

You can't really be too cautious since renting from strangers is risky business. Renting an exchange is a risk I'm not willing to take just to save a few dollars.
 

Egret1986

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As stated by several; an RCI Guest Certificate doesn't necessarily mean an exchange.

What is there about this listing that makes one think he's renting an exchange? Sounds to me like it could just as easily be a unit he owns but cannot use, just like he says.

I own fixed weeks that I don't always use and could easily have the same kind of guarantee of a guest confirmation confirmed by Wyndham, Diamond Resorts International, VRI, etc.

No one is addressing this. :confused:

Even in this situation, you don't totally know....
With an RCI Points account, you have your home resort. You can book your home resort week each year. You get a reservation through RCI, just like an exchange.
In this situation, if you choose to rent this week, it would still require a guest certificate, but it's perfectly legit.

I have several RCI Points Home Resort weeks that I have listed for rent. Will my listings be flagged because someone has determined that I am renting exchanges against RCI rules? I'm not. These are my Home Weeks and an RCI Guest Certificate will be provided.

The Moderator supported it, so now I have no idea about people renting exchanges or not. A new Guest was posting lots of last minute rentals on the LMR Board. I contacted them for a Virginia Beach rental they had listed. They said that I would get an RCI Guest Certificate. His rentals were $499 and $599. From all that has been posted on exchanges and Guest Certificates, I called this Guest out on TUG.

I was told that this person had some tie-in with RCI that allowed them to rent RCI last minute inventory. Another member came to this new Guest's defense by admonishing me for posting that this person was renting exchanges and that I shouldn't be posting inaccurate info against them. This was from someone that is a long-time TUG member and posts rentals often. The Moderator checked into things apparently and said that the rental listings were legit. Few can compete with this type of pricing. I can't. Since these types of rentals have come on the scene, in great numbers, many folks are waiting around for these last minute, greatly reduced rentals.

I have contacted many people on Redweek this Summer that indicate their rentals will require an RCI Guest Certificate. I just rented a 2BR July 4th week at the beach for $495. It required an RCI Guest Certificate. How are we supposed to truly know what we're getting into? :shrug: How can those of us that own timeshares and pay maintenance fees compete with this type of pricing on our rentals? :wall:

I don't think that it's cut and dry, apparently. :confused:

I'm curious how one is supposed to determine who is legitimately providing Guest Certificates and who is simply renting exchanges against the exchange company rules. :shrug:
 

skimble

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If I can book a week using Points, and it is less expensive than my maintenance fees, I will book it and use it. Then, I rent my ownership week for the same time period.
There are no RCI police (not that I know of) but if there were, this might confuse them-- since I'm listing, advertising weeks for rent that match the weeks that I have exchanged for. However, I USE my exchange week, and I rent out my ownership week.
 
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