Koala VIP service experience, updated

[Fi2]

As someone who had successfully rented over a dozen bookings on Koala through April ‘23 before taking a break, I’m incredibly disappointed that I chose to pay for gold VIP service when listing again, this past November.

Ongoing issues include
- taking weeks to verify a “VIP featured listing”
- not actually featuring this listing after it was verified, either on their website or anywhere else, that I can tell
- not even listing this interval as available, in either a destination search, or when searching for the particular resort by name

Another “VIP featured listing” was verified more promptly, BUT is
- not searchable by location, because despite multiple requests for correction, their “Washington, DC” destination search only turns up Washington and Oregon state options
- not actually featured after verification, either on their website or anywhere else, that I can tell

I used to hope that Koala’s free listing service would help me recoup some value from my thousands of hold points (restricted to bookings within 60 days, and a saga of their own), but my recent experiences have been so negative that I caution others not to do as I did, and pay for a nonexistent VIP service.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Maybe you ought to address your concerns to Koala and see what they have to say. I have had no problems with using the free listing service. I haven't paid for a VIP service, so I have no idea what they promise.

 

[Fi2]

Maybe you ought to address your concerns to Koala and see what they have to say. I have had no problems with using the free listing service. I haven't paid for a VIP service, so I have no idea what they promise.

Absolutely, communication with Koala is ongoing. In fact, I just sent them a screenshot of my tug post, with a promise to update, when they finally return any good news to me.

Again, I used to be more hopeful about Koala, but now I just feel terribly both for the employees who can do nothing more than apologize to me, and for myself, since I would NOT be wasting additional time, had I not wasted money signing up as a VIP.

 

[davidvel]

Absolutely, communication with Koala is ongoing. In fact, I just sent them a screenshot of my tug post, with a promise to update, when they finally return any good news to me.

Again, I used to be more hopeful about Koala, but now I just feel terribly both for the employees who can do nothing more than apologize to me, and for myself, since I would NOT be wasting additional time, had I not wasted money signing up as a VIP.

Be careful with that, it could be considered blackmail.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Be careful with that, it could be considered blackmail.

I don't think so.

 

[pacman777]

Be careful with that, it could be considered blackmail.

lol. Blackmail? For posting a review on shitty service so the company can actually be motivated to do something about it. What is there to be careful of?

 

[davidvel]

lol. Blackmail? For posting a review on shitty service so the company can actually be motivated to do something about it. What is there to be careful of?

As long as it is truthful and the "update" isn't delete the post in exchange for some compensation from the company, seems fine.

 

[Fi2]

Be careful with that, it could be considered blackmail.

Interesting take. I hadn’t posted earlier, because I’ve been hoping against hope that Koala would just follow through in providing service as advertised and paid for — didn’t/don’t seek anything more than that for myself and others.

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[Fi2]

As long as it is truthful and the "update" isn't delete the post in exchange for some compensation from the company, seems fine.

Agreed. I’m looking for nothing more than the ability to update regarding their (more timely) follow through.

 

[Fi2]

A promised first update: by now, both of my requested featured listings should appear, when potential guests search/browse by destination.

The opportunity to “feature” listings was the advantage I was most looking forward to as a VIP owner, but at this point, delays in verification and processing limits its potential value for my particular situation. I also didn’t/don’t appreciate having to spend so much more time following up on listings, than when utilizing Koala’s free service (so easy to navigate!). Accordingly, I’ve just asked Koala’s Director of Business Operations whether Koala can (or does?) prioritize verification of “featured” listings.

I will continue updating here, that proper expectations can be set for those considering VIP status with Koala. And, yes, will continue to hope that utilizing their free listing service will help me recoup some maintenance fees this year!

 

[rickandcindy23]

A promised first update: by now, both of my requested featured listings should appear, when potential guests search/browse by destination.

The opportunity to “feature” listings was the advantage I was most looking forward to as a VIP owner, but at this point, delays in verification and processing limits its potential value for my particular situation. I also didn’t/don’t appreciate having to spend so much more time following up on listings, than when utilizing Koala’s free service (so easy to navigate!). Accordingly, I’ve just asked Koala’s Director of Business Operations whether Koala can (or does?) prioritize verification of “featured” listings.

I will continue updating here, that proper expectations can be set for those considering VIP status with Koala. And, yes, will continue to hope that utilizing their free listing service will help me recoup some maintenance fees this year!

Koala usually verifies my listings within hours. Redweek took 8 days to verify my recent Disney listing. The listing is in December, so no big deal because I doubt it would rent very soon, anyway, but Redweek has way too much business and needs competition. They cannot keep up. Maybe they need to hire some people.

 

[rickandcindy23]

lol. Blackmail? For posting a review on shitty service so the company can actually be motivated to do something about it. What is there to be careful of?

Language. Holy moly.

 

[pacman777]

Language. Holy moly.

??? Sorry I meant “poor” service if I offended you. I usually just type what I’m thinking.

 

[Fi2]

I was sorry not to get to update again yesterday, but would like to report that:
- VIP listing verification is not necessarily promised any quicker than that of free listings, an advised “up to five business days”, as which prompted my concern and complaints as a VIP owner. However, my most recent regular listing took less than 24hrs to verify and go “live”, and I’ve been informed that most listings are typically verified within 1-2 days.
- once verified, requests for particular listings to be “featured” can be made, and fulfilled immediately, once the request is received (essentially during business hours only, which is in part why my various evening and late day Friday communique were left unanswered until I followed up again)

At this point, I’m sticking with my paid-up VIP membership, again “hoping against hope” that the experience will continue to improve.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Thank you for the update.

Getting ready to list my Westin oceanfront weeks with them. I would like to use RW but RW didn't get our Dolphin's Cove week rented, and my listing was just cancelled at 30 days before without any warning from RW at all. What if I wanted to go right up to the check-in date for the week? I feel that is not RW's call to make. I am pretty miffed at RW.

 

[dioxide45]

Thank you for the update.

Getting ready to list my Westin oceanfront weeks with them. I would like to use RW but RW didn't get our Dolphin's Cove week rented, and my listing was just cancelled at 30 days before without any warning from RW at all. What if I wanted to go right up to the check-in date for the week? I feel that is not RW's call to make. I am pretty miffed at RW.

Why was it cancelled? I understand that full service is cancelled 10 days before, but a DIY listing shouldn't be. Did is just so happen that your listing expired (6 months old)?

 

[dioxide45]

I was sorry not to get to update again yesterday, but would like to report that:
- VIP listing verification is not necessarily promised any quicker than that of free listings, an advised “up to five business days”, as which prompted my concern and complaints as a VIP owner. However, my most recent regular listing took less than 24hrs to verify and go “live”, and I’ve been informed that most listings are typically verified within 1-2 days.
- once verified, requests for particular listings to be “featured” can be made, and fulfilled immediately, once the request is received (essentially during business hours only, which is in part why my various evening and late day Friday communique were left unanswered until I followed up again)

At this point, I’m sticking with my paid-up VIP membership, again “hoping against hope” that the experience will continue to improve.

According to the chart on Koala's website, Gold VIP doesn't include featured listings. That only starts at Platinum. So that may explain why your listings aren't being featured.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Why was it cancelled? I understand that full service is cancelled 10 days before, but a DIY listing shouldn't be. Did is just so happen that your listing expired (6 months old)?

It was a full-service listing, paid $59 for the listing, supposed to run until rented. It was a 3/1-3/8 WorldMark Dolphin's Cove 3 bedroom, Anaheim, CA, very fairly priced. I had another one cancelled on me before this one. Koala lets me decide when I want to cancel my listings, and I am very on top of that.

 

[dioxide45]

It was a full-service listing, paid $59 for the listing, supposed to run until rented.

It's technically till rented or 10 days before checkin. They have a footnote on it;
1 Due to processing time required, postings are removed 10 days prior to check-in

 

[rickandcindy23]

It's technically till rented or 10 days before checkin. They have a footnote on it;
1 Due to processing time required, postings are removed 10 days prior to check-in

Well, it ended 30 days before, so maybe I set it up to cancel at 30 days ahead? Maybe that is an option.