New to group - question on exchange

[colinm85]

Hi all,
I am new to this group. I have studio timeshare at Westin St John (fixed week) [info. removed.] I'd like to push the timing back around a month to allow my daughter, who's at college during our week, to accompany us. Been looking for somewhere to try to hook up with someone who might be willing to accomodate us. I know there are exchanges listed on the Classified Ads section, but it seems to me that you wouldnt go there unless you are actively trying to exchange, and there really dont seem to be many opportunities for the type of exchange we want. I have tried both II and Westin itself. I believe that actual requests are discouraged on this board (hence no specifics about what weeks I am talking about). Is there anywhere else I can reach people who have the same type of unit on St John who may consider an exchange even if they're not actively looking?

Thanks for any help

Colin

[Some info. that was too specific removed-DeniseM Moderator.]

 

[DeniseM]

Hi Colin and welcome to TUG!

WSJ is the hardest exchange in the Starwood system and there just aren't enough exchanges available, so it's a real longshot. Most owners use their week or rent it for big $$$. I think your best bet is to rent your week and then use the cash to rent the exact week you want from another owner.

We actually had a private Starwood exchange board for over a year and no one was ever successful in completing a WSJ exchange - they just aren't available.

 

[colinm85]

Thanks for the advice - I guess I knew that it would be a longshot, but maybe not as bleak as you paint it. And when your Starpoint exchange is basically 1 night at WSJ, I guess its tough going. Thanks again

Colin

 

[tomandrobin]

Have you posted on redweek?

 

[colinm85]

Heard about Redweek. I'll probably post there. There's also a site called www.vrbo.com (Vacation Rentals By Owner). Anyone got any feedback on that? It looks promising, although I havent seen prices for posting yet

Colin

 

[DeniseM]

It's expensive compared to most TS sites -

"PROPERTY OWNERS - There simply isn't a more cost effective way to market your vacation rental property. On this page you will find complete information about how get started and how to create your own Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) listing. The cost is minimal with a one year listing for one rental starting at $229 US. You don't have to get very many extra rentals to cover the cost many times over."


It's focus is on fully owned private vacation properties for rent year round.

 

[colinm85]

Yeah thats expensive. Thanks again Denise. I'll look around before signing up. But there are several places in the window that I'm looking for, so maybe it's a last resort

 

[DeniseM]

Colin - you do not have to join VRBO to rent there, only to advertise there. I'd rent my TS elsewhere and then use the money to rent on VRBO if you find the right week.

Low cost alternatives-

TUG Timeshare Market Place
Craigs List
www.redweek.com
www.bidshares.com
http://www.vacationtimesharerentals.com/

 

[LisaRex]

I've rented from VRBO in the past and had very good luck. I actually have more peace of mind renting from there because the cost to list there is so high. (I doubt a scammer would pay $230 to run an ad.)

If you'd like to rent your WSJ unit, you may want to target folks along the Eastern seaboard or Midwest because the cost of getting there is so much more reasonable from there vs. the West Coast (Currently it's $650 to fly from Cincinnati to St. Thomas; another West Coast poster said it was $1100 for him.)

Good luck!

 

[tomandrobin]

I have had zero luck with VRBO, not even a response to an ad.

Craigslist I have mixed results, lots of responses....but ridiculous low offers.

Tug marketplace is the same results as Craigslist. (Tuggers are cheap!)

Redweek has been terrific for my rentals.

I also use miscellaneous "target" sites that have been very successful.