RedWeek is driving me up the wall

[Kenwood]

I posted a week on RedWeek, and discovered how much more expensive it has gotten there. I followed the steps. A renter responded. I changed the name to the renter's name.

I sent the confirmation from the timeshare to both the renter and to RedWeek. The renter is satisfied.

But RedWeek? RedWeek now requires that somebody be in a three-way phone conversation with RedWeek and the timeshare so RedWeek can "verify the confirmation."

Say WHAT? I emailed RedWeek and vented, and RedWeek responded that since the confirmation is now in the renter's name, the timeshare said the three-way should be between RedWeek and the renter and the timeshare.

But this afternoon, I get a phone call out of the blue saying they have the timeshare on the other line and need a three-way conversation with ME. I was so ticked that I hung up.

I absolutely hate this kind of time wasting micromanagement.

I do not have my money yet.

What are your experiences? I am so frustrated. Yes, I'm trying to calm down.

 

[dioxide45]

You're not going to get your money unless you go through their process and the guest checks in. Unfortunately that is how Redweek operates these days. There are other options out there, but what you gain in freedom, you lose in exposure. Redweek is still the place that most people go to rent timeshares.

 

[Kenwood]

You're not going to get your money unless you go through their process and the guest checks in. Unfortunately that is how Redweek operates these days. There are other options out there, but what you gain in freedom, you lose in exposure. Redweek is still the place that most people go to rent timeshares.

 

[Kenwood]

Assuming I do their three-way conversation, do I have to wait until the guest actually checks in before I get paid?

 

[dioxide45]

Assuming I do their three-way conversation, do I have to wait until the guest actually checks in before I get paid?

Yes, all reservations through Redweek are considered "protected". The renter pays Redweek directly and Redweek holds the funds until after checkin.

 

[exyeh]

Hi, I am wondering if you had experienced a long long period of time for verification before redweek published your rental listing? was it published after about 2 days after your paid and sent the confirmation to redweek? which is the case?

 

[rickandcindy23]

I feel for you, I truly do. Where is the trust when you have already changed the name?

I don't like the idea of 3-way calls. It's embarrassing to go through that with your home resort or the resort system. I don't appreciate having to admit to the resort that I have advertised and rented a reservation. It's not like they don't know, but why do we have to flash a giant red sign.

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

I posted a week on RedWeek, and discovered how much more expensive it has gotten there. I followed the steps. A renter responded. I changed the name to the renter's name.

I sent the confirmation from the timeshare to both the renter and to RedWeek. The renter is satisfied.

But RedWeek? RedWeek now requires that somebody be in a three-way phone conversation with RedWeek and the timeshare so RedWeek can "verify the confirmation."

Say WHAT? I emailed RedWeek and vented, and RedWeek responded that since the confirmation is now in the renter's name, the timeshare said the three-way should be between RedWeek and the renter and the timeshare.

But this afternoon, I get a phone call out of the blue saying they have the timeshare on the other line and need a three-way conversation with ME. I was so ticked that I hung up.

I absolutely hate this kind of time wasting micromanagement.

I do not have my money yet.

What are your experiences? I am so frustrated. Yes, I'm trying to calm down.

No idea of "why" the three way call but your particular case must have some unique reason why this needs to happen.

It's really your choice to do it. Comply and they'll rent it for you or don't comply and go elsewhere to rent it.

If you do use Redweek to rent it (and assuming successful) then they will issue your payment to you within a few days after the tenant checks in. Don't use Redweek if you want your payment prior to tenant check in.

As an alternative, you can always attempt to see if you can rent it using the TUG classified section.

Best of luck!












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[vacationtime1]

Remember -- Redweek's customer is the renter, not you. Everything they do (three-way calls, deferred payments, etc.) is to make their customer feel comfortable and secure.

You exist merely to provide inventory.

 

[hurnik]

Yep. Try doing it with Hilton. 3-way to "verify" the reservation (just to list it). Then another 3-way to verify the guest confirmation.
Very annoying.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

Remember -- Redweek's customer is the renter, not you. Everything they do (three-way calls, deferred payments, etc.) is to make their customer feel comfortable and secure

Somebody gets it. It keeps amazing me that 90% of these comments cannot even begin to look at it from the other side, which is what redwk is doing.

why do we have to flash a giant red sign

Because Redwk feels that, w/o a giant red sign (as you call it), the odds of a terrible experience at check-in (like refusal to check someone in) are not really really really close to 0%. Seems simple.

 

[vacationtime1]

Somebody gets it. It keeps amazing me that 90% of these comments cannot even begin to look at it from the other side, which is what redwk is doing.

Because Redwk feels that, w/o a giant red sign (as you call it), the odds of a terrible experience at check-in (like refusal to check someone in) are not really really really close to 0%. Seems simple.

So is Redweek is artificially creating fear to potential renters that without its "verified & protected" approach the renter is likely to be turned down at check in -- making Redweek the only way to safely rent?

It seems so.

 

[jp10558]

So is Redweek is artificially creating fear to potential renters that without its "verified & protected" approach the renter is likely to be turned down at check in -- making Redweek the only way to safely rent?

It seems so.

I think more like creating something potential renters are more familiar with - i.e. competing with AirB&B. I'd suggest most people aren't used to or familiar with renting directly from another person outside of a long term lease or a platform. So Redweek feels like it needs to be a platform where they feel like they can provide some guarantee to the customer. If it also lets them make more money - even better. I think it's also the case that most people who might be renting may be unfamiliar with timeshares too.

It doesn't help how many scams there are out there. I feel comfortable renting direct from other people on TUG who have some history here, but just a random screen name online? I'd want some sort of escrow, and no matter how you do that, it adds costs.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

is Redweek is artificially creating fear to potential renters that without its "verified & protected" approach the renter is likely to be turned down at check in

18 months ago, I wrote, right here on tug in one of these redwk threads, that that is what redwk was and would continue to do. It is not 100% artificial, given a few factors, such the willingness of the TS company to change terms on-the-fly, but of course redwk uses that

 

[WaikikiFirst]

it boils down to a bunch of small-time capitalists moaning about a much bigger capitalist. You want to set the rules? pool capital and get your own website

 

[dioxide45]

I think more like creating something potential renters are more familiar with - i.e. competing with AirB&B. I'd suggest most people aren't used to or familiar with renting directly from another person outside of a long term lease or a platform. So Redweek feels like it needs to be a platform where they feel like they can provide some guarantee to the customer. If it also lets them make more money - even better. I think it's also the case that most people who might be renting may be unfamiliar with timeshares too.

It doesn't help how many scams there are out there. I feel comfortable renting direct from other people on TUG who have some history here, but just a random screen name online? I'd want some sort of escrow, and no matter how you do that, it adds costs.

The thing is, I don't think Airbnb and Vrbo go through these verification shenanigans, like three way calls and such. Do they?

Redweek could perhaps do some better upfront vetting of owners and require real names to list. Though many owners wouldn't like that either because the developers that crack down on renting could more easily identify them.

 

[jp10558]

The thing is, I don't think Airbnb and Vrbo go through these verification shenanigans, like three way calls and such. Do they?

I don't know - maybe they just have some sort of insurance to reimburse people scammed?

Redweek could perhaps do some better upfront vetting of owners and require real names to list. Though many owners wouldn't like that either because the developers that crack down on renting could more easily identify them.

I'm guessing Redweek would like to stop dealing with individual owners and instead work with the larger brokerages or maybe are trying to get in with some developers directly. Otherwise IDK why they'd want to limit potential rentals.

 

[vacationtime1]

I think more like creating something potential renters are more familiar with - i.e. competing with AirB&B. I'd suggest most people aren't used to or familiar with renting directly from another person outside of a long term lease or a platform. So Redweek feels like it needs to be a platform where they feel like they can provide some guarantee to the customer. If it also lets them make more money - even better. I think it's also the case that most people who might be renting may be unfamiliar with timeshares too.

It doesn't help how many scams there are out there. I feel comfortable renting direct from other people on TUG who have some history here, but just a random screen name online? I'd want some sort of escrow, and no matter how you do that, it adds costs.

I think you are right. What bothers me about this model is that AirB&B and Redweek have inserted themselves between the owner and the renter to extract a commission for renting the property -- a commission which seemingly increases every year. It also allows them to include "cleaning fees" far in excess of true costs (in the case of AirB&B) in addition to the stated commission.

I understand that they are providing a service for which they are entitled to compensation, but they are rapidly becoming monopolists and thus able to charge excessive amounts which reduce the rent the owner would otherwise receive.

 

[WaikikiFirst]

many owners wouldn't like that either because the developers that crack down on renting could more easily identify them.

that comment, right there, explains why something like V&P is not outlandish. Does redwk do it how the owners prefer? Pffft.
Redwk has correctly decided that the renters have better & more options than the owners do. Guess who they increasingly court?

 

[billymach4]

I have not had to go through this 3 way call with the Marriott weeks. My guess is that Marriott has a form an procedures in place then changes the name on the reservation on our behalf now.

 

[dioxide45]

I have not had to go through this 3 way call with the Marriott weeks. My guess is that Marriott has a form an procedures in place then changes the name on the reservation on our behalf now.

The difference with Marriott is that anyone with a confirmation number, name and checkin date can lookup the reservation on Marriott.com.

 

[Paridise]

I do get the reasoning for Redweek for the Renter, but as a owner, with their new system I still have the paperwork, still have to transfer the week to the renter, wait until the renter occupies it before I receive any money. I pay my maintaince upon booking the week, so for tax purposes it needs to happen all in the same year to declare and deduct any expenses. I run the risk if the renter changes there mine just before the dates, trying to re rent takes time. Redweek is charging a fee of $99 US for successful rental, this puts up the rents I expect to pay a ad and membership cost. That I am okay with..The rents have increased on the redweek postings. It does get good trafic , I had been using them for 5 years as a owner and have had good response, but no longer due to the system change it does not work for us now. Have switched over to Tug to list the weeks Alot of the resorts will not deal with a third party, and the reservation should have the letterhead of the resort on it, and the renters name. Not sure how Redweek is doing it exactly Redweek is doing alot more advertising that they are a timeshare rental platform, never had that before. Now that there making money on the successful rental, and may be gaining interest from money being held

 

[Kenwood]

Hi, I am wondering if you had experienced a long long period of time for verification before redweek published your rental listing? was it published after about 2 days after your paid and sent the confirmation to redweek? which is the case?

I don't remember all the details, but I think there was a delay before RedWeek published my listing.

 

[Kenwood]

No idea of "why" the three way call but your particular case must have some unique reason why this needs to happen.

It's really your choice to do it. Comply and they'll rent it for you or don't comply and go elsewhere to rent it.

If you do use Redweek to rent it (and assuming successful) then they will issue your payment to you within a few days after the tenant checks in. Don't use Redweek if you want your payment prior to tenant check in.

As an alternative, you can always attempt to see if you can rent it using the TUG classified section.

Best of luck!












.

The three-way call seems to be standard, from other comments here. My case is not out of the ordinary.

 

[Kenwood]

that comment, right there, explains why something like V&P is not outlandish. Does redwk do it how the owners prefer? Pffft.
Redwk has correctly decided that the renters have better & more options than the owners do. Guess who they increasingly court?

What does "V&P" mean, or refer to?