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Renting a Marriott week

sjnoble

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We're trying to do our first timeshare rental from another claimed owner for a Marriott week.
I read about the typical rental process, but wanted to know what kind of proof can be provided (or requested from the owner) before I sign the rental agreement and pay a deposit?
I asked for a proof and the renter just said 'like I said I have your week available and if not I wouldn't have sent a booking form'....
How can we make sure it's a valid week from the renter?

Thanks for your advice
 

Bob B

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Any time I reserve a week at my home resort, I get an email confirmation. The owner should be able to forward that email to you as proof that they do, in fact, have that week on reserve.
 

Paumavista

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What web-site?

Where did you "find" your rental?

We rent alot, from a lot of different websites/sources - but I definitely have my favorites and the places I feel most secure. Obviously TUG is at the top of my list, particularly from other TUG members. But I've also rented from ebay (and had the most accomodating and helpful seller ever, when I messed up the dates). Redweek has been very reliable and VRBO.

I really like to talk with the seller (on the phone) in addition to getting email and an address from them. Once I have a couple of ways to get in contact with the seller I feel alot more comfortable.

Good luck and have fun.
 

FlyerBobcat

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Where did you "find" your rental?

We rent alot, from a lot of different websites/sources - but I definitely have my favorites and the places I feel most secure. Obviously TUG is at the top of my list, particularly from other TUG members. But I've also rented from ebay (and had the most accomodating and helpful seller ever, when I messed up the dates). Redweek has been very reliable and VRBO.

One think that kinda' spooked me when starting to look for a rental on ebay was the number of potential weeks that I looked into that were weeks obtained via II. I think the first three weeks I contacted the "seller" were II-exchanged week. I obviously want to stay away -- far away -- from those.

On a related topic.....
My first 2-week vacation !! EVER !! this year will be a week that I did a direct-exchange for my MGO (to Waiohai) with a TUGer, and a rental from Redweek (MOC). Never would have done this without the information obtained here.

Thanks to all TUGers :whoopie:
 

pwrshift

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I rented two of my own studios on eBay this year...one for $650 and another for $700...reasonable rates in comparison to the $1050 maintenance charge for the 2 bdrm unit I split to use the 1 bdrm portions. The unreasonable rentals on eBay didn't rent.

II has strict rules if they find you renting or rented one of their exchanged weeks. You can buy a gift certificate from II for your guest but you can't rent it. The best way I know to be safely renting from a legitimate owner is to make sure the owner gets you a confirmation in the renter's name and have Marriott email it to the renter. The owners name stays on the reservation too and keeps control in case of nonpayment. PayPal is best for both parties.

Brian
 

sjnoble

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The renter wants a deposit prior to switching his reservation date to the dates we want. I don't mind paying a deposit in order to get a reservation confirmation, but is $900 a bit high for a reservation deposit, which includes a damage deposit that is more than 50% of the rental price?
Some Tuggers have mentioned a damage deposit is unnecessary since Marriott will take a credit card at time of check in?
Not that we will incur any damage, but will Marriott charge damage to the credit card used at check in or give the renter (week owner) a hard time about it?

Thanks again for your advice -
 

Docklander

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The renter wants a deposit prior to switching his reservation date to the dates we want. I don't mind paying a deposit in order to get a reservation confirmation, but is $900 a bit high for a reservation deposit, which includes a damage deposit that is more than 50% of the rental price?
Some Tuggers have mentioned a damage deposit is unnecessary since Marriott will take a credit card at time of check in?
Not that we will incur any damage, but will Marriott charge damage to the credit card used at check in or give the renter (week owner) a hard time about it?

Thanks again for your advice -

There is absolutely no need for a "damage deposit". As you correctly point out, Marriott will take a credit card at check in and you can be sure that any damage would be charged to it.

I've rented numerous Marriott weeks to other owners/ vacationers and never once requested a damage deposit...there's no point. In addition, as your experience is proving, it only goes to "spook" potential renters ( understandably so) and causes unnecessary concerns all around.

As far as paying a regular deposit goes, don't pay a cent until you have a confirmation number and name that you can quote to Marriott or the resort itself to check that the person you're dealing with has a week reserved. Secondly, I'd be very careful how big a deposit you pay for a week that hadn't yet been assigned to dates you want. The way Marriott inventory disappears at some resorts for prime months there's no guarantee that the owner will be able to snag the dates you want. I'm not suggesting you don't pay a deposit...just be careful of it's size.
 

DeniseM

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sjnoble

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Where did you "find" your rental?

We rent alot, from a lot of different websites/sources - but I definitely have my favorites and the places I feel most secure. Obviously TUG is at the top of my list, particularly from other TUG members. But I've also rented from ebay (and had the most accomodating and helpful seller ever, when I messed up the dates). Redweek has been very reliable and VRBO.

I really like to talk with the seller (on the phone) in addition to getting email and an address from them. Once I have a couple of ways to get in contact with the seller I feel alot more comfortable.

Good luck and have fun.

Btw, I found this week posted on http://www.vacationtimesharerentals.com/, has anyone had any experience renting from here?

TIA
 

Quadmaniac

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Marriott Willow Ridge (x2), Ko Olina week 51 (x3) & 52(x2)
Scam ??

Btw, I found this week posted on http://www.vacationtimesharerentals.com/, has anyone had any experience renting from here?

TIA

I was just going to ask the same as I found some really reasonable rentals, just about too good to be true - $1200-1300 for a 2 bedroom lock out and they want a damage deposit of anywhere from 500-750. The first person who replied did not know some basic information about the timeshare like check in and check out times, so it sent off alarm bells. The second person's reply was very similar but did not provide much details. They both want to use Paypal. I asked the second person why they needed a damage deposit since my credit card would be on file at the Marriott at check in.

It kind of sounds like a scam as I don't understand why someone would rent it out for $1200-1300 for spring break when maintenance is $1900 per year on a 2 bedroom lock off. Just seems too good to be true. Can someone help here ???

Thanks
 

readyalready

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I think that site is basically a classifieds site. They may relay your information to the party to who placed the ad but can't imagine they do any diligence. You might hear back and might not. If the rent is that much less than the MF, chances are it is an exchange. It is possible they just want to recoup some of the MF, but I would be a little suspicious and as others have said, don't send money until you know the dates are correct and have verified the reservation.
 

Quadmaniac

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I think that site is basically a classifieds site. They may relay your information to the party to who placed the ad but can't imagine they do any diligence. You might hear back and might not. If the rent is that much less than the MF, chances are it is an exchange. It is possible they just want to recoup some of the MF, but I would be a little suspicious and as others have said, don't send money until you know the dates are correct and have verified the reservation.

It might be an exchange but I find it really amazing that they can call a month in advance to book for spring break week, which I would assume be pretty busy there, on such short notice and that great of a price. If that was the week they were offering originally that would be different, but it was a floating timeshare where they have to reserve the week still.

Legit ???? I think the first guy might have been a scammer as he had no idea about check in/out so positive he never stayed there before or made a reservation before at Marriott
 

Smooth Air

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sjnoble,
I would stay away from this person who is asking you to pay $900 before he/she has secured your dates. There are lots of other Marriott Owners from whom you can rent. So, find one who already has your desired week reserved. Depending on how far in advance you are agreeing to rent, a deposit may not even be required.

I have been on both ends of the renting process: As a Marriott Owner, I have rented my weeks to others. And, I have also rented from Marriott Owners.

I find talking with the person over the phone is a good way to "authenticate" the person. As an Owner, I email the Renter the Confirmation Number . And, sometimes I also have Marriott email the Confirmation Number to the Renter. The Confirmation Number is emailed immediately after I have received full payment and added the Renter's name to my reservation. I usually get full payment by Money Order.

As a Renter, I have followed essentially the same preocedure as when I rent to somebody.
I have never signed, or asked anybody to sign, a Rental Agreement.
As mentioned up-thread, a Damage Deposit is not necessary.

I like www.redweek.com and TUG Classifieds for posting rental ads for the weeks that I own and for finding a rental week when I want to rent from another Marriott Owner.

Best,
Smooth Air:cool:
 
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Whirl

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sjnoble,
I would stay away from this person who is asking you to pay $900 before he/she has secured your dates. There are lots of other Marriott Owners from whom you can rent. So, find one who already has your desired week reserved. Depending on how far in advance you are agreeing to rent, a deposit may not even be required.

I have been on both ends of the renting process: As a Marriott Owner, I have rented my weeks to others. And, I have also rented from Marriott Owners.

I find talking with the person over the phone is a good way to "authenticate" the person. As an Owner, I email the Renter the Confirmation Number . And, sometimes I also have Marriott email the Confirmation Number to the Renter. The Confirmation Number is emailed immediately after I have received full payment and added the Renter's name to my reservation. I usually get full payment by Money Order.

As a Renter, I have followed essentially the same preocedure as when I rent to somebody.
I have never signed, or asked anybody to sign, a Rental Agreement.
As mentioned up-thread, a Damage Deposit is not necessary.

I like www.redweek.com and TUG Classifieds for posting rental ads for the weeks that I own and for finding a rental week when I want to rent from another Marriott Owner.

Best,
Smooth Air:cool:
To argue the other side.... If the owner has a good rental week offered and already reserved and a potential renter asks to change it for another week, it involves additional labor and some risk on owner's part, especially if the week chainging to is not as valuable a rental week as the original.

If the proposed rental never comes to fruition, the owner now may have to start the rental process over, change ads or run new ads
( at potentially additional costs. Hard to measure, but they could also bear additional risk of not renting the week at all or not being able to switch back to the more highly desired week once given up.

Let use an example to be concrete: Owner reserves reserve July 4th week. Prime week, called 12 months ahead exactly to reserve. Someone now asks if they can rent a mid to late August week, if willing to change the reservation.

No problem, but its seems that some sort fo deposit and even a contingent contract stating that he will refund the deposit if unable to deliver the week and the renter will follow through with the rental if the desired week is secured, is reasonable.

Whats the right number?...hard to say. I could see an argument for $900, if its a week that rents for $1800 or more. A token deposit ( say $100 ) may not compensate for potentially lost rental income on a lower valued week.

That said, it does complicate things, but it's fair to consider protections on both sides. It is not fair to be a riskless transaction for one party and have the other one bear all the risk.

A final note: I do think conversations are good. Mine have not always been a phone conversation, but I do try to break the formal ice a bit to build some sort of rapport. Interestingly, I almost always use a contract when renting my owned units and I use the same technique to get a read on the renter. Yet, when I have been the renter, I have never used a contract. Its has always gone smoothly.
 
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Smooth Air

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whirl,
But what happens if the OP, sjnoble, pays the $900 and the week cannot be reserved and the Owner refuses to refund sjnoble's $900? Also, why is this Owner so desperate? Why not just rent the week he/she has reserved to somebody else?

I think that it's not worth the hassle for the renter, sjnoble. There are so many weeks out there. I would find another one. But, hey, that's just me! :cool:

Smooth Air
 

Whirl

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whirl,
But what happens if the OP, sjnoble, pays the $900 and the week cannot be reserved and the Owner refuses to refund sjnoble's $900? Also, why is this Owner so desperate? Why not just rent the week he/she has reserved to somebody else?

I think that it's not worth the hassle for the renter, sjnoble. There are so many weeks out there. I would find another one. But, hey, that's just me! :cool:

Smooth Air

I don think the owner has to be desperate. I think they are trying to be accommodative and it is possible a mutually beneficial arrangement (a bird in hand). If the week the person wants is not available elsewhere, its a viable option to secure the week if there is a willing owner. I rent a number of weeks each year. I enjoy the process and I enjoy the touchpoints with new people and helping them secure a great vacation. I love to get feedback after a rental as well since sometimes I ahve not been there myslef for a couple years. I would consider the option in an effort to help, but not at significant financial detriment. I am willing to do some extra work, but only if I have some security that my work will pay off.

As I said, its a risk. In a regular rental, you could ask: What if the owner takes the $900 deposit and never delivers the rental week. Each side has to have a little faith in the other for ANY such rendition of the transaction to work. Its really no different.

If I ask for a 50% deposit on the week I advertised and then I can't follow up with the reservation confirmation in the person's name as laid out in the contract, then I would have to refund their money then, too. Its really not much different. You signed a contract, the terms are spelled out and each person now has to hold up their end of the bargain.

I don't return the money, you file a complaint or sue me or whatever ( dont know never been in that situation) the smae way.

Just my view point. You are right. It IS probably too much trouble, especially if the renter expects me to bear all the risk and they bear none.

So, in the end, I would just present the terms and we can deal or no deal, I guess.
 

Whirl

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whirl,


...I think that it's not worth the hassle for the renter, sjnoble. There are so many weeks out there. I would find another one. But, hey, that's just me! :cool:

Smooth Air

Funny...I think its likely too much trouble for most owners (unless they ARE desperate).

I have never had a problem renting my weeks in 12 years, so that said, I would honestly only do it for the fun of it and to help, but not without reducing some of my risk. Impasse?...sounds like it. Tried to accommodate. Assuming the owner is desperate ( and crooked), is probably the logic that makes this a no-go situation.
 

Whirl

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We're trying to do our first timeshare rental from another claimed owner for a Marriott week.
I read about the typical rental process, but wanted to know what kind of proof can be provided (or requested from the owner) before I sign the rental agreement and pay a deposit?
I asked for a proof and the renter just said 'like I said I have your week available and if not I wouldn't have sent a booking form'....
How can we make sure it's a valid week from the renter?

Thanks for your advice
This thread went off topic somewhere, but I dont like that answer, frankly. I would move on in this case because the owner comes off as just rude.

Similarly, if a renter is rude, I will also move on. We should both be able to deal courteously and each put some trust in the other.
 

sjnoble

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Thanks for all the advice. I'd raised my concern with the person renting the week, he replied with reassurance that I could trust him but did not mention why he requires such a high amount of upfront deposit.
I left a phone # for contact but he did not provide his # or address. All I have is an email address.
The price he offers is the lowest I've seen so far, however I am also concerned with potential fraud. Is there a way to chase the money back if using Paypal in case the person doesn't deliver on promise?
 

FlyerBobcat

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Thanks for all the advice. I'd raised my concern with the person renting the week, he replied with reassurance that I could trust him but did not mention why he requires such a high amount of upfront deposit.
That doesn't mean a thing... What's he gonna' say... Don't trust me?

There are plenty of posts that mention talking to the renter in advance on the phone. I agree that this is a good idea (I just did it with my rental), but you still need to be careful. Some crooks can be very convincing, and sound very truthful.
I left a phone # for contact but he did not provide his # or address. All I have is an email address.
The price he offers is the lowest I've seen so far, however I am also concerned with potential fraud. Is there a way to....

Another red flag.. Sounds like you really want to try this, regardless of these flags...
 

Smooth Air

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I don't know anything about PayPal so maybe somebody else can tell you if you can "chase the money back". I don't see how that could be done.

Usually Renters & Owners want to speak with each other in order to begin a dialogue whereby each can gather information about the other person. Both need reassurance that the other person is legit. Phone numbers are readily exchanged. So, here's another red flag: This Owner won't give you his phone number.
You said his price is the lowest. Have you contacted any of the other owners?
 

av8tor

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I just rented one of my weeks at MFC thru Redweek. I sent the MVCI confirmation with the renter's name during the week I posted for, and the funds were transferred to my Paypal account. I also used the generic rental agreement on the Redweek, and annotated in the comments section that the renter is solely responsible for any damages. I did not ask for any damage deposit.

I believe that Paypal does chase the money if the dispute gets registered (I never had to use this process - so I am going by what they say they would do), but it depends on rather the PayPal account you sent the money to is tied to a checking account and that there is actually funds available. I am not sure if I completely believe I would get my money back using this process, but I might be incline to give them the benefit of doubt based on my past experience.

I have done this for the past 2 years (this is my third year renting one of the weeks), and so far I have been lucky.

I hope you find what you are looking for, and if you have questions feel free to send me a message.

Steve
 

larryallen

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I have rented many times without a problem. I don't care so much about the email confirming the week since they control that and can change it. I make contact with the person in real life. I ask where they work and if I can contact them there. I want to make sure it's a real person. My system has worked so far... knock on wood.
 
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