Renting an exchange week

[Lisa G]

I have made an offer to rent a week from someone who got the week as an exchange from one of the major exchange companies.

I am planning to use the week, but my mother is ill (it's a long-term situation), and if I have to cancel, will I have any options to use the week later?

Second question, is there any possibility of changing to another resort within the family of resorts once I have the guest certificate?

Third and last question (for now), any special things I need to do when obtaining a week from someone whom I don't know?

Thanks for any help.

Lisa G

 

[gmarine]

The first thing you should know is that the renting of exchanges is prohibited by most exchange companies. If they somehow find out about the rental, you risk arriving to find that your reservation was cancelled. A guest certificate is only to be used to give the week away to someone. Using for a rental is prohibited and listed on the GC and in the exchange company's Terms and Conditions.

If you still choose to rent, I wouldnt, especially from someone you dont know, and you have to cancel, you will get nothing in return. The member would get a replacement week depending on when you cancel but you would have to make advance arrangements on what happens if you cancel.

There is no chance of making any change to another resort once you have the GC unless the exchange company member cancels the exchange, pays another exchange fee and the other resort is available.

Renting an exchange from someone you dont know is very risky. I wouldnt do it.

 

[littlestar]

I'd stay away from this situation. If this exchange company member gets caught renting an exchange week, they risk having the exchange company lock their account and getting in a lot of trouble.

Don't do it - it's just not worth the hassle.

 

[Spence]

All of the above, but hey, $450 is a great price, heck there's $140ish in exch fees, $40ish in GC fees, a prorated portion of annual exchange company fee and there's not much left for the MF on the deposit...

 

[Lisa G]

Thanks for the replies. I figured both major exchange companies had the same kinds of regulations, but it seems like I'm always seeing these kinds of rentals on TUG.

I think the person is a TUGger.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The cost is likely under $200 total, including almost everythingeverything. Not bad for a week at a resort that would cost $2,000 to rent for a week. But it is illegal and immoral to rent out weeks, even if you discover you cannot use the week. Give it back to the exchange company instead of losing exchange privileges forever.

 

[Lisa G]

But it is illegal and immoral to rent out weeks, even if you discover you cannot use the week.

Oh, you guys are making it tough! I understand that it is against the exchange company's rules, but that doesn't make it illegal or necessarily immoral. Could you elaborate?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Well, if a person decided to make a little cash on the side with a great trader, they could do it. I have several units that have maintenance fees of $416-$440 per year that I can trade into Hawaii pretty easily. What would keep me from using those weeks (five of them) and pulling these exchanges that everyone wants, like Shearwater (I own Shearwater and can exchange my other weeks into the resort without penalty) or Kona Hawaiian Village, to name a few, and then renting them out as if I owned those weeks? I don't think it is a moral thing to do because I would be taking exchanges away from others who are watching and waiting for them. Lots of people do it and get by with it, but I would not because there is no reason for me to risk my trading ability for my own vacations, which are very special to us.

Also, I have two different weeks that pull Disney weeks. I love pulling Disney resorts and am currently hoping for one particular week, so I watch all the time and see the great stuff, like two-bedrooms and even saw a Grande Villa twice. I know it drives Disney owners crazy when they see Disney weeks for rent on ebay for $1,400 for a two bedroom when their maintenance fees are about that much. It makes owners mad and exchangers mad, so if you are making a lot of people angry, it is immoral.

You really can lose your membership to II or RCI by renting out exchanges. What amazes me is that companies like My Resort Network and Redweek do not have to put such a disclaimer when you list a week with them. Somewhere they should say, "This week must not be an exchange that you received from RCI, II or any other exchange company." But they make money, too, when you list, so why would they do that?

 

[Spence]

if you are making a lot of people angry, it is immoral.

That's a heckuva soap box you're standing on. I can't find your definition of immoral anywhere. RCI and II can skim the cream of the deposits and rent them to joe blow, what makes it illegal or immoral? Is there a state in the union that has a law against it?

 

[rickandcindy23]

Spence, we agree when we give our weeks to RCI and II that they can do whatever they wish with them, unfortunately.

If all exchangers could grab the best available and rent them out, we would all be vying for the great weeks for rentals and none of us would be happy. It is against RCI and II rules to rent out exchanges. I think it is wrong to profit financially from someone else's investment. That is IMHO. :annoyed:

 

[Lisa G]

Cindy, I'm sorry if my post made you feel as if you were hitting your head against the wall, but the reasoning behind your assertion that renting an exchange company week is illegal and immoral was not clear. You have made yourself a bit clearer, but the idea that something is immoral if it makes lots of people angry is weak and can be countered with many examples.

I don't think the person renting this particular week is doing so in order to profit. He just wasn't able to use the week, and he's trying to recoup some of his expense, no doubt. I found the week through a TUG ad by the way.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Just because a TUGger was renting a week does not mean that it is okay. Where do you draw the line? It is not ethical to take good exchanges and rent them, which was my point. It would not be worth any amount of money I could get for an exchange to have my exchange privileges taken away.

The rules for renting exchanges are posted everywhere. Maybe illegal isn't the correct word, but it is definitely against RCI and II rules. Just because the exchange companies rent out weeks does not make it okay for everyone to do the same. No matter what Spence says, even though I have a lot of respect for him, and he knows I respect him and he knows how I feel about renting exchanges because we have gone around on this one before.

No, it is just my opinion that renting the exchanges is immoral but I think some would agree with me. We have to contend with RCI renting out the prime weeks, which is direct competition for my rentals, then we have exchangers doing the same. Two wrongs don't make a right, but RCI would say they are not wrong to rent exchanges, they are now theirs.

 

[Spence]

It is not ethical to take good exchanges and rent them, which was my point.

Maybe illegal isn't the correct word, but it is definitely against RCI and II rules.

No matter what Spence says, even though I have a lot of respect for him, and he knows I respect him and he knows how I feel about renting exchanges because we have gone around on this one before.

You'll note that Spence didn't say it was OK to rent exchanges, I have issue with your illegal and immoral lines of reason. Not ethical is a much better tact.

 

[rickandcindy23]

True. My words were strong. You are the voice of reason, as always. Just a few days ago, Saturday actually, at the HOA meeting, a few people mentioned that I am a little crazy emotional and use stronger words than necessary. Point well taken, Spence, my friend.

Sorry about the strong words.

 

[Lisa G]

In general, I agree that a person with an II or RCI membership who grabs great weeks and rents them out is acting wrongly. However, as I said above, my sense is that the person with the exchange had a change of plans and can't use the week. In this case, while he may be acting against a rule, I don't think he is acting unethically or immorally.

 

[frenchieinme]

Oh, you guys are making it tough! I understand that it is against the exchange company's rules, Could you elaborate?

No elaboration should be needed!!! Plain and simple, it is against the rules. Sorry That would have been a good deal if allowed, uh?

frenchieinme

 

[gmarine]

I think the consensus is that it isnt a good idea to rent an exchange from someone you dont know.

 

[arlene22]

I agree it is risky. Especially when you and the renter (whose full name is on the ad) have both posted the information in a very public place, making it easy for the exchange company to see who is violating the rules.

 

[Dave M]

Good point, Arlene.

Based on your comment and a request made by the OP, I have done some extensive editing in this thread to eliminate the names of the resort and the exchange company and other related details. I have tried to be careful to avoid making any changes which would change the intent of any posts herein.

By my making such changes, the person who has advertised the week in question should not be in jeopardy merely because of this thread.

 

[geekette]

Any Joe can show up here, pay their fee and be "A TUGGER". That is not instant credibility.

However, I wouldn't have any problem renting from "known regulars" here. Conversely, I am not a member of Tug but I am a regular and have done business with many people here.

It's your business who you do business with, just be careful about allocating instant honesty to people on the internet.

On rentals, go with your conscience and with your eyes open. Exchange companies can and have cancelled rental arrangements made by members.

Please note, I did not see this thread before the edits and don't know who else is involved.

 

[JLB]

When it comes to renting exchanges or aelling Spacebanked weeks, the explanation is simple, RCI does what they don't allow members to do.

 

[Lisa G]

Dave M, thanks for making the changes.

 

[cindi]

Good point, Arlene.

Based on your comment and a request made by the OP, I have done some extensive editing in this thread to eliminate the names of the resort and the exchange company and other related details. I have tried to be careful to avoid making any changes which would change the intent of any posts herein.

By my making such changes, the person who has advertised the week in question should not be in jeopardy merely because of this thread.

Dave,

I am perhaps playing devils advocate here, but why are you changing information from the original posts?

The person who placed the ad for the rental is breaking the rules. That is a fact. He/she has already placed the ad in a public place. That is another fact.

This is what they have made the choice to do. Whether the risk is acceptable is for them to decide. And they must also deal with the consequences if they are found out.

Is this not correct?

 

[Dave M]

I did not in any way change the meaning of any posts. I merely deleted some identifying information that was unnecessary for this discussion and that could have put the advertiser, who broke no TUG rules related to placing the ad, in a very difficult position.

Further, the OP had made a behind-the-scenes request of the administrators. I did the best I could to accommodate her request and still leave the intent of every post in this thread intact.

 

[Carl D]

I merely deleted some identifying information that was unnecessary for this discussion and that could have put the advertiser, who broke no TUG rules related to placing the ad, in a very difficult position.

Not really my place to comment, but I have been following this thread.
I would start by saying that Dave has always been an even handed, level headed admin for this forum.

That said, I was astounded to see an administrator/moderator edit third party posts for the sole reason of protecting someone who is breaking the rules.

Just my opinion.