Renting through TUGBBS

[Lakeshore]

Hello! I’m looking at rentals on Redweek and TUGBBS, however when I read the avoiding scam rental info on TUGBBS, it says to not pay via a third party, but to rent directly from an owner. However, there are several rentals in my time period but they say “This is a private timeshare rental by an owner's representative with over 20 years of experience in the vacation rental industry.” I’m taking that as being a third party, correct. I’ve never rented with TUGBBS, so I’m not sure what a listing directly with an owner would look like. Don’t want to get scammed. Thanks for any insight. And sorry for my ignorance.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Brokers are allowed to list on TUG. There is a place when you begin to post a listing, and you say whether you are an owner or a broker.

Denise has a checklist to make sure you aren't getting scammed, and if you have an issue or are concerned, you can post it here on TUG and someone "in the know" can tell you whether the person is legitimate.

You are right to be wary.

I put my TUG name in my ads. I have a lot of ads sometimes.

 

[DeniseM]

How to verify that a timeshare rental is Legit:

https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/h...ntal-is-legit-when-you-are-the-renter.109479/

 

[Lakeshore]

Brokers are allowed to list on TUG. There is a place when you begin to post a listing, and you say whether you are an owner or a broker.

Denise has a checklist to make sure you aren't getting scammed, and if you have an issue or are concerned, you can post it here on TUG and someone "in the know" can tell you whether the person is legitimate.

You are right to be wary.

I put my TUG name in my ads. I have a lot of ads sometimes.

Here is a screenshot of some of these last minute rentals at NCV….it seems the ads are very similar, although the prices vary, and the ads end with what would seem to perhaps be a user name but they are all VERY similar…..vhodbgi, vhodb6688, and Vhodb888duby, etc, etc. and there are lots of listings for the next few weeks, which I would think would be rare, considering how hard it is to get in there.

 

[dioxide45]

Here is a screenshot of some of these last minute rentals at NCV….it seems the ads are very similar, although the prices vary, and the ads end with what would seem to perhaps be a user name but they are all VERY similar…..vhodbgi, vhodb6688, and Vhodb888duby, etc, etc. and there are lots of listings for the next few weeks, which I would think would be rare, considering how hard it is to get in there.

Are the similar usernames because some (many?) brokers just buy additional memberships to get 25 ad credits vs buying additional ad credits? Paying $15 for a year gets you 25 ad credits but to buy an additional 25 ad credits is $75. It makes more economical sense to just have more and more memberships.

 

[TUGBrian]

usernames (or any names) would not appear on TUG listings. perhaps they mean another site.

(but yes, some members have made efforts to take advantage of the marketplace listing free credits both thru buying additional memberships, and some just try to renew over and over to get more credits....though I catch most of them).

 

[Lakeshore]

So here are screen shots of one of the ads…the other ads are VERY similar.

 

[Lakeshore]

And by the way, thank you so much for your help!

 

[DeniseM]

I don't think the code at the end is a name - I think it is the way that the seller is identifying the specific reservation for their own records, and there is nothing nefarious about that. When I have more than one Ad for the same resort, I use a template to make posting the Ads easier - that is not a warning sign. Many timeshare owners don't have the time, experience or interest in renting their timeshares themselves, and that is why they list them with a broker. Just like home owners who don't want to rent/sell their home themselves. There are advantages to renting from a broker: a competent broker will have a professional rental process that makes it easier for the renter. I think you are worried about the wrong things.

 

[Lakeshore]

Okay, thanks so much, DeniseM. So this is normal and looks legitimate to you? Also, what should I be worried about with this rental?

 

[echino]

Be extremely careful renting from this particular broker from "Beverly Hills". He is not a total scam, but his tactics are questionable and may leave you without a room. What he does (or at least did in the past) is rent reservations that he does not actually have, and then tries obtaining them last minute by low balling any remaining unrented last minute owner listings. I would only proceed with this broker if he puts the reservation in your name and you confirm it directly with Marriott, before paying anything.

 

[DeniseM]

Ohhhh, I think I know who you are talking about, and you're right! He's also annoying to talk to!

"Why are we wasting time emailing, when other owners are renting their timeshares? CALL ME!!!"

I have him blocked now, but I used to respond, "I have all the time in the world, and I prefer to have everything in writing."

 

[Lakeshore]

Ah, thank you both. My hesitation was warranted. Does this person also rent on Redweek? Just wondering. And also, should I also be hesitan renting something on Redweek that is verified and protected? I’ve only done that once in the past, and it all went well.

 

[DeniseM]

If you follow these guidelines, you will be fine on TUG or Redweek, because you will be using common sense to protect yourself:

https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/h...ntal-is-legit-when-you-are-the-renter.109479/

 

[Lakeshore]

If you follow these guidelines, you will be fine on TUG or Redweek, because you will be using common sense to protect yourself:

https://tugbbs.com/forums/threads/h...ntal-is-legit-when-you-are-the-renter.109479/

Yes, I will. I have followed them in the past with no verified listings on Redweek and have had good experiences. Thanks again!

 

[jimf41]

Sometimes I don't understand the conversations of people I think are knowledgeable about timeshares. There are three 2brm units for rent in 8/26 at NVC on redweek. they are listed at $3000, 3300 and 3600. Why are you looking on TUG for a unit that is $800 to $200 less on redweek. TUG is not a viable site for a serious renter to list their property. TUG is a Non-Profit. It doesn't have the resources to vet listings. Ergo it has a lot of scammers. I love TUG but they really should get out of the rental business.

 

[DeniseM]

No: TUG does not have a lot of scammers. Also, before I gave up on Redweek, I rented my timeshare on Redweek, with no vetting at all, and yes, that was under the current rules. I didn't send them info they asked for (it was an experiment) and they rented it anyway...

 

[TUGBrian]

not sure ive seen a scammer get a rental posted in the marketplace in quite some time...if its happening...its not being reported to me.

while we dont verify every listing, we do take steps to weed out the VAST majority of potential scams before a rental ever gets posted...much to the chagrin of the occasional legitimate owners who we were not willing to allow their rentals to post because they failed these steps. (also people who try to post exchanges)

we certainly dont have the ability to offer a verify and protection policy, but we do our best to ensure the majority of listings are legitimate....especially for new members or first time rental posters.

now scammers reaching out to folks OFFERING rentals via private message or similar...thats a bit different.

 

[RX8]

now scammers reaching out to folks OFFERING rentals via private message or similar...thats a bit different.

I had a want ad listed for DVC on TUG. I quickly received a response from someone that stated that they had a 3 bedroom DVC (at a ridiculously cheap price and provided a fake confirmation). Of course they wanted me to respond to their generic email. Common sense and the TUG guidelines for renting is all one needs to avoid being scammed.