Selling on eBay - advice needed

[CelticWarrior72]

I'm interested in getting rid of a timeshare that I own and was considering listing it on eBay with no reserve. Does anyone on this forum have any experience doing that? If so, is it as straightforward as it appears at first glance? Also, any advice on how to best handle the closing (hire a firm, or do it myself) would be appreciated.

Thanks,

John W.
Chicago, IL

 

[DeniseM]

Welcome to TUG!

I believe you have to be certified to sell property on ebay, which I believe they charge $100+ for.
***The above statement is incorrect and has been corrected below. You only have to be certified to rent on ebay - sorry!

Have you considered the free TUG Marketplace linked in the red bar at the top of the page? We have a bargain basement area there - if you price your Ad at $1, it will automatically go in that category.

Besides TUG, I personally use these cheap or free websites to post my Ads:

www.craigslist.org (free)

www.redweek.com
* Membership $14.99 for 12 Months
* Timeshare Rental Postings - $19.99/ea for 6 Months - $49.99/ea for 12 Months

www.myresortnetwork.com
$19.95 posting fee ($24.95 for a float week ad)

I would use a closing company, unless you are experienced with closing yourself. If this will be a hard TS to get rid of, also consider paying for the closing, to expedite a sale.

Good luck!

 

[FlyerBobcat]

This "How to Sell Your Timeshare" sticky lists a couple TUG-suggested closing companies (Under the Buying, Selling, Renting board)

 

[CelticWarrior72]

Thanks for the quick response. I've been reading all the advice documents - very helpful indeed. I've already listed my timeshare on TUG's marketplace.

DeniseM - you mentioned Craigslist. Would you suggest listing the timeshare in the resort's local state, or in major metro areas?

 

[DeniseM]

DeniseM - you mentioned Craigslist. Would you suggest listing the timeshare in the resort's local state, or in major metro areas?

If you make substantial changes in both the title and Ad, you can avoid the function that limits you to one area, and post it in more than one area.

 

[FlyerBobcat]

And when dealing with CraigsList, be aware of scammers -- especially those that prey on those with rentals listed....
http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76120

 

[RLG]

I believe you have to be certified to sell property on ebay, which I believe they charge $100+ for.

Unless this was implemented very recently, this isn't correct.

You have to be "certified" to RENT property on Ebay. Specifically, you have to sign up for Ebay's Squaretrade service by paying an an additional fee and proving you own a rental property.

Anyone can list a timeshare FOR SALE on Ebay. Normally, the protection for the buyer is to either a) use an independent escrow/closing company or b) buy from a high volume seller with good feedback.

 

[DeniseM]

Thanks RLG - That's good to know and I stand corrected.

I am not a fan of using ebay to sell or rent out my units (unless I'm on the buying end) so I mixed up the procedures for buying and renting.

I corrected my post!

 

[theo]

Another alternative...

I'm interested in getting rid of a timeshare that I own and was considering listing it on eBay with no reserve. Does anyone on this forum have any experience doing that? If so, is it as straightforward as it appears at first glance? Also, any advice on how to best handle the closing (hire a firm, or do it myself) would be appreciated.

You can also try Bidshares.com, which is absolutely free (...and with none of the hoops and hurdles and costs of eBay). Easy, infinitely renewable. You can also advertise on MyRresortNetwork for about $50. On eBay, you can easily get lost among the other 1,100 timeshares also listed there ---right now, today....

As far as "closing", I'd recommend letting the buyer select (and pay for) a legitimate closing company of their choice. Many buyers (including me) will want no part of a seller handling both the the buyer and seller end of closing details. Foxes running the henhouse details can be discomforting; some third party objectivity and competency is worth every penny. If you are truly desperate to "unload" the timeshare, you can even offer to pay the closing company costs yourself; it will cost you about $300.

 

[Robert D]

I've never sold a TS on Ebay but have rented quite a few. In fact, rented 3 within the past week. One good thing is Ebay has such a huge audience that most anything will sell or rent if priced right. I list mine as Buy It Now and allow people to make offers. I didn't get top dollar for these rentals but got a reasonable price in a bad economy and am really glad I got them rented - all three were within 30 days of check in and went for more than the $100 per night last minute rental limit on TUG.

Not sure what TS you're trying to sell but if it's saleable, it should sell on Ebay, especially if you keep the closing costs at not more than $300. I think you can find a good closing company to do it for that, maybe less.