Suggestions on using Red Week's full service for renting a week.

[ahdah]

I have only rented one week before, but it was in 2018 and things were much different. I just bought another 3 bedroom Marriott SurfWatch with a reservation for 08/01/2021 to 08/08/2021 and am trying to find out what you think of using Red Week Full service. Before I used RW with a do it yourself reservation. I would normally use the week myself, but I now live in CA and will be going for the 4th of July week at SW. With the world the way it is, thought it might be easier to let RW do the work. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[TXTortoise]

Consider VacationCandy.com also. Great customer service and captures a different market channel.

My concerns with Redweek Full Service are around the fact you don't get final payment until after the renter has checked in/completed the rental. I want final payment at least 61 days prior, or full payment within 60 days.

 

[DeniseM]

Don't do it - it gets bad reviews here on TUG: it's slow and expensive.

 

[vol_90]

I have used Redweek Full service since 2018 (1 in 2018, 9 in 2019 and 10 in 2020) for all rentals and very happy with their service. Post your week early and price it competitively and it should rent.

 

[ahdah]

Don't do it - it gets bad reviews here on TUG: it's slow and expensive.

Where do I look to find the reviews? Thanks

 

[DeniseM]

You can use the search function - but you can also take my word for it.

TXTortise made a good point - this summer, Redweek gave full refunds to all Hawaii renters, without even consulting owners. Not cool.

 

[dioxide45]

Also consider www.go-koala.com. Yes an 8% fee after rental, but no upfront cost.

 

[TXTortoise]

Quite

Where do I look to find the reviews? Thanks

Lots of issues with Covid, but this might give you a feel...

Search results for query: redweek full service renting

tugbbs.com

 

[rickandcindy23]

You can use the search function - but you can also take my word for it.

TXTortise made a good point - this summer, Redweek gave full refunds to all Hawaii renters, without even consulting owners. Not cool.

But Hawaii was closed and resorts were closed. Owners cannot expect Redweek to force people to pay for what renters couldn't use at all.

I would use Redweek.

 

[DeniseM]

I use RW too, but the OP wants to know if they should use RW's FULL SERVICE option.

There were many other options, besides giving a cash refund without the owner's consent or knowledge. Not to mention, Redweek violated the rental agreements between owners and renters, without having the authority to do so. BTW - Hawaii was not closed, and the vast majority of resorts were not closed. IMNSO, Redweek also violated their contracts with owners. YMMV

*Legally, RW should have let each owner work things out with each renter in accordance with their rental agreements, and only stepped in, if the rental agreement was not followed.

 

[echino]

Redweek stole my money when they refunded a renter a non-refundable reservation. Resort and destination were open. Redweek was actively encouraging renters to cancel if they were not comfortable to travel due to Covid, and refunded in full, regardless of anything, and without giving an opportunity to negotiate or reschedule. Do not ever use Redweek Full Service or Redweek payments. They will not hesitate to steal you money again.

 

[ahdah]

Quite


Lots of issues with Covid, but this might give you a feel...

Search results for query: redweek full service renting

tugbbs.com

I am reading them now and trying to understand. Last summer, I deposited with II, but people were still going to HHI.

 

[ahdah]

Redweek stole my money when they refunded a renter a non-refundable reservation. Resort and destination were open. Redweek was actively encouraging renters to cancel if they were not comfortable to travel due to Covid, and refunded in full, regardless of anything, and without giving an opportunity to negotiate or reschedule. Do not ever use Redweek Full Service or Redweek payments. They will not hesitate to steal you money again.

I was not aware of that, so it is something to think about before I place the ad.

 

[DeniseM]

With the roll out of the vaccine, I expect summer 2021 rentals to have an upswing. No need to deposit it, unless that's your preference.

 

[ahdah]

Consider VacationCandy.com also. Great customer service and captures a different market channel.

My concerns with Redweek Full Service are around the fact you don't get final payment until after the renter has checked in/completed the rental. I want final payment at least 61 days prior, or full payment within 60 days.

I had never looked into Vacation Candy. I found it interesting that the same week on RW and Vacation Candy was over $1000 more on Vacation Candy. Don't people check and go with the week that is cheaper or do different people use the two rental groups? I always thought that RW was the one to use. Now I am beginning to wonder.

 

[NYFLTRAVELER]

if I rented out my unit, I would want a non-refundable payment in full upfront.

 

[dioxide45]

I had never looked into Vacation Candy. I found it interesting that the same week on RW and Vacation Candy was over $1000 more on Vacation Candy. Don't people check and go with the week that is cheaper or do different people use the two rental groups? I always thought that RW was the one to use. Now I am beginning to wonder.

Vacation Candy will often have a renter and go out and find an owner with the week their client (renter) wants. They will actually solicit owners renting their weeks on Redweek to broker between the owner and their renter. So the $1000 is their markup. I think they also charge the renter a fee for the rental.

 

[dioxide45]

if I rented out my unit, I would want a non-refundable payment in full upfront.

Thus the conundrum. As someone rending, they would like the sense of security that "full service" offers them. I would think as a renter not using "full service" you may have to be willing to rent for less than the other full service listings?

 

[TXTortoise]

I had never looked into Vacation Candy. I found it interesting that the same week on RW and Vacation Candy was over $1000 more on Vacation Candy. Don't people check and go with the week that is cheaper or do different people use the two rental groups? I always thought that RW was the one to use. Now I am beginning to wonder.

On the surface VC is just another rental outlet and collects a 10% commission or $500 minimum on the owners gross income. But they are also like other brokers and will search for a week for a customer if they don't have one listed, thus you'll find them contacting a Redweek listing, paying that amount and then do whatever deal they can get from the renter. VC also has an option to list your week on VRBO and it's related sites for another 5%. For VC weeks listed on VRBO, the renter will pay more than if they know to go straight to VC for the week due to VRBO fees. Just another example of different channels and different prices for the same item.

I expect many folks that rent from VC don't know Redweek exists or are more comfortable doing business with a 'commercial' entity. Different renter demographic I expect. You can also have someone like Concierge Realty or DeniseM broker your weeks. Lots of options out there. The barebones cheapest way to do it is a Redweek individual listing or Facebook post, but for someone doing it the first time or very rarely, VC or a realtor does make it painless. Mostly a function of the resort, week, rental market and yes, some tax impacts, that determine the best way to approach it.

Most weeks are commodities so it helps if the folks giving their week away for just MF rent early, in which case you might make a little if the demand holds.

 

[vol_90]

I had 18 full service Redweek cancellations between March and May due to Covid. I had no issues refunding renters who either could not travel or were scared to travel. I didn't care what the contract said as no one could be prepared for what has happened. I will continue to use their full service option as I don't want to deal with individual renters nor collecting payments. Redweek works for me.......

All cancelled......

 

[GrayFal]

Less than positive reviews of vacation candy.

Have you gotten new requests from Vacation Candy?

Background: I had 2 listings with Vacation Candy when Covid hit hard in March. I never heard from VC but reached out to them just prior to the check-in dates in April. I already had 100% of my rental $ but offered a partial refund or rebooking. All of my correspondence with them was...

tugbbs.com

 

[DeniseM]

If you live outside the US, as vol_90 apparently does, it may make sense for you to use a full-service option, because many renters will be leery of renting from an owner located outside the US. I'm sure that vol_90 is a reputable owner, but unfortunately, many scammers are located outside the US to avoid prosecution.

 

[vol_90]

If you live outside the US, as vol_90 apparently does, it may make sense for you to use a full-service option, because many renters will be leery of renting from an owner located outside the US. I'm sure that vol_90 is a reputable owner, but unfortunately, many scammers are located outside the US to avoid prosecution.

I work outside the US but am a US citizen. Evacuated from my overseas location due to Covid on March 24th, 2020 and now in the US. I will likely always use Redweek (signed up on promotion through 2032) whether based in or outside of the US. Redweek is a good and reputable company.

VC wants $500 or 10% and go-Koala.com wants 8%. I pay $59.99 for a Redweek posting and $99 if it rents. My rentals average $3,000. I do nothing other than paying for the posting, verifying the reservation and changing the name when rented. Then I wait for payment without having to deal with multiple people and payment types. Being a full service rental on Redweek also gives me an advantage as most people trust Redweek facilitating the process.

Don't agree with your post above that says "Don't do it" because of TUG reviews. My review is here and I have promoted the benefits of Redweek in other posts as well.

 

[DeniseM]

Glad you are safely back in the US - stay safe!

 

[ahdah]

Lots of things to think about. I may rent the week using RW, but doing all of the work. I think I would rather deal with the renters than have a company decide what I would do. I guess I could use verified so the renter would know that it was a legitimate rental. When I have rented, I liked talking to the owner, I felt like I knew them and they knew me. When I put my week on RW, I rented it in two days because I asked a very reasonable price. I will look and see what they are asking for the three bedroom on HHI the first week on August. I might even use the FB page on Marriott buy, rent and sell site. Thanks for you help. Let's hope we are able to trap in July. Happy New Year and stay safe.