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The eBay buyer vs. the RedWeek Buyer

S

sharesearcher

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I would like to hear everyone's thought on the profile of the eBay buyer vs. the RedWeek buyer and any others that are relevant. Here are my observations so far:

The eBay Buyer is the most knowledgeable about the market of any of the three categories. S/he is comfortable establishing a price for the week without having the price suggested by the buyer (assuming it started at $1.)

The RedWeek buyer is slightly less knowledgeable about the market, and hence the prices on RedWeek are somewhat higher than they are on eBay. RedWeek requires you to submit a credit card, so the redweek buyer is less likely to be scamming.

Any thoughts?
 
ebay buyers are definitely not scammers. We are all savvy TUGgers! :) :) :) We know what we are buying and know the worth. Some of the sellers scammed the weeks from the original owners, so scammers do exist on ebay, but not on the buying end.

The membership fee for redweek is a bit ridiculous. It really is just a way for the company to make more money. They are keeping buyers from finding renters and sellers because there are no guarantees that what you want is even on the site, so why pay to find out? I understand why some would refuse to pay. It is unknown territory, yet they expect a payment just for exploration. This hurts the timeshare owners. I have not had anyone reach me through My Resort Network or Vacation Timeshare Rentals that tried to scam. I get some looky lous that just ask questions and have no intention of buying. Those people come from all my rental and resale sources.

I get lots of spam but cannot figure out where it comes from and why I am a target. I don't currently have spam filters but will have them in a few days, when we change from cable to DSL. I have erased important emails because there was nothing on the subject line, so I delete the message. I don't mean to do it, but it does happen.

Redweek buyers will pay more but probably don't know about ebay. I am glad about that.
 
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I don't think the difference is in the buyers. I think the buyers are the same. I think it's the sellers who are different. eBay is littered with scammers who stole timeshares from owners either via a vacation club concept, a trade in for a mexican resort or an organization like timeshare relief who charges people to take their timeshares.

On eBay, you have the highest probability of getting ripped off. The longest closing times come from these venues because lots of these eBay companies use Power of Attorney to bypass State Real Estate laws.
 
I have noticed that the "sold" prices on MyResortNetwork, Redweek etc. tend to be higher than on eBay. This would indicate that the buyers are different on the two sites. Another thought is that prices will be higher on the listing sites simply because the listings are up for a longer time.
 
Timeshare Relief, Time No More, Vacation Solutions, Resort Acqusitions, and all the other scumbag resellers are doing their best to keep timeshare prices as low and they can get. If you can buy 52 weeks in a one bedroom on Hawaii for $2,500 per week on average, that's pretty cheap real estate. How much would that condo sell for? The maintenance fees wouldn't really kill a person either, plus weekly housekeeping.

Why are you asking these questions? Are you one of the ebay resellers? Which company do you work for?
 
I am asking because I would like to know where it would be best to buy and sell timeshares. I think it is interesting that there are so many places to sell timeshares, and would like to better understand what makes each of these places different.

I have been reading these discusion boards a lot (and appreciate all of your thoughtful posts) before making my first couple of posts and strongly agree that TS Relief, and all of the up-front fee companies are scummy in their practices. But, I would prefer if we can keep this thread on how buyers are different on each of the sites, rather than have this develop as another TS relief thread.
 
sharesearcher said:
I have noticed that the "sold" prices on MyResortNetwork, Redweek etc. tend to be higher than on eBay. This would indicate that the buyers are different on the two sites. Another thought is that prices will be higher on the listing sites simply because the listings are up for a longer time.
Click to expand...

I'll say it again, that's due to the sellers being different, not the buyers. There are tons of sellers on eBay who get their inventory for zero or less than zero dollars. So, they don't care what it sells for. If a given buyer can find something on eBay for $1000 less on eBay, they will take it. If they can't find what they want on eBay, they get it on Redweek or elsewhere. The buyers are the same, it's just that not all buyers are checking all venues simultaneously.

Also, there is more risk in buying on eBay, so it scares some buyers away.
 
also, while redweek will indicate a week as being sold, that doesn't necessarily mean it sold at the asking price. a buyer may have made the seller an offer and that offer may have been accepted. therefore the unit was "sold" .
 
Re; >> Redweek buyers will pay more but probably don't know about ebay.<<

I respectfully disagree. Who on earth (outside of the third world) doesn't know all about eBay??? My own view is that there are very knowledgeable buyers AND sellers on any and all of the establlished online sites relating to timeshare (RedWeek, MyResortNetwork, TUG, etc.). Varying fees are an entirely separate matter -- I'm merely commenting upon the perceived "knowledge level" of participants.

It may very well be that the best "bargains" are found on eBay, since so many of the listings there are essentially being "dumped" for whatever they will bring. Savvy buyers can and do separate the wheat from the chaff (as on any other site). That said, asking prices on RedWeek (or on any other site) are always negotiable and one can't presume to know what the final agreed price might ultimately be between any given buyer and seller.

Just my opinion, certainly worth at least what you've just paid for it. ;-)
 
sharesearcher said:
I am asking because I would like to know where it would be best to buy and sell timeshares. I think it is interesting that there are so many places to sell timeshares, and would like to better understand what makes each of these places different.

I have been reading these discusion boards a lot (and appreciate all of your thoughtful posts) before making my first couple of posts and strongly agree that TS Relief, and all of the up-front fee companies are scummy in their practices. But, I would prefer if we can keep this thread on how buyers are different on each of the sites, rather than have this develop as another TS relief thread.
Click to expand...

Selling timeshare is very difficult. Ebay sellers don't care what they get for the weeks because they have no ownership them and didn't pay anything for any of them. It is easy to resell a timeshare when you paid nothing for it and actually even made some money on the other end of the deal. :mad: When you love a timeshare resort and sell a week, you have a personal experience with it, possibly with great memories, and it is difficult to sell it cheaply, so you ask more and think a lot of description will help it sell. It doesn't necessarily work that way, though. I just sold a week that I have been trying to sell for almost three years.:eek: :eek: It was a great price and we have stayed there a few times, but it was hard to sell. Even at that, we are still in the closing process and the buyer can back out anytime she wants. :rolleyes: I have recently been concerned she will do that because her questions are becoming more negative.

Selling weeks takes a while and requires lots of capital to invest in the first place to resell. Part of the reason the resale companies are so obvious on ebay is they close with certain companies that are probably owned by the same company. I know as a Realtor/broker that this is a conflict of interest but have no proof.
 
theo said:
Re; >> Redweek buyers will pay more but probably don't know about ebay.<<

I respectfully disagree. Who on earth (outside of the third world) doesn't know all about eBay??? My own view is that there are very knowledgeable buyers AND sellers on any and all of the establlished online sites relating to timeshare (RedWeek, MyResortNetwork, TUG, etc.). Varying fees are an entirely separate matter -- I'm merely commenting upon the perceived "knowledge level" of participants.

It may very well be that the best "bargains" are found on eBay, since so many of the listings there are essentially being "dumped" for whatever they will bring. Savvy buyers can and do separate the wheat from the chaff (as on any other site). That said, asking prices on RedWeek (or on any other site) are always negotiable and one can't presume to know what the final agreed price might ultimately be between any given buyer and seller.

Just my opinion, certainly worth at least what you've just paid for it. ;-)
Click to expand...

Very few people know that you can buy a timeshare on ebay. Ask your friends who are clueless about timeshare if they knew that fact. They really don't know about it. The lady that cuts my hair was wanting to buy a Hawaii week and I told her to try ebay. She was surprised and she buys lots of her beauty shop supplies on ebay. Your statement is very sure, but I guarantee it is not true.

The resellers would get lots more for their listings if more people knew about ebay. Redweek and the other sites would not have any business either, which would hurt resales even more.
 
Re: >> The lady that cuts my hair was wanting to buy a Hawaii week and I told her to try ebay. She was surprised and she buys lots of her beauty shop supplies on ebay. Your statement is very sure, but I guarantee it is not true.

I respect your right to disagree with my personal opinion, which I clearly identified as being only just exactly that. However, that opinion remains unchanged by your "guarantee" (or your hairdresser's timeshare knowledge). Perhaps we can just agree to disagree since, "guarantees" aside, we are in the end each just expressing a personal opinion -- we don't need to agree.

Re: >> The resellers would get lots more for their listings if more people knew about ebay. Redweek and the other sites would not have any business either, which would hurt resales even more. <<

I'm sorry, but I just can't follow your logic there at all. Why would resellers get MORE money if more people knew about eBay, where timeshares get sold / dumped for pennies on the dollar virtually every day??? It seems to me quite the opposite --- that if even more knowledge existed about peanuts timeshare resale prices routinely available on eBay, then the reseller's "bar" or point of reference would actually be LOWERED. Perhaps I'm missing or misunderstanding your point entirely, but I just can't follow your reasoning. Maybe it's just another opportunity to agree to disagree......
 
Hi Theo,

If the number of people who knew nothing of resales learned to buy on Ebay, the demand would rise dramatically, demand creates the net ebay pricing. Redweek and others would continue with the same pricing, elevated by a percentage of the increase to Ebay pricing as a "loosely coupled" market economics factor.

However, if only redweek and other site's users were "cannibalized" by Ebay, then the prices should drop on average as no new buyers really emerged in the marketplace and ebay is more efficient a marketplace.

IMHO...

John Faeth
 
Hello John:
Thanks for your explanatory input. I KNEW there was a good reason they never let me into "B" school after college....
 
I'm continually amazed about how many people never seem to consider eBay, much less heard of Redweek or any other timeshare site. We've told friends and others about buying timeshares on eBay, as the topic comes up, and they all seem astounded that it can be done that way. I thought I was late onto the timeshare scene, but the more people I talk to, the more I realize this is largely either an unknown or misunderstood topic.

Marty
 
I buy on EBay

Twice on E bay I have bought something I didn't want because it wasn't accuratly listed or I was lied to. I got smarter. Once an Ebay seler tried to rob me but I didn't let them get away with it. TUG helped me a lot with that one. Five times I got Great deals at bargain prices. Individuals often sell their own timeshares on EBay and often do not know what they are doing.You have to walk them through the sales process but it avoids the big closing fees and these are individuals who honestly want to get rid of it.
 
EBay

I for one knew nothing about ebay until I stumbled on to this site. My wife and I have sat through at least 5 presentations in as many years, but never bought. This site opened my eyes to a new world of purchasing and I now have 4 timeshares, 3 of which I bought off ebay and one from Seth ... who I learned about on this site. Maybe the key to the knowledge of resale is TUG! This is a great site for knowlege and good discussion. I believe buyers are the same, all have knowledge, but some of us are impatient. Thanks

Bob
 
rickandcindy23 said:
Very few people know that you can buy a timeshare on ebay. Ask your friends who are clueless about timeshare if they knew that fact. They really don't know about it. The lady that cuts my hair was wanting to buy a Hawaii week and I told her to try ebay. She was surprised and she buys lots of her beauty shop supplies on ebay. Your statement is very sure, but I guarantee it is not true.

The resellers would get lots more for their listings if more people knew about ebay. Redweek and the other sites would not have any business either, which would hurt resales even more.
Click to expand...


I agreed with you. I was aware of timeshare resale on ebay and despite my 10 years in TS, I never tried because of lack of confidence. Ebay deals all look too good to be true and very unreal, compared to the prices by the developer.

Until I joined TUG and had read enough to feel comfortable, I started buying from ebay a few months ago.
 
I also bought my timeshare on Ebay and have had a good experience. Good communication with both the seller and closing company, a great price, a location I enjoy traveling to, so for me I continue to search Ebay for additional good deals while I try to resist the timeshare fever and buy, buy buy.

Dave
 
My personal opinion is that eBay attracts a wider general population and that Redweek has more timeshare-oriented people who generally know what they're looking for and what they will pay.

My theory is that John Q Public may have heard of timeshares but isn't really involved and doesn't know about timeshare-specific sites. When John decides to check into it, he may very well go to where he bought his cars, hobby supplies, sold his furniture, etc., as a known marketplace. Will he think to Google and find Redweek and the others? Maybe, but I don't think he'll start there.
 
Personally, I think the Ebay buyer is looking for a deal.
I think the Redweek buyer is more likely looking for this particular week at this particular resort and will therefore probably pay a little more.
 
sharesearcher said:
I have noticed that the "sold" prices on MyResortNetwork, Redweek etc. tend to be higher than on eBay. This would indicate that the buyers are different on the two sites. Another thought is that prices will be higher on the listing sites simply because the listings are up for a longer time.
Click to expand...

Do realize that the sold price is usually the last price that the unit was listed for sale. So even though it may indicate sold with a price of 10000.00. It may have actually only sold for 6000.00 becuase that was the final price the buyer and seller agreed upon. I think these sites use the sold amounts in a misleading manner in an attempt to attract more sellers as they see all those units that sold for high prices.
 
I was totally green about ebay. It looked to good to be true. The price was something that I could live with if I got scammed. I bumped into a timeshare that I had wanted and a week I could use . I took a chance ( not for everyone) and everthing came out great. :clap:
 
Can't speak for sales, but the prices showing on Redweek after I deactivate my rental ads accurately reflect what they rented for, since historically the intervals have always rented for the listed price. Like Marriott, I don't negotiate price ;)

My experience is that Redweek buyers/renters run the same gamut from chizlers (thinking by degrading my resort or claiming poverty they can get a better deal) to those who just want to know where to send the check. I embrace the latter :)

Some of the most difficult are the exchangers on Redweek, IME so far. They don't seem to know the nuances of the process, so I direct them to TUG and ignore the rest of their requests for free TimeshareU.

Pat
 
BocaBum99 said:
I don't think the difference is in the buyers. I think the buyers are the same. I think it's the sellers who are different. eBay is littered with scammers who stole timeshares from owners either via a vacation club concept, a trade in for a mexican resort or an organization like timeshare relief who charges people to take their timeshares.

On eBay, you have the highest probability of getting ripped off. The longest closing times come from these venues because lots of these eBay companies use Power of Attorney to bypass State Real Estate laws.
Click to expand...


The same crowd frequents both as I recently found out although it was a MyResortNetwork vs Ebay situation. Had a person email me about an April week I didn't have booked but was looking for them. Quoted a reasonable price to the person. A day later they emailed back saying they had found it on Ebay for less and I found that a fellow Tugger was the seller.

Ah Capitalism, gotta love it. I never get too upset with Lookey Lous as I am one myself.

I think a more interesting comparison is Us renters (David) vs RCI(Goliath). Where we pay for the week and they get to rent it and we have to compete against it.

Bill
 
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