WSJ/SVO question Redweek possible scam?

[sachia007]

I own a studio villa at WSJ (VGV) and since we are traveling with more people for this trip, we need another unit (or we can trade ours in for or a larger unit). I have called SVO and looked online myself and it shows no availability for either option for the week we are looking for.

However, I have contacted a Redweek owner who has his week listed. He told me he owns 14 weeks and that he could get me the same week we need in a larger unit. I asked about the specific week we were looking for and he emailed me back and said he could secure one.

I'm not sure if this is a scam??

Since I own VG, am I only allowed to see availability in VG?

If he has 5* does this open villas to him that I don't have access to?

Thanks

 

[okwiater]

Since you own in VGV, you are in SVN and can see availability in any phase, as long as it is 8 months or less prior to arrival.

5 star Elite owners do NOT have exclusive or priority access to additional units. However, there is a "wait list" that can help a 4 or 5 star Elite owner to quickly book a week that later becomes available.

 

[DeniseM]

If he routinely rents his timeshares, he may already have it reserved and in his inventory, or he may be the type that promises you he can get anything without even checking, to get you engaged.

How to verify that a rental is Legit - when you are the renter: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109479

 

[sachia007]

Yes, it is less than 8 months out and I'm seeing nothing available.

 

[sachia007]

He said he called and they said it was available. Also that he can't verify villa number/location as sold as float.

I looked at your "how to see if rental is legit" suggestions and I had called SVO and asked to verify someone owns there as I'm looking to rent from them... both times I called, the rep. said they can't give this information out any more!

 

[tschwa2]

How does he want you to pay? Will he take a small deposit via Paypal and then provide a confirmation that you can verify before paying the rest? Did he say he already had a confirmation and was renting out a reservation that he already has?

 

[DeniseM]

He said he called and they said it was available. Also that he can't verify villa number/location as sold as float.

I looked at your "how to see if rental is legit" suggestions and I had called SVO and asked to verify someone owns there as I'm looking to rent from them... both times I called, the rep. said they can't give this information out any more!

I'm sorry, but that's not what the sticky says -

Call the resort/resort reservations directly to confirm your reservation.

I don't believe that any resort system will give out Info. about an owner. You cannot call and confirm a reservation until it's in your name.

Right now, he can make the reservation for you with no penalty if he cancels, so ask him to make the reservation for you, and email you a copy (still in his name) for your review, just to be sure he can get it.

He can cancel the reservation with no penalty, so there is no reason for him to refuse to do so, if he's Legit.

*Offer to make a $100 Paypal deposit as your "earnest money," before he makes the reservation to show that you are a serious renter. If it's a scam, it's easy for you to get the money back from Paypal/credit card.

 

[sachia007]

Thanks for the tips techwa2 and Denise (and thanks for the correction) . Great ideas!!!

I didn't realize he could make reservation without penalty... definitely going to ask him to do this!!!

Thanks!

 

[DeniseM]

Absolutely - If you make a reservation and cancel it 61 days or more before check-in, there is no penalty.

 

[DeniseM]

One more point - the reservation he sends you should look just like the confirmation they you have for your own unit. If it looks like something he photo-shopped, it's a scam.

If the confirmation looks good - and you've already paid $100, tell him you want to proceed, and ask him to request the confirmation in your name.

Don't pay in full until AFTER you get the confirmation in your name, AND call reservations and confirm it directly with reservations.

When you call reservations, you will say, "I am the guest of an owner, and I'd like to confirm my reservation" and give them the confirmation number."

Don't confuse and complicate it with a lot of other questions about the owner. They can't tell you anything about the owner, and it may prevent you from getting the info. you really need which is: Do they have the reservation in your name? Verify the dates, unit size, etc.

 

[sachia007]

Thanks so much Denise!