Need major help!!Robinrs?? Vistana Resort

[Daisy57b]

I'm looking at renting at Vistana from a Tug ad. The owner told me that he wants the full amount at the time of reservation. The whole entire amount. Is this normal?

How do I know that he's not going to screw me? Couldn't he just take my money and run? I'm a big chicken when it comes to these things! He told me after he collected the entire amount, I could then call the resort and get a reservation #. What if when I call they tell me there is no reservation???

Can someone help me with this? Robinrs???? Where are you???

Thanks!!

 

[spiceycat]

maybe you should try another renter - or if he is the only one - I would pass.

some of the renter - ask for half when they made the reservations and the other half 60 days before your arrival date (that is for DVC rently anyway).

before you pay anything I would ask for a contract - then look it over before you pay anything.

now if your reservations is going to be 60 days or less from now - that might be the problem - ask about guaranteeds - if he can't guaranteed the reservation in writing before you pay a penny - I don't think I would do it.

the guaranteed should be that if he can't get what you want when you want it - all money (or whatever you agreed too) will be returned.

 

[Daisy57b]

Spicycat -

So you would pass? It's not for another 6 months or so, so it's not like he needs the money now. I just think it's funny to want all the money up front, then I call to get a reservation number. I would think most places want a deposit and then you pay the remaining at check out or right before.

Does anyone know of any reputable renters for Vistana? Or how I could find one? This guy was on Tug.


Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions!!

 

[spiceycat]

tell him up front that you don't feel comfortable giving him the full amount when you have nothing.

ask for a contract before you send a penny.

I use the tug site alot too.

with 6 months you got time.

also if you think you can wait until the last minute

www.skyauctions.com

this is a website that RCI has to get rid of their excess inventory - they use to give their members really great deals - not they try to rent to the public.

you have good deals here - the only problem is that they are generally only posted in the last month or so before you need it. when they use to reduce the price to their members.

 

[Robinrs]

Hi, Daisy:

I would discuss it with him, too. In my case I did pay up front. It was followed by a certificate from Interval with all the information I needed to confirm my reservation. I called Vistana and they let me know that everything was fine.

I contacted my owner by email AND phone. He was an incredibly kind man from Australia (I remember it sounded like I was talking to Mel Gibson!) and I felt very comfortable with him. On the other hand, I contacted another owner for Vistana Villages later on and there was something shady about him so I looked elsewhere.

Again, discuss your concerns with him and see if he will work with you. Maybe you can offer a refundable deposit? I'm not sure if he'll go for it but you can see.

Good luck!

Robinrs

 

[Daisy57b]

Robinrs:

Do you remember what the shady guy's name was? I'm wondering if this is the same guy.

So when you paid upfront - you paid the whole amount - to the owner or to the resort? If I was paying the amount to the resort, I would feel better, but if I'm sending all my money to some guy - that just makes me feel funny. Did you get a contract or something?

Spiceycat - thanks for your input - I'll send you an email.

 

[Robinrs]

You pay the owner, not the resort, for his time and his maintenance. It's between you and the owner, and either RCI or II. I've stayed at several owner's timeshares on their weeks, especially after Sept 11th because alot of out of the country owners chose not to fly.

I'll PM you the name of the guy.

I would suggest if this makes you nervous, try the Cypress Grandvillas on www.hotelkingdom.com. They do want the money upfront but at least you can trust them. They have the 2 bedroom for about $88 a night. I'm considering them for my next trip because of all the great reviews. Just a thought.