Seeking advice if you used redweek for a rental

[disneymom06]

I am looking on redweek to book a week at WBC. If anyone has recently used them could you please tell me about your experience. Are all listings verified as owners, or is it an honor system? I would like to speak to the owner, not just by email, and all I am getting is deposit and payment arrangements. I am hesitant and would like to hear about your experience.

 

[darrius1st]

I used Redweek and I don't know if the verify the owner but the do have a vender that does rental escrow service that holds the money until after your vacation.

 

[ttfn3]

I have used Redweek to rent - most recently for a March 2012 stay at the Vistana Resort. I also used Redweek for a stay at WBC a year ago.

I have never directly spoken to the owner tho. I did have a phone number. I just used email. I have had absolutely no problems. I always check directly with the resort when I get the rental to make sure they gap have my reservation. The last trip we rented from someone that lives oversees. I was able to verify with the resort that he was an owner at the resort. This rental also used the escrow service - a first for me. Worked great! I highly recommend Redweek!

 

[disneymom06]

How were you able to check with the resort? The owner has only given me her email address and I have asked her to call me so we can discuss how to handle the transaction. She did not give me a telephone number but asked for mine. I did ask for the address for the requested bank check to be sent and nothing further has been sent by email. I may be too suspicious but I think I may pass on this one. This is my first time renting a unit this way and want to be safe.

 

[Detailor]

How were you able to check with the resort? The owner has only given me her email address and I have asked her to call me so we can discuss how to handle the transaction. She did not give me a telephone number but asked for mine. I did ask for the address for the requested bank check to be sent and nothing further has been sent by email. I may be too suspicious but I think I may pass on this one. This is my first time renting a unit this way and want to be safe.

A direct owner rental transaction requires a degree of faith not only from the renter but the owner, too. Just as you don't know the owner she doesn't know you. I suspect that's the genesis of her hesitancy to give out her telephone number (unless the email conversion went just the way that you described; if you asked her to call you then it only makes sense that's she'd ask for your telephone number and not offer her's). While it's pretty likely that there's nothing wrong with the potential rental, it sounds like both you and the owner want to be in control of the transaction and, maybe, both of you are a bit suspicious of the other. If that's the case then I wouldn't blame either of you for just walking away from a transaction with which you're uncomfortable.

On the other hand, I've rented timeshare weeks from owners - none of whom I've ever met - five or six times in a variety of locations (all before redweek.com was created) and I've never had a problem. I think that I spoke directly with an owner just once. If I recall correctly most of those transactions were initiated through www.tug2.net and one was through ebay. But if I hadn't subsequently purchased a couple of timeshare weeks I'd have no particular concerns about using redweek.

Just my two cents.

Dick Taylor

 

[disneymom06]

A direct owner rental transaction requires a degree of faith not only from the renter but the owner, too. Just as you don't know the owner she doesn't know you. I suspect that's the genesis of her hesitancy to give out her telephone number (unless the email conversion went just the way that you described; if you asked her to call you then it only makes sense that's she'd ask for your telephone number and not offer her's). While it's pretty likely that there's nothing wrong with the potential rental, it sounds like both you and the owner want to be in control of the transaction and, maybe, both of you are a bit suspicious of the other. If that's the case then I wouldn't blame either of you for just walking away from a transaction with which you're uncomfortable.

On the other hand, I've rented timeshare weeks from owners - none of whom I've ever met - five or six times in a variety of locations (all before redweek.com was created) and I've never had a problem. I think that I spoke directly with an owner just once. If I recall correctly most of those transactions were initiated through www.tug2.net and one was through ebay. But if I hadn't subsequently purchased a couple of timeshare weeks I'd have no particular concerns about using redweek.

Just my two cents.

Dick Taylor

I thank you for your advice. Ironically, I had read a few of your informative comments and felt that what you described was the exact situation. I took the leap of faith and sent the deposit.

The owner just called me this morning and our conversation was reassuring. She asked what were my questions, and while she had answered many by email, I did tell her that I just wanted to make sure that she was a real person and not a scam. She laughed but said she understood and had heard of a few. All is well now, thanks for the help

 

[Detailor]

The owner just called me this morning and our conversation was reassuring. She asked what were my questions, and while she had answered many by email, I did tell her that I just wanted to make sure that she was a real person and not a scam. She laughed but said she understood and had heard of a few. All is well now, thanks for the help

I'm happy for you that this worked out. Have a great vacation!

Dick Taylor