Original Message:
Re: Membership requirements for potential renters ($9.99 fee) (by Jeannine D.):
kathy I used to feel the same way, and here's why: I know as a timeshare owner I was not savvy enough to buy resale AND the first few years is about being hit up for money.
The mortgage company gets their monthly loan payments ($350), the resort gets their annual maintenance fees ($800), the exchange company gets their ANNUAL fee ($150)...
When you're done paying the hefty loan, you still get to pay the annual $800 and rising, then the $200 to record the deed, and an ADDITIONAL $150 EXCHANGE FEE every time you rent it out.
AND THEN, YOU GET TO PAY $10 to read this site? AND PAY $20 to list? BUT, IT'S WORTH IT because this seems like the sanest, least criminal of all things timeshare to me, anyhow. Anyone with a timeshare has probably been approached by at least one scammer (hello, people offering to rent your place for an upfront fee?)
Anyhow, email us owners with whatever offers you want to pay and we can accept or decline your bid. Just try and you might be surprised. You can even try low-balling just to see the response.
Actually, my response to low-balling is this: When I get a lowball, I go on vacation instead of you going on vacation. As simple as that.
Here's my take on pricing. When I have someone offering a paltry $400 for something that normal would rent for $2000+ and I'm charging $1000 I'm not making a profit (see my out of pocket above), I'm just renting it because I'm not using it.
Good luck with whatever site you go with, kathy. Hope you post some more in the future. You certainly woke people up.