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Re: How can I rent a timeshare? (by Mary D.):

daddyd wrote:

Thanks for this very valuable info. But I was kinda hoping that somebody would share some personal experience doing this, specifically like just how they went ahead and confirmed that the unit was ok to rent. Hate to sound so skeptical but I kinda assumed that the "owner" would tell me that it was! If I call the property, can they confirm that the supposed owner is, actually, the owner of the week and therefore permitted to rent it to me?

I can't speak for how all other resorts or resort groups do this, but Fairfield/Wyndham shows reservations I have made on its website. When there is a rush, I have copied this onto an e-mail to the prospective renter. It will show the reservation in my name. If there is time, I mail them a photocopy or the original confirmation. When payment is received, the confirmation in their name is sent to them. This change also shows up on the website so I can, in a rush, confirm that it has been changed to the new name and copy that by e-mail. (It can take more than a week to get the paper confirmation.)

Whoever you rent from will probably have some such confirmation from the resort or resort group. If the week is actually an II or RCI exchange guest confirmation, it will clearly say so.

Some resort groups charge the owner for a guest confirmation. Some do not. This in itself is no indication that an exchange company is or isn't involved.

Please realize that the owner does not necessarily own a particular week at a particular place if he is not a fixed week owner. That is why so many ads on Redweeks seem to be offering any time this year. They don't own the whole year but they have paid dearly for the right to request a certain amount of time and space in a certain resort or resort group. ( If Redweeks show specific dates and days, you are dealing with a reservation that is already confirmed and only has to have the name changed.)

Vacationers need to make their request as far in advance as possible so that the owner can nail down an actual reservation for them. They need to give full information so that valuable time is not lost determining who will be coming, what room options would be acceptable, what price or price range is agreeable, full name, address, and phone. This will give the owner the best guide when selecting among available units without dithering back and forth-- only to learn that the space you wanted is now gone .

If you are concerned about the quality of the resort being offered, you can usually look it up in the RCI,II, or aother resort directory. Redweeks Rentals also has pictures and information. (Of course one person may love and another may hate the very same resort!)

As you can see from the above, I tend to over-explain things to prospective renters. It drives me nuts when they can't seem to spare time to respond with a complete sentence!

Mary D