Charging for contact informationon Redweek.com

donaldd67 wrote:

I too, have lost 'interest' in several attempts to get more information whenever I am asked all sorts of 'personal data' PRIOR to actually submitting my enquiry.... do ya get my drift?

It takes only a minute to sign up to become a member of Redweek ..... no hassle involved.

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I would agree that ten bucks is insignificant to most prospective vacationers, but merely having to reload and go through that proceedure is a deterrent for SOME of us.

You shouldn't have to reload at all .... just put the ad you're interested in in your favorites and after you've become a Redweek member then just click that favorite ..... easy and simple.

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BTW, TUG2 does NOT charge for contacting an advertiser. Their Format has been 'Updateed' too (I preferred their Old Format). Also, TUG2 has a Forum Format, Reviews, etc.

I'm quite familiar with Tug and read their forums on a daily basis. You have to pay to become a member to access Tug reviews. You also have to become a member to place an ad there.

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Jay, I suspect you ARE an 'Official' for Redweek, NO?

I wish !!! .... what I, and other forum members, do here is offer timeshare advice free of charge. None of us regular posters (except marty) are 'officials' of Redweek.

I have been a member of Redweek since it's inception and I've always liked their format and ease of use in both constructing and perusing ads. To me, Redweek is the best timeshare ad site on the internet. I've sold several weeks here.

I'm aware that Tug has updated their ad format, but I find it confusing.

Also, after perusing Tug ads, you cannot directly email an ad owner for information. You must fill out the form below which is time consuming and the waiting begins. Also Tug lists only weeks for sale/rent etc. (ie: 1-52) they do not include the dates of those weeks. I no longer have a weeks calendar and wouldn't care to look for one. I would much prefer the week AND dates as some check-ins are Fri., some Sat. and some Sun:

Email Member about this Listing Please complete the following information

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Your Name Your Email Your Phone Comment

Marty, Thank you for the information. However, my frustration began when I spent over one hour researching redweek.com to locate a unit for my family. It was not until after I spent that time was I notified I must pay in order to view the contact info. I understand your refund policy and appreciate it, but again, who wants to go through another form for a refund and spend more time online away from their family? I'm not asking for redweek to change their charging policy as I know it won't happen. However, a big sign that indicates a charge before contact information can be viewed would be helpful. Thanks for your response though.

This one "heck" of a "fuss" for about $10.00. Stan.

It's not complicated .... see my advice below, just put what your interested in into your favorites until you register to become a member, then click that favorite when the membership process is complete.

jayjay donaldd67 I too, have lost 'interest' in several attempts to get more information whenever I am asked all sorts of 'personal data' PRIOR to actually submitting my enquiry.... do ya get my drift?

It takes only a minute to sign up to become a member of Redweek ..... no hassle involved.

Quote:

I would agree that ten bucks is insignificant to most prospective vacationers, but merely having to reload and go through that proceedure is a deterrent for SOME of us.

You shouldn't have to reload at all .... just put the ad you're interested in in your favorites and after you've become a Redweek member then just click that favorite ..... easy and simple.

Golly whiz! Do you mean I DIDN'T win the UK lottery, the Australian Lottery, the reimbursements from Nigeria, and the inheritance from that poor african farmer whose wife wants to give me several million? What a disappointment! MD

Marty, Thanks - However, it is not just the policy of charging to obtain information, it is really the way in which people find out. it is only after people spend lengthy periods of time on this site researching the perfect place for their family and go to send an email that they discover they have to pay to find the details out. That's the main issue. Where does it say in big bold letters anywhere on the main page that this is how Redweek is run?????

kad2 wrote:

It is not just the policy of charging to obtain information, it is really the way in which people find out. it is only after people spend lengthy periods of time on this site researching the perfect place for their family and go to send an email that they discover they have to pay to find the details out. That's the main issue. Where does it say in big bold letters anywhere on the main page that this is how Redweek is run?????

Your question is not new on here and has been questioned many times.

There is a posting under Buying,Selling and Renting on page #3 that we had this topic last year called Membership requirments for potential renters that you might read.

Many felt same as you with a few pushing the idea that this fee was for your safety from those cheap,lazy scammers.

Of coarse now that members are being scammed on Redweek by other paying members the tone has changed by these few people on here that always jump on the Redweek side. A few that try insulting others about this issue like the fee is so small you shouldn't whine about it don't seem to understand that not everyone that comes on here want to be members. Now you will hear it wasn't about the safety by these same people because scammers are on all forums free or paid membership sites.

It's just not worth paying a fee to become a member to check out a ad for some when they have no interest in spending time on here other than making a buy or rent a unit once.

The sad part of this topic that these people still don't understand or want to is the problem was never the amount of money but the wasted time for many before finding they have to join. Then after paying to join if things don't work out you can spend more time waiting for a refund of your charge on your credit card.

Redweek is a money machine and reason there in business so every move you make on here is going to cost you from joining to paying more to run ads or exchange in most cases will cost you more money to Redweek.

After you spend time on here you will notice who these people are because this is their track record on Redweek.

We left here about three years ago (2005) for your exact reason and bought the timeshare from another location. I came back and joined later but then I wasn't forced to and it cost a seller a sale which was still listed seven months later so it cost this member a possible sale to me.

PHILL12

phill12 wrote:

Redweek is a money machine and reason there in business so every move you make on here is going to cost you from joining to paying more to run ads or exchange in most cases will cost you more money to Redweek.PHILL12

In defense of Redweek, many internet listing sites are money machines ..... that's why they're in business including Tug where you have to join in order to place a timeshare ad ..... it all boils down to money.

Redweek is the number one timeshare ad site on the internet due to it's ease of surfing the ads, it's ease of placing ads and the thousands of hits it gets a day .... hundreds of Tug members even recommend Redweek as the number one listing site.

Also, you have to understand that Redweek has a paid staff and they pay to advertise in many different venues including billboards (I know there are at least two billboards just in Kissimmee, FL) and they advertise in USA Today among other venues.

TUG is manned by non-paid volunteers and ALL PROCEEDS FROM ADS AND MEMBERSHIP FEES GO ONLY TO THE OWNER OF TUG. Why people work there for free is beyond my imagination (one moderator is even a CPA) while the owner is racking in the money bigtime.

Jayjay, Thanks for your thoughts -- still not convinced Redweek is #1 --have you tried myresortnetwork.com or VRBO? These are free sites for interested buyers and I have now rented from those owners for 3 years running over Redweek. The funny part is I have stay at my #1 choice resort every year and it was list on both Redweek and myresortnetwork.com. The owner who listed on myresortnetwork got my $$ because I didn't have to pay anything to contact him. Here's the bottom line. for those who don't mind paying the fee and HOPE things work out - then redweek may be worth a try, BUT they can will eventually figure out that they can find the same high quality resorts for Free at othe sites.

Unfortunately with the trade off of function and information vs the greed factor of turning a profit Redweek has lost its niche. Based on the increasing charges it is no l onget the site of choice for me and others eekign rentals, sales or info. It was a great site when you could freely browes and see what was available. But to essentially charge others once I have paid a listing fee is ridiculous.

So often some thing good fails due to owners that make changes for their perceived benefit which destroys the reason people used it. Not seeing the forest for the trees. I for one have posted my last rental or resale due to no traffic response.

Good bye!!

kad2 wrote:

Jayjay, Thanks for your thoughts -- still not convinced Redweek is #1 --have you tried myresortnetwork.com

I also listed some of my nine timeshares for sale with myresortnetwork.com but I sold most of my timeshares from my Redweek ads.

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or VRBO?

VRBO is a rental listing site (Vacation Rentals By Owner) not a timeshare selling site. I have used VRBO many times to rent accomodations as I did last week for a cabin at the base of Mt. Mitchell in NC. As for listing rentals on VRBO, it's definitely not free. You may be speaking of bidshares.com for timeshare sales and rentals.

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Here's the bottom line. for those who don't mind paying the fee and HOPE things work out - then redweek may be worth a try, BUT they can will eventually figure out that they can find the same high quality resorts for Free at othe sites.

Could be, but how much spam and tire kickers do you get from the free sites?

johnl183 wrote:

So often some thing good fails due to owners that make changes for their perceived benefit which destroys the reason people used it. Not seeing the forest for the trees. I for one have posted my last rental or resale due to no traffic response. Good bye!!

It's not Redweek's fault that there's no interest in your timeshare with the economy the way it is and with far less people vacationing. Also, you have to remember even in good economic times that supply and demand of your resort and your time owned is the key for selling or renting any timeshare plus the price listed. Perhaps you just do not own a high demand time at a high demand resort or perhaps your listing is far too overpriced which many people make the mistake of doing.

johnl183 wrote:

Unfortunately with the trade off of function and information vs the greed factor of turning a profit Redweek has lost its niche. Based on the increasing charges it is no l onget the site of choice for me and others eekign rentals, sales or info. It was a great site when you could freely browes and see what was available. But to essentially charge others once I have paid a listing fee is ridiculous.

So often some thing good fails due to owners that make changes for their perceived benefit which destroys the reason people used it. Not seeing the forest for the trees. I for one have posted my last rental or resale due to no traffic response.

Good bye!!

John, RedWeek.com's rates haven't increased for a number of years. We recently added where you can purchase a 6 week membership for $4.99. Free guests have always been able to browse to see what is available. This has not changed and the fees for a membership and postings have been in effect since shortly after the website launched. Those wanting to contact owners have always had to pay a membership fee. That is nothing new.

When looking at your account it doesn't appear that you have been with RedWeek.com but maybe 3 years and have only posted one posting in that entire time which was this last January. Maybe you had another account that I wasn't able to find. If you aren't receiving any inquiries please be sure to lower your price. I'm sure it's a beautiful timeshare but please keep in mind the economy. You can always edit the price to see if you receive any interest.

Thanks, Marty

Marty,

Here is my original issue---please post it loud and clear on your home page of Redweek that you must pay to make contact with anyone you wish to rent from. This will save people much frustration. The problem is that people spend their valuable time searching Redweek for a match and can probably find one --only to discover at the end of their hour or two hour long search that they need to pay. Post it on the front page in huge bold letters so people are at least informed BEFORE they start their search. I'm not talking about some little link to clink on or a small statement somewhere where it is difficult to see. If you are really not going to change this fee then post it where it is easily seen on the front page and also put in reminders on search pages so people know they will have to pay to email an owner. It is my waste of time that was so frustrating --

kad2 wrote:

Marty,

Here is my original issue---please post it loud and clear on your home page of Redweek that you must pay to make contact with anyone you wish to rent from. This will save people much frustration. The problem is that people spend their valuable time searching Redweek for a match and can probably find one --only to discover at the end of their hour or two hour long search that they need to pay. Post it on the front page in huge bold letters so people are at least informed BEFORE they start their search. I'm not talking about some little link to clink on or a small statement somewhere where it is difficult to see. If you are really not going to change this fee then post it where it is easily seen on the front page and also put in reminders on search pages so people know they will have to pay to email an owner. It is my waste of time that was so frustrating --

I can go along with that ... letting people know in advance that they must join in order to contact an ad owner.

kad2 wrote:

Marty,

Here is my original issue---please post it loud and clear on your home page of Redweek that you must pay to make contact with anyone you wish to rent from. This will save people much frustration. The problem is that people spend their valuable time searching Redweek for a match and can probably find one --only to discover at the end of their hour or two hour long search that they need to pay. Post it on the front page in huge bold letters so people are at least informed BEFORE they start their search. I'm not talking about some little link to clink on or a small statement somewhere where it is difficult to see. If you are really not going to change this fee then post it where it is easily seen on the front page and also put in reminders on search pages so people know they will have to pay to email an owner. It is my waste of time that was so frustrating --

Actually, on the www.redweek.com page, it does say on the left side of the page that there is a fee to contact owners, etc. People can see this even before they register with us. It says the followng:

No Account?

Become a Guest It's FREE! View timeshare availability & pricing Request notification of new timeshare postings Participate in discussion forums and more… Become a Member Starts at $4.99! Contact timeshare owners directly Post timeshares for rent and sale (add'l fee required) Read and post reviews and more…

Thanks, Marty

Marty

I have used this site to rent timeshares twice and was pleased. The first time I used Redweek to rent my Hyatt unit it went well and fast. The last 2 years I have not even recieved an inquiry from Redweek. It would be great to know when I pay for an add how many are seeign it, but I do not. If I knew how many hit sI was gettting I coudl attribute it to ather factors, but without this basic info Redweek is partially a crap shoot.

I would pay more if it was successful or got basic info but I do not. Yes perhaps we have 2 different account sove rthe years but it has nothing to do with forum commenting or not. Hits and results is what tells the answer. Living on a ski mountain Iknow what prime preoperty is and I see my neighbors renting for 3000 to 5000 per week but not off redweek.

Reweek is only once source and is dwindling amoung real users and renters. Traveling and staying world wide over each year am not out of touch. Redweek never gets recommended to me as a source from anyone anymore as it was 3 to 4 years ago.

I am just trying to provide constructive criticism for what it is worth to survive and thrive in the real world.

johnl183 wrote:

Marty

I have used this site to rent timeshares twice and was pleased. The first time I used Redweek to rent my Hyatt unit it went well and fast. The last 2 years I have not even recieved an inquiry from Redweek. It would be great to know when I pay for an add how many are seeign it, but I do not. If I knew how many hit sI was gettting I coudl attribute it to ather factors, but without this basic info Redweek is partially a crap shoot.

I would pay more if it was successful or got basic info but I do not. Yes perhaps we have 2 different account sove rthe years but it has nothing to do with forum commenting or not. Hits and results is what tells the answer. Living on a ski mountain Iknow what prime preoperty is and I see my neighbors renting for 3000 to 5000 per week but not off redweek.

Reweek is only once source and is dwindling amoung real users and renters. Traveling and staying world wide over each year am not out of touch. Redweek never gets recommended to me as a source from anyone anymore as it was 3 to 4 years ago.

I am just trying to provide constructive criticism for what it is worth to survive and thrive in the real world.

Thank you, John, we appreciate your comments.

Marty

I don't see how they could let non-members contact owners about rentals and then guarantee that the membership fee would be paid. On the other hand, my experience was that I paid the fee, contacted the owner of two weeks I wanted and got no response. Both weeks continued to be listed after the time I wanted them, so I have no idea what went on. Who knows, maybe there will be another opportunity to use the service before my membership expires. And the amount of money is not going to break me. But since I had a specific trip I wanted to take and paid the membership fee to contact a current ad and got no response, I have to say my money spent on Redweek was wasted.