Elanna Schwab
New Member
Can someone explain what happened between WIMCO & Sibarth? Are they working as two separate companies now? Is there an advantage in booking with one over the other?
-
This is an archive of older St Barts forum topics and posts.
Information in this sub-forum may be out of date.
If you are researching schedules or time sensitive materials, go to the main forum and ask other members for confirmation.
Wimco vs Sibarth
- Thread starter Elanna Schwab
- Start date
Elanna Schwab
New Member
Thank you, Andy. I generally book through WIMCO in Newport, but this year I went directly through a villa owner. I was curious to know if WIMCO & SIBARTH have a good relationship with each other.
KevinS
Senior Insider
Elanna,
At present, I don't believe that WIMCO and Sibarth have a relationship, either good or bad.
WIMCO and Sibarth are different legal entities and have always operated as two separate companies in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship. There is also a Family connection between the two companies.
Historically, Sibarth developed and maintained the relationship with the villa owners, the product that you and I rent, offered property management and maintenance services to villa owners, was the on-island point of contact for renters, and also had a real estate sales arm.
Historically, WIMCO was in the the rental business, marketing Sibarth's portfolio of properties, as well as properties on other islands and in other parts of the world with other partners.
From the outside looking in, my take is that the two companies grew apart after many years of growing together, and that it was time for a change. I have much respect for the principals in both companies.
WIMCO, with their new WIMCO SBH affiliate/partner, has developed their own portfolio of rental properties, many of which are or were available through Sibarth and other similar companies. WIMCO SBH has a great portfolio, and appears to be doing very well with their on-island operation. WIMCO, has been the only rental agency that I've ever used on St Barth, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
If I were interested in renting a villa that is still exclusive to Sibarth I wouldn't hesitate to do so. However, I'm not a fan of the ethics of at least one employee at their new US/Canadian partner, and I would see if I could either rent the villa through Premium Island Vacations or directly from Sibarth.
At present, there is less exclusivity in the arrangements between villa owners and rental companies than there used to be, and you may find the same property available through multiple rental companies. I'm at a place where I don't presently need the services of a rental agency. If/when that changes, I've always been a WIMCO client, and would seek them out first. If I were to look elsewhere my first three choices, in alphabetical order, would be Premium Island Vacations, Sibarth, and St Barth Properties. I would also consider Ici et La and Marla Villas. At present, in my opinion, there may be a few smaller on-island agencies that are also worth considering, but there are no other US or Canadian agencies worth considering.
At present, I don't believe that WIMCO and Sibarth have a relationship, either good or bad.
WIMCO and Sibarth are different legal entities and have always operated as two separate companies in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship. There is also a Family connection between the two companies.
Historically, Sibarth developed and maintained the relationship with the villa owners, the product that you and I rent, offered property management and maintenance services to villa owners, was the on-island point of contact for renters, and also had a real estate sales arm.
Historically, WIMCO was in the the rental business, marketing Sibarth's portfolio of properties, as well as properties on other islands and in other parts of the world with other partners.
From the outside looking in, my take is that the two companies grew apart after many years of growing together, and that it was time for a change. I have much respect for the principals in both companies.
WIMCO, with their new WIMCO SBH affiliate/partner, has developed their own portfolio of rental properties, many of which are or were available through Sibarth and other similar companies. WIMCO SBH has a great portfolio, and appears to be doing very well with their on-island operation. WIMCO, has been the only rental agency that I've ever used on St Barth, and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.
If I were interested in renting a villa that is still exclusive to Sibarth I wouldn't hesitate to do so. However, I'm not a fan of the ethics of at least one employee at their new US/Canadian partner, and I would see if I could either rent the villa through Premium Island Vacations or directly from Sibarth.
At present, there is less exclusivity in the arrangements between villa owners and rental companies than there used to be, and you may find the same property available through multiple rental companies. I'm at a place where I don't presently need the services of a rental agency. If/when that changes, I've always been a WIMCO client, and would seek them out first. If I were to look elsewhere my first three choices, in alphabetical order, would be Premium Island Vacations, Sibarth, and St Barth Properties. I would also consider Ici et La and Marla Villas. At present, in my opinion, there may be a few smaller on-island agencies that are also worth considering, but there are no other US or Canadian agencies worth considering.
KevinS
Senior Insider
To date, I don't believe that anyone from WIMCO has ever posted on this site.
We who spend time on SBHOnline are fortunate that WIMCO has been a benevolent owner, one who has let the site operate as a means to promote St Barth itself, rather than to promote WIMCO. For example, look to the right of your screen and you'll see links to four rental agencies, one of which is WIMCO, and three of which are competitors.
We who spend time on SBHOnline are fortunate that WIMCO has been a benevolent owner, one who has let the site operate as a means to promote St Barth itself, rather than to promote WIMCO. For example, look to the right of your screen and you'll see links to four rental agencies, one of which is WIMCO, and three of which are competitors.
NYJAY
SBH Insider
Just thought that since the were affiliated with the site that they would be the logical ones to answer this particular question. I did not mean it as some sort of editorial comment on the nature of their ownership or the accuracy of your answer. As one who has spent a great deal of time on this site over the last 8 or 9 years I agree with you as to their active presence here.
KevinS
Senior Insider
Understood. I would be happy if WIMCO were to choose to respond with an official statement, as they can speak to the facts better than I or anyone else can. So far, WIMCO's benevolent ownership and hands-off policy has extended even to those private areas of their business where they are more knowledgeable than anyone else. When and if WIMCO chooses to make a public comment I'm sure that we'll all see it.
