Donated DVC points for school auction

[grizbuzz]

I volunteered to donate a 3 night stay at GVC for my kid's school auction. I'm trying right now to work with the organizing committee to choose a specific date for the vacation. They are giving me a little pressure to put in a clause that there might be possibility to change the date, in order to increase interest in bidding on the vacation. I'm feeling really reluctant to do that for two reasons: 1) I don't want to give false expectations that dates are readily available, as that hasn't been my experience booking at DVC. 2) I don't want to have to make and cancel reservations multiple times for someone as they change their vacation plans.

Feeling kind of like a scrooge, but just feel like I could be heading towards a huge headache if I don't keep this donation very very specific - even if it means getting fewer bids and less money for the school.

Anyone with experience on this? Have I made a mistake offering points in the first place?

 

[taysmom]

I donated 2 nights offseason at the same resort to my kids school auction or 1 night high season. In the description I made sure it said "subject to availability" and in the package handed to the winner (it included DL tix, some stuffed animals, gas cards etc.) the instructions suggested the winner contact me asap as dates book up quick.
After our auction, the buyer came to me, I explained all was good they looked into dates and then she got pregnant with her 4th and they haven't ever used it. LOL It's been 2 years and I told her she could still if she wanted but she feels like it's past the time. Oh well.

 

[JBx3]

I volunteered to donate a 3 night stay at GVC for my kid's school auction. I'm trying right now to work with the organizing committee to choose a specific date for the vacation. They are giving me a little pressure to put in a clause that there might be possibility to change the date, in order to increase interest in bidding on the vacation. I'm feeling really reluctant to do that for two reasons: 1) I don't want to give false expectations that dates are readily available, as that hasn't been my experience booking at DVC. 2) I don't want to have to make and cancel reservations multiple times for someone as they change their vacation plans.

Feeling kind of like a scrooge, but just feel like I could be heading towards a huge headache if I don't keep this donation very very specific - even if it means getting fewer bids and less money for the school.

Anyone with experience on this? Have I made a mistake offering points in the first place?

It is really none of their business as to how you offer your very generous donation. But it sounds so typical of a school response during a fundraiser.
Stick to you plan or yes, headaches will be on the way! I find it amazing that they want to give you stipulations, just amazing!

 

[Kidanifan08]

We have never done this, but I think this is a very generous offer that you have made, and it should be on the terms that you are comfortable with. They should graciously accept your donation or you should rescind. If you stipulate a specific 3-day stay, the buyer knows exactly what they are getting and you know exactly how many points are being committed. Additionally, you are free of any additional hassle of changing things for the winner.

I'm not sure I would spend a lot of time trying to explain to the school why the dates need to be set. If they are insistent on flexibility with dates, I would just write a check toward the purchase of a stay at one of the DL resorts and be done with it. Writing a check would be easier for you and your tax advisor.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Some here have suggested renting some points and donating the proceeds to the school. That seems like a straightforward way to help the school. Of course, you have to be comfortable with renting points.

 

[WebmasterDoc]

Be aware that, per IRS code, such a donation is not deductible. It might be more beneficial to the charity to rent the points and donate the cash. Of course, you should check with your own tax advisor regarding deductibility.

 

[Dano1182]

I suggest donating it at at set date.Using the num,be rof points you feel comfortable giving away.

If the "winner" wants to change and it works for you then you can do that .

If you leave it open I predict that the winner will be looking for a very popular and expensive time of year.

We went to a fund raiser and a week at a beach house was offered.
It was for a week in september.The winner wanted to swith to begining of august.

 

[Dano1182]

Does the school expect you to pay for round trip airfare also?

 

[com_op_2000]

I volunteered to donate a 3 night stay at GVC for my kid's school auction. I'm trying right now to work with the organizing committee to choose a specific date for the vacation. They are giving me a little pressure to put in a clause that there might be possibility to change the date, in order to increase interest in bidding on the vacation. I'm feeling really reluctant to do that for two reasons: 1) I don't want to give false expectations that dates are readily available, as that hasn't been my experience booking at DVC. 2) I don't want to have to make and cancel reservations multiple times for someone as they change their vacation plans.

Feeling kind of like a scrooge, but just feel like I could be heading towards a huge headache if I don't keep this donation very very specific - even if it means getting fewer bids and less money for the school.

Anyone with experience on this? Have I made a mistake offering points in the first place?

What you are proposing is exactly what I did. Set a hard - no change date. It is your points and you need to control when the winner goes so as to not use more points than what you are willing too.

 

[grizbuzz]

So I went ahead and got 3 nights for a specific date and donated it and said no changes.

In the end, they were thankful and thought they'd be able to raise some money. I hope so - for the last week in June it's $1700 to get GCH when you include taxes and resort fees.

I got long weekend in most expensive season, so if they ask me to change the dates, can't get any worse. Only other DVC owners can appreciate as no one outside the system can understand this point stuff and reservation window.

 

[taysmom]

good luck!

 

[lizziepooh]

Did you list a minimum bid? Sometimes that is a good idea just so it doesn't sell for next to nothing. If it sells for very little, you would have been better off renting your points and making a donation.