Donated points for 4 night studio stay

delilah · May 3, 2015

And a family with 5 kids won the raffle. So, what would you do. This was at our Catholic school dinner auction. I really only have enough points for the studio, and the reservation I was willing to make was for Dec 19-23 at Kidani villas, savanna view room, for a total of 66 points. I told the woman who was organizing the raffles that I wanted it clear to those purchasing tickets that the reservation was for a party of four, and for a particular period of time. My use year is February, so, another contingency was that if they made the reservation, and then cancelled, they would forfeit the prize, since, I would have to borrow the points for the stay, and then, they would need to be used by February, 2016, which I can't do. I specified a specific time for the reservation, because, in the past, the winners wanted trips during spring break, which are about twice as many points as I was willing to donate, but, I caved in a made the reservation, because these are my fellow church members and school parents, and I want to keep the relationship. The people who won are friends of one of the teachers, the third grade teacher. My son is a senior in high school, so I have relatively little to lose by p-ing off the third grade teacher.

WilsonFlyer · May 3, 2015

Rules are rules and you made them known. No harm. No foul. If they want to go over occupancy rules, they forfeit the room. Simple.

com_op_2000 · May 3, 2015

When I did this I made it in writing to the auctioneer that there can be no changes to size of the room, dates, or number of people allowed.

mort1331 · May 3, 2015

First off, A big upps to you. That is a very generous donation.
At any auction, you get what is given. If this was a car and won by a larger family would you then let them upsize to a minivan? Or more closer if it was 4 tickets to for one day admission, you wouldn't add more tickets or time.
If this family wants to use this they can book another studio to take all 7 of them, and then put in a request for the rooms to be as close as possible. They could try and book the one bedroom themselves and see if it could be linked as a lock off? If this is what they want, Disney has been pretty good at working what they could to accommodate since you were generous on your end. Just explain to the CM what is happening.

BEASLYBOO · May 3, 2015

It's clear, just as in any contest prize award, accomodations for 4. It's not your concern who won, how many family members they have etc, etc. You generously extended your time share, now the choice is theirs on who they send and/or if they wish to purchase additional accomodations, on their own, to coincide with what was won. You've done a good thing, your part need go no further in my opinion!

supersnoop · May 3, 2015

I'm not clear on what actually happened. Your message jumps from the terms to up you caving and making a reservation. Was that in the past, or for this donation?

I'd stick with the reservation terms as stated in the raffle. Maybe the family wants to send mom and two kids. Maybe they already have a vacation and this will allow them to bring along the grandparents. Don't sweat it. Just deliver what was committed in writing.

Also, be aware that there is very little benefit to donating points. The IRS specifically prohibits writing off any amount for the donation of the use of a timeshare, not even the maintenance fees.

LisaS · May 3, 2015

delilah said:
I really only have enough points for the studio, and the reservation I was willing to make was for Dec 19-23 at Kidani villas, savanna view room, for a total of 66 points. I told the woman who was organizing the raffles that I wanted it clear to those purchasing tickets that the reservation was for a party of four, and for a particular period of time.

That is what you offered and that is what they won. I don't see any reason for you to do anything more. They won a stay in a Savanna View studio at AKV for Dec 19-23.

I would not offer to book a larger room for $15 per point unless you have points you are going to lose unless you rent them out. I certainly wouldn't offer points for rent that I had planned to use for my own vacation. If the raffle organizers did not make it clear what you were offering, the problem is on their end not yours and they can decide if they want to offer a solution. It's not your problem so if I were you, I would not volunteer to try to fix it.

delilah · May 3, 2015

I have actually donated points to the school dinner auction for years, since about 2008 or so. I have about 350 points annually, so, donating 66 or so for a 4 night stay isn't very much, and something I like to do, just as I like to donate my time and energy in other ways around the church and school. The family that I allowed to go during spring break was the second year that I donated points. They were people I know fairly closely, so it was like giving a friend or family member a break. But, thereafter, I always specified the time that the reservation would be made, the type of room, etc. But, every year, different people organize the dinner auction. In the past, I made my own poster display, with pictures of the room. The woman organizing this year was somewhat of an airhead, and didn't want the information and pictures that I had provided in past years. The item description at the auction specified that it was a studio room at Kidani, savanna view, for maximum of 4 people, for the dates of Dec 19-23. But, the organizer also posted on facebook simply that it was 4 nights at Disney, and not specifying the other details.

BEASLYBOO · May 3, 2015

What she posted or lack there off really doesn't matter, every room no matter Disney or not has occupancy restrictions. Your donation isn't meant to satisfy the travel size of the party who won it! It's for 4, how or what your further envolvement in their travel plans is up to you. If they want more people to come then they are free to contact the resort and book add'l accommodation themselves.

MNDisneyMommy · May 3, 2015

Tricky dilemma - are you able to just talk to the winners directly, or get an email to them via the organizer? Perhaps as others have said, they already have plans to make it work (or one is a baby, etc). I'd just explain exactly what they won (66 points, which means X nights in an X size room during X window), that you heard they are a family of five but the room occupancy is only 4, and and ask if they want some advice or ideas from you on ways they can make 5 work, or a refund and it to go to the next bidder or what. You can probably find a mutually agreeable solution since to all accounts it sounds like miscommunication and not malice. You just probably need to make clear they won 66 points, which usually means X, but can be adjusted but they will need to make compromises that you're willing to help with, and no, sorry, you really only have 66 points.

I would certainly not put it upon yourself to solve their problem, nor provide extra points, nor do much extra beyond giving them some advice how to fit their needs and being willing to adjust the reservation within your points budget at their direction to suit them.

disneynutz · May 3, 2015

Anytime that you deal with people you run the risk of something blowing up in your face. Now you are the bad person for ruining their vacation that they won.

In addition, what happens if they get a room needing cleaning or repairs, have a bad vacation, too crowded, get sick, they will mentally tie the bad time to you and the church.

:earsboy:

Bill

JimMIA · May 3, 2015

delilah said:
The item description at the auction specified that it was a studio room at Kidani, savanna view, for maximum of 4 people, for the dates of Dec 19-23. But, the organizer also posted on facebook simply that it was 4 nights at Disney, and not specifying the other details.

Whatever the "airhead" posted on Facebook is irrelevant.

You offered a VERY specific lodging donation that was VERY clearly explained including size of room, resort, view, maximum occupancy, and even specific dates. That's what the auction was for -- nothing more, nothing less.

I would explain to the organizers of the event that the winner simply does not qualify, that Disney will not permit 7 people in a studio (or even a one bedroom), and that occupancy limit is beyond your ability to change. I would suggest that they refund whatever the winner paid and offer the trip to the second-highest bidder at their bid price.

ldo · May 3, 2015

I agree with others. you donated a specific item and that's what they won. Now, as it is a raffle vs a silent auction, they likely have very little invested in the raffle. They might give it to a family member, or maybe one of the kids won't go. I might get in touch with them and give them the points chart and say that you would be willing to book a 1BR that sleeps 5 for up to 3 nights @ 72 points, but that's the most that you can increase. They can decide what they want to do. Maybe they will just treat a teacher to the nice gift.

ziravan · May 3, 2015

I assume you are using AKV points. I'd offer to TRY to book a pair of value rooms for Sun-Thurs in value season. 4 nights at 9/night for two rooms is 72 points. Maybe that's a doable compromise.

It won't work for Christmas but I saw a couple of dates that might work in Jan, depending on if there's availability for two rooms.

My guess is the solution is going to be you be willing to be flexible with the reservation AND maximizing the booking window.

supersnoop · May 3, 2015

delilah said:
I have actually donated points to the school dinner auction for years, since about 2008 or so. I have about 350 points annually, so, donating 66 or so for a 4 night stay isn't very much, and something I like to do, just as I like to donate my time and energy in other ways around the church and school. The family that I allowed to go during spring break was the second year that I donated points. They were people I know fairly closely, so it was like giving a friend or family member a break. But, thereafter, I always specified the time that the reservation would be made, the type of room, etc. But, every year, different people organize the dinner auction. In the past, I made my own poster display, with pictures of the room. The woman organizing this year was somewhat of an airhead, and didn't want the information and pictures that I had provided in past years. The item description at the auction specified that it was a studio room at Kidani, savanna view, for maximum of 4 people, for the dates of Dec 19-23. But, the organizer also posted on facebook simply that it was 4 nights at Disney, and not specifying the other details.

Where I live, raffles are heavily regulated and the specific prizes must be printed on each raffle ticket. Did you have the prize listed anywhere online, or any other way for someone buying tickets to know exactly what they won? Hopefully this will not turn into a problem, but it is the type of situation that can get the whole organization in trouble if someone gets upset and finds out the school wasn't following the law.

delilah · May 3, 2015

So far, the person hasn't contacted me. But, she is a teacher, so, probably January wouldn't work for her.

It was a raffle. We have always done the raffle this way, for many years. There weren't tickets specifically printed for my particular item. In the past we have had a live auction and at times a silent auction. In the past, I haven't really had a problem.

BEASLYBOO · May 3, 2015

delilah said:
So far, the person hasn't contacted me. In the past, I haven't really had a problem.

and there's no reason to think there will be this time! Like you I've been involved with Silent auctions- raffles- fund raisers for the last 15 years. Our effort were never overly sofisticated, some of our gifts though won, often went un-used. Each gift we auctioned has a full written description, irregardless of what the auctioneer described, perhaps yours did as well? The winners may use your time share or give it to someone else. No matter, I trust it will turn out fine!

supersnoop · May 3, 2015

delilah said:
It was a raffle. We have always done the raffle this way, for many years. There weren't tickets specifically printed for my particular item. In the past we have had a live auction and at times a silent auction. In the past, I haven't really had a problem.

Sorry if that was confusing. In Texas, any raffle ticket must list all prizes available. Raffles are considered gambling and only allowed for charitable purposes and must adhere to very strict guidelines. I realize most raffles use those chuck-e-cheese style tickets, and many get away with it, but they don't meet the legal requirement in Texas. My point being, there may be laws in your jurisdiction which would prevent any type of misinformation from causing a problem like the one you're anticipating.

gdrj · May 3, 2015

I would have organizer speak with winner and give them the following options:
1- Except prize as is and use it or not. If they don't want to use it you could rent the points out and if you chose to, donate the rental income to the school or keep it.
2- Except prize as is and let them use for anyone they want.
3- Decline prize, return raffle entry cost, and draw a new winner.

one additional option (I would not do). Book 2 day 2 bedroom at a resort OKW 64 to 68 points.

delilah · May 4, 2015

I still haven't heard from the winner. As I said, she is a friend of a teacher at our school, and a teacher at another school. We are approaching the 7 mo mark for the reservation, and it is at a popular time of year. I can imagine that perhaps the other person purchased the raffle ticket just to be kind to her friend, who works at the school. On Facebook, the points I was donating were portrayed as being "sponsored" by the third-grade class, which is the grade this woman teaches. I hope they contact me soon.

Donated points for 4 night studio stay

What would you do in this situation

Charge the winner $15 per point for the difference between the studio villa and the 2 bedroom villa

Explain that the prize is for a studio, which is for a party of 4, period

Request that the organizer, who was supposed to inform ticket buyers, to refund the ticket

Not donate points for the raffle in the future

Void the raffle, request a different raffle winner be chosen, who satifies criteria for the prize

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