1st time renter needs advice

[sam_gordon]

OK, I've been trying to research renting points for the last month or so. I feel I have a good handle on things, but need some opinions.

I found someone who's interested in renting their points for our vacation next year. However, I have a couple "yellow" flags right now.

1) They readily admit they have not rented points in the past.
2) They claim they have made arrangements to rent to another family for a trip in March.

The good...
1) I did check the Comptroller's office and the name he gave me over email matches the name of someone who just purchased (6/24/10) from Disney (Disney Vacation Development, Inc.?).
2) They do use a contract.
3) He wants to talk on the phone to go over questions.

My concerns...
1) Since they haven't rented before, I can't check rental references. Would it be "rude" to ask for place of employment or anything else that I can call to confirm? Any other suggestions?
2) Looking at how much they paid Disney (available on the Comptroller's site), assuming $100+/pt (isn't that the going rate?), I'm not convinced they have enough points for our vacation much less ours and another families. (Unless they "borrow" points from their 2012 use year). BTW, our family would be staying in June and the other family in March. I assume by their purchase date they'd have a June UY?

I'd like to think the best of people but don't want to jeopardize our vacation ("trust but verify").

So, any suggestions on how to continue?

Thanks

 

[JimMIA]

OK, I've been trying to research renting points for the last month or so. I feel I have a good handle on things, but need some opinions.

I found someone who's interested in renting their points for our vacation next year. However, I have a couple "yellow" flags right now.

1) They readily admit they have not rented points in the past.

I think you are right to call that a "yellow (not red) flag. Inexperience and not knowing what you are doing is what leads to misunderstandings - and misunderstandings present more problems than fraud, which almost never occurs but everyone worries about. However, inexperience renting is not the same as inexperience with DVC which hopefully gives an experienced owner an understanding of the system and where the pitfalls might lie.

2) They claim they have made arrangements to rent to another family for a trip in March.

To me, that doesn't count one way or another. It shows they've been through the first part of the process once, but not all the way to a successful conclusion. On the other hand, it's not a negative and I wouldn't call it any kind of flag.

The good...
1) I did check the Comptroller's office and the name he gave me over email matches the name of someone who just purchased (6/24/10) from Disney (Disney Vacation Development, Inc.?).
2) They do use a contract.
3) He wants to talk on the phone to go over questions.

The best thing about "The good" is the careful approach you are taking. And talking on the phone may ease your mind about the owner's inexperience.

My concerns...
1) Since they haven't rented before, I can't check rental references. Would it be "rude" to ask for place of employment or anything else that I can call to confirm? Any other suggestions?

An employer might not confirm anything, and the owner might hesitate to give you that info. What about other types of references...like eBay feedback, etc?

2) Looking at how much they paid Disney (available on the Comptroller's site), assuming $100+/pt (isn't that the going rate?), I'm not convinced they have enough points for our vacation much less ours and another families. (Unless they "borrow" points from their 2012 use year).

Naw...$100 or so is the price directly from Disney NOW. But many current owners bought in the $60-80 range. Some early purchasers paid in the $50's!

BTW, our family would be staying in June and the other family in March. I assume by their purchase date they'd have a June UY?

Don't assume -- you know what happens.

So, any suggestions on how to continue?

I'd talk to them on the phone and see if they know what they are doing. I also think it is perfectly reasonable to ask them for some kind of references. If they haven't done DVC rentals, possibly they have some other type references.

The biggest suggestion I have is: if at the end of your research, you are not completely comfortable with this (or any other) owner...walk away. You'll never get hurt walking away, and there are plenty of people out there trying to rent their points.