AKL room on eBay - seller has now disappeared

[rockydek]

When you call member services...Do you have your name attached to this reservation number or Just a reservation number...One that could have been sold on Ebay to 20 different people.
I would just initiate the cancel now and purchase from a reputable business. Thats the problem with Ebay and Paypal...time restraints. Don't wait for the 11th hour. You have to ask yourself...Why did he disappear?
Good Luck...I hope everything works out for you.

 

[Kerchak]

Hi OP - just found this link through which you may be able to contact scottys_travel. Up until recently they had 12 individual weeks available at DVC properties.

http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/scottystravel/the-Travel/Categories

Good luck

PS if you have any problems with your Issuer pls post back and I will give you some guidance on your chargeback rights.

 

[2binak]

OP - do you have his real name? If so, do a google search and see what phone numbers or e-mail addresses come up for him and try to contact him that way. I'm sorry you're going through this. I hope the seller is ok too.

BTW - whenever I've rented DVC points to people, I have to put the reservation in their name with their phone number & address and list the names of everyone staying in the room, so that part of the ebay listing isn't unusual from the way DVC operates. What I am confused about is that he said "By listing this auction I verify that I am the actual travel agent or travel provider and not a third party affiliate." I have no idea what that means other than that he would act as your travel agent because he made the call to Member Services and booked the room on your behalf and he would make any requests or changes on your behalf as well.

 

[disneynutz]

I've purchased timeshare weeks many times before, and never had issues with getting information from the resort directly. The owner was never involved in the transaction after the initial purchase and everything was in my name. I always follow up with the resort directly to confirm details. So not being able to get any information is the most frustrating part so far!

You can verify your reservation at: http://www.mydisneyreservation.com/dvc

Good luck.

Bill

 

[Kerchak]

Hi - I've just viewed the negative feedback for this seller on eBay, and it is apparent that eBay is refunding disgruntled buyers. You may want to reestablish contact with eBay to lodge an appeal for a refund. If they are paying out to others they have set a precedent and acknowledged that there is a problem with the seller. Good luck.

 

[Sammie]

Yes there was another thread about this same individual. They had done extensive research even to talking to some of his friends, as it seems he had truly just disappeared.

I would pursue through Ebay a resolution.

 

[Sammie]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to alert my credit card company, and keep an eye on the reservation to see what happens to it. We can't dispute it as of now, since it is still valid. We weren't going to get a dining plan or use the Magical Express so no problems there.

I'm willing to give the guy the benefit of the doubt, since as of now I do have a valid reservation, which is what we purchased. He had been very helpful with information and communication for our purchase. Maybe something happened to him since he was highly-rated up until very recently?

Aside from not knowing if the reservation will be valid when we arrive, my one big problem is that this wasn't sold as "buying" or "renting" points, but as a week's stay at the resort booked through a travel agent. It specified in the listing that "A reservation will be booked in your name, (as well as those in your party), your address and phone number." It also stated that "By listing this auction I verify that I am the actual travel agent or travel provider and not a third party affiliate." The only thing it says is "A Disney Vacation Club Resort", which doesn't mean much to someone that isn't a DVC member and has no idea how the program works.

I've purchased timeshare weeks many times before, and never had issues with getting information from the resort directly. The owner was never involved in the transaction after the initial purchase and everything was in my name. I always follow up with the resort directly to confirm details. So not being able to get any information is the most frustrating part so far!

Regardless of who you rent from its all terminology for the same thing. Actually you can't buy points or even rent them in this manner. You rent a booked reservation from a member whether they say they are a travel company or John Doe.

And truly until you check in, at the resort, the member owns that reservation and yes it can be cancelled. DVC has made it quite plain that they will not be involved or assist with rentals and therefore it is a case of buyer beware.

I hate this has happened but there is risk involved in these transactions even though most go through without any problems.

 

[rock_doctor]

Make a reservation off site or in a value. Have both reservations but check into DVC late in the day. You don't know if he sold the same reservation several times and there will be 20 people showing up for the same reservation. If you can get his name then jump on the orange country website and look up his deed (search here). Look at the paperwork and find where he lives (state and country-county is usually listed on the notary seal). Go to that states tax records website (tax records are public info) and search his name and country. If he owns a house it will come up. Search on google his name and address to get his phone number. It will take you a couple hours but... i had a need to contact another owner. All i had was his last name. An hour later i was talking to him on the phone... If you look at your paypal paperwork his name may be on it. Remember these are deeded properties. So you can search for the DVC deed. I seem to remember that if you can't work out your problem ebay will supply the address and contact information for the seller. That is where i would go at this time. At this point all you want to do is talk to the guy and confirm the reservation is real and yours.... Good luck, i know that empty feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you are totally at a loss as to what to do next.

 

[Brandis]

Another problem could be if he isn't current on his annual dues payments.

If I remember correctly, the booking would not be canceled but you still would not be able to check in until the outstanding dues have been paid.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Hi OP - just found this link through which you may be able to contact scottys_travel. Up until recently they had 12 individual weeks available at DVC properties.

http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/scottystravel/the-Travel/Categories

Good luck

PS if you have any problems with your Issuer pls post back and I will give you some guidance on your chargeback rights.

Im sorry OP you are going thru this. The prices listed on that link are really cheap. A THV for a week is $1000? What kind of points was he using?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

You can verify your reservation at: http://www.mydisneyreservation.com/dvc

Good luck.

Bill

Interesting that this option is not available for the Villas at Grand Californian.

 

[MsRem]

We purchased a week's stay at AKL for this coming fall through a seller on eBay. He had a great feedback rating and had been selling these for a few years. Through a friend who is a DVC owner, I found out there were rumors that he had 'disappeared'. I do have a confirmation and when I spoke to DVC they did say that the reservation is valid, however she would not give me any more information. The eBay account (scottys_travel) has been shut down.

Is anyone else in the same situation? He had sold numerous weeks and suddenly started getting alot of negative feedback. I'm outside of the timeframe to get reimbursed from PayPal, and don't really want to do that if I can be assured that the reservation is valid and won't be cancelled. I have already paid him in full.

I was unable to find the thread I was thinking about but did find another on here regarding the same seller. I did a DNS search on one of his website domains. Check your inbox for the link. Im not sure Im able to post the link because of personal info, even though its publicly accessible.

 

[MsRem]

Make a reservation off site or in a value. Have both reservations but check into DVC late in the day. You don't know if he sold the same reservation several times and there will be 20 people showing up for the same reservation. If you can get his name then jump on the orange country website and look up his deed (search here). Look at the paperwork and find where he lives (state and country-county is usually listed on the notary seal). Go to that states tax records website (tax records are public info) and search his name and country. If he owns a house it will come up. Search on google his name and address to get his phone number. It will take you a couple hours but... i had a need to contact another owner. All i had was his last name. An hour later i was talking to him on the phone... If you look at your paypal paperwork his name may be on it. Remember these are deeded properties. So you can search for the DVC deed. I seem to remember that if you can't work out your problem ebay will supply the address and contact information for the seller. That is where i would go at this time. At this point all you want to do is talk to the guy and confirm the reservation is real and yours.... Good luck, i know that empty feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you are totally at a loss as to what to do next.

My God. Just ran a search on him there and I couldnt imagine having that many mortgages!

 

[dansyr2514]

I sent u a pm. I also purchased from this man and have been refunded. He has literally disappeared and several other buyers have filed criminal complaints with the police in ft. Lauderdale. Currently reservations are still standing but they could disappear at any time. eBay has refunded several people but if you were outside of the 45 day window, you have to dispute through your cc company.

 

[Teresastrivia]

I too have been one of Scottys victims! I was to take my little 3 year old Granddaughter for her FIRST trip this Nov. I am so upset as I don't have the money to pay AGAIN! Ebay won't help me as I paid on Dec. 30 out of the 45 day limit and PayPal was no help either! I paid via PayPal and Bill Me Later. NO HELP through any of them! I am so upset and sad! PLEASE ANYONE give my your advice. I am desparate!!!

 

[TagsMissy]

Dispute through your CC.

 

[Teresastrivia]

I didn't use a credit card but paid via PayPal through Bill Me Later.

 

[AnnaS]

I am sorry you are going through this. Even before reaching the end of all the posts, I would have taken it up with my cc to see if they could help. I would just assume that this reservation is probably not good/going to be there.

You said you were going in the fall, did you pay in full? I know nothing about Ebay or renting points and I personally would never do this through a total stranger, etc. I have had points transferred in once and rented from someone else once - two people I know.

If you can afford it, book with WDW or through a reputable person - I would go through Daddio if I had to.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

 

[paults]

Hi OP - just found this link through which you may be able to contact scottys_travel. Up until recently they had 12 individual weeks available at DVC properties.

http://store02.prostores.com/servlet/scottystravel/the-Travel/Categories

Good luck

PS if you have any problems with your Issuer pls post back and I will give you some guidance on your chargeback rights.

every time I try this site it says closed

 

[Sammie]

I too have been one of Scottys victims! I was to take my little 3 year old Granddaughter for her FIRST trip this Nov. I am so upset as I don't have the money to pay AGAIN! Ebay won't help me as I paid on Dec. 30 out of the 45 day limit and PayPal was no help either! I paid via PayPal and Bill Me Later. NO HELP through any of them! I am so upset and sad! PLEASE ANYONE give my your advice. I am desparate!!!

So Sorry to hear this, I have no advice, but thanks for letting others know that payPal and Ebay are only going to help in a limited way.

So many seem to think that using PayPal assures them of a risk free rental.