Another Rent/Trade heads-up - Potential Renters, PLEASE read.

[RobDoc]

Last night I received a PM from a potential renter who has posted a request thread on our Rent/Trade Board.

He was writing to question potential problems related to contact he had received from someone offering to rent a DVC reservation. His request is for dates several months from now and the contact was from a poster with a total of 14 posts in over years on the DIS.

His concerns were related to suggestions made regarding due diligence with dealing with rentals and he was asking for advice. He did provide the username of the poster who had contacted him by PM and some basic information about the "offer" they had made.

In this case, they had offered an existing reservation far more than 30 days from arrival - in violation of both the spirit and policy of the Rent/Trade Board. In reviewing the registration for this poster it was apparent that they have used IP addresses from the Albany, NY area - where our oft discussed fraudulent rental member has worked from in the past.

I sent a PM to the poster in question, just letting them know we had received a complaint about them from a potential renter and reminding them of the board rules about existing reservations. The poster send a reply PM to me questioning the policy and then sent several other notes - the last of which threatened to register under another username.

My reason for sharing this situation is to remind potential renters to please review threads like the Rental Primer as well as the rental suggestions posted on the Rent/Trade Board itself.

If you are contacted by someone offering to help with a reservation, please learn as much about them as possible BEFORE sending any money. This can include trying to review past posts as well as asking for (and checking) references, getting home address and phone information, getting a contract and looking at any member who is reluctant to provide such information with a jaundiced eye.

 

[DVC Mike]

If you are contacted by someone offering to help with a reservation, please learn as much about them as possible BEFORE sending any money. This can include trying to review past posts as well as asking for (and checking) references, getting home address and phone information, getting a contract and looking at any member who is reluctant to provide such information with a jaundiced eye.

Excellent advice! Potential renters should be wary and perform due diligence before sending their money off to a total stranger!

FYI: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1669863

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wow, if this indeed is the same "problem person", they are not only stupid, but must be so sure of themselves that they "can't be prosecuted for thier violations in the past. What if anything can the DIS do to prevent this stuff?

 

[JimMIA]

Wow, if this indeed is the same "problem person", they are not only stupid, but must be so sure of themselves that they "can't be prosecuted for thier violations in the past. What if anything can the DIS do to prevent this stuff?

The only realistic prevention for rental problems is "caveat emptor" -- let the buyer beware. The DIS -- as you can see from Doc's thread, and others like it -- does everything they can. However, it is up to the RENTER to protect themselves.

The renter Doc has been corresponding has done just what I wish every renter would do. They've taken reasonable steps to protect themselves, and when things didn't seem 100% right, they asked more questions and contacted Doc.

If things don't "feel" right, you'll never get hurt by walking away. If a renter is not willing to do that, there is very little the DIS can do to protect them.

 

[jcodespoti]

I have rented point to others when I just wouldn't be able to use them. i have used the rent/trade board to do so.

I must admit, I'm not sure if I'd ever want to rent points from a total stranger though. I always try and make the other party feel comfortable, but still it takes a lot of confidence and communication.


Joe in CT

 

[WALTSAGOD]

Doc,

Whats the 30 day from arival rule?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Doc,

Whats the 30 day from arival rule?

I'm not Doc, but I think I can answer your question. The DIS rent trade board has a rule that existing or "speculative" rentals can't be posted on the board until they are 30 days or less out from the start of the ressie.

 

[JimMIA]

I'm not Doc, but I think I can answer your question. The DIS rent trade board has a rule that existing or "speculative" rentals can't be posted on the board until they are 30 days or less out from the start of the ressie.

Just a quick clarification of terms -- the difference between "existing" and "speculative" is an important distinction.

When the mods speak of an "existing" reservation, they're talking about a ressie that an owner made for their family or friends and then something happened that caused a last-minute change in plans. If that reservation is not canceled prior to 31 days out, the points will go into holding account, which is a considerable restriction on the points. Offering ressies involving holding account points is the only "existing reservation" scenario permitted on the Rent/Trade board...which is the reason for the 30-day rule.

Some owners who rent book "speculative" reservations. With no renter in mind, they book reservations in their own name during peak booking periods like Food and Wine and the holiday seasons. Those reservations are easy to rent because there is no availability left during those periods, and the ressies also usually rent at a premium. That kind of renting is not something the DIS wants to encourage or enable, so it is effectively prohibited by the 30-day rule.

 

[RobDoc]

Just an update on this situation reported above - the poster in question has now created several aliases and we are closely monitoring the situation. At this time, none of these alias usernames have the ability to send PMs - but it is possible for them to contact potential renters by email.

Please use caution and due diligence when dealing with anyone you are not personally familiar with before sending any money.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

Wow some people just dont give up do they?
What is wrong with people?

 

[JimMIA]

Just an update on this situation reported above - the poster in question has now created several aliases and we are closely monitoring the situation. At this time, none of these alias usernames have the ability to send PMs - but it is possible for them to contact potential renters by email.

Please use caution and due diligence when dealing with anyone you are not personally familiar with before sending any money.

Especially someone who tries to bypass the rules to get what THEY want!

Imagine that person holding your vacation in their greedy little paws.

 

[WALTSAGOD]

I'm still not clear on this 30 day rule

How about giving me 2 scenarios.

Thanks.

 

[CarolMN]

I'm still not clear on this 30 day rule

How about giving me 2 scenarios.

Thanks.

The "30 day rule" discussed in this thread refers to a Rent/Trade Forum posting rule. On that forum, DVC owners may not offer an already made reservation for a stay that begins more than 30 days in the future.

Example: I made a reservation for 12/20/08 - 1/2/09 at the BWV. I decide not to go at that time. I may not offer the reservation to anyone else by posting the offer on the DIS. If I want to use the DIS Rent/Trade Forum, I have to wait until 11/20/08 to post the offer. (I can offer to rent it to anyone I choose, but I can't use the DIS Rent/Trade Forum to do it).

Owners may post that they have points available to make "new" reservations (which would be based on the potential renter's requested dates, resort, unit type & size, etc.).

Example: I own BWV and will have extra points this year. I post that I have points and am willing to make reservations for someone. If someone is interested, I make a reservation based on what that person wants.

Anyone may post that they are interested in renting a reservation from an owner for dates in the future.

Example: I want to rent a reservation from an owner for a stay at the BWV for Christmas week. I can post that request at any time.

There are very specific rules for posting offers and requests on the DIS Rent/Trade Forum. Anyone who wants to post an offer or a request there, should read all of the Sticky Threads at the top of the forum before doing so..

 

[RobDoc]

I'm still not clear on this 30 day rule

How about giving me 2 scenarios.

Thanks.

There is only 1 scenario for the 30-day rule and it's actually a pretty simple concept.

If you have an existing reservation, you cannot solicit a renter for that reservation on the DVC Rent/Trade Board unless it's within 30 days of arrival and you must also have an active "Reservation for Rent" thread (for that reservation) already validated/posted on the Rent/Trade Board. If those two conditions have been met, you are then also able to reply to posts requesting a reservation.

If you have an existing reservation and try to solicit a renter in any fashion without having a validated post already on the board, you are in violation of the Rent/Trade policy.

All of this is covered, with examples, in the "POSTING RULES:REQUIRED READING" thread at the top of the Rent/Trade Board.

 

[dianeschlicht]

So is there ANY way to stop someone who so blatantly tries to circumvent the rules? I guess not, since a crook is always going to figure out a way around anything you might come up with. It's kind of like when they say locks are for honest people, because dishhonest ones will break in anyway.

 

[RobDoc]

So is there ANY way to stop someone who so blatantly tries to circumvent the rules? I guess not, since a crook is always going to figure out a way around anything you might come up with. It's kind of like when they say locks are for honest people, because dishhonest ones will break in anyway.

We do our best ... but that's why it's so important for renters to use due diligence and know as much as possible about whom they are dealing with before sending any money.

Caveat Emptor.

 

[alldiz]

Thanks for the info Doc

Funny I received a PM today from someone with 14 posts asking if I want to rent/trade to harborside....What a coinkadink
Kerri

 

[bsusanmb]

I thank you for all you do to keep this board legitimate. I guess I never even imagined how difficult this job is. You do an excellent job and I would imagine there are time you wonder why you even take these scam artists on...I personally had one scam artist rent me a fraudulent vacation at two of the deluxe Disney resorts...and the investigation I went through just to uncover one person was exhausting.

I so enjoy the DIS and it is a place I visit daily to get the best information and tips on EVERYTHING, have rental my points and rented from others, have developed a lasting friendships with one of the members, and have been blessed with the support of members when times have been difficult.

Again, thanks for all your hard work.

Susan Brown

 

[yitbos96bb]

So is there ANY way to stop someone who so blatantly tries to circumvent the rules? I guess not, since a crook is always going to figure out a way around anything you might come up with. It's kind of like when they say locks are for honest people, because dishhonest ones will break in anyway.

Reporting the names are a good step of course.

 

[keys2kingdom]

Thanks for the info Doc

Funny I received a PM today from someone with 14 posts asking if I want to rent/trade to harborside....What a coinkadink
Kerri

Hmm, I got a similar PM on another site I belonged to. Funny thing is it was in response to a post I made over a year ago. I would never have known about the PM were it not for the fact that I had signed up for email notification when I've gotten PMs. Maybe this person is making the rounds of the Disney boards. I no longer frequent this other board so it was certainly odd to get a PM out of the blue.