Anyone else upset with new posting rules?

[I Run Long]

As someone who rents points (I don't own) this upsets me. Now I have no where to go to even ask. I can't post that I need 'X' amount of points for 'X' resort. I just have to go on and see if anyone is posting with the points I need at the resort I need. Since no one seems to post anymore there just is no option for potential renters. I rented from a wonderful person here last year after posting my request and I will be renting from her again for next year. It's just too bad I have no idea why this new rule was brought it - presumably there was good reasoning behind it?

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I'm a DVC Owner, the rent/trade boards worked for me before and they work for me now with the new rules! I purchase tranferable points every couple of years and this year I even rented from an owner for the 1st time so for me the change in rules has not affected me negatively and I don't expect that it will.

I've enjoyed participating and contributing to these boards over the years, you all have helped me understand how to use my DVC better. Yes, sometimes participation is more or less due to job, family and life constraints in general but I don't think the requirement of 50 posts is unreasonable to be able to utilize the rent/trade board.

 

[Samaya]

Perhaps a more gradual phasing in of the new rule would have been more beneficial to all and less of the "Hot Topic" it's become?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Perhaps a more gradual phasing in of the new rule would have been more beneficial to all and less of the "Hot Topic" it's become?

They did. Weren't you paying attention? When they first started the changes on the board, you just had to be fairly active. Then they notified everyone that starting Feb 1 (I think that was the date) they would modify it again with the now set up rules.

 

[Samaya]

They did. Weren't you paying attention? When they first started the changes on the board, you just had to be fairly active. Then they notified everyone that starting Feb 1 (I think that was the date) they would modify it again with the now set up rules.

Going from being fairly active over a week or two to posting regularly over a minimum of 6-months is not in my books a gradual phasing in of the new rule, but we're all different aren't we?

 

[phorsenuf]

So do these 50 posts have to be in a certain area, like DVC? I don't post a whole lot in DVC because I don't use my points in a typical manner since I live close. I did rent points last year for a girls trip and that worked great.
So with my posting history do I qualify under the new rules?

 

[jcf]

1. Posting on this thread "doesn't count" - why?
2. Suggesting this is beneficial to renters is misleading at best...renters will have less to choose from with many experienced renters who didn't contribute enough moving on...

 

[Chuck S]

So do these 50 posts have to be in a certain area, like DVC? I don't post a whole lot in DVC because I don't use my points in a typical manner since I live close. I did rent points last year for a girls trip and that worked great.
So with my posting history do I qualify under the new rules?

Posts may be on any of the many DIS boards, with the following exceptions:

Smilie only posts, posts like "Thanks for The Info", "Great Idea" etc, and other posts that do not contribute to the subject of the threads. Posts to the Availability board will not count, because those posts are deleted by the system when they are tallied.

Also posts on the "test" board like "testing" or Posting to get to 10 (for PMing) and other posts specifically to boost post count will not count towards the requirement.

Phorsenuf has 486 non-Rent/Trade posts over the last 6 months, yes, that meet the Rent/Trade requirement.

 

[phorsenuf]

Posts may be on any of the many DIS boards, with the following exceptions:

Smilie only posts, posts like "Thanks for The Info", "Great Idea" etc, and other posts that do not contribute to the subject of the threads. Posts to the Availability board will not count, because those posts are deleted by the system when they are tallied.

Also posts on the "test" board like "testing" or Posting to get to 10 (for PMing) and other posts specifically to boost post count will not count towards the requirement.

Guess I'm safe then. Thanks!

 

[jekjones1558]

Another option is being considered at this time - hopefully to be implemented in the near future.

I am happy to read this. Although I understand and accept the reasons for the R/T board rule changes, I was shocked when I just checked and saw how few posters are now using that board. I never thought I would rent out points, but for a couple of years multiple health issues in our family made travel difficult and I was so grateful for the DIS R/T board. Thanks to all who may be working to find additional options.

 

[hellerjw]

Is there someplace posters can easily check what there post count is during the last 6 months?

 

[JimMIA]

The conspiracy theorist in me says this is all by design for the sole benefit of the board sponser hosting the rental site. By restricting pretty much anything related to his competition (posting links to his competitions sites, restrictive rules on R/T board postings, etc) they drive traffic to his site which benefits both his rental site and the boards through increased sponsorship revenue.

I was about to respond to this on another thread when that thread was closed, so I'll respond to it here.

Although I'm sure hellerjw is not alone in that belief, I really don't think the mods came up with this rule as part of a grand plan to direct business to a sponsor. I think the DIS is better than that, and I'd be very disappointed to learn otherwise.

However, I do think the new rule has effectively killed the R/T board. The fact of the matter is that there are only 4 posters offering points on the R/T board currently (a grand total of 420 points), and three of those four are offering only a handful of points. That's too bad.

The demise of the DIS R/T board will force folks who want to rent to use Google and find other places which may not be as well-managed or safe as the DIS. That's also too bad.

And frankly, as a person who has a good bit of experience with fraud prevention, I've always thought a "post-count" threshhold was of dubious value anyway.

But I think the demise of the R/T board is an unintended consequence, not some grand design of sinister forces.

 

[DMKEDM]

Like JimMia, I posted in the other now-closed thread...but the comments there seem relevant so I'll re-post them (shortened!) here (even if this post doesn't "count" for qualification purposes):

It's a shame about the R/T board, altho I don't use it much...I find myself posting far more frequently--altho sometimes I wonder if what I have to say is worth the time it takes people to read. And I'm reading a whole lot of posts that say the same thing as other posters or as previous posts...I suspect lots of people are like me...worried they won't qualify under the new rules, not inclined to "keep count," and usually not in need of the R/T board but wanting to stay qualified "just in case."

If you think of the qualification rules as "twice per week," it doesn't seem like much. But it sure seems to me as a more frequent reader than poster, that the information exchange is "lesser," too--lots of redundant information (no doubt including by me)--

I found a bunch of the alternative points rental sites by googling...but I have no personal experience with any of them...I don't rent (in or out) very much...

It's "sad-ish." I agree that DIS Boards owners are entitled to make whatever rules they see fit to make, and it's our responsibility to live with those rules. I do want to comply with the rules, whatever they are. And I will do so. But the R/T Board was a nice service. It is sort of sad to see it wither away.

Oh, well...life's like that, I guess...

 

[joeytdog]

I hate the new rules. They *are not good* IMO.

thats how I feel

Some emphasis should be put on how long you have been a member as well as the number of posts

I dont own DVC but have rented over a 1000 points in the last 4 years

I have to use the "other boards" now when seeking points and really there are not many to repsond to here anymore anyways

I first came to these boards to rent points but have stuck around. I always check the threads daily in the DVC and Resorts section but rarely post

I have 160 posts but have been a consistent logging in member for over 4 years

Guess I dont qualify.......

Need to post messages to really "count" oh but this wont count

 

[jcf]

Can't argue with...

 

[JWG]

I was about to respond to this on another thread when that thread was closed, so I'll respond to it here.

Although I'm sure hellerjw is not alone in that belief, I really don't think the mods came up with this rule as part of a grand plan to direct business to a sponsor. I think the DIS is better than that, and I'd be very disappointed to learn otherwise.

However, I do think the new rule has effectively killed the R/T board. The fact of the matter is that there are only 4 posters offering points on the R/T board currently (a grand total of 420 points), and three of those four are offering only a handful of points. That's too bad.

The demise of the DIS R/T board will force folks who want to rent to use Google and find other places which may not be as well-managed or safe as the DIS. That's also too bad.

And frankly, as a person who has a good bit of experience with fraud prevention, I've always thought a "post-count" threshhold was of dubious value anyway.

But I think the demise of the R/T board is an unintended consequence, not some grand design of sinister forces.

This.
I don't believe the current state was the intent either. However, it is clear that the outcome is what it is. Nearly 3 months into the new rules and clearly it wasn't an anomaly that has corrected. While I was neutral to the new rules, now I feel they have taken things too far to the other extreme.

DISboards needs to decide, do you want a R/T board or not? Because if you do, then something has to give. If these are the rules you're committed to then just kill it. 420 points isn't worth it.

I respect the intent and I'm not trying to be disrespectful, I just think the pendulum swing went too far.

 

[phorsenuf]

Posts may be on any of the many DIS boards, with the following exceptions:

Smilie only posts, posts like "Thanks for The Info", "Great Idea" etc, and other posts that do not contribute to the subject of the threads. Posts to the Availability board will not count, because those posts are deleted by the system when they are tallied.

Also posts on the "test" board like "testing" or Posting to get to 10 (for PMing) and other posts specifically to boost post count will not count towards the requirement.

Phorsenuf has 486 non-Rent/Trade posts over the last 6 months, yes, that meet the Rent/Trade requirement.

That's all? I'm slipping.

 

[angelajo]

glad I'm not the only frustrated one. I understand security reasons, but who would be on here enough to post 50 times in that time period!!!!

 

[jcf]

Not sure the damage can be repaired even if they loosen up the rule now...as renters/rentees have moved on to the familiar other sites...

 

[downontheBW]

I'd hate to loose the renters coming to this R/T board. I've rented out points to people a few times and keep having repeat renters but, at some point, I may have more points I want to rent here so hope it is still available.

It's obvious by looking at my join date and number of posts that I'm more of a lurker and a poster but I totally understand the reasoning behind these new rules. Having a history with the DISboards doesn't guarantee you're honest but does give some credibility.

The new rule has forced me to contribute more. But, for me, I only read the boards when I'm planning a WDW trip and that's usually once every 18 months. The ability to reach renters is a service I'm glad to have so I'll keep posting.