ANYONE USE DAVID'S VACATION RENTALS LATELY?

[SandyinMonterey]

We used them in early 2020, renting out our points. Of course, that was before the pandemic got bad. But the two sets of renters we received both went on to their vacations in November and December 2020. We're thinking about renting our points again. Any recent experiences...good or bad?

 

[Noodlez]

I had points due to expire in June but after a month they still hadn't sold so I booked a reservation in May and sold it through them at a reduced cost. I think they have quite a lot more points than usual at them moment, but if they're not expiring any time soon it shouldn't be a problem. I just panicked about ours.

 

[Sandisw]

Just be sure that if you do use them, you understand the new contract changes. For example, as an owner, you’d be responsible for returning the 70% you are given under the force majeure.

I agree with the above that he is still overloaded with points so rental may not be as easy. And, Disney is beginning to put out more discounts that make the difference between cash and rentals less which may make paying a little is worth it when one cancel or change without issue..

 

[DVCKing]

Just be sure that if you do use them, you understand the new contract changes. For example, as an owner, you’d be responsible for returning the 70% you are given under the force majeure.

can you explain what that is? Please and thanks!

 

[davper]

After this Fiasco, never again.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/davids-dvc-rental-reimbursement-or-rescheduling.3796922/

 

[gharter]

I agree with the above that he is still overloaded with points so rental may not be as easy.

I would agree. He had advertised that he had more demand for points than he had points. I submitted our points 2 weeks ago (enough for 1 week in a 1 BR ) and have heard nothing. Luckily, lots of time before I have to do something with them.

 

[kevtlas]

can you explain what that is? Please and thanks!

Force majeure is a contract clause that can change or eliminate a party's contractual obligation if there are circumstances beyond their control that prevent them from meeting the terms of the contract.

 

[Sandisw]

can you explain what that is? Please and thanks!

Prior to the pandemic there was nothing in his contracts to account for a resort closure. That meant that both renters and owners has contracts that didn’t state remedy. Renters believe they should get a refund in full. Owners believed they were under no obligation to return funds and should be paid in full,

Now, the contract states that any force majeure that occurs, like another resort closure, requires the owner to return funds already paid. Renters now get a voucher for funds paid,

Basically, to me, an owner can be left with unusable or expired points and the broker and renter end up at least with what they were getting.

 

[badeacon]

There are a lot of rental points out there now and difficult to rent unless you go low on price. I had some AKV banked points expiring June1which i received via resell . I placed them with 2 different rental agencies , including David's in Sept. Nothing! I used them to replace ressie's I had in late Jan and early Feb and now have more points for late 2021 or 2022.

 

[EpcotNerd]

David's point-renter here...We have a 9 night studio reservation coming up in January through David's. I know cancellation wasn't an option because Boardwalk is open but was wondering what our other options might be... For example, would David's post it as a dedicated reservation to find a new renter? Could we change dates? Could we use our points for a larger room at another resort for less days (using the same number of points). I called last month and while the woman on the phone said that for 2021 it was back to "use it or lose it", no exceptions, but she seemed to soften with some of these questions with a "you'd have to ask management". I didn't push it at the time because we were still on the fence.

Does anyone have any idea what type of wiggle room we would have? What would be the path of least resistance? Is it just a matter of logistical annoyance to have an owner change our resort or dates? I'm not looking to screw over David's or the owners, but from what little I know about the DVC process moving things might not be a huge deal if there is availability?

I saw threads about some other experiences but they seem to be a little older and I feel like their policies are constantly changing.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I have my "final" renter in January. I plan to list points on disboards from now on. I had four rentals last year and two this year (rented in March) when I knew we wouldn't be going this year.

A renter puts out points that they don't need or want in exchange for $14.50 or $15.50. We pay about $8+ per point for annual fees. We also paid $100+ to buy each of those points. After paying income taxes on the total amount we might net $3 per point NOT counting purchase price!

The rental agency actually makes more than the renter typically. If you push it, they may go back to the owner and ask if they can reschedule. I believe IF the owner can and wants to reschedule (points may expire that month?) you will be charged for that at several $ per point. Don't expect a refund. I believe they do list "reservations" and the ultra cheap ones ($10) go quickly. That may be your best option if you just want to walk away with something rather than nothing.

Renting comes with risks unfortunately. I have rented privately in the past and discussed point expiration and the limits to my ability to modify reservations. Cancellation for a refund is a firm no when I rent. I'm sorry you happened to rent at the "wrong" time as it has been a great win-win for owners and renters up until now. Good luck trying to get help from the rental agency...it will take some negotiation for sure to even get them to talk to you about it.

In the future, perhaps use the disboard rental thread and find owners or reserve with cancellation capability directly through WDW. Third parties aren't a good idea right now IMO. Good luck!

 

[EpcotNerd]

I have my "final" renter in January. I plan to list points on disboards from now on. I had four rentals last year and two this year (rented in March) when I knew we wouldn't be going this year.

A renter puts out points that they don't need or want in exchange for $14.50 or $15.50. We pay about $8+ per point for annual fees. We also paid $100+ to buy each of those points. After paying income taxes on the total amount we might net $3 per point NOT counting purchase price!

The rental agency actually makes more than the renter typically. If you push it, they may go back to the owner and ask if they can reschedule. I believe IF the owner can and wants to reschedule (points may expire that month?) you will be charged for that at several $ per point. Don't expect a refund. I believe they do list "reservations" and the ultra cheap ones ($10) go quickly. That may be your best option if you just want to walk away with something rather than nothing.

Renting comes with risks unfortunately. I have rented privately in the past and discussed point expiration and the limits to my ability to modify reservations. Cancellation for a refund is a firm no when I rent. I'm sorry you happened to rent at the "wrong" time as it has been a great win-win for owners and renters up until now. Good luck trying to get help from the rental agency...it will take some negotiation for sure to even get them to talk to you about it.

In the future, perhaps use the disboard rental thread and find owners or reserve with cancellation capability directly through WDW. Third parties aren't a good idea right now IMO. Good luck!

Thanks so much, this really helps. The timing really does stink, we've rented through David's for years and love it and with every reservation comes risk so we knew what we were getting into (not the pandemic, we booked back in February, just the general contract risk)

Are you saying there is some kind of DVC administrative fee associated with changing reservation dates and/or resort? Or that David's might charge us for their time to work on the change?

 

[MICKIMINI]

From what I've read David's charges a fee but honestly, his rules have changed faster than the weather in NH and I don't keep up with it. I think they split it with the owners - not sure what the % is. DVC doesn't charge owners for changes (edit to add of course, size of villa, season and resort will change the $). Modifications depend on availability - the closer it gets the less options (or no options) available at resorts. Often, owners are renting out points ready to expire, so there may not be any options for you even if the owner was willing to accommodate you. I've only met awesome DVC owners...unfortunately you can't work directly with them. I guess the best you can do is call and be as sweet as pie and see what they can do...

 

[Sandisw]

David's point-renter here...We have a 9 night studio reservation coming up in January through David's. I know cancellation wasn't an option because Boardwalk is open but was wondering what our other options might be... For example, would David's post it as a dedicated reservation to find a new renter? Could we change dates? Could we use our points for a larger room at another resort for less days (using the same number of points). I called last month and while the woman on the phone said that for 2021 it was back to "use it or lose it", no exceptions, but she seemed to soften with some of these questions with a "you'd have to ask management". I didn't push it at the time because we were still on the fence.

Does anyone have any idea what type of wiggle room we would have? What would be the path of least resistance? Is it just a matter of logistical annoyance to have an owner change our resort or dates? I'm not looking to screw over David's or the owners, but from what little I know about the DVC process moving things might not be a huge deal if there is availability?

I saw threads about some other experiences but they seem to be a little older and I feel like their policies are constantly changing.

Unfortunately, the policy seems to have changed often. Changing the dates or changing resorts has not been allowed...at least not as reported here, The thing is that asking an owner to make the changes...while it doesn’t seem like a big deal...it does open up a can of worms for David’s as one of his big selling points to owners has always been the terms,

Also realize that points do have an expiration so the owner, even if agreeable, can’t necessarily move them to a time when you may want to go. The owner also doesn’t get the remainder of the funds until check in so they may not want to have to wait longer to be paid and end the transaction.

However, he seems to have allowed renters to agree to have it listed for someone else to rent, for a fee and a potential loss, but most were this fall,

He has also allowed renters to get vouchers, even when the resorts opened, but most of what I read was for trips to Aulani.

I’d call and ask again to see if there any option for you, if there are any, because as you said, at this point, the resort and parks are open.

Good luck.

 

[sleepydog25]

We used them in early 2020, renting out our points. Of course, that was before the pandemic got bad. But the two sets of renters we received both went on to their vacations in November and December 2020. We're thinking about renting our points again. Any recent experiences...good or bad?

Had expiring points as of end of February--191 to be exact--and contacted DR roughly three and half weeks ago. Nothing for 10 days or so, then an offer for some of the points. I didn't respond quickly enough and lost out. However, within a few hours, another offer came in for about 2/3 of the points, and I agreed. Literally, an hour after that offer, another was posted and I was able to book all but 2 of the remaining points. Due to the nature of Disney and DVC currently, the money was available within just a couple of days as they required the renters to pay in full immediately. This is the second time I've used David's Rental, and both times I've been very impressed.

 

[jbh275]

I’ve got some VGF I’ve got them looking for. Few small bites 30-35 offers. But not a lot.

 

[Yinn]

After this Fiasco, never again.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/davids-dvc-rental-reimbursement-or-rescheduling.3796922/

It was a cluster. One of my renters still hasn't received a refund (or credit) for a cancellation that I returned - early on. I still haven't received my final payment for a cancellation that occurred (recent) because I chose not to re-rent it - despite them saying it would be paid regardless.

 

[cm8]

It was a cluster. One of my renters still hasn't received a refund (or credit) for a cancellation that I returned - early on. I still haven't received my final payment for a cancellation that occurred (recent) because I chose not to re-rent it - despite them saying it would be paid regardless.

Wow!! What are they saying is the reason for the delay? That would make me upset!

 

[js]

I agree with the above that he is still overloaded with points so rental may not be as easy. And, Disney is beginning to put out more discounts that make the difference between cash and rentals less which may make paying a little is worth it when one cancel or change without issue..

Yes this is correct. With Disney’s current 35% off promotion, it is less money to book directly with Disney than pay the price per point Davids wants for the ressie for a one bedroom, at least OKW, which is the resort I was looking to book. Add that with the generous cancelation policy Disney has right now, I think many may not be willing to book with Davids. At least those that do their homework.

 

[sethschroeder]

Yes this is correct. With Disney’s current 35% off promotion, it is less money to book directly with Disney than pay the price per point Davids wants for the ressie for a one bedroom, at least OKW, which is the resort I was looking to book. Add that with the generous cancelation policy Disney has right now, I think many may not be willing to book with Davids. At least those that do their homework.

1 Bedroom is one of the worst deals when it comes to DVC also it really depends on when you are going.

I think I remember you stating you are going in February? Possibly early February?

Early February is considered the "cheapest" cash price season of the year while its considered a "moderately expensive" DVC time of the season. So some of it comes down to the time you are going as well. They do charge $19/point at David's though so not clue what that does to the math as when I always rented in the past I always did it direct through a member on this forum or another forum.