Beware of renters! (long)

[rigsby25]

I hope whoever did this sees this thread and is really ashamed of themselves.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Unfortuantely, who ever would steal to begin with (and this is stealing IMHO) probably will not feel any remorse at all with this being posted on our boards. They probably are gloating that they got away with it.

 

[RobDoc]

I think a productive discussion here should involve an assessment of what could/should have been done differently to try to prevent or at least minimize what occurred. Disappointing as it is that someone would take advantage of another person's generosity, this does point out (once again) that there are those who will take advantage of others and there are measures we should all be aware of to try to avoid such disappointment in the future.

The poster in question has not even visited the DIS since 9/29/08 and has not posted since 9/05/08. They originally registered for the DIS in September, 2005 and have a total of just over 140 posts in 3 years. I have attempted to contact this poster by both email and PM. My email was bounced as undeliverable and the PM has not been opened.

Fortunately, the amount of money involved here is not substantial - but, what other measures could have been taken with this transaction - knowing that DVC would not intervene after-the-fact to resolve any irregularity ?

1. Did the poster review past posts by this person to have a comfortable feeling who they were dealing with?

2. Did the poster have a contract spelling out the details agreed to in advance? Was a home address and telephone number known prior to initiating the transfer?

3. Why was payment in full not demanded in advance - especially since this was an irreversible transaction? Alternately, why not at least demand 1/2 payment prior to the transfer and the balance immediately afterwards? In that fashion, both parties would have been at risk to some extent. With a reservation more than 30 days from arrival, the member at least would be able to have all points returned to their account if payment was not received, but with a transfer there is no protection at all for the transferring member after the transfer was completed.

What other concerns could have been addressed in advance in this situation?

 

[Goofy4]

The poster in question has not even visited the DIS since 9/29/08 and has not posted since 9/05/08

9/29/08? That doesn't seem so long go.

 

[RobDoc]

9/29/08? That doesn't seem so long go.

Perhaps not to you, but 9/29/08 was still days before the OP even brought this to our attention. They have not posted in over a month and have not logged in at all in almost 3 weeks thus making it more difficult for the DIS to assist. I shared that as background information along with the number of posts and original registration date.

Do you feel that is an important consideration in this issue? Is it something the OP could have used to prvent this from happening?

Please share your thoughts how their presence 3 weeks ago is pertinent to a discussion about what happened in this situation.

 

[dzorn]

OP thanks for the reminder. Sorry you got duped.

I can understand not putting the names because it is very much a he said she said situation.

Denise in MI

 

[NicksTgrMom]

I think the frequency of posting should not be taken as the only indicator of an issue. Myself, I'm not a big talker here or IRL. I've learned a lot from the boards and share when I have an opinion that may not have been brought up previously in the thread. But generally I'm a lurker.

As someone who has considered renting I worry about someone taking my money and not making the reservation. I don't own enough points to have any left to rent but can certainly see where owners have the same concerns about being ripped off. But I would really discourage the number of post counts becoming the indicator of reliability, honesty.

To the OP, I'm so sorry to hear of someone being ripped off but very relieved that it can be taken as a learning lesson without a deep hit to the pocket book. I have certainly learned to be careful in my transactions. Thank you for posting.

 

[AnnetteF]

Each year for the past few years we have been renting some of our points but I have just never felt comfortable with the transfering of points between members. When I have been approached by someone looking to do a transfer, I always tell them I will need to be paid first before doing the transfer. In every case, they have not wanted to proceed with the transaction upon hearing that. Oh, well!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Wow! Hope it was a serious misunderstanding and as another pp said- either a family emergency or something that has taken the member away from home for some time to where she hasn't noticed that you hadn't still received funds... - Really! Over 4 points... just doesn't seem worth the risk of their reputation as members or as someone else pointed out

My thoughts precisely. Seems bizarre that someone would use their once a year transfer to steal a pitiful 4 points. And frankly, this is a crime (petty larceny) there is evidence of the points transfer, which should be turned over to the police. This would be real stupid to do on purpose.

I once sold a item on eBay and never received payment. Sent this guy emails for 3 weeks. Finally, had to report the incident. Turned out he had a medical emergency and was in the hospital.

I too would suggest the OP continue to contact the other party... or file a report with the police.

 

[Alexander]

Renting or transferring points does take a good deal of trust. I have rented points from other members both before and after we became members and I have transferred points after we became members ourselves. Everytime things have gone very smoothly.

Communication is a huge part of the transactions. I communicate through email, snail-mail, private messages, and often over the telephone. I figure if someone is willing to give me their home address, telephone number, cell-phone number, and work phone number, they are truly interested in a fair transaction.

Soooo--Maybe asking to speak to someone over the telephone prior to completing the transaction would also be a good idea.

 

[Tinkerbellcrafter]

We are DVC members and have rented points and have had point transfers in. This has been for trips involving other family members. I understand the trepidation upon transferring points without receiving money first but then here is the trepidation of paying the amount in full and not receiving either the reservation or the points.

I'm very sorry this has happened to the first poster and I hope it is just a misunderstanding!

I agree that communication and follow-thru and partial payment are best.

Also, I joined in 2006 and will go months without posting but I am not a dishonest person, so does number of posts really mean anything? I think you can learn quite abit from what someone has posted and how they have posted.

But again, you never actually know!!

I hope it all works out!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We are DVC members and have rented points and have had point transfers in. This has been for trips involving other family members. I understand the trepidation upon transferring points without receiving money first but then here is the trepidation of paying the amount in full and not receiving either the reservation or the points.

I'm very sorry this has happened to the first poster and I hope it is just a misunderstanding!

I agree that communication and follow-thru and partial payment are best.

Also, I joined in 2006 and will go months without posting but I am not a dishonest person, so does number of posts really mean anything? I think you can learn quite abit from what someone has posted and how they have posted.

But again, you never actually know!!

I hope it all works out!

You are right... there is no way for both parties to KNOW the other is trustworthy unless they have done business before. I have never rented in or out, but I think I would choose to use PayPal or some other transaction broker. This does require the purchaser to pay up front (in full, in my mind), but they would have a means for recourse if the transaction wasn't completed.

Having said that, I too probably would have taken the chance with 4 points.

 

[CarolMN]

.....(snip).... I figure if someone is willing to give me their home address, telephone number, cell-phone number, and work phone number, they are truly interested in a fair transaction.

Soooo--Maybe asking to speak to someone over the telephone prior to completing the transaction would also be a good idea.

I agree with you.

If I were going to be involved in a point transfer (or a reservation rental), I would want the other party's full name, address and telephone numbers, and I would want to speak with him or her over the phone. Email and PM would not be enough.

That said, I am glad the amount was small and I probably would have agree to payment after the fact as well.

Hoping the other party is just "away" from the boards for awhile and will come back and make this right.

 

[wordzylady]

I also am an everyday lurker to the DIS boards and have found them very helpful but I only log in when I have a question to ask or like now a comment to add. So I don't believe the number of log-ins or posts affects this situation. As my DH says, I can't go a day without checking the boards.LOL

 

[edk35]

I think a productive discussion here should involve an assessment of what could/should have been done differently to try to prevent or at least minimize what occurred. Disappointing as it is that someone would take advantage of another person's generosity, this does point out (once again) that there are those who will take advantage of others and there are measures we should all be aware of to try to avoid such disappointment in the future.

The poster in question has not even visited the DIS since 9/29/08 and has not posted since 9/05/08. They originally registered for the DIS in September, 2005 and have a total of just over 140 posts in 3 years. I have attempted to contact this poster by both email and PM. My email was bounced as undeliverable and the PM has not been opened.

Fortunately, the amount of money involved here is not substantial - but, what other measures could have been taken with this transaction - knowing that DVC would not intervene after-the-fact to resolve any irregularity ?

1. Did the poster review past posts by this person to have a comfortable feeling who they were dealing with?

2. Did the poster have a contract spelling out the details agreed to in advance? Was a home address and telephone number known prior to initiating the transfer?

3. Why was payment in full not demanded in advance - especially since this was an irreversible transaction? Alternately, why not at least demand 1/2 payment prior to the transfer and the balance immediately afterwards? In that fashion, both parties would have been at risk to some extent. With a reservation more than 30 days from arrival, the member at least would be able to have all points returned to their account if payment was not received, but with a transfer there is no protection at all for the transferring member after the transfer was completed.

What other concerns could have been addressed in advance in this situation?

Kind of like ebay huh?........1. Did the poster review past posts by this person to have a comfortable feeling who they were dealing with?

I think the OP was scammed and it is very unfortunate. I guess in today's world we all need to be skeptical with any DVC transactions. Maybe the OP will eventually get the money order since there is this discussion going on. The person receiving these points should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would not make ANY rental or transfer deal without first knowing some particulars about the person to whom I was transfering. Basics would be name, address, phone # and email. If all of those check out as real...go ahead...UNLESS!!! If you get a bad vibe from either of those things...run away!

 

[disney4magic]

Hi,

I recently have a renter that lied more than once during our communication. They have my address, my phone, my names, a email copy of my reservation under my name, a fax copy of the reservation is that not enough. If the renter still can't trust an owner after providing all these information, the renter shouldn't try to save money by renting from a DVC member rather than directly from Disney. I have rented my points 4 to 5 times in the past and I should have gone with my instinct when I smell something fishy with this renter. Not only did the renter not send a deposit or payment 30 days after the reservation is under their names, they lied more than once to me about the deposit being send out. Just say that you don't want to ressie anymore is better than lying and risking DVC members having their good points becoming holding points. I totally agreed that a deposit is needed for a renter to show that they are sincere about renting. Maybe the renters feels like it's the renter's market now so they can set their rules. Thank goodness, I am not that desperate.

 

[fkj2]

I've been so fortunate when I've rented points; the folks I've rented to have been great. One did cancel out on me but due to an economic situation and she gave me plenty of notice; the points were never in jeopardy of going into holding.

I have traded ressies with one other member and great to work with doesn't begin to describe this couple. They are so honorable and meticulous; he keeps track of the exchanged points. I've met them once in WDW when we happened to be down there at the same time and they live within driving distance from me.

To the OP, it's awful you were scammed by another member. There's something particularly shameful about that. As terribly as these members treated you, there are a multitude of DVCers who are great to work with. You just found the lemon.

 

[sarcasticblonde]

We rented points once last year from a DIS member (my fiance is a DVC member and owns at SSR/OKW) and before the actual renting of points took place, the owner and I spoke over PM/Email and on the telephone. We had a signed contract and I sent him 1/2 of the payment right after the reservation was made and the other half was due 90 days before check-in. It worked out just fine.

 

[Mojo328]

Not to mention any names...but the poster who feels that the renter lied about the deposit needs to get her story straight. We attempted to rent a reservation from her in September. At that time, the said poster stated that we could send in a 20% deposit or if we perferred, wait to have written confirmation from DVC that the reservation was transferred to our name and then send in the payment in full. She contacted me and informed me that the reservation was transferred and that we would recieve confirmation in 5-7days. After two weeks, we still didn't have a confirmation. I e-mailed her several times with no response. She left a message stating that she was getting nervous because the travel time was getting near. We too were getting nervous, as we had already cancelled the hold we had on our reservation through Disney. My husband spoke with her in the middle of the third week of waiting for the confirmation. She spoke of "trust" and understanding our nervousness. We did agree that we would send out a deposit. I made the check out and planned on mailing it that afternoon. I left work early because I was extremely sick. I spent the next week in bed with bronchitis. The next Monday, my mother-in-law had to have unexpected heart surgery. But during all this, we STILL didn't have confirmation. On October 15th, she e-mailed me stating that she hadn't received the deposit and could only hold the reservation for 2 more days. On October 17th, I mailed her priority mail the full payment. Miraculously, we received confirmation in the mail the same day. I e-mailed her with an apology and explained the situation. I also included in the e-mail the USPS tracking number for the mailed payment. Yesterday, my husband called to check to see if she had recieved the payment. Even though she had the full payment in her hands, she said that we would have to pay a $50.00 "late fee" because we did not mail the deposit when we said we were. At no time during our dealings, did we discuss a "late fee." We told her that we were not paying a late fee. We also feel that if she asked for a late fee now, what's to keep her from threatening to cancel the reservation if we don't send her more money?! She, not us, was the one who ultimately decided that she would rather loose everything over $50.00. And now, unfortunately, we are having to start all over again. Too bad we were so trusting. It sure leaves a bitter taste!