Unlike many WDW policies,
DVC is a contract and deed and the rules are spelled out and agreed upon by buyer and seller clearly.
I don't think the members were being harsh as much as stating written fact. Misinformation costs them money.
Remember the poor guy who's phone number was 1 digit off from the Do Not Call list # and he was getting 100's of calls an hour to say wrong number? That cost him thousands in phone bills and the carrier would not do a thing to help him out.
DVC members have to follow rules and those that rent points should also.
Renting points can save you a great deal of money and that's why many do it.
No one but MS will know you are renting if you don't tell them and I'm sure you won't be treated differently. Heck, I stay offsite and receive fine treatment whenever on WDW property. That's why we continue to return. If they treated us like third class (right behind the renters LOL) citizens we'd go elsewhere.
I do think a call to verify a ressie is appropriate but most members will send a res. confirmation to the renter from MS so that may be redundant, but all requests to change or add should go thru the member.
You do not have to rent points to stay at a DVC resort but if you go through WDTC you will pay rack but you can call them as much as you want.
And yes....the member that pays $150 month in dues is LIVIN LARGE!!! at WDW