Can I ask a question?

[Moon Child]

We are thinking about renting points from someone who owns at the WL
I already have a name, it ends up being $10.00 per point
But my question is, how do you know it's legit?
AM I just sending my money to someone and could end up getting ripped off?
Are you protected at all when you rent points from someone?
Thanks in advance for any replys

 

[Sandisw]

You should read the stickys at the top of the Rent and Trade board that give you all the ins and outs.

Renting a points reservation from a DVC owner is, however, a private transaction between you and the owner. If they are a DIS member, check out there posts to get a feel for the type of person they may be.

If you are unsure in anyway, IMO, I would not do it. Renting takes trust on both sides and 99% of the rentals go off without a hitch.

However, there are things you have to be comfortable with in order to save the money that renting a DVC reservation saves you. You have no control over the reservation. You can't call about it and only the owner can make changes, etc.

Typically, there are very restrictive cancellation policies, and in many cases, are no refunds. If Disney comes out with promotions, like free dining, etc. during your travel time, those do not apply to DVC rentals so you would not qualify.

Before we were owners, we were not comfortable with all of this and never tried it. However, there are plenty of people out there who do it every year and have great success.

Good luck!

 

[CarolMN]

The owner will retain control of the reservation until you check in. Member Services will only talk to the owner, so requests, reservation changes, adding one of the Dining Plans and Magical Express arrangements must all go through the owner. So it's very important that you have a good relationship with the owner.

Make sure you have contact information - including telephone numbers. It's best to have a written agreement so that each party knows what is expected. Make absolutely sure you understand the owner's cancellation policy. Most owners consider renting to be a non-refundable transaction.

Do a search for the owner's screen name and read his/her posts to get a feel for his/her expertise and personality.

If you haven't already, read all of the Sticky Threads at the top of the DVC-Rent/Trade Board

Once you have a confirmation number and the reservation is in your name, you can check / verify by using this Disney website:

www.MyDisneyReservation.com/DVC

Note that the owner can still cancel the reservation, so the above only verifies that the reservation exists (or not) at the time you check.

Do not pay via Western Union. There have been some fraud cases using that vehicle.

All that said, we have had less than a handful of renters reporting that they have been defrauded by someone they found on the DIS, and there have been thousands of successful transactions. Many report finding new friends in the process and there are many who become repeat customers of the same owner. By taking just some basic precautions, you should be fine. If you can't find someone you feel you can trust or the stress of sending money to a stranger will keep you awake nights, then renting isn't for you.

Good luck!

 

[leelee9878]

I have rented points to people, and have rented from people. I would ask for references, search posts on the disboards to see if they are active. I would also use paypal to pay, this way you can dispute if anything were to happen.

Hope this helps.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Paypal may not help you at all. See all the trouble another non-member had getting her money back even after the member selling her the reservation agreed to it.

Find someone you are comfortable with. Check out their posts - do they just post on the Rent/Trade Board or do they offer well thought out posts on other boards, especially the DVC boards?

But realize that your transaction may be a final deal - no going back and changing the date, location, size of villa. It just might not be possible. And if you can't go, there is a good chance you won't get a refund.

If, after all your research, you still have doubts, forget about renting a reservation from a member and just book directly through Disney. It may cost more, but your mind will be at ease.

 

[Sammie]

But my question is, how do you know it's legit?

You don't, the member controls the reservation until you check in.

AM I just sending my money to someone and could end up getting ripped off?

yes that is possible

Are you protected at all when you rent points from someone?

No.

Does this happen often, No, has it happened, Yes.

Odds are in your favor you will have no problems, could it happen; Yes it could.

There is a risk, hence the savings. Consider it like priceline, you get a great deal but once you turn your money over, until you check in, yes there is risk.

 

[adminjedi]

Great deal if it is legit and you are working with a person of integrity.
Bad deal if not legit and a scammer.
Hence, we are DVC members! No fears!

 

[william1375]

Communication is the KEY. You can request a rental agreement to understand the basics of the transaction and contact information for both parties. Check posts, each person listing on the Rent/Trade Board has to have been a member here for 6 months and at least 50 non Rent/Trade board posts. So the owner is not going to be a flyby night operation. You may also check with the Orange County Comptroller Website at http://or.occompt.com/recorder/web/ to verify the owner has actually purchased a DVC Timeshare title. Note: Any changes or wait list requests that come through may change your reservation number so communicate with DVC member if this is the case. I have seen a panicked renter request a moderator intervene (contacted the owner) when a simple call would have ended the worry. Would you spend several hundred dollars on anything else and not do a little homework? The guideline basics/Rules threads are a good primer. Use of Paypal offers some safety but is also not perfect. There is a level of trust that has to exist for both parties bottom line.

 

[Deb & Bill]

.... You may also check with the Orange County Comptroller Website at http://or.occompt.com/recorder/web/ to verify the owner has actually purchased a DVC Timeshare title. ...

Not all owners will be listed there. If they bought VB, HHI or VGC, they are not.

 

[Doris1962]

Do you know where we can find the VB contracts ?

 

[Deb & Bill]

They would have been registered in Indian River County (I think that's the county VB is located in).

 

[RexB]

Communication and doing your homework is an absolute must. I always make sure to speak to the interested parties on the phone before I rent my points out. Run the other way if someone doesn't want to talk directly with you or they are always difficult to reach with tons of excuses. I also send a contract with several days to review before finalizing the deal. You should insist on a contract before entering into any type of financial exchange. There is alot of good info to look for at the top of the rent/trade boards. Take some time and read it carefully. Hope that helps and good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Actually, Member Service (DVC) requires a contract for renting a reservation. It's in the Public Offering Statement.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

We are thinking about renting points from someone who owns at the WL
I already have a name, it ends up being $10.00 per point
But my question is, how do you know it's legit?
AM I just sending my money to someone and could end up getting ripped off?
Are you protected at all when you rent points from someone?
Thanks in advance for any replys

I didn't read all the replies but in my opinion it is a matter of trust. I rented a week at the Manhattan Club from someone on Redweek. I sent the owner a money order and they simply faxed me a confirmation letter. That was all I had and I checked in and the experience couldn't have been better.

Just be sure they mail you the confirmation letter and I think you will be fine.

Jason

 

[Coach81]

This is the major problem with renting.. TRUST.. and you can get ripped off!!!

 

[mickey&minniealways]

The first time we rented from someone we couldn't believe how easy it was. However My sister had given us enough points to stay in a okw studio for five days durring magic season. She told us how to rent from someone else. So we contacted someone else about renting their points. After receiving payment they transfered the points to my sisters account. So she had control and I do trust my sister. A year later they contacted us to inform us they would no longer be renting out their points. They were selling their membership. So we found another person. They insisted that we researched them and gave us references. We have continued to rent from this same person and have recommended them to others. If you ask around though you probably already someone who is a member and might be willing to work with you. If you are still not sure then go with Davids rentals. He charges about $3 more a point but I think he screans the people first. I have never heard of anyone who has had problems going with him. He is at the top of the rent and trade boards.

 

[TiaMaria]

Just be smart and only rent from Disney, or David's Rentals (sponsor of the Rent/Trade Forum), or a "cleared" DIS member on the Rent/Trade Forum. The Mods cannot intervene, necessarily, but they can be of some use if you do run into any fraud in some limited instances.

DO NOT, under any circumstances, rent from anyone on the DIS trying to skirt the rules for posting their points on the Rent/Trade Forum by posting about their own points for rent, or their helpful email addresses, or a note to PM them or that they PM you first about rentals. If you read the various threads and responses on this forum, as well as the Planning and Mousecellaneous forums, you can spot them. They are sneaky.

Those rules exist here on the DIS for some very good reasons

Hopefully the Mods will nip that in the bud.

 

[rph117]

We are thinking about renting points from someone who owns at the WL
I already have a name, it ends up being $10.00 per point
But my question is, how do you know it's legit?
AM I just sending my money to someone and could end up getting ripped off?
Are you protected at all when you rent points from someone?
Thanks in advance for any replys

We rented points on several occasions from multiple DVC owners, prior to becoming members. Each transaction was well documented via a contract, prior to any money exchanging hands. In addition, we checked references, validated ownership, etc... I'm happy to say that each stay went flawless, and it helped sell us on the value of DVC membership. My advice, be careful, and take your time.

 

[mcmeekin]

After reading this... renting seems like a lot of trouble for the potential risk. Just buy more points! Join the club!