Charity Cases

[Deb & Bill]

Why do some people trying to rent points for a DVC vacation think that a member should give them a deal, such as "I can't afford much my..... (sob story)..."

Are DVC members suckers for these stories?

They make me angry. We make a big investment to get into DVC.

But I wonder if some members don't fall for these stories just so they can rent out their points or a reservation and make a little return on their cash.

 

[castleri]

Was just thinking the same thing myself- glad I'm not alone- Not only have a sob story but don't want a certain resort or to consider non DVC resorts - If they can't afford the expense how do they pay for the tickets etc?

I guess it would depend on if a member had a resrvation they couldn't use and putting the points in holding would be even more of a problem because of being near the end of a use year or something than renting them cheap. At least they would get some return.

 

[Lorelai71]

I'm new to DVC and I was wondering the same thing. I love the idea of the rent boards but I was a bit surprise by the request for a deal because "they can't afford it."

This past aug was my family first vacation because we couldn't afford it before. We just waited until we could.

 

[LakeAriel]

I wish the moderators would discourage people from sending money, tickets and other freebees to absolute strangers on these boards. Usually they are people who have never posted before and begin the sob story. Fraud is rampant and people are so gullible!! Get verification folks!!!
It is so kind to want to help people but please go to established charities, so many truly do need our help!

 

[mikesmom]

Deb & Bill: I totally agree. And some of these sad stories apparently don't realize you can read all their other posts. Some of these folks make it sound like this is a once in a lifetime chance for their kids - you read their other posts and find out they are going every few months. Or they take pride in getting the cheapest possible deal on things, including vacations. I guess they figure DVC members will be an easy hit to get a deluxe room cheaper than a Value Resort.

I got sucked in by one of these folks in the past (although the deal blew up because they found someone who would give them points even cheaper than $6), so now I guess I'm a little cynical and tend to read the other posts to see if the stories are consistent.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Add another person who is in agreement.

And in addition to not figuring out that you can check back posts, they also don't think it out far enough to know that some of the stories are VERY EASY to poke holes in. It's too bad that a few bad apples have to spoil it for others. I too am very leery about giving points to someone with a hard luck story, on the off chance that it's a scam.

It doesn't happen just with points though. I used to post on another board some years back, and there was a person who got others to chip in money so that she could take her dying child on a trip to WDW. People sacrificed within their own families to make her wish come true, and let's just say that the whole situation didn't end well.

Just another reminder that you have to be careful...

 

[lat]

Same with me. I did someone a big favor to rent her points for a reservation at really really low price thinking I was helping someone without the means. After the rental commitment, I read her other posts one day and realized I was such an idiot. I felt horrible for a while feeling being used. Now I don't respond to these anymore.

 

[TCPluto]

Same with me. I did someone a big favor to rent her points for a reservation at really really low price thinking I was helping someone without the means. After the rental commitment, I read her other posts one day and realized I was such an idiot. I felt horrible for a while feeling being used. Now I don't respond to these anymore.

I think I know who you are talking about. She solicits points saying she can only pay $8-9 pp, stating "family trip returning from mission" or some other sad story.

As it turns out, she has admitted that she is running a business, renting Disney vacations in her home town in Oklahoma. She told me this once when she tried to get me to sell points for $8 pp, explaining that this lovely family couldn't afford $10 pp. Of course not, that would cut into her profit.

After acquiring a bunch of points at $8-9 pp, you can see her on here renting out confirmed reservations for $12-14 pp.

I guess the family trip for the returning missionaries got displaced by her bottom line (these were the same dates she was renting out at $14 pp). Actually, I think the family trip was a dirty ruse to acquire discounted points so she could make more money, playing on the emotions and good intentions of other DVC members.

Very dirty in my opinion.

 

[lat]

TCPluto, I replied to your pm.

No, it was someone else and I think she may still be on the Disboard. I don't want to mention names. Afterwards, I became much more careful with what I read on the internet, and what I disclose on the internet. I used to think, naively, that everything people said via the Disboard is true. Now I read it with a grain of salt.

I rented the points much much lower than $8-9 points, waitlisted for her and did not ask for payment until close to arrival, thinking I was doing a good deed. I never researched her posts until one day for whatever reason. Boy did that hurt. She is a regular at Disney's deluxe resorts and was going on a Disney cruise.

 

[rocketriter]

You guys aren't familiar with the ancient rites of bargaining. They're not practiced much in the US any more, so you have no way of knowing that these sob stories are part of the accepted (and acceptable) rituals. Go into a shop in a country where bargaining is still commonplace and you'll discover that the storekeeper and his customers have wives with cerebral palsy and children who've been kidnapped by pirates--all of them!

I recall years ago a trip to Hong Kong with my family in which my mother fell in love with a carving of two men playing Go. My dad knew exactly how to play the game. He went back to the store every single day trying to run the price down. He hollered. He wept. The shopkeeper wept. One day the shopkeeper actually tore his shirt open, popping buttons in his "grief." The day before we left, the two men finally agreed on a price. Everybody laughed and hugged and they had a drink together.

So don't take these sob stories personally and don't be fooled by them, but don't consider them dishonest either. They're part of an old-fashioned way of conducting business that goes back thousands of years.

 

[spiceycat]

when someone tries to discount my points. I just go find someone else to rent too.

DVC points are too expensive for DVC member to give non-members a bigger discount. Remember they are getting a huge discount with DVC points renting.

the only vacation time I had to rent was 5 days at BWV standard view for Thanksgiving. Yes, the first poster wanted me to reduce my price. So I just went to the next on the list.

My brother canceled on me in Oct.

I have considered doing Thanksgiving again and just renting those points.

but most people want you to make their reservations, not take a reservation you already have.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I don't read the R/T Board very often, but when I do, I just ignore the sob stories because I figure they are either being dishonest trying to get something for nothing, or if the circumstances are true, they really shouldn't be planning a trip to WDW (IMHO).

There's nothing wrong with being compassionate, but as mentioned previously...direct that feeling of goodwill to a bonafide charity, instead of an individual you know nothing about.

 

[LakeAriel]

If a person LIES to get free trips or discounted trips it is dishonest no matter what spin you put on it! Just because fraud is so rampant doesn't mean it should be condoned or accepted!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've traveled to some of the countries that have bargaining as the rule. I am uncomfortable with doing that, so I just accept the fact that I'm not buying anything. There are people who have a camel and want to you pay to take a picture of the camel. The little urchins come on the bus selling everything imaginable for a price.

I am active in a charity that helps people out with electric bills, food and rent. All of us in the group chose to err on the side of generosity, but even we have a "do not serve" list because of scams that people have pulled on us. Then we are "enablers." It's a fine line, I know. However I do not think that the DVC boards are places to have to wonder if I'm being scammed. I read and move on. If the people really are honest Make A Wish and other foundations can and will help.

Bobbi

 

[BCV23]

OK, off to read the rent board for some chuckles.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I kind of wonder, what exactly would be considered a good deal if $10 ppt is not. Even at $10, a renter can stay at BCV in a studio for $120 night. Where can you stay for $120 a night all taxes included?

To me, that is already a great deal (even if you have to make your own bed) and they cant possibly want to stay at BCV for less than $90 a night?

The price break is already there, even when compared to Disney Discounted rates for Deluxes. I see that many don't even want to pay that. I've been fortunate to find renters that understand the value for those that don't, I just keep on scrolling.

OTOH, it is hard to let points expire and you want them to be used by someone, so there may be more incentive to discount and you may be more swayed by circumstance so these posters do have an audience.

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I'm glad to see I wasn't the only one a little "miffed" at some of the requests.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for charitable causes both for reputable organizations and individuals in dire need.

However, when you see some of the requests for reduced/free points, free pins, tickets, from an individual who has already been at least twice this year, staying concierge on one occasion no less, then it borders on shameful.

There are times when you must make difficult financial decisions/choices concerning family, medical decisions, travel, purchases, etc....and travel becomes a luxury you can postpone.
IMHO

 

[TCPluto]

You guys aren't familiar with the ancient rites of bargaining. They're not practiced much in the US any more, so you have no way of knowing that these sob stories are part of the accepted (and acceptable) rituals. Go into a shop in a country where bargaining is still commonplace and you'll discover that the storekeeper and his customers have wives with cerebral palsy and children who've been kidnapped by pirates--all of them!

I recall years ago a trip to Hong Kong with my family in which my mother fell in love with a carving of two men playing Go. My dad knew exactly how to play the game. He went back to the store every single day trying to run the price down. He hollered. He wept. The shopkeeper wept. One day the shopkeeper actually tore his shirt open, popping buttons in his "grief." The day before we left, the two men finally agreed on a price. Everybody laughed and hugged and they had a drink together.

So don't take these sob stories personally and don't be fooled by them, but don't consider them dishonest either. They're part of an old-fashioned way of conducting business that goes back thousands of years.

I understand what you are saying, but I totally disagree that these are like situations.

Taking adavantage of someone by playing on thier emotions or good intentions is never an acceptable business practivce. In your example, both participants were involved in the same behavior, and knew of the intentions of the other.

The situation described on here is much more like a swindle or a fraud. No, actually, many of them are a fraud. The problem really comes into trying to decide which ones are and which ones are not.

Pleading for points for a returning missionary family member in March (for an October stay), then some months later posting the eact dates on the rent board at $12-14 pp (after buying the points at $8-9 pp), is a fraud.

This person should be ashamed.

 

[JimFitz]

Pleading for points for a returning missionary family member in March (for an October stay), then some months later posting the eact dates on the rent board at $12-14 pp (after buying the points at $8-9 pp), is a fraud.

This person should be ashamed.

If this is the case, this person should be banned from this board.

 

[spiceycat]

okay won't this be soliciation for a charity and isn't there a rule is in the dis that you have to get their permission before this is even possible.

so I would say she/he broke several rules.