Checking availability of DVC inventory

[crisi]

As far as the original questain of non-members checking the website. I pretty much agree with not allowing this but see where I would have liked to check availability before purchasing.

Maybe it would help sells to give potential buyers a password that would work for a few days. If it keeps me from checking for rooms though, keep away you non-members, lol.

I don't think it would help much. If you were to pay attention to trends over several years, you'd see patterns, but it would take a lot of watching. And members here know that those patterns can change quickly. At the height of the recession, people were getting a lot more Wow, I can't believe that was available reservations. A big resort like ssr opening up increases demand for smaller resorts at seven months. There was this one weird period where the normally harder to book resorts where available, but it was hard to get an ssr reservation. When we joined, it was easy to get a room in early October, which was when we traveled, Disney moved food and wine back. More value rooms have taken some of the pressure off the bwv standard view rooms, although they can still be tough to get, it isnt the "you'd be lucky at any time of year if you couldn't book before the booking window" that it was for years. What is available now is no indication with DVC of what might be available tomorrow, much less five years from now.

 

[Sammie]

I think there is a love-hate relationship that some DVC Members have with renters. But when everything is considered, I believe the DVC works better because we have renters.

Some of the negativity toward renters is because some Members view renters as second class citizens. These Members think that since they own at a resort, they are entitled to get first dibs on making reservations, getting the choice room locations, getting the best chairs by the pool, etc. Heaven help them if they find out that a renter has taken over their favorite villa, or if renters have taken over a prime spot by the pool.

There is also the belief that renters misuse and abuse the DVC resort's facilities because they lack a sense of ownership for the resort. Conversely, some Members believe that there would be less wear and tear, resulting in less repair and maintenance charges, if only owners occupied our villas. That there is no objective data to support such opinions doesn't prevent some members in holding to those beliefs.

But renters also serve a valuable function in the DVC. A renter uses the points that a Member can't or won't use themselves. No one forces a Member to rent out their points. In fact, the conventional wisdom here on the disboards is that its better for Members to rent out their points and use the cash to book the Disney Cruise Line rather than using their points. Besides, is it the renter's fault if they find an AKV owner at the 11-month mark who is willing to book an AKV Concierge Club villa for the renter?

Imagine what it would be like if there was absolutely no market for renting out DVC points.

All things considered, I believe its better to have renters than not to have renters.

I will agree that what you have shared is felt by some, I don't think most members feel that way though. I know some members are hard on the rooms, as I have seen it. I know also some members are horribly demanding, seen that to at check in. I think it is more about that person and has no bearing on whether they are a member or a renter, a jerk is a jerk, irregardless.

I do think that some of those that rent their points have a misguided notion that it helps DVC, which really it doesn't. It helps that particular member, which is fine and I agree with.

 

[vicki_c]

As a possibe renter (or next year) and hopefully a probable owner (sometime later on), I appreciate the honesty and candor of these posts.

If we rent, I promise we will be good renters.

If we buy, I will rule with an iron fist (jk)

LOL. That's the spirit!

 

[marynvince]

As an owner I would like to be able to check availability of any resort at 11 months all the way to 8 months and then 7 months and 1 week. If I am going at a popular time and see that my preferred location for that trip is booked, I may decide to "just" book my home resort before the 7 month window. Would hate to wait until 7 month window, see that preferred resort is booked, and then not be able to get my home resort becasue that has booked as well. I understand that what is available even a day before the 7 month window opens, may be gone the next day. But more information allows me to plan better than less information.

 

[Sandisw]

As an owner I would like to be able to check availability of any resort at 11 months all the way to 8 months and then 7 months and 1 week. If I am going at a popular time and see that my preferred location for that trip is booked, I may decide to "just" book my home resort before the 7 month window. Would hate to wait until 7 month window, see that preferred resort is booked, and then not be able to get my home resort becasue that has booked as well. I understand that what is available even a day before the 7 month window opens, may be gone the next day. But more information allows me to plan better than less information.

Why would you not book your home resort at 11 months from the start? Many owners do this now for the very reasons you mention..

 

[erionm]

As an owner I would like to be able to check availability of any resort at 11 months all the way to 8 months and then 7 months and 1 week. If I am going at a popular time and see that my preferred location for that trip is booked, I may decide to "just" book my home resort before the 7 month window. Would hate to wait until 7 month window, see that preferred resort is booked, and then not be able to get my home resort becasue that has booked as well. I understand that what is available even a day before the 7 month window opens, may be gone the next day. But more information allows me to plan better than less information.

If you know your dates, you should always book your home resort during the home resort priority period. I do that even if I know I want to stay at a non-home resort.

 

[dianeschlicht]

As an owner I would like to be able to check availability of any resort at 11 months all the way to 8 months and then 7 months and 1 week. If I am going at a popular time and see that my preferred location for that trip is booked, I may decide to "just" book my home resort before the 7 month window. Would hate to wait until 7 month window, see that preferred resort is booked, and then not be able to get my home resort becasue that has booked as well. I understand that what is available even a day before the 7 month window opens, may be gone the next day. But more information allows me to plan better than less information.

I don't understand that logic. You CAN book your home resort at 11 months through 8 months out and be assured of a reservation. Then at 7 months, you can check of something else is available and cancel one existing ressie and book the new one. We do that all the time!

 

[DebbieB]

I can not imagine renting to someone I do not know. Would never let someone rent my house that I did not know. Not sure how so many are so trustworthy of others. Has anyone heard of the owners ever having to take responsability for damages of a renter? Maybe we have all just been lucky so far as no damage has been done. I believe that buying a membership in order to rent out points is not even allowed but done often. I think DVC has tried to make it harder to rent by not allowing transfers but once a year. For myself, I have added points but seem to still remain in the borrowing from next year status. This happens after 4 trips in one year, lol.

As far as the original questain of non-members checking the website. I pretty much agree with not allowing this but see where I would have liked to check availability before purchasing.

Maybe it would help sells to give potential buyers a password that would work for a few days. If it keeps me from checking for rooms though, keep away you non-members, lol.

I have not heard of damages but there have been a couple posts where the member got stuck with room charges. The renter's card was good at check-in, then they cancelled it or reported it lost before checkout and the resort could not charge the balance. The member's DVC account was frozen until it was resolved.

I don't really care about renting, I've never done it but it's a nice option to have if you have points you are going to lose. The big gripe is commericial renters who book up prime weeks and then try to find a renter at a high price.

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

some of these "arguments" seem to reappear from time to time.

i think because none of them are 100% either way. for example,
i don't think that renters are 100% responsible for all the
damages. but if i was betting, that's where my money be on.
( going with odds.) iam also anger @ dvc mangers that ignored
vandalism. ( we were in a room that had horrible damages that
were in the thousands ).

if an owner does not care to give up their room request does
not bother me. anything else has no merit. if you are not a
member, and are renting...you are doing so as to avoid paying
the regular rate @ a disney resort. the disney system is
aware of the name being on revs., and unless you are family,
then the proper adjustments should be made.

however, the primary reason i wanted to respond had to do with
"what" the renter was asking about. i hope it caught some dvc
monitor's attention. the facts are, you're not a member & have no
dvc connections to member services- other than trying to find
rooms @ the cheapest price & avoiding the monies own to
disney resorts.

*"i think", means my personal feeling and/or observation. if i don't
know a poster, then i am never trying to personalized a
response. i think many feel that since disney cost so much, that
they have the right to cheat the system any way they can.
i also expect disney not to be caught "off guard" that it effects
those paying to be "cheated" including safety and intrusion
problems. ( like the renter planning on sneaking 7 in a blt
studio.) nor would i like to be next door, or to follow
them in the room.

we're blt owners...& i was happy they opened it up to others
members staying @ different resorts. one reason, is to reduced
non-members taking advantaged.

maybe it just me, but i thought owners would be alarm that
a non-member feels dvc should be open to them so they can
"shop for a room". to me, indicating even more then ever, that dvc
management "needs" to addressed this issue. as a member,
i am expecting dvc leadership to [a.] recognize problems &
[b.] to enact corrective measures. again, the fact that a non-
member is seeking members privileges is too me, a strong
indication that "renting" is out of control.

however, i think the original option- for renting, is not the same
"thing" that some are turning this into now. at first, i wasn't
thrill with david' services because it seem to be professional
renting. however, after learning how he represented owners
& selecting both groups-renters/owners, i was very impress....
if we're not owners, we would consider using "his services"
because they are done right.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We were babes in the woods when it comes to renting. I read in the POS that commercial renting wasn't allowed, and we simply figured no renting for money. Well, we are wrong!

We've rented enough timeshares for skiing to know how beat up some units look after a year of renting. This was totally shown to us, as we rented the same unit in ___________ Killington 2 years in a row. The wear and tear on the unit was deplorable to us.

It factored in our decision that we will never rent our Cape May house. It's used by family members only and 13 years later, we are very happy with our decision.

Bobbi

 

[Chuck S]

some of these "arguments" seem to reappear from time to time.

if an owner does not care to give up their room request does
not bother me. anything else has no merit. if you are not a
member, and are renting...you are doing so as to avoid paying
the regular rate @ a disney resort. the disney system is
aware of the name being on revs., and unless you are family,
then the proper adjustments should be made.

I have many relatives, not one single living member of my family has the same last name that I have, so how could Disney, or anyone else, tell if you are related to someone just because your share, or do not share, a surname?

 

[crisi]

I have many relatives, not one single living member of my family has the same last name that I have, so how could Disney, or anyone else, tell if you are related to someone just because your share, or do not share, a surname?

To take away anything from renters, Disney would have to offer those perks (such as priority room requests, or early check in, or anything else they do - like restricting the dining plan or Magical Express) to members and guests traveling with members. Otherwise, no teeth. My renter is suddenly my cousin.

That would anger some members who let their adult children (for example) use their points), but I think, should Disney ever decide that renting cuts sufficiently into their revenue to do something about it, that is exactly what they will do. They'll anger a few members who have family using their points, anger more members whose ability to rent their points will decrease - but those members are their 'competition,' - and make some members, who seldom rent and are annoyed when they waited until 8pm to get a room overlooking the back of Keister Coaster and had asked for Village Green find out via this board (or others) that someone renting points checked into a Village Green room on the same day at 10am. And Disney can issue a communication that "based on member feedback, members will be given priority in room requests and check in times."

You'll still be able to rent your points, but if renters (and member's guests not traveling with the member) are more likely to be checking into the not great resorts at the room at 8pm, if they can't book the dining plan or get magical express - Disney gains competitive advantage for CRO reservations.

 

[Chuck S]

Personally, most of the family and friends that use my points have never booked the DDP anyway, some have used the Magical Express. Only one set of my family members use the DDP and Magical Express with any regularity. So I would probably be OK with it. But our POS does specificy the difference between renters and unpaid guests of members. The problem is, most of the people that rent their points do not report the rental, as we are required to do under the POS.

Unfortunately, it would be the honest members who let family use their points (which was a big part of the sales pitch) that would be penalized if Disney decided to so.

 

[fmer55]

Boy, it does'nt take much to get ya'lls panties in a wad does it. Oh well, it was just a thought.

I can't afford panties due to my maintenance fees

 

[fmer55]

Why would you not book your home resort at 11 months from the start? Many owners do this now for the very reasons you mention..

And I for one hate hate it. IT is really my only DVC complaint, the 11/7 month shell game I call it.

Before attacking me please let me say I fully understood the game before getting involved, I know that is the nature of the timeshare

 

[Sandisw]

And I for one hate hate it. IT is really my only DVC complaint, the 11/7 month shell game I call it.

Before attacking me please let me say I fully understood the game before getting involved, I know that is the nature of the timeshare

Not sure I understand..you hate that we can switch out or that we book our home resort so we have a place to stay if another resort we want to try is not available?

 

[fmer55]

Not sure I understand..you hate that we can switch out or that we book our home resort so we have a place to stay if another resort we want to try is not available?

That we book the home resort if wanting to stay somewhere else. I fully understand the why's of doing it but it still irks me, It just seems to me that there will always be somewhere to stay at the 7-month mark and I know if your 2nd choice is your home resort then you should book it. On the other hand it seems to me there is always availability at AKV, OKW and SSR. I also am not picky in the least, so aside from christmas I think I can always find a room at 7 months if my first choice is not there and I wouldn't want to deprive someone of staying at my 2 home resorts if it is there dream vacation or dream time when I am flexible.

There are certain times of year I will always stay at my homes and will book them at 11-months.

 

[vicki_c]

I don't really understand the position either? First, there is NOT always availability at 7 months.

If I want to go to Disney for 10 days over Easter and I want to stay outside my home resort, and I know I'm going no matter what, there is no way I wouldn't book my home resort at 11 months and wait list for the location I truly want. If I didn't, and waited until 7 months, chances are probably more likely than not, I would have to wait list for some of the days, have a piecemeal reservation with switching resorts, etc. Why would I risk that?

Maybe I'm saying what you said -I'm not sure - what does this mean
"...if your 2nd choice is your home resort, then you should book it."
Isn't that what I'm saying and is the opposite of your position?

 

[DougEMG]

I'm a firm believer of booking your home resort at the 11 month mark and then switching at the 7 month mark if you want a different resort.

I was booking spring break 2013 at the 11 month mark for a standard view studio room at BWV and one of the nights was already gone. Now i have to hope my waitlist comes through,

 

[Sandisw]

That we book the home resort if wanting to stay somewhere else. I fully understand the why's of doing it but it still irks me, It just seems to me that there will always be somewhere to stay at the 7-month mark and I know if your 2nd choice is your home resort then you should book it. On the other hand it seems to me there is always availability at AKV, OKW and SSR. I also am not picky in the least, so aside from christmas I think I can always find a room at 7 months if my first choice is not there and I wouldn't want to deprive someone of staying at my 2 home resorts if it is there dream vacation or dream time when I am flexible.

There are certain times of year I will always stay at my homes and will book them at 11-months.

Not sure how another owner would be deprived though....If I book my home resort, with the intent on trading out at 7 months, then when the 7 month mark happens, my room opens up for a non-resort home owner. The only way it doesn't is if I can't switch, in which case it means I stay there.

Unlike you, though, I am not okay with staying at SSR, OKW or AKV, unless I am booking something last minute--like my May trip. Then again, that is the reason that I bought BLT and BWV--so I could book where I want to stay from the start.

I just don't think I could not book something at 11 months to ensure I have a stay..it would be way too stressful!!!