Checking availability of DVC inventory

[MFDWT2005]

Ok, I am under the assumption that only DVC owners can check the availability of the DVC inventory, right? But I wonder if there will ever be a way the general public would be able to do so as well.

 

[vicki_c]

Ok, I am under the assumption that only DVC owners can check the availability of the DVC inventory, right? But I wonder if there will ever be a way the general public would be able to do so as well.

Why would they allow that? No one but an owner can book, so no one but owners need that information.

 

[erionm]

Ok, I am under the assumption that only DVC owners can check the availability of the DVC inventory, right? But I wonder if there will ever be a way the general public would be able to do so as well.

If you can't book it yourself, you have no need to have access to that information.

 

[MFDWT2005]

Well if some one was wanting to rent points they might could keep check as see what would be available so many months out, or if someone might be looking to buy in they could kinda get a feel of what might be available at certain times of the year.

 

[Starr W.]

If you can't book it yourself, you have no need to have access to that information.

 

[vicki_c]

Members don't want to pay for website upgrades, bandwidth and such for non members. Even members can't check availability more than 11 months out, or for other tan their home resort until 7 months out. There's really no purpose in it. If you are ready to book, you find an owner and they will check.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Members don't want to pay for website upgrades, bandwidth and such for non members. Even members can't check availability more than 11 months out, or for other tan their home resort until 7 months out. There's really no purpose in it. If you are ready to book, you find an owner and they will check.

 

[MFDWT2005]

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

 

[Deb & Bill]

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

We're paying for those panties that you want to use.

 

[Lynne M]

Well, first, checking availability unless you can check right then and there, that very minute, isn't really helpful. DVC resorts run at very high occupancy, and availability changes minute to minute. You could check and see that a two bedroom is available for your dates, and by the time you find a member to rent from it'll be long gone.

The other negative is that we members bear much of the operational costs. Which is OK when we're paying for a system just for our use; it's a limited number of people. You open the DVC reservation site up to the general public, and all of sudden our maintenance fees go through the roof. For something that doesn't benefit us in any way.

OK, so you might say, let Disney bear the cost of having the reservation system open to the general public. Problem is, it doesn't help them either. They tolerate members renting out their points, but we're their competition, in a way - guests who rent from us aren't booking rooms with them. They're not gonna be spending a boatload of money on bandwidth to support that.

So, while it initially seems like it'd be great to be able to see into the member reservation system, it's not really going to help you rent from a member, and the costs aren't supportable by the people who pay to operate that system.

 

[MFDWT2005]

We're paying for those panties that you want to use.

Oh my gosh, that cracks me up! But it does make me think though at the same time. Do many DVC owners resent DVC renters and is there anything that DVC renters do that cost DVC owners more in dues and such?

 

[tjkraz]

Oh my gosh, that cracks me up! But it does make me think though at the same time. Do many DVC owners resent DVC renters and is there anything that DVC renters do that cost DVC owners more in dues and such?

Specific to this thread, I would say anything which is wasteful tends to come under scrutiny. Like Lynne said, unless and individual is ready to book then-and-there, searching for a has the potential to be a fruitless exercise. A room that's available now could be gone in 5 minutes...5 hours...5 days, etc.

Aside from that, there are some who probably believe that renters do not take care of rooms as well as owners. A renter doesn't have the sense of ownership which many DVC members have. And it's the member dues which would go toward any repairs or replacements necessary after a thoughtless occupant departs.

Of course, whether renters actually do abuse rooms more than members is another topic altogether.

 

[Sammie]

Think of it like this, since members pay for the online system why should someone that is not contributing to that upkeep have access to it.

If you are renting, the member you are dealing with will have access because they have paid for it. They will be able to assist in any questions about what is available.

Just know that if you are interested in renting what is available is what you are willing to book right then. Wait even a few minutes it could be gone.

I think most member have no problem with those that rent as long as they learn about how DVC works, respect the property, and don't complain about things that are not included in renting and want to change that.

That is kinda like saying I drive a Ford, but I am going to write Chevrolet and complain about their product.

 

[vicki_c]

Specific to this thread, I would say anything which is wasteful tends to come under scrutiny. Like Lynne said, unless and individual is ready to book then-and-there, searching for a has the potential to be a fruitless exercise. A room that's available now could be gone in 5 minutes...5 hours...5 days, etc.

Aside from that, there are some who probably believe that renters do not take care of rooms as well as owners. A renter doesn't have the sense of ownership which many DVC members have. And it's the member dues which would go toward any repairs or replacements necessary after a thoughtless occupant departs.

Of course, whether renters actually do abuse rooms more than members is another topic altogether.

OP - you shouldn't take it so personal, like it's resentment towards you (although I admit that your original not so nice reply was totally taken personally by me-I guess since it was directed at me). Here on the boards, they don't even allow member to member requests to check availability for the same reasons. Unless you are ready to book that minute, it's useless and it costs us money.

 

[crisi]

Oh my gosh, that cracks me up! But it does make me think though at the same time. Do many DVC owners resent DVC renters and is there anything that DVC renters do that cost DVC owners more in dues and such?

Some do. Its annoying when you really wanted to get a Village Green room was told it wasn't available to come back and discover that a non-member had their request met for that room when you didn't. Members don't have a great reputation with cast members, but renters possibly have a worse reputation, since they don't understand what they rented and can make demands for member perks or expect Disney hotel service (there was a renter here incensed that they didn't get daily housekeeping a few years ago - and DEMANDED it of the front desk - it doesn't do the next member dealing with the CMs any favors when anyone - member or renter - behaves like that). Renters often don't understand things like DVC room switch policy - if you don't like your room at CRO, they'll probably switch you - at DVC they may not, and are entitled to charge you a fee for switching. (Granted, DVC members often don't know that) Some members (its against board policy here, but you can do it many other places) grab prime times - like Christmas - and then rent those rooms - meaning that there is less availability for members. Its within the individual member's rights to do so, but it really does create a lot of ill will for someone trying to switch resorts at seven months during a busy season.

As for dues, some members do feel that renters treat rooms less well, since they don't have skin in the game. Which increases our maintenance and refurbishment costs if it is true.

ETA: Members on this board can also get a little testy when renters ask questions on logistics that frankly, members themselves have no say in and are things that should be able to be thought through - the big one that will set me off is "I'm renting points, why can't I get free dining!" It sets me off with members, too, but with renters, I cannot even form a civil answer.

 

[wdrl]

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.

 

[HubbDave]

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)

 

[DougEMG]

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.

 

[drusba]

Oh my gosh, that cracks me up! But it does make me think though at the same time. Do many DVC owners resent DVC renters and is there anything that DVC renters do that cost DVC owners more in dues and such?

You should have been here eight or more years ago. It has really been a long time since we have experienced the vociferous debates on these boards as to whether renting should even be allowed, with many being vehemently against it and others the opposite. Some of the debates were so strong that one would think that members were about to take pistols at ten paces. It seems most have mellowed since then. Ahh, for the good old days. If you go to the Sticky "Ongoing DVC Discussions Threads" and then to "DVC Rental Rates/Concerns" you will find some of the earlier battles.

 

[Tigger1]

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.