confirming ressie when renting

[Imtink2]

Now that people renting DVC points are no longer allowed to call MS to confirm their ressie, how can they be sure thier ressie is all set? We send our renters a copy of the reservation confirmation, but when they want to confirm their room days ahead of their trip, they can no longer contact MS. Should they call the resort directly?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Their confimation should be enough...It has always been enough for me as a member, so I can't imagine it should be any different for a renter.

 

[Lewisc]

As a renter I appreciated the ability to call Disney, I guess member services, to make sure my reservation hadn't been canceled, either because of a dishonest member or because a member was behind in paying dues.

I just plan on renting from people I trust. I guess a three way phone call is the solution.

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

...I guess a three way phone call is the solution.

 

[RobDoc]

...We send our renters a copy of the reservation confirmation, but when they want to confirm their room days ahead of their trip, they can no longer contact MS. Should they call the resort directly?

The resorts do not get the reservation listings from MS until a few days before arrival- but renters can certainly call the resort at that time. If they call 3 months ahead, the resort won't likely be able to confirm anything for them. I think member need to emphasize that the confirmation letter (in the renter's name) is their contact with Disney and then suggest that they (the renters) follow up by calling the resort a few days ahead to make sure everything is in order. It may also require a little more hand-holding with some renters.

 

[JimMIA]

The resorts do not get the reservation listings from MS until a few days before arrival- but renters can certainly call the resort at that time. If they call 3 months ahead, the resort won't likely be able to confirm anything for them. I think member need to emphasize that the confirmation letter (in the renter's name) is their contact with Disney and then suggest that they (the renters) follow up by calling the resort a few days ahead to make sure everything is in order. It may also require a little more hand-holding with some renters.

I agree with Doc. Absent some tangible uncertainty as to the continued existence of the ressie, or the need to make some substantial changes, I think owners who rent would be well-advised to limit conference calls. If there is the level of trust that there should be, those calls are unnecessary.

If renters and owners start routinely doing conference calls, you're might find the ability to do that revoked as well.

 

[Disneyaholic]

I guess a three way phone call is the solution.

I think trust between the member and the person renting the points is the only real solution. I don't see how a 3-way phone call is any different than the non-member calling MS.

Swamping MS with 3-way phone conversations kind of defeats the purpose of prohibiting the renter from calling directly, doesn't it? Besides, what's to keep the member from hanging up on that 3-way call and calling MS back immediately to cancel the reservation, if that's what they are inclined to do?

In the recent threads about this new policy, it has been mentioned several times that the transaction is between the member and the person renting the points and does not involve Member Services.

If you can't trust the other person, you probably shouldn't be renting points from them. JMHO.

 

[Lewisc]

My previous post said:

I just plan on renting from people I trust. I guess a three way phone call is the solution.

Quoting only half a paragraph changes the context of my point. I personally plan to limit renting to owners I trust. I suggested the 3 way phone call as a solution to owners/renters who might need some reassurance.

There isn't a lot that can be done if a dishonest DVC member cancels a reservation a few days before the trip. A confirmation might find out if a reservation got canceled because the member was behind in payments or because the member "forgot" that you sent final payment and cancelled the reservation.

My guess is some renters may have been calling member services excessively. I'd think the number of 3 way calls would be very limited.

I think trust between the member and the person renting the points is the only real solution. I don't see how a 3-way phone call is any different than the non-member calling MS.

Swamping MS with 3-way phone conversations kind of defeats the purpose of prohibiting the renter from calling directly, doesn't it? Besides, what's to keep the member from hanging up on that 3-way call and calling MS back immediately to cancel the reservation, if that's what they are inclined to do?

In the recent threads about this new policy, it has been mentioned several times that the transaction is between the member and the person renting the points and does not involve Member Services.

If you can't trust the other person, you probably shouldn't be renting points from them. JMHO.

 

[LisaS]

My guess is some renters may have been calling member services excessively. I'd think the number of 3 way calls would be very limited.

Since members pay for those phone calls through their annual dues, you're not likely to get support from DVC members for extra calls to MS of any type.

 

[LIFERBABE]

To comment on 3 way phone calls, I would not be comfortable with that, because the guest is on the line when you are giving all your personal information to MS. Your last 4, your addy, your phone #, your member #.

Trust goes both ways, but I am not going to give all my info to someone just so they will feel comfortable renting from me. With great risk comes great reward. I trust me and that's all that matters

I will forward the confirmation letter and I agree with Doc, a couple of days prior to check in, they can call and check their ressie, but I bet those calls get excessive too. Remember the Room Request Faxes?

 

[RobDoc]

...
I will forward the confirmation letter and I agree with Doc, a couple of days prior to check in, they can call and check their ressie, but I bet those calls get excessive too. Remember the Room Request Faxes?

One good thing about calling a few days before arrival - those calls are not handled by MS or even the resort itself since they go thru a call center where all they will do is look up the reservation on a computer. They are not physically located at the resort itself, so it doesn't take resort personnel away from assisting guests at the resort.

 

[kimberh]

I am a DVC member. We are traveling to Disney 8/23 on the Free Dining package that had to be booked last June. Last Sun I found a post on another board where someone was going to lose 2 nights in a one Bedroom at Beach Club. They were making a unreal deal on the room, so I took it. There has not been time to get the confirmation in my name. The other DVC owner did email me her confirmation, so I had the number. Today, I called BC to see if they had us coming in on Sunday. She said, "No." I looked up the original owners name and she said, "no." I gave her the confirmation number and the reservation had been transferred over in mine and my husband first names. So they had my husbands first name has our last name, which is Dale. I think people need to call just to make sure a mistake, like this has not been made. What if I had traveled to BC without the confirmation number? It would have been a bad day...

 

[Island_Lauri]

Since members pay for those phone calls through their annual dues, you're not likely to get support from DVC members for extra calls to MS of any type.

Definitely agree with that.

I think the OP's problem is a personal problem and Member Services should be reserved for Members - since we foot the bill in our dues.

 

[Deb & Bill]

..So they had my husbands first name has our last name, which is Dale. I think people need to call just to make sure a mistake, like this has not been made. What if I had traveled to BC without the confirmation number? It would have been a bad day...

That's why the member needs to get the information correct on the reservation, not why non-members need to call MS. And tell your renters to carry the confirmation number or confirmation sheet with them. I know we usually have ours with us when we check in and sometimes to show the guard at the gate.

 

[Imtink2]

Thank you to all who have replied. I agree that as members, we pay dues to cover the costs associated with running MS and that only members should be calling to use their services. I'm just trying to figure out a way to comfort nervous renters who in the past, might have called MS to confirm their reservation and can no longer do so. I'll just direct them to contact the resort a few days in advance of their trip. Thanks again.

 

[Sammie]

I just do not understand the security Renters felt by being able to call MS. The member could cancel, alter, etc the Reservation at any time regardless of calling and confirming the reservation was made.

If the Member mailed the Confirmation notice to me that would be more valid than any phone call. For one thing when someone actually mails you something by way of the postal system and they cancel out on you and take your money they have commited mail fraud.

I would suggest the Renter mail the confirmation by certified mail and that should be all it would take.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I just do not understand the security Renters felt by being able to call MS. The member could cancel, alter, etc the Reservation at any time regardless of calling and confirming the reservation was made.

If the Member mailed the Confirmation notice to me that would be more valid than any phone call. For one thing when someone actually mails you something by way of the postal system and they cancel out on you and take your money they have commited mail fraud.

I would suggest the Renter mail the confirmation by certified mail and that should be all it would take.