Correct Protocol in Cancelling Partial Reservation from DVC Owner

[heaven2dc]

Hello - I'm not sure if this is the correct place to ask this but I need advice and to know if I am asking too much from my DVC person (great guy, btw ). We rented points for 2 studios plus a 2-bedroom villa at BWV with boardwalk view. Due to unforeseen circumstances (car repairs to my Ford Focus totaling over $1,500 and it's the only car in our household right now that 4 of us share for work), I had to ask my DVC guy if we could cancel the 2 studios but keep the 2-bedroom villa and refund the studios portion of the payment already made.

Was I wrong to ask him to do this? How would you feel if a renter presented this question to you? We will honor the 2-bedroom portion of the contract but since I didn't have a copy of our contract when I emailed him, I didn't know what the stipulations were. I know most of you will say it depends on how the contract was written, etc. but I didn't want to offend him. He's been great so far and I was so excited back at the 11 month window that we got these views. Thanks!

 

[Sandisw]

When are you going? I think that will play a role in the person's decision. If this person is counting on the rental, then it might not be possible to cancel your reservation and then re-rent reservations using those points.

DVC owners have deadlines for banking points, etc. so there could be a penalty in terms of having points left that will go unused.

Of course, as you said, it also depends on the terms of your contract but typically, most DVC owners (or at least what I have read on the topic) have some sort of cancellation policy if it happens in enough time for them to recoup their loss.

Good luck!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If he said no, he's within his rights. You really need to think of a DVC rental like a Priceline reservation. You made it, you paid for it, it's yours.

If you have paid him already, he may have already spent the money on something else he needed, like car repairs for his car.

If he gave you a contract when you made the deal, you really should have read the contract before you contacted him about the cancellation.

 

[RobDoc]

There is no real "protocol". Everything will depend on your agreement with the DVC member from whom you rented. Hopefully, you have a contract which would spell out everything, but if not you may be at the mercy of that member. I'd suggest contacting them and asking what they are willing to do in your situation. They may be willing/able to help and they may be willing/able to help if you can find another renter for your reservation - even if it's for other dates.

Good luck!

 

[JimMIA]

Doc used a key word in his response and the word is "able."

Even though the owner you are dealing with has been great to work with, their hands may be somewhat tied. The reasons for that are very technical and have to do with when their points expire and when they can bank the points, as well as whatever potential penalties they might suffer from a cancellation.

It's fine for you to ask for help, but a) the owner would be within their rights to decline (unless you have a contract that says otherwise) or b) the owner may truly be very limited in their ability to help you because of how DVC works.

Given the good relationship you've had so far, if the owner says no I'd bet their hands are really tied by the timing of the cancellation.

 

[Daddio]

Was I wrong to ask him to do this? How would you feel if a renter presented this question to you?

Try putting the shoe on the other foot.

Ask yourself how you would feel if the Member had contacted you and asked if you would mind him/her cancelling your reservations because their plans had changed and they needed the points.

Would you be upset? Would that change your plans? Would you be put out at all?

Just a thought.

David

 

[nunzia]

Try putting the shoe on the other foot.

Ask yourself how you would feel if the Member had contacted you and asked if you would mind him/her cancelling your reservations because their plans had changed and they needed the points.

Would you be upset? Would that change your plans? Would you be put out at all?

Just a thought.

David

Great way to put it.

 

[Dean]

Hello - I'm not sure if this is the correct place to ask this but I need advice and to know if I am asking too much from my DVC person (great guy, btw ). We rented points for 2 studios plus a 2-bedroom villa at BWV with boardwalk view. Due to unforeseen circumstances (car repairs to my Ford Focus totaling over $1,500 and it's the only car in our household right now that 4 of us share for work), I had to ask my DVC guy if we could cancel the 2 studios but keep the 2-bedroom villa and refund the studios portion of the payment already made.

Was I wrong to ask him to do this? How would you feel if a renter presented this question to you? We will honor the 2-bedroom portion of the contract but since I didn't have a copy of our contract when I emailed him, I didn't know what the stipulations were. I know most of you will say it depends on how the contract was written, etc. but I didn't want to offend him. He's been great so far and I was so excited back at the 11 month window that we got these views. Thanks!

I don't have any issues with you asking if you don't have any issues if they tell you it's not OK. As a rule, most of these rentals are non refundable and if there is no specification of cancelation options, I'd think the default would be non refundable. They may work with you, they may allow you to sublet it. Ultimately I'd think you're responsible for all and if you didn't pay all, you'd lose all.

 

[GoofItUp]

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking, but you might also ask if it would be appropriate to find another renter to use the points/reservations. That renter could essentially pay you to use the rooms. This would get both of you what you want. PLEASE REALIZE THAT YOU SHOULD ONLY DO THIS WITH THE OWNER'S PERMISSION AND FOLLOWING ANY RULES THAT S/HE SETS UP. I remember a while back a renter found a sub-renter without first checking with the owner which is definitely not good practice. But, if the owner approves it, it might be a good option.

 

[Tinker74]

I always stipulate non refundable when I rent. All money is paid upfront. I only rent to those who are having their vacation in the next few months..less risk of their plans changing.

I've rented to about 6 different families over the last few years and this has always worked great.

 

[JimMIA]

...but you might also ask if it would be appropriate to find another renter to use the points/reservations. That renter could essentially pay you to use the rooms. This would get both of you what you want.

Actually, OP has no way to do this. In order for them to rent out their rented reservation, they would have to change the name on the reservation...which they have no ability to do.

Also, anyone who would rent a reservation that way would have to be a VERY naive newbie. Instead of the normal risk factor of having someone else (the owner) control their reservation, they would be renting from someone who had no ability to make a reservation and the reservation would be under the control of someone they didn't even know, and with whom they have no business relationship! If there were some issue between the owner and the original tenant, the owner could cancel the reservation and the sub-tenant wouldn't even know about it until they tried to check in.

What OP could do is refer possible replacement folks to the owner, but they can't conduct the transaction themselves.

 

[Jynohn]

Most DVC owners rent their points for one of two reasons, they either won't be able to use the points and they would otherwise expire, or they find themselves needing the extra cash. I just rented out my points for the first time because I had a large unexpected bill come up and 1) it wasn't in the budget to travel this year, and 2) the extra cash could come in handy. If the person I rented to suddenly asked to cancel, it would put me in a huge bind because not only am I already past my banking window and would lose the points, but also because the money is already spent.

I'm sorry you're in a tough place financially right now. Most of us have been there at some point or the other. Hopefully the owner will be able to do something to help you out, but it's more than likely too late to make changes. I hope you're able to enjoy your trip and that things turn around soon!

 

[itsreally4mommy]

I understand the awkwardness but I suppose it couldn't hurt to ask the owner if there is something you could work out? Perhaps see if they can find another renter but if they can't you would follow through on your payment.

 

[Alexander]

Actually, OP has no way to do this. In order for them to rent out their rented reservation, they would have to change the name on the reservation...which they have no ability to do.

Also, anyone who would rent a reservation that way would have to be a VERY naive newbie. Instead of the normal risk factor of having someone else (the owner) control their reservation, they would be renting from someone who had no ability to make a reservation and the reservation would be under the control of someone they didn't even know, and with whom they have no business relationship! If there were some issue between the owner and the original tenant, the owner could cancel the reservation and the sub-tenant wouldn't even know about it until they tried to check in.

What OP could do is refer possible replacement folks to the owner, but they can't conduct the transaction themselves.

Wow! We have been DVC members for 8 years, and rented for years prior to becomming members. I didn't realize that I was either naive or a newbie, let alone a VERY naive newbie!

I did exactly what has been suggested. I took over a reservation from a renter who couldn't use the reservation. The owner did have to make the adjustments to the reservation of course, but both the owner and the original renter were very curteous, kind, and honest people.

You really should watch what you suggest. You really don't know it all.

Oh and by the way, we had a wonderful BWV stay last week on the above referenced reservation.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Wow! We have been DVC members for 8 years, and rented for years prior to becomming members. I didn't realize that I was either naive or a newbie, let alone a VERY naive newbie!

I did exactly what has been suggested. I took over a reservation from a renter who couldn't use the reservation. The owner did have to make the adjustments to the reservation of course, but both the owner and the original renter were very curteous, kind, and honest people.

You really should watch what you suggest. You really don't know it all.

Oh and by the way, we had a wonderful BWV stay last week on the above referenced reservation.

You were very lucky.

 

[GoofItUp]

Actually, OP has no way to do this. In order for them to rent out their rented reservation, they would have to change the name on the reservation...which they have no ability to do.

Also, anyone who would rent a reservation that way would have to be a VERY naive newbie. Instead of the normal risk factor of having someone else (the owner) control their reservation, they would be renting from someone who had no ability to make a reservation and the reservation would be under the control of someone they didn't even know, and with whom they have no business relationship! If there were some issue between the owner and the original tenant, the owner could cancel the reservation and the sub-tenant wouldn't even know about it until they tried to check in.

What OP could do is refer possible replacement folks to the owner, but they can't conduct the transaction themselves.

I think you might have been reading some things into my post that were not intended. My point was, they might be able to find a replacement renter WITH THE OWNERS KNOWLEDGE, COOPERATION, AND CONSENT. All parties would be in on exactly what was going on.

 

[Dean]

Wow! We have been DVC members for 8 years, and rented for years prior to becomming members. I didn't realize that I was either naive or a newbie, let alone a VERY naive newbie!

I did exactly what has been suggested. I took over a reservation from a renter who couldn't use the reservation. The owner did have to make the adjustments to the reservation of course, but both the owner and the original renter were very curteous, kind, and honest people.

You really should watch what you suggest. You really don't know it all.

Oh and by the way, we had a wonderful BWV stay last week on the above referenced reservation.

I think Jim's response was to the idea of the rentee subletting the reservation on their own and without the knowledge of the owner and for that situation, he is right on target. However, I think the poster he responded to was assuming this would be done with the consent of the owner which sounds like your situation as well. I think most owners would be glad to do this other than short notice, required a lot of work or to someone they would not have rented to initially like a spring break crowd or someone who was difficult/demanding.

 

[JimMIA]

Wow! We have been DVC members for 8 years, and rented for years prior to becomming members. I didn't realize that I was either naive or a newbie, let alone a VERY naive newbie!

I did exactly what has been suggested. I took over a reservation from a renter who couldn't use the reservation. The owner did have to make the adjustments to the reservation of course, but both the owner and the original renter were very curteous, kind, and honest people.

Obviously, you are neither naive nor a newbie. In fact, as a long-time owner and renter, you are the perfect person for another owner to rent to -- you know the drill, you know the risks, and you know what you're doing. An owner couldn't possibly pick a better person to take over a troubled reservation.

You really should watch what you suggest. You really don't know it all.

None of us know it all, but we all should be careful what we suggest. For every person posting here, there are many who read but don't post. And a LOT of them are new to the system and can be easily led astray by seemingly simple fixes to complex problems.

A lot of people spend their energy in rentals worrying over the possibility of being defrauded. But the truth is, the overwhelming majority of the problematic rentals are caused by the owner, person renting the reservation, or BOTH, not understanding what they are doing.

When someone steps in and says, "Hey, hold on, it's not quite that simple," they are not being a know-it-all. They are just pointing out that there may be more risk that is apparent to folks who don't fully understand the DVC system.

Oh and by the way, we had a wonderful BWV stay last week on the above referenced reservation.

Great! And it's not because you were lucky. It's because you knew what you were doing. Not everyone reading these threads, nor everyone who rents a reservation, nor even every owner who gets involved in renting, does.

 

[heaven2dc]

I want to thank everyone for their input. I didn't mean to cause such a stir and now wish I hadn't posted this thread.

First I want everyone to know that I'm not a "flake" and trying to back out of a reservation that I signed a contract to. I am in a situation where I tried every avenue to come up with funds to repair the only car in our household right now and nothing worked out.

I know if I were the renter, I would be skeptical of this situation but with God's grace, my DVC renter is kind and trying to work with me in this situation and understands. I have never backed out of a DVC reservation before and plan never to again but sometimes life throws a kink into things. I've seen reports on the Disboards where people have had to cancel their trips because of lay-offs, deaths, illnesses or economic reasons and they weren't flamed for cancelling their trip. I'm only asking to cancel a portion of the reservation and fully intend on honoring my 2-bedroom reservation.

In 1994 on our journey from Oregon to Florida to visit WDW and possibly move to the area, we encountered all kinds of car problems but my husband was able to fix our van and keep us on the road. Sadly this took a toll on him at the end of the trip and he died of a heart attack in the Kissimmee hotel room a week before Christmas. We all miss him and this upcoming trip was to gather all five of my kids and myself and little grandson together for a family trip to see the place my late husband never got to see. If my husband were alive, he would fix my car and I wouldn't be at the mercy of a mechanic hoping my car will be fixed properly.

Everything will work out ok because I have faith in God and have a DVC owner who has a kind heart. I truly hope (and have faith) that he will be able to rerent the 2 studios with a boardwalk view. If I knew of someone who could take over the reservation, I would have referred them to him but unfortunately I don't. I hope everyone will understand that I only posted this thread because I was afraid I was stepping over the DVC owner's toes and asking too much of him and hoped to find some kind responses (which I have received some). Thanks everyone and I hope your lives are blessed and kept on the right path and that nothing unexpected gets thrown your way!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm so glad you are renting from someone who will work with you. Best wishes.

Bobbi