Disadvantages of renting from DVC?

[lalijack]

Okay, so am I right in assuming that my free QSDP pin code would not work if I'm renting DVC points, since the pin is in my name and not the DVC member's?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Okay, so am I right in assuming that my free QSDP pin code would not work if I'm renting DVC points, since the pin is in my name and not the DVC member's?

In order to use a PIN code, you must purchase a package. You are not purchasing a package when you use DVC points. So if you want to use the PIN Code, you will need to purchase your reservation directly from Disney and not from a member.

 

[lalijack]

That's what I thought. Thanks for the fast reply!

 

[WDWBW09]

the first time i planned a disney trip was for last October and picked up a little information on disney vacation club which was totally new to me! just looking around this site i saw that you can rent points and stay for a LOT less than going through the regular site.. what are the disadvantages of doing that? it seems like a no brainer to do that instead, but i'm sure i'm missing something.. anybody have opinions either way? it would just be two adults and one child, so even just the studio would be fine for us!

We rented in December 2009 and the pros for us were that we received great accomidations for our family of 6 for 1/4 of the price. A two bedroom lock off at SSR for 2 days would have been around 1K a day Christmas week outright. So we saved big money. There are ways to protect yourself. Please read the tutorial on this message board.

Cons and doubt exist even though we had a wonderful renter. I received a letter in the renters name listing myself and my family members as guests.
You cannot call DVC as you are not the member. The front desks are very reluctant to assist you until your paperwork arrives usually withing the 10 day period before the vacation.

So from the time you make the agreement until literally right before you arrive you feel uneasy. I never told my wife but until I arrived at the SSR gate, gave our name, and the guard stated "welcome home" I was nervous.
You must decide on dinning plan up front and it cannot be changed when you arrive. Didn't try but know from the many messages read on the dis.

I've learned most renters on this board are family oriented, and have a great love for WDW. You are helping them too as they cannot use their points for one reason or another. My wife and I will rent until we can buy into DVC. Matter of fact I intend to rent this August for our anniversary trip.

Protect yourself, read and ask questions from the renter. If they're not forthcoming during your discussions move on it shouldn't be a difficult transaction. Your first instinct is usually the correct one.

Remember with risk comes reward and as a father I had an added bounce in my step knowing I saved money I would have spent on accomidations by renting points...

Goodluck!

 

[tskover57]

we're leaving in 11 days and will be renting for the 3rd time. Personally I love renting points because I love the deluxe accomodations and the kitchenette in the studios. We have had nothing but positive experiences with renting. We also have made our reservations pretty close to departure with this trip probably only 2 months out, and our first trip literally 2 weeks before. Sometimes you just get lucky with open dates, you just have to be a little flexible with dates and resorts the closer to the date. I think it is less expensive to rent. When we went in 2007...before we found the Dis... we booked a package through Disney, a cabin for four adults, hoppers, and dining plan. This was way more expensive then renting a studio, buying tickets elsewhere and paying cash for DDP when we arive for $40 a day pp(i believe). I think discovering renting has allowed my mom and I to try resorts we wouldn't otherwise be able to stay at through disney packages. We have not had any negative aspects during our trips and the other things mentioned by pp's such as maid service, etc does not bother us at all, although to some it might. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about renting DVC, we would buy if we could but renting is the closest we get for now!

 

[mamapooh]

We rented pts. for the first time a couple of weeks ago and we were very happy. I did ask the member for a few references which was suggested and he was happy to give me a couple. He also mailed me the reservation confirmation before I paid him and I could call Disney to confirm that the reservation was in our name. We have 4 children and my inlaws were going with us so it was a nice way to all stay together instead of getting 3 rooms. We had the washer and dryer which was great. We also were near the quiet pool so if we needed extra towels, we just grabbed a couple. We paid the DVC member $4050.00 total and we would have had to pay Disney 6400.00 plus tax. We stayed at OKW which we loved! Incidentally we went to one of the DVC presentations and unexpectedly bought a membership. Very excited to plan our next vacation.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We rented pts. for the first time a couple of weeks ago and we were very happy. I did ask the member for a few references which was suggested and he was happy to give me a couple. He also mailed me the reservation confirmation before I paid him and I could call Disney to confirm that the reservation was in our name. ....

Actually, you cannot call DVC Member Services to confirm the reservation is in your name. And Disney Reservation Center may not be able to help you either. In your case, mamapooh, I think you were just lucky to be able to talk to someone on the phone about your reservation.

 

[leane]

I am an owner and have rented my points.. I never stayed at in a regular room.. our very first visit was after we purchased DVC, yes sight on seen my thoughts were....ITS DISNEY NOTHING CAN BE BAD. I was right. We loved it!

It was a bit of a downer not to come back to the room having the beds made, but it wasn't the end of the world.

One thing I think is important to mention is cost... I have rented and have some up now. I get requests to sell for 10-8 per point... I find that hard to swallow. I know everyone wants a good deal but even at 12 per point it is a heck of a bargain. DVC now allows members to rent up to 24 points to help cover for a shortage if needed and they charge us $15 per point. I think, or at least IMO it should be, that rentals won't be going for such a small amount unless it is that the points are in holding or close to expiring.


I think it is important to mention, I have heard of owners getting ripped off and renters but as mentioned earlier, they are few and far between. And unfortunately even with a contract you may not be able to get the funds back. And... DVC and Disney will not get involved if you find a bad memeber. It is a private transaction and they will do nothing to help either party.

 

[ElizabethB]

With all the discounting Disney is doing, we found it was only a little more to book our two-week stay in a one-bedroom BWV during the F&W Festival through CRO rather than renting points, calculated at $10 per point per day. When we calculated the cost of daily maid service (yes -- we want the vacation luxury of daily maid service!), it was about the same price. We get turndown service, too.

Renting points on weekends is very expensive and can eat up a lot of the savings from point rentals. We have no interest in switching to a value resort for Friday and Saturday nights.

With CRO, we can cancel up to five days prior to our arrival date without penalty. And, we don't have to conduct a several thousand dollar transaction with a stranger.

We also nabbed a 40% off stay in a one-bedroom BCV using the fall promotion for a second trip later this year.

At this point, I would not be tempted to rent points unless the price were to fall significantly below $10 per point.

 

[tgropp]

Well it's a private transaction and Disney is not involved, so your risk is greater. Cancelling your reservation may not be possible without losing your money. You can't partake in any Disney discounts like free dining. You won't get maid service every day either. Those are all the negatives I can think of. For some people they are a big deal. For others not so much.

I rented from a person and ended up buying at 2 different resorts . Many of the points that you mentioned are true.With the free dining promos You can purchase the dining paln for $42.00 a person. For a deluxe hotel renting points at approx $175 plus the meal plan would work out to a max of $250.00 for 2 people. On the meal plan you are paying rack rate of $325.00 to $350.00 plus taxes. Much much cheaper renting points plus you get free internet, free movie rentals and other benefits. But in all honesty, I will never rent out my points to people that I do not know. If they damage the room or take something or leave with unpaid charges by cancelling their CC, the owner who rented the points out is responsible for the charges. It is not worth the risk. JMHO.

 

[dgagnon519]

I have rented my "home" 4 times in the last 2 years. I was nervous about renting, but could not use my points and did not want to lose them and it was nice having the money to apply to the taxes. I have done reservations for 11 months out to as close as 2 months out. All transactions went well. I had done 3 way calls for booking so the person felt more at ease. I would send a copy of the reservation as soon as I received it. I would confirm through email several times before the trip that things were a go still. I added dining for them if they wanted. I would like to point out you can make your own dining reservations when renting you just cant add the plan yourself. It has risk on both ends but can also be a great experience.

 

[LiteninPrincessa42]

I am lucky to have a coworker who rents her DVC points. I was able to stay at BCV last year for $6 a point. This year I am doing a split stay at BLT and AKL for $7 a point. The benefit for me is first of all I know the owner and we book the reservation together. I pay her when she gets the confirmation letter and she turns it over to me. Secondly I get to stay at deluxe resorts I would never be able to stay at. I purchase the dining plan and get my tickets at Undercover Tourist. I could go cheaper to a value resort, but it's so exciting to stay at a deluxe!

 

[cmpdw4me]

We're renting DVC points for our 2nd time this year. We had a very SMOOTH trip last year. Rented points for WLV. The owners put in our ressies we wanted the DDP & park tickets. When we checked in, our room was already paid for so we only owed or the DDP & tickets. We were treated as IF we were the DVC members, like ROYALTY! Needless to say, we are renting again THIS year. We are paying Moderate room prices for another Deluxe!! This for us, is the way to go!!

 

[crisi]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned using David's DVC Rentals. http://www.dvcrequest.com/
He is a boards sponsor and it just seems to me that if you are leery about a transaction with a complete stranger this route, while a little more expensive, should offer some piece of mind. Don't be afraid of the $35 up front fee, because it is refunded immediately if what you want isn't available.

It's a great way of staying Deluxe without breaking the bank.

Dave just acts as a broker. The owner still controls the reservation. Its a valuable service, but I don't know if it adds more or less peace of mind - personally, I think its a little less as you are depending on Dave to screen your owner.