Does this sound like a scam?

[OnlyWhnChasd]

Okay, this is completely unrelated to my other thread worrying about POR! LOL It just happened to come up so I figured I'd check it out.

Basically, someone is saying that they are not going to be making the trip they'd planned to Disney. They've offered their room reservation, 3 nights in a studio at SSR, for $400. I'm not getting why you would do that. That's a pretty deep discount and I don't understand why you would try and off your ressie to someone else versus canceling it and getting your money back. Does this sound like a scam or would there be a legitmate reason for doing this?

 

[Monica20039]

It sounds kind of weird to me. They could get their money back minus any fees depending on how soon their vacation is...

Just my opinion though.

 

[disneynutz]

You need more info. Are they a member on points or are they a cash reservation? How soon is the reservation. How did they advertise?

 

[OnlyWhnChasd]

The ressie is for Jan. 11-14, 2008. I don't know about the membership thing, I will ask. It was posted on one of the other message boards I frequent. I would like to think that everyone on message boards is as trustworthy as me but I know that would be nieve.

 

[dingoballs]

The ressie is for Jan. 11-14, 2008. I don't know about the membership thing, I will ask. It was posted on one of the other message boards I frequent. I would like to think that everyone on message boards is as trustworthy as me but I know that would be nieve.

You know that saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is"? I think this is such a case...

 

[safetymom]

I agree with the previous poster. BUYER BEWARE!!!!

 

[OlderMan]

... for SSR, it seems realistic.

Points are often rented for $10 or so, but 'distressed' points which will be expiring soon can rent for less. This SEEMS to be about $8 per point.

More information would be needed, though!

 

[LilGMom]

It almost sounds like they are DVC members, had a trip planned and instead of having those points either get lost or put into cancellation account (can't remember all of the particulars of that, sorry) they would like to 'rent' them out. The point total for that stay is 51 points so they'd be renting the points for less than the typical $10/pt which isn't a bad deal for someone and I don't think you can go through CRO and get a studio for three nights (two of which are weekend nights) for that amount. Would be interesting to get all of the info on that.

 

[chalee94]

It almost sounds like they are DVC members, had a trip planned and instead of having those points either get lost or put into cancellation account (can't remember all of the particulars of that, sorry) they would like to 'rent' them out.

i'd agree.

i'd be a little cautious, but it's hardly "too good to be true."

i rented 5 weeknights at an SSR studio last year for less than $90 a night, taxes included.

the rules for DVC points usage can be complicated. if the points are close to expiring and can't be banked, deep discounting may be the best available option...

 

[jenjersnap]

you'd need 51 pts for that stay so renting from a DVC member would normally cost around $510. I bet at this late date, they are simply trying to unload the reservation for reasons PP have explained.

 

[capecoddisneyfamily]

They are probally at the end of thier use year at DVC and instead of loosing the points why not try to get something for them. This happened to us one year I mismanaged our points and almost lost them, we sent my parents to WDW so I wouldnt loose the points.

 

[OnlyWhnChasd]

Okay, he says he's a DVC member and was paying with points that would expire in February. He said his wife is expecting a child in February so he wouldn't be using them, hence the need to just sell them.

I'm a little more at ease with that explanation (especially since I didn't mention anything about DVC and he volunteered that himself). Sooo... should I do it? How do you all feel about SSR versus POR?

 

[disneynutz]

Okay, he says he's a DVC member and was paying with points that would expire in February. He said his wife is expecting a child in February so he wouldn't be using them, hence the need to just sell them.

I'm a little more at ease with that explanation (especially since I didn't mention anything about DVC and he volunteered that himself). Sooo... should I do it? How do you all feel about SSR versus POR?

What is his history on the boards. Has he been around a while? How long has he been a DVC member? Has he rented b4? What's the payment terms? Does he have references?

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

There are sample rental agreements floating around on the DIS. The renter should have no problem providing a contract for the transaction as well as references. DO NOT USE WESTERN UNION UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! There have been very few circumstances in which renters have been taken advantage of, but not many.

You might consider re-asking this question on the DVC Planning boards. You should get a lot of insight into the how to and pros and cons of renting from DVC members.

There are many red flags that can help you. The adage about "If its too good to be true" is a red flag. The strange feeling in the pit of your stomach is a red flag. WESTERN UNION is a HUGE red flag. (It can be done in a way that is not traceable.)

Good Luck!

 

[ldo]

I would get his phone number and talk to him and ask him a bunch of questions---most scammers don't tend to give phone numbers and want to talk on the phone.
He might not have rented before, if he usually uses his points, so that wouldn't really bother me--but, I would ask things like "how many points does it take per night," "what is your home resort," "what are your maintenance fees,"---if he can answer all those in stride, I would think he's OK.
ps-- price for SSR is not that much lower than renting points, and still well above what his maintenance fees were (about $4 a point).

 

[chalee94]

Sooo... should I do it? How do you all feel about SSR versus POR?

take some time and look at the pics on the web. i haven't stayed at POR but enjoyed SSR. i think SSR is extremely nice, but i like the more subtle theming. i was on the edge of the paddocks and only a short walk to downtown disney, so it was very convenient to everything (buses to resorts as well as parks.)

you should be aware, though, that studios will only have one real queen-sized bed, with a pullout sofa as a second option.

i would definitely get a complete name and phone number, and pay by check or paypal rather than a wire transfer arrangement. you should expect to receive a copy of the reservation confirmation fairly quickly after making payment. his posting history on the DIS would help give some comfort if it's there, but it's not completely essential.

a contract is optional. the biggest thing to be aware of is that your payment may be nonrefundable if your plans change...make sure both of you understand what those terms are.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Or it could be a non-DVC member who got SSR in a trade with their own timeshare for that time. Now they can't use it and are trying to sell it. But that's not allowed.

You just need more information on who the person is and what they are selling.