Although it is shocking...it's called taking advantage of an opportunity. How can we totally blame these individuals if it has gone on for years and Disney has done nothing about it? It is really fair to allow them to buy contract after contract and then suddenly say: "Sorry, I know we've got all your money -- but you can't do that anymore." I'm certainly not saying it was right for them to reply to each others points-for-rent threads, etc. and possibly deceive people or drive the cost up, but it's called Capitalism and it's the American way. I guess my point is: Don't hate the player -- hate the game.
There are many owners with 1000+ points that bought them for investment purposes, retirement years, etc. and I would find it hard to believe they themselves are using all those points in the meantime. I even rent my own points out when I know we won't be using them. That's why DVC appealed to us in the first place.
DVC is going to have to find a system that allows people to use their points at their discretion without taking anything away from other members. Perhaps peak times can only be reserved in the member's name and they must be present at check-in, maybe points always retain their original use year/home resort no matter what the circumstances are. I really don't know what the answer is, but agree something must be done as more and more members join on a daily basis.
As for mushpurple, I imagine she's out shopping for the biggest bottle of extra-strength Tylenol she can find right now.