Dvc to rent or not to rent....

[spiceycat]

I don't want to high jack OP's thread, but what does "do your homework" mean exactly? What should a person do or ask if they want to safely rent points?

there is a website that lists the owner of property - Orange county for all but AKV (I think)

problem is - the name is generally your legal name and not the one you use.
Anyway will try and find the website and get back to you.

DVC definitely uses the county to record their deeds. So if you want to look for it you can find their name attached to a DVC property.

------------------
to OP - both BLT and BCV you need to find a member and get them as soon as possible.

DVC is hard to get for any holiday (NY, MLK, easter & palm weeks, memorial, July 4, thankgiving, christmas to NY) - plus Dec - Dec is very popular with members and it goes fast. If you want next Dec then start looking NOW for someone to rent from NOW. and be prepared to rent in Jan.

if you go thru a person rather than a broker - you can get better terms - You don't pay up front - and cancelling can be done - if they can rerent the points.

 

[collegeprogram01]

I have been researching about renting points for our 2013 trip. never done this before in all my trips to disney. There is a great value to be had by doing this it seems. Right now I am looking at the OK, BWV, or AKL.Who would you book through and what resort would your suggest!? I have been looking at Davids site.

Thanks

 

[collegeprogram01]

I meant...OKW...not OK...sorry about that...not enought coffee yet this morning!

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm a DVC owner. I am very hesitant to rent my points to a stranger. So, when I found myself in a situation that warranted renting out my points, I went with David's company. He is a bit more expensive, but I am recommending him to my friends that want to rent points. He does all the ground work. He is the middleman....I don't have to worry about payment..he takes care of that. All I do is make the reservation for the folks that want it. Yes, I 'own' the reservation until they are standing at the checkin counter. But, they can see their reservation online, I believe.
I'm not sure I would be comfy renting points from someone I didn't know. And I wouldn't be comfy renting 'to' a person I didn't know. David takes away that issue for me.

 

[RhettsMom]

We just rented for next year for the first time. We used stayatwdw to rent ours. I have been extremely pleased with the process. While we may not have control over our reservation, I can see it and will be able to do my own ADR. The only thing I can't do is add the ME to it once we can book our flights. I am actually ok with this as the price for staying at BLT over the same price for POR was an easy decision.

Another thread I was reading actually said that you can arrange your own ME. ME isn't actually owned by Disney, but rather by MEARS. This particular poster said he called the ME phone number found the disney website, and had no problems arranging their own ME.

Thought it might be worth giving it a shot. We are flying into SFB this trip, so no ME for us, otherwise I would be trying to call them myself too!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'm a DVC owner. I am very hesitant to rent my points to a stranger. So, when I found myself in a situation that warranted renting out my points, I went with David's company. He is a bit more expensive, but I am recommending him to my friends that want to rent points. He does all the ground work. He is the middleman....I don't have to worry about payment..he takes care of that. All I do is make the reservation for the folks that want it. Yes, I 'own' the reservation until they are standing at the checkin counter. But, they can see their reservation online, I believe.
I'm not sure I would be comfy renting points from someone I didn't know. And I wouldn't be comfy renting 'to' a person I didn't know. David takes away that issue for me.

But you are still "renting your points" to a stranger who may damage the villa or leave behind an unpaid bill. You are still responsible for those problems because your points were used to make the reservation.

 

[Merandab4]

Is it customary for a DVC owner to ask for payment BEFORE the reservation is made and full payment BEFORE you as a renter can see it?

I am looking into renting DVC points and some owners are willing to make the reservation first so you can see it, and then final payment due 45 days before arrival which seems fair.

What is customary?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Is it customary for a DVC owner to ask for payment BEFORE the reservation is made and full payment BEFORE you as a renter can see it?

I am looking into renting DVC points and some owners are willing to make the reservation first so you can see it, and then final payment due 45 days before arrival which seems fair.

What is customary?

There is no customary. It just depends on the owner. If you are close to the arrival date, they may want cash to make the reservation in case they don't hear from you after they make the reservation. There are (or at least there were) a lot of "shoppers" out there. They find out if the villa is available from one member, find out their price and try to find someone who will book it for less.

There are a lot of members who might make the reservation without payment, but once it is made you pay in full. A lot of them will not accept partial payment with the rest due Xmany days before the start of the trip.

 

[vicki_c]

The only time I rented, I paid the owner 1/2 on the day he made the reservation and the balance a few days later when he emailed the confirmation. If I was to rent my points out, I'm not sure what I would request but I think I would definitely want ALL of the money within my cancellation window to avoid losing points. And I would definitely ask for 1/2 immediately. As Deb said, it's all up to the individual owner.

 

[jamelynn24]

I think it's a bit fishy to want full payment before you can see the reservation. When I rented, she booked the reservation, THEN had me pay through Paypal. I felt better knowing the reservation was out there and this was all legit

 

[disneyfan123]

We've rented DVC twice and it was a great experience. It was from a private owner, and the cost was cheaper than some of the broker sites (ie David's). If you want the owner's info, send me a PM and I can give you more details.

Also, when we rented 2 years ago, we were able to add the dining plan; does anyone know if that has changed since 2010?

As great as it was to rent, I wouldn't necessarily do it again because the cost is so high compared to Bonnet Creek or other resorts like it. If you are just staying in a studio and don't have a large group, then it's a great deal, but I've found that your dollar will go a lot farther at other resorts if you need the space of a 1 or 2 bedroom.

That being said, if money isn't an issue than go for it. I love staying on Disney property, but it's hard for us to justify it when I can get a 2 bedroom suite at Bonnet Creek for less than the price of a Disney studio room.

 

[asgt]

Can an owner cancel a reservation? I posted on a board when I needed points for and "met" a great owner who I chatted with, called his references and we set up a ressie this afternoon with the intent that he would invoice me through paypal tonight for payment after I viewed the ressie details through Disney. I just got home and received an email from another owner who has a booked trip for the same week in Jan. that they cannot use and offered it to me for a steal.

2 thoughts:
One I like the owner I worked with and feel committed to him. I do not want him to be out if I ask him to cancel it. Is it possible for him to cancel it without fees?
Secondly, why can't this other owner just cancel their ressie and not try to sell it to me? Is that fishy? 8 days at WL 1 BD $1000 is their price.

 

[thr33boys]

Can an owner cancel a reservation? I posted on a board when I needed points for and "met" a great owner who I chatted with, called his references and we set up a ressie this afternoon with the intent that he would invoice me through paypal tonight for payment after I viewed the ressie details through Disney. I just got home and received an email from another owner who has a booked trip for the same week in Jan. that they cannot use and offered it to me for a steal.

2 thoughts:
One I like the owner I worked with and feel committed to him. I do not want him to be out if I ask him to cancel it. Is it possible for him to cancel it without fees?
Secondly, why can't this other owner just cancel their ressie and not try to sell it to me? Is that fishy? 8 days at WL 1 BD $1000 is their price.

Did the second owner, initiate the contact with you or did he reply to one of your requests? If he initiated the contact, then I don't think you should entertain his offer. However, if he's replied to one of your requests, then it could be legit. Owners can't always cancel as they could end up losing their points if they don't use them by a certain date. It's in his best interest to sell it to you at a reduced rate than risk getting nothing for them. I would just be worried about who initiated the contact.

Hope it works out for you.

 

[jamelynn24]

We've rented DVC twice and it was a great experience. It was from a private owner, and the cost was cheaper than some of the broker sites (ie David's). If you want the owner's info, send me a PM and I can give you more details.

Also, when we rented 2 years ago, we were able to add the dining plan; does anyone know if that has changed since 2010?

As great as it was to rent, I wouldn't necessarily do it again because the cost is so high compared to Bonnet Creek or other resorts like it. If you are just staying in a studio and don't have a large group, then it's a great deal, but I've found that your dollar will go a lot farther at other resorts if you need the space of a 1 or 2 bedroom.

That being said, if money isn't an issue than go for it. I love staying on Disney property, but it's hard for us to justify it when I can get a 2 bedroom suite at Bonnet Creek for less than the price of a Disney studio room.

You can add the dining plan with DVC! I forget exactly but it has to be added a certain number of days prior to arrival. You pay the standard rate, no DVC discount.
We rented points for next spring break, but I know what you mean about Bonnet Creek! We had someone who would charge us $1200 for 9 nights in a 2 bedroom....we are paying well over $2000 for a DVC studio!! We just love staying on property, though

 

[chalee94]

One I like the owner I worked with and feel committed to him. (we set up a ressie this afternoon with the intent that he would invoice me through paypal tonight for payment after I viewed the ressie details through Disney.) I do not want him to be out if I ask him to cancel it. Is it possible for him to cancel it without fees?

it varies. depending on where he is in his use year, you might be putting him in a very tough spot. if you made the deal, i would think an honorable person would follow through.

Secondly, why can't this other owner just cancel their ressie and not try to sell it to me? Is that fishy? 8 days at WL 1 BD $1000 is their price.

is there a $95 fee on arrival involved with the 2nd offer? it sounds a lot like the 2nd guy is not a DVC owner at all but is trying to rent an RCI timeshare trade. that is against RCI's policy and may result in them canceling the reservation out from under you and terminating the other person's membership.

it does sound fishy as there's no way a DVC owner would rent at that rate...

 

[goofy4tink]

But you are still "renting your points" to a stranger who may damage the villa or leave behind an unpaid bill. You are still responsible for those problems because your points were used to make the reservation.

Very true. But, I could rent to friends and that could happen as well. I used David only because I was stuck with points I would lose, based on their being borrowed. I have faith that it will all work out fine.

Can an owner cancel a reservation? I posted on a board when I needed points for and "met" a great owner who I chatted with, called his references and we set up a ressie this afternoon with the intent that he would invoice me through paypal tonight for payment after I viewed the ressie details through Disney. I just got home and received an email from another owner who has a booked trip for the same week in Jan. that they cannot use and offered it to me for a steal.

2 thoughts:
One I like the owner I worked with and feel committed to him. I do not want him to be out if I ask him to cancel it. Is it possible for him to cancel it without fees?
Secondly, why can't this other owner just cancel their ressie and not try to sell it to me? Is that fishy? 8 days at WL 1 BD $1000 is their price.

It's possible the person who contacted you has to rent the points or he will lose them.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I'm a DVC owner. I am very hesitant to rent my points to a stranger. So, when I found myself in a situation that warranted renting out my points, I went with David's company. He is a bit more expensive, but I am recommending him to my friends that want to rent points. He does all the ground work. He is the middleman....I don't have to worry about payment..he takes care of that. All I do is make the reservation for the folks that want it. Yes, I 'own' the reservation until they are standing at the checkin counter. But, they can see their reservation online, I believe.
I'm not sure I would be comfy renting points from someone I didn't know. And I wouldn't be comfy renting 'to' a person I didn't know. David takes away that issue for me.

Let me get this clear.. When you have too many points that is not being used, you have Dave rents the points from you, and Dave rents out the points to others? And you actually do the reservation because it's under your name?

 

[disneynutz]

Let me get this clear.. When you have too many points that is not being used, you have Dave rents the points from you, and Dave rents out the points to others? And you actually do the reservation because it's under your name?

The way I understand it David matches your points to a renter. The point owner still has to make the reservation, DME, and DDP arrangements. Dave collects the rental money, keeps his fee and pays the owner of the points.

Bill

 

[vicki_c]

The way I understand it David matches your points to a renter. The point owner still has to make the reservation, DME, and DDP arrangements. Dave collects the rental money, keeps his fee and pays the owner of the points.

Bill

This is correct. There is no double renting like the PP described. David's service (and other similar places) is a broker or middleman.

The reservation is in the name of the renter, but the DVC member is still in control of it since DVC will not work with non-owners.

 

[Lynne M]

Can an owner cancel a reservation? I posted on a board when I needed points for and "met" a great owner who I chatted with, called his references and we set up a ressie this afternoon with the intent that he would invoice me through paypal tonight for payment after I viewed the ressie details through Disney. I just got home and received an email from another owner who has a booked trip for the same week in Jan. that they cannot use and offered it to me for a steal.

2 thoughts:
One I like the owner I worked with and feel committed to him. I do not want him to be out if I ask him to cancel it. Is it possible for him to cancel it without fees?
Secondly, why can't this other owner just cancel their ressie and not try to sell it to me? Is that fishy? 8 days at WL 1 BD $1000 is their price.

DVC owners who rent points generally have a no-cancellations policy. It's not that the owner would have to pay a fee, but depending on use year and other factors, they may be at risk of losing the points if you cancel. You can ask the owner you have the reservation with how they feel about it, but I wouldn't be surprised if they declined to refund your money.

I would consider an offer for 8 days in a VWL 1 bedroom for $1000 to be kinda fishy. In the cheapest season, 8 days would be 232 points. At the average going rate of $10/point, that would be a $2320 reservation they're selling for $1000. I suppose they could be desperate, but I'd still be very leery of a price that low.

As to why they wouldn't cancel, I suspect it's due to availability. DVC resorts tend to book up early; most owners make their reservations 7-11 months out. Adding to that, VWL is among the smallest of the DVC resorts, and is very popular, especially around holiday time. If the owner were to cancel this reservation, there may be no way for them to book anything else with those points.