Ebay?

[dpglow]

I'm looking at SSR but as for many of us, $$$ is a concern even though I know the long term savings can be substantial. I'm about ready to go, but as usual my wife has the more sensible mind and wants to investigate further. This board has been a great help (just found a couple of days ago).

I've seen a couple listing on EBay for specific dates being available such as March 18-23, 2004 2 Bedroom villa yadda yadda yadda. Seller will make reservation in buyers name and then buyer can call and confirm.

Just curious, is this allowed under the contract and/or does DVC frown upon this? Do some people do this to help offset some of the cost? I could see how selling a 5 weeknight stay for $1000 (as was listed on Ebay) could definitely help cover the costs.

Thanks

 

[bobbiwoz]

There is a rent/trade board in this forum, and there are threads with general Q&A about renting your DVC points.

I don't have any experience in doing that, but it would be a starting place for you.

Bobbi

 

[Dean]

Are you looking to buy then rent some points to cover costs or are you looking just to rent for a trip? Either is acceptable.

 

[foxinsox]

We are in the process of buying at SSR and I asked our guide the same question. His response wat that "commercial" use is not allowed, and that they have also been watching a few people on ebay that seem to be selling "excessively". However, he also stated that most of the renting activity isn't a concern and the language of the contract is very vague when it comes to this topic and even the penalties that might be involved are not specified. Personally, I think if they wanted to stop this activity they would first need to change their terms-and-conditions, in which case I expect they will get an earful from current members. This is just my speculation, I personally plan to sell a few points each year to help with annual dues and interest on my loan.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by foxinsox
We are in the process of buying at SSR and I asked our guide the same question. His response wat that "commercial" use is not allowed, and that they have also been watching a few people on ebay that seem to be selling "excessively"....

Good. There is rental activity on ebay that falls within commercial use in my opinion, and should be curtailed. I've seen strong support for occasional renting, and strong displeasure towards those taking it too far with regular ebay rental of prime holiday lowest weekday points rentals.

For your personal use and an occasional rent, I'd also recommend checking out the rent/trade boards on this site.

 

[dpglow]

Wow, Thanks for the quick answers.

To answer Dean, I was inquiring from both points of view. I've never been to WDW and half think I should at least see it before we buy, but was also thinking for down the road covering costs as well.

Now that I saw the rent/trade board I can see that the Ebay seller is seemingly trying to take advantage of those not lucky enought to come across this forum, by charging about twice the price as the points available on the rent/trade board. Also they are locked in dates on Ebay.

If I understand right (a rarity), I can rent points for a one-time use for about $10 in most cases. If I wanted to stay at VWL Sun thru Thur (5 x 12=60 points) in Oct it would cost me $600. Seems a lot cheaper than booking it on a cash basis.

If I do rent points, do I get full pool priveleges and such? I've seen other posts that say valet and restaurant discounts don't apply to guests. We have an aquaintance in DVC and they said that some pools were restriced to members only.

Again, thanks for the info and I apologize if some of this is covered in other posts, but honestly my mind is a blur after reading these all weekend.

Thanks

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by dpglow
I've seen a couple listing on EBay for specific dates being available such as March 18-23, 2004 2 Bedroom villa yadda yadda yadda. Seller will make reservation in buyers name and then buyer can call and confirm.

Just curious, is this allowed under the contract and/or does DVC frown upon this? Do some people do this to help offset some of the cost? I could see how selling a 5 weeknight stay for $1000 (as was listed on Ebay) could definitely help cover the costs.

Thanks

As others have said, it's called point renting. It does occur, and there is little that DVC can do to stop it.

But they do not actively endorse it either. DVC Member Services will not confirm reservations, give discount info, etc. to anyone other than the DVC member.

With regard to the specific listings you see on eBay, many people will likely agree that reserving specific dates is a pretty sleazy way in which to rent points. You probably know enough about the system to understand that DVC members can vacation at any time of the year, pending availability. There are specific times of year, resorts and room types that can be difficult to book on anything less than 8-10 months notice. Therefore it would seem to be to the renter's financial advantage to make a reservation as early as possible for difficult to book periods, and then get top dollar by selling the ressie.

Meanwhile you've got other DVC members who may not be able to book their desired room / resort combo because of no availability.

If you want to rent points, that's completely your prerogative. But please do not book rooms in advance and try to "sell" the ressie.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

When you rent you get all the perks all Disney guests get. This includes swimming and other activites at your resort, free Disney transportation, etc.

What is not included are the perks that are for DVC members. These included discounts at some restaurants, hopping to pools at some of the other resorts and free valet parking at DVC resorts.

You can always swim at your resort, you just can't hop to others like a DVC member can. I think that is what your friend was refering to.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by tjkraz
As others have said, it's called point renting. It does occur, and there is little that DVC can do to stop it. ...

Not true. Those abusing point renting through excessive ebay rental practices could easily be determined to fall under the commercial use clause that was signed and the board could decide to enforce the clause more strictly. Although they have not choosen to do so up to this point, but they may in the future. Perhaps is will be an initiative of the new leadership. However, I do appreciate your description of "pretty sleazy". Regardless, the commercial use clause could be enforced more strongly, negating your statement.

 

[foxinsox]

But what is there to enforce? If the language of the rules is vague, and no pelalty is specified, I am not sure there is much to enforce. Unless they change the verbage to specify that the penalty is temporary loss of reservation privaleges or permanent forfieture of points, any penalty would be arbitrary and probably cause Disney more problems than it is worth. I think the most they can do currently is a stern warning letter. If someone knows anything that would suggest differently, I would be interested in knowing what that is. (I am not defending the practice of renting on ebay, but when a legal contract exists, as it does here, things are usually spelled out to the smallest detail.)

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by foxinsox
But what is there to enforce? If the language of the rules is vague, and no pelalty is specified, I am not sure there is much to enforce. Unless they change the verbage to specify that the penalty is temporary loss of reservation privaleges or permanent forfieture of points, any penalty would be arbitrary and probably cause Disney more problems than it is worth. I think the most they can do currently is a stern warning letter. If someone knows anything that would suggest differently, I would be interested in knowing what that is. (I am not defending the practice of renting on ebay, but when a legal contract exists, as it does here, things are usually spelled out to the smallest detail.)

Besides I believe it would be illegal to enforce it as long as Disney is renting, regardless of what the rules say.

 

[mydogdrew]

Renting is almost as good as owning. The drawbacks are that is cheaper to own if you travel often and you can't make you own reservations. Otherwise, you get all the benefits of ownership when you rent. We addressed these two issues by buying a 50 point resale. We can rent as needed but banking and borrowing will cover most of our needs. Since we are members we can rent points and have them transferred to our account to make our own reservations. We can also add on through Disney if we decide we are renting too often.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by dpglow
[...] my mind is a blur after reading these all weekend.

I sympathize, dpglow! Even though I'd been an online Disney guy for years, but when DW and I decided to seriously look into DVC, the amount of information - and opinions - available just set my mind a-spinning!

Good luck!