Family bailed on Christmas trip - need to vent

[FredS]

Violated what should probably be the first and firm rule of owning DVC. Do not make reservations for family and friends! Okay, an overstatement perhaps, but aaargh!

Just after Christmas last year, a perfectly intelligent part of my extended family was very excited about going to Disney after Christmas and over New Year's Eve this year. Once they priced it with CRO, they asked if I would book on points, as it would be much cheaper, even paying me for the points. As the size of the group would involve me borrowing points, I really walked through the entire process, and asked that they be sure (as reasonably possible, of course) that they were going to go, and if there were any changes that I needed to know ASAP as this was a very busy time and reservations would be tricky to make and change. I thought it was clear.

I do the whole day-by-day, calling as soon as MS opened to make the somewhat convoluted reservations. Whew, got them. Not two weeks later they need to change something because one of the college-age students would rather do X than Y. Okay, I make the calls to rearrange. I also reiterate that changes are not easy during this time period. A few weeks later, again, they want to make significant changes. I call and have to waitlist a bit, but it comes through.

Last week they told me that they want to arrive two days later than originally planned. I decided to wait to shorten the stay, as I figured it would change again before long. I guess you know what comes next. Now they "don't think they can make it" after all. One of the family members "might" have a work conflict. I will not do this again. If I can make a simple reservation without tying up points I might need, fine. Anything more involved, nope.

I feel a little better now.

 

[patsal]

Oh that is so awful. I hope they come through and decide to use the vacation you obviously did so much work for.

 

[spiceycat]

so sorry!!!

next time family or not get a contract.....

you know only family makes us jump through loops......

 

[BCV23]

Oh, I'm so sorry. What a shame. They probably have no clue the time involved for you much less the borrowing.

I used to think we would take parts of our extended family but the more stories I read, the more sure I am that it would only be one or two at a time so we would not have to actually change the dates or size of our accomodations.

 

[greenban]

I) Rent the ressie.

II) Make a tidy profit.

III) Tell 'them' you sold your DVC.

IV) Live Hapilly everafter!

-Tony

 

[Tinkmom]

I) Rent the ressie.

II) Make a tidy profit.

III) Tell 'them' you sold your DVC.

IV) Live Hapilly everafter!

-Tony

I am definitely not holding these for them any longer. And I really do think that I will tell them in the future that we just don't have any extra points. This is the second time we got somewhat burned on making reservations, so you would think that I would have learned my lesson, huh? The first time I didn't really say much about the fact that I am not CRO and can't change reservations on their every whim. This time, though, it should have been crystal clear.

Live and learn.

 

[bpmorley]

So sorry to hear that. That absolutely sucks.

Personally I'd still make them pay for the points. Then I'd try to rent it if you don't want to use it. I'm sure you can get a bunch of takers.

And never let them use your DVC again.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Wow. That really sucks.
I like how Tony put it...I think you'll have a pretty easy time renting for this time period.

I hope all goes well for you.

Hard lesson learned, though, I suppose.

 

[DrTomorrow]

A sad story, but one with a potent lesson.

I'm a nice and friendly guy (and I have several people on retainer to confirm that), with some wonderful family and a group of friends that goes back to kindergarten. Sometimes I think that it would be a lot of fun to get a GV or a couple of 2BRs and have a WDW get-together. But then I start to think how complicated it would get, even without any drama: schedules of multiple couples, child care for some, ticketing issues for others and the normal 'problems' associated with larger groups. Add in any grief & drama: who gets the King bed, who gets the pull-out, which couples / relatives can't share a room with certain others, early risers vs night owls, and I just end up passing on the whole idea. Plus - and this is a little selfish, I admit - we've really got into a good routine for our 'just the two of us' trips to WDW....

[This is why Las Vegas is a great place for these kinds of trips, which we've done with others many times. Agree on one - or a few - hotels, everyone books their own room and you can agree to spend some time together as a group - casino hopping, gambling, dinner, show - but there's enough for everyone to have 'separate time']

 

[bpmorley]

I hear ya, DrT. We've just started to try and plan a trip like that. Get a GV @ SSR and have a friends and family down. But you are correct it that it is a ton of hassle. We have a feeling that by the time we book we'll be down to the two of us again. Which is fine with me.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

That really does stink! Makes you wonder about people doesn't it?

Call me Uncle (Aunt?) Scrooge - not no way, not no how is anybody coming anywhere near my points!

The way I see it, the WDW & DVC resorts are open to anyone who would like to call CRO & make a ressie.

If they want a "deal" they can call Monty Hall.

Or they can become members themselves.

Live & learn!

 

[Sammie]

I truly think most just do not understand the difficulities in dealing with changing a DVC reservation and in all fairness to them, why should they. Even though in the OP's case he made every attempt to educate them, I still think most just don't "get it".

I am sure most have never booked anything other than a traditional hotel room. When trying to explain it to some friends they replied, "Why would you want that if it's that difficult to book and change?" And truly at times it is. Right now for us the good out weighs the minor inconvenience.

But for some it would be a major inconvenience due to their life styles. Which is another reason renters need to be sure they understand the process.

DrT had the best suggestion for a group get together.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

[This is why Las Vegas is a great place for these kinds of trips, which we've done with others many times. Agree on one - or a few - hotels, everyone books their own room and you can agree to spend some time together as a group - casino hopping, gambling, dinner, show - but there's enough for everyone to have 'separate time']

ITA -- This also works with cruises. For an upcoming cruise we told family and friends -- "We booked XXX. If you'd like to join us that would be great! Here are links to great preparation information for the cruise-- XXX. Here are links to some great travel agents -- XXX."

I've often thought about getting a GV and inviting others, but overall I think I'd have to start taking medication if we decided to do that.

 

[DrTomorrow]

ITA -- This also works with cruises. For an upcoming cruise we told family and friends -- "We booked XXX. If you'd like to join us that would be great! Here are links to great preparation information for the cruise-- XXX. Here are links to some great travel agents -- XXX."

I've often thought about getting a GV and inviting others, but overall I think I'd have to start taking medication if we decided to do that.

Great suggestion with the cruises! Another situation where it's easy to do group stuff, but also easy to not always be a group.

 

[corinnak]

If they want a "deal" they can call Monty Hall.

But seriously, It always hurts the most when you are burned by family and friends.......and ironically, they are generally the toughest ones when it comes to just saying "no."

So are they just leaving you hanging with this "we may not be able to" business or are they definitely not? If it's definite, at least you can move on - if they are still making up their minds or are you left to wait on their decision?

 

[FredS]

So are they just leaving you hanging with this "we may not be able to" business or are they definitely not? If it's definite, at least you can move on - if they are still making up their minds or are you left to wait on their decision?

No, they left me the "go ahead and do whatever for your family since we are so up in the air". I consider that my release from any more obligations. But if you borrow points and book a grand villa you can't restore the points, nor is it easy to find the appropriate accommodations for a smaller party size if you sell or cancel that unit. Fortunately we split the visit anyway, so we had two "smaller" reservations for over New Year's Eve, but the first three days we were to share the grand villa. It is a little big for the four members of my family, and if I had known they were not coming I would have booked the entire stay at BWV. Their loss, but still aggravating.......

 

[cobbler]

That just sucks. Why is it that family makes gatherings so much more difficult. Seems as if most think that because they are family they can dink around more and be so indecisive.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

Sorry this happened to you thatjust stinks! make them pay for the points anyway! tell them you explained it to them over and over again.

 

[JimMIA]

I) Rent the ressie.

II) Make a tidy profit.

III) Tell 'them' you sold your DVC.

IV) Live Hapilly everafter!

-Tony

And beat them senseless!

 

[JimMIA]

If I can make a simple reservation without tying up points I might need, fine. Anything more involved, nope.

Why am I left wondering about "lessons learned?"

I'm reminded of two old sayings:

• "No good deed goes unpunished."
• and..."Mess over me once, shame on you. Mess over me twice, shame on me!"