Family bailed on Christmas trip - need to vent

[bpmorley]

Unfortunately Diesel that's how you have to be sometimes. A friends daughter got married in WDW a few years back. They rented a 2bdr @ BCV. They loved the place. So we tossed around the idea of getting a GV @ OKW with a bunch of people fo Nov 06. They brought it up and now after some planning with points, time off from work, etc... They're giving us the "I'm not sure we can make it" So we decide not to do it. Then they have the nerve to ask us to rent points from us at the same time.

 

[robinb]

They're giving us the "I'm not sure we can make it" So we decide not to do it. Then they have the nerve to ask us to rent points from us at the same time.

Like that's going to happen!

 

[LoveMyDVC2]

I am sorry this has happened!

Next time, (if there is a next time) tell them they can get a good deal renting points from the Disboards. They can have the points dumped in your account. They may think twice about ditching if they shell out their own money for points!!

I did this with my own family. Not because I don't trust my family, but I know that my mothers husband is getting up there in age(79) and may not want to go last minute and my brother is famous for backing out of things.

If they rent their own points they are still getting a deal! Plus, I work real hard to secure a vacation for my family I would be really upset if I had to eat points if someone changed their mind. Also, I don't have alot of points to be giving away. 150 points will allow my family 1 vacation. I usually use 127 of those. I will give my family the extra points, put I will never borrow from the next year.

Good luck!

 

[I Love DVC]

Why would they NOT WANT TO GO TO WDW??????

Sorry you went to all that trouble for nothing - you can take me with you!

 

[byoung]

Agree family is the worst to deal with.

 

[slindamood]

I have booked a GV two 2 BRs and a studio for the same December week as OP - had to use 3 years of points and call first thing every morning for a week. We are treating DH family (17 people total). Even included a Friday night because it was more convenient for some. I am sure no one realizes the value of this gift, but if it makes a nice gathering, it is worth it.

I have been worrying that people will bail out at the last minute - or at anytime. Especially because it is a no cost decision for them. Well, these reservations are a once in a lifetime thing, so it either works or not.

I will email everyone to remind them of the plans just so they don't forget!

 

[I Love DVC]

I have booked a GV two 2 BRs and a studio for the same December week as OP - had to use 3 years of points and call first thing every morning for a week. We are treating DH family (17 people total). Even included a Friday night because it was more convenient for some. I am sure no one realizes the value of this gift, but if it makes a nice gathering, it is worth it.

I have been worrying that people will bail out at the last minute - or at anytime. Especially because it is a no cost decision for them. Well, these reservations are a once in a lifetime thing, so it either works or not.

I will email everyone to remind them of the plans just so they don't forget!

And you aren't charging them?????? Wow - I wish I had someone like you in my family.

 

[bpmorley]

I have booked a GV two 2 BRs and a studio for the same December week as OP - had to use 3 years of points and call first thing every morning for a week. We are treating DH family (17 people total). Even included a Friday night because it was more convenient for some. I am sure no one realizes the value of this gift, but if it makes a nice gathering, it is worth it.

I have been worrying that people will bail out at the last minute - or at anytime. Especially because it is a no cost decision for them. Well, these reservations are a once in a lifetime thing, so it either works or not.

I will email everyone to remind them of the plans just so they don't forget!

If someone backs out just let me know. I'll take their place in a heartbeat.

 

[jimmytammy]

It is frustrating. I dont think that non-owners understand the things that need to happen or not happen to get those ressies. Therefore they cant understand your frustration. We have been a in similar situation. I can feel your pain.

 

[Allan]

We've had family bail twice on us. The first time we had a GV at OKW and they decided they didn't want to go about 3 months out. We then invited some friends and had a great time. The second time I waited a while to make the reservation to see what they would do and sure enough they bailed just before I made it. There won't be a third!

 

[BeccaG]

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.

I was thinking of taking my family as a gift to them (but just my immediate family, inlaws parents, brothers and sister) but the more I read the more I am concerned. Were you going with them? Or were you just doing a favor for them?

 

[BeccaG]

I have booked a GV two 2 BRs and a studio for the same December week as OP - had to use 3 years of points and call first thing every morning for a week. We are treating DH family (17 people total). Even included a Friday night because it was more convenient for some. I am sure no one realizes the value of this gift, but if it makes a nice gathering, it is worth it.

I have been worrying that people will bail out at the last minute - or at anytime. Especially because it is a no cost decision for them. Well, these reservations are a once in a lifetime thing, so it either works or not.

I will email everyone to remind them of the plans just so they don't forget!

I was planning a similar trip in Decmeber 07. Let me know how it works out for you!

 

[BeccaG]

I think anyone that asks to use your points and then cancels should have to pay for them.

That seemse very fair. Especially if you made the aware of the timeframes.

 

[pilferk]

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.......

Like the "Encore family sized entre'" guy....if you wanna rent my family of 5 (including me) to fill up the extra space...we'll be there at 6.



Of course, I'm kidding...but just barely. As I've said in previous posts, my wife and I are considering DVC membership sometime early next year....precisely to take the kind of trips you're describing as being a bust. Your story sorta scares the daylights outta me...I just hope our extended family is a little more accomodating and considerate.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have learned that many folks don't want to plan as far ahead as we do, so we often will book a 2 bedroom and don't even bother to invite anyone until it gets closer. I have also learned to keep the groups smaller unless we are planning a GV stay. We have had a couple of GV stays with the same large group of people. They have never bailed on us because they would never be able to go without our accommodations, and they are intelligent considerate people who believed me when I said it was an all or nothing proposition. We have had 3 great trips with this group!

 

[crisi]

We have learned that many folks don't want to plan as far ahead as we do, so we often will book a 2 bedroom and don't even bother to invite anyone until it gets closer. I have also learned to keep the groups smaller unless we are planning a GV stay. We have had a couple of GV stays with the same large group of people. They have never bailed on us because they would never be able to go without our accommodations, and they are intelligent considerate people who believed me when I said it was an all or nothing proposition. We have had 3 great trips with this group!

We are doing something similar - we intend to bring my in-laws, but if they bail, have backup plans with people we enjoy - a short list of people who can travel on shorter notice. Someone on this list will take us up on a "free room."

 

[FayeW]

Like the "Encore family sized entre'" guy....if you wanna rent my family of 5 (including me) to fill up the extra space...we'll be there at 6.



Of course, I'm kidding...but just barely. As I've said in previous posts, my wife and I are considering DVC membership sometime early next year....precisely to take the kind of trips you're describing as being a bust. Your story sorta scares the daylights outta me...I just hope our extended family is a little more accomodating and considerate.

You can still have those kind of trips without footing the bill for everyone! Let them all rent points themselves. Maybe I am just cheap, but I would never consider paying for someone else's hotel room, and I don't see why it is just assumed that when someone has DVC points, everybody else's accomodations are free! It's not like you own a cottage and want to let someone use it for a week. These are points that are consumable. Once they are used, POOF, they are gone!

 

[hoopsrob]

These are points that are consumable. Once they are used, POOF, they are gone!

You are right about that. The problem is that most people look at them like hotel reservations or plane reservations...you can always rebook or get some money back.

They should look at it like a concert ticket. It is for a specific time and day and if not used, it's gone. That's especially true for members that have UYs that are close to the travel date and banking or re-use aren't options.

 

[Muushka]

They should be required to read this entire thread before commiting to a reservation.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are doing something similar - we intend to bring my in-laws, but if they bail, have backup plans with people we enjoy - a short list of people who can travel on shorter notice. Someone on this list will take us up on a "free room."

Yep, that's our tactic. I have a somewhat lengthy list. My rule is I ask twice. If they turn me down twice, they get crossed off the list. I did have one couple ask ME to invite them along after they had turned me down twice. I didn't bite on that one either. They did, however, end up planning and taking their own trip to Disney.