Freaking out about DVC rental

[jcb914]

I've rented points from a member. Our trip is in October. I've read all the advice, and the renter seems like a decent and friendly person. But I am still freaking out with worry

I rushed into this in the excitement, and didn't realise that the renter would be able to cancel the reservation at any time, until after I had paid in full (thru Paypal....). Now I am *seriously* freaked out! The fact I cannot call and check-up on the reservation every so often just makes things worse. It would be devastating if we arrived and they told us we didn't have a room We bought Universal Hollywood tickets from eBay before and they were cancelled and didn't work when we turned up at the gate. You'd have thought that would have taught me.

I know it's my own fault. I know I shouldn't have went down this route if I wasn't comfortable with it. I was just caught up in the $$ savings, and the renter DOES seem like a nice person - but who knows for sure? We're talking $4k here for a grand villa....$4k we simply cannot afford to lose!

Does anyone have any reassurance? Is there anything I can do to try and make myself feel better? Thanks for any comments...

 

[Brian Noble]

Unlike tickets over ebay, the vast majority of point rental transactions go off without so much as a hiccup.

Sleep well!

 

[jcf]

Did you sign an agreement??

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Not to add worry, but just so you know Paypal doesn't provide much of any guarantee unless you purchased your item through Ebay.

 

[Ed T]

Doesn't sound like they bought the points through ebay but just paid with PayPal.

I would ask for a copy of the reservation confirmation. That will have a confirmation number on it. You can try contacting the resort to see if the reservation is still there.

 

[chalee94]

You can try contacting the resort to see if the reservation is still there.

the resort won't usually have any information until a couple of days before check-in.

 

[joeytdog]

I have rented three years in a row, including this May coming up. Shelled out $3k to a total stranger

NEVER GETS EASIER

Always still worried, I mean they could cancel and I guess I could take them to court, but who knows how long that would take?????

Bottom Line, until you get there and check in, you will worry

Think good thoughts.....

 

[Bob Price]

I have rented three years in a row, including this May coming up. Shelled out $3k to a total stranger

NEVER GETS EASIER

Always still worried, I mean they could cancel and I guess I could take them to court, but who knows how long that would take?????

Bottom Line, until you get there and check in, you will worry

Think good thoughts.....

That’s why I subscribe to the philosophy – “BUY where you want to stay”.

 

[luvdisney2006]

Hi I just had this happen to me.

I booked a savannah studio through a member back in October 2008. Last week they e-mailed to tell me they deeded property back to disney and my reservation was cancelled.

so now of course this close there is no availability and reservation went back into system and someone else got it

I am very sick...

 

[jcb914]

Hi I just had this happen to me.

I booked a savannah studio through a member back in October 2008. Last week they e-mailed to tell me they deeded property back to disney and my reservation was cancelled.

so now of course this close there is no availability and reservation went back into system and someone else got it

I am very sick...

You got your money back right?

 

[luvdisney2006]

Yes but still....I wish they told me earlier so I could arrange something else - now everything is sold out The kids have been dreaming since october about styaing there and have flights booked. I heard the whole deedig process takes quite awhile before it is actually finalized so she could of let me know sooner!

 

[jdomka]

Do you run a similar risk when transfering pts from another member?

Hypothetical: If I agree to a transfer with another member and they default on contract not paying a loan payment or not paying MF. Would the pts I paid to transfer to my account then get removed as well since they belonged to that contract now in default??

 

[disneynutz]

To OP, you shouldn't rent. It's not worth worrying about it. Your Disney vacation and the time leading up to it should be a happy time.

 

[Cmbar]

To the OP , you really should get a rental agreement when you rent. This should cover both parties, so you at least have recourse. But I would agree with a PP that a very LARGE majority of these transactions go off without a hitch. I have rented several times and still believe that most people are generally good.

Sleep well! You will be fine! And keep in mind, your gut reaction to someone most of the time is right on!

Have a great vacation in that Grand Villa!! WOW!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

If you pay by credit card...

There is something called a "chargeback." It basically means that you did not get the service/product you requested, and have tried to resolve the issue with the seller. Credit card companies are very consumer friendly, and almost always side with the buyer.

So, if you can pay with your credit card through Paypal, you will have the ability to file a chargeback. The credit card company will make you fill out some paperwork, and will credit your money back to you in a timely manner.

Best of luck! I'm sure things will work out just fine!

 

[DVCGeek]

Hi I just had this happen to me.

I booked a savannah studio through a member back in October 2008. Last week they e-mailed to tell me they deeded property back to disney and my reservation was cancelled.

so now of course this close there is no availability and reservation went back into system and someone else got it

I am very sick...

Sorry to hear about that! When is your trip? Maybe someone else will have a last minute cancellation and you'll still be able to get something. Good luck!

 

[luvdisney2006]

It was March 29-april 3rd at AKV I am praying someone will have a last minute cancellation!!

Thanks

 

[Goofyz3girls]

to the OP....I know your nervous and likely so but I've rented many times in the past from DVC owners and have found out that 99.99% of the owners are honest,good hearted people who really care about making sure you get what both parties have agreed upon.I also use rental agreements that protect both parties.... expect for the times I wanted to extend my stay(while already at the resort) and found owners willing to help out at the last minute.So sit back....relax and count the days till you go with confidence.

to the other poster...first off you got your money back..which is a good thing ....but don't give up keep trying something will open up it always does.They told me I couldn't get the BC between xmas thru after new years(while we were there) but by my signature you can see we got out of POP and into the BC.Keep trying there is always someone canceling....Good luck...

 

[DVC Mike]

I could never rent points from a DVC member. The loss of control over my reservation would drive me crazy with worry, much like the OP.

 

[littlestar]

Yes but still....I wish they told me earlier so I could arrange something else - now everything is sold out The kids have been dreaming since october about styaing there and have flights booked. I heard the whole deedig process takes quite awhile before it is actually finalized so she could of let me know sooner!

I know this probably won't make you feel any better, but if you need a back-up plan, Mousesavers has some good deals on the Marriott Village hotels/suites. I think they have shuttles to the parks, too. :

http://www.mousesavers.com/springhillsuites.html

Have you booked anything else as a back-up that you can cancel if a Disney resort opens up? I hope it works out for you. You might even be able to do a split stay. Maybe grab some days at Animal Kingdom and the rest somewhere else.

I felt so bad for you when I read your post that I even checked my Interval International account to see if I saw any Marriott Vacation Club resorts open for your week. The only thing I saw was a studio/efficiency at Marriott's Grande Vista resort for check-in for the 30th, so that wouldn't help you. A few days ago I was able to grab a Marriott Grande Vista 1 bedroom for my brother for that week ($392 for the whole week) for check-in on Sunday, the 29th. I was thrilled to get it for him. Most of our schools in Indy are out that week for spring break.