Giving Gifts to Owners

[Luv2CtheMouse]

I was on another message board and I read something that had not occurred to me. My question comes from my renting points for May at the Treehouses.

When you rent points from somebody, is it customary to send them a gift as a thank you? If so, how much? I read a thread where some said that it is the norm to do that and considered rude not to and others said that at $10-$12 a point, the owner is making enough on a renters week's vacation to not only pay their annual finance payment and dues, but sometimes also put extra money in the bank.

I do agree that what I am paying to rent points would pay a couples of years worth of payments, basing that on the DVC tour I took in early 2009, but if there is something I should be doing extra, I just want to be aware of what that is. Then again, if I am putting money in that persons bank, I am already doing something extra for them, am I not?

Please help. I am so confused.

Sorry if this is a stupid question. This is my first time renting points.

 

[Chuck S]

In my own opinion, if someone gives you a free vacation, like a friend or family member, then I think a thank you gift is appropriate. If you pay for the points, then I'd consider it a business transaction and no gift would be necessary.

 

[chalee94]

i didn't when i rented. i don't think it's customary.

i would think most owners are happy if you pay in a timely fashion, aren't constantly calling to make adjustments to your reservation and don't trash the room. if you know the owner personally, a gift might be appropriate but i wouldn't think a gift would be expected, regardless.

 

[disney ny]

I agree with the others that if you are renting from a stranger a gift is not necessary. It is business and you don't know them.

 

[Lynne M]

I can't say I've ever heard of renters sending a gift to the owner. As Chuck said, it's a business transaction.

I think you may have been reading about situations where people were given a reservation as a gift by a family member or friend, or invited along on vacation by an owner and not asked to pay for their lodging, or asked to pay a reduced amount. In that case, I think a gift is appropriate.

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

I think you may have been reading about situations where people were given a reservation as a gift by a family member or friend, or invited along on vacation by an owner and not asked to pay for their lodging, or asked to pay a reduced amount. In that case, I think a gift is appropriate.

No, these people were specifically saying that you should give a small thank you gift to the person you are renting points from for their time spent with the Disney CMs to book your vacation, place your requests and such. $50 or less is what they suggested.

Anyhow, thanks to everybody for the responses. i though gifting seemed a bit strange and unnecessary.

 

[dianeschlicht]

In my own opinion, if someone gives you a free vacation, like a friend or family member, then I think a thank you gift is appropriate. If you pay for the points, then I'd consider it a business transaction and no gift would be necessary.

I totally agree with that. If you are renting at the going rate per point, then that should be sufficient. If you you're going as a guest of a friend and not paying anything, then you should at the very least either give them a gift or offer to take them to dinner etc. We have had many guests with us at WDW, and with only one exception, they all took us out to eat at a nice table service restaurant while we were there as a thank you.

 

[cel_disney]

I have never been involved in a rental transaction, but if you are paying for the points, the only 'gift' I would be giving is an offer of a referral if everything went well!

If I was particularly challenging as a rentor and made a bunch of changes above and beyond the norm, maybe I would do something? But I doubt it would be anymore than a thank you note and a 25$ disney gift card!

 

[nunzia]

I don't think a thank you gift is needed or even appropriate. Do you give the hotel a gift when you check out? If you are renting points..paying..then to me it is just like any other business transaction. The price you are paying for the points covers all their time, etc.
If someone gifts you with points, then sure, a nice thank you is fine.

 

[katied]

I've only rented points from someone once, and rented points to someone once, but on either end, I never would have thought/expected a gift.

On the other hand, when I've booked DVC for family for free, a gift or some sign of appreciation for a free hotel was always appreciated.

 

[maburke]

I have rented points out once or twice, and I think I would be embarrassed if someone I didn't know sent a gift. I agree that it is a business transaction. I would say, though, that if you feel you've made a personal connection, as I always seem to do, that a quick note afterward or a link to a trip report telling how it all went is much appreciated.

 

[Brian Noble]

Your "gift" is your rental check. The Member should be pricing the rental to cover not only their costs, but their time as well.

But, I also think a quick note at the conclusion of your trip is not only nice, but really a good idea. When I've rented my non-DVC timeshares, I've always wanted to hear back from my "tenants" to make sure everything went okay, if there is anything I need to know about (to let the BOD know) etc. That's more important with my fixed-unit ownerships, but still useful even with floating units/points.

 

[delmar411]

I agree w/ the other posters. I wouldn't feel right accepting a gift from someone who I did 'business' with. Renting points is business but if I gave someone points for free, then I guess a small thank you gift would be ok.

Look at it this way...do you give the CM at check in extra money just as a thank you to Disney for allowing you to pay them money to stay in their hotel?

 

[cseca]

I rented out my points and never once received a gift! I thought I was missing out on something... hehe...
In all seriousness, all I want in return is for the renter to follow the contract and maaaaybe an email after they return to say if everything was ok or not.
I kinda like to know if the room is not right when they got there or if the resort CMs were not resolving things (as in maintenance, etc.) as they should. That's just MY personal opinion. Other than that, no gift necessary.

My last renter told me that their room at BWV was not cleaned properly and that there were stuff all over the carpet. Not that there's anything I could do here, but I do keep it in mind the next time I stay there or if I had to rent again the next time another renter stays there.
Plus it's good to have good relationship with your renter.

 

[Coach81]

Sending them the money as promised I think would be "gift" enough.. it is such a risky situation.

 

[thepops]

I'd agree with cel_disney. If you were a renter that had a lot of requests or changes that the owner had to deal with it might be nice to drop a note and a small gift (maybe a pin from the parks), but other than that situation, not necessary.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I have had renters send me thank you notes and vacation pics

Makes me feel like I shared the magic, even if they did pay

My family gives me gifts. I have an entire Silver Mickey jewelry collection that was gifted to me from grateful friends and family

I dont expect anything other than what was agreed to prior.

 

[takekyai]

Sending them the money as promised I think would be "gift" enough.. it is such a risky situation.

It is a little risky - how do I know if the owner is reputable if they haven't rented their points before?

 

[Chuck S]

It is a little risky - how do I know if the owner is reputable if they haven't rented their points before?

That is one reason renting saves $ over a cash Disney reservation. The risk factor. Not everyone is comfortable with renting. For those that are not, they should use cash reservations. There is often a no cancellation policy with point rentals. They are private transactions, Disney will not become involved if a deal goes sour.