Got all the info i needed...thanks everyone :)

[Doctor P]

A majority of the calls to MS are from a small minority of members who repeatedly make and cancel reservations. A renter SHOULD get his info from the owner of the points, but I don't want my dues to go toward an owner who uses MS to get a "vacation high" when he/she has no real intention of using the reservations that were just made. I don't care if they are members or not, they shouldn't monopolize MS. Why would a member need to talk to MS more than 30 or 40 times per year?

If this is true (I think there is probably a lot of hyperbole, but there certainly is a point), then I agree that it is also a problem that needs to be dealt with. Just not sure how.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I don't care if they are members or not, they shouldn't monopolize MS. Why would a member need to talk to MS more than 30 or 40 times per year?

Yikes! 40 times? Do some members really call that much (besides the professional point renters)?

I don't call my DW that many times.

HBC

 

[Deb & Bill]

I can see some of the owners calling multiple times a week even when they are trying to rent out their points. They read one message on the board, call MS for availability for the post, post or PM back to the non-owner, check another date, post or PM back, etc. Then the non-owner (in some cases) posts that the room apparently is available and wants someone else (at a cheaper rate) to make a reservation for them. If the original member made a reservation on the hopes of renting out their points, they have to call back to cancel.

I think renting points may be a big abuser of MS time. And I don't think non-owners should be able to contact MS directly.

 

[Sammie]

I definitely think that Renters should contact the Member they are renting from before calling MS. Very likely the member can answer the question and therefore no call is needed.

I know some of the regulars on this forum don't frequent the Resorts boards and Dining Board but if you do you will see where there are legitimate concerns. There just seems to be a building problem.

When you have a first time renter making statments like, "All the times I have called Member Services, they are so nice" you do begin to wonder who is tying up the phone lines. I have also seen postings where someone wanted a member to check availibility for an entire month at every resort. There was a huge argument over inviting guests to the BW pool that are not staying there and the Renter called Member Services to find out what the policy was. Then reported back that anyone can invite as many guests as you want over. When some DVC members expressed concern over crowding the pool, remarks such as, "Gee yall think you own the place" were made.

I have watched things at Disney for too many years not to see problems coming.

PS I though occupany for a one bedroom was 4? Did that change too? Where do you sleep 5?

 

[DrTomorrow]

Sorry, Cruella, but add me to those agreeing with DoctorP. While actual owners abusing MS might be a problem, albeit a small one, owners have the right to access MS - renters do not, and should not. MS was established for the benefit of DVC owners, and is paid for by those owners. MS is not Renter Services; a renter's relationship is with the owner they rented from, NOT MS, and - IMHO - all renter questions should be fielded by the owner they rent from. The same goes for the DVC web site; there's a reason that it is user ID / password protected - to keep out those who haven't paid for the service.

When I was a naive young newbie DVC owner, I used to wonder if this group was too 'members only', but I've come to understand that there are many non-owner folks out there that are more than willing to take advantage of DVC owners and MS without properly compensating them. The only practical - and fair, if anything is fair - response is to limit access to services that DVC owners are charged for to DVC owners only.

IMHO - YMMV

 

[dallastxcpa]

While I agree that non-members should not be calling MS (other than to verify reservation), I place the blame on the rentor and not the OP, rentee. If the member had provided this information once the agreement was firm the OP would not have had to call MS. Renters need to be more responsible and informative. Maybe they could provide a basic information packet about the unit that was rented.

 

[bridgemanva]

I was under the impression that non-members weren't able to contact MS the first question is member number please.. I've rented out points a few times to fund a cruise and always only gave the renter the number to the resort to confirm their reservation; also that's the only number reflected on the reservation confirmation. This might sound silly but I didn't think we weren't "allowed" to give out the 800 number and I really didn't think MS spoke with non members they don't have a contract with DVC.

I tend to agree this must use up resources - your's-- mine -- our's. Increased use of resources eventually = increased dues.

 

[rogerram]

I just don't like people taking advantage of me, and people who mooch off of other people. The increased difficulty getting through to MS is not going to improve with the apparent increase in extra calls being made by renters and nonowners (and their, in some cases, irresponsible "take the money and run" owners) leeching off the resources paid for by owners. I'm waiting for someone to say that they give their renters access to the member website, too. Though it sounds selfish, the analogy I would draw is to squatting on one's property. Unless one defends oneself, one can lose their property. Whether you and others want to admit it or not, costs are being imposed on members by these things.

I'm not sure how you think you are being taken advantage of. there are many more issues with calls to ms that are worse than this one. The other day someone mentioned a discrepancy of the web site about differences in discounts and they stated they should adjust the web site to tell people of the change after a certain date. They got flamed, when in rality, they might save more calls to ms. This can cause extra calls because when someone calls to make a reservation and finds out it is more money than expected, they will either try to change it to something else or hang up, talk to whoever is going and then call back again. This is more of a problem than a renter, who is paying someone who pays dues just like you, trying to find out some information. What if the owner didn't know and he had to find out. Maybe he may have to call himself if he can't find info at home. As to the squating comment, this property is not exclusively owned by you. It is also owned by the person (and many others) who rented the points and they are paying dues to use them just like you. I pay my dues and if I need to call ms for a valid reason, I will. Maybe you don't agree with some of the calls, but that is not going to change.

 

[shellybaxter]

I know I'm new, but I'd like to present a different view point. I understand the arguement that MS was created to support owners, but isn't renting out points a right of the owner and in a way a DVC activity? So you could view MS communication with renters as a service to DVC owners who rent out their points could you not?

Renting of points is a win win for the DVC owner and for Disney. Obviously some owners can't/don't use all of their points every year. If Disney didn't allow them to be rented out those owners may loose those points. Disney wins when people rent because after renting they often times buy. So if this is Disney's motivation it is in their best interest to service renters with the best of Disney DVC service, as a way to showcase the services provided to DVC members and keep their good reputation.

As a new member I'm simply not sure how I feel about this issue yet, but I wanted to point out a couple of perspectives that I thought about as I read this thread.

 

[shantay1008]

Boy, I bet the OP is sorry he even asked!

 

[wdwstar]

I have to agree with Doctor P & DrTomorrow Personally , I think the question for the OP is "How old is the 5th person in your party?"
In a one bedroom you can have up to 4 people unless the 5th person is 2 or under that can sleep in the play n pack. DVC resorts will not provide bedding for the 5th person. That is why you are only provided with 4 towel sets &
enough(according to DVC resorts) shampoos, soaps & lotions until
trash & towel service day on the fourth day of your stay.

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

Boy, I bet the OP is sorry he even asked!

Tough Crowd what can I say....

 

[castleri]

I have to agree with Doctor P & DrTomorrow Personally , I think the question for the OP is "How old is the 5th person in your party?"
In a one bedroom you can have up to 4 people unless the 5th person is 2 or under that can sleep in the play n pack. DVC resorts will not provide bedding for the 5th person. That is why you are only provided with 4 towel sets &
enough(according to DVC resorts) shampoos, soaps & lotions until
trash & towel service day on the fourth day of your stay.

That is what the member handbook states but many posts lately have indicated that 5 are being allowed in a 1BR and are told at the time of reservation that they will have to provide their own bedding and towels for the fifth perosn. Haven't tried it myself but that is what others have been reporting.

 

[Doctor P]

That is what the member handbook states but many posts lately have indicated that 5 are being allowed in a 1BR and are told at the time of reservation that they will have to provide their own bedding and towels for the fifth perosn. Haven't tried it myself but that is what others have been reporting.

You are correct. MS currently has a policy to allow 5, regardless of age, in a 1BR but not to provide any additional bedding or linens to accommodate the 5th person. It should be noted that the addition of one person under the age of three to the occupancy limits stated in the public offering statement is an accommodation made by MS, also, and is not protected by any of the contract terms. In addition, the current policy of allowing 5, regardless of age, in a 1BR does NOT allow 5 PLUS an additional person under the age of 3. Just clarifying.

 

[carolina_yankee]

I know I'm a new owner, too - but I have to ask: Where's the Disney Magic? Disney isn't cheap. Owning DVC isn't cheap. When I deal with Disney, I expect a level of customer service that's above and beyond what I'd get anywhere else. That costs money - but I think it also makes money.

While I think rules should be followed, I don't have a problem with a renter calling MS. (They have to make at least 2 calls: confirm reservation and arrange ME, if they want it - the two aren't necessarily done at the same time.) If they have legitimate questions - they should be answered, either by the person they rented from or from MS, from this Board (without being condemned for wondering what's in a room!) Also, a member may not know the specific answer. Maybe they didn't stay in the room , or don't have their info handy, or (like me, in this case) forgot it was in the handbook.

If I'm renting points to someone, I want the person giving me money to have the best possible time they can. Otherwise, I'm going to have to deal with complaints. I'm happy to pay the 1/100 of 1 cent for my share of that person's call if it helps them have a more magical time. Besides, I usually call the toll number on my cell phone, it balances out.

If renters have unhappy experience, they're less likely to rent again (especially of rates go up). That doesn't help anyone, either.

Obviously, there are limits to everything - but I prefer to err on the side of hospitality. Call me Southern, I guess!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I ...(They have to make at least 2 calls: confirm reservation and arrange ME, if they want it - the two aren't necessarily done at the same time.) ...

I don't understand why a non-member even needs to call to confirm. If the member gives them a copy of the reservation that should be all they need. That is what they get when they reserve directly from Disney. If they don't have enough faith that they actually have the reservation, maybe they need to forego renting a reservation from a member. If they want to dial a non-toll free number at the resort, they could do that. But they don't need to call MS at all.

When the member makes a reservation for a non-member (and they are not going with the non-member on the trip), then the member has accepted the role of travel agent.

 

[greenban]

Why does it matter?

It matters because it is similar to (but not as extreme) as calling 911 for instructions on how to cook brocolli!

Now don't laugh, this actually happened so many times in NYC that it is part of the reason 311 was developed (not just for Brocolli receipes BTW)

Your Owner should answer all your questions. You rented from him/her and they need to be your contact point to the system. All you can do with MS is add/remove/modify the DME and DVC-Dining Plan, or confirm the ressie exists, but that is about it.

Also if you did a google search you would be directed to websites that can answer your question.

Right now many members are booking their vacations for later in the year, and you are just tying up a line or position in queue that you won't get your answers from (unless you get a magical Advisor).

The bottom line is ask your Owner, or ask here, or search the web. I don't know if the DVC website has already been posted, but that is a good place to start.

-Tony

 

[greenban]

I just don't like people taking advantage of me, and people who mooch off of other people. The increased difficulty getting through to MS is not going to improve with the apparent increase in extra calls being made by renters and nonowners (and their, in some cases, irresponsible "take the money and run" owners) leeching off the resources paid for by owners. I'm waiting for someone to say that they give their renters access to the member website, too. Though it sounds selfish, the analogy I would draw is to squatting on one's property. Unless one defends oneself, one can lose their property. Whether you and others want to admit it or not, costs are being imposed on members by these things.

I'll join the flame brigade. I agree with everything Doctor P has said in this thread so far, and excuse me if I didn't see him getting nasty. When is a reply without emoticons and pixie dust the definition of nasty? Dr. P.'s responses were factual and not nasty at all.

Probably the OP got a basement bargain Owner, and is now getting basement bargin support from said owner. Since his only contact was through MS (as provided by the Owner) he did what was logical and contacteed MS. The only fault at this point is the Owners, for their lack of care and education of their Renter.

But once the renter posted here and asked why we would care (or what difference his calling would make) we are entitled to answer his questions, which Dr. P. and almost everyone else has done.

I proudly stand with Dr. P. & Dr. T. on this one!

-Tony

 

[Alexander]

We can yell and holler all we want, but until MS refuses to give information out to people without a member number, ss#, address, and phone number on record, it won't do us any good.

 

[greenban]

We can yell and holler all we want, but until MS refuses to give information out to people without a member number, ss#, address, and phone number on record, it won't do us any good.

True, but notice, Originally the OP, was getting nowhere with MS! That was our Advisors doing their job correctly.

Unfortunately, it was a 'nice' Advisor who finally faxed the data to the renter. She went above and beyond, and unfortunately, that kindness will only encourage non-member use of the system.

And HBC is right, when needed 407 is the way to go, I'd hate to see that back-door gone.

-Tony