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

[Oreo Cookie]

I agree 100% with Doctor P, Doctor Tomorrow, and Deb & Bill. Renters SHOULD NOT be allowed to call DVC MS. MS is for those of us that joined the DVC. I paid for my points and I pay my dues, therefore I'm entitled to call MS with my questions, not renters. The renter should be calling the person they are renting from with their questions. They should also have a confirmation from the renter.

I don't know about members calling MS 30-40 times a year (maybe it's the members who are trying to RENT out their points). That's just crazy, and for those who do this, SHAME ON YOU! I think I call maybe 3-4 times throughout the year, and I'm always waiting a significant amount of time before I can get through (and now I know why). I have my plans, and my alternate plans ready, and I have never needed to call there over-and-over again.

I think this whole policy of renting points is crazy, and I wish Disney had a way to stop this from happening. The DVC is so flexible with banking and borrowing points, I don't see the need to rent. Those that rent can flame me if they want, but I'm sure this is not the intention of the DVC.

 

[dis-happy]

It's called MEMBER Services for a reason---it's there for members. The first thing they ask you is your contract number, name, etc. We (the members) have invested a lot for this access. I liken it to the special phone number my dh gets for being at the top tier of his frequent flyer club--personal service for those who merit it. Everyone else can call the regular WDW number (and this is one of the first questions/prompts you get when you call MS anyway). Since DVC rooms are also available via CRO, the op's questions could have been answered that way (or even more easily by doing a quick search here on the DIS).

BTW, isn't this issue part of the reason that we are not allowed to post the MS number here?

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Tough Crowd what can I say....

Don't worry, even after you become a member you can still come here to be beat-up on a regular basis.

To be fair to all members, maybe MS should have a policy that you are allowed a certain number of calls based on the number of points you own. That way DVC could hire 4-5 bean counters to tabulate the calls/member/points owned, and lock members out of the 800 number once you reach your limit. I'm sure the extra $200,000 in salaries and benefits would be an efficient use of member dues

I just booked a 2 week holiday stay and called day by day for it. I'm also calling once a week in an effort to secure a member discount cash night at a particular resort. With 4 trips planned this year, I easily make 50 calls/year to MS.

BTW, If members started renting out reservations instead of "points" there would be many less wasted calls to MS to check availability while renters bargain hunted the R&T board.

A call or to MS by a renter is OK in my book, but some questions are more readily avialible here on the DIS or from the resort directly. MS doesn't always have the correct information about pool policies, resort ammenities, etc.

 

[HELPDESKGUY]

To all you DVC members who have PM me with valuable information thank you so much....I just hope when i become a member i can pay it forward to other potential renters/members.

 

[NMW]

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

I don't think DoctorP was nasty either. Just because someone doesn't put a smiley face after they answer a question it does not qualify as being nasty. I agreed with DoctorP on this, and I would not have if I thought he was trying to be "nasty." As I said before, I didn't even know renters COULD talk to MS. They always ask me for my member number right away, and I thought it was so they could make sure I was a member before speaking with me. Maybe they could have an automated system that asks you to key or speak your member number before your call is transferred to a MS rep. It might make some non-member callers hang up and call the owner renting to them instead.

 

[greenban]

I don't think DoctorP was nasty either. Just because someone doesn't put a smiley face after they answer a question it does not qualify as being nasty. I agreed with DoctorP on this, and I would not have if I thought he was trying to be "nasty." As I said before, I didn't even know renters COULD talk to MS. They always ask me for my member number right away, and I thought it was so they could make sure I was a member before speaking with me. Maybe they could have an automated system that asks you to key or speak your member number before your call is transferred to a MS rep. It might make some non-member callers hang up and call the owner renting to them instead.

That is an excellent idea:

After pressing all the threes, the AVR could say, "Press 1 to enter your DVC Membership Number, or Press 2 and wait 37 minutes for the next available DVC Advisor in training!"

Seriously, if they (MS) had that system, it would save significant time, by having our membership # pop up automatically! I think you should call and suggest this, or email Jim Hill, I really, really like your idea!

-Tony

 

[Sammie]

Yes members have a right to rent. However there really is no need for some of these questions renters are asking of Member Services.

Confirmation, if your member mails you a copy of the confirmation why do you need to call and confirm, do you think they forged a copy?

This particular question about towels, etc. is in the Handbook which the member who the OP rented from could have easily provided the info or even emailed it to him or faxed it to him, instead phone calls to MS were made and a fax.

I agree it is an inappropriate use of Member Services.

PS. Greenban, who is Jim Hill?

 

[PantherFanStan]

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

.....and I proudly get in line behind (Dr) Greenban...who is line behind...Dr T...who is line.....well....you know what I mean. I haven't been behind that many doctors since my last round of golf!

To the OP....
I hope you enjoy your stay and continue to come back here. Don't take any of this personally. You asked an innocent question - the owner you rented from is to blame, and even they probably just acted out of ignorance rather than inconsideration.

Stan

 

[lisareniff]

Yes members have a right to rent.

Do we really? I thought it was offically against the rules but DVC looks the other way. If I'm mistaken I'd like to know so I won't feel any sense of guilt next time.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Here are how many towels you will receive
4 bath towels, 4 hand towels, 4 washcloths, 1 bath mat
Extra towel pacakges are $6.00

The others I don't really remember but I do want to say one hairdryer, 2 shampoos (maybe 1) and a soap for the shower and each bathroom sink.

I am planning my first trip home this december. What is included in the Extra towel package for $6? Is it just 1 towel, hand towel and washcloth or do you get 4 of them.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Because as an owner I pay for every call made to MS. Furthermore, every unnecessary call to MS clogs the line for legitimate inquiries. Just my opinion, but this was a very unnecessary call to MS.

Act like an adult and stop being so rude. The guy asked a simple question. If you really want the penny back that was taken for that one call, then post your address and I am sure he will send it to you.

 

[yitbos96bb]

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

Personally, I can see DR P's point even if I disagree with it... my objection was to the extremely rude post. He bit that guys head off with no provocation. Had his post been more like yours... calm and rational, that would be another story.

 

[yitbos96bb]

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.

Wow, I wish I had that much faith in people as you do.

You would have to be the biggest sucker in the world not to verify that your reservation was valid. Even with a travel agent, I still check my reservations individually... if you don't, you have only yourself to blame if they are screwed up or you get screwed.

 

[shellybaxter]

Do we really? I thought it was offically against the rules but DVC looks the other way. If I'm mistaken I'd like to know so I won't feel any sense of guilt next time.

Lisa,

I've never seen it in writing but our guide used the fact we could rent out any extra points as a selling point. He said "Disney is fine with that" meaning the renting of points

Shelly

 

[Sammie]

Do we really? I thought it was offically against the rules but DVC looks the other way. If I'm mistaken I'd like to know so I won't feel any sense of guilt next time.

Some of the others Dean, Doc, Greenban, etc will know better the logistics of it. My understanding is the Membership documents do allow you to rent out reserved Disney Vacation Club accommodations, however, use of accommodations for commercial purposes is expressly prohibited.

I don't rent, not necessarily out of any of these problems but I don't want to be held responsible for someone I don't know. I might rent points to a family member or close friend but that would be it.

Plus we never seem to have any points we don't use.

 

[byoung]

I rented a few times before I bought. Always got a copy of the reservation from the renter. There was no need for me to call MS.

 

[Sammie]

I rented a few times before I bought. Always got a copy of the reservation from the renter. There was no need for me to call MS.

That was my point, if they send you a copy, surely people don't think they could forge that. I don't consider anyone foolish to not call after receiving written confirmation.

 

[Dean]

Do we really? I thought it was offically against the rules but DVC looks the other way. If I'm mistaken I'd like to know so I won't feel any sense of guilt next time.

Renting is expressly allowed in the POS.

 

[greenban]

Yes members have a right to rent. However there really is no need for some of these questions renters are asking of Member Services.

Confirmation, if your member mails you a copy of the confirmation why do you need to call and confirm, do you think they forged a copy?

This particular question about towels, etc. is in the Handbook which the member who the OP rented from could have easily provided the info or even emailed it to him or faxed it to him, instead phone calls to MS were made and a fax.

I agree it is an inappropriate use of Member Services.

PS. Greenban, who is Jim Hill?

I think Jim Hill is a figment of my imagination, who is the DVC resorts Manager?

I went from memory insted of checking it out...

I'm running late and a quick search can't find the name, Jerry Hill? Okay bail me out DVC gurus!

-Tony

 

[Beca]

I think Jim Hill is a figment of my imagination, who is the DVC resorts Manager?

I went from memory insted of checking it out...

I'm running late and a quick search can't find the name, Jerry Hill? Okay bail me out DVC gurus!

-Tony

Jim Lewis.

Isn't there a "WDW travel guru" named Jim Hill?



Beca