had a strange call today...asking if we wanted to rent our points...

[igitur]

Wondered if anyone else has had an experience with someone calling asking them about their Disney points. My husband answered the phone today and a woman (something regarding Real Estate development) asked if we were interested in renting out our Disney points. My husband told her "when I'm interested in doing this, we'll look for a correct way of doing it." She responded, "we are the correct way of doing it." He then asked her, "Is this a cold call?" She was very put off that he would accuse her of that and she hung up on him. Any thoughts or experiences with this?

 

[kdepot]

We had a call like this months ago but they left a voice message and a call back number. We deleted it and let it go.

 

[Chuck S]

These are cold calls from some vacation rental company, not affiliated with DVC. Remember that our deeds are public record. And with a name and state of residence, it generally isn't too hard for these companies to find a phone number for you.

Even if your address isn't listed on the deeds, often the notary seal will contain a state or type of ID used.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Sometimes being a Smith pays off People are pretty nervy though, aren't they!

 

[zetek]

Did you try and talk to DVC about this

 

[Dean]

Cold calls with the promise of high rental and sales prices just for sending them a small fee are common, just say no thanks and hang up.

 

[crisi]

My husband gets all their information, acting interested. Then he asks them if we have a prior business relationship with them - of course we don't. Then he tells them that we are on the Do Not Call List and they have just broken the law. Then they hang up.

 

[igitur]

Thanks all, for your replies...this is the first time we ever received one so just wanted to check out it out here.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

We recieved the same call about a week after we closed on our addon a couple of weeks ago. The individual first tried to sound as if they were part of DVC asking about our new points and when we were planning our next trip "home". Then they went into the spill about renting our points and what they could do for us. My husband just laughed and told them the only ones getting any profit from our points was us. The guy just hung up on him. Some people never cease to amaze me at how bold they can be.

 

[Crystal_27]

The individual first tried to sound as if they were part of DVC asking about our new points and when we were planning our next trip "home".

Yikes, that's not good at all. I feel for all those unsuspecting people out there who are going to end up giving private information to these callers just because the callers misrepresented themselves as being DVC representatives. I guess you can never be too careful.

 

[zmanandshan]

sometimes, when I am having a bad day, I love getting these types of calls. It gives me a chance to mess with someone who profits off of others without adding much value.

Is this wrong of me???

John

 

[Coach81]

I can't WAIT for this call.. I'm gonna have some fun!!!!

 

[BigDogMom7]

I got this same call a couple of days ago. I have to admit, I assumed it came from someone at Disney, but it was a message on my answering machine. When I replayed it again just now, she never says she is from Disney, just asks if we have made plans to use our Beach Club points, that "the demand from their corporate clients" for rentals is about 3 times higher this summer, and we could rent "for a proft" and more than cover our maintenance fees. So I agree with the PP that it is a cold call from a vacation rental company. I had been almost curious enough to call back and ask what kind of price per point they were talking, but I am definitely not interested now that I realize who it is. Love the info from the Disboard.

AND - we are using the points this summer at GCV anyway!!!
Monica

 

[sherylcin]

This is why I love the DIS boards. There's so much valuable info in these threads. I have never received a call like the OP but if I should, I will remember this thread and know it's definitely not from Disney and is probably a scam of some sort. Thanks everyone for all the shared info. It is appreciated by people like me!

 

[lah3hh]

I got a call about a month or two ago from a gentleman asking is I wanted to see any of my HHI points. I had to ask him how he knew my name and number and his reply was...well it is public record!

I promptly advised I did not buy the points to just turn around and sell them and to please respect the also 'public rules' about not calling somone on the Do Not Call list!!!!

He hung up pretty quickly at that point...hmm, I am still wondering why???

 

[Bell30012]

Wouldn't this company be much better served with a well thought out mail out piece? After all they already have the owner's mailing addresses. There is no "Do Not Call" list for mail.

I am certain that there are many people that have had to adjust their vacationing because of the economy. There are probably many that are looking for ways to rent their points that just haven't visited this forum, yet.

 

[Dean]

Wouldn't this company be much better served with a well thought out mail out piece? After all they already have the owner's mailing addresses. There is no "Do Not Call" list for mail.

I am certain that there are many people that have had to adjust their vacationing because of the economy. There are probably many that are looking for ways to rent their points that just haven't visited this forum, yet.

I'm sure they don't check the do not call list and they likely don't care as catching and prosecuting them is unlikely from an individual standpoint. Even from a company standpoint it's very difficult and often these boiler room companies set up one place, operate for a while then move on to a new name and location. They are very good and convincing you they will get you money and often that they have a buyer or renter all lined up. All you have to do is to cover the admin costs or some such. I know of many savvy people who have been separated from $199-$499 by such scum. People running scams don't care about laws, only getting caught. Adding mail to the issue gives more opportunities to get caught and is far less likely to separate you from your money.

 

[Ericandjenng]

People running scams don't care about laws, only getting caught. Adding mail to the issue gives more opportunities to get caught and is far less likely to separate you from your money.

Yes, and the Postal Inspectors are very good at their jobs!

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

Cold calls with the promise of high rental and sales prices just for sending them a small fee are common, just say no thanks and hang up.

I agree with Dean. If they want to charge you some type of fee upfront it is best to say no thanks and hang up.

Please tell all your friends, family, enemies, strangers, neighbors if they have DVC or any other timeshare to sell DO NOT LIST to rent or sell with any company that charges an upfront fee.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Dean]

I agree with Dean. If they want to charge you some type of fee upfront it is best to say no thanks and hang up.

Please tell all your friends, family, enemies, strangers, neighbors if they have DVC or any other timeshare to sell DO NOT LIST to rent or sell with any company that charges an upfront fee.

Thanks,
Jason

I would agree overall but point out that there are a couple of legit upfront fee companies. While I'd never sell through them, they can be a good place to find a unit to buy.