How can we educate the renters

[todd222222]

Back in Aug my wife and I decided to take another trip to WDW the next January (08). While trying to find the best deal I found DVC and started to read. We even thought about buying for this trip...but decided to try it out first and rent some points.

I read a lot about DVC, about renting, the recent trouble and felt that I knew enough to post on the R/T board. I replied to a "points to rent" thread and waited.

I eventually received a PM from another member and said she had some points to rent. She was very upfront with her terms. I was very worried about this process, as I didn't want to get taken, but her PM was very well put together so I decided to go for it.

(Finally the point of this post)

Renters will have to educate themselves, I don't think you can. I took the time to understand DVC, points charts, etc. so when I sent my requested times, she got this from me (see already knew I wanted a studio):

Ok I've talked to my wife and this is what we would like in order of priority:

First thing, I thing we are going to try and extend it for one day, but I'm not sure how many points you have, so move down the list based on if they don't have the room available or you don't have the points.

Jan 26 - Feb 3 Sat to Sun
1. AKV Savannah View 130 points
2. AKV Value Accommodation 94 Points
3. AKV Standard View 108 points
4. BWV Standard View 117 points
5. BWV Preferred View 140 points
6. BCV 140 points
7. WLV 140 points

Jan 26 - Feb 2 Sat to Sat
8. AKV Savannah View 104 points
9. AKV Value Accommodation 75 Points
10. AKV Standard View 86 points
11. BWV Standard View 91 points
12 BWV Preferred View 111 points
13. BCV 111 points
14 WLV 111 points

I think I have all the points right. My wife laughs at me as I'm very detailed.

Thanks for your help. I'm sure this is kind of a pain.

I wanted a reservation, I knew we were under the 7 month mark, I knew she needed options when calling MS.

So I provided what I wanted, with many options and hoped for the best. As it turns out I got my 2nd option....and the rest is history.

I guess what I'm saying is, do what everyone else is saying, don't take up to much time trying to educate them, look for the folks who know how it works and rent to them.

I guess that's it.

 

[kcashner]

OK, I've just completed my first experience in renting out points. A few observations....
yes, it was a lot of work, and yes, communication is the key.

Re-read your post before you "publish" it! (I screwed up an mistyped my price--of course, I honored my mis-print).

Communication is the key. I had 2 positive associations with potential renters--both were handled by e-mail, and both parties had rented before. In the first case, the resort the renter wanted wasn't available, and I booked a different resort knowing that I could cancel it if the renter didn't want it. She ultimately went with the second resort but with a different DVC member who rented to her for $6 per point! (either that or she used that excuse).

The second experience was also via e-mail and ultimately phone call. I had the renter on one phone and DVC on the other. Obviously, I don't have the check yet....and it was a lot of work making multiple phone calls before doing the two phone deal. The renter is a great guy, but was having a hard time believing that I couldn't get him the resort that he wanted.

Would I do it again? I had points that I couldn't use. We couldn't get a reservation in any resort in any type of unit for any period longer than 2 days over my daughter's vacation from school. I started trying 5 months early. SO....some $ from the rental are better than points being wasted.

Do I think that renting is something I would do with points on a regular basis--no, because it is too much work.

The biggest thing is communication....the phones worked best!

 

[Deb & Bill]

.... Obviously, I don't have the check yet.......

I hope it works out for you.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I have been talking about renting my excess points for years now on this forum. I thought everyone on the disboards knew that. I was speaking with my tongue firmly in my cheek when I made this statement. I also figured folks, once they saw my to do list, would know that I rented points out. I made a whole long list and then said If I rented my points that's how I'd do it.

Obviously, I've not been here long enough... I believed your claim and thought you were someone who was projecting what he/she would do. My bad. Though I rarely stick my head into the R/T board, in almost 2 years I don't recall an icydog post on the DVC O,P,or M forums. Guess I am naive and am certainly not made to be a renter.

What I don't understand is if you are so familiar to the community... how you keep doing it. Is it just a matter of keeping it to under 20? If you did it that is.

Anyway, hope a couple of you got a chuckle out of my response. As I told a friend this morning who enlightened me to my ignorance... I think I need to stick to the VB threads.

 

[bluslag]

I have never rented my points or looked to rent points in the past. I probably would give my points to someone I know before I ever rented them out. I always thought it would be nice if DVC set up a department that would take care of the renting for us. All you would have to do is let them know how many points you have to rent and they would handle the rest. Of course there would be a fee for handling but you would not have all the worry. I know DVC would not any part of this because they take themselves out of the renting process (not even sure they want us doing this) but it seems to me they would be the best middle ground because they have all the answers.
I would certainly entertain using some service like this if it was available. Just wishful thinking.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I have never rented my points or looked to rent points in the past. I probably would give my points to someone I know before I ever rented them out. I always thought it would be nice if DVC set up a department that would take care of the renting for us. All you would have to do is let them know how many points you have to rent and they would handle the rest. Of course there would be a fee for handling but you would not have all the worry. I know DVC would not any part of this because they take themselves out of the renting process (not even sure they want us doing this) but it seems to me they would be the best middle ground because they have all the answers.
I would certainly entertain using some service like this if it was available. Just wishful thinking.

I have heard of some other timeshares that offer this service. It would seem that it would work out well for all parties involved. I think there would be a certain level of comfort for both renter and owner. Also, the Timeshare company makes some money off the transaction as well. I am sure this has not escaped DVC's attention and who knows if it will perhaps come about in years down the road?

 

[Brian Noble]

Wyndham has a model similar to this for Bonnet Creek and other properties. The cut they take is rather steep, and it is not a pool---you have to make a specific reservation with your points and turn it over to them. You only get paid if the specific reservation rents.

 

[Dean]

I have never rented my points or looked to rent points in the past. I probably would give my points to someone I know before I ever rented them out. I always thought it would be nice if DVC set up a department that would take care of the renting for us. All you would have to do is let them know how many points you have to rent and they would handle the rest. Of course there would be a fee for handling but you would not have all the worry. I know DVC would not any part of this because they take themselves out of the renting process (not even sure they want us doing this) but it seems to me they would be the best middle ground because they have all the answers.
I would certainly entertain using some service like this if it was available. Just wishful thinking.

Most companies that do this charge between 25 & 50% of the gross rental, I think 35% is the most common charge I've seen. You'd likely net far more with the current options than you would with something as "easy" as you suggest.

 

[CarolA]

I read this thread with amazement.

If you are renting points you are basically selling something. The "Renter" who folks are bashing here is your CUSTOMER!!! If you don't want to provide customer service perhaps you shouldn't get in the business????

 

[rinkwide]

...you shouldn't get in the business...

It's not a business, it's an adventure.

 

[shellbelle1971]

I read this thread with amazement.

If you are renting points you are basically selling something. The "Renter" who folks are bashing here is your CUSTOMER!!! If you don't want to provide customer service perhaps you shouldn't get in the business????

In most businesses, there are customers you want as well as customers you don't. DH had a very busy consulting business at one time, and there were absolutely both potential clients he turned away and existing clients whose contracts he terminated because they had unrealistic expectations, were dishonest, behaved un-civilly (is that a word??) etc.

It seems to me that when renting out points, a well-educated customer would be desirable to the owners, as it would make transactions smoother for everyone involved.

I don't see this thread as bashing; it looks to me like a proactive attempt at preventing some of the most common headaches in point rental.

 

[Deb & Bill]

In most businesses, ....

Ah, there's the rub. Not supposed to be a business. Merely an occasional thing, right??

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

I generally have tried to rent out points before the 11 month window and get a deposit ahead of time. That strategy has worked well.

I have also booked a week and rented it out, but since the DIS doesn't allow that type a rental posting, you have to list that type of rental on another website. Selling a prebooked reservation is much easier and eliminates all the bargain shoppers looking for cheap points, or playing one seller against the other.

 

[Newcastle]

OT - I love rinkwide.

 

[crisi]

Ah, there's the rub. Not supposed to be a business. Merely an occasional thing, right??

And therein lies so many of our problems. A lot of the renters have "business" expectations. Some of our owners who rent have "business" like services. And some of our owners who rent are doing it on a completely casual "hey, we want to go to Vancouver this year instead of WDW, lets rent out our points to cover our dues and maybe even pay for the hotel in Vancouver" sort of way. Someone looking to cover dues on points they can't use this year is unlikely to be willing to provide the same level of service (or be able to provide that level of service) as someone walking the "commercial renter" line.


Renting points is a little like buying a used car over the internet. You might buy from a dealer who is willing to throw in a warranty and drive it to your house - has a clean BBB record and has been in business 20 years with references. Or you might buy from a sixteen year old kid who needs to sell his car because his Dad won't pay for insurance after he took a hunk out of the garage. You can decide who you want to deal with, but you can't expect the sixteen year old to provide warranty service or references for the previous cars he has sold - but on the other hand, he might let the car go for $1000 less.

 

[CarolMN]

OT - I love rinkwide.

OT - OK, but I'm pretty sure he's already married.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

Interesting read so far - I never gave much thought from either perspective renter or rentee. Nor did I ever realize there were so many issue and potential problems with renting points. Very enlightening to read this all as I never frequent the R/T board.

After reading this all I am compelled to ask...
Could the DIS or a trusted representative of the DIS (mod or someone equally respected) be willing to become a personal rental pool agent who could manage the transactions and keep records of said transactions, potential renters and confirmed renters, etc?

Note that there is no stated limit on the number of transactions that an owner can complete in a given year (i.e., an owner could receive points from one other owner or a dozen owners in a single UY, he just cannot transfer points out in the same UY.)

This would essentially create a "trusted" rental method for both renter and rentee by using a neutral trusted, 3rd party to coordinate as if it were a business. Obviously this would be a lot of work but the reward may be worth it as they could request a % of points for all transactions from the renter and a % of the money from the rentee which would make this very beneficial for the person making all these transactions.

Just an idea and my $.02 as I am a dvc owner and after reading this (and related threads this morning) I must say that I think I would rather give away my points to family/friend before renting them. I am very curious if this has ever been suggested and or if the idea were entertained seriously as it seems there is need for a solution to this problem for many people (self, not included).

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Interesting read so far - I never gave much thought from either perspective renter or rentee. Nor did I ever realize there were so many issue and potential problems with renting points. Very enlightening to read this all as I never frequent the R/T board.

After reading this all I am compelled to ask...
Could the DIS or a trusted representative of the DIS (mod or someone equally respected) be willing to become a personal rental pool agent who could manage the transactions and keep records of said transactions, potential renters and confirmed renters, etc?


This would essentially create a "trusted" rental method for both renter and rentee by using a neutral trusted, 3rd party to coordinate as if it were a business. Obviously this would be a lot of work but the reward may be worth it as they could request a % of points for all transactions from the renter and a % of the money from the rentee which would make this very beneficial for the person making all these transactions.

Just an idea and my $.02 as I am a dvc owner and after reading this (and related threads this morning) I must say that I think I would rather give away my points to family/friend before renting them. I am very curious if this has ever been suggested and or if the idea were entertained seriously as it seems there is need for a solution to this problem for many people (self, not included).

I could be wrong here, but I think your limit is one transfer transaction, either in or out, per contract, per UY.

 

[DVC Mike]

This would essentially create a "trusted" rental method for both renter and rentee by using a neutral trusted, 3rd party to coordinate as if it were a business. Obviously this would be a lot of work but the reward may be worth it as they could request a % of points for all transactions from the renter and a % of the money from the rentee which would make this very beneficial for the person making all these transactions.

There are people out there that do this as a business -- for profit. A case in point is dvcrequest dot com.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

During a single Use Year and owner may transfer or receive DVC points, but not both. If an owner opts to transfer any number of points out of his contract during a single UY, he/she may not subsequently receive any amount of points from another owner during the same UY.

*Note that there is no stated limit on the number of transactions that an owner can complete in a given year (i.e., an owner could receive points from one other owner or a dozen owners in a single UY, he just cannot transfer points out in the same UY.)

So I cannot transfer you points and then receive points from you or another - otherwise we could bi-pass the 11/7 rules and UY as well with the right contract combination(s).

In researching this further I did find a major problem with this idea...

“Club Members are expressly prohibited from receiving compensation for engaging in any Transfer activity.”