How do DVC point renters verify reservations

[msim]

if DVC will not speak to anyone but the member. Am I the only one who has run in to this problem? I need to pay tomorrow, but I'm unable to verify anything with DVC. All I know is what the owner tells me. This person seems trustworthy and nice, but I've been taken to the cleaners before. Any advice? Thanks.

 

[mikesmom]

Member Services will only speak to members. After the DVC owner makes the reservation in your name they will receive a confirmation number followed by a letter showing your name. They can give you the number and later send you a copy of the reservation.

This is as good as it will get.The member always has control of the reservation and could conceivably cancel five minutes after they got the confirmation. If that is too little security you shouldn't rent.

The bargain is there in cost when you rent, but the price is in the security level. The only way to be totally sure is to reserve at regular prices through CRO.

 

[Granny]

Every owner structures their own agreements but when I rented points I didn't request first payment until the renter had a copy of the confirmation in their possession. If you agreed to pay prior to that time, you should honor what you agreed to.

Yes, there is risk on both sides but the owner ultimately controls the reservation. Even if you could call Member Services, the owner could cancel the reservation the next day and you'd be no better off.

You should be able to call the resort about 4 days before you arrive and your name should be in their computers. But other than that, you would only have the reservation confirmation as your "proof" of the reservation.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Like others have said, if you aren't comfortable with the whole trust aspect of renting DVC points than maybe it isn't for you. Even a confirmed reservation could be cancelled at any time. That said, I can understand the desire to have some form of confirmation prior to handing over any money. While you can't call for confirmation yourself, why not set up a quick conference call? Member and renter call each other, member conferences in Member Services to confirm the reservation, renter gets to hear Member Services verbally confirm the reservation in their name. Just because Member Services won't speak directly with a non-member, that doesn't preclude the non-member from getting some form of confirmation before the written confirmation arrives.

 

[y2khardtop]

what I've done is make the reservation for them, mail or fax a copy to the renter, then have them pay you. You can always cancel the reservation if they don't pay.

Beyond that, it is a matter of trust as stated above.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You can always call 1-407 WDISNEY and make a reservation through CRO.

 

[Newcastle]

Like others have said, if you aren't comfortable with the whole trust aspect of renting DVC points than maybe it isn't for you. Even a confirmed reservation could be cancelled at any time. That said, I can understand the desire to have some form of confirmation prior to handing over any money. While you can't call for confirmation yourself, why not set up a quick conference call? Member and renter call each other, member conferences in Member Services to confirm the reservation, renter gets to hear Member Services verbally confirm the reservation in their name. Just because Member Services won't speak directly with a non-member, that doesn't preclude the non-member from getting some form of confirmation before the written confirmation arrives.

I have heard mention of conducting a conference call before. My concern is that by making a three-way call, would you not be allowing the renter to hear your membership number when you conference in Member Services? I am pretty useless when it comes to making conference calls so there may be another way to go about it...I just wouldn't necessarily want anyone else learning my membership number in the process!

 

[JimMIA]

You can always call 1-407 WDISNEY and make a reservation through CRO.

Actually, CRO will be zero help with a DVC rental.

I'd recommend asking the owner to make a conference call with you. It's a simple matter for them to go through the security stuff without you on the line and then bring you into the conversation for the things that you need. It's not really an additional call if you want to add DME or the dining plan, because the owner is going to have to call anyway. A conference call would be especially important with DME, because there may be some questions about flight arrival times, etc, and it would be much better to handle it direct instead of the owner having to go back and forth with multiple calls.

Sure, the owner could cancel your ressie five minutes after your call...but they won't.

Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[Newcastle]

You can always call 1-407 WDISNEY and make a reservation through CRO.

I'm just going to go out on a limb here and assume that Deb was just having a little fun with this particular response!!

 

[Dean]

Actually, CRO will be zero help with a DVC rental.

I'd recommend asking the owner to make a conference call with you. It's a simple matter for them to go through the security stuff without you on the line and then bring you into the conversation for the things that you need. It's not really an additional call if you want to add DME or the dining plan, because the owner is going to have to call anyway. A conference call would be especially important with DME, because there may be some questions about flight arrival times, etc, and it would be much better to handle it direct instead of the owner having to go back and forth with multiple calls.

Sure, the owner could cancel your ressie five minutes after your call...but they won't.

Good luck and have a great trip!

LOL, I think they were saying it they didn't like it to go pay full price instead.

Seriously, this is trust matter plain and simple. The only options are conference calls, the written confirmation and a call to the resort itself just a few days prior to the visit. One has to decide if the risk is worth the savings.

 

[Sammie]

LOL, I think they were saying it they didn't like it to go pay full price instead.

Seriously, this is trust matter plain and simple. The only options are conference calls, the written confirmation and a call to the resort itself just a few days prior to the visit. One has to decide if the risk is worth the savings.

As Dean has stated it is decision as to whether the risk is worth the savings. There are no guarantees in renting. Yes you can do several things to increase the odds of success, such as rental agreements, 3 way calling, etc. even then there is still risk. None of the suggestions to increase confidence completely remove the risk involved.

The odds are that the transaction will go smoothly as most do. However there is always a risk as the member has complete and total control. Deb's point is, if you need a completely risk free reservation you will have to avoid renting and call CRO and book with them.

 

[shellytc]

As a renter, there is a risk involved. One of the ways I work to offset the risk, is click on the member profile, and run a search of their posts started. I then check to see if they have been a member of the boards for awhile, what kinds of topics do they engage in, are they "regular" points sellers or is this a first time for them, etc. By first timer, I mean someone who typically uses their own points but for some reason is renting them this time. Not that that is bad.. Just want to see who I'm working with.

I'm looking for red flags, listening to my gut, etc.

Then I talk to the member by phone, and verify the information. For the most part, I have found the DVC community on this board to be great. they are helpful and love their "home away from home". I appreciate all the help they have provided us. And we have truly enjoyed our points rentals.

Hope this helps,

Shelly

 

[salmoneous]

Personally, I think a conference call is a lot of hassle for very little added security. If the person is scamming you, they are scamming you and can just call a friend to pretend to be MS.
A copy of the confirmation letter accomplished almost everything a conference call to MS does.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Personally, I think a conference call is a lot of hassle for very little added security. If the person is scamming you, they are scamming you and can just call a friend to pretend to be MS.
A copy of the confirmation letter accomplished almost everything a conference call to MS does.

I agree. Either the person you are dealing with is honest or they aren't. If they are NOT honest, nothing you do will really be a surefire security that your reservation is and will be intact. When you have the DVC confirmation sheet in your hand, you have everything any DVC owner would ever have as well. There's a bit of faith in every transaction, even a straight booking from CRO.