dianeschlicht said:
Taking that one step further...How about if DVD had a "bank" of unused points that could be rented a few at a time by members only. For example, there are a lot of folks who only travel everyother year, and sometimes end up with a few points left in their contract. You can bank them once, but the next time, you might have points that can't be banked. What do you do with say 5-10 points? If DVD had a place for owners to "bank" those left over points, they would be available to other owners who needed just a few. If you needed just a few, you would "withdraw" them for a fee. I'm quite sure there are quite a few points that just fall by the wayside that couls be used this way.
Good idea!!!
And, see....this is what I don't understand...maybe someone here can help me with this.
I was talking to my tax guy about this, and he said the "for profit" statement is where DVC is going to have some REAL problems enforcing this issue. Most of my points were purchased between $80-$85 per point. He did his "tax guy" numbers, came back and was talking to me about a lot of things I didn't understand (potential loss of income because that money was tied up...I think). He finally dumbed it down for me and said, that at MY cost per point (with financing, etc.), I would need to get $16 per point. And, until I am getting at least that much, I would not be renting "for profit".
I agree with the above poster. People who purchased for $50 per point at OKW already ARE renting for profit when they rent at $10 per point. But, many of us would be renting at a loss.
So....does that mean that we could rent ALL our points every year and still not be breaking any rules? DVC's language is vague at best, and that is why I don't think they have a leg to stand on. The sentence is open to interpretation (is profit $$$ in your pocket now, or is profit MAKING money over your initial investment?).
I also agree with the poster who said that OWNING a lot of points for rental is a bad investment, and we really shouldn't worry about policing those folks. I think of King Leonidas who posts on here that he owns THOUSANDS of points, and never stays at his DVC timeshare. He says he owns a house in Celebration, and uses the points as rewards for employees, and to invite friends to come visit him when he is at Celebration. His name probably never appears on a ressie....does that make him a "renter" because he never stays at his own property? Or, is DVC going "chase" people down via their "for rent" listings?
I think, either way they are going to have to prove the "for profit" status to really enforce this, and that is one more reason I think it is a bad idea.
I think, instead of focusing on "renters", DVC ought to do two things:
1) TRACK HOME RESORT OF TRANSFERRED POINTS!!!!!!!! That alone would take care of about 99.9% of the "problem folks" without limiting anyone else. Don't tell me it's too hard, and can't be done....this is not some "Mom and Pop" organization we are talking about....it's DISNEY, and a timeshare with over 100,000 members....stop making excuses, and just DO IT!!!!
2) Instead of limiting the number of transfers a person can make, limit what can be done with those transferred points. Simply stating that any reservation made using transferred points REQUIRES that the member be listed as an occupant of the room, and must be present at check-in, would go a LONG way in stopping the people who transfer in distressed points to rent out.
But, if someone spends $100,000 of their money to purchase into DVC, I don't think DVC ought to police how they use their points (unless they are running a dog kennel, cigar shop (in a non-smoking room), brothel, or dealing drugs out of the room). I am not a "renter for profit"....I love my points, and plan to use them only (with, maybe the occasional "emergency" rent) with my family and friends. But, I would be really unhappy if DVC began telling me for what purposes I can and cannot use my yearly allotment of DVC points. Unless I am doing something illegal, or something that is otherwise damaging the resort....they need to stop analyizing my usage....I didn't know I would be joining the "Big Brother" of timeshares.
Bottom line...I feel that the problem with some of DVC's policies is that they were written "vague", and the system was poorly designed. I think their response has also been poor because once again, the response language is "vague", and instead of addressing the weaknesses in their operating system, they are just choosing to limit members' flexibility....I think that is a bad choice.
I know for many the "1 transfer" was in your POS, but it was not in mine, and many others as well. Does limiting us to one transfer per year "ruin" DVC for me? No. However, owning a timeshare that would change the rules without asking for imput from its members makes me re-think not only the "magic" of something I spent a lot of money on, but also makes me wonder what else might be changed in the future.
I would be MUCH more impressed with DVC right now, if I had seen a statement that said:
"We have having problems with commercial renters at DVC. An easy response to this would be to limit the ways in which members could enjoy their Vacation Club, but in good conscience, we cannot do that. Instead, over the next few months we will be updating our computer systems to implement controls, such as points retaining home usage; and to follow the rental patterns of our members who transfer in points repeatedly. Therefore, as stated in your POS, all transferred points will now retain their home resort status, and transfers (for some individuals) will no longer be allowed (or may be limited) if it appears a member is gaining the points to rent out. However, DVC will not put your (or anyone else's reservation in jeopardy). Rest assured, the transactions we feel are "rentals for profit" will be stopped at the point transfer stage, rather than risk the possibility of cancelling a reservation in error. But, as always....our goal is to allow our members as much flexibility with their DVC membership as we possibly can. That is why we have chosen to update OUR systems, instead of limiting YOUR choices. We look forward to seeing you on your next stay "Home"."
Seriously....instead of "lurking" on these boards. DVC needs to get a group of owners who are really informed (such as many who post here), and ask for advice BEFORE they implement changes!! (Are you reading this, DVC??!!) Who knows better what would be the most appreciated moves (from a PR prospective), than owners who post on these sights for YEARS!!!
Sorry for the really wordy post.....my verbal diahrrea just gets out of control sometimes!!!
Beca
), it would be nice to be able to "rent" a few points from DVC that don't count towards my one transfer. 
