Important changes to Rent/Trade Posting Rules

[Dawn68PA]

Thank you for the clarification. The waters are clearer now. Spec renting seems unfair to me so since that is the reason for the change, I'm in.

I'll jump in with more thanks for volunteering to mod and assist in protecting the DIS community Years back I moderated a board and it's time consuming!

 

[Sandy321]

Doubt we got them all, but many of them were banned. But it seemed like we were trying to empty the sea with a bucket, LOL.

esp since cheaters can just re sign up - taking up a lot of the Moderators time!

Thank you for all you do - I appreciate being part of the community!

Unfortunately, the damage is already done before they are banned from the R/T Board.

So there were no easy solutions. It was extremely frustrating, as often they would be reposting immediately upon receiving a warning or infraction points. And removing their access only from the R/T Board, while allowing access to the remainder of the DIS is a manual process, unlike the auto penalties associated with cumulative infraction point totals.

As it was primarily the Reservation Wanted posts/threads that were attracting the spec renters, we feel our best option is to not have RW threads. This in no way is meant to imply that the the original posters of the RW threads were to blame, it was the spec renters that were responding to those posts.

Thank you for taking the time to explain - I often shake my head at why rules are made only to find its because of cheaters or "stealers" I guess I just dont think like a crook!!

I was at first upset not to be able to post RW but now that I understand all that you are doing to protect members - I appreciate it! and since we all will be playing on the same field, it will adjust itself!!

 

[Hunclemarco]

As with other posts here, i also appreciate the work the moderators have and continue to do on the boards.
Thank you!

 

[GoofItUp]

As a previous renter, I found the R/T board very easy to use. I responded to a Points for Rent post, got my reservation, and had a great rental experience. I was glad to have contact with someone who rents from time to time as I then felt comfortable going back to him for later rentals outside the boards. Only problem was -- I bought DVC instead!

I don't think the change will amount to that much of an inconvenience in the total vacation experience. I'm just glad that there is some forum to pair people with extra points and those who would like to try out a DVC stay. Thanks!

 

[Cee]

I'm all for it. Thank you, Mods!

 

[JLitfin]

Thanks Mods for all your work and help with answering questions for all the members of these boards. I appreciate the boards trying to do away with the "spec" renters, keep up the good work.

 

[jagson]

Thanks to the mods for implementing rental restrictions on this Board. But what's to keep the spec renters from using another Board, or creating a Board, if one does not already exist, to do their advertising of "reservation for rent"?
On another subject, has any renter had bad experiences with their tenants? Specifically, have the rentees trashed the villas you rented to them? And, if so, did DVC come after you, or the rentees for damages? It seems such a risk to rent to an unknown. I've let freinds stay on my membership, but never have I rented. They were people I know would never intentionally damage the property. I have other friends I'd never rent to, nor let them stay on my membership, if I were not there to oversee. I personally believe that if you have an ownership stake in a property, you're likelier to take better care of it, than a renter (most of the time). And as a renter, don't you think you have an unwritten obligation to your fellow DVC members to screen potential rentees?
Alas I ramble on, but bottom line is renting should be highly restricted. Just as in my neighborhood, where renting it's prohibited. This goes for DVC as well as DVC members who rent.

 

[Chuck S]

The DIS can only control what goes on here, on our Rent/Trade board. There are other places that allow spec rental to be posted, including e-bay, criagslist, etc. But we will not allow it here.

There have been some reported instances (very few, though) of a renter leaving a charge balance that had to be cleared before the owner could make new reservations.

Legally, DVC can not "highly restrict" rentals, but can discourage it and enforce rules designed to stop commercial rentals. We see one attempt in their new rule limiting an associate to a maximum of four memberships.

But I think, under FL law, timeshares in general have to allow some sort of rental ability, as otherwise it may also be interpreted to disallow exchanges - as an exchange out of your home resort really is a type of mutual rental.

I agree, though, it is certainly best to do business with people you know. I have never rented my points, but have given trips to friends and family.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I know the moderators do a great job of editing posts on the DVC Boards that contain information about seeking rentals. Will they also do that on the Resorts Board or Budget Board? I see those there all the time.

I see this change as a way to protect some novice renters from hungry shark con artists, too.

The mods have a tough job with the R/T board and like messages.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I know the moderators do a great job of editing posts on the DVC Boards that contain information about seeking rentals. Will they also do that on the Resorts Board or Budget Board? I see those there all the time.

I see this change as a way to protect some novice renters from hungry shark con artists, too.

The mods have a tough job with the R/T board and like messages.

I always encourage everyone to use our Report A Post feature. The button can be found in the bottom left corner of each post. That will give the moderators of those particular boards mentioned a heads up to review the suspect posts.

Hopefully, a team effort will be underway to get this under control. Thanks for letting us know..

 

[CarolMN]

I know the moderators do a great job of editing posts on the DVC Boards that contain information about seeking rentals. Will they also do that on the Resorts Board or Budget Board? I see those there all the time.

I see this change as a way to protect some novice renters from hungry shark con artists, too.

The mods have a tough job with the R/T board and like messages.

Totally agree with CarolAnnC. Please use the Report-a-Post feature when you see those posts (or any that you believe violate DIS guidelines).

I seldom visit any of the non-DVC Boards -no time, LOL. But all the mods look at reported posts for their boards and take action if needed. We truly appreciate those of you who help us keep the boards a safe and fun place to hang out. Lots of you already report posts - we get many for spam, for rental details on the wrong board, name calling, arguments, etc. We especially appreciate those who report the post rather than respond themselves in an inappropriate way.

So on behalf of all the DVC mods - A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who helps out. The boards are a busy place, but for the size & traffic, we don't have all that many problem posters.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

I would be very appreciative if the moderators would re consider their new policy on reservations wanted postings. As a renter this will reduce my chances of renting my points (IMHO). I agree with other posters who would prefer the offenders be the ones punished and not all of us. If volunteers are a problem, why not solicit more help. I would love to assist in anyway that I can and I am sure many other members would also volunteer.

 

[LisaS]

I would be very appreciative if the moderators would re consider their new policy on reservations wanted postings. As a renter this will reduce my chances of renting my points (IMHO). I agree with other posters who would prefer the offenders be the ones punished and not all of us. If volunteers are a problem, why not solicit more help. I would love to assist in anyway that I can and I am sure many other members would also volunteer.

The DVC Rent/Trade moderators have been discussing this for over a year and it is only after much discussion and consideration that we have concluded that this is the approach that we need to take. We do not plan to revisit the decision that we have made.

I don't agree that this will reduce your chances of renting your points. DVC members can still rent their points on the R/T board by submitting Points for Rent or Points for Transfer threads and responding to those who post replies or contact you via PM. Since those looking to rent cannot advertise the fact via a Reservation Wanted thread, their only option will be to respond to those who advertise that they have points available. In my opinion, provided members are willing to post a thread on the R/T board, they should have no problem finding renters.

 

[DVC Mike]

I would be very appreciative if the moderators would re consider their new policy on reservations wanted postings. As a renter this will reduce my chances of renting my points (IMHO). I agree with other posters who would prefer the offenders be the ones punished and not all of us. If volunteers are a problem, why not solicit more help. I would love to assist in anyway that I can and I am sure many other members would also volunteer.

The DISBoards generates a lot of eyes on your rental postings, but there are other places to rent your points.

 

[weluvMM]

I have only been on twice to rent some points. I tried posting them the first time and it failed miserably. This time, I scanned the Reservations wanted and found a few people whose needs I could easily meet (mostly reservations at my home resorts 8-11 months out).

I really like responding to the reservations wanted. It was so much easier. Please don't take it away! Thanks.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would be very appreciative if the moderators would re consider their new policy on reservations wanted postings. As a renter this will reduce my chances of renting my points (IMHO). I agree with other posters who would prefer the offenders be the ones punished and not all of us. If volunteers are a problem, why not solicit more help. I would love to assist in anyway that I can and I am sure many other members would also volunteer.

I guess I don't see what would be so much more difficult with the new guidlines. The only thing is that those of you who rent out points will need to do a bit more leg work, but any time you "sell" something, that seems to be what would be expected.

I think the new policy is one that will work well for the DIS. Of course it wont stop spec reservations, but as others have pointed out, there are other outlets for those as well.

 

[jaydhelms]

I have been trying to understand the rules and policies for a while, in order to honor the spirit of the R/T board. I still don't know if I am getting it right.

I feel bad, because I just submitted a RW thread, oops. I'll just keep looking to see if I can get it by checking the offers.

Thank you moderators, for your time and energy making this possible for all of us.

 

[Chuck S]

One effect this may have, is an increase in rental prices.

With DVC itself limiting the number of contracts to which an associate can be added, and the change on the R/T Board, rentals may be more "in demand" with slightly less perceived availability. In a free market, that usually leads to a price increase.

While I don't rent my points, I do see where this could potentially be a good change for those that do.

 

[dianeschlicht]

One effect this may have, is an increase in rental prices.

With DVC itself limiting the number of contracts to which an associate can be added, and the change on the R/T Board, rentals may be more "in demand" with slightly less perceived availability. In a free market, that usually leads to a price increase.

While I don't rent my points, I do see where this could potentially be a good change for those that do.

That MIGHT be true, Chuck, if the DIS was the only rental venu for owners, but it isn't. There are plenty of other sites available that allow spec renting, so I'm not so sure limiting it on this site will work as well as you would hope. On the other hand, I think it COULD improve the prices if all sites saw the benefit in that.

Oh, and I don't think the person who is added as an associate does "spec" renting. He mostly starts with people who contact him for reservations. I actually think this could help him too if he can get around the Disney snafu. His prices could rise as well.

 

[tedhowe]

I have only been on twice to rent some points. I tried posting them the first time and it failed miserably. This time, I scanned the Reservations wanted and found a few people whose needs I could easily meet (mostly reservations at my home resorts 8-11 months out).

I really like responding to the reservations wanted. It was so much easier. Please don't take it away! Thanks.

Please don't take this the wrong way, because I am not trying to lump you in with Spec renters, but what you've just described, and your post count of under 20 after more than a year on the boards, is at the least, not entirely in line with the spirit in which DISboards maintains the rent/trade boards as I understand it.

The DVC Rent/Trade boards are supposed to be a service to the DISBoards community, a way for members of the boards who have points they can't use can connect with other members of the boards who are looking for economical accomodations. If you've only been here twice - both times to rent points, then I don't have a lot of sympathy for making your rental process a bit harder.

I am certainly not the most frequent poster to these boards, still having a post count under 1000 after all these years, but I've been here and have contributed to the overall discussion, answered questions and participated in the community spirit both of DVC members and DISBoards members.

In 16 years of DVC membership, I've rented 5 times - 3 of them were to close friends and didn't involve the DISBoards. The other two times were on the DISBoards, and both were postings that I made - each had a rental within a few days and were no problem.

Spec renting is a problem, and I think the moderators are justified in their change - it is a good thing for all concerned - except the spec renters - even if it means the point renters will have to work a little harder.

Ted