Important changes to Rent/Trade Posting Rules

[tedhowe]

Just a quick follow up question to make sure I understand the new rules.

We're no longer allowed to post RENTAL wanted posts - but are owners in need of transfers still allowed to post TRANSFER wanted posts?

Ted

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Quick question, I'm a DVC owner and I purchase points once in while to be transferred to me for an up coming reservation where I may be short, does this 30 day rule apply. I'm a little confused, i make plans way ahead, so I couln't post looking for a points transfer?

 

[LisaS]

We're no longer allowed to post RENTAL wanted posts - but are owners in need of transfers still allowed to post TRANSFER wanted posts?

The only category that is being eliminated is the "Reservation Wanted" category. All other categories including "Point Transfer Wanted" will still be available.

Quick question, I'm a DVC owner and I purchase points once in while to be transferred to me for an up coming reservation where I may be short, does this 30 day rule apply. I'm a little confused, i make plans way ahead, so I couln't post looking for a points transfer?

The 30-day rule applies to members renting an existing reservation. It does not apply to point transfers.

If a member books a reservation for a busy time hoping to rent it out for top dollar, they cannot offer it on the DISboards by any means unless they are within 30 days of check in for that reservation. "By any means" includes posting a Reservation for Rent thread on the R/T board and responding to a user requesting a reservation via a post, PM or email. Similarly, if someone has a reservation they booked for themselves or for a renter that they can no longer use, they cannot offer it here unless they are within 30 days of check in. If a member is 31 days or more from check in, the reservation can be cancelled without penalty. Perhaps those cancelled nights would go to another member on the waiting list which benefits the membership as a whole, versus holding on to that inventory trying to rent it out. The 30-day policy is intended to allow a member to offer a reservation here when that member has to cancel within 30 days of check in and would be subject to their points going into the holding account.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Thank you LisaS for the clariffication!

 

[LisaS]

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.

This is very well said. You are correct that the Rent/Trade board is intended to be a service to the DISboards community. Over time it has been morphing into something else where far too many of the posters there have come to the R/T board to use the free service to make a buck without giving anything back to our community here. Some of them don't even post on the R/T board at all. They just troll the board cherry picking the "Reservation Wanted" threads. Of course this only works for them because many of the "Reservation Wanted" threads were also being placed by people who aren't members of our community who just want a good deal and apparently don't care if they rent from a community member or not.

Personally, if I was looking to rent a reservation from a DVC member, I would want to work with someone who participated in boards other than just the Rent/Trade board. I would want to review some of their posts to see if they seem knowledgeable about DVC and whether they seem to be the kind of person who is helpful and pleasant in their dealings with others.

 

[Tamar]

Well, I hope I qualify as a member of the community. I fully understand the moderators' position. I suspect it will drive point prices down, not up, but that remains to be seen.

 

[CarolMN]

Well, I hope I qualify as a member of the community. I fully understand the moderators' position. I suspect it will drive point prices down, not up, but that remains to be seen.

I absolutely consider you a member of this community.

FWIW, I don't think the change will have any impact whatsoever on the price of a rental point. IMO, it will just make it harder for spec renters to use the DIS to find customers.

 

[Tamar]

I absolutely consider you a member of this community.

.

Thanks Carol! I just wish the spec renters hadn't ruined it for all of us. It's too bad that something couldn't be done just for spec-prone weeks, but I know that would be a headache for the mods.

 

[Chuck S]

Thanks Carol! I just wish the spec renters hadn't ruined it for all of us. It's too bad that something couldn't be done just for spec-prone weeks, but I know that would be a headache for the mods.

We did discuss that, but the 30 day rule seems to be ignored no matter the time of year. And changing posting policies throughout the year depending upon season is not user friendly to the posters or the moderating team.

 

[UConnJack]

The only category that is being eliminated is the "Reservation Wanted" category. All other categories including "Point Transfer Wanted" will still be available.

I was about to chime in on this thread with some opposition to the change until I saw this. As an owner, I occasionally rent or transfer points out, but I usually rent point to transfer in to supplement a trip or make a reservation for a friend/relative. As such, it was always easier for me to put out a "point transfer wanted" post and have someone contact me, and at first blush I thought this change affected me.

Call me selfish, but now that I know it doesn't, I'm have no problem with it. The way I see it anyway, the only people it is going to significantly and/or frequently inconvenience are the "commercial" renters. While I don't necessarily have a strong opposition to "commercial" renting (I can't even say I am totally opposed to spec renting), I figure it is not this board's purpose or responsibility to help them in that endeavor, especially if they oppose the practice. What they do offer on the rent/trade board is still a wonderful service for most DVC and DIS members, a way to more effectively manage their points by having a place to rent out excess points and/or transfer in extra points if needed for their own use.

 

[lchez]

This change might benefit us owners by making it easier to book reservations during the prime weeks. There have been many of time that I have tried to book outside of my home resort and was told by the cm that there was nothing available. Very frustrating...

Nice play Mods !! Thank You.

 

[rkwells]

Thanks Carol! I just wish the spec renters hadn't ruined it for all of us. It's too bad that something couldn't be done just for spec-prone weeks, but I know that would be a headache for the mods.

I understand and support the reason for the rule, but as a former renter I would just like to comment. The first time I rented I was a new DIS member and rented from an owner who probably just signed up to rent their points. FYI the process did go very well.

The second time around I had been here a while and for security wanted to rent from an owner who was an active DIS member/poster. Posting a RW allowed such members to target me. I had a long time member approach me with an offer. I was not looking for rock bottom pricing, again, I wanted the security that came with dealing with a long term member. I think there are owners who also feel this way in reverse.

Posting a reservation wanted ad allowed those owners to identify me and approach me with offers.(not spec offers). I don"t think these owners were actively soliciting their points, but when the saw my post they knew they could help me and decided to do so.

It's too bad that spec renters had to ruin it for the "bread and butter" of this board. I wish there was another solution.

 

[Chuck S]

I understand and support the reason for the rule, but as a former renter I would just like to comment. The first time I rented I was a new DIS member and rented from an owner who probably just signed up to rent their points. FYI the process did go very well.

The second time around I had been here a while and for security wanted to rent from an owner who was an active DIS member/poster. Posting a RW allowed such members to target me. I had a long time member approach me with an offer. I was not looking for rock bottom pricing, again, I wanted the security that came with dealing with a long term member. I think there are owners who also feel this way in reverse.

Posting a reservation wanted ad allowed those owners to identify me and approach me with offers.(not spec offers). I don"t think these owners were actively soliciting their points, but when the saw my post they knew they could help me and decided to do so.

It's too bad that spec renters had to ruin it for the "bread and butter" of this board. I wish there was another solution.

But at the same time, those established/active DVC owners who were replying to your Reservaton Wanted Thread are welcome to post a Points for Rent thread, you may then check their post counts and activity, and reply to their post. So this change really has no impact on finding a long term DVC member or DIS poster from whom to rent.

 

[Tamar]

But at the same time, those established/active DVC owners who were replying to your Reservaton Wanted Thread are welcome to post a Points for Rent thread, you may then check their post counts and activity, and reply to their post. So this change really has no impact on finding a long term DVC member or DIS poster from whom to rent.

You're right, but it does affect the occasional renter-owers who would prefer to find a long time DIS member to rent to, one whose needs they know they can meet, before starting the communication. There are some of us who are negatively impacted. That's just the way it is.

I've got 3 2008 points that will expire in Nov 2010, so I will want to find someone who needs a small reservation before my banking window and just use a few of my 2009 points to complete their reservation. That will be more time consuming for me now than just watching for someone who needs what I have. It may not be worth the effort now, and I may just let those points expire.

 

[jekjones1558]

I admit to being lazy when renting out points. Hopefully I will not have to do it often. It was easier for me to respond to reservation requests than to be bombarded with requests as the poster. That being said, I absolutely support whatever the moderators need to do to make the Rent/Trade board fair and workable. The DIS is providing a wonderful, FREE service to all of us.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

With DVC itself limiting the number of contracts to which an associate can be added

I am only familiar with one site that handles rentals as an associate, but it certainly seems this site is still in business. Does anyone understand how this can be continued with this limitation in place? Just curious.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am only familiar with one site that handles rentals as an associate, but it certainly seems this site is still in business. Does anyone understand how this can be continued with this limitation in place? Just curious.

Just ask him. See what it would take to rent some of your points.

 

[roadtripper]

Thank you, mods, for all your hard work. I have found the R/T board to be very helpful in the past, and have recommended it to other DVC owners who previously let their points expire (gasp!).

Any policies that seek to keep the playing field level and still benefit members looking to make an occasional rental are all right with me. Thanks again!

 

[Massillon Dad]

Thanks so much for your work! ....however....."FREE" was mentioned several times. If providing the service "Free" is indeed an issue, then Charge users a nominal fee $1-$3 for posting: Then "Free" is not an issue. Problem solved. If you feel bad about accepting a fee for a worthwhile service, then donate it to a worthy charity.

 

[Chuck S]

Thanks so much for your work! ....however....."FREE" was mentioned several times. If providing the service "Free" is indeed an issue, then Charge users a nominal fee $1-$3 for posting: Then "Free" is not an issue. Problem solved. If you feel bad about accepting a fee for a worthwhile service, then donate it to a worthy charity.

Would paying such a small fee insure people would follow our board rules? Unlikely. And it would require additional time and resources.

All we have ever asked is for people to follow the rules as posted, and obviously MANY posters felt the rules do not apply to them. Charging a fee would not improve that situation, and we will not allow the Rent/Trade board to become a "speculative renter free for all." It is simply a place for members of the DIS Community to rent their unused points or try to recoup something from an existing reservation if a situation has arisen during the holding penalty period.

Those seeking a reservation may reply to an approved Reservation for Rent or Points for Rent thread.