Legitimate DVC owner

[DisneyDreamer99]

I'm about to rent points from someone and I'm wondering how I can verify if they are actually a DVC owner.

I remember seeing a web site address somewhere on these boards where you could check a persons name to see if they owned with DVC, but of course now that I need it I can't find it.

Thank You!

 

[DisneyKidds]

Here is the website where deeds are recorded.

http://officialrecords.occompt.com/wb_or1/or_sch_1.asp

 

[DisneyDreamer99]

Thanks so much for your help DisneyKidds,

 

[Chuck S]

A reminder, rental offers are not allowed on the regular DVC boards, only the rent/trade board. The above two posts have been edited to reflect that policy.

Thanks.

 

[DisneyKidds]

My most humble apologies.

 

[Chuck S]

My most humble apologies.

No problem.

 

[JimMIA]

Keep in mind that the site above is only for the WDW resorts, which are all in Orange County, FL. You'll have to look elsewhere if the owners contract is at Vero or Hilton Head.

 

[Granny]

I'm about to rent points from someone and I'm wondering how I can verify if they are actually a DVC owner.

I would make sure that you get a copy of the reservation in your name. A non-owner would have no way of getting that unless they talked some owner into doing that for them...highly unlikely.

Also, I'd strongly suggest that you read a thread we call the Point Rental Primer at the following link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1255828

 

[spiceycat]

Granny suggestions is good.

because the owner name & address will appear on all DVC confirmations.

just say you want the orginially - the orginially is in color not black and white.

okay I hate the color - a yellow - someone say it was gold.

 

[Sammie]

YFI: not all members are listed on the link given. So they might be legit but not be listed.

 

[angiepangie8]

Great then what do you do????? I typed in the name last name first and nothing came up for that person.

 

[Plutofan]

Remember if they just recently purchased their points it usually takes awhile before their deed is recorded by the county. If I do recall we were in the Disney system right away when we purchased AKV but our deed was not recorded for several weeks to a month later as I recall.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Great then what do you do????? I typed in the name last name first and nothing came up for that person.

1. Take their word on it, or
2. Find another owner to rent from, or
3. Forget about renting a DVC reservation from an owner if you tend to worry over it too much.

 

[JodyTG]

1. Take their word on it, or
2. Find another owner to rent from, or
3. Forget about renting a DVC reservation from an owner if you tend to worry over it too much.

I agree with this post. It takes a lot of trust to rent and it sounds like you have none, or very little and will be high maintenance. Just call CRO and go that route for your reservation.

 

[kimberh]

Great then what do you do????? I typed in the name last name first and nothing came up for that person.

It really takes trust on both sides. Most owners will require a deposit, some require payment in full, you will receive a written confirmation with your name on it. You will have a certain time frame to pay the owner the balance. If you are flying in, Disney will mail you your luggage tags for Magical Express. I would have a email address, house address, phone number, cell number, full name of the owner. Make a phone call to the owner, if you don't mesh, find another owner, ask for references, check those out.

If you have talked with the owner and you still don't feel confident, then renting from a DVC owner may not be for you. I rented before I bought, I know what you are feeling, I am not trying to make light of it. My owner sent me a letter with more information than I asked for, that made me feel better, but this was months after I was into the rental period.

 

[angiepangie8]

Oh great now I'm being called "high maintenance" just because I want to be a little cautious before I send someone $1000s of dollars.

 

[Chuck S]

Oh great now I'm being called "high maintenance" just because I want to be a little cautious before I send someone $1000s of dollars.

Hey, I'm right there with ya. I could never send off that kind of $$ to a stranger without some sort of references or a deed on file.

Also be sure you have full conact information, phone, address, email, etc.

Make sure you have a written contract (or at least an email you agree to) that spells out payment methods and date, the aforementioned contact info, refund/cancellation policies of the owner, etc. It is for your protection AND the protection of the owner.

 

[JimMIA]

Great then what do you do????? I typed in the name last name first and nothing came up for that person.

Check the instructions on that site carefully -- it's very particular. I believe you enter last name (no comma) and then first name. Or, I think you can search by last name only.

For type of search, you are looking for a deed. If you type "deed," you'll get absolutely nothing. You have to type "d" in that box.

FWIW, I don't think you are being "high-maintenance" at all. I think you are going through the right process.

But I wouldn't put a ton of confidence in that website. Sometimes things show up and other times they don't. There are a lot of reasons why an ownership might not show up. Also, the fact that someone has a DVC account is not absolute proof the transaction will go smoothly. It's a good indicator, because I don't think there are many shady people who own DVC, but it's not absolute.

An alternative might be to ask the owner to make the ressie in a conference call with you. They would call MS, give the security info on their account which is required, and then bring you into the conference call. Their privacy would be protected, and you'd be able to make your requests, DME arrangements, add DDP, etc. all in one phone call (which saves everyone time and effort). And obviously, if they are making arrangements directly with MS with you on the line, you know they're for real.

Now, that's still not an absolute guarantee everything will go smoothly. In a worst case scenario, they could turn right around and cancel your ressie out from under you. But I have never heard of that happening here.

Bottom line, the whole process is based on mutual trust, because both parties have some risk. If you are not comfortable with the owner, or they are not comfortable with you, it's time to move on. If trust with this individual is the problem, find someone else to rent from. If you don't like the uncertainty of the process, renting is not for you and you should call Disney CRO.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Oh great now I'm being called "high maintenance" just because I want to be a little cautious before I send someone $1000s of dollars.

Sorry, but you do seem a little high maintenance.

Unless you are getting a reservation for less than 31 days out (or close to 31 days), you'd probably be sending a deposit initially and the remaining based on the contract. If you want something 31 days or sooner, you'll need to pay the member in full because of your lack of planning. You might want to establish a relationship with a member so you can rent from them in the future.

Even with the original confirmation letter from DVC, even with a three way call, even with a written contract, even with a copy of the members DVC web site points information, even with the most scupulous research on your part, someone looking to steal your money will still be able to do it.

For 100% confidence, you probably should just make a reservation through Disney directly.

 

[angiepangie8]

Sorry, but you do seem a little high maintenance.

Unless you are getting a reservation for less than 31 days out (or close to 31 days), you'd probably be sending a deposit initially and the remaining based on the contract. If you want something 31 days or sooner, you'll need to pay the member in full because of your lack of planning. You might want to establish a relationship with a member so you can rent from them in the future.

Even with the original confirmation letter from DVC, even with a three way call, even with a written contract, even with a copy of the members DVC web site points information, even with the most scupulous research on your part, someone looking to steal your money will still be able to do it.

For 100% confidence, you probably should just make a reservation through Disney directly.

Actually I personally am planning on a vacation for June of 2008 so I don't think I will suffer from a "lack of planning."

I do not have a problem renting, but I would like some proof of ownership and maybe a reference or two before I commit to anything. It’s true that someone could still steal your money after you have taken proper steps: 3way call, written contract, references, info on the owner such as phone # and address, and proof of ownership. However, it is a lot less likely.

You may think that taking these steps makes for a “high maintenance” renter. However, I think that not taking these steps makes for an “uninformed and naïve” renter.