Need OPinions ASAP....First Time Renter w/ questions!!!

[suzquig]

New to the renting DVC points concept...always stayed at Poly but due to family size started to research again and stumbled upon this "secret" ;-) that will save us quite a bit of $$$ Planning to go Xxxx decided on a xxxx. Contacted both "david's" and "Paul's" rental "stores" and unfortunately they have no points at this time to rent in the 11 month booking window w/ any Xxx owners...and said " we get new rentals all the time or we will check again @ the 7 month window". Have been actively searching for private owners looking to rent on this board and others and a rental popped up on another board.
Here is where I am concerned....the poster has only about a dozen posts. When I looked at history his last post was in 2011 also renting at that time. He did respond back to my email promptly. He sent a screen shot of what he found on the DVC website regarding availability (there is!!). Now in the points column on the right side it lists 2011 points and 2012 points. Should it also list 2013 points? I did ask for references and he said he has only rented once before but will contact them asking them to get in touch with me. Is there anything else I should be asking, cautious of etc??? Would I be required to send money first before he books as I am nervous to do that as I feel almost "unprotected" doing it that way. I am VERY tempted to do it this way as it is available now and I am worried that David and/or PAul won't be able to secure a ressie- but there is a "safer" feeling doing it thru them.
Any help, advice, info is greatly appreciated!!
Suzanne

 

[Deb & Bill]

New to the renting DVC points concept...always stayed at Poly but due to family size started to research again and stumbled upon this "secret" ;-) that will save us quite a bit of $$$ Planning to go xxxxx. ontacted both "david's" and "Paul's" rental "stores" and unfortunately they have no points at this time to rent in the 11 month booking window w/ any Xxx owners...and said " we get new rentals all the time or we will check again @ the 7 month window". Have been actively searching for private owners looking to rent on this board and others and a rental popped up on another board.
Here is where I am concerned....the poster has only about a dozen posts. When I looked at history his last post was in 2011 also renting at that time. He did respond back to my email promptly. He sent a screen shot of what he found on the DVC website regarding BLT availability (there is!!). Now in the points column on the right side it lists 2011 points and 2012 points. Should it also list 2013 points. I did ask for references and he said he has only rented once before but will contact them asking them to get in touch with me. Is there anything else I should be asking, cautious of etc??? Would I be required to send money first before he books as I am nervous to do that as I feel almost "unprotected" doing it that way. I am VERY tempted to do it this way as it is available now and I am worried that David and/or PAul won't be able to secure a ressie- but there is a "safer" feeling doing it thru them.
Any help, advice, info is greatly appreciated!!
Suzanne

I don't really think anyone is safer but with the brokers, you might only lose part of your investment. But then again, they might not refund anything if the reservation isn't there when you arrive.

If you are worried about it going wrong and it sounds like you are, you really need to give up the idea of purchasing a reservation from a member.

Your concerns about the potential owner you are looking at are legitimate. No history is not good. That's why on the DIS they suggest you find someone with a good number of posts that sounds like a active member of the DIS.

 

[Sandisw]

It depends on his UY...everything is based on UY of travel and not calendar year. Online booking site shows current and next UY on those screens.

I own a December UY, and I only see 2011 and 2012 since I am still in my 2011 UY.

 

[DisneyMotherOf2]

I'm not an expert regarding renting points, but based on other posts I've read my understanding is it's a risk. I know people have lost money before when an unethical owner with no honor (IMO) cancelled the reservations and ran off with that persons money. A deposit is typically required to make the reservation. You do risk the chance of the owner cancelling your reservation and running off with your money. And there isn't really much you can do about it. Disney will not get involved with that as it's a private transaction.

Perhaps others with more knowledge will chime in here, but I believe if you do the transaction through Pay Pal it will help you to be covered in some capacity. I don't rememberl the specifics, but I recall a previous poster ran into a problem with an owner and was trying to get their money back. Something was mentioned about having a leg legally because the transactions transpired through Pay Pal. I could be wrong though. Sorry if I'm not much help, but the answer is yes - there is a risk. I believe there is less risk when booking through Dave. Best of luck!!!

 

[vicki_c]

Paypal probably won't be much help - it is specifically stated in the Paypal terms that it's not for transactions like these (I don't have the words but that has been stated here by others in the past).

I agree with Deb, OP - it's really about how much risk tolerance you have. I would be leery to use anyone that didn't have more history/information available to you. Most likely with an individual you will be paying the entire reservation up front, quite a bit before your trip, and not be able to cancel.

If you really want to do a rental, I would stick with working with the brokers or look for an owner with more history.

 

[magicaldisney]

We rented privately twice before buying into DVC ourselves. We had a wonderful experience both times. However, that doesn't diminish the risk. I'm just pointing out it isn't all doom and gloom, but you do need to consider the risks very seriously.

For the most part, private rentals will ask for 50% down to make the reservation and the rest paid within a certain time frame (usually as soon as you receive the confirmation notice). Yes, you can loose your deposit with an unethical DVC member, but you also could loose the whole payment if they decide to cancel your reservation a few days before your trip.
I've read where some people will request a three way call when the reservation is being made. That sounds great, but doesn't guarantee that the owner won't cancel the reservation later on. Owners control the reservation right up until the time you check in. They will need to add Magical Express and any Dining Plan if you will use those. Most rentals have a no cancellation policy so make sure you won't be changing your mind or that something might not come up that would make you have to cancel.

All of the negatives being said, I refer back to my first comment and will say again, there are many many happy private rentals and it isn't all doom and gloom. You just have to be aware of the risks going into it. The risks are the exact reason why you are saving the money from booking directly through Disney.

 

[spiceycat]

going against the majority - but if he is allowed to post on the rental site here - then he is paying for it. So would go with him.

now if you are talking about another site - then you need to ask at that site.

the Dis tries to make sure that no one is hurt - that is why they require posters to post - so they are sure you are seriously about the dis and not just using it to rent DVC.

if this person send you an email - then start reading all the sticky on the renters boards. there are some thiefs who will take advantage of you. they had a person who was emailing posters and telling them he could rent exactly what they wanted - problem was he didn't.

 

[RobDoc]

... Have been actively searching for private owners looking to rent on this board and others and a rental popped up on another board.
Here is where I am concerned....the poster has only about a dozen posts. When I looked at history his last post was in 2011 also renting at that time. He did respond back to my email promptly. He sent a screen shot of what he found on the DVC website regarding availability (there is!!). Now in the points column on the right side it lists 2011 points and 2012 points. Should it also list 2013 points? I did ask for references and he said he has only rented once before but will contact them asking them to get in touch with me. Is there anything else I should be asking, cautious of etc??? Would I be required to send money first before he books as I am nervous to do that as I feel almost "unprotected" doing it that way. I am VERY tempted to do it this way as it is available now and I am worried that David and/or PAul won't be able to secure a ressie- but there is a "safer" feeling doing it thru them.
Any help, advice, info is greatly appreciated!!
Suzanne

I would want to have home address and phone number as well as cell phone #. I would also ask to speak with him by phone to get an idea who he is. If they have only a few posts, it can be difficult to judge the personality, so a phone call might help. It sounds as though this rental is not being done thru anyone on the DIS, so you might want to ask for suggestions on the other board too.

All details of the transaction (amount paid, means of payment, deposit, balance due, cancellation policy, willingness to add DME/DDP, etc. ) are negotiable. I would not send any money in any form until you are fully compfortable with all aspects of the transaction.

I would strongly suggest doing these same things for a rental on the DIS. Look at past posts, ask for personal information (address/phone) and "get to know" the person before sending any funds. I would take additional care with my judgement when it is a posted with few recent posts - even if they have purchased a rental plan. The DIS rental plans simply mean they have paid a fee in order to use the Rent/Trade Board - they have not been endorsed by the DIS in any fashion. IMO, potential renters need to use the same due diligence with any/all rentals and those with few posts might even require extra diligence. If they have the minimum of 50 posts in the past 6 months, you will at least have some posts to review. I'd look at content and sincerity in those posts - are they responding to the topic of the thread, are they being helpful or were the posts single word responses made within a few hours to boost post count?

I would certainly keep checking with www.DVCrequest.com since they often get access to more points on a regular basis - and you may still be able to get a reservation before 7 months that way.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[DougEMG]

New to the renting DVC points concept...always stayed at Poly but due to family size started to research again and stumbled upon this "secret" ;-) that will save us quite a bit of $$$ Planning to go Xxxx decided on a xxxx. Contacted both "david's" and "Paul's" rental "stores" and unfortunately they have no points at this time to rent in the 11 month booking window w/ any Xxx owners...and said " we get new rentals all the time or we will check again @ the 7 month window". Have been actively searching for private owners looking to rent on this board and others and a rental popped up on another board.
Here is where I am concerned....the poster has only about a dozen posts. When I looked at history his last post was in 2011 also renting at that time. He did respond back to my email promptly. He sent a screen shot of what he found on the DVC website regarding availability (there is!!). Now in the points column on the right side it lists 2011 points and 2012 points. Should it also list 2013 points? I did ask for references and he said he has only rented once before but will contact them asking them to get in touch with me. Is there anything else I should be asking, cautious of etc??? Would I be required to send money first before he books as I am nervous to do that as I feel almost "unprotected" doing it that way. I am VERY tempted to do it this way as it is available now and I am worried that David and/or PAul won't be able to secure a ressie- but there is a "safer" feeling doing it thru them.
Any help, advice, info is greatly appreciated!!
Suzanne

As a rentor you are going to be at the total mercy of the owner. They have total control over everything to do with your reservation, you need to go through an owner that you are comfortable with. Lots of great advise here on how to protect yourself, but you will never have the same kind of safety as when booking through Disney.

I'm an owner that rents out points, but before I owned I was never comfortable renting points from a stranger and always booked through Disney.

Ask them to send you a contract that spells out all the terms of the rental, when payments are do, what the cancellation policy is, will they book ME and the DP for you, etc.

At the end of the day, if you aren't comfortable with this owner, find another one, there are lots of folks here that rent their points.

 

[suzquig]

So thought I would update!
First thanks to all of the great advice...I appreciate everyone's time and suggestions!
After exchanging a dozen or so emails with the owner...he "friended" me on facebook and sent me a reference with the person's contact info who was his one and only previous renter. Spoke to the other "renter" who crazy as this is...lives 10 minutes away from me and is familiar with many of same people! She commented that she had many of the same concerns since they were the "first renters" but not one thing about the transaction was a negative. Her husband being a lawyer, even assisted the owners with some of the wording in the rental contract. She said she plans on renting from them again when they offer( she couldn't now since they just went in December) but had no hesitation recommending them.
Decided to "go for it"...the owners wife called me we had a very open discussion regarding my fears, her and her husband's understanding of them, how they too have alot invested in "who " they rent to etc etc. During the reservation process, we hooked up live and I was able to watch everything being booked from my computer. rec'd the email confirmation with reservation details. And after that point, sent payment. All in all (so far!) a great experience!
Again...thank you all so much!! Wish we had discovered this "secret" years ago instead of paying for 2 rooms at the Poly Oh the money we could have saved!!!!

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for letting us know what happened - looking forward to your trip report!

Now that you have the reservation, you can see it online. Use this website:

www.MyDisneyReservation.com

Choose the link "Using a Disney Vacation Club Membership" when it asks you how you booked your stay.

 

[magicaldisney]

So glad that everything worked out. Those few negative rentals make everyone very nervous about this process, but it sounds like you are working with a wonderful DVC member.

So, now, tell us all the fun details!! Where are you staying? What size villa?

 

[CarolAnnC]

So thought I would update!
First thanks to all of the great advice...I appreciate everyone's time and suggestions!
After exchanging a dozen or so emails with the owner...he "friended" me on facebook and sent me a reference with the person's contact info who was his one and only previous renter. Spoke to the other "renter" who crazy as this is...lives 10 minutes away from me and is familiar with many of same people! She commented that she had many of the same concerns since they were the "first renters" but not one thing about the transaction was a negative. Her husband being a lawyer, even assisted the owners with some of the wording in the rental contract. She said she plans on renting from them again when they offer( she couldn't now since they just went in December) but had no hesitation recommending them.
Decided to "go for it"...the owners wife called me we had a very open discussion regarding my fears, her and her husband's understanding of them, how they too have alot invested in "who " they rent to etc etc. During the reservation process, we hooked up live and I was able to watch everything being booked from my computer. rec'd the email confirmation with reservation details. And after that point, sent payment. All in all (so far!) a great experience!
Again...thank you all so much!! Wish we had discovered this "secret" years ago instead of paying for 2 rooms at the Poly Oh the money we could have saved!!!!

The real Secret is DVC ownership! Why don't you check into purchasing DVC since it sounds like you enjoy Deluxe accommodations and visit WDW regularly? Good luck!

 

[suzquig]

The real Secret is DVC ownership! Why don't you check into purchasing DVC since it sounds like you enjoy Deluxe accommodations and visit WDW regularly? Good luck!

You are right we do!! All those times we passed the DVC info desk at the Poly
I keep telling my husband that we will "take a break from Disney" but with our youngest being 1...don't know if that break will happen anytime soon!?!? The real dream would be to buy at the rumored Poly DVC!!
So the details of our rental...
5 nights in a dedicated 2BR lakeview villa at BLT!! First time also staying at the contemporary, actually anywhere other than the Polynesian...
Truly can't wait!!

 

[magicaldisney]

So the details of our rental...
5 nights in a dedicated 2BR lakeview villa at BLT!! First time also staying at the contemporary, actually anywhere other than the Polynesian...
Truly can't wait!!

A 2 bedroom lakevew......you are going to LOVE it. Watch out renting is what got us in trouble, but we've never regretted purchasing DVC. ENJOY!!

 

[mousefan1972]

Congrats on your reservation!

Just be warned... after your stay at BLT, you may very likely decide to purchase your own DVC points! I know we did!

 

[suzquig]

Congrats on your reservation!

Just be warned... after your stay at BLT, you may very likely decide to purchase your own DVC points! I know we did!

I think that's what my husband is afraid of