New DVC Rent/Trade Board option - 4/18/11

[UConnJack]

I think this is generally a good idea, giving those who wants to use DIS primarily to rent point on the R/T board a way to contribute to the Site. Essentially, giving everyone the ability to be a sponsor. Even though some (including myself) may have some reservations, I think the activity of these people is necessary to keep the board sustainable and therefore keep it a useful resource to the other "traditional" DIS members.

The problems I still do see with the R/T policy as a whole:

1) I agree that something should be done about the Gold/Premier banners. I have no problem acknowledging them as sponsors, but it does look too much like an endorsement.

2) On a similar note that was brought up already, I never understood why existing member sponsors wouldn't be exempted from the rule in the first place, and especially now? Not that I am one, although I have often considered it. If I were to do it, I think I would rather sponsor/support the DIS in general, not just specific to the R/T.

3) I still think the 50-post/6-month criteria is too strict, in that it gives no consideration to long term (or even somewhat newer) contributing members who may have erratic posting habits but still have a history of contributing. I still believe that maintaining an average posting frequency, such as the average Posts per Day listed in our user statistics already, would be a MUCH better gauge of a member's contribution, as it takes a member's full contribution over time into account.

4) Doesn't the option of the premier R/T sponsor which gives the ability to rent 3 times before 30 days open up the ability spec rent? Isn't this something the DIS has vehemently tried to stop previously?

 

[UConnJack]

The logo includes the comment "Paid Membership" which should provide some information about the level of participation.

Those who display the "DIS Lifetime Supporter" logo in their profile or signature are included at the Gold level. They will not need the "Gold" logo as the mods will see the "Lifetime" notation.

Considering the cost structure of the individual member supporter/sponsr program in comparsion to the new R/T membership costs (most of which cost more, with even just basic supporter being very close), why wouldn't all the individual member sponsors be equivalent to a R/T gold status?

 

[DVC Dude]

It appears the first Gold member just posted a rental.

I like the "newer" logo as it looks better than the previous two versions I have seen.

 

[dis-happy]

An interesting solution. I admit I am surprised. I expected DIS to continue to eschew the more commercial aspects, but the Premium membership allowing up to three confirmed reservations without needing to be distressed is a complete 180.

IIRC, the first restrictions came about on the R/T board because people were making prime reservations, then offering them up on the R/T board. That was considered bad. Now for $199. per year that's acceptable.


"What does it profit a man....."

 

[UConnJack]

IIRC, the first restrictions came about on the R/T board because people were making prime reservations, then offering them up on the R/T board. That was considered bad. Now for $199. per year that's acceptable.

That's what thought too, although I could be mistaken. I have started to lose track of exactly what behaviors all the rules are meant to promote or discourage (strangely enough, that's also how I feel in my everyday life.....)

 

[Ali]

I've used the board as a renter and I saw the dearth of new posts as a way to shoot their current advertising sponsor in the foot because no new posts were being put up so no one was looking - a circle that could go on and on.

This is an interesting idea, I'm not sure I would want to pay for the privelige of renting points out since there is another board that has dramatically grown in usage since the new requirements were phased in. I always trusted the Disboards renter/owner bond more than the other un-named place though.

I think it's always a good thing to try to make amendments to policies that don't work, and I think there has been enough data to prove the existing posting over 6 months policy isn't working for most people on Disboards.

 

[fflmaster]

I totally agree the posting rule is too strict.

For instance, since I have only one post in december and another one in January I cannot post on the board.

No way I am paying for the chance to rEntz my points. If I have to I will move to the other board.

Shame I really like this board. I will probably just keep posting until I meet the EVENLY posted number.

 

[LoveToDisney]

How can you find out if you have posted evenly enough to post on the R/T board?

 

[been2marceline]

I too had a couple of months where I didn't post much and am affected by the 50 post rule.

The $ is not that big of a deal to me, I would rather see the rent/trade privilege, if it must be "paid" for, to be a benefit of board sponsorship.

If the board had a silver/gold level ( just an example ) board sponsorship type thing that included the rent/trade privilege - I think that would be a great compromise - I wouldn't mind paying a little extra for an equivalent level of membership with the privilege.

 

[been2marceline]

How can you find out if you have posted evenly enough to post on the R/T board?

Use the board tools to look at all of your posts - count them ( only ones not posted in the Rent/Trade area ) - any month you have over 8 posts counts - you need to have over 8 posts in each of the last 6 contiguous months to qualify.

 

[been2marceline]

I too had a couple of months where I didn't post much and am affected by the 50 post rule.

The $ is not that big of a deal to me, I would rather see the rent/trade privilege, if it must be "paid" for, to be a benefit of board sponsorship.

If the board had a silver/gold level ( just an example ) board sponsorship type thing that included the rent/trade privilege - I think that would be a great compromise - I wouldn't mind paying a little extra for an equivalent level of membership with the privilege.

To see your posts, click on your username in the upper left corner after to get onto one of the forum pages.

You should be taken to a page that has a set of tabs, click on the "Statistics" tab, then click on the "Find all posts by XXXXX" link - you can see all of your posts that way.

 

[been2marceline]

....I think there has been enough data to prove the existing posting over 6 months policy isn't working for most people on Disboards.

I think that the policy is a little too strict as well, I've got 3000+ posts over the last 5 years, so because of an illness, I missed posting for some time, and now I am treated the same as someone who just joined....

 

[RobDoc]

...- you need to have over 8 posts in each of the last 6 contiguous months to qualify.

You need a 50 non-Rent/Trade posts over the last 6 months with at least 8 posts in a majority of those months. It is not necessary to have 8 posts every month - so anyone who didn't post for two months is not excluded as long as they were still active in the other months.

I'd suggest clicking on "Search" at the top of the board and then "Advanced Search". Enter your username in the "User Name:" box, in the "Find Posts From" box, select "6 months ago" "and newer" and be sure to select "Show Results as" "Posts".

You will then get a listing of all of your posts over the last 6 months.

Be sure to review the number of posts by month and date when you do your count. 6 months back from today was October 20, 2010 so that "month" would include posts from 10/20-11/19, the next "month" would include 11/20-12/19 etc. Every "month" with at least 8 posts will count towards meeting the "evenly distributed" requirement. Those with fewer than 8 will still count towards the 50 post minimum. Also remember that the last 6 months changes every day so if you made 8 posts on October 20, those will not count in tomorrow's 6 month totals.

The 8 post minimum is just based on 2 posts per week. For those that find 2 posts per week too cumbersome, purchasing the plan is another option to use the Rent/Trade board.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Question. Why can't a regular poster, who qualifys to rent on the R/T board, not be able to list reservations for rent? I don't see why the regular contributers can't do this but people who pay can. If the "payment" is to just satisfy the lack of the 50 post requirement, why do they get extra "renting privledges"? That doesn't seem fair to the regular posters on this forum.

 

[RobDoc]

Question. Why can't a regular poster, who qualifys to rent on the R/T board, not be able to list reservations for rent? I don't see why the regular contributers can't do this but people who pay can. If the "payment" is to just satisfy the lack of the 50 post requirement, why do they get extra "renting privledges"? That doesn't seem fair to the regular posters on this forum.

From the thread titled **REQUIRED READING** at the top of the Rent/Trade Board :

If you are a DVC Member wanting to rent an existing reservation made using your own DVC points please submit a thread to be validated. The arrival date MUST be within 30 days and we would suggest using “Reservation for Rent” as the title. We will allow a maximum of two existing reservations to be offered within the last 12 months.

"Regular posters" have always had the ability to rent existing reservations and that has not been changed in any way in recent months. Those wanting a higher level of participation (3 existing reservations and more than 30 days ahead) have that option at this time by purchasing the Premium option.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

. Those wanting a higher level of participation (3 existing reservations and more than 30 days ahead) have that option at this time by purchasing the Premium option.

It is this priviledge that does not seem fair as one must "pay" for this. If the intent is to bring both frequent posters and those avoiding those requirements (ie: paying participants) to the same level, than this option clearly is not fair to the frequent disboard poster who wants to rent existing reservations more than 30 days out, on the R/T thread.

It seems now there is a "payment" to be made for this option, regardless of the participants posting requirements. Let's just say what it is.

 

[Brian Noble]

It is this priviledge that does not seem fair as one must "pay" for this.

Well, it is certainly "fair"---everyone has the same opportunity to pay for it, or not, as they choose.

However, it is an interesting development given DIS' past stance on spec renting.

The old rule was: "you can't."
The new rule is: "you can, but only if you pay us."

 

[palaemon]

Yes. These 2 new R/T rules/options were announced together, but are not related.

Regular posters won't need the 1st option, but anyone can gain the benefit of the 2nd.

Personally, I think that if someone wants to rent out their points via a predetermined reservation (Xmas week, 4th of July week, etc.) they're going to do it anyway. DIS is just now "taking a cut."

Also, if I had a reservation that I booked for August, but was just past my banking deadline when I found out I couldn't go, I'd rather not wait a couple of months in order to try to rent t out via R/T board, if I could. Spending $200 in order to have a better chance at getting a $1500-$2000 renter? I'd do it.

I seriously doubt that this change would impact my ability to book what I want at either the 11 or 7 month booking window. If I absolutely must have a non-home reservation, and it might be a difficult one (SV BWV, AKV-V, THVs) I would just look into transferring points into my account for that particular reservation - or if it's not such a difficult booking (AKV SV, BWV-PV,) I'd waitlist.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Am I missing something? I thought the "paid designations" were to eliminate the need for the 50 post requirement. As it stands now, those that pay get "more" privileges. So let's not intertwine the two.

Fair, I guess in that everyone can pay. Fair that now the regular contributor has to now pay, no that is not fair.

Well, it is certainly "fair"---everyone has the same opportunity to pay for it, or not, as they choose.

However, it is an interesting development given DIS' past stance on spec renting.

The old rule was: "you can't."
The new rule is: "you can, but only if you pay us."

 

[palaemon]

Am I missing something? I thought the "paid designations" were to eliminate the need for the 50 post requirement. As it stands now, those that pay get "more" privileges. So let's not intertwine the two.

Fair, I guess in that everyone can pay. Fair that now the regular contributor has to now pay, no that is not fair.

I think you are missing something. The $25/$50 optiion only bypasses the 50 post requirement.

The $200 option is only for those with usernames for more than 6 months, so newbies can't buy it, but everyone else has the option - even regular posters.

The 2nd option is not really about bypassing the 6-month/50 post rule. It's about giving every DISer flexibility for posting reservations for rent. However, they couldn't have a $200 option that didn't also bypass the 50 post rule.