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

[Mike2023]

The DIS's counter-argument would be that they are, as Carol explained above, simply providing a marketplace. They're allowing classified ads in much the same way a newspaper does. They are not a party to the transaction.

Now, obviously, if someone sued they would attack that argument, trying to draw a distincition between the paid and unpaid listings. And that could get interesting...possibly even hilarious, if they approached it right. I don't know if a plaintiff could prevail, but they sure could have some fun.

Realistically, however, nobody's likely to sue anyone over a DVC rental. It has nothing to do with the facts or law -- the transactions are simply not large enough to merit a lawsuit. It would cost more to sue than you could hope to collect.

I totally agree with you here.

 

[kmsimone]

Been away for awhile. This is a very enterprising solution to the issue.
Interesting oberservation (maybe), currently of the first 10 rental offers on the R/T board, 8 are through paid subscription.

 

[JimMIA]

It's the punting of the ethics for a payoff that's most troublesome.

The stance has long been that speculative renting harmed the everyday DVC owner, and indeed it did. But now, for a payoff, the DIS chooses to encourage the activity that will harm the masses.

It's just a policy change, not one of the great ethical issues of our time. I don't personally see any need for this change, and I don't see any connection between this change and the one to allow an exception to the posting requirements for regular listings...but it's not evil.

I don't rent and I'm not a fan of speculative rentals. But, that's my personal opinion -- which neither DVC itself, nor any of the other sites where rentals are listed, share. The DIS is the only site I know of with any restrictions on posting dates for existing reservations.

And, as Doc points out, ALL owners have the option to book reservations within their applicable booking windows.

If one owner calls and another waits and then can't find availability, whose bad is that? I submit the offended party could have avoided the situation by simply calling earlier.

And was it really that evil speculator who snatched the availability away...or was it someone booking for their own family? There's no way to know.

 

[WDWBlue]

It's just a policy change, not one of the great ethical issues of our time. I don't personally see any need for this change, and I don't see any connection between this change and the one to allow an exception to the posting requirements for regular listings...but it's not evil.

I don't rent and I'm not a fan of speculative rentals. But, that's my personal opinion -- which neither DVC itself, nor any of the other sites where rentals are listed, share. The DIS is the only site I know of with any restrictions on posting dates for existing reservations.

And, as Doc points out, ALL owners have the option to book reservations within their applicable booking windows.

If one owner calls and another waits and then can't find availability, whose bad is that? I submit the offended party could have avoided the situation by simply calling earlier.

And was it really that evil speculator who snatched the availability away...or was it someone booking for their own family? There's no way to know.

Really no need to add all the drama.

It is an ethical issue, hence, the rules up until now prohibiting the speculative renting. They thought, and said, it was wrong because it hurt owners. Now, that stance has changed.

 

[JimMIA]

Really no need to add all the drama.

It is an ethical issue, hence, the rules up until now prohibiting the speculative renting. They thought, and said, it was wrong because it hurt owners. Now, that stance has changed.

The "drama" of framing this as a so-called "ethical" question was yours, not mine.

It's quite possible for people to have different points of view without one necessarily being "right" or "wrong" -- or "ethical" or "unethical."

I don't have any concerns about the ethics of the DIS generally, and certainly not the DIS DVC mods in particular. In fact, I think you owe the mods an apology.

 

[WDWBlue]

The "drama" of framing this as a so-called "ethical" question was yours, not mine.

It's quite possible for people to have different points of view without one necessarily being "right" or "wrong" -- or "ethical" or "unethical."

I don't have any concerns about the ethics of the DIS generally, and certainly not the DIS DVC mods in particular. In fact, I think you owe the mods an apology.

Absolutely agree with this.

but when your position suddenly changes with the introduction of money......

 

[Inkmahm]

I just took a look at the rent / trade board and see that there is life there again. I personally think that's a good thing. Nothing the DIS owners do is ever going to be perfect for every DIS member. I think the addition of paid options for being able to post to rent/trade is a creative solution for those DIS members who don't post as often as would be required to post for free. I like that the DIS owners came up with a solution, even if everyone doesn't agree that it is perfect.

 

[Sammie]

To me it is really the DIS's decision and nothing they do will agree with everyone.

I do think however buyer beware. I thought the previous rule was to prevent the casual user from using the rent/trade forum as they wanted (and I agree) for it to be used by those that contribute to the community of the entire site not just using it for rentals.

I personally would be leary of someone that can not find time to contribute but can buy their way in. Just my opinion yours may vary.

I would go with a known such as Daddio first for I feel his service provides some protection for both parties.

 

[been2marceline]

To me it is really the DIS's decision and nothing they do will agree with everyone.

I do think however buyer beware. I thought the previous rule was to prevent the casual user from using the rent/trade forum as they wanted (and I agree) for it to be used by those that contribute to the community of the entire site not just using it for rentals.

I personally would be leary of someone that can not find time to contribute but can buy their way in. Just my opinion yours may vary.

I would go with a known such as Daddio first for I feel his service provides some protection for both parties.

The rules put in place to prevent the "casual user" from posting does not allow certain, long time users of the boards to post, while any kind of a performance based metric used to include/exclude participants will always have borderline conditions that appear to discriminate - I don't believe that paying a small amount to post in the rent/trade board trumps long duration participation as a qualifier..

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I would like to think my contributions on this board would give some kind of assurances to potential renters. However, in reality, I think most don't care about the content of my posts. They want what they want, which are points/ and or a reservation to rent. So my reputation will hold little water against the " paid" member if they can provide the renter want they want at the price they want to pay. Also, for me as a regular contributor, I must now pay for a previously restricted perk of renting reservations outside of 30 days. So I am not really on any equal footing with any "paid member" unless I also " pay". And that is the bottom line.

The rules put in place to prevent the "casual user" from posting does not allow certain, long time users of the boards to post, while any kind of a performance based metric used to include/exclude participants will always have borderline conditions that appear to discriminate - I don't believe that paying a small amount to post in the rent/trade board trumps long duration participation as a qualifier..

 

[Mert]

I completely understand what DIS is doing and why. But never lose site that the honesty, quality and validity of posts can be questioned when now there a requirement to either post a lot or pay to sell. A lot of folks used this site over time to obtain info, and to buy and sell not to just jump on and throw something up to make sure the maintain their status. Perhaps another option is to send ad space, the site is certainly read by a lot. Like others just opinion.

 

[ldo]

I do not understand why we can't post a DVC points transfer request. It is only between DVC members (obviously). I needed 50 points at a specific resort last year and posted a request and got exactly what I needed within 1 day. The person who transferred had not advertised. It was friendly, easy and perfect. What is the reason for not allowing a DVC member to request a points transfer and have one of the thousands of DVC members respond? DVCers helping each other out--seems like what disboards should be about. Elaine

 

[JWG]

I do not understand why we can't post a DVC points transfer request. It is only between DVC members (obviously). I needed 50 points at a specific resort last year and posted a request and got exactly what I needed within 1 day. The person who transferred had not advertised. It was friendly, easy and perfect. What is the reason for not allowing a DVC member to request a points transfer and have one of the thousands of DVC members respond? DVCers helping each other out--seems like what disboards should be about. Elaine

I guess I'd have the same question. Other than the obvious, Disney doesn't allow paid transfers.

 

[Chuck S]

After May 1st, those members seeking a transfer should reply directly into Points for Transfer, Points for Rent, or Points for Rent/Trasnfer threads. Remember that in January 2010, Reservation Wanted threads were eliminated. At that time, those seeking to ret a reservation from a member were requested to reply to existing Points for Rent threads.

 

[ldo]

I understand that I can reply to a posting---but what is the rationale for not allowing DVC members to request a DVC points transfer? It's not like there are tons of transfer requests clogging up the BB. Many do not post points for transfer until they are near expiration. If a DVcer needs extra DVc points on a one-time basis for a specific resort and wants to plan in advance (say a family reunion, etc.), what is the reason for making them wait and/or search daily until someone posts on the BB? Elaine

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I do not understand why we can't post a DVC points transfer request. It is only between DVC members (obviously). I needed 50 points at a specific resort last year and posted a request and got exactly what I needed within 1 day. The person who transferred had not advertised. It was friendly, easy and perfect. What is the reason for not allowing a DVC member to request a points transfer and have one of the thousands of DVC members respond? DVCers helping each other out--seems like what disboards should be about. Elaine

Here is where the problem lies. The DIS does not want people to do business whom have not met the 50 post requirement or who have not paid money to advertise.

 

[going/again]

Mike2023 and JimMIA or anyone -

How is it different from the classified ads in a newspaper or the ads in a magazine? Newspapers take money for listings / ads and I do not recall hearing about any lawsuits against the newspaper when the parties involved don't agree or have a problem. The parites sue each other not the magazine or newspaper.

Anyone can try to sue anyone for anything - at least so it seems, but really, I don't think this is a huge concern for the DIS owners.

Do the papers have gold listings, next to the renters names this could be misleading for many.

 

[going/again]

Clearly, this will encourage speculative reservations and renting, thus harming the garden variety DVC member who only seeks to use his time share for his personal use.

Seems like for a price, they are willing to endorse this. sad really.

 

[ldo]

IMHO, not allowing DVc transfer requests will be a hardship for many DVCers who need to make a special reservation and need a points transfer. Since we are only allowed 1 in-out per year, many who advertise points will not want to do it for a small number of points. Since there is only 1 transfer per year, this is not a commercial enterprise. It's DVCers helping each other out.
I bet if you polled disboards for an entire month, you would not find anyone who ever had a points transfer problem, esp. since it has to be done by phone with MS and you need both DVC member numbers. Thus, I would ask that the moderators reconsider allowing DVC points transfer requests.
thank you, Elaine

 

[going/again]

The "drama" of framing this as a so-called "ethical" question was yours, not mine.

It's quite possible for people to have different points of view without one necessarily being "right" or "wrong" -- or "ethical" or "unethical."

I don't have any concerns about the ethics of the DIS generally, and certainly not the DIS DVC mods in particular. In fact, I think you owe the mods an apology.

They said in the past it was wrong, now for a price its ok. this is the same people having two different views. not two different people having two different views.