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

[LIFERBABE]

It's about convenience and choice.

I agree also.

Transfers are dependent on UY, limits, time of vacation etc. You need a perfect match for a transfer. Not so for rentals.

Although I do not use the DIS frequently for rentals/transfers, I understand. When an owner posts a Transfer Wanted thread, we all know exactly what that person is looking for and if we can help them or not. It is passive on both members, now the member looking for transfers will have to actively ping each thread and wait for responses and will most likely not find what they are looking for.

I would not post a "For Transfer" thread, because I will be inundated with people wanting to rent points for reservations that dont understand what a transfer is.

I would respond to someone looking for a transfer, because they already know what they want and I already know I can help them.

As evident by the RTB, the site sponsor has alot more competition with the new rules than before. Paying $25 is a drop in the bucket to large scale renters. Now they dont even have to pretend to participate.

 

[JimMIA]

Just as a point of discussion, why would zebsterama want to pay to post a Reservation Wanted thread?

I get that it's convenient to post and wait for others to respond, but would it actually be worth $25? Zebsterama would still have to do due diligence on the owner(s) who responded and choose one. Wouldn't it be just as easy to pick a thread (or two), do the due diligence, pick one and not pay $25?

Plus, since replies to an existing thread can be made by any user that is logged in, zebsterama would probably have to do "extra" due diligence on those with no posting history to review.

Having trouble believing anyone would choose to pay $25 just to avoid browsing the R/T Board for offers, especially since so many looking for a DVC rental seem very price sensitive.

 

[WDWBlue]

In truth, I have a feeling that something else is happening behind the scenes that we're obviously not privy to....
Any thoughts?

Cheers,
Zebsterama

Exactly. Brings to mind the term "follow the money."

 

[Tamar]

I agree also.

Transfers are dependent on UY, limits, time of vacation etc. You need a perfect match for a transfer. Not so for rentals.

Although I do not use the DIS frequently for rentals/transfers, I understand. When an owner posts a Transfer Wanted thread, we all know exactly what that person is looking for and if we can help them or not. It is passive on both members, now the member looking for transfers will have to actively ping each thread and wait for responses and will most likely not find what they are looking for.

I would not post a "For Transfer" thread, because I will be inundated with people wanting to rent points for reservations that dont understand what a transfer is.

I would respond to someone looking for a transfer, because they already know what they want and I already know I can help them.

As evident by the RTB, the site sponsor has alot more competition with the new rules than before. Paying $25 is a drop in the bucket to large scale renters. Now they dont even have to pretend to participate.

I've been avoiding this thread, but I just popped in and see ANOTHER limit has been put on the postings in the RTB. I wonder if all the time spent justifying this latest restriction is worth it to the mods. I hope so!

 

[WDWBlue]

I've been avoiding this thread, but I just popped in and see ANOTHER limit has been put on the postings in the RTB. I wonder if all the time spent justifying this latest restriction is worth it to the mods. I hope so!

What's the new limit you're talking about?

 

[Inkmahm]

If I can be serious for a moment, if you understand the theory of one, you understand both. There is really no difference between the two. They're one and the same -- the recipient of the points/reservation is the one soliciting offers.

Anyone -- legitimate or not, approved or not -- can respond by PM or email to either type of posting. Which means they can bypass the control system and arrange rentals even if they are not approved.

IF the mods have decided that they need to restrict rentals on the R/T board (and they have), restricting the folks providing the points/reservations is really the only thing they can restrict.

If the mods set up criteria for offering points/reservations, but allow ads both ways, the crooks (or those who don't want to pay $25) simply bypass the system and respond to "Reservation/Transfer Wanted" threads.

On the bet, make it easy on yourself -- say $1,000 each for Doc and I?

Thanks, Jim. That was a very clear explanation.

I don't transfer points in very often but when I do, I think I'll be able to work within the guidelines. It is easy enough to look for someone offering points. I may have to start early and watch the board for awhile, but I expect eventually I'll see someone with the points that I am looking or. That's what I've done in the past and it worked fine. The key is having people post that they HAVE points they want to transfer. The latest changes to the board seem to make that more likely to happen.

I try to remember that the DIS doesn't have to have a rent/trade board at all. I'm grateful that it exists for our benefit.

 

[Tamar]

What's the new limit you're talking about?

It seems DVC members wanting to post a "transfer wanted" post can no longer do so. Now, in fairness, I only read the last 2-3 pages of posts and that's what I gleaned. I'll be happy if I misinterpreted what I read.

 

[Inkmahm]

It seems DVC members wanting to post a "transfer wanted" post can no longer do so. Now, in fairness, I only read the last 2-3 pages of posts and that's what I gleaned. I'll be happy if I misinterpreted what I read.

correct

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2707846

 

[UConnJack]

It seems DVC members wanting to post a "transfer wanted" post can no longer do so. Now, in fairness, I only read the last 2-3 pages of posts and that's what I gleaned. I'll be happy if I misinterpreted what I read.

Looks like I got mine in just in time. This sucks for me, because on the off occasion I do use the R/T, its because I want to transfer points to supplement a trip. IMO, this is the "purest" of reasons for using the R/T board, DVC members working with other DVC members to swap around points as people need them. I understand the rationale behind it as Jim explained, but with the one transfer rule DVC has themselves, do transfer requests really cause circumventing of the current rules so much that DIS feels ANOTHER rule is needed to restrict transfer requests?

I swear this is becoming more complicated that the US tax code. Seroiusly, I can't keep track anymore of what kind of behaviors the DIS is trying to encourage, which ones they want to discourage, and why? First, they make the 50 post rule, claiming the intention of the R/T is to be a place where contributing members of the DIS community can use to unload unused points is they need to. That its a grass roots, community, kumbayah kind of thing. But now suddenly, they are charging for use, allowing spec renting (if you pay!), and shutting down one of the truly useful things for many DVC DIS members, transfer requests. I just don't get it anymore.

 

[UConnJack]

And by the way, who cares if someone "circumvents" the rules by responding to a transfer request? Its not like it turns the R/T board into a forum of people with no allegience to the DIS, because at least one party, the person putting in the request, the one who is looking to benefit by finding someone to transfer to them, will have had to be a "contributing member". Is it just about the $25, because I thought this was supposed to be a forum to help out members.

 

[palaemon]

And by the way, who cares if someone "circumvents" the rules by responding to a transfer request? Its not like it turns the R/T board into a forum of people with no allegience to the DIS, because at least one party, the person putting in the request, the one who is looking to benefit by finding someone to transfer to them, will have had to be a "contributing member". Is it just about the $25, because I thought this was supposed to be a forum to help out members.

I agree. I just don't see the rationale. I guess I hadn't heard complaints about R/T board abuse.

Like you, my only desire to use the R/T board is for a transfer in of points.

 

[JimMIA]

Thanks, Jim. That was a very clear explanation.

Just remember that it's only a guess.

I'm just trying to force some logic into changes that frankly make little sense to me. I could well be wrong.

 

[WDWBlue]

I agree. I just don't see the rationale. I guess I hadn't heard complaints about R/T board abuse.

Like you, my only desire to use the R/T board is for a transfer in of points.

The only complaint I ever saw was the spec rentals.

Now, for a cut of the action, speculative rentals are encouraged. Go figure...

 

[zebsterama]

Sorry – I have been away / apologies - didn’t get back to you sooner. Please see my reply below.

Just as a point of discussion, why would zebsterama want to pay to post a Reservation Wanted thread?

Because then I control the process of the negotiation. I bring a variety of potential people to rent points from to my doorstep (versus the other way around) - where I can pick and choose who I will work with, rather than waiting for replies from renters of points to get back to me – or just waiting around to see if there’s someone out there renting points at all that meet my criteria.

Today - it's a total hit or miss process if you’re interested in renting.

I get that it's convenient to post and wait for others to respond, but would it actually be worth $25? Zebsterama would still have to do due diligence on the owner(s) who responded and choose one. Wouldn't it be just as easy to pick a thread (or two), do the due diligence, pick one and not pay $25?

Yes it would be worth the $25 to me. If I'm saving a large amount of money vs. paying retail - seeing as I've rented in the past - then yes absolutely it's worth the $25. Would I want to pay nothing - sure - but I'd rather pay $25, post my request/terms and work from/get responses and take it from there.

Please give me the option Disboards (I plan in renting in Aug/Sept of this year) - I WILL gladly pay the $25. Seriously.

Plus, since replies to an existing thread can be made by any user that is logged in, zebsterama would probably have to do "extra" due diligence on those with no posting history to review.

Absolutely NO MORE work than I did before (in fact I would argue today’s rules increases the amount of work). But if I could post a Reservation Wanted thread I could pick and choose what information I needed to more forward, and who to do further due diligence with, as I did the last time (Here's the link to my previous reservation wanted thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2344296).

I received 2 replies from "veteran" Disboards' members and 1 reply from a "non-veteran". I spoke with all three. The ONE veteran member delmar411 who satisfied all the requirements of my post terms (see post – they gladly gave me all the info I needed and took the 5 minutes to talk with me) was the person I went with - and the transaction went forward without a hitch - on both ends I might add.

Would I pay $25 to ensure that same process happened in the same manner – where I could better control, pick and choose the person to rent from - absolutely I would; now I don't even have the option.

Having trouble believing anyone would choose to pay $25 just to avoid browsing the R/T Board for offers, especially since so many looking for a DVC rental seem very price sensitive.

Sorry, I'm NOT just saying this to be argumentative, I would much rather as a person who wants to rent:
- present my terms
- see who is interested in working with me
- do my due diligence accordingly with a filtered group of responders

Today if I want to rent from someone it’s a total wait and see, hit or miss process --- PLUS I've got to do my due diligence on each potential hit ... with many a miss.

Yes I would pay $25 to avoid all of that.

I'm not sure if you believe me, but I bet there are a number of other "honest persons that like to rent points directly from DVC members" who feel the same way as I do, and would be willing to pay for it – but can’t today.

If it's no additional work administratively – then I say to Disboards please provide the option. Take my money! Haha! ( - I can’t believe I just said that! )

Please give me a chance/give me the option. Let's prove it/disprove it.

Likely, if there's value there for me – I bet you there will be value there for others. If set-up costs are minimal to Disbaords (which between you and I [I work in IT] - we both know they are) / and administration is equal to what is done today anyway – then my question is why NOT do it?

The ball is in your court Disboards.

Cheers,
Zebsterama

 

[CarolMN]

Zebsterama - it's being discussed by TPTB. No promises either way.

 

[UConnJack]

I totally agree with Zebsterama that posting a Reservation Wanted (or Points Transfer Wanted in my case) is so much easier than hunting for a renter who might have what I am looking for, and that paying $25 would be worth it (i.e, for a 100 point rental at $10 a point, it only bumps the cost to $10.25 a point, really not much).

My only problem is that if you allow this, now you have made the "contributing members" who maintain the 50 post/6 month level "2nd class members" again.

If the concern about allowing requests is that DIS will occasionally lose out on $25, then just admit it, get rid of the 50 post/6 month exception, and make everyone who wants to start a thread pay the $25. Just end this ruse that the R/T board is about the DIS community and those who contribute to it by participating in posts and threads. When the 50 post/6 month thing first came around, I believed it and respected the intent (even though I thought the threshold was too strict). But now with pay for play on the R/T, and commerical and spec renting condoned (if you pay), it obviously not about that anymore. Frankly, I'd be happier with such a simple, obvious rule. Pay $25 and you can post, rather than worrying about what hoops you need to jump through to prove yourself worthy of using the R/T.

 

[rescuetink]

My head is SPINNING!!! I've tried to read as much of this thread as I can to understand all this, so is there a place that clearly explains all this??

I rented my points out to pay for my cruise this year, and with the four people I rented to I had a great experience, and they all indicated that they wanted to rent from me again!!

But I haven't been looking at these threads since I did this last year!! I stumbled on this thread and again, I'm really confused as to who I'm paying, and for what!! My transactions all went well, and I don't understand all this now!!

Where can I get the info on this, cause this is worrying me!!!

PS. AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS IS BEING DONE OTHER THEN SOMEONE MAKING MONEY OFF THE DISboards??
Maybe I'm wrong, but that's just MY opinion!!!

 

[palaemon]

I totally agree with Zebsterama that posting a Reservation Wanted (or Points Transfer Wanted in my case) is so much easier than hunting for a renter who might have what I am looking for, and that paying $25 would be worth it (i.e, for a 100 point rental at $10 a point, it only bumps the cost to $10.25 a point, really not much).

My only problem is that if you allow this, now you have made the "contributing members" who maintain the 50 post/6 month level "2nd class members" again.

If the concern about allowing requests is that DIS will occasionally lose out on $25, then just admit it, get rid of the 50 post/6 month exception, and make everyone who wants to start a thread pay the $25. Just end this ruse that the R/T board is about the DIS community and those who contribute to it by participating in posts and threads. When the 50 post/6 month thing first came around, I believed it and respected the intent (even though I thought the threshold was too strict). But now with pay for play on the R/T, and commerical and spec renting condoned (if you pay), it obviously not about that anymore. Frankly, I'd be happier with such a simple, obvious rule. Pay $25 and you can post, rather than worrying about what hoops you need to jump through to prove yourself worthy of using the R/T.

Exactly. Pay - just like classified/want ads.

 

[ldo]

I also thought the 50 posts was to try to have only legit. disers posting ads and to try to protect against fraud. Guess that is not the reason--hmmmm. However, I, also, would pay $25 to be able to post a transfer wanted thread for the reasons posting by PP.

 

[dis-happy]

IDK, I think it's been kind of nice not to have to wade through the "reservation wanted" posts among all the others and puts the onus of renting on the renters, not the owners. Plus, I assume the prices stay higher---rather than multiple owners vying to make a reservation for someone at whatever price (plus less possible calls to MS as different people are trying to fulfill one reservation request).

It would be nice to have the option "tranfer of pts. wanted" but then again it helps those who already own points. JMHO