Non-members who have rented from potentially "commercial renters"

[Barak's Disney]

I know a lot of non-members, especially those hoping to becoming members, frequent the DVC discussions - myself included.

Anyway, we have a multi-generational trip booked (and paid for) on rented points from 2 different members and I'm pretty sure one of the reservations (possibly both) involve commercial renters. We have rented points from one of the members in the past and had a wonderful experience, so I was not at all hesitant to book through them again. BUT, all this buzz about commercial renters has me very concerned. While I have been assured that our reservations have not been cancelled (yet), I don't want to get to WDW to find that we have no reservation and devastate my children (Gram and Gramps might get a bit ticked too ). I'd like to think that the members would call us if our reservation was cancelled, but who knows. So, I booked rooms at POP century for the stay as well - had to pay $94.00 deposit per room. If we call WL 7 days before our trip, I understand that we will be able to see for ourselves if we still have reservations at VWL - if we DO have a VWL reservations, I'm not sure if I will cancel my POP reservation at that time and get my deposit back or wait until we actually have room key for VWL in hand and lose the deposit at POP. I'm calling it trip insurance.

I am really looking forward to staying in a 1 bedroom and will be bummed if everything falls through. But, at least I know in advance and won't be shocked once I arrive. Hopefully, it works out. POP isn't my ideal hotel, but I can roll with the punches and I'm sure my kids won't give a second thought to staying there as long as it doesn't interfere with their princess breakfast!

If I end up losing all the money I prepaid for the rented reservation, I will just have to call it a "stupid tax" (any Dave Ramsey fans, out there?) and go on record with the highest price ever paid for a week at POP!!!

I will be a member or book a regular room for our 2008 trip - I think wear are done with this renting point business, too stressful.

I am not looking for sympathy. I am fully aware in the inherent risk of renting and the feelings toward commercial renters on this board (although, I honestly was not aware of what a big business it was and how problematic it could be for members). I am simply trying to let others know my back up plans in case they are in the same situation. I will let you know how it works out!

 

[spiceycat]

if the member is using their own points - don't worry. Disney won't cancel.

besides I am not expecting Disney to do anything this year.

what disney is trying to stop is the DVC member who gets other to transfer their points for say under $8 a point then resells them for $12 a point.

DVC has already said one transfer per year. So hopefully this will stop this from continuing and DVC won't have to do anything else.

now if these people still try to take advantage of less enformed members - or try like that one person - she was always saying how she NEEDED the points her family was dieing, etc. any sad story she could come up with....

so some people actually sold her points for $6 a point - which she resold for over $12 a point.

that type of person really needs to taken off the market. gives us others who rent a bad name.

If you feel the person you rented from is honest - then no worries.

 

[Lewisc]

I wouldn't worry about it. It's very unlikely Disney will start cancelling existing reservations. In the extreme case, you show up with a reservation confirmation, and find out the member cancelled the reservation, I'd be shocked if Disney isn't able to help you out. I'm not saying for free but I'm sure Disney would at least find you a room at a value resort. I wouldn't be shocked if they gave you some type of discount. I'd cancel any backup reservations once you have a written (Disney) confirmation with your name on the reservation.

My guess,nothing more than speculation, is if Disney wanted to cancel the reservation (if legally permitted) they'd do it at the time the commercial renter wanted to change the name on a peak reservation from the member to the renter.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Your reservation will be fine. Many of us honestly feel Disney/DVC will not want any bad publicity from people that have had their reservations pulled out from under them due to renting points. All we've seen thus far is an email that went out to members indicating DVC was going to limit transfers between members. If and when they actually take action against commercial renters, I feel it will be with warnings to start with, and then much more scrutiny when the ressies are made in someone other than the owners name. Plus, DVC is really the one that got this mess started by allowing individuals to buy so many points that renting was the only option to use them. They'll have to deal with issues like that first. You didn't say when your trip was, but I'd be more concerned about the 2008 trip (if you ended up renting points again), than anything planned sooner.