Not another question from a nervous renter...

[jhmommy]

What's my risk in the following situation:

I, as a renter, call the reservation number. I pull the points seller into the call via a three-way line as soon as the phone starts ringing so that I am sure the right place is being called. I listen to the reservation being made in my name and hear a confirmation. I hang up the phone and make payment in full.

Sounds simple, safe and fair to both parties to me. How about you?

 

[MLK-RI]

There may be more issues than this but since I was calling today I'll just tell you I started calling at 9am on the dot and the phone was solidly busy for 1.5 hours. I didn't get through to MS until 2:30pm. And then there was the "5 minute" wait time.

 

[bongo59]

everyone was making NYE ressies to day...........today is the 11 month window for that day

 

[MLK-RI]

Thanks bongo59, figured there would be a good reason, my luck. But I was just trying to get across to jhmommy that while there may be many other reasons I don't think this would work, getting through on the phone line at any specified time (when both parties would be available for this) just doesn't seem practical.

 

[mikesmom]

Plus, probably, no one is going to share that number with a non member. That is a toll free number and our dues pay for it. There is a charge when a toll free number is called even if MS just tells the caller they can't use the number and hangs up.

 

[bongo59]

you got it

 

[flexsmom]

"Plus, probably, no one is going to share that number with a non member. That is a toll free number and our dues pay for it. There is a charge when a toll free number is called even if MS just tells the caller they can't use the number and hangs up."

I usually use the 407 number instead of the 800 number anyway. I NEVER seem to get through on the 800 number - busy, busy, busy - but I always get through on the 407 number on the back of my card right away. For a lot of people, using an 800 number vs a "regular" area code is a non-issue anyhow - we have a flat fee for our home phone that includes all local, toll, and long distance calls we make no matter what - so it's possible for a renter to make a call on his/her own dime instead of the 800#.

 

[bongo59]

well i always get through......well 80% of the time.........i have never used the 407 number

 

[JLS]

I think the main problem is that when the member gets on the phone, the member has to confirm all of their personal information, which is the membership number, address, phone number (can't remember if they ask for last 4 digits of social). Even if I felt that the renter was trustworthy, I would not necessarily want to disclose all of that information to them.

I think the notion of not giving the renter the 800 number is a bit overblown and that issue alone would not prevent me from proceeding as described by the OP. First, one way or the other someone will be calling to confirm so it is the same number of calls whether the renter or the owner is making them. What is a renter going to do in the future with that phone number? You really can't do anything at member services at all unless you have a membership number, so the phone number would not be much use to the renter in the future.

I was told by MS, however, that the renter could call up and identify themselves as a renter and just ask to verify the reservation using the reservation number on the confirmation. Is that true? I would like for my renter to be able to independently verify the reservation so they feel at ease.

-Jenn

 

[bongo59]

there is no way i would do it...........i would tell themn to call CRO and pay cash........and it would take alot more cash to do it...........the 800 number is off limits for renters

 

[DrTomorrow]

What's my risk in the following situation:

I, as a renter, call the reservation number. I pull the points seller into the call via a three-way line as soon as the phone starts ringing so that I am sure the right place is being called. I listen to the reservation being made in my name and hear a confirmation. I hang up the phone and make payment in full.

Sounds simple, safe and fair to both parties to me. How about you?

Well, as soon as you make payment in full, the points seller could still call up MS and cancel the reservation, and they could do this up until check-in day. There's an inherent risk for the renter - which is one good answer to the age-old question "Why can't I just keep on renting"....

 

[bongo59]

renting requires trust............if you cant trust pay the CRO cash rates for peace of mind

 

[racheleich]

I was given the 407 number from the member I rented from and was able to call and confirm that the reservation was made and was right. I thought that was great.

But now you guys are freaking me out - talking about the person calling back and canceling!

 

[bongo59]

i think giving a renter that info i spure wrong...........i send my renters their papers when i get them from disney..........the day i make their ressies i giv ethem their confirmation number..........once they have that they know they got a room..........can i still cancell yes.........but that is where the trust is.

 

[gazeborob]

Bongo,
I think you need to lighten up a little. The 800 number is an easy thing to get. I just did a search for it, and it was there in the first 30 results. I feel that if someone is going to rent, and pay a lot of money to do it, there should be a lot of comunication both ways. If the renter feels better finding out for sure that you made the reservation, then it shouldn't be a big deal. I think you can also call the Disney reservation number or CRO, and they should be able to find it.

 

[bongo59]

then let them pay the full price............that is my opinion but it wont change............youre certainly entitled to yours but i think members have a duty to their fellow owners more so then a renter..........we are doing renters a huge favor and i think it should be done to minimize things to make other members interaction with DVC seamless.............this is a privlege that DVC lets us do and i think we do need to be responsible in how the 800 is used for other DVcer sake.............

 

[PamOKW]

The bottom-line is that you do have to be able to trust the person you are renting from. As mentioned, you can three-way call, you can call and confirm, you can have a written confirmation but the DVC owner can call and cancel a reservation at any time. It's always their reservation and DVC deals only with the owner -- they don't want to get involved in the rental business.

Now, it's not likely that anyone is going to cancel a reservation that has been paid in full and I don't think anyone needs to worry about that scenario. But, the hassle of three-way calling and the need for the renter to give out information during that call that should be kept private is actually pointless. It serves no purpose in terms of guaranteeing what you are buying. However, I would expect to receive an DVC confirmation.

 

[Alexander]

I
I was told by MS, however, that the renter could call up and identify themselves as a renter and just ask to verify the reservation using the reservation number on the confirmation. Is that true? I would like for my renter to be able to independently verify the reservation so they feel at ease.

-Jenn

Yes, and I have. I've called the number on the reservation confirmation paper sent by DVC.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

If you have an 800 number, do you pay for each call, or do just pay a set fee for the service?...much like unlimited long distance?? Maybe members pay for the sevice whether they get 1000 or 10,000 calls/day?? A few renters calling will unlikey brake the bank.

 

[CarolMN]

If you have an 800 number, do you pay for each call, or do just pay a set fee for the service?...much like unlimited long distance?? Maybe members pay for the sevice whether they get 1000 or 10,000 calls/day?? A few renters calling will unlikey brake the bank.

Depends on the deal you make with the phone company that provides the service. For example, I've seen agreements for "unimited" as well as prices per call and also prices for "up to" so many calls at once.

Best wishes -