Observations from the Rent/Trade Board

[ziravan]

I have recently both bought and sold points on the rent/trade board. (Selling borrowed points from this UY to buy points back into next UY. My new contract came with 2015 points borrowed into 2014.)

Some observations:

1. Some renters don't negotiate, some do so aggressively.

2. It seems that most potential renters ask one person about points, waits for that to work or not, and then moves on to the next. A better strategy would be to put out multiple requests at once. Several times, I saw people asking for points that I could easily have filled, but of course, the rules forbid reaching out.

I felt like the genie, "You can't cheat on this, you have to say the words..." You have to ask.

3. It amazes me how many people ask/beg/negotiate for the perfect reservation, and when you work it, then they say, "Let me think about it." And you never hear from them again.

I think common politeness would dictate formally declining to book so that the renter can move on. Twice, I booked perfect reservations just to hold them because they wouldn't commit (once for the sold out weekend of Nov 15th, and once for AKV value rooms in January!!! Both times, I had to release the reservations because I never heard back.)

4. Renting to DVC members is much easier. They already know what they want, know it's available, and know the rules. Of course, they also negotiate the hardest, so it's a trade off.

5. It seemed to me that the best time to refresh was late at night so that you're at the top of the board first thing in the morning.

6. The rent/trade board is a great tool.

7. If you're even 50 cents cheaper/point, you will get many more hits. People look in order of price.

8. Buyer beware. I almost transferred points into my account so that I could borrow them. Fortunately, I reread the rules on Disboards about borrowing and banking transferred points (you can bank, but not borrow). That would have been a disaster.

 

[Dean]

4. Renting to DVC members is much easier. They already know what they want, know it's available, and know the rules. Of course, they also negotiate the hardest, so it's a trade off.

Not specific to this site but in general this has not been my experience. I find DVC members far more likely to negotiate inappropriately and just generally more difficult to deal with. Often they're looking for a deal rather than a fair price vacation. Non members are often far more excited, think of your fist DVC stay and how you felt. That said MOST of the time I've had great experiences renting to members and non members alike. I've made a number of friends and had several of them buy in to DVC. It's really a pretty easy process and one that's simple to protect yourself doing if you make a few simple choices and plan accordingly.

 

[ziravan]

Not specific to this site but in general this has not been my experience. I find DVC members far more likely to negotiate inappropriately and just generally more difficult to deal with. Often they're looking for a deal rather than a fair price vacation. Non members are often far more excited, think of your fist DVC stay and how you felt. That said MOST of the time I've had great experiences renting to members and non members alike. I've made a number of friends and had several of them buy in to DVC. It's really a pretty easy process and one that's simple to protect yourself doing if you make a few simple choices and plan accordingly.

I have found that members are looking for a deal, and that does make it more difficult (or at least, slightly less profitable).

But. With non-members, half the process is searching to see what is available. Now, I don't mind doing that in furtherance of an agreement. Unfortunately, I think many are just curious as to what's out there and not serious about actually renting. That's not a problem with members. They have already looked themselves and know what's available. So, if they're reaching out on the board, it's to rent, not just to speculate.

 

[Dean]

I have found that members are looking for a deal, and that does make it more difficult (or at least, slightly less profitable).

But. With non-members, half the process is searching to see what is available. Now, I don't mind doing that in furtherance of an agreement. Unfortunately, I think many are just curious as to what's out there and not serious about actually renting. That's not a problem with members. They have already looked themselves and know what's available. So, if they're reaching out on the board, it's to rent, not just to speculate.

I haven't done much on this board in a long time, I can't even remember the last time I even signed on to it. Most of my rentals go to those I've rented to in the past. The rest of the time to and to keep things simpler, better and safer for me I've taken to reserving lower cost option early in my UY and offering a reservation rather than points for rent. It avoids many of the issues you mentioned. That's one of the problems in dealing with points with those who don't really understand points. I'd encourage you to simply communicate in terms of a reservation and cost rather than putting points in the middle. I realize that for the rent/trade board on this site you really have to start with points but after that I'd concentrate on other parameters personally.

 

[JessLCH]

Good thread, helpful insight. Thanks.