!!! PLEASE READ!!! Important News Regarding Swaps & Shares!!!

[surfergirl602]

Exactly on 1 swap alone the leader has taken in $2,720(this isn't including last years take,that total is just for 2009)

Her total equipment costs equal $1,270

So $2720-$1270= $1,450

Does anyone seriously believe that a seat or a wheel that needs replacing even comes close to $1,450.

Where are you getting these numbers and info from?

 

[kinntj]

If you're only getting 10 uses out of $400 stroller than that's a piece of crap stroller. I'd be pretty ticked and looking for a different model. Who pays $400 for a 10 time use stroller?

No doubt! If I was at the point of being in the hole, I would refuse to buy another one of the same model or any at all. I would rather refund money. Sounds like a business to me.

 

[miprender]

We were part of a double stroller swap in January. We drove down to WDW w/ our 4 kids and there's no way a double jogger could have fit into our van.

We paid $15 to swap a top of the line double jogger -- that was the best $15 I spent all week!!!!!

I think this decision sucks. Instead of getting all paranoid that swaps are breaking rules, why not CHANGE THE RULES? I see no reason why well-meaning people can't organize swaps to save each other a few bucks. I participated in the swap at my own risk, and I knew what I was getting into and what would happen if it didn't work out. (I'd lose $15 bucks. BIG FLIPPIN DEAL!)

Swap organizers are not selling anything. They are organizing a service in which others can choose whether or not to participate.

WE ARE GROWN-UPS, PEOPLE!!! We can make our own decisions about how to "risk" our money. And frankly, this puts a sour taste in my mouth about the budget board. This board is about how to maximize our time and dollars, especially as these topics pertain to our Disney trips. The swaps were a GREAT idea and should be continued. I'm extremely disappointed, and I DON'T understand, support, or otherwise agree with the decision, no matter what "it's breaking the rules" rhetoric you choose to flame me with.

ITA Except it was the best $10 I ever spent!!

 

[DisneyTigers]

Who cares if the swap organizer makes a little profit? Not me! I paid my $15, used a great stroller for a week, and dropped it off to the next guy and never looked back. I doubt my organizer was making a profit considering she had to replace a few parts due to wear and tear (believe me, our stroller needed a little repair!), but even if she did make a few bucks, good for her! A little perk for doing all the legwork for me!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

Where are you getting these numbers and info from?

From one of the stroller swaps available here at the DIS

 

[peezee]

It appears disswap.com is still available for some enterprising soul.

 

[KathyTX]

This is not a debate, and the arguments and insults need to stop.

For as long as I've been on the DISboards, we've had a healthy DVC forum. That is the ONLY place on the DISboards that renting/selling/financial transactions are permitted.

The swaps here began as no-charge, pass-it-along arrangements. They grew into "let's go in together and buy this stroller/fridge/whatever." The dollar amounts at first were nominal and there were not a lot of participants, and it pretty much flew under our radar.

Recently, there have been a LOT more swaps, and a lot of money seems to be changing hands. The rules for the swaps look like business contracts, and some of the swaps go bad. The merchandise goes missing or is never delivered, participants disappear and the handoffs don't happen, or the amounts of money collected look suspiciously large.

There is a lot of opportunity for fraud, and there are enough problems and complaints that we can no longer ignore what's happening here. Rules on the DISboards have always prohibiting buying/selling or otherwise doing business on our forums (with the notable exception of our DVC Rent/Trade forums). These rules will be enforced.

This decision has nothing at all to do with Disney or any policies or communications from Disney.

Again, swaps are fine. Monetary transactions are not.

No more fighting, insulting or attacks on other posters here, please.

 

[eyor44]

I love your puppy.

 

[61292cna]

I never said anything about me or how I felt. I think its more a concept of supply and demand...If Dis boards don't host (supply) swaps where money is exchanged..the demand for the Dis boards by those who want that option is going to go down.

I might not let it stop me from coming to the boards, but by the same token I wouldn't have come here if someone hadn't told me they had fridge swaps here. I started for 1 thing & then just kept finding others of interest!!!

 

[dis75ney]

This is an OT question but I'll bite anyway b/c I am so tired of the holier than thou attitudes surfacing claiming that shares are illegal, immoral, or ripping disney off so that you (general you, not you specifically) end up paying more for things b/c others save a few dollars.

Would the letter from Disney's Photopass Department sent to me with more than a hundred photopass cards specifically intended to be distributed beforehand to make it easier to combine pics for our HS show choir/band members work for you? I made the call in my professional capacity so the reply letter we received with the cards is an offical correspondence on disney letterhead. I do not work for the school system in any capacity and was in no way related to trip planning for the group so this was not a one time charity exception or anything like that. On the contrary, they knew that the parents were each pitching in several dollars so that the kids didn't have to carry cameras. That's no different than what is done with the photopass shares here every day.
In the travel industry, it's called an affinity group -- and can be a group of people gathered from a high school, church, club, group or even a message board who may, or may not, have known each other prior to organizing to benefit from a group discount.

The photopass letter is very clear that all the cards may be entered by multiple people for one photopass cd and states that there is an additional charge for duplicate copies if ordered form photopass but that purchase of the cd includes copyright release so we may make as many copies as we'd like as the CD copyright owners. I can dig it out of my files later and scan it into photobucket but I doubt even that will stop the self appointed rules police from using the issue to belittle others in a sad attempt to build themselves up.

I got the same letter when I purchased my Photopass from my previous trip in October...

As someone that worked in copyright law for several years, the Photopass share is completely legal. Disney releases the copyright when the CD is purchased, thus allowing the owner to make as many copies as he/she wishes. The only way for it to possibly be illegal would be if the intent of the Photopass owner was to make a profit...but then again, Disney released the copyright, so there is no legal leg to stand on...

Off my soapbox on that one... *hops onto neighboring soapbox*

I completely understand the reasoning behind the restriction of swaps and shares. If it's against the rules to have money pass between Disers and using the boards as a means to facilitate that, then by all means, stop the swaps/shares! But the question still hasn't been answered - why does the DVC rental board get a special exception? Money is still changing hands between Disers and the board is being used to facilitate that exchange, so shouldn't that be restricted as well? Either allow all swaps/shares/DVC rentals or don't allow any of them...and before I'm flamed to a crisp, I am a DVC owner and have read my contracts that state I am allowed to rent/transfer/gift my points in whatever way I choose...that's not in question...

 

[Dancemom03]

I think I'm going to start a refillable mug swap, but you have to pool hop to a minumum of 10 Disney resort pools during your stay and take pictures as proof to be able to participate.

Speed

Hey, I'm in!

 

[DisneyTravels]

I'm confused by your post. Are you saying that a $400 stroller only has the capability of being used 10 times??

And the make and model shown that I did the price check on has an MSRP of $239.99.

Heck the most expensive model from the manufacturer is $369.

You take the $369 and add shipping to be shipped.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

This is directed to the PP's that think stroller swap organizers are making big bucks.

I just wanted to stick up for my stroller swap organizer. When I was in the stroller swap, I paid my $10/$15. But after the stroller was paid for, the rest of the swappers just got to swap for free.

I didn't see any swaps where people continued to pay after the stroller/fridge was paid for.

 

[BrightScouter]

I have stayed out of this until now. I will, of course, abide by the rules. I don't care if people like the fact that the new swaps asking for startup money are over, or if some people dislike it. It is a done deal by the sounds of it.

But I am very curious why if it is a monetary reason they are being stopped, why are the dvc point rentals allowed. Again, I don't care, don't want to argue. I just think that is a valid question that has been brought up in this thread many times. And this is the first time a webmaster has chimed in. The official response has always been that happens on another forum that is not mine to control.

So, since we now have a webmaster posting in this thread that has purview over both forums, what is the difference? DVC points are rented at varying dollar amounts that should involve a profit. The money for a refer swap never hits disboards accounts, nor does it for a dvc point rental. Neither are illegal.

Just curious.

 

[DisneyTravels]

I have stayed out of this until now. I will, of course, abide by the rules. I don't care if people like the fact that the new swaps asking for startup money are over, or if some people dislike it. It is a done deal by the sounds of it.

But I am very curious why if it is a monetary reason they are being stopped, why are the dvc point rentals allowed. Again, I don't care, don't want to argue. I just think that is a valid question that has been brought up in this thread many times. And this is the first time a webmaster has chimed in. The official response has always been that happens on another forum that is not mine to control.

So, since we now have a webmaster that has purview over both forums, what is the difference? DVC points are rented at varying dollar amounts that should involve a profit. The money for a refer swap never hits disboards accounts, nor does it for a dvc point rental. Neither are illegal.

Just curious.

Great points!

 

[DVCBELLE]

A guest staying on member points is not treated any differently then a renter as far as DVC is concerned. They have no way of knowing if I am making a reservation for my sister or somebody I don't know. Also not sure what you are referring to with DVC members being "charged" and the hassle to get charges taken off. What would members be charged for and what bills are we taking charges off of???

Not true...I have made reservations for other members of my family and they do not get the free Valet perks or the free internet. There room cards are not printed with DVC member on them and they can't get the discounts etc. They are coded differently in the system. because of this - sometimes members get a charge for one of these services and have to go fix it.

I don't have an issue in renting or gifting points...but it does involve Disney

 

[metalis4ever]

I am sure someone else has said this but I don't have the time to peruse all prior posts but besides the whole "money passing between DISers rule" . I just have an obvious observation that I would like to expound. It makes business sense not to allow such transactions or discussions to take place here due to the relationship between Dreams Unlimited Travel and Disney. Sure such swaps save us money and technically aren't "illegal" as Disney provides a copyright release for the Photopass and other joint financial endeavors as discussed on here are far from against the law. However when one looks at it logically at its core this is a business site not a fan site so the owners have the right to protect their vested interest no matter how irrational it may seem to some.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

People do it with the WDW "cruises" , too.

But, I am glad if it cuts down on the pages of swap threads that clutter the board.

 

[EthansMom]

No more fighting, insulting or attacks on other posters here, please.

Here's a for you, Kathy. Seems like you could use one after a day like today.

 

[JLKennedy]

http://www.instep.net/Product/Swivel_Wheel_Joggers/Swivel_Wheel_Double/

I think what a PP is stating is the strollers by manufacturer's price is at most $369, even with s/h round it up to an even steven $400.

There are 5 strollers (ASMu, ASSp, ASMo, Pop and I guess an extra one) which is "renting" for $20 per week.

Assuming all 5 strollers are rented out all 52 weeks a year, your total is $5,200.00, agreed?

Take out the cost of each stroller 5 at $400 is $2,000.00 agreed?

A net profit of $3,200.00. With that money remaining, the organizer could purchase another 8 strollers (top of the line w/ shipping), hence, no need to purchase "replacement" parts.

Sorry, but again, someone, somewhere is making money. And btw, you can even have these companies "drop ship" the product to the resort with your name on it, so to say someone has to pay for delivery to them and then overnight it to WDW, is nuts!