Points that sound too good to be true

[BossBrody]

Be very careful when dealing with people selling "reservation points" or similar at incredible prices.

If it sounds too good to be true, it more than likely is.

I was duped into buying points at $5.50 each (now listed at $5.00) but the seller never lived up to his end.

I was just strung along and told to be patient.

Do as the Dis boards suggest, get a contract or reservation first.
Doesn't mean you still won't get taken but it's the smarter route.

This person is still advertising so be careful.

 

[floridafam]

Can't you put a "stop payment" on your check or has it already been cashed?

Is the person not calling you back when you call to see why they haven't made the reservation?

 

[BossBrody]

Another good point.

I paid with a bankcheck.

Obviously not a good idea. A personal check makes alot more sense.

Still have the receipt as well as the receipt for the express mail delivery though. I figure the police will need that.

 

[floridafam]

Can you do a stop payment on the bank check?

Has it been cashed yet?

They might be able to do something similar to what they do for a personal check. If you feel there is fraud involved, I would call your bank immediately and see if they can stop that check from being cashed. If they can, then there must be some way they can refund the money back to you that you used to "pay" for the check.

Did the seller of the pts request a bank check?

Can you give a little more detail here. I would leave his name out because your post will probably be removed but if you could say if he is answering your calls, e-mails, etc. Where did you mail the check to? Please don't say it was a P.O. box.

 

[BossBrody]

I was told you cannot stop payment on a bank check.

Yes the seller asked for it or a money order. As I have stated earlier, that was obviously a bad idea. But I have used EBAY quite a bit and it is not uncommon for someone to request one instead of a personal check. So I really didn't think too much of it at the time.

I exchanged emails with him several times. I finalized the deal with a phone call. He asked for half up front (another bad idea), then he would make the reservation, and I would pay the balance.

I got the bank check and overnighted it. He acknowledged receiving it on a Wednesday. Thur and Fri passed. No reservation. He said he'ld make it mon (emailed me)cause he had been busy (bad feelings begin to creep up). I emailed on Mon night and asked if it had been made. He replied with a simple "yes".

I called Disney on Tuesday. There was no reservation under my name or his. They said I needed to call him immediately.

Since then I have not received a reply to either emails or phone calls.

Although interestingly enough, he replied to another email I sent from another account (realized I was screwed)

Once again I strongly suggest following Doc's recommendations!!

Get a contract!!

And remember, if it sounds too good to be true.......

 

[Dancind]

Where did you see the ad for these points? If here on the DIS boards, you need to contact the webmaster. At the very least, they should not be advertising any more. If it 's Ebay, they don't help much, but you should definately leave feedback. Diana

 

[floridafam]

What was his response to the e-mail from the other account? Did he not realize it was you and try to sell the same pts to what he thought was someone else?

Wouldn't he have to make this reservation through Member Services? You said you called Disney. They are 2 different things. Even though they were reservation pts I believe he still would have had to make the reservation through Member Services. Is there any way you can have someone call MS for you and find out if you have a reservation in their system?

 

[JCW]

I work for a bank, and yes you can place a stop payment on a bank check, but only if the check has been lost or stolen (what the bank doesn't know won't hurt them ).

The process is a bit more involved then placing a stop on your own personal check, but in this case it would be worth it.

Good Luck

 

[floridafam]

I also thought you could do a stop payment on a bank check. I believe we have done it ourselves.

If you find out that Member Services does not have a reservation for you then I would call the bank.

I suppose there is no way to know if he has already deposited the check into his bank account. If you did have a stop payment on it then maybe he would get in a little bit of trouble at his own bank.

Also, if he cashes the check does it get returned to your bank so you can see if the names on the back of the check match up.

Do you have his name, address and phone number?

 

[BossBrody]

Yes the points were advertised on the DVC boards. In fact he is still there selling!!!

I contacted the webmaster (Doc) and told him my story. He stated (rightfully so) that the Dis does not get involved with disputes between parties. He also suggested I was greedy (once again correct) with the cost of the points and blindly entered into an agreement (partially true).

I should have gotten a contract or reservation before sending money as suggested by Doc. Read the DVC FAQs !!!!!


However I have been blocked from the DVC trading board for making "personal attacks" against the said individual. (Once again Doc is correct, the board clearly states it is a classified board only.) My "attack" was stating that this person does not follow through with his end. I said do not send money before getting your reservation.

I believe members should be warned when there have been problems with a seller as well as buyer.

I was spoiled with a previous transaction. My seller was very professional and prompt. I was wrong in believing the same is true with all sellers.

Shame on me!

To answer other questions:

No it was not a post office box. (come on, I'm not that dumb. really I'm not) I know where he lives, his home number, and even his age and middle initial!!

It was member services that I called about the reservation. He even provided it when I asked why he was waiting until Monday to make the reservation. He said they were not open until then.

I will try the bank today!

He did not know it was me from the other account. He responded with a "how many do you need"

As far as his points:
He posted 45o points for sale on 7/15
He posted 300 points for sale on 7/20
(this is when I sent my money for 205 points)
He now has posted 477 points for sale on 7/28

Going the wrong way isn't it?

Be careful out there. Listen to Doc!

 

[floridafam]

Yes, it is going the wrong way. There must be something you can do. When was the last time you had contact with him?

I just can't believe there is someone who would take the money and not make the reservation.

Is he even a DVC member? Are these pts just made up?

Did MS tell you anything else besides the fact that there was no reservation? Did they, in any way, hint if he was even a member?

I notice he doesn't have many posts on these boards. Is there anything else that could be causing the confusion?

Please let us know what happens.

 

[KLR-wlv]

I don't think 5.00 for reservation points is greedy at all - more like what they are "worth" since you don't have the advantages of a hotel reservation through disney that can be changed or cancelled. It makes it more of a code rate...

I am sorry to hear your story - and I think you should certainly be allowed to post that someone has stolen your money and warn others. They can just change their screen name - but at least you save a few people from what you have gone through. I had to send payment through paypal in full in advance of getting a confirmation letter (got the number and checked with ms) for my last rental (and that was $10 pp). Everyone has different requests for payment so don't feel stupid for paying half...

Isn't anything over $1000 theft-wise a felony? What a pain to have to deal with!

 

[Dancind]

Well I can understand the DIS boards position, but it's too bad that they can't block a member from posting when they may be using the boards to commit fraud. I did see the ad you are talking about. I thought it was a good deal, but not outlandish since the points can only be used at Disney resorts and only booked 60 days out. I figured it must be from a cancelled cruise. But I also noticed that the poster was brand new to the DIS boards, so I wouldn't have touched it. Good luck with this. Diana

 

[hulagirl]

Boss,
I sent you a private message. Sure hope you find resolution on this one. I almost did the same thing. Too trusting I guess! I don't think you are greedy at all either! Reservation points are not worth nearly as much as regular points are because point costs for regular hotel rooms are so high. At 5.50 a point, you are basically giving yourself the discount many others are hoping for from Disney directly for a regular hotel room. Even then, it is only a good deal for the deluxe hotels - it beats Disney's best discount for most time periods but not by alot. I certainly don't call that greedy unless everyone else looking for a discount is greedy as well...?

 

[floridafam]

I also sent you a private message.

I don't think you were greedy at all.

Please keep us advised of what happens.

 

[luckytso]

I feel really really bad for you. I almost took up his offer and rent points from him. However, I refused to send him $ without being able to confirm my reservations so the deal felt through.

This is mind boggling for me. I cannot imagine why anyone would come to this board to scam others while giving out his home phone # and address. On the other hand, I cannot understand why he would not make the reservations as promised. Maybe I was just too naive.

 

[BossBrody]

I obviously don't know if he is in fact a member. When I talked to him on the phone he said all the right things. He had cancelled a cruise and needed to get "rid" of the points. He sounded like he knew the reservation system. He even knew which resorts the points could be used for (non-DVC and Wilderness Lodge rooms ect...)
And he knew the Member services phone number and hours.

I last heard from him on Monday when he simply stated "yes" to my questioning whether the reservation had been made. He of course subsequently responded to my other inquiry made under a different email address and name!

I only sent half, about $560 so I don't think it's a felony. But I did use the USPS for delivery. He had to sign for it. Is that mail fraud? Didn't they get Capone for that?

I can't think of anything that would be causing the confusion. He has my money (my end of the bargain) and doesn't respond to email or phone calls.

I mean, I guess he could of had a stroke after repling to may false inquiry! And couldn't respond to me after that. I guess it could happen?

It just bothers me that he is "open for business" on the DVC board and I can't warn others.
I was able to get to a couple people before my banishment. They emailed their thanks, so that does give me some satisfaction!

I hope this turns out right. I will praise him to the world and take back every bad word and thought (well I'll keep some bad thoughts in there ). But I'm not holding my breath.

But you know what, my kids and I are still going to WDW!!
And we're gonna have a great time!!!

 

[floridafam]

I think you have a great attitude.

I do hope that it all works out.

I didn't think you could use reservation pts to stay at the WL?

Check with the postal inspector and see if he committed mail fraud. It is a very serious crime even though most people don't think about it.

 

[Jen D]

I understand why the Dis "can't get involved" but it is incredible to me that he is still on the boards selling and we can't warn people without getting banned. One of the great things about the Dis is that we look after eachother. Isn't there anything that can be done?

 

[musical2]

BossBrody,

I want to thank you for the heads up (and the PM you sent me). I was one of those that was considering it since I wanted to stay at the Polynesian for once, just because, and didn't want to use up my own valuable points to do it.

I think I will just stick with cash for now.

Bart