Protection as a Renter

[jibber]

Hi All - we are just about to pull the trigger on buying someone elses points reservation, and wanted to get any insight you have as to protecting ourselves as a buyer (i.e. is reservation legit, best process for purchase, how to protect from reservation being changed/cancelled after payment is made, etc).

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[AFMom]

Your best bet is to rent from someone who will provide references. Once you make payment to the member, they should send you either a copy or the original copy of the reservation letter (or you may want it before you pay). There are many way points are rented, and the DVC member can choose the methods. Even with the letter, though, the reservation could be changed after payment, and technically, you wouldn't be able to know or stop it from happening. Keeping copies of correspondence, contracts, e-mails, etc will help you if anything were to happen, and requesting a reciept of some sort listing the dates and accomodations paid for might be a good idea.
I'm a relatively new DVC member, and I thank the person who rented from me for the first time - I had no references to give out yet! Everyone has to get started somewhere! You may want to search the boards for their other posts just to see what kids of things they say! Who knows, you may find something that sets your mind at ease! Good luck!

 

[Chuck S]

Well, there isn't any absolute protection for this. The DVC owner always retains complete control of the reservation. The best suggestions I have, though I have never rented out my points, would be to 1)ask for references from the owner if he has rented previously 2)rent from someone here who has a high-ish post count 3)have a written contract that spells out your rights and recourses for failure to complete the contract, as well as the rights and recourses of the DVC owner.

Disney will not become involved in the rental process on behalf of either party.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I agree with Chuck but want to expand on one of his comments. Read a person's past posts. This will allow you to get to know him/her as well as allow you to get to know whether the person you are renting from, really knows the ins and outs of DVC.

I'd also suggest making sure you have the person's home and cell phone numbers in case you need to reach him/her. Call and talk to him/her first before renting.

HBC

 

[bongo59]

well i have rented alot...........infact we rented 750 points today alone.........i think knowing someone in here or if you meet them at WDW is especially powerful and i have found that most of my renters always come back to me when they need points............i think chuck is correct that the renter is at the member mercy and trust but if i was the renter i would sure make sure that memeber was mud on this board if they screwed my vacation up ..........kinda like ebay's feedback system.............most DVCer also have a vested interests in knowing something about their renters as well...........the member carries some risk too if renter turns out to be a nightmare as well.