Question about Renting DVC Points

[Aaron Roderick]

I'm looking at different online sources that rent points. As I've never done this before, I am checking for things like:

- Do they have a phone number they can be reached at.
- Do they list their address on the website that isn't just a PO Box.
- Do they have a Facebook Page that the business actively posts on and does it have plenty of authentic (and positive) reviews.

So... Yeah, that's just the preliminary stuff. I've never rented points before, but from my understanding, I'm assuming that these businesses have a large pool of DVC Members that will accept a contract, which could take some time... So here is my question.

If I go through a business (I'll use David's Vacation Club as an example) -- Say I put in a request with David's Vacation Club, could I then go to another business like the DVC Rental Store and put in a request with them to increase the amount of DVC Members my request is reaching out to? Or is that considered a shady tactic?

...or if I put in a reservation with just one business, how long should I wait for a DVC Member to accept the contract before re-analyzing my approach and trying my luck with a different business? (I really don't have any idea if I'm approaching this with the right idea, I've never done this before so please don't rip at me if these questions are out of line. That's why I'm asking, so that I know what to ask and what to do.)

 

[drdrowsy]

i don't think there's an ethical reason to not do what you are proposing, but, unless it's changed, David's charges a non-refundable fee when you submit your request ( if they get you the reservation and you decline to book it, you're out $xx; if they can't get the the booking, they will return the money)

 

[Lulubelle17]

I used a different DVC rental service, I was able to inquire regarding availability without having to put any money down. I don't see it as unethical because I assume that each business works with a different pool of DVC members, therefore they may have different availability. I rented for the first time for this past Thanksgiving and everything went smoothly.

 

[Aaron Roderick]

What was the timeframe from the time you put in the reservation to the time it was accepted by a DVC Member..?

 

[tgarre06]

I have used David's 3 times. Two times David secured the reservation with a member's points same day. One time I heard back from David's that there was availability (BLT at exactly 11 months out), but it took 2 days for them to find a member to secure the reservation. I think it took longer because I put the request in on a Saturday morning, and, since it was 11 months out, they needed a member who owned at BLT to secure the reservation. I've had great experience using David's and have saved so much money renting points.

 

[westie55]

I have rented through David's twice. You pay a deposit upfront (around $100) that is applied toward your rental if they can secure it and refunded to you 24 hrs later if they cannot. The process happens quickly. You have your answer within 24 hours, unless you decide to wait list if your request is unavailable, but that hasn't happened to me. David's has found what I wanted on both occasions, once a studio at the GCV in Disneyland and once a studio at GFV. If your request is available and you decline it, you lose the deposit. Renting is an easy process that I recommend if you are looking to stay deluxe on a budget.

 

[tgarre06]

I have rented through David's twice. You pay a deposit upfront (around $100) that is applied toward your rental if they can secure it and refunded to you 24 hrs later if they cannot. The process happens quickly. You have your answer within 24 hours, unless you decide to wait list if your request is unavailable, but that hasn't happened to me. David's has found what I wanted on both occasions, once a studio at the GCV in Disneyland and once a studio at GFV. If your request is available and you decline it, you lose the deposit. Renting is an easy process that I recommend if you are looking to stay deluxe on a budget.

You lucked out with the GFV studio rental. That was my first choice at 11 months out, but we had no luck. I'll have to try again in the future!

 

[westie55]

You lucked out with the GFV studio rental. That was my first choice at 11 months out, but we had no luck. I'll have to try again in the future!

Yes! I did have to spring for the lake view which was a couple hundred extra (I would have been satisfied with standard but it was unavailable). I was actually surprised that they were able to offer me every resort, although some room categories were not available. I have definitely had good luck! I've heard GCV were difficult as well. I made my requests at 11 months too.

 

[marykaye]

I'm looking at different online sources that rent points. As I've never done this before, I am checking for things like:

- Do they have a phone number they can be reached at.
- Do they list their address on the website that isn't just a PO Box.
- Do they have a Facebook Page that the business actively posts on and does it have plenty of authentic (and positive) reviews.

So... Yeah, that's just the preliminary stuff. I've never rented points before, but from my understanding, I'm assuming that these businesses have a large pool of DVC Members that will accept a contract, which could take some time... So here is my question.

If I go through a business (I'll use David's Vacation Club as an example) -- Say I put in a request with David's Vacation Club, could I then go to another business like the DVC Rental Store and put in a request with them to increase the amount of DVC Members my request is reaching out to? Or is that considered a shady tactic?

...or if I put in a reservation with just one business, how long should I wait for a DVC Member to accept the contract before re-analyzing my approach and trying my luck with a different business? (I really don't have any idea if I'm approaching this with the right idea, I've never done this before so please don't rip at me if these questions are out of line. That's why I'm asking, so that I know what to ask and what to do.)

I have a similar question. I am looking to buy from Gary Dubin. Has anyone had any experience with him?
Thanks. Any insights would be helpful.

 

[patty57]

I have a similar question. I am looking to buy from Gary Dubin. Has anyone had any experience with him?
Thanks. Any insights would be helpful.

Is this a company?

 

[Nancyg56]

I have a similar question. I am looking to buy from Gary Dubin. Has anyone had any experience with him?
Thanks. Any insights would be helpful.

Okay, I just did what you should do...google this person and see for yourself. Personally, I would use a company that specializes in points rentals.

 

[gatormom2tots]

Our last stay at BLT we put in the request for 2 bedroom with David's since we had used him in the past. i have no issue with putting the money down because, if we are making a request, we already know what we want and it is just then applied towards the cost. He got back to us within 24 hours (I think it was more like 2-3 hours) that he did not have the points at the time (we were 9 months out for a September trip). So the very same day we requested through another dvc broker and got the 2 bedroom reserved that night and then paid the next day. David immediately refunded the money, no issue. This next trip I talked with all 3 of the big brokers....we are wanting a very hard to secure 2 bedroom BLT over Christmas next year. They were all very helpful with the likelihood of getting these points- and were honest. We ended up going with a private owner who will be making the reservation at the exact 11 month mark at her home resort- a little more efficient and quicker than going through the broker as its one less hoop to jump through.

I would maybe start with Davids to see if he has it, and then look at the others. Also keep in mind, 1 of the big names does not require all cost up front as well. And David's will charge oversea transaction fee (on some cards).

 

[CFenner]

I have a similar question. I am looking to buy from Gary Dubin. Has anyone had any experience with him?
Thanks. Any insights would be helpful.

Did you end up going through Gary Dubin?

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are going with a broker, you might want to find the broker that pays members the most and the quickest. A member with any concept of renting would go with the broker who can get them the most money the fastest. That broker should have more members with points wanting to be rented.

 

[nkereina]

Keep in mind that even with using a broker, the member still owns the reservation. If you're checking to see that a broker has a phone number they can be reached at in case you run into an issue, there's not much a broker can do because they're at the mercy of the owner as well. That said, we've rented points several times both through brokers and on our own and have never had an issue. The risk is small.

What you're proposing is exactly what we've done in the past. In our case, we just jumped on whichever one could fill our reservation first. I wasn't taking chances with availability to try and get the best price. The difference in price would be negligible anyway. Also, if you're trying to book 8-11 months out from your travel dates, keep in mind that they have to go through an owner that owns at the resort you want, so the broker may not have as many options at that point. However, if you are 7 months or less from your travel dates, there should be more owner options since owners can book anywhere after the 7 month mark. If you're 7 months or less, I'd just go with the broker that doesn't have to wait list you if you can find that. The longer you wait after 7 months, the worse availability will be.

 

[CFenner]

We aren't going until Sep 16, 2018 - Sep 22, 2018 but we need a dedicated 2 bedroom (not a lock off), standard view, at BLT to accommodate the people, location, and budget we have. So I plan on pulling the trigger right at the 11 month mark. Just looking at options. Gary is willing to reserve points for us from his 2018 allotment. Just not sure if that's the best move.

 

[jlreimer]

An account involved Gary Dubin was involved in a fraud. I fell for it. Do not fall for it. I am trying to get in touch with the real Gary -- who is a member -- to let him know.

 

[AnneK]

We have used the DVC Rental Store twice now and they have been amazing. Our first request took about 4 days to be picked up (May 2015 - 5 nights in a AKL Kidani Studio / Standard View). For our second trip, it only took 48 hours (Dec. 2017 - 10 nights in a AKL Kidani 2-Bedroom / Savannah View). The whole process was smooth and saved us SO much money.

Be sure to get your request in just before the 11 month mark of your travel dates.

Word of advice though, GET TRAVEL INSURANCE. Not the insurance offered through the rental company, REAL travel insurance. So many people were crying foul during Hurricane Irma because of the rentals no refund policy, but they just didn't do their homework or planned for the worst. Believe me, we spent a week at Universal during Hurricane Matthew last year.

 

[Dbktmc]

Word of advice though, GET TRAVEL INSURANCE. Not the insurance offered through the rental company, REAL travel insurance. So many people were crying foul during Hurricane Irma because of the rentals no refund policy, but they just didn't do their homework or planned for the worst. Believe me, we spent a week at Universal during Hurricane Matthew last year.

I have been wanting to rent points for several years but I have been afraid to "pull the trigger" due to fears that we lose everything if we cancel due to unforeseen circumstances (emergency). Can you tell me what travel insurance company that you used? I would be very interested in renting points if I can get good travel insurance.