Question on DVC Rental

[ohionola]

I recently purchased a 1 week rental for DVC at Vero Beach on Ebay. Once I won the auction the seller added myself and guests to the reservation but said they had to leave there name on the reservation as a guest. I have a couple questions about this.

Why would they have to do this?

Is this something I should be worried about? For example, could they access my credit card information or anything like that by being on the reservation?

I am thinking of requesting my money back. The seller does have perfect positive feedback of over 150 and often sells vacation rentals. Thoughts?

 

[melissalee]

The owner of the DVC points has to book for you. They are like a travel agent. If you give your credit card at the front desk when you check it the owner of the points doesn't have access to it.

 

[ohionola]

The owner of the DVC points has to book for you. They are like a travel agent. If you give your credit card at the front desk when you check it the owner of the points doesn't have access to it.

I have rented from other owners DVC before and never had the owners name on it as a guest. I was concerned that if that person shows up, they could have access to my account once I am there or even get a room key. Maybe I am paranoid LOL.

 

[davedmaine]

I have rented from other owners DVC before and never had the owners name on it as a guest. I was concerned that if that person shows up, they could have access to my account once I am there or even get a room key. Maybe I am paranoid LOL.

I'm guessing that they may be nervous about renting to people on eBay so they want to be able to make sure you're not up to any funny business while at Disney (such as upgrading the room). If they have perfect feedback, I wouldn't worry about it..

 

[RachaelA]

They do not need to be and should not be on the reservation.

 

[AmyB2006]

From what you posted, I'm guessing maybe the reservation was already made at the time of auction?

In that case they can't just take their name off. They can only add names. If the reservation was not already made, then I'd be a little suspicious.

The only way to take their name off, if it was already made, is to cancel the entire reservation and re-book it. And that may not be possible.

Most rentals you purchase an agreed upon amount of points from the owner and then they make the reservation under your name. This doesn't sound like that though. It sounds like they booked a week at Vero and you then purchased that week.

 

[Chuck S]

Was it an existing reservation when you rented, or did the owner make a new reservation?

Since they stated they have to be on the reservation, and it is for a week, I suspect that the person perhaps is not a DVC owner, but has traded into the DVC system using RCI from another timeshare. Did they mention anything about a $95 resort fee that had to be paid? If it is indeed an RCI week, renting it is prohibited by RCI policies, and they could cancel the reservation out from under you if RCI finds out....that would explain having to have the "owners" name on the reservation.

 

[Brian Noble]

Only the Orlando DVCs charge the $95 fee, but Vero does not, IIRC.

It could be a pre-made reservation, as suggested above, or it could be an RCI exchange in which the RCI member does not want to purchase a guest certificate.

 

[ohionola]

It was a preexisting reservation and I bet the person purchased it through RCI, so this all makes sense. It came out to slightly more than $5 per point, so I don't see any other way a person would be selling it so cheap. Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[Chuck S]

From what you posted, I'm guessing maybe the reservation was already made at the time of auction?

In that case they can't just take their name off. They can only add names. If the reservation was not already made, then I'd be a little suspicious.

The only way to take their name off, if it was already made, is to cancel the entire reservation and re-book it. And that may not be possible.

Most rentals you purchase an agreed upon amount of points from the owner and then they make the reservation under your name. This doesn't sound like that though. It sounds like they booked a week at Vero and you then purchased that week.

DVC Owners can certainly remove their name from a reservation. I've done it. I booked a reservation for friends in my name, then when they knew who all was going, I deleted my name and put theirs on the reservation.

 

[Pooh2]

I recently rented points through a broker. The owner made the reservation in my name.

 

[SUSIEQ]

...or it could be an RCI exchange in which the RCI member does not want to purchase a guest certificate.

That's EXACTLY what it sounds like.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm guessing that they may be nervous about renting to people on eBay so they want to be able to make sure you're not up to any funny business while at Disney (such as upgrading the room).

But putting their name on the room doesn't prevent those things from happening. Name on or off if the OP wrecks the room or asks for an upgrade, the owner is still liable according to DVC.

I have rented from other owners DVC before and never had the owners name on it as a guest. I was concerned that if that person shows up, they could have access to my account once I am there or even get a room key. Maybe I am paranoid LOL.

They could definitely get a room key if their name is on the room.

Are you able to put this reservation on your MDE account? When you do online checkin you can mark them as not being allowed to charge, but if *they* are up to no good they could still go to the resort and potentially change that.

It was a preexisting reservation and I bet the person purchased it through RCI, so this all makes sense. It came out to slightly more than $5 per point, so I don't see any other way a person would be selling it so cheap. Thanks for everyone's input!

Well, as was already said..." If it is indeed an RCI week, renting it is prohibited by RCI policies, and they could cancel the reservation out from under you if RCI finds out".

If you CAN cancel, I'd definitely consider it.

 

[DVC Doctor]

If you only paid $5pp for this reservation then I think you made a good deal and simply suggest using the deadbolt at night.

 

[Sandisw]

If it were me, I would not be comfortable with a reservation that had someone else as a guest. For a DVC reservation, an owner does not have to be on it. I f this person can not or will not remove his name, then I think I'd first ask why since you have found out DVC allows you or hold it without his name. If it's still an issue, then I'd request my money back.

 

[SUSIEQ]

If it were me, I would not be comfortable with a reservation that had someone else as a guest. For a DVC reservation, an owner does not have to be on it. I f this person can not or will not remove his name, then I think I'd first ask why since you have found out DVC allows you or hold it without his name. If it's still an issue, then I'd request my money back.

I think the same way. Something about this reservation smells "rank". It is most likely a RCI trade that is not allowed.

 

[Sammie]

I would think the question you asked us, "why would they need to do this" needs to be asked of the person you are renting from.

Their answer will tell you a lot about what is going on.

 

[ohionola]

I would think the question you asked us, "why would they need to do this" needs to be asked of the person you are renting from.

Their answer will tell you a lot about what is going on.

They said they didn't want someone to resale the timeshare. They claimed it happened to them before and the people damaged the unit (non disney).

I requested their name off of it or I wanted a refund. They said within a few days it would be taken care of. We shall see.

 

[Chuck S]

They said they didn't want someone to resale the timeshare. They claimed it happened to them before and the people damaged the unit (non disney).

I requested their name off of it or I wanted a refund. They said within a few days it would be taken care of. We shall see.

Not possible with DVC at all, this "owner" is likely not an owner or they would know that ONLY the DVC Owner can change the name on the reservation....a renter can not resell the reservation and change the name....and since check-in requires photo ID, no one not on the reservation and named by the DVC owner can check-in, making it impossible for someone to resell the reservation.

This still smells fishy. At $5 per point, this "owner" isn't even making their annual fees back on those points.

While Member Services was closed today for the holiday, they are usually open 7 days a week. A simple phone call by the owner tomorrow would rectify this immediately. It should not take "a few days" to change it into your name.

 

[SUSIEQ]

Just wondering.....if you wanted to add the dining plan to the reservation, would you also have to pay for the renter to be on the dining plan?