question to those who have rented their points

[CLASSICPOOH2002]

I have a situation that some advice would be of great help... I rented some points to someone and they were supposed to check in but some things happened and they were unable to the day of check in. They never got to come...

I lost all the points so know that I am under no obligation to give them any funds back but at the same time feel terrible that they were unable to come and wonder if it would be the RIGHT thing to give them part or some back. I only charged them $8.75 per point.

What would you do in the situation?

Thanks and I look forward to some advice...

 

[DeeCee735]

Depends on the terms of the original deal. If the deal was no refund - I'd stick to it. It is not your responsiblity that they could not make it, and if the original deal stipulated clearly that once the 30 days out cancellation restrictions began on the points there would be no refund, and they accepted those terms, then I would not feel compelled to return any money, especially at a rental rate of $8.75 per point. Why should you suffer the consequences of their cancellation? I'd feel bad, yes, but I'd stick to the terms of the deal as well. Hope this helps - have a nice day.

 

[whtyger97]

Is it someone you know personally? And was the situation something unforseeable (like a death in the family)? If you said yes to both questions, maybe you could offer them a discount rate on another date, invite them along on a trip with you, offer them half the points to use on another trip or half the money.

I don't think you should feel obligated to do anything, but depending on the circumstances it might be nice to. They should no way feel like the deserve anything back, but that doesn't mean you cann't give them something.

But if its someone you don't know or just know thru the boards, I would say no refund.

 

[Cinderpals]

Whenever we rent places for the week, we have the option to pay for rental insurance. We wouldn't expect to leave the owner holding the bag if we had to cancel at the last minute for whatever reason. When we rent out our vacation home, the renters are encouraged to buy rental insurance incase something comes up.

We would lose our points if we weren't able to use them during the last two months of our UY. Now, if you're somehow able to rent those points out to someone else to use, you can send them a partial refund. Are those points now on hold status? If they're gone, there isn't much that you can do.

 

[Alexander]

I have been a renter in the past, and several times. I would not expect a refund from the owner if I was unable to make my reservations. When people rent, they need to understand how DVC works. If they do, they will understand that if you refund them their money, then you have taken a loss, when in reality, that should not happen. At the rate you gave the renters, $8.75, they should be grateful that you were willing do this for them. Unfortunate as it is, I feel that it is there loss.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Situations like your's are the reason that all Disers renting points should have a written agreement that outlines refunds.

To the original question, if it was you and you weren't able to get there, you would have lost the points too. Why should you end up paying for someone else who wasn't able to be on the trip? That is essentially what giving the money back would mean.

BTW, I did refund money to someone who rented my points once because of the hurrciane situation last Fall, going against our agreement. But I didn't lose the points and knew I could use them anyway.

HBC

 

[QUACKHEAD]

I agree with HBC, and in that case, it was the fair thing to do. You don't have any other options after the fact.

 

[DebbieB]

So did you lose the points or did they put them in holding? I know day of check-in is supposed to be total loss but if there are circumstances sometimes they will put them in holding.

 

[CLASSICPOOH2002]

I lost the points. I know what I am going to do so thanks for the help fellow DVC members.

 

[DebbieB]

If you lost the points, then I would not give a refund. If they had gone into holding, I may have given a partial refund if you were able to rebook them.

 

[Cruelladeville]

If your renters waited until the day of check-in to cancel, THEY lost THEIR points. Those points aren't your's until next year. I assume your renters knew how DVC works. I rented points to a family who went during the hurricane, and they got to Northern Florida before they had to get a motel room, but they called me right away. MS refunded the points to me for that night, and they stayed an extra night at the end of their trip on those points.

 

[Jskasko]

I have never rented points but have a reply in to someone who needs them so new to this whole thing. I would think that if you lost the points that I would not refund. Curioius why you charged $8.75 and how many points were lost. Learning the board myself-but this is an awesome place to try to rent points I couldn't use do to circumstances.