receiving payment from a renter

[fkj2]

DVC owners are not like Central Reservations. We have time constraints on the points once we make the reservation. If we cancel anytime within 31 days of arrival, the points go into what is called a "holding" account and then can only be booked 60 days prior to planned arrival. So, if you rented points from me for example for a December 1st vacation and cancelled November 14th, my points would then be very limited as to time for usage and for someone with a short window of planning not to mention availability. Those points also cannot be "banked" or pushed into the next use year. If I couldn't rent them to someone else or use them myself, their value would be lost.

So, in addition to the 31 day window for cancellation, you need to add on about 10-15 days to allow a check to clear the bank. That's why many of us ask for the balance about 6 weeks prior to date of arrival.

 

[stlrod]

In most cases (not all), the rental value exceeds what Disney CRO can offer. Thus, it is difficult to compare their policies with what an individual owner might require. Additionally, I am willing to give the renter as much info about me he or she desires, including my bar number (which I'm not about to risk for 1000x the amount of any rental). Thus, I have no problem with asking for full payment up front. Besides, the alternative is to make a reservation and sell it on eBay where I get full payment in advance at usually more than $10 per point. Partridge4ever, just let them know the cost and ask them when they think they can pay it, explain that there are penalties (including time lost every day for not making preferred reservations if you have choose to do so.) They may be as relieved as you will be for bringing the subject up. Many people, including myself, like to have as much vacation paid for before they go so they aren't spending the vacation worried about how much they are spending (one month from today. I go to Hawaii and through prepaid hotel and car reservations, prepaid activities through Hawaii Activity World and Hyatt Gift Certifcates I bought to cover some of the incidentals, I'm pretty much covered.)

 

[Partridge4ever]

All's well that ends well. I was able to book the week my friend wanted. She's paying me half now and the rest 45 days before the trip. She had no problem at all with my requesting the money ahead of time.

 

[SamanthaL]

I worked out a great payment deal with a very nice DVC owner. $400 at time of confirmation. 1/2 the balance in beginning of July and the rest in Sept. That would be about 8 weeks before our trip. It seemed fair to everyone and has worked out great. No one feels like one person is holding "all the cards". We even talked on the phone, which I recommend to anyone. I guess it just depends who you rent from. We even worked out a cancellation of sorts. I did let her know I had plane ressies which were non-refundable so she would know we didn't plan on backing out, but when you travel with an 85yo nana things could happen!