Registered To See The Rent / Trade Board ?? Why ??

[KellyDVC]

OK, as I posted last week, I was having trouble finding the rent/trade board. I have rented to and from others in the past and occasionally look at the board. When I couldn't find it, I posted that fact. Someone replied saying that when you log in you'll see it. So I logged in and there it was - problem solved.

As I was sitting here earlier this evening, I thought hmmmm, why should I have to be registered to see that board?? I can see any other board as a casual surfer to the site, can't I? Can someone explain to me why this is the case? Has the long arm of the Disney/DVC somehow decided that too much revenue is being lost via renting? If we let the board be invisible to non-disboard members, how long before it goes away completely?

Sorry to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I have relied on the fact that I do have an alternative to using my points myself. As much as I would like to use ALL of my points myself now, I find that I can't and the rent/trade helps to find use for them.

Anyway, can the mods or someone explain the need for the limitation??

Thanks a bunch!

Brian

 

[RobDoc]

I'm having a tough time understanding why ANYONE would object to restricting the use of the Rent/Trade Board only to registered users on the DIS.

The ONLY problems we have ever had regarding rentals on this site was from users with little or no participation on the DIS. Since then we have tried to emphasize to renters that it is important to be comfortable with any person they might be involved with regarding any rental. Allowing access only to registered users is simply a security measure which gives us one more tool to try to minimize problems renting thru this site.

There has certainly been no contact from Disney or DVC about renting - nor do we anticipate any such contact as long as renting is allowed by DVC documents in any form. Our only interest is in providing as safe an environment as possible where members and others may interact to make and secure DVC reservations.

 

[JPC]

The ONLY problems we have ever had regarding rentals on this site was from users with little or no participation on the DIS.


Can you expand on this position?

 

[tomandrobin]

The ONLY problems we have ever had regarding rentals on this site was from users with little or no participation on the DIS.

Can you expand on this position?

LOL...Are kidding? Seems pretty self evident what Doc is to saying. Those individuals that are not registered users and/or have very little participation on the DisBoards are more likely to be problematic.

Plus, on a personal note. I would feel alot more rent to or from a regular, established member of the DisBoard, then someone with one post. Just like on e-bay, you need a level of trust to send someone $2000 on faith that its not a scam.

 

[JPC]

LOL...Are kidding? Seems pretty self evident what Doc is to saying. Those individuals that are not registered users and/or have very little participation on the DisBoards are more likely to be problematic.

Plus, on a personal note. I would feel alot more rent to or from a regular, established member of the DisBoard, then someone with one post. Just like on e-bay, you need a level of trust to send someone $2000 on faith that its not a scam.

I rented before with someone who was not a "regular".

 

[magicmommy]

I rented before with someone who was not a "regular".

Well thats great that it worked out for you. I have never rented my points but I would think that any extra level of protection would make both parties more comfortable!

 

[dianeschlicht]

JPC, why would you object to needing to register or log in??? It's a safety valve of sorts (meager as it is). I guess I don't see what should be objectionable about it.

 

[KellyDVC]

To All,

My point is why restrict visibility? I agree that you should be a registered member to post to the board, but why restrict visibility? If I were a casual surfer, I will no longer see via reviewing these boards that there is a viable alternative to renting direct from Disney. Fewer people will see there are options.

As far as registered renters being better risks, I do not see this to be the responsibility of the mods. If I as a renter (or rentee) want to maintain that as a criteria, then so be it.

Thanks for everyone's time - and the discussion.

Brian

 

[LisaS]

A lot of people who are new to the R/T board state that they read about it on another website or on another forum here on the DIS. It won't take long for word to get out that you need to register on the DIS and log in to access the R/T board so those who are directed to the R/T board from elsewhere will know what to do when they get here. While it may prevent someone from just stumbling across the R/T board, I wonder if that's a very large number of people.

As a "Rent/Trade Board Moderator-in-Training", I'm learning more and more about the operation of the R/T board every day and it leads me to conclude that this new policy has more positives than negatives.

 

[tomandrobin]

I rented before with someone who was not a "regular".

Lots have done that, but past history has show that rarely are the rent/trade problems cuased by regular posters here on the Boards.

 

[GEB@okw]

As far as I see it, some owners do not like what other owners do with their points even though it is totaly legal and allowed in the POS. so now the board is now restricted to registered users. Just trying to fix a perceived problem but it is only hurting possible renters looking to rent and owners looking to rent either extra points or a few points to take a cruise instead of getting burned by DVC by booking a cruise on points. If you have extra time, points, or a reservation to rent, try eBay as it will bring you up to $25 a point vs. the precieved $10 a point maximum rental rate on these boards. My access to the rent trade board was cut off because I mentioned I had two studios at SSR over new years and was willing to rent one of them. The pm sent to me said my access would be rennewed on August 26 and many letters later it is still turned off. Anyway my family is using both studios so I do not have anything to rent. This is not an advertisement to rent, please no mail looking to rent. See you at SSR over NYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JimMIA]

Lots have done that, but past history has show that rarely are the rent/trade problems cuased by regular posters here on the Boards.

Actually, I think a careful reading of history will show that almost no crooks have ripped anyone off on the DIS R/T board. There may be others, but I only know of two, out of the hundreds (probably thousands) of rentals thru that board each year.

One case was a renter who never paid the owner a dime, enjoyed their vacation, and rode off into the sunset. I don't know what that person's post count was.

The other was the woman who defrauded several people (3) last year, and attempted to defraud others. She went off into the sunset too, but she was pushing all her belongings in a grocery cart.

She had a low post count, but that's one crook against how many low-post folks who have turned out to be fine?

To me, the two keys to successful rentals are both parties understanding the transaction thoroughly and clearly, and both parties arriving at a level of comfort and trust. There is no "silver bullet" that I know of, and if there is one, I doubt if it's something as simple as post count. We all started with zero posts, and we've all seen more than one person with thousands of posts to their credit who is still looking for their first lucid comment.

As far as I see it, some owners do not like what other owners do with their points even though it is totaly legal and allowed in the POS. so now the board is now restricted to registered users.

I suspect that is NOT the reason. If you stop and think about it, you have to be registered and logged in to use the R/T board in any fashion anyway -- unless you just want to look. If you want to post, reply, or PM, you have to be logged in. What's the big deal?

My access to the rent trade board was cut off because I mentioned I had two studios at SSR over new years and was willing to rent one of them. The pm sent to me said my access would be rennewed on August 26 and many letters later it is still turned off.

Whatever yer doin', it ain't workin'!!!

 

[Muushka]

I don't know, this is a strange thread.

 

[sjdisneywedding]

I'm having a tough time understanding why ANYONE would object to restricting the use of the Rent/Trade Board only to registered users on the DIS.

The ONLY problems we have ever had regarding rentals on this site was from users with little or no participation on the DIS. Since then we have tried to emphasize to renters that it is important to be comfortable with any person they might be involved with regarding any rental. Allowing access only to registered users is simply a security measure which gives us one more tool to try to minimize problems renting thru this site.

restricting its use, as far as being able to post, to registered users is one thing

not being able to view it whatsoever, without being registered/or even logged in, doesnt seem necessary IMO

unless you dont want people knowing it even exists until they are registered, which seems rather silly

 

[sjdisneywedding]

A lot of people who are new to the R/T board state that they read about it on another website or on another forum here on the DIS. It won't take long for word to get out that you need to register on the DIS and log in to access the R/T board so those who are directed to the R/T board from elsewhere will know what to do when they get here. While it may prevent someone from just stumbling across the R/T board, I wonder if that's a very large number of people.

As a "Rent/Trade Board Moderator-in-Training", I'm learning more and more about the operation of the R/T board every day and it leads me to conclude that this new policy has more positives than negatives.

serioulsy, IMO this doesnt make very much sense at all

all you are doing is hurting the casual users/viewers

if you cant post anyway until you are registered/logged in how in the world can an unregistered user viewing the threads cause any harm

 

[drag n' fly]

This reminds me of something we have going on in Calgary right now. New cameras are coming that will record speeders and red light runners at the same time. People are in a complete uproar over it because they feel it is a cash cow for the police. As one person who summed it up perfectly said "If you don't speed and you don't run red lights you have nothing to worry about"!

IMO The only people who the change would affect would those attempting to make a profit off their points. Only being able to view listings while registered reduces the flow of traffic to your post. Honestly the chances of renting to trustworthy people slightly increases if you are registered and you can make an informed decision based on post count, history, references etc if the user is registered. Sounds like there is nothing to complain about. There are plenty of commercial renters on other sites so kwitch yer you know what and move on if you don't like the rules.

 

[MIDisFan]

serioulsy, IMO this doesnt make very much sense at all

all you are doing is hurting the casual users/viewers

if you cant post anyway until you are registered/logged in how in the world can an unregistered user viewing the threads cause any harm

I haven't visited the R/T Board in a while but I have noticed in the past that posters have included their email address. You wouldn't need to be registered in that case in order to contact that poster.

I don't understand how this policy is hurting the casual viewer? If a person has a need to view or use the R/T board why would they object to registering?

 

[DisneyKidds]

If you stop and think about it, you have to be registered and logged in to use the R/T board in any fashion anyway -- unless you just want to look. If you want to post, reply, or PM, you have to be logged in. What's the big deal?

Actually, the point is that to even just look you do have to be registered, forget about actually using the board. And in my mind that is a reasonable question. Why not let unregistered users look, but not be able to use or post until registered. That would seem to be how you thought the board was working, and seems very reasonable. It allows maximum exposure of the board, but restricts use to provide some small measure of protection.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I don't understand how this policy is hurting the casual viewer? If a person has a need to view or use the R/T board why would they object to registering?

This policy wouldn't hurt a casual viewer who was previously aware of the site and directed to the R/T board. Anyone in that circumsatance, who came looking to use the board, wouldn't have a problem with registering. The issue is what about those people who have no idea the R/T board exists? They may never find it. If it was available to be viewed by unregistered users, someone may find it by happenstance, see that it has value to them, and then become a registered user so they could post on the board. What's wrong with that, and how does preventing that from happening really increase security?

Granted, the number of people who might just stumble across this little corner of the Disney internet world and find the R/T board useful may be small, but I'm sure numerous people out there have rented to someone who once fit that bill.

 

[DisneyKidds]

I haven't visited the R/T Board in a while but I have noticed in the past that posters have included their email address. You wouldn't need to be registered in that case in order to contact that poster.

But you do need to be registered to do just that, and that's the point. You would never get to see the post that has the email address to contact the member unless you were already registered, because unless you were logged in as a registered user you'd never even see the board. And, potentially, if someone didn't see that the board existed and could be useful they might never register for the site.