Rent/Trade Board?

[Beth]

As always - I apologize if this has been discussed before....

But "why IS it" that the majority of the individuals on the Rent/Trade Board are new to the DIS?

I mean... I guess I can understand how many of those "needing points" may be new to the boards, but it even seems that nearly all of those trying to <i>rent</i> points have very few posts... Why don't they come over here and post? Is there something WRONG with us?!? Well... other than the OBVIOUS!

Just wondering...

 

[HookdonWDW]

Beth,

The problem is that we have DVCitis, and unfortunately, it is highly contagious. They know if they come over here to post a few times, they'll remember all of the great things that THEY could do with their points, and BAM! Suddenly they'd also be infected and have no extra points to rent on the other board.

A very evil disease indeed...

 

[bbowers]

Can only explain MY situation - we just bought a resale in April that had all 150 banked points. We used those up on our November trip, but then had all current points. Next year we are planning the cruise on cash, and would not be using up those points. So, as soon as we closed, I rented out our extra points.

Since then, I've been looking at all of our options, and doubt if I'll ever have left over points again... We live in Michigan, so I'm thinking about taking Mom to the Grand Hotel for Mother's Day (their opening weekend), and we really want to stay in each DVC hotel, and and and...

 

[mitcam]

I try to post often but being a new DVC owner myself, I found that I got so much info from the "oldtimers" that I didn't have a lot to contribute!

We have never stayed at DVC (Dec. first trip home) We can't speak to the hotels only the areas we stayed at!

Like Beth, we newly closed and had a cruise planned "cash" so we didn't need the banked points that came with our resale!

We are actually trying to sell them but until I get our member number I can't make reservations for anyone!

This will be our last year renting! We plan to use every precious point!

 

[auntsue]

I noticed that myself. So many are brand new members as of June 2003 and many have less than 10 posts. I just happened to look there today for a friend, and I advised her to be very careful if the person hasn't been around for too long. It definitely worries me, personally, to see someone with only 3 posts renting. I would not feel comfortable renting in that situation, but I also have not read too many complaints from people who have. I just know that I wouldn't rent from them.

 

[Poorman]

I have a friend that has been a DVC member since 1997. He has 1200 points. Until about a month ago he never knew DIS was in existance. He actually did frivilous things with his points until I suggested he rent them out and pay cash for the other things. He has done that. He has very few posts but is as straight a shooter as anyone I know. I'm sure his posts will go up in time,but there are a lot of people around that don't have all day to read posts and respond. So just because someone doesn't have 9784 posts doesn't make him bad or dishonest. Regards, Rich

 

[Dean]

There has been a lot of exchange activity with DVC this year through II. Many have taken to getting exchanges in to DVC then offering them for rent. So any that are 7 days are suspect and any that say they can't be changed are almost certainly an exchange. Though against II's rules, that doesn't make it a major issue but just something one wants to know before getting too far in the process. Some also post just for the rentals but don't share with us ongoing and others post under a different sign on for rentals.

 

[TCPluto]

We bought a resale with a great deal of banked ponts that we sold.

While I've been lurking for over 8 months, I've posted very little.

To the credit of a great many people on these boards, I've spent my time learning everything DVC, as passed on by the truly knowledgeable.

What's the saying, "better to keep your mouth shut and have people think you are ignorant than to open it and prove them correct"?

Actually, I just follow Dean around the boards. He gets my vote for the most fair, balanced and complete analysis on nearly all things DVC.

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by Dean
and others post under a different sign on for rentals.

I had heard this Dean, but I don't understand the benefit to doing that. I recently rented 50 points that I acquired as part of an add-on and I posted on the R&T board under my own user name, hoping DISers who knew me from my posts would feel comfortable taking the chance to rent points from me. I got about a dozen responses, some people I knew from this board and some I hadn't seen posts from at all.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by anniet
I had heard this Dean, but I don't understand the benefit to doing that. I recently rented 50 points that I acquired as part of an add-on and I posted on the R&T board under my own user name, hoping DISers who knew me from my posts would feel comfortable taking the chance to rent points from me. I got about a dozen responses, some people I knew from this board and some I hadn't seen posts from at all.

I agree, it can have benefits. When I post I ususally get inquiries from people that say they contacted me because they knew me from the boards. Still, if I were doing a lot of renting, I wouldn't necessarily want to advertise to the entire board about it. Especially given the attitudes of certain BBS participants when it comes to renting.

 

[Beth]

Gee, Dean - I never thought of it that way. I was thinking along the same lines as anniet.... That it would be better to post under your "original name" - so that people would respect the time you've been on the boards - and could look at previous posts to sorta "get to the know the person..." kinda like the way increased positive feedback numbers lend credit to sellers on eBay...

But, I didn't consider the possible ramifications from those "anti-rental" people if you "did" post under your original name... I can definitely see your point, there.

<i>My</i> problem with trying to rent points on that board is the possibility of getting inquiries from "new" people. I would much rather "rent" to someone that had been on the DIS for a while. And I wouldn't know how to politely decline their requests - while keeping my post up on the board... That's why - whenever I find myself thinking I may rent a few points, I prefer to scan the boards for the "I need points" posts - than to start my own "Points for rent" thread - and look specifically for people that have been around the DIS for a while. Does that make me a DVC snob?!?

Thanks to you all for your input...

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Beth
<i>My</i> problem with trying to rent points on that board is the possibility of getting inquiries from "new" people. I would much rather "rent" to someone that had been on the DIS for a while. And I wouldn't know how to politely decline their requests - while keeping my post up on the board... That's why - whenever I find myself thinking I may rent a few points, I prefer to scan the boards for the "I need points" posts - than to start my own "Points for rent" thread - and look specifically for people that have been around the DIS for a while. Does that make me a DVC snob?!?

Beth, just respond to the posts that want to rent points that you find acceptable. Respond privately by PM or email or just post for them to email or PM you.

 

[Richyams]

Soon we could be painting Dean with the same brush as those that go to all lengths to squeeze every dollar they can from each point..

Just kidding, but you can see the reputation some have compared to others. I don't think that is from simply renting, I think its because of those that spend their time ripping people off on Ebay.

While Dean may rip people off, at least he doesn't brag about it.

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by Beth
I prefer to scan the boards for the "I need points" posts - than to start my own "Points for rent" thread - and look specifically for people that have been around the DIS for a while. Does that make me a DVC snob?!?

No Beth, that just makes you cautious. Not a bad thing to be when DVC points and money are involved IMHO.

Thanks for the reply Dean. I think it's great you use your own name, because I've always thought "if I ever need to rent points to add to a vacation, I'd PM Dean in a HEARTBEAT to see if he's got any available!"

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by Richyams
While Dean may rip people off, at least he doesn't brag about it.

Always the Troublemaker Rich!

I don't object to anyone renting points for whatever they can get for them. I object to people telling other people HOW MUCH they should ask for their points.

 

[5infam]

Like a few others, I am new to these boards and to DVC (my first purchase is awaiting the Disney Gods for approval) and I will have banked points that will expire before my next planned trip. My choices are to lose them or to rent them out!!

So when I go to rent, it sounds like there are those that may not want to rent from me until I've been around for a while. I guess I understand their concerns because it is a financial transaction. The problem I have is that the first post I made (on the rent/trade board) was for advice from some of the experienced DVC folks, yet no one responded. So I am a little shy about posting again...but after reading some of the comments here, it looks like I better get to posting!!!

 

[Richyams]

Always the Troublemaker Rich!

I just woke up when I typed that one, glad I added the jester thingy, hope everyone realizes that there is no one whose knowledge, experience and opinions I respect more than Dean's.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Let me see if I have this one straight...

It could be that the renters who have low post counts, are the folks who are renting a lot, possibly as a business.
If they are trying to hide that, I find it fishy.

The renters with higher post counts, are the folks who are the occasional, honest renters.

Aren't we back where we started with low count renters being suspect? I'm sure not all low post count renters are suspect, but it is one indication.

PS- I would like to emphasize that I am sure there are many well intentioned, honest folks here that are renting points, but happen to have low post counts. To those folks, please don't take my post the wrong way.

 

[mitcam]

I am a rentee! Thanks to a kind DVCer However this year because of all my lurking we now purchased DVC - my posts are low, but I am very honest!

I also try to get online at least 2-3 x/wk with small kids that is not always possible!

Don't count the people with few posts out! I am glad the person who rented to us didn't!

I have been around for awhile, I am not sure when I joined originally!

 

[Poorman]

But I have to tell people your other screen name, "Nuthut".


Didn't want to start anything.