Rental Activity on R/T Board After Feb. 1 Changes

[CarolAnnC]

lakohls - just to be clear, you don't have to meet any kind of minimum to respond to an owner's offer on the R/T boards, you only need that if you want to post your own points for rent.

No one can originate a "points wanted" thread anymore, if I'm recalling the rules correctly, only respond to offers posted.

You are correct. The previous poster has no need to increase post account in order to reply to threads on Rent/Trade. And, there are no "seeking rental points" threads allowed by anyone. So he is good as he is...

 

[Chuck S]

lakohls - just to be clear, you don't have to meet any kind of minimum to respond to an owner's offer on the R/T boards, you only need that if you want to post your own points for rent.

No one can originate a "points wanted" thread anymore, if I'm recalling the rules correctly, only respond to offers posted.

That is correct, the Rent/Trade board no longer accepts "Reservation Wanted" type threads. It does accept Point Transfer Wanted threads, if the poster meets the new posting criteria.

However, anyone seeking a reservation or a point transfer may reply into an existing Points for Rent or Points for Transfer thread. Such replies do not require a minimum posting history.

And any owner willing to transfer points may reply into an existing "Point Transfer Wanted" thread. But they may NOT post replies soliciting renters in someone else's Points for Rent or Points for Transfer thread.

 

[Sandisw]

You bring up some very good points.

I do not moderate on the DVC Rent/Trade Board, but I am well aware of the extensive time spent by the (volunteer) moderators of that board. Without them, there would be no Rent/Trade Board, and I for one appreciate all the time and effort they put into making that board available for the regular posters of the DIS.

Personally, I have never rented out points, nor rented or transferred any myself. But, if I were to consider such, I appreciate the Rent/Trade board being there as an option.

Why do people feel "entitled" to have this "free service" at their own discretion, and according to what they feel the "rules" should be? If their neighbor were having a yard or garage sale, would they just show up even if they were not speaking with them socially and expect to put their stuff in the neighbor's yard and sell it for their own profit? Even if the neighbor said, you don't have to pay me cash for the use of my yard, for the advertising for clients, etc.; you just have to come speak to me socially a couple of times a week? Would people stomp around the yard and complain to everyone that they should be entitled to sell their items, yet refuse to talk to the neighbor?

That seems to be what is happening here, and I think it is disgraceful.

I am with you on this one. It is amazing to me that some of the people who are not fond of the rules have found the time to post here to discuss that the rule is unfair.

It would seem then, that when they have a vested interest in something, they can find the time to interact with the rest of us.

The bottom line is that the rent/trade is a service to DIS members who contribute to the community by providing information to others. That is the price of admission and so if you want in, just keep typing!!!

 

[lakohls]

Vicki_C,
Yes I understood I could post to an already existing thread - and did a couple of times, & have just this week been successful in getting the points needed for my parents.

However, the rules page does state (copied from their page):

If you are a DVC Member wanting a transfer of points into your account, please submit a thread to be validated. We would suggest using “Point Transfer Wanted” as the title.

And that is what I had intended to do once I met all the requirements.
Thanks!

 

[CarolMN]

lakohls - just to be clear, you don't have to meet any kind of minimum to respond to an owner's offer on the R/T boards, you only need that if you want to post your own points for rent.

No one can originate a "points wanted" thread anymore, if I'm recalling the rules correctly, only respond to offers posted.

Vicki_c is correct.

Anyone who is logged on can respond to a thread on the R/T Board. No minimum is required.

We do not allow "Reservation Wanted" posts on the R/T Board.

If you think you might want to rent out your points some day or perhaps let others know you are willing to transfer points or want points transferred to you, all you have to do is log on the the DIS once a week. Then make 2 posts.

Perhaps give your opinion on a restaurant on the Restaurants Board or respond to a thread that interests you on the Community Board. Doesn't take long at all.

15 minutes once a week and you won't have a problem getting cleared to post a new thread on the R/T Board.


For those who are wondering about "lost eyeballs" -

FWIW, I do not think any "lost eyeballs" due to this policy will be missed. Can't miss a poster you never knew even existed. But I know you are wondering about any negative impact of the lost traffic on the site.

As Doc already posted, the DIS still gets plenty of traffic. Using the DIS to take advantage of that traffic to rent point points is a reward for participation, not an entitlement. And that's the bottom line.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Doc, I think you need a new DVC Whine Board. It seems the whining starts up every so often about "why can't I post a points for rent thread". Then we could all ignore those posts.

 

[CarolMN]

Doc, I think you need a new DVC Whine Board. It seems the whining starts up every so often about "why can't I post a points for rent thread". Then we could all ignore those posts.

Or you could just ignore the threads.

Every time you post to one, it bumps it to the top of the forum where more people will see it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Or you could just ignore the threads.

Every time you post to one, it bumps it to the top of the forum where more people will see it.

But they are like a train wreck. You just have to read them when you see them.

 

[DVCconvert]

Doc, I think you need a new DVC Whine Board..

Talk about a slippery slope!!!

Then we'd have to have a Cheese board to go with the whine!
Then someone would demand a cracker board, then the cocktail lobby would organize....

 

[mellvswdw1]

I have been a DISboard member since 2007 and as you can see I have not contributed much, as I tend to be shy and I also seem to kill threads. I usually "lurk" on the Resort or Restauant side, and the other day I wanted to post a rental on the R/T board. I have to admit I was a little surprised, but completely understood. How would anyone know that I am a trustworthy person?

We have always used our points, and I have utilizied the DISboards to help plan many trips for family and friends. Now we are in a situation where we were gifting our points, but the family member had to cancel their planned trip. We need to rent the points due no availible vacation days until September. So, I guess the new rules will pull me out of my shell, and maybe I can help contribute to other new members planning their trip. I hope I don't kill this thread! LOL!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Perhaps give your opinion on a restaurant on the Restaurants Board or respond to a thread that interests you on the Community Board. Doesn't take long at all.

15 minutes once a week and you won't have a problem getting cleared to post a new thread on the R/T Board.

Thank goodness for the OLTL and AMC threads!!

This thread was started to observe the impact of the changes to R/T Thread since the inception of the new rules. The effects are pretty dramatic. The discussion keeps veering off to whether the rules should have been implemented as well as defensive responses of why they will never change. This is not the intent of this thread.

I do appreciate the analytical comments as they relate to the new data and it's interpretaion both economically and e-commerce. I would encourage more of these comments and less of the back and forth repetitive comments.

 

[parlay]

While there is LITTLE activity on the board now...new rule killed it...

Maybe that is the intention? Just a thought. (posting and expressing an opinion, Not whining)

 

[Chuck S]

....as well as defensive responses of why they will never change...

To be accurate, no one has said they will never change. Only that they aren't being reconsidered at this time. The R/T rules have changed over time since the board was first started, and there is no reason to think that there won't be future rule changes...just not at this time.

 

[dismedvc]

In reviewing your own last 6 months of posts - you have made about 100 and they were farily evenly distrubuted except that almost half were on the Rent/Trade Board .

Since June, 2005 almost 50% of your total posts have been on the Rent/Trade Board.

There is no perfect answer, but it seems this new rule is designed to address users who post almost exclusively on the rent/trade board. However, if someone really wants to rent points, they could just log in once a month and quickly post 10 replies, all saying something like "here is some pixy dust".

I do not post that often, but when I do post it is usually rather long and detailed. My post count may be low, but my word count is probably equal to someone with 5 times as many posts.

I applaud restricting users who only use this site to rent. However, for the rest of us who may only want to post to the rent/trade board once every few years; it seems there should be a different standard. For example, maybe users who have been members for over 1 year, or have more than 100 posts, or some similar criteria could be allowed two posts per year to the rent trade board.

On the other hand, maybe having someone like that who is an inexperienced renter, would do more harm than good. Personally, having never rented, if I had "extra points" I would only consider posting a points for transfer thread.

As it stands now, I have no intention to ever start a thread on the rent/trade board, so I "do not have a dog in this fight" but I would be interested in any comments on the above.

Chuck, or WebmasterDoc.any thoughts?

 

[Laurabearz]

With that said, under the new guidelines I dont think even I qualify to post on the rent/trade board, even with my 13,000 plus posts... since I have been mostly lurking the past year.... Luckily I have no plans to rent any points at the moment so I have time to work up my posting...

LOL! - I wish more would have been "lurking" like you! I just looked at your past 6 months of "lurking" and you have also contributed about 150 posts!

NO WAY!! Really?? Gee... anyone wanna rent some points???

Doc, I think you need a new DVC Whine Board. It seems the whining starts up every so often about "why can't I post a points for rent thread". Then we could all ignore those posts.

Or you could just ignore the threads.

Every time you post to one, it bumps it to the top of the forum where more people will see it.

But they are like a train wreck. You just have to read them when you see them.

 

[Chuck S]

There is no perfect answer, but it seems this new rule is designed to address users who post almost exclusively on the rent/trade board. However, if someone really wants to rent points, they could just log in once a month and quickly post 10 replies, all saying something like "here is some pixy dust".

I do not post that often, but when I do post it is usually rather long and detailed. My post count may be low, but my word count is probably equal to someone with 5 times as many posts.

I applaud restricting users who only use this site to rent. However, for the rest of us who may only want to post to the rent/trade board once every few years; it seems there should be a different standard. For example, maybe users who have been members for over 1 year, or have more than 100 posts, or some similar criteria could be allowed two posts per year to the rent trade board.

On the other hand, maybe having someone like that who is an inexperienced renter, would do more harm than good. Personally, having never rented, if I had "extra points" I would only consider posting a points for transfer thread.

As it stands now, I have no intention to ever start a thread on the rent/trade board, so I "do not have a dog in this fight" but I would be interested in any comments on the above.

Chuck, or WebmasterDoc.any thoughts?

The posts are reviewed for content by the R/T staff prior to approving the thread. Short "hit-n-run" posts like "Thanks for the info." or posts that are all smilies will not be considered as meeting the requirement. Posts need to contribute to the topic of the thread.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Thank goodness for the OLTL and AMC threads!!

This thread was started to observe the impact of the changes to R/T Thread since the inception of the new rules. The effects are pretty dramatic. The discussion keeps veering off to whether the rules should have been implemented as well as defensive responses of why they will never change. This is not the intent of this thread.

I do appreciate the analytical comments as they relate to the new data and it's interpretaion both economically and e-commerce. I would encourage more of these comments and less of the back and forth repetitive comments.

How did your rental experience go this time Hope? Was it easier to rent since there are fewer people renting (by a lot I've noticed!)? Or did it seem comparable to previous times that may indicate less people looking to rent here?

 

[RobDoc]

This thread was started to observe the impact of the changes to R/T Thread since the inception of the new rules. The effects are pretty dramatic. The discussion keeps veering off to whether the rules should have been implemented as well as defensive responses of why they will never change. This is not the intent of this thread.

I do appreciate the analytical comments as they relate to the new data and it's interpretaion both economically and e-commerce. I would encourage more of these comments and less of the back and forth repetitive comments.

I'd suggest taking a wait-and-see approach instead of looking for speculative answers. At this time we are 5 weeks into the new policy and I believe it's a bit early to predict the demise of the Rent/Trade Board since, as noted here, the policy seems to have caught many off-guard in spite of having been prominently posted on 4 boards over the past 4 months. My expectation is that many more posters will be able to meet the requirements as time goes on and the board will again be much more active.

My own observation is that it has been a seller's market in the past 5 weeks and those who have chosen to offer to rent points have been able to rent reservations in a relatively short period of time and for higher rates compared to the past. Your own "Points for Rent" thread was only on the board for 2 days before you marked it as CLOSED. Have your prior experiences been any better than that? It looks like your last rental thread in November took 8 days before you closed the thread, the one you posted in October only took 4 days and the one you posted in March, 2010 took only 2 days.

Stay tuned!

 

[mic_KY_mouses]

When the new rules were announced I initially felt hurt because I had been a member since 2001 and had spent a lot of time reading here, mostly research and entertainment related. I didn't have many posts because I didn't feel I had much to share past what had already been said.

I had used the R/T board for a few transfers and knew I would miss the opportunity if it were to go away.

I made the decision to try and meet the posting minimums and am trying to get there in case we have unneeded points in the future. I never thought about how the actual R/T board would be affected so quickly. It will be interesting to see how things go.

I do have a question though......piqued by the statement of a previous poster in this thread. Is the eventual demise of the R/T forum a goal for the future? I have never heard that anywhere, but wondered if these steps were being taken in a way to phase it out.

 

[RobDoc]

... Is the eventual demise of the R/T forum a goal for the future? I have never heard that anywhere, but wondered if these steps were being taken in a way to phase it out.

Nope! These steps are just trying to improve the DVC Rent/Trade Board.