Rental question - checking reservation

[Karrie Davis]

We are renting points for the first time but we want to check the reservation before sending final payment. We called MS but found out that they will not talk with non members at all. Where or who do I call to confirm this reservation is still in our name. We think this transaction will be fine but really want to cover our behinds where ever we can We are planning on this working out great and buying points ourselves, I just have to show myself that the 1 & 2 bedrooms are helpful to our young family who also happens to be addicted to DW I would hate to fly from Denver and find out that we have no place to stay..... Or have to stay at some cheep off site hotel for what we paid to rent plus the new hotel price.....

Thanks
Karrie

 

[Granny]

Hopefully you have an agreement that spells out what the DVC owner and you each are obliged to do. That should offer some comfort.

The usual way to let someone know they have the reservation is to send them a copy of the reservation confirmation that Disney will send out once a reservation is made. You should have that a couple of weeks after the reservation is made.

About a week prior to your arrival, I think that you can also contact the resort directly to confirm the details of your reservation. Of course, the member will require full payment well before that.

With point rentals, there is an element of trust on both sides. Hopefully you have found someone you feel you can trust...just like anyone else you would deal with for any other purchase or transaction.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip!

 

[Cmbar]

When did they stop allowing renters to call and confirm a reservation. I did it last year and several other times before. Changed reservation information even. Is this new, or was I really not allowed to do that?

 

[robinb]

When did they stop allowing renters to call and confirm a reservation. I did it last year and several other times before. Changed reservation information even. Is this new, or was I really not allowed to do that?

Renters are not allowed to even verify reservations now. I have to say that I am shocked that Member Services allowed a non-member to make changes to a reservation last year. Yikes!

OP, even if the reservation is in YOUR name when you send final payment the DVC member can change it at any time, even up to the day your reservation starts. You have to trust the DVC member in order to get your bargain.

ETA: Trust is the major issue why I recommend that renters rent from established DIS members and not total newbies. Newbies may be perfectly on the up-and-up but someone with only a few posts has nothing to lose in the DIS community by taking advantage of a trusting renter.

 

[JimMIA]

When did they stop allowing renters to call and confirm a reservation. I did it last year and several other times before. Changed reservation information even. Is this new, or was I really not allowed to do that?

It's a very recent change -- about two weeks ago, I think.

You'll have to have the member you rented from make any changes, add DDP or DME, etc. Many owners who rent do those things by conference call with the renter.

As Granny said, you can call the resort directly shortly before your trip for final verification.

 

[Karrie Davis]

Thanks everyone. I did call the resort and it is still in our name. I had agrees to send a money order or certified bank check but did just ask to send it via paypal. I feel silly to admit this but I don't know her ID but did send her an email asking what it is, I am pretty sure she is a regular. She rents most of her points because she moved to Orlando and even works at Disney since she bought DVC From talking with her over the phone I felt pretty comfortable but want to cover my tail as much as I can. I offered to split the fees, hopefully that will be fine to pay with paypal.

How safe is a MO or certified check? I bought something with a MO one time and lost my money. I did find out from a lawyer that you have little recourse with a money order. I do have everything in writing and the DVC confirmation though...

 

[PamOKW]

Just as an aside to others who may be reading this thread...

DVC/Disney is being sure to take themselves out of the rental process. They never wanted to be part of it and the more interaction they have with non-members the more a case might be made that they condone/assist the practice. It's not Disney's responsibility to guarantee your transaction with a private individual.

I know it's scary and it's nice that you still have the option of calling the resort directly to see if it's in your name. However, that really doesn't mean anything more than that a reservation was made for you at that time. The owner can always cancel. Dealing with a DVC member to use their reservation is no different than renting a ski house or summer camp from an individual. In those cases, there is no one to call and verify. You just have to depend on the written agreement that you have with the person.

I'm surprised at the number of posters I've seen lately who have forgotten the name of who they have rented from or don't have the e-mail etc. You are spending your own money and need to take the time to be sure you've got a proper transaction set up. You should also establish that the person is renting you their personally owned points. Some people have begun businesses where they gather points from multiple members and then run a rental business. DVC has stated that they are going to begin taking steps to bring these businesses to a halt. It would be prudent to try and avoid renting from these type of set-ups.

People should also remember that renting is not the only way to stay at DVC resorts. You can always book directly with Disney just like you book other hotels. Generally, it will cost more but if you are staying over a weekend and/or get a discount the difference may not be all that substantial and provides you with the security of dealing with Disney.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just as an aside to others who may be reading this thread...

DVC/Disney is being sure to take themselves out of the rental process. They never wanted to be part of it and the more interaction they have with non-members the more a case might be made that they condone/assist the practice. It's not Disney's responsibility to guarantee your transaction with a private individual.

I know it's scary and it's nice that you still have the option of calling the resort directly to see if it's in your name. However, that really doesn't mean anything more than that a reservation was made for you at that time. The owner can always cancel. Dealing with a DVC member to use their reservation is no different than renting a ski house or summer camp from an individual. In those cases, there is no one to call and verify. You just have to depend on the written agreement that you have with the person.

I'm surprised at the number of posters I've seen lately who have forgotten the name of who they have rented from or don't have the e-mail etc. You are spending your own money and need to take the time to be sure you've got a proper transaction set up. You should also establish that the person is renting you their personally owned points. Some people have begun businesses where they gather points from multiple members and then run a rental business. DVC has stated that they are going to begin taking steps to bring these businesses to a halt. It would be prudent to try and avoid renting from these type of set-ups.

People should also remember that renting is not the only way to stay at DVC resorts. You can always book directly with Disney just like you book other hotels. Generally, it will cost more but if you are staying over a weekend and/or get a discount the difference may not be all that substantial and provides you with the security of dealing with Disney.

Excellent post, Pam, and one that should be archived for future reference!