Rented Points: Disappointed in Humanity

[TexasChick123]

Wow... that is trust!

It does, but we spoke on the phone and felt good about it. Also, my husband and I hold jobs where our state licenses are verifiable to anyone who chooses to look, so we’re easy to track down. He obviously confirmed who I was with the Orange County Comptroller’s website when I sent him my name and member number for the transfer.

 

[larissawbb]

For what? - this is a broken contract, a civil matter that police wouldn't get involved in. Her option is to sue in small claims court.

I only mentioned it because a few years ago a Ohio woman named Lisa Andres was arrested and charged for scamming people with fake dvc reservations. She got four years prison. You would hope that would have been a deterrent.

 

[crisi]

That was a case of fraud - she didn't own the points she was renting. This doesn't seem to be fraud, its a contract violation.

 

[zavandor]

A bit of warning on transfering points.
Since transfering is a final transaction and officially money cannot be involved, owners often (if not always) require full payment upfront for the transfer. It makes sense because after transfering the point if the renter won't pay there is nothing the owner can do.
Scamming someone this way could be even easier because you don't have to provide a reservation number before getting paid.
Transfering points has the same level of risk as renting (low). The only advantage is that you won't find yourself at WDW without a room, if this can be of any consolation.

 

[cruisin5]

A bit of warning on transfering points.
Since transfering is a final transaction and officially money cannot be involved, owners often (if not always) require full payment upfront for the transfer. It makes sense because after transfering the point if the renter won't pay there is nothing the owner can do.
Scamming someone this way could be even easier because you don't have to provide a reservation number before getting paid.
Transfering points has the same level of risk as renting (low). The only advantage is that you won't find yourself at WDW without a room, if this can be of any consolation.

This. Exactly.

While there is no risk once the points are transferred there is a potential for an issue as payment for the points is typically required before the transfer happens.

 

[TexasChick123]

This. Exactly.

While there is no risk once the points are transferred there is a potential for an issue as payment for the points is typically required before the transfer happens.

I have found that a 3-way call to MS is a good tactic. Also, you should always talk on the phone to whomever you are doing a transfer with. This isn't foolproof, but it does at least reduce the chance of fraud.

 

[zavandor]

I have found that a 3-way call to MS is a good tactic. Also, you should always talk on the phone to whomever you are doing a transfer with. This isn't foolproof, but it does at least reduce the chance of fraud.

But before doing the three way call you would have to pay all the money in advance. So your scammer could give you an appointment and just not call you.

 

[TexasChick123]

The way I did it once was that I paid the money after the points were moved while we were on the call. I mean it would be pretty ballsy to have someone on the phone when the other person hangs up while speaking with MS. Obviously, there is risk to everything, but I was simply suggesting a way to lessen the risk, not eliminate it completely. That doesn't exist.

 

[sarah4770]

OP, I am sorry this happened to you. I had someone scam me one time, and it takes a while to get over it.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

THEN...on the 3rd BWV night(s) I had rented points for the very first time in order to extend our standard studios for one more night. This was all done in June, 2017 (11 months prior). Though I was very nervous about renting in general, I did my due diligence prior to and after the transaction. I found him on this board..

Well that is a terrible thing to do, and he should admit what took place and reimburse you. I’ve needed extra points a few times when having a reunion etc but I wont rent. I plan early and wait till I find points that can be transferred to me from another member. With transfer points I book the reservation immediately by phone because you can’t see the transfer points but I control the reservation once made which I can then see in my upcoming vacations.

 

[hertamaniac]

Thank you. Yes. Showing up while checking into BLT. Showing up while checking into first 2 days at BWV. (my points)

I think it was a real learning experience for me that no matter how diligent and responsible you are, other people and other factors can sometimes get in the way. I'm going to be trying desperately to not change the way I 'try' to look at things.

First, I am deeply saddened by this happening to you and your family. A, I'll call it therapeutic, getaway at WDW got tainted (and your attitude determined to what magnitude it would effect you). I applaud your perspective.

Know this, there will be atonement if this was a deliberate and malicious act of deception (or at least that's the way I would look at this). What does your experience do for me? To give you thanks for posting this publicly as your "paying-it-forward" about potential pitfalls in similar situations; I fully expect you will get rewarded down the line.

 

[mustinjourney]

Agreed, to each his/her own. That said, there are ways to minimize the risk of loss. As others have said, David's at least will work to reduce your $$ loss, though that doesn't help if you've paid for airfare and made other plans in reliance on the rental actually happening. "Knowing" the owner you're renting from also helps - I have rented from people who I felt like I knew here (not naming names, but you know who you are ) and ones I did not. For the ones I didn't know at all, I was somewhat comforted by having a written contract.

@DVCjj, did you have a written contract with this owner? If so, he breached his contract with you because he did not provide the points you paid for, and it would be relatively easy to prove. Just a thought.

yes -- easy to prove -- but expensive if not impossible to collect. Who wants that headache over $500? And likely in another state?

 

[mustinjourney]

A bit of warning on transfering points.
Since transfering is a final transaction and officially money cannot be involved, owners often (if not always) require full payment upfront for the transfer. It makes sense because after transfering the point if the renter won't pay there is nothing the owner can do.
Scamming someone this way could be even easier because you don't have to provide a reservation number before getting paid.
Transfering points has the same level of risk as renting (low). The only advantage is that you won't find yourself at WDW without a room, if this can be of any consolation.

I used the timeshare store as an escrow agent for transferring points into my account last year. That took all of the risk off of me and the seller. It was a very easy transaction.

 

[Henwen88]

I used the timeshare store as an escrow agent for transferring points into my account last year. That took all of the risk off of me and the seller. It was a very easy transaction.

I didn't know they did this. What a great idea! How much did they charge for this service?

 

[Marionnette]

I used the timeshare store as an escrow agent for transferring points into my account last year. That took all of the risk off of me and the seller. It was a very easy transaction.

I would love to hear more about this. Was this thru an owner who listed points with TTS or did you find the owner on your own and then make arrangements to broker it thru TTS? I've considered a points transfer a few times but the risk on both sides has been enough to prevent me from doing it.

 

[TexasChick123]

I didn't know they did this. What a great idea! How much did they charge for this service?

I would love to hear more about this. Was this thru an owner who listed points with TTS or did you find the owner on your own and then make arrangements to broker it thru TTS? I've considered a points transfer a few times but the risk on both sides has been enough to prevent me from doing it.

One of y’all should call and ask and share details. TTS is very responsive and I’ve like talking with them in the past.

 

[CMNJ]

So we rented in 2015 from Timeshare store but I believe it works the same for transfers (at least it did back then because o inquired about that too). When they have one avail that you want you contact them and they will have you PayPal the money to them (not positive but you might be able to send a check if it is far enough out). Once they confirm the funds the owner will transfer the points to you. Then you call member services to confirm and once you do you tell the timeshare store. They then release the funds to the owner.
I will say the vast majority of transfers I have seen listed are for SSR/OKW/off site locations so it isn’t like they have tons of highly desirable points (poly, BLT, VGF, etc) avail for transfer

 

[gparr]

My experiences have been nothing but positive - buying and selling.

I have rented since 2009 from many different individuals. Easy year I purchased one contract resale and banked my points for 2018 UY. I the purchased another contract and immediately put my 2017 points up for transfer (since the purchaser could bank them). They were "sold" in a day. The purchaser looked up my deed etc to make sure I was truthful. I offered a 3-way call to make the transfer of which was declined. The purchaser deposited the payment into my PayPal account and I immediately made the call to transfer. Very smoothly...and will do it again. I will be purchasing yet another contract and I am sure I will sell the 2018 points to help offset the costs of the contract.

 

[DVCjj]

One of y’all should call and ask and share details. TTS is very responsive and I’ve like talking with them in the past.

I used the TTS several years ago with my first transfer. Very easy and painless. Only thing is they ‘usually’ have SSR points available (they told me so many other resorts are transferred privately) which means booking at 7 months if you want other resort reservation.

 

[TexasChick123]

I used the TTS several years ago with my first transfer. Very easy and painless. Only thing is they ‘usually’ have SSR points available (they told me so many other resorts are transferred privately) which means booking at 7 months if you want other resort reservation.

How much did they charge you for this?