Rented Points - Need Help

[Deb & Bill]

You might suggest to your owner that you split the cost of the vacation and they only take what they would need to pay the annual fees on the number of points they used. Then you get the rest. It's not the best suggestion, but it might possibly be agreeable with the owner of the points.

 

[bashuck]

Many people who rent points directly do not use a contracts.

Obviously many, if not all, owners will disagree with my above comment. But renters have a different point of view. We didn’t ask the owner to rent us points that would be expiring if for some reason the resorts were closed on our dates. We asked the owner to rent us points; it’s not our problem the owner decided to use expiring points if the points when unused. That’s on the owner. (And, again, I understand this is not the circumstance in every situation and subject to valid contractual terms).

All points expire sometime. They didn't have the 'non-expiring' bucket of points to chose from and decided against it.

 

[msjprincess]

Yes, you did. All DVC points expire.
The OP mentioned they rented from the rent/trade forum on this site. All posts mention rentals through date or the use year.

This would be irresponsible on both parties.

As an owner who would rent...
If there was no contract, then I believe that the owner is responsible.
If there is a contract that does not cover Force Majeure, then I think both parties should split the loss and the owner should return at least 50% of the agreed amount.

Yes I think it's unusual for an owner not to mention when the points need to be used by.

 

[Tbella]

I rented points from an owner who never provided me with a contract, but did state that the reservation is non refundable in an email. The reservation was during a period where the parks were closed, beginning of April. The owner is proving difficult to work with and communicating as if she is doing me a favor checking alternative dates for me, and at this point, not responding to emails. Is there a DVC email where I can contact someone to alert them to her not providing me with a contract?

 

[Marionnette]

I rented points from an owner who never provided me with a contract, but did state that the reservation is non refundable in an email. The reservation was during a period where the parks were closed, beginning of April. The owner is proving difficult to work with and communicating as if she is doing me a favor checking alternative dates for me, and at this point, not responding to emails. Is there a DVC email where I can contact someone to alert them to her not providing me with a contract?

DVC considers your agreement with the owner to be outside of their domain. They will not step in to assist in settling any rental disputes. FWIW, DVC requires a contract, not for the protection of the renter, but so that renters understand DVC's rules for the use of the villa.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Disney will not get involved, period. The rental transaction is not with them, and they will not arbitrate or make good.

 

[FindMeInFantasyland]

I'm in the same boat. I was out of points so I rented 190 points expiring soon. It definitely makes me wish I would have made reservations direct with Disney. It was a risk I took that normally works perfectly but if DVC can't offer flexibility on the expiration date the owner will not be able to help me.

 

[Tbella]

Thanks for all your answers. I know Disney won't get involved but simply wanted to make them aware that owners are not following their rules.

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks for all your answers. I know Disney won't get involved but simply wanted to make them aware that owners are not following their rules.

What would you hope to accomplish by doing that?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for all your answers. I know Disney won't get involved but simply wanted to make them aware that owners are not following their rules.

DVC doesn't care. There aren't any rules for owner to rent their points other than they should use a contract and they cannot be commercial renters (20 or more reservations a year). They are not fond of owners renting out their points to begin with, even though it is permitted. My guess is that DVC is a bit giddy that so many owners who rent are having problems. They've always tried to prevent renting and failed.

 

[Tbella]

What would you hope to accomplish by doing that?

Notify them and hopefully they would encourage owners to follow rules. Why have rules if you don't know if they are being followed?

 

[Sandisw]

Notify them and hopefully they would encourage owners to follow rules. Why have rules if you don't know if they are being followed?

If you have an email that shows everything, that would be considered a contract as it outlined things for you,

 

[Tbella]

If you have an email that shows everything, that would be considered a contract as it outlined things for you,

Unfortunately I don't. The emails simply states it is a nonrefundable reservation but nothing about being able to rebook. Oh well, lesson learned. Too bad because I had a couple of great experiences renting points.

 

[Sandisw]

Unfortunately I don't. The emails simply states it is a nonrefundable reservation but nothing about being able to rebook. Oh well, lesson learned. Too bad because I had a couple of great experiences renting points.

There is nothing that requires the DVC owner to provide a contract with any specific terms. We just have to provide the renter with something that explains the specific terms we want,

It is frustrating, I know and I am sorry that you don’t have many options at this point.

 

[Miffy]

I hope that in the future people here on the DIS will stop mentioning renting points as some great, low-risk, money-saving choice for naive vacationers who post asking how best to spend their lodging dollars. I've seen so many threads here over the last few years lauding the point-renting process as the absolute best way to get great accommodations at a discount. Many other posters will chime in, recounting their fabulous point-renting, money-saving experiences.

Whenever I add to the conversation by reminding the potential renter that renting points is almost always a nonrefundable situation and recount various scenarios of what might happen--although pandemic was not on the list--people just ignore me. They want the bargain. They would never have to cancel themselves, they're utterly certain they'll be able to go, their dates are fixed and firm, and they can't imagine anything bad happening.

Yet this extended closure has happened and renters are upset.

I've had so many odd things happen to get in the way of WDW vacations that I myself knew never to rent points. I've had to reschedule trips because of bad weather and had one trip where I had to leave several days early after I got really sick. WDW was super accommodating in both instances--rescheduling my trip twice during a major blizzard in the Northeast and refunding my money for the days left on my reservation that I didn't use the time I got sick.

I'm not saying I'm right and no one listened to me. What I'm trying to get across is that I hope that all the pain that owners and renters are experiencing right now will be an integral part of the renting-points discussions in the future. I realize that after WDW is back to full operations no one will care about this or remember it, but maybe someone will see this thread through a search and at the very least understand that nonrefundable means exactly that.

It doesn't matter whose fault it is that the reservation can't be fulfilled. It's nonrefundable. It'd be nice if some of the owners split the difference with their renters, but I understand why many can't or won't. The risk of renting is all on the renter, and that should be made absolutely clear in the future.

Edited to fix typo

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Unfortunately I don't. The emails simply states it is a nonrefundable reservation but nothing about being able to rebook. Oh well, lesson learned. Too bad because I had a couple of great experiences renting points.

Owners rebooking is a rarity at the best of times.

 

[luvthatmouseinohio]

My rental isn't even until Thanksgiving but I'm already anticipating a complete loss. With another surge of the virus likely in the fall, I really don't think I'll feel comfortable with being in the themeparks even if they are open. And who knows ... the parks and/or resorts could be closed again. I contacted the owner already to cancel, since the points clearly will not expire until at least December and he's not in immediate danger of losing them, but he is not willing to offer any type of refund. I would have been happy if he would just refund half of my $1,800+, but no such luck. When I asked about rescheduling sometime in 2021, he said that would be a conversation to have down the road with DVC. To be frank, he's not real concerned what happens since he has been paid in full and it's not really his problem. My biggest consideration is not the loss of money, although it hurts because I used my Christmas bonus to pay for this reservation ... ouch! My main concern is my 75-year-old mother who has COPD and lives with me ... I could not be selfish enough to take a vacation and put her at risk. God forbid I contracted the virus and gave it to her ... she likely wouldn't survive.

Most of us renters are obviously looking for a deal. I'm a single mom and I can't afford to pay those crazy high rack rates to stay at AKL with a savanna view. So we take a chance and roll the dice, and most of the time it works out well. I've rented in the past from an owner on eBay at OKW, and a few times from Wyndham owners at Bonnet Creek. This was my first time renting through an owner on this forum and truly I am not angry with him, although I do think if I were in his position I would at least refund half. Since he owns over 500 points at AKL he probably is in a better financial situation than me, but even so, he is not obligated to do anything. I totally get it, but it is highly unlikely I will rent DVC, or any timeshare, again in the future.

With all this said, I will count myself as fortunate if I get through this pandemic with only the loss of a Christmas bonus and a missed Disney trip. Many have, and will, lose so much more. It's always good to keep things in perspective my fellow Disney fans. All of you, be well.

 

[Marionnette]

My rental isn't even until Thanksgiving but I'm already anticipating a complete loss. With another surge of the virus likely in the fall, I really don't think I'll feel comfortable with being in the themeparks even if they are open. And who knows ... the parks and/or resorts could be closed again. I contacted the owner already to cancel, since the points clearly will not expire until at least December and he's not in immediate danger of losing them, but he is not willing to offer any type of refund. I would have been happy if he would just refund half of my $1,800+, but no such luck. When I asked about rescheduling sometime in 2021, he said that would be a conversation to have down the road with DVC. To be frank, he's not real concerned what happens since he has been paid in full and it's not really his problem. My biggest consideration is not the loss of money, although it hurts because I used my Christmas bonus to pay for this reservation ... ouch! My main concern is my 75-year-old mother who has COPD and lives with me ... I could not be selfish enough to take a vacation and put her at risk. God forbid I contracted the virus and gave it to her ... she likely wouldn't survive.

Most of us renters are obviously looking for a deal. I'm a single mom and I can't afford to pay those crazy high rack rates to stay at AKL with a savanna view. So we take a chance and roll the dice, and most of the time it works out well. I've rented in the past from an owner on eBay at OKW, and a few times from Wyndham owners at Bonnet Creek. This was my first time renting through an owner on this forum and truly I am not angry with him, although I do think if I were in his position I would at least refund half. Since he owns over 500 points at AKL he probably is in a better financial situation than me, but even so, he is not obligated to do anything. I totally get it, but it is highly unlikely I will rent DVC, or any timeshare, again in the future.

With all this said, I will count myself as fortunate if I get through this pandemic with only the loss of a Christmas bonus and a missed Disney trip. Many have, and will, lose so much more. It's always good to keep things in perspective my fellow Disney fans. All of you, be well.

Have you asked whether the owner would be willing to rent out your reservation to another family and refund a most of your payment back to you? IMO, it wouldn’t be an unreasonable request. You would get some, but not all, of your payment back (consider it the price paid for peace of mind). The owner gets paid by the new renter and keeps part of your funds as well. Tell him that obviously you would only expect the partial refund if he is able to rent the confirmed reservation to another party. He might be more flexible under those terms.

 

[fsjking]

I rented points from an owner who never provided me with a contract, but did state that the reservation is non refundable in an email. The reservation was during a period where the parks were closed, beginning of April. The owner is proving difficult to work with and communicating as if she is doing me a favor checking alternative dates for me, and at this point, not responding to emails. Is there a DVC email where I can contact someone to alert them to her not providing me with a contract?

If they've stopped responding, you could always have a lawyer send them a letter. In your case, it sounds like they are just choosing to double dip. There may not be any teeth to it, but it might scare an owner back to the table and get them to rebook. Up to you if you want to pursue that route, but if the alternative is losing out completely...

 

[LAX]

My rental isn't even until Thanksgiving but I'm already anticipating a complete loss. With another surge of the virus likely in the fall, I really don't think I'll feel comfortable with being in the themeparks even if they are open. And who knows ... the parks and/or resorts could be closed again. I contacted the owner already to cancel, since the points clearly will not expire until at least December and he's not in immediate danger of losing them, but he is not willing to offer any type of refund. I would have been happy if he would just refund half of my $1,800+, but no such luck. When I asked about rescheduling sometime in 2021, he said that would be a conversation to have down the road with DVC. To be frank, he's not real concerned what happens since he has been paid in full and it's not really his problem. My biggest consideration is not the loss of money, although it hurts because I used my Christmas bonus to pay for this reservation ... ouch! My main concern is my 75-year-old mother who has COPD and lives with me ... I could not be selfish enough to take a vacation and put her at risk. God forbid I contracted the virus and gave it to her ... she likely wouldn't survive.

Most of us renters are obviously looking for a deal. I'm a single mom and I can't afford to pay those crazy high rack rates to stay at AKL with a savanna view. So we take a chance and roll the dice, and most of the time it works out well. I've rented in the past from an owner on eBay at OKW, and a few times from Wyndham owners at Bonnet Creek. This was my first time renting through an owner on this forum and truly I am not angry with him, although I do think if I were in his position I would at least refund half. Since he owns over 500 points at AKL he probably is in a better financial situation than me, but even so, he is not obligated to do anything. I totally get it, but it is highly unlikely I will rent DVC, or any timeshare, again in the future.

With all this said, I will count myself as fortunate if I get through this pandemic with only the loss of a Christmas bonus and a missed Disney trip. Many have, and will, lose so much more. It's always good to keep things in perspective my fellow Disney fans. All of you, be well.

Did you by chance purchase good travel insurance for this trip? If there isn't a resort closure by then, some insurance policies would cover at least portions of the nonrefundable costs (the cancel for any reason type). With an elderly parent having underlying conditions, lots of other things can potentially go wrong even without COVID-19. Best of luck and hope everything works out for you and your family.

LAX