Renter here..need your experience........again.

[LakeAriel]

Please tell me that a RENTER cannot rent out their reservation? Could someone have rented points cheap then sold the reservation, hence the different name? I really, really hope not!
Good luck,
I hope you get your dream vacation and if not your money back!

 

[VogelFamily]

Thank you to all for your concern. I am happy to report that on Sunday, I was able to get a hold of the individual whose name is on my confirmation. (I received this phone number from information.) She explained that she owns the property with her cousin. When I was asking this individual information she advised me to call member services. I know that she thought I would have greater peace of mind by doing this but I reminded her that as a renter, I did not have the privilege of calling. She was very gracious. She gave me a new cell number for the cousin which I promptly called but it, too, had been disconnected. I left another message on the home phone number and waited for a call. This number has no identifying message so I was hoping it to still be current.
Long story short, which I am not good at, the individual that I rented from called me on Monday evening after I left another message. She was very kind and reported that her cousins name was on the property but that she was the owner and that my reservation was fine. She stated that the confirmation was sent to her cousin in error but to save time she had the cousin forward on to me. The modification was simply her requesting a confirmation as the original was never received. As far as the phone numbers, she has gone back to previous cell provider and the number that was disconnected 2 days before is now good again and the new number is no longer valid. I have had the same address and phone number for 13 years but I realize not everyone is so lucky.
So...............everything seems to be fine. I choose to believe that 209 days from now I will be excitedly checking into the BCV. All of you DVC owners, does this sound right? Thanks.........Happy Day to everyone.....Heather

 

[Nanajo1]

When I was asking this individual information she advised me to call member services. I know that she thought I would have greater peace of mind by doing this but I reminded her that as a renter, I did not have the privilege of calling.

When I was reading the advice from some posters to call MS I got concerned that as a renter MS couldn't help you. Knowing what difficulty you had trying to reach the member you rented from I didn't know what recourse you had. I am thrilled that things worked out for you. This situation does highlight a problem that has been posted about renters needing/wanting to talk to MS because their contact member is unavailable. I don't know the solution. Maybe a whole new industry will be born. Members helping renters.

 

[Sammie]

Hey now, there are some very trustworthy people with only 37 or so posts here.

And probably some questionable ones with hundreds of posts, well not me of course.

I have no advice to add for the OP but I must say I have no idea how any of you rent, I would be a basket case on either end.

I bought my Mom a purse on Ebay and it almost gave me a stroke waiting for it to arrive and worrying I had been ripped off.

I could never book my vacation this way. The savings would never be enough. I would have to know the renter personally.

Best of luck to the OP for a happy resolution.

 

[riopooh]

I'm glad this is working out. I rented last year - we had 6 nights for my family, my sisters and my parents - I was a nervous wreck up until the minute I checked in and recieved my keys!!
You need alot of faith and pixie dust!!

 

[brasey]

I just bought in to SSR in January and I already rented points to cover a cruise in 2008. Call me crazy but I would never ask or expect someone to put up 50% for a booking unless it was for something in the immediate future. I asked for 25% after they rec. confirmation and then set up a final payment after deciding with both parties a good time frame. I have kept up good communications with these people and have tried my hardest to accomodate them. Low posts really dont mean much but I think it would be wise to actually read the posts being done. The member should have been up front and explained a lot of these details before even booking and it would have save a lot of headache.

 

[isyt]

I am glad that everything has and hopefully will workout!!! I agree that is very stressful on renters and the owners. As a owner I always try to keep up good communication with people who rent from me. I would never want to have someone stress about their vacation. I have talked to several people and enjoyed my new friends. I hope you don't spend the next months worrying about your trip!!! Now you can start planning your dining !!

 

[rinkwide]

...This situation does highlight a problem that has been posted about renters needing/wanting to talk to MS because their contact member is unavailable...

Apparently this is a little-known fact: As long as your name is on the reservation you may call Member Services directly.

This makes renting points super-easy and reduces a lot of stress. Your member makes the ressie, you call in to confirm it and then you send your deposit. Pizza cake.

 

[greenban]

I'm as paranoid as they come. You have all the 'worry' signs present.

Prior poor communications with the Owner
Now no communications with the Owner
Incorrect info on the Disney Confirmation that could be due to MS or the Owner.
A relative newbie on the DIS.

These items would make me run like heck, and contact PayPal and your Credit Card if that is how you paid PayPal.

BUT....

In my gut, I believe you're safe. Probably the address and name are the 'real' owner of the membership (an elderly parent or relative), and the 'Owner' you are dealing with is an assoicate member. If MS confirms the ressie still exisit under your name, then it is there, check 9AM Monday, if not immediately contact PayPal and your CC.

Also, you may be getting a re-rent, when the original renter cancelled due to the Owner's lack of response.

Was this a bargain deal or did you pay the going rate? If it was a Bargain, my 'worry' would go up a notch!

Good luck, and please let us know how it all works out, I predict (opening the envelope), that all is fine, and you'll have a great Vacation!

-Tony

Dear Vogels!

Great News! Enjoy your vacation......


and.........

Not to brag, or anything about my prognastic abilities, but Whooooo Hooooo.

-Tony

P.S. I'm not the rOwner

 

[LIFERBABE]

Apparently this is a little-known fact: As long as your name is on the reservation you may call Member Services directly.

This makes renting points super-easy and reduces a lot of stress. Your member makes the ressie, you call in to confirm it and then you send your deposit. Pizza cake.

If you are not the member, you can call MS for 3 things: Confirmation, Magical Express and Dining Plan. They are not supposed to provide any other services to non members.

 

[rinkwide]

They are not supposed to provide any other services to non members.

You forgot to mention that Member Services will be happy to assist them in making all of their Advance Dining Reservations.

 

[greenban]

You forgot to mention that Member Services will be happy to assist them in making all of their Advance Dining Reservations.

True, but more importantly you forgot to give me accolades for being right. Sometimes I feel that everyone has me on ignore!

-Tony

 

[rinkwide]

...

Sorry, did you say something?

 

[ILuvDVC2]

In the future, it is wise to rent only from those with a high number of posts, and a track record on these Boards.

I don't have a ton of posts on the DIS, but that doesn't mean that I'm not an honorable person who is simply trying to rent his points. I've never rented my points before, so I listed them here because I enjoy the DIS and like the community. Your comment implies that people should be wary of renting from me or others like me. I know there are horror stories from others on this board who have had bad experiences with DVC owner/renters, but I am only renting my points because I can't bank them. If I could use them myself, I would. In fact, for most of the requests people have asked me about, I will be dipping into my next use year to fulfill their request.

Trying to rent my points has been very stressful thus far, and I just want it to work out. Sure, there is financial gain on my side, but I care more about helping people have a great vacation by staying at a DVC resort.

 

[greenban]

I don't have a ton of posts on the DIS, but that doesn't mean that I'm not an honorable person who is simply trying to rent his points. I've never rented my points before, so I listed them here because I enjoy the DIS and like the community. Your comment implies that people should be wary of renting from me or others like me. I know there are horror stories from others on this board who have had bad experiences with DVC owner/renters, but I am only renting my points because I can't bank them. If I could use them myself, I would. In fact, for most of the requests people have asked me about, I will be dipping into my next use year to fulfill their request.

Trying to rent my points has been very stressful thus far, and I just want it to work out. Sure, there is financial gain on my side, but I care more about helping people have a great vacation by staying at a DVC resort.

And while all you have said is no doubt true, from the heart and rather nice, I believe you will have a harder time renting than an experienced renter, with a combination of more prior rentals, referrences, more posts and more experience.

Please, this is not a knock of you, or other 'Newbies', but just like insurance companies charge more to insure red cars of a perticular model, so it is with renters.

Those with more experience, don't make the same errors that a newer Owner has to experience. I had 4 people try to transfer un-transferrable points to me since January! I've seen (on the R/T board) newbies say they can rent sold out times (first week in Dec) when they've been unavailable for weeks. Same thing for wrong info on the DME for 2007, or # of people in a room, or the DVC-Dining plan, or pool hoping, or.........

None of these individuals is 'evil', they are just learning the ropes, so unless you get lucky, or discount your points, I believe it is harder for you as a group to rent, when going against an experienced Owner, with referrences, a contract, etc.

However, all of us, Newbie, Intermediate and Experienced, all strated with our first rental as a newbie, so you just have to keepon trying. You first rental maybe a little more work, but not impossible.

Good luck!

-Tony

 

[VogelFamily]

First things First, Tony you were correct. I shall be first in line to acknowledge your greatness! But in all seriousness, your thoughtful, level-headed, unbiased insight was very comforting to me. And to you, Jim, Bill and others,Thank you.

I realize I have few posts myself but have been a lurker since well before our first trip in 2003. Some in my family would even imply that I have an addiction to checking the boards regularly, well before I ever posted. That being said, if I were to do the whole process over, I would not rent from someone with few or no previous posts. That statment is not meant to be judgemental, I just have the inexperience and would have best been served by someone who DOES have lots of experience. I am as trustworthy and true to my word as they come but I can't expect "you" to know that until I have proven myself. This has most definitely been a very stressful process for me. While losing the deposit would certainly be unfortunate and require me to change my plans, having to deal with the last minute unknowns would be far more traumatic to me. I still have no guarantee that my reservation will be there in Ocotber. Hence, the trust factor and the "value" of having a history or reputation here on the boards. I knew exactly what I was doing and the risk involved when I rented these points. However, I underestimated the amount of worry that I would allow to consume me. I do not leave things to chance and the fact that I really have no control is the bigger issue for me personally. I should have known this but lesson learned.

As far as personally contacting Member Services, I have confirmed my reservation and when/if I decide to add on the dining plan, I am comfortable calling and adding this on. I do not understand the process nor feel it is my privilige to do more than this. It is taking all my restraint to not call and verify the reservation weekly but I am working on it. I called when I could not reach my owner and had never gotten a confirmation and I will call again at the 31 day mark before I pay balance. Just before we leave, I imagine I will call to add on dining and make sure that all is still ok.

I will not call more than that, I will not call more than that, I will not call more than that. I will not call more than that.

I have received wonderfully helpful information and support here. Thank you more than I can say............................Heather

 

[Nanajo1]

It is the old quandry. How do you get experience if no one will hire you without experience? As far as the number of posts is concerned I think the quality of the posts is more important. I've seen threads where the same poster has posted to the same thread several times without anyone else posting in between! Was this post padding?
What safeguards are out there to protect both the owner and the renter?

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Sorry, did you say something?

 

[rinkwide]

I will not call more than that, I will not call more than that, I will not call more than that. I will not call more than that.

That's just fine if you really have no need for the services available to you through MS. But if you don't call because you feel pressured by some of the messages you've read on these boards, well, that's unacceptable.

Such nuanced elitism, which may be apropos down at the country club, has no place in DVC.

 

[DaveT1]

True, but more importantly you forgot to give me accolades for being right. Sometimes I feel that everyone has me on ignore!

-Tony

Technically only your Gut was right, the rest was ready to run.