Renter Issue - Opinion Wanted

[lat]

Just for discussion. If you don't care about this topic, please do not reply.

I have a 2-br and a studio reserved for a family at BCV for early October for 6 nights. The reservation was made at the 11-month window. I have not spoken to them since then, after I got the 20% deposit.

However, I have not yet received the final payment which was due by 8/3. I tried to call and e-mail, but am not getting an answer either. I have people who want this week but I can't rent it because I feel I am obligated to hold the reservation for this family.

However, I borrowed points to make this reservation for them and I have a December use year, which means, I don't want to cancel because I don't have much time left to use these points.

What should I do? I figured I will wait another week, but I am getting very concerned. I don't want to rent these rooms to someone else while I don't want to be screwed. It is a chunk of points for me.

Another renter, who was a great Diser, unexpectedly died 2 weeks ago. Her husband e-mailed me and told me about her death. I am extremely sad because I got to know her over the years and this will be the 3rd year she was renting from me. She loved the Boardwalk. I made a reservation for her, day by day, right at 9am, for a Boardwalk view studio for 12/26-12/31.

I have been debating if I should contact the husband to confirm if they still plan to go. Kind of doubt it, but I don't have the heart to ask. What is your suggestion?

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

 

[RobDoc]

Assuming you have a contract with your rental, I'd send a certified letter (return receipt requested on delivery) indicating that, per their agreement with you, they are late with their final payment. Since they're already late, I'd give them 2 days to send full payment or their reservation won't be valid and their deposit will be forfeited (assuming that is included in your agreement with them. Most importantly, once that final date passes without contact from them, I'd follow thru with the stipulations stated.

I would also contact your other renter to confirm their interest in the reservation. That's a tough one!

Good luck!

 

[lulu71]

Ugghh! Sounds like two pretty sticky situations.

As to the payment past due person, maybe you could send an email with a read receipt (if your email software does this) saying they must reply within xx amount of time or the ressie will be lost. Did the people sign a contract? If so, you are at least protected if they never get back to you. I understand how you feel though, when I rented points I prayed this didn't happen, as I would feel terrible cancelling someone's reservation but know that I have to protect myself.

Good luck with the other situation and sorry to hear about your friend.

 

[Dean]

On the first. If you've emailed and called, I'd send a quick note to their address if you have it. Keep trying by phone and email as well. Keep notes of your attempts. If you get no response within a week or so, I'd definitely let someone else have it assuming you were clear on the terms. It would be up to you whether to reimburse any "profit" the second rental generated, I'd be inclined not to unless there were extenuating circumstances.

I've had this happen a couple of times. In both cases it was simply an honest oversight and misunderstandings. When I do rent, my rules are to protect me, not allow me to take advantage of others. Thus I give them every opportunity to get what they rented. And this is the reason I try to stay out of the end of a use year and try to stay with current points when possible.

As for the second issue, I'd guess you should contact the husband. You certainly don't want to get stuck with him expecting the rental and you've let it go, though it sounds unlikely this would be the case. Good luck, I hope it works out.

 

[DIZNYFAN]

Send a registered letter it is to easy to get past the read reciept on an e mail. A registered letter requires them to go to the post office to recieve it or to sign for it when it is delivered. Atleast that way you will know if they have gotten it and have something to go by. Hope this helps.

 

[lat]

Thanks for your advices.

I never had problem with people's payments. I don't use contracts unless the renter wants one because I never had any problem until now. I always refund the renter if something happens and never keep their deposit.

I was a little reluctant to make reservation for this family's date and strongly encouraged them to find other member with BCV points. I told them if I borrow the points, it will be non-refundable given my use year. However, nothing is in writing that I can find. I may have sent them a e-mail stating the terms, but I can't find my copy.

I would be more than happy to refund them the deposit if they can just tell me one way or the other SOON. I don't want to ruin someone's vacation, especially this involves a big gathering.

It is just kind of odd that for this much money, after their deposit, I have not heard from them since. I have also sent them an e-mail regarding my move and our new address. Throughout this entire time, I have not received any e-mails since the first deposit.

At least, for other people who cancelled, they would be in touch with me to get their deposit back, whether it is refundable or not.

I guess I will write them a letter tomorrow and see if somehow I can get a reply from them.

Thanks again.

 

[Poorman]

On the first issue, it is vacation time and people are away. I would do like Doc and Dean said and send a registered letter. And wait until after next week end for a response. Then , re-rent it if you can. My contract states I will try to re-rent and if I do so I still charge $25 for my trouble and send them the rest.

On the second issue, which is really tough, I would send an e-mail expresssing my condolances and telling him he can either cancel or use the reservation,or make another reservation within your points constraints.

Good luck.

Nobody said renting points was easy.

 

[lat]

Nope, it is definitely not easy. I used to like it because I get to "meet" many people I never would have met otherwise. But now I have more and more cancellations and changes. Maybe because I am too flexible. I know I should make the terms tougher and stick with it, but I can't. It is not as fun anymore.

On the 2nd renter, I never took even a deposit from her. She would send me the payment the month she arrived. I hope the husband knows that. I would hate to have him think that I kept money from him. I wish things were different.............

 

[DrTomorrow]

lat,

Thanks for sharing this problem with the board; as someone who might be renting a few extra points now and then in the future, I find it an interesting topic. I believe that other have given good advice: make one last formal try to contact the first folks, then refund their deposit, and ask the widower what he'd like to do with the reservation (who knows, maybe a trip to BWV will be cathartic).

And I also appreciate your sharing a darker side of renting. Not to join the whole debate, but there have been some threads about how easy and wonderful it is to rent out your points - or rent some from others - and it bears remembering that these transactions can have a downside, too.

 

[mikesmom]

Lat, on the second issue: I would contact him. You never know, he may want to go on a trip that holds good memories for him. I know you will do it delicately.

 

[PamOKW]

I think with the second one I'd send a note expressing your condolences. I would then follow up with another note about how you and "Jane" had a standing agreement to rent 12/26-12/31. Yu could tell him that as always you have those dates and did he thin he'd be taking the trip? You could work into the note about how no deposit has been paid since you were friends and Jane would just send the payment in December, etc. Keep it conversational. Ask that he let you know by ______ (date) whether he'd like to keep the reservation. Keep it all light but set some date for a yes/no. You might mention that if he'd like to book in the future that's okay, too.

The first one is a little sticky. It's possible that they lost track of you, too. Are you getting an answering machine when you call? A formal letter asking them to contact you to confirm their plans and telling them payment is overdue and must be received by XXX is probably the way to go.

 

[Andrea T]

You've gotten good advice from the above posters. Plese keep us informed as to the outcome. Good luck.

 

[lat]

Well, I finally got hold of someone in the family and was told that the husband and wife are separated. They will let me know tomorrow. I doubt they are going anymore. I did send out a letter, certified with return receipt today based on people's advice here.
Thanks and it is just stressful to not know what is happening.

As to the other one, I will get a card tomorrow and send to the family and then follow up with another e-mail or something. I just don't want to ask now. She was only 47...........

 

[DIZNYFAN]

Good luck with the rentals I am sure the gentleman will appreciate the card it will be a nice gesture.