renter not responding/no deposit as promised

[bsusanmb]

I rented points to a some who wanted 3 studios at OKW. Very nice emails etc, professional person with older teens and husband. I sent a contract, and the email from DVC with the reservation numbers and their names, etc. She contacted me via email and said she would send deposit on 1/20. I have not received anything. She has not responded to emails or phone messages. I have someone else who wants to rent the points. This is my first time renting points, and they expire on Aug 1. Would you just cancel the reservations and book for someone else? I like to give someone the benefit of the doubt.

THanks for any advice. I know I will never rent again! I would sooner just let the points expire than to go through all of this work and all these phone calls, mailings etc. The first person backed out after a month. This one is non paying. I have 2 others who promised a deposit and have not paid anything either, but theirs is for a wedding and the groom has been in constant contact with me and with them....I had to remind them that CRO would not make a reservation without a deposit.

 

[sajetto]

UGH, I know how you feel. The first time I rented my points out things went smoothly, but I tried to do it again last year and threw in the towel because renters have just become too high maintence. I just gave the points to someone else.

I would just cancel the reservation that the person promised a depoist on in January and offer the points to the bride and groom. I would think they would be more reliable being they have a planned event around the dates they are requesting and would be less likely to cancel.

 

[CDNmouse]

Do you have their phone number so that you could contact them to see if there is any problems?

I think in the end you will just have to go with your gut feeling. If you believe this is someone now trying to avoid you, you can move on to another renter.

Gary

 

[CarolAnnC]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. This is why I don't rent out points. Way too much trouble for me. I barely have enough time as it is without having to devote a chunk of it to this type of thing.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[rsinj]

.

 

[TisBit]

If you have made reasonable attempts and allowed time for a deposit, I think you would be safe in canceling and moving on. You have to look after yourself first and if it is this difficult now, how much of a pain will it be later.

I don't think I would rent on the boards, as others have said that it seems like way too much work and aggrevation for me. But I also don't have many points, so probably won't be an issue. If I had to burn points I would either rent to friends or family at a discount just so they wouldn't expire.

 

[lugnut33]

Just like selling a car, go with the first one that gets you the money you're asking for.

 

[kespo]

Did you put a deadline in the contract? I'm sorry this is happening to you. I would send one last e-mail today and state if you do not hear from them by the end of the day that you are canceling their reservation. The nice thing is that you will always be in control of the ressie.

I've rented before and knock on wood that I have not had this happen. Good Luck. If others are interested I would also let them know that the points will most likely be available to them tomorrow.

 

[msabol01]

I don't rent points, maybe some day I might. While the majority you will deal with are nice, descent people, at the end of the day you are conducting a business transaction. If there was an agreed deposit date that was not met and a fair grace period was given without any further contact even with your repeated attempts to reach the perosn, I would move on. Furthermore, until a contract is signed and a deposit is received you are under no obligation. Hope it works out for you, I would hate to see your points go to waste.

 

[JimMIA]

I would look at both of these situations differently than you are.

I'm especially concerned with the three sisters going to the wedding, because that sounds like a risky ressie anyway. Just too many things can go wrong with that transaction.

Both of these groups are jerking you around -- probably either because they haven't really firmed up their trips, or they just don't have the money. You have nothing substantive from either one, and you don't owe them a thing. I'd move on from both of them.

I would contact the person who wants to rent your points, and get a deposit from them. I might ask for a smaller deposit, like 25% up front, another 25% when they receive the confirmation, and the balance due at a reasonable time for both parties. When you receive their money, cancel one of the unpaid ressies and make the new person's reservation.

I'd also readvertise whatever points you have not been PAID FOR at this point, and the minute I got a deposit, I would cancel the other reservation and make a new one with money in hand.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Cancel the reservation and use the points yourself.

 

[bsusanmb]

Thanks everyone. I guess I didn't write the whole thing correctly because I am just so angry that people are so rude. I had made a reservation on Jan 3 for a 2 bedroom at OKW for 3 sisters. I explained to them that this was with developer points and how this works. They were so worried I was ripping them off....cautious is the word they used...and they demanded a contract...ok, so I immediately wrote up a contract. Deposit of 1/2 due when I got the confirmation # and the rest when they got the confirmation either in the form of an email from DVC or written. They never returned the contract, but we had numerous discussions and emails. I gave them the reservation number mid Jan when DVC called me to go over their reservation. I called them and emailed them the reservation number and I asked for a confirmation...sister said she checked with her bank and "safest way to pay is a bank check". I preferred paypal, but ok. So no deposit. On Feb 1st I emailed them the confirmation from DVC with their name etc....called them and finally one called back...something came up and they are sorry, but they won't be able to use the reservation...ARG....

At the same time I made their reservation with my developer points, I was contacted by a groom who lives not far from me. He needed two studios for two parties attending his wedding...one for the bride's parents and one for someone else...Ok, same scenario....finally got phone call, mailed contract and reservation number and then mailed the email from DVC....no response at all so I called them both. Left message for one to call me, and spoke with other and she said in a very unpleasant manner...yea, I will send payment this week...no payment, no response from other person. I emailed groom and told him that if I didn't receive payment by Wed, 2/6, I am cancelling the reservations...he couldn't believe they didn't pay me or even contact me. Ok, bride's mom didn't call, other party called and can't afford to pay me until next week, downpayment...oh boy...

The 3rd is the professional woman with 2 kids and husband, wanting the 3 studios at OKW with deluxe dining...she wrote me such nice emails about my grandchildren's photos...and then nothing. I have called her cell phone and her home phone and emailed her...nothing. She is a teacher...and I even have her email from the school she teaches at. It isn't like this woman can't afford it...she could have the decency to tell me that she isn't interested...right?

I have rented other's points and paid immediately. I thought it was a great privilege to stay at DVC resort on their points.

I am so disheartened. I suppose I have learned my lesson....never take developer points and don't rent, particularly to someone who just joined Dis in jan of 08

Susan

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hard lesson learned. Cancel all the reservations and if any call you tell them you are not in the rental business any more. Give them 1-407-WDISNEY.

 

[wildernessDad]

If the renters do not have the courtesy of at least returning your phone call let alone giving you the deposit that was required, then they do not have a right to the reservation. You have every right to cancel their reservation and re-rent it if you wish.

 

[ldo]

To be nice, I would send emails saying that reservations will be canceled in 2 days if NONREFUNDABLE deposit is not received in 2 days, and that, due to THEIR poor response, it must be via paypal and FULL payment will be due in 30 days.

If that's not acceptable to them or you don't hear form them--cancel the reservations. Then re-advertise and have firm deadlines--you only accept paypal, 50% down after reservation and 50% 30 days later--and that ALL RESERVATIONS ARE FINAL. These are all ridiculous renters!! Goo luck! Elaine

 

[sajetto]

I definitely wouldn't rent out developer points. They have too many strings attached and mailed confirmation takes so long that you'd have some worried renters. If I were in your shoes I'd just use the points for myself.

 

[CarolMN]

Sorry for all the trouble you've been having.

FWIW, many owners who rent will not make a reservation until they have a deposit, even if it's a small one. Others will not call for a reservation until the prospective renter returns the "contract", which is usually nothing more than a listing of the terms and conditions. Unfortunately, there are more than a few people out there just like the ones you described. (But there are also wonderful people out there - the trick is finding them, LOL).

Hope any future ventures in the renting arena turn out in your favor. Good luck!

 

[bsusanmb]

Well, the problem with my using it is that we did have a one bedroom concierge at ALK for a week in Feb, but our daughter, SIL and baby had to move in with us for financial hardship. So, DH doesn't want to go now. SO much is up in the air with them, including that he enlisted in the Army just to be able to provide for his family, and I can understand my hsuband's reluctance to go anywhere.

I am definitely going to cancel these reservations. I realize I am far to nice and am not in the business of renting. Just thought that someone would appreciate $10 a point without having to pay tax for their vacation....guess I was wrong!

Hard lesson learned is right!

 

[JimMIA]

Funny thing happened as I was reading your latest post-- an old Tina Turner song came on. The song is "I Don't Wanna Fight" and the last couple of phrases in the song include:

"I don't care who's wrong or right,
I don't want to fight no more.
Too much talking, babe...
This is time for letting go."

As often happens, Tina is probably onto something.

I would dump these slugs and start over. Life's too short to chase people around like you're doing.

You have to do something with your developer points, but you still have plenty of time. I would PM some of the members here who rent a good bit, and ask their advice privately. I think most of them will tell you not to make a reservation without a deposit, or at least without a very clear, short-timeline deposit deadline after a confirmed ressie is made.

You need to find one or two solid renters (preferably folks who have rented previously) and work with them. Rent your developer points, bank your regular points, and be done with it.

 

[JimMIA]

I definitely wouldn't rent out developer points. They have too many strings attached and mailed confirmation takes so long that you'd have some worried renters. If I were in your shoes I'd just use the points for myself.

I know virtually nothing about developer points...but why would a confirmation take a long time with developer points???

I get confirmations within 2-3 weeks normally.