Renting Points...concerned?!

[historyteach15]

Hi all,

I'm considering renting DVC points for the first time. I'm a Disney vet, but never considered doing it. I'm a little concerned to, bc how can I be sure that the person I'm renting from wont just take my money and run? Love to hear about your experiences renting...good and bad!!

 

[lions1995]

There is no easy answer to that question. I have rented my points in the past. There is risk for both paries, but certainly thre renter has the largest one. so here are my tips:

1) Read the Sticky on the board about renting
2) Ask for some sort of written agreement / contract of when money is due and expectations. Realize that it is still not a very binding document.
3) Listen to your gut. If you get a bad Vibe, go find someone else to rent from
4) Don't pay any money until after the reservation is made and you can access the reservation via My Disney Experience first.
5) Realize that the DVC member is alwasy in control up until you check in.

I believe that the vast majority of people who rent out their points are happy to share the magic with their renters. That said, I have aread one or two bad situations on the boards.

Good luck hunting.

 

[disneynutz]

Hi all,

I'm considering renting DVC points for the first time. I'm a Disney vet, but never considered doing it. I'm a little concerned to, bc how can I be sure that the person I'm renting from wont just take my money and run? Love to hear about your experiences renting...good and bad!!

What keeps anyone from taking your money and running?

You are looking to save money but with that comes some risk when renting.

If it is a big concern, the kind that you will lose sleep over, then don't rent.

Bill

 

[historyteach15]

There is no easy answer to that question. I have rented my points in the past. There is risk for both paries, but certainly thre renter has the largest one. so here are my tips:

1) Read the Sticky on the board about renting
2) Ask for some sort of written agreement / contract of when money is due and expectations. Realize that it is still not a very binding document.
3) Listen to your gut. If you get a bad Vibe, go find someone else to rent from
4) Don't pay any money until after the reservation is made and you can access the reservation via My Disney Experience first.
5) Realize that the DVC member is alwasy in control up until you check in.

I believe that the vast majority of people who rent out their points are happy to share the magic with their renters. That said, I have aread one or two bad situations on the boards.

Good luck hunting.

Thank you!

 

[lilpooh108]

I would look for high post counts and long DIS history. You easily check through post history to see if someone talks about their DVC membership, is a DVC member, and generally seems "on the up and up."

When I do point transfers (I am not renting or transferring any more this year), I try to do so only to DIS members with the above qualifications. It is not fool proof, but it's better than renting/transferring to or from a new member whom you might know nothing about.

Good luck!!

 

[LSchrow]

- read, read, and reread the renting sticky on the R/T board
- research anyone you are considering renting from (& get a working phone number, physical and email address before sending any money).
- do NOT respond to any who initiates contact with you outside of the boards (i.e., a PM or email from someone other than the person who posted points for rent). there are restrictions (outlined in the R/T sticky) on R/T posters to help reduce risk.

4) Don't pay any money until after the reservation is made and you can access the reservation via My Disney Experience first.

excellent points, but this one is dependent on owner and situation. owners should require at least a deposit if the reservation will change the status of their points (e.g., the owner needs to bank or borrow to make the reservation - points cannot be returned to original use year).
board sponsors (david's rental, etc) usually cost more, but might give you a higher sense of security.

and be a good renter - do your research before contacting someone. have an idea when/where you want to go, and how many points you will need. owners at a resort can book at 11 months out, all other resort owners can book at 7 months. for certain times of year and certain villa types, you will need to contact an owner that has points at that resort before the 11 month mark (e.g. EPCOT resorts during F&W, etc). and please, please don't work with multiple owners; it is very frustrating to spend time with a renter just to have them play the "well, XXX said he will take $.50 less a point" game - few owners have the time or patience to play.

as said, most owners enjoy helping other have a *magical* vacation - enjoy

 

[DizBub]

I have rented twice but only confirmed reservations.

The first was at a time where there was no availability anywhere and I found a 4 night stay at SSR where the owners had made the reservation for someone else who had backed out, twice. See? People who rent their points take risks too. We sent payment in full immediately through PayPal. It worked out great. We fell in love withh SSR on that trip.

The second time hasn't happened yet (Nov 29-Dec 7) but rented from a very experienced, well known person who rents points often at her 11 month window. She wanted half up front (PayPal again) and the other half 2 months prior to check-in. I have had that trip registered on MDE since early Feb.

It does take a huge leap of faith, on both sides. I can't imagine renting my points to a stranger and having them cancel at the last minute because they don't understand the DVC system.

Good luck!

 

[jekjones1558]

If you still are having qualms about renting after following all the good advice in the previous posts then I would look into a broker. This one gets great reviews here on the DIS:
http://www.dvcrequest.com

 

[historyteach15]

Thank you all so much!! I think I'm going to rent after all, just waiting on a few odds and ends! So excited!!

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Question I've rented points in the past and I am about to do so again but for the life of me I can't recall my past reservation as a point of reference. Ok so the member sent me a link to the DVC site showing our reservation. It's show are dates and lists my travel part as guests, everything is correct. My question is At the top it has the members name then attn: members name and then the members address is that correct or should it be attention my name as the renter and my address?

 

[Denmage]

You can ask the person you are renting from for references, if you are concerned. I have rented several times. Some asked for references, some didn't. I have to say, each time I rented it went smoothly. My last round of rentals was last year and I broke my points into 5 different reservations. Some people were so happy, that they called me back this year and asked if I had any to rent.

A good DVC member will have done their homework before renting. I stuck with a simple formula that I could repeat to each potential renter and I treated everyone the same. 50% down and 50% when I deliver the confirmation. It worked out well for everyone and there was not a single complaint.

Good Luck,


Denis

 

[jekjones1558]

Question I've rented points in the past and I am about to do so again but for the life of me I can't recall my past reservation as a point of reference. Ok so the member sent me a link to the DVC site showing our reservation. It's show are dates and lists my travel part as guests, everything is correct. My question is At the top it has the members name then attn: members name and then the members address is that correct or should it be attention my name as the renter and my address?

The DVC member will always be listed for communications so this is correct.

 

[DevonsDisneyMom]

Thank you all! I thought it was correct but figured i better double check! Appreciate the quick feedback!

It's such a small world that the person I am actually renting points from lives a town over from me! Lol. So definitely feel comfortable plus I did my due diligence checked references, pulled info from county comptroller office and have contract.