Renting Points

[Sammie]

Just my 2 cents: I think with the addition of the Dining Plan you are going to have more and more bargain hunters in the renter pool than ever before. Just go read the Dining Plan forum to see what I am talking about.

I also think you are going to get more demanding renters that want a lot for very little, money wise.

I think now that word is out that one can rent from members for sometimes less than 50% of what Disney charges for a villa, and get the Dining Plan without a ticket package, discounts at other venues, free valet parking at DVC resorts, pool hopping, that renters are going to see this as an easy way to get a Deluxe vacation for the cost of a value one.

Very few of them have any concept of how DVC works and with that comes demands that are not reasonable. I think renters will begin to see the demanding guest that Disney has put up with, showing up wanting to rent.

My advice is just stand your ground, set your price and make sure you get a good contract, as I have seen some threads where some feel they can just cancel out a renting agreement like they could cancel with Disney CRO and one even admitted they were stringing along a member and not sending payment until they saw what AP rates were going to be. If they got a good discount with an AP they were dropping the member like a hot potato.

It will not surprise me to read threads from a renter complaining their member did not get them a good view.

I know all renters will not act this way and some will be gracious but as renting gets more attention you are going to also see more problem renters.

 

[FarmerJohn]

Any way this thread could get posted to the rent trade board too
Maybe it would help some of the people looking to rent understand the concerns of DVC owners

 

[Plutofan]

Let me preface this with the fact that I am not a DVC owner, but a potential renter. While I do NOT condone someone low-balling your price, I do not see what's wrong with politely asking you to check on a standard room. You can decline their request. In my point of view, I see it as no different from going to the store and seeing a box of cereal for $5 and a smaller size for $4 and preferring to buy the smaller box. I wouldn't ask the store owner to drop the price of the larger box for any reason. But I do believe it is within my right as a consumer (or in this case a renter) to opt for the smaller box (or standard room), when available, and not purchase the larger.

So in short, my point is that you ultimately choose under what conditions you want to rent your points out. However, I still think that the renter has some rights too, like the right to decide whether or not they want to pay more for a preferred view when they didn't want it in the first place.

This was not meant as a flame. I just wanted to offer another viewpoint.

Thanks.

You also need to respect the seller who has spent a lot of time helping people with renting. There is a lot more time put in helping people with their vactions than your realize. I have a lot of respect for travel agents. I had a situation where several DVC members told a renter that there was no availablity at a specific resort during a specific time period. When the renter came to me I took it one step further and inquired if they had to have that resort or if they had to go that week. They definitly wanted that resort. So I spent at least a half hour with MS finding each week that was available at that resort during the summer months. I also provided them with a package on how to save money at Disney, disney dining plan and magical express. The thanks I got was to find that the renter posted the weeks available on a thread to see if they could get a cheaper price from someone else. After they realized that I saw the post they emailed me saying that they were still interested. Then later on I saw another post where they were still trying to get the week that I could get from someone else. The bottom line is that most DVC members love helping people out but renters need to be up front and honest with the DVC member. A thank you for your time would have been nice. I still would have helped them find an open week if they were up front with me about price.

 

[Sammie]

You also need to respect the seller who has spent a lot of time helping people with renting. There is a lot more time put in helping people with their vactions than your realize. I have a lot of respect for travel agents. I had a situation where several DVC members told a renter that there was no availablity at a specific resort during a specific time period. When the renter came to me I took it one step further and inquired if they had to have that resort or if they had to go that week. They definitly wanted that resort. So I spent at least a half hour with MS finding each week that was available at that resort during the summer months. I also provided them with a package on how to save money at Disney, disney dining plan and magical express. The thanks I got was to find that the renter posted the weeks available on a thread to see if they could get a cheaper price from someone else. After they realized that I saw the post they emailed me saying that they were still interested. Then later on I saw another post where they were still trying to get the week that I could get from someone else. The bottom line is that most DVC members love helping people out but renters need to be up front and honest with the DVC member. A thank you for your time would have been nice. I still would have helped them find an open week if they were up front with me about price.

That is horrible, and especially when you were on the phone for at least half a hour, while other members were trying to get through.

Sorry I just could not resist that, but you were treated very badly, and I am afraid based on other threads I have read on other forums and sites it is going to get worse.

 

[Tissa]

I'm a first time renter and before I decided to go this route I researched everything. I found out where I wanted to stay and how many points it would take and realized that it would be at least 10-12 a point before I contacted an owner, Maria to be exact. She e-mailed me back with the cost and her terms take it or leave it. Well not in those words but kwim? I was fine with it and had her book my stay. I'm paying well over the $10 point range but I know I'm still getting a great deal and I wouldn't have been able to pay rack at BWV this trip so I'm grateful. I really appreciate it.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is not all renters are bad.

 

[Muushka]

To all the renters who wrote such nice posts on this thread, a heartfelt thanks . But after reading this whole thread, I don't think we will rent out points again. This year we are sharing our points with friends and I think that is what we will do from now on if we have extras. Really just not worth the hassle. And thank you to those great people (all 3 times!) that we rented to. It was a pleasure to work with you. I just wish everyone was as nice as you were!

 

[hematite153]

I just wanted to say a brief thanks to those who have posted and provided us with information and warnings. I don't plan to rent on a regular basis but will need to find a use (likely rental) for the points that come with our contract immediately after the resale is finalized. I hope all goes well.

 

[gblast123]

This is an interesting post and my reply. I hope you'all find it entertaining

Their post *****
Need Just 44 Points!
Hi!
I am looking to see if anyone needs 44 points taken off their hands!

I am looking for a studio, OKW July 30- Aug 3rd. Would be interested in adding the dining plan.

Willing to pay $8-$9/pp!

Please PM me if you can help me in any way!

My reply ****

44 points
I would be happy to go through the time effort and trouble ( for the huge number of 44 points) of making a reservation, collecting the money from you, making numerous calls, etc. but only if I can get $11. per point.

If interested, please PM or email me

 

[greenban]

You also need to respect the seller who has spent a lot of time helping people with renting. There is a lot more time put in helping people with their vactions than your realize. I have a lot of respect for travel agents. I had a situation where several DVC members told a renter that there was no availablity at a specific resort during a specific time period. When the renter came to me I took it one step further and inquired if they had to have that resort or if they had to go that week. They definitly wanted that resort. So I spent at least a half hour with MS finding each week that was available at that resort during the summer months. I also provided them with a package on how to save money at Disney, disney dining plan and magical express. The thanks I got was to find that the renter posted the weeks available on a thread to see if they could get a cheaper price from someone else. After they realized that I saw the post they emailed me saying that they were still interested. Then later on I saw another post where they were still trying to get the week that I could get from someone else. The bottom line is that most DVC members love helping people out but renters need to be up front and honest with the DVC member. A thank you for your time would have been nice. I still would have helped them find an open week if they were up front with me about price.

This is absolutely true. I really like the people I choose to rent to (They meet my standards, and hopefully I meet theirs), but at least 30% of the people responding to my recent 2K point thread, were bargin shoppers, many of whom already had reservations or at least dealings with other renters here on the DIS (Golly I just love the 'find other posts by USERNAME' feature.), or thought because I had so many points that I was desperate to unload them.

The other 70% are wonderful people whom any of us would be greatful to have as renters. These are the folks, that I too give the 'secrets' of an even more magical trip to, and explain the DME & DVC-DP to.

My to favorite stories, I'll save for another time.......

-Tony

 

[Deb & Bill]

I saw that one, too, gblast. Did you get a response??

 

[greenban]

First, I find it amazing that you can decide from this post that I will never be an owner.... you have no clue what I own or what I will ever own.

That said, as of right now I am not an owner because for my family it would not be worth it for us in our current situation. But my whole point was NOT to have the mentality of an owner, but to state the mentality of a RENTER! $12 a point is not feasible from the renters point of view at this time, and that is why the current market price is $10. If you think I'm wrong and there are people out there who will jump at the chance to pay $12, go over to the rent and trade board and give it a try....

And by the way, I can fit my whole family into a mod room (one is a baby) the kids are small and we are never there. And whether you can imagine it or not, it really doesn't affect my vacation. Like I said ,we are never in the room, because we know we will NOT be back in a few months. We have also stayed in 2 rooms at an All-star and that was fine for us too. I'm willing to pay a little more for a villa than 2 rooms at an all-star through renting points and assuming risk, but not a whole lot more...like I said , for a whole lot more, than I will just stay with the mod. or 2 rooms in an all-star.

I just notice on these boards that many (not all) owners want their points to be worth as much to the renter as they are to them, and if they were, we would be owners too. Being an owner would be a terrrible investment for us with our current vacation habits...So right now your points are worth about $10 to me. If they are worth any more to someone else, then God bless ya! It's America and I hope you sell them for as high as you can. You just won't be selling them to me or many other people that high.

You are dead wrong. I rent at $12.00 pp here on the DISboard, I don't do eBay (yet)

-Tony

 

[hematite153]

at least 30% of the people responding to my recent 2K point thread, were bargin shoppers, many of whom already had reservations or at least dealings with other renters here on the DIS (Golly I just love the 'find other posts by USERNAME' feature.)

While reading this thread I have found myself mostly sympathizing with members who have had bad rental experiences. However, I feel some need, now, to defend renters and those who do not post regularly.

Believe it or not, I have actually started posting (whenever I can come up with something to say) simply because of the judgements that seem to get cast against those of us who focus on reading instead of posting. I usually feel like my point has been made by someone else, or a few others, and therefore resisted joining and posting. It seems like a strange yardstick to use, but I'm learning to work with it.

My problem with this line (quoted above) was that I got around to joining DIS when I was looking to rent points. Why did I want to rent? Because we were thinking of buying and wanted to experience it first. However, our vacation plans were made sort of last minute (2-3 months out), there were only 2 of us traveling and we expected to spend most of the day outside of the resort. Hence, we were interested in the studios and it was a short trip. I responded to 4 people offering to rent points--one at a time. Only two of them got back to me (and one of those waited two weeks before responding). I really appreciated the person who replied speedily, even though she told me that there was no availability for any of the 6 options on my list. I also appreciated the person who replied more slowly although we had ended up making another reservation by then.

I was not bargain shopping (if I had been, I would have started at POP instead of ending there since I got a rate of $62/night there), I was not trying to play one member off another--I tried to only work with one person at a time.

Obviously, there are renters who are difficult to deal with, but, some of them may have encountered members who weren't really serious about renting and have had bad experiences from the other end as well.

Sorry if this comes off the wrong way, but I thought that someone should try defending the average renter.

 

[Maria395712]

I think DVC members should charge by the night not by the point , JMHO and the renters are still paying 40- 50% off the rack rate at disney and still getting a great bargain $150.-175 or more {depends on time} a night at BWV , or BC, great deal you can't always get a moderate for that price. also EVERYONE that I rented to has been GREAT no problems and I stay in complete contact with them and make sure they have all my info and that they have no worries about renting from me. I don't think any of the DVC resorts should go for 90 $$$ a night that's just crazy. last oct I had to stay at Pop Century for 4 nights all DVc's were sold out I paid $105.00 a night with an AAA discount. boy that was hard knowing people were at BWV ,BC ,WLV for 90-120 a night
maria

 

[candizfan]

I have rented a few times to different people and I have been very lucky I guess. The people I have been dealing with have been very nice to work with.

I have even become friends with some. I have also rented to the same people more than once.

I do stay firm on my terms and I do use a contract and maybe that is what scares off the "bad" renters.

Based on what I have heard, I think we are going to see more problem renters but maybe we need to raise the bar of expectations to help reduce that. I am surprised to find some people renting points for a current year at what I would call a discounted rate.

I can understand trying to rent out points that have conditions on them or are about to expire at a lower rate but for current year, I would not do that myself, I think it would attract the "wrong" kind of renter.

Plus I love helping people with their vacation plans, but I don't jump in to offer a lot of help until a degree of trust has been established. Then I enjoy helping them plan.

I enjoy helping the new renters the most I think. I love to save money too and if I can help them take a smaller room so they don't pay as much, that is great but the per point price stays the same. They seem to appreciate the effort to save them money and maybe that is why they are good to me.

I am just greatful I have not had to deal with the difficult ones, but I would just tell the to "shop elsewhere" if they gave me a hard time. Even the people who booked and then had to cancel were very good to deal with. And were very sorry they had caused me to waste my time.

So I guess I am saying thank you to the "nice" renters out there that realize you are not actually making a "profit" when you rent, but rather making sure you recover the cost of the points and the maintenance fees and loss of use. For me I don't see it as "profit".

Thanks.

 

[Hollymom1229]

As someone who was a renter, and is now an owner trying to rent points, I've found this thread very ineteresting. I would just encourage every renter to do some research and know what they want before they post. It's tough to make dozens of phone calls to just have people back out on you. My DH and I afford DVC by working two very demanding jobs, so making the time to call Member Services during business hours can be rough. So try to know what you want.

And thank you to the wonderful DVC member that rented to my DH and I back in 2004. You made the process wonderfully easy, and we ended up buying DVC on that trip.

 

[molly2004]

You also need to respect the seller who has spent a lot of time helping people with renting. There is a lot more time put in helping people with their vactions than your realize. I have a lot of respect for travel agents. I had a situation where several DVC members told a renter that there was no availablity at a specific resort during a specific time period. When the renter came to me I took it one step further and inquired if they had to have that resort or if they had to go that week. They definitly wanted that resort. So I spent at least a half hour with MS finding each week that was available at that resort during the summer months. I also provided them with a package on how to save money at Disney, disney dining plan and magical express. The thanks I got was to find that the renter posted the weeks available on a thread to see if they could get a cheaper price from someone else. After they realized that I saw the post they emailed me saying that they were still interested. Then later on I saw another post where they were still trying to get the week that I could get from someone else. The bottom line is that most DVC members love helping people out but renters need to be up front and honest with the DVC member. A thank you for your time would have been nice. I still would have helped them find an open week if they were up front with me about price.

Hi, Plutofan. I totally agree with you. There should definitely be respect on BOTH sides. I didn't address any of the issues you referenced because, honestly, I wouldn't do something like that so I didn't think of it.

I wanted to respond to the OP whose post seemed to me to speak negatively against those renters who do have specific needs and spell them out clearly in the beginning. I admit that I am one of them. I have come on this board looking for something very specific and posted it in my "asking" post. The option to rent point to a renter is absolutely, 100% the owner's. If I lay all my cards on the table and the owner doesn't want to deal with me, that's his/her perogative. And I suspect that many owners did not respond to my ask because of my requests. I have tried to lay all my ducks in a row and been upfront with everyone (as I believe members have asked of renters). That's why I didn't feel that the OP's post was fair. That was just my perspective on it.

I really hope this post makes sense. I'm getting sleepy.

 

[rogerram]

Why reply at all. They were asking to rent at a certain time for a certain amount. It is low, but if someone gives it to them, then that is their business. You send them a follow up that just sounds harrassing. If you aren't interested in the request, then why bother. I wouldn't rent for that, but I wouldn't get on them for asking.

This is an interesting post and my reply. I hope you'all find it entertaining

Their post *****
Need Just 44 Points!
Hi!
I am looking to see if anyone needs 44 points taken off their hands!

I am looking for a studio, OKW July 30- Aug 3rd. Would be interested in adding the dining plan.

Willing to pay $8-$9/pp!

Please PM me if you can help me in any way!

My reply ****

44 points
I would be happy to go through the time effort and trouble ( for the huge number of 44 points) of making a reservation, collecting the money from you, making numerous calls, etc. but only if I can get $11. per point.

If interested, please PM or email me

 

[TCPluto]

You are dead wrong. I rent at $12.00 pp here on the DISboard, I don't do eBay (yet) -Tony

I agreee Tony. We just made several reservations, all at $12 per point, off of these boards. These renters saved 55% on average off what Disney would have charged for these same reservations. No discount code found anywhere is going to approach that kind of savings.

Kudo's for keeping your price for these deluxe accommodations more appropriately grounded.

 

[diznyfanatic]

This whole thread has been an interesting read.

I recently rented points for the first time for our trip next month and have been extremely fortunate in my dealings with a wonderful owner and I've tried to be a responsible, respectful renter. I, personally, would never attempt to bargain with someone in their stated price per point as I feel very fortunate that owners are even making their "homes" available to me in the first place.

I had no experience renting before, but I had tried to do my homework and read as much as I could here before I pursued it. I always provided my exact dates, my top three DVC choices and I even offered references to the owner in my inquiries. I must say, however, that some of my initial inquiries were frustrating from a renter's proint of view as well.

Upon inquiring about a rental post made by an owner, I've had owners that didn't respond for several days, or not at all. I've had owners that wouldn't offer a written agreement or contract when I inquired about one, and I've had owners that promised to let me know if my dates were available and never did.

My only point I guess is that renting can be tough, and scary, for both sides. As it turns out I'm really glad that my initial rental inquiries didn't work out or I wouldn't have found the terrific owner that I did!

sorry, edited for typos!

 

[greenban]

While reading this thread I have found myself mostly sympathizing with members who have had bad rental experiences. However, I feel some need, now, to defend renters and those who do not post regularly.

Believe it or not, I have actually started posting (whenever I can come up with something to say) simply because of the judgements that seem to get cast against those of us who focus on reading instead of posting. I usually feel like my point has been made by someone else, or a few others, and therefore resisted joining and posting. It seems like a strange yardstick to use, but I'm learning to work with it.

My problem with this line (quoted above) was that I got around to joining DIS when I was looking to rent points. Why did I want to rent? Because we were thinking of buying and wanted to experience it first. However, our vacation plans were made sort of last minute (2-3 months out), there were only 2 of us traveling and we expected to spend most of the day outside of the resort. Hence, we were interested in the studios and it was a short trip. I responded to 4 people offering to rent points--one at a time. Only two of them got back to me (and one of those waited two weeks before responding). I really appreciated the person who replied speedily, even though she told me that there was no availability for any of the 6 options on my list. I also appreciated the person who replied more slowly although we had ended up making another reservation by then.

I was not bargain shopping (if I had been, I would have started at POP instead of ending there since I got a rate of $62/night there), I was not trying to play one member off another--I tried to only work with one person at a time.

Obviously, there are renters who are difficult to deal with, but, some of them may have encountered members who weren't really serious about renting and have had bad experiences from the other end as well.

Sorry if this comes off the wrong way, but I thought that someone should try defending the average renter.

My post did not apply to you at all. I am replying specifically to renters who already have a contract with another Owner, and now either have 'Renter's Remorse' or are bargin shopping. There is certainly nothing wrong with getting points for the best rate you can. I consider you a good, average renter. I'm sorry if it came across, that I 'disaprove' (and who cares anyway what I 'approve' or disaprove' of anyway!

Hope that's clear.

-Tony