Renting Points

[sajetto]

Who the heck are U ... I mean you talking to?

I know its not my place but....

 

[fran99999]

I am responding to Duckieluckey. CL are his given name initials. He responded to an Email from me with Questions and then never got back to me. I waited 5 days for his reply, with several attempts at contact.
Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Lisa F]

I'm a total witch when I rent my points and it keeps me sane. My big rule is that once you rent points from me, they become your points. No refunds. If you need to cancel, you find someone to take over the reservation. I will work with you to change dates if necessary (and I DID have this happen to me once before and I had no problems making many phone calls for the person who had to cancel at the relatively last minute) but in general I don't bother with deposits or anything like that. Paid in full a reasonable time after I make the reservation and you receive the confirmation in the mail and it becomes yours. For a couple of people I got good vibes from I allowed them to send me the payment in a few installments (for reservations that were far in the future).

You might think I'd have all kinds of trouble renting with that "rule" but I haven't. In fact I've had to turn people away. I think part of the reason is that most of the people who post points for rent have very few posts to the DISboards. I have a lot of posts, I've been around a while and people seem to be more confident in that. If someone doesn't like my rules they are more than welcome to rent from someone with 12 posts to their name who has rules more to their liking. I don't take it personally if someone would prefer it another way and I don't take it personally if they try to bargain, I just say I am firm on the price.

My first preference is always for transfers though because then the whole thing is completely out of your hands.

 

[LSchrow]

my "conditions" (due to some lessons learned):
~ price is non-negotiable
~ i work with one potential renter for the points, & expect the renter to work with only me for that particular ressie (i.e., i do not have time nor patience to play "fishing for deals" ~ common courtesy should not go by the wayside simply b/c money is involved)
~ BOTH parties adhere to timelines in contract
~ i will check once the renter's plans are at least semi-firm (learned after one renter had me check quite a few diff weeks, then a few diff resorts ~ was able to secure what he wanted after many, MANY calls to MS, only to hear "i'm not sure if i can get a good airfare...i'll get back to you" nah, you wait til i get back to you )

i insist renters check my excellent feedback and/or ref's, give them my e-mail, home phone & addy. i want them to feel comfy sending money to a "total stranger" ~ that part can be VERY scary .

finally, i've met some WONDERFUL ppl thru renting. i enjoy being a part of making their vacation *magical* (e.g., giving "tips", explaining ME & DDP, suggesting "requests"), and talking to them outside of renting, seeing their vacation photos.
it can be a great experience, if both parties at least start with mutual respect

 

[browniemtb]

I think he was having problems getting his family to come up with the deposit.

I think this may be the problem. But then again why should this be my problem. They made contact and reserved the points. They should pony up the deposit under terms and wait for their money back from family.....Never again......no deposit in 7 to 10 days after confirmation the ressie gets cancelled. Hope this isn't to harsh but I tied up a lot of BWV points for 30 days. Come tuesday I may just post the ressie dates and see if anyone would like it.....2 bedroom preferred @BWV.
Brownie

 

[Cruelladeville]

I agree with you, Lisa, that if you rent and have a large amount of posts, the renters find you. For the last two years, I rented to people who found me, I never advertised. Nevertheless, all of us who have rented have been contacted by stinkers who act as the OP mentioned. I am glad that the OP posted, because this post has been read by many people, including, I'm sure, the stinkers that have been complained about.

 

[Lisa F]

I agree with you, Lisa, that if you rent and have a large amount of posts, the renters find you. For the last two years, I rented to people who found me, I never advertised. Nevertheless, all of us who have rented have been contacted by stinkers who act as the OP mentioned. I am glad that the OP posted, because this post has been read by many people, including, I'm sure, the stinkers that have been complained about.

Oh, I agree.... my "stinker" story is that I had someone who wanted a last minute reservation (very close to the 31 day window). I made the reservation but told her I'd cancel it if it wasn't paid in full by 31 days before the reservation started. She sent a check, I sent it in to my bank for deposit and all was fine until she changed her mind at the last minute and decided to stop payment on the check before even talking to me about it because she changed her mind about going. She almost screwed me out of my points by not giving me time to cancel the reservation but luckily we figured out something was wrong with the check on the LAST DAY to cancel the reservation. I learned that if someone wants something that close to the line, it's either a money order in my hands or paypal with them paying paypal fees.

In fact I insisted on the next couple of rentals I did use paypal or money order... I didn't want to deal with someone stopping payment on their check again. One of my renters wants to rent again and it worked out for us (even though we are not actively seeking to rent, we DO have the extra points and can rent them rather than bank them for some extra cash) and I have no problem at all taking a check this time. I realize they could flake if they wanted to but they haven't been the least bit flaky in the past.

Unfortunately, unless you are in the renting business, your best knowledge seems to come from making mistakes. Luckily they haven't cost me anything though!

 

[PamOKW]

I agree with CarolMN -- it's just not as easy as people think. Although I had no problems, there were blips and the nagging feeling that something could go wrong at any point. I'm also suspicious that some of the folks who tell a tale of why they need the points at a low price may very well be bargain shopping for something they will turn around a resell at a higher rate.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

LisaF,
You are right on. I have always rented using my current screen name. Anyone can see (if they research) the type of non-BS poster I am. They can also see that I have rented before and the prices I have asked for in the past. Asking for more per point keeps the bargain shoppers away. They can bother the $9/ point low post count DVCer. I try to offer renters something they can't get from a bargain seller: a desired resort like: HH summer, BCV for F&W, VWL at Xmas, etc. If your a planner, you can rent your home resort points for use at your home resort at the 11 month window. You draw renters who are earlier planners and want your specific resort. It eliminates all the wasted frustrating calls to MS from renters who are bargain shopping several DVCers. I even have rented out my points before the 11 month window. Last time I rented, I made four reservations for the first four people that contacted me and my points sold for more than $10/point.

 

[robinb]

I am responding to Duckieluckey. CL are his given name initials. He responded to an Email from me with Questions and then never got back to me. I waited 5 days for his reply, with several attempts at contact.
Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks! I looked and looked for a CL and there wasn't one. That explains it. I'm sorry that Duckieluckey didn't answer your emails .

 

[dianeschlicht]

On the other hand, you got what you wanted. So why the big old mad face smilie. Obviously you worked something out with someone. So renting paid off for you. I am glad that the people I worked with weren't so crabby.

Why would you think that is being "crabby"? He has a price, he wants to stick to it. If you don't want to abide by those terms, go elsewhere. No one who rents out their points is a travel agent, and they should not be expected to act as one.

 

[robinb]

You know ... I don't mind it if people ask me to come down in my price. It's not a big thing for me to say "no" and let them look elsewhere. It just doesn't bother me and I never, ever have a problem renting my points. I will be renting my points at a higher price starting next year (up to $11 or $12 per point from $10).

I'm pretty flexible when it comes to renting. Most of my renters use my BWV points at the 7-11 month window for a standard view. Since their trip isn't for a long time, I let them pay in 2 installments.

• One is due about 2 weeks after I send the confirmation to them. That gives them enough time to receive the confirmation and send a check or money order. I email them a scan of the confirmation the day that I receive it (thereby keeping a copy for myself).
• The second payment is due 60 days in advance of the reservation. That gives me enough time to scramble on those points if I have to.
• I accept Paypal only if the renter pays the Paypal fees. I only accept Paypal for rentals less than 60 days.
• I allow for changes to the reservation at no charge as long as the points remain in the same use year or can be banked ahead.
• I allow for refunds if and only if I can find another renter. I charge a fee for this service because I have to call MS, find a new renter, etc.
• Refunds are allowed in the last 60 days, but only at a 50% rate because the points become distressed.

I usually send the renter a copy of my contract/agreement and get their OK before I make a reservation for them. Sometimes it's just as easy to grab the reservation and cancel it later if the renter doesn't want it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think this may be the problem. But then again why should this be my problem. They made contact and reserved the points. They should pony up the deposit under terms and wait for their money back from family.....Never again......no deposit in 7 to 10 days after confirmation the ressie gets cancelled. Hope this isn't to harsh but I tied up a lot of BWV points for 30 days. Come tuesday I may just post the ressie dates and see if anyone would like it.....2 bedroom preferred @BWV.
Brownie

Man. oh, man, Brownie. What are you waiting for? Do you really think this person will come through with a check? I'd post that reservation in a heartbeat - today - or cancel it by e-mail to MS and follow up on Tuesday with a call.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

whats interesting is it seems this entire thread is caused by mis-communicaiton!!! Why do people post this stuff and then never come back to explain???

 

[mom2my3kids]

I tried to PM you to ask about points. Could you please PM me..
Thanks
Tammy

You know ... I don't mind it if people ask me to come down in my price. It's not a big thing for me to say "no" and let them look elsewhere. It just doesn't bother me and I never, ever have a problem renting my points. I will be renting my points at a higher price starting next year (up to $11 or $12 per point from $10).

I'm pretty flexible when it comes to renting. Most of my renters use my BWV points at the 7-11 month window for a standard view. Since their trip isn't for a long time, I let them pay in 2 installments.

• One is due about 2 weeks after I send the confirmation to them. That gives them enough time to receive the confirmation and send a check or money order. I email them a scan of the confirmation the day that I receive it (thereby keeping a copy for myself).
• The second payment is due 60 days in advance of the reservation. That gives me enough time to scramble on those points if I have to.
• I accept Paypal only if the renter pays the Paypal fees. I only accept Paypal for rentals less than 60 days.
• I allow for changes to the reservation at no charge as long as the points remain in the same use year or can be banked ahead.
• I allow for refunds if and only if I can find another renter. I charge a fee for this service because I have to call MS, find a new renter, etc.
• Refunds are allowed in the last 60 days, but only at a 50% rate because the points become distressed.

I usually send the renter a copy of my contract/agreement and get their OK before I make a reservation for them. Sometimes it's just as easy to grab the reservation and cancel it later if the renter doesn't want it.

 

[In a hurry]

Why would you think that is being "crabby"? He has a price, he wants to stick to it. If you don't want to abide by those terms, go elsewhere. No one who rents out their points is a travel agent, and they should not be expected to act as one.

Might have something to do with it!

Otherwise, to be griping about the people you are trying to make money from, and did make money from seems crabby to me. It would be like me grumbling about what little brats kids are as a teacher.

I rented from two of the most delightful people around. Maybe they wouldn't have stayed that way, if I had behaved as some of the OP's contacts have, but I suspect they would have.

Per the whole travel agent concept, it seems to me a renter is placed in that position. I couldn't make my reservations, receive the confirmations, or even have checked on them had I wanted to. I was not able to make requests, that had to be done by the renter. It is part of the process, the work that goes into getting what he/she wants which is money in place of his/her points.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Might have something to do with it!

Otherwise, to be griping about the people you are trying to make money from, and did make money from seems crabby to me. It would be like me grumbling about what little brats kids are as a teacher.

I rented from two of the most delightful people around. Maybe they wouldn't have stayed that way, if I had behaved as some of the OP's contacts have, but I suspect they would have.

Per the whole travel agent concept, it seems to me a renter is placed in that position. I couldn't make my reservations, receive the confirmations, or even have checked on them had I wanted to. I was not able to make requests, that had to be done by the renter. It is part of the process, the work that goes into getting what he/she wants which is money in place of his/her points.

True, but we have no way of knowing if the OP was "crabby" to his/her renters. We only know that he/she came here to vent about how poorly SOME renters behave.

 

[TCPluto]

It would be like me grumbling about what little brats kids are as a teacher.

What are these little kids teaching?

 

[In a hurry]

True, but we have no way of knowing if the OP was "crabby" to his/her renters. We only know that he/she came here to vent about how poorly SOME renters behave.

That is a really good point. I was just really really really grateful after I read the OP that I rented from such sweet people! I had to feel I like and trust the renter as much as they had to feel the same for me.

 

[In a hurry]

What are these little kids teaching?

That's the kidn of sentence I write with a migraine...and meds!