Renting Points

[tiffsix]

So my husband & I are DVC members and we would like to purchase Beach Club points for our next trip so we are guarenteed to stay there. We were waitlisted this past trip and it never came through. I posted something on the Rent/Trade board. A fellow disser sent me a message saying he could help. Anyway, for those that have rented before, how do you determine if the person you are renting from is trustworthy? I already verified they are in fact DVC members. I looked up the posts and all are regarding renting points. I asked for references and he gave me 4 of them. Are there specific questions I should ask these people? How do you know they aren't family members? ha ha What else should I do? I guess I am just looking for other dissers experience with renting points .Thanks for reading!!

 

[asouthernbelle]

i rent points, but if i were in your shoes, and what i consider to be a smart renter, would ask

1) do you have a contract? if not, then run. you are not protected in the least from them just taking your money.

2) do they have posts other than the rent/trade board? many people just come and post random messages to get high enough to post their points for sale. look for members that interact with the community, perhaps see if they mention their contracts in other posts, and get a feel for the type of person you are renting from

3) what is the deposit? i have seen people ask for 100% up front, and dont get me wrong, if your vacation is within 120 days or so, i can understand, because i myself have a 90 days prior term, but there are renters that request it 11 months in advance. doesnt that seem a little strange? give me all of your money now, so you have no idea if i will cancel the reservation later on or not? 50 percent after confirmation is reasonable. dont go a penny more.

4) always get a phone number from the member - address, and email. if you have a question, they are a call or click away, it makes for a smoother transaction. not all members wish to share this information, nor do all renters. but entering into a contract is a show of trust. the more you know about the person, the better you feel about sending a "stranger" your money. at least i would

-from my own perspective


asouthernbelle

 

[DMKEDM]

Bottom line: there are no guarantees when renting! All you can do is your best and understand you are taking a risk...

I've been scammed and I've rented successfully. I've rented my points twice; rented from another twice (well, it was one rented reservation and one points transfer)...this is in 6 years of ownership including 5 add-ons!

In none of those situations did I have a contract. In all of those situations the total cost of the reservation was paid (by me and/or to me) the same day the reservation was made.

For me, the key is to "talk to someone"...chat via email, call each other...get a sense for what your renter (to or from) is willing to do for you/will want from you...whether or not you "connect."

I have someone now (a fellow DISer) who will always and forever be the person I turn to when I need more points than I have...he's wonderful. Flat-out unqualifiedly great. I trust him totally. But it took some back-and-forth communication (we made "cyber friends" in the process and so "talk" to one another even when a rental isn't in process)...

Now, this isn't for everyone, I know. But it works for me. And I don't do contracts or the whole 50% now/50% later deal...The two times I rented my points out I told the people I was renting to that if something happened & they couldn't go, I'd happily do whatever was necessary to change the reservation if they found a substitute renter...and I'd help to the extent I could...but bottom line was no refunds. And I don't expect the person I rent from to give me a refund if something happens in my life to mess up my plans. I know he'll help me find a substitute--but I expect nothing more than that from him.

So--some people find comfort in contracts. I don't. I wouldn't tell someone to "run" from an arrangement that doesn't include a contract, or that asks for full payment up front. That's one--and only one--way to work it out.

Good luck with your rental. I hope it--like most--goes smoothly for you, and that you have a great trip!

 

[Raising Disney Princesses]

I have been renting for over 10 years and unfortunately there is no way to guarentee....i just always refer those that are worried to some of my previous renters and have them talke to them. That is what I am doing now as I am renting my points.

 

[tiffsix]

thanks so much for the responses. you are right, there are no guarentees. sometimes you just have to have a little faith that it will work out. i am going ahead with the rental.

 

[RobDoc]

So my husband & I are DVC members and we would like to purchase Beach Club points for our next trip so we are guarenteed to stay there. We were waitlisted this past trip and it never came through. I posted something on the Rent/Trade board. A fellow disser sent me a message saying he could help. Anyway, for those that have rented before, how do you determine if the person you are renting from is trustworthy? I already verified they are in fact DVC members. I looked up the posts and all are regarding renting points. I asked for references and he gave me 4 of them. Are there specific questions I should ask these people? How do you know they aren't family members? ha ha What else should I do? I guess I am just looking for other dissers experience with renting points .Thanks for reading!!

Hopefully, the response you received was from the poster whose thread you posted your request. If not, I would be leery of anyone contacting you without having an active "Points for Rent" or "Reservation for Rent" thread already on the Rent/Trade Board. We have been trying to minimize such contact beyond the boards and do ask potential renters to report any such contact since it does violate the spirit and intent of our Rent/Trade board.