Sad Story from One Who Trusted without Checking!

[disney-super-mom]

And it would not have upset me one bit if I had wanted to post a "for rent" ad on the R/T board and discovered that I needed more of a history here on the DIS before I could do that. I don't see a 6-month/50-posts rule as any more restrictive than the restrictions on posting URLs (Sorry -- I can't remember the number of posts needed before you can do that.) After all, unlike eBay the R/T board is free -- no charge to post an ad here. You're not even required to be a DISboard supporter. I think a "6m50p" requirement is a small price to pay in exchange for being able to place a free "for rent" ad that will reach a huge community of Disney enthusiasts.

Just my $.02.

I agree with this.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I was really hoping this lady would turn out to just be flakey and get her issues resolved. The 41 transfer points story was a bit scarey.

I do think there is a limit to what the Disboards can and should do. Most solutions posted aren't really feasible but I do think the waiting period idea is.

A six month waiting period for posting rentals is perfectly reasonable. I'm not sure about the minimum post count aspect although without it the PP would have still qualified. If someone wants to post under a psuedonym great but they'd have to wait six months to use it for rentals.

One other reason I wouldn't worry about post count too much is that circumstances change. A person with a borderline personality may be fine while life is good but when things go south may not be adverse to taking what they need. The six month waiting period, however, puts an element of premeditation into the behaviour and could serve as a mighty fine deterrent to the casual unethical person.

 

[LisaS]

A six month waiting period for posting rentals is perfectly reasonable. I'm not sure about the minimum post count aspect although without it the PP would have still qualified. If someone wants to post under a psuedonym great but they'd have to wait six months to use it for rentals.

The reason I like the minimum posts idea is that otherwise someone considering scamming other people could just create a dozen DIS board names, wait six months and use those multiple identities to rip off a dozen (or more) different people. The minimum post count (with posts that have some actual content, not just posting a smilie or something) requires that they put some effort into it as well as wait it out for 6 months and I think it is the combination of the two that makes it a deterrent to scammers. It also doesn't really penalize the honest people here since it's not too difficult to get to 50 posts when you're enthusiastic about sharing your Disney knowledge with other DIS board members! Just offering your opinion on each "where should I buy" thread or each "Buy from Disney or buy resale" thread that gets posted will get you to 50 posts in no time.

 

[Lewisc]

A fradulent person could create dozen of DIS identities and satisfy any minimum post requirements. The date a DIS joined and their total post counts are visible. That's one factor that a person should consider in deciding who to do business with. Let the owner/renter decide how much value to put in this information.

Internet sites such as mousesavers suggest people consider renting points and suggest DIS as a good place to post. A six month rule might cut out some good people.

I guess DIS could considering charging a nominal annual fee for members that want to post in the rental board. That would help pay for bandwidth. It would reduce the number of multiple identities and having to provide a valid credit card might deter some scammers. The owner is getting money and the renter is getting a good deal on a vacation. Maybe DIS should get something, even if it's just $10 for the annual right to post in the rental forum.

The reason I like the minimum posts idea is that otherwise someone considering scamming other people could just create a dozen DIS board names, wait six months and use those multiple identities to rip off a dozen (or more) different people. The minimum post count (with posts that have some actual content, not just posting a smilie or something) requires that they put some effort into it as well as wait it out for 6 months and I think it is the combination of the two that makes it a deterrent to scammers. It also doesn't really penalize the honest people here since it's not too difficult to get to 50 posts when you're enthusiastic about sharing your Disney knowledge with other DIS board members! Just offering your opinion on each "where should I buy" thread or each "Buy from Disney or buy resale" thread that gets posted will get you to 50 posts in no time.

 

[Tiger926]

A fradulent person could create dozen of DIS identities and satisfy any minimum post requirements. The date a DIS joined and their total post counts are visible. That's one factor that a person should consider in deciding who to do business with. Let the owner/renter decide how much value to put in this information.

Internet sites such as mousesavers suggest people consider renting points and suggest DIS as a good place to post. A six month rule might cut out some good people.

I guess DIS could considering charging a nominal annual fee for members that want to post in the rental board. That would help pay for bandwidth. It would reduce the number of multiple identities and having to provide a valid credit card might deter some scammers. The owner is getting money and the renter is getting a good deal on a vacation. Maybe DIS should get something, even if it's just $10 for the annual right to post in the rental forum.

Not sure if this is a good idea as once people pay for a service, they expect a certain amount of maintenance and customer service to go along with that fee - the DIS boards would be in for a whole lot of issues if they started charging a user fee on the r/t board, IMHO. As it stands now, it's just a convenience factor as it's part of the user forum, and so 'renter beware' is definitely in order here as I don't think the DIS boards should shoulder any responsibility for renting or trading points - Disney discourages doing so for a reason as even they don't get involved in renting/trading, and we all need to remember that. As has been mentioned a million times, life is about risk, for some, renting is worth the risk, but for many of us, it is not, nor will it ever be.

Tiger

 

[BCV23]

Without reading 30 pages can someone tell me if it all worked out? TIA!

 

[LisaS]

A fradulent person could create dozen of DIS identities and satisfy any minimum post requirements. The date a DIS joined and their total post counts are visible. That's one factor that a person should consider in deciding who to do business with. Let the owner/renter decide how much value to put in this information.

Internet sites such as mousesavers suggest people consider renting points and suggest DIS as a good place to post. A six month rule might cut out some good people.

I think the bigger problem is that much of the business done on the R/T board takes place via PMs. So even if someone met the 6 month/50 post minimum and could post on the R/T board, they could be contacted via PM by someone who just joined the DIS boards. So I do agree with you that both owners and renters should always do their homework.

 

[alldiz]

I hope everything works out... I recently finally posted after lurking for a
while to possibly snag a reservation in jan.... Funny only a few very low posters responded. I was already watching this thread... so I was nervous,
only ssr was available so I definately didn't want to book.
I hope this wasn't the same person?
kerri

p.s took so long to post cause I'm not to computer savvy

 

[DVCJones]

I was hoping to come here and read that everything had worked out for the the parties involved.

<sigh>

 

[Granny]

Without reading 30 pages can someone tell me if it all worked out? TIA!

Not yet.

 

[Disney MAINEiac]

OK, I can't stand anymore of this. This board has been really good to me and our organization so I am going to make this offer:

I currently have 224 pts available for use. I will be happy to make them available to the 2 people who were left out in the cold. You can have these points for $5 per point. Since you've already put up half of the money, then you can use your remainder for these and go on that "MAGICAL" vacation. If these are not enough points for the 2 victims, I should have some more coming in the next week or so.

Please PM me and I will give you my home phone # so we can do the deal. You will NOT have to go to Western Union! You can send me a personal check after I make your reservations.

Happy "magical" vacationing,
Tom

Anyone thinking of a DVC purchase who doesn't give Tom's company a serious chance after reading this has no soul

 

[minniemomof3]

Do we know for sure the Vogels reservation was completed successfully? I realize she had a post about her bcv stay, however, is it possible that she had to pay for that reservation when she arrived?

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i just spent the last several hours reading this whole thread
its just so sad
i think Toms offer is amazing and I hope it can help one of your families
I hope you are able to get your $ back and still go away

 

[JimMIA]

Without reading 30 pages can someone tell me if it all worked out? TIA!

NOT fair! Don't anybody tell her anything! Shhhh....

 

[JimMIA]

Without reading 30 pages can someone tell me if it all worked out? TIA!

Actually, nothing has changed. Nor is anything likely to change anytime soon.

I know we all want instant gratification and are used to the 24-hour news cycle, but these things take time.

 

[JimMIA]

Do we know for sure the Vogels reservation was completed successfully? I realize she had a post about her bcv stay, however, is it possible that she had to pay for that reservation when she arrived?

I'm pretty sure Heather's ressie went okay. I know she confirmed it shortly before leaving and it was still good. If it was not intact, there would not have been any room at the inn for her family.

If memory serves me, I think they are returning shortly from their cruise, spending a day or two back at WDW offsite, and then going home. My guess is we'll hear something from them next week.

 

[robinb]

p.s took so long to post cause I'm not to computer savvy

to the DIS!!!

You're doing great .

​

 

[Deb & Bill]

One thing I thought of, what's to keep an unscrupulous renter from using the identity of another DVC member off the Orange County Comptroller's site and telling the potential rentee that they are that person with those points? Since this information is public information, it would very easy for them to do.
Then the potential rentee looks them up on the OCC website, see that they are a real person with real points and makes the deal. Only to be cheated.

 

[JandD Mom]

One thing I thought of, what's to keep an unscrupulous renter from using the identity of another DVC member off the Orange County Comptroller's site and telling the potential rentee that they are that person with those points? Since this information is public information, it would very easy for them to do.
Then the potential rentee looks them up on the OCC website, see that they are a real person with real points and makes the deal. Only to be cheated.

Nothing. I asked that question at least once earlier on this thread. It is so easy to plug in random names until you get a "hit" on that site, that I am sure you could use someone's name and "check out."

Question, did the PP's "aunt" have a common last name, ie, Miller, Smith, Jones, Roberts etc?

 

[diznyfanatic]

Well...my first reaction after reading Deb's post was to literally gasp at the horror of that thought but after thinking about it for a few minutes, I'm going to "ASSume" that anyone who would do something like that, would also probably use an alias posting ID with a low count, would probably exhibit more than one of the other warning signs, would not be able to provide valid contact information, would not be able to provide verifiable references (particularly if this were a DIS transaction) and wouldn't want to submit a written rental contact.

I'm hoping everyone by now, would RUN from renting from someone like that.

Also, I think you can do a reverse lookup on whitepages.com to verify or match names with phone numbers and addresses.

Another good reason to test the contact information provided.