Sad Story from One Who Trusted without Checking!

[Bird-Mom]

I forgot to mention in my other post that when I asked for references, PP gave me Heather's name. I had to push to get a phone number or email, and then PP told me that Heather is on vacation right now and I should call the BCV. I said no, I would wait until she got home (and therefore wouldn't give PP any money as quickly as he/she wanted). PP didn't like that...I can see why now. Good grief!

Heather, I am so glad everything worked out in the end, but what a horrible 11 months with unsatisfactory answers.

 

[DMKEDM]

Instimpres & Twinklebug: You make me blush! But whether I deserve it or not (my college-age son might dispute your characterization of me as calm and rational!--grin), I would LOVE to meet up at WDW and share a mickey bar or a drink or a ride on Space Mountain (or Expedition Everest or Soarin or Dinosaur or Tower of Terror or Rock 'n Roller Coaster or Peter Pan or...well, you get the idea!)...

As for my "newbie status," well, we all have to start somewhere! I only bought into DVC in June, and my son only found Disboards for me during our three-day "look-it-over" period...I think I've "babbled forth" quite a lot considering how new to Disboards I really am!

It's not like I have much wisdom or even experience to share...I still haven't had my first DVC trip! (although it's only a month away now...and despite the "ickies" of this attempt to rent some extra points, I REFUSE to let the magic be tarnished in any way...DS and I are confirmed Disney fans...we've been 12-15 times over the course of his childhood (altho always thru CRO (and once off-site) or work)...it's waaaay too special a place to let one bad experience (even tho it really is bad!) mess w/my love for WDW!

I'm glad to have found Disboards...you-all are great; I'm looking forward to chances over the years to meet as many of you as possible!

Dani

 

[DVC Daisy]

for those of us on the west coast, please wait until afternoon to consume

twinkelbug is a party pooper!

Heather - so glad your trip went well! Dani & Stacy - still hoping for a positive resolution for you both (and any others).

 

[TiggerTails57]

Heather welcome back!
I have been following this thread and the other thread. Glad you had a wonderful time dispite, the PP and all his/her mess that was flung your way. Look forward to your trip report!

 

[JimMIA]

I think we can all use a drink - OK, as I'll probably never make it to a DIS meet I'll send around a big round of cyber-drinks now to everyone (for those of us on the west coast, please wait until afternoon to consume) ... does it matter to anyone if it's grape or cherry kool-aid?

This offer is frighteningly reminiscent of Maistre Gracey's (sp?) annual "Let me buy you a drink" offer. Every year he makes it... every year he's going at a time different from us... every year I invite him to just send the cash -- and I ain't seen one red cent yet!

MG -- SHOW ME THE MONEY!

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I don't think I like the sound of this. The last time a large group of people drank some Kool-Aid together...it didn't turn out so good.

 

[StaceySaulino]

Heather - I'm glad you had a wonderful vacation, and I also would love a trip report. I love to hear of the fun things others did on their vacations.

As for the huge meet and greet (and of course special drinks) - don't exclude me. I'd love to meet as many as I can too. I'll give it some time and hopefully will catch up with some of you. I'm not an official member yet, but I want to be and will let you all know when I am. I hope this means I can still be an honoray member of "the club".

 

[DMKEDM]

Stacey: You are definitely "one of us"!!! Hope you get your own DVC m'ship soon, but in the meantime, you can piggy-back on mine! Hugs--Dani

 

[Frankiesmom]

I hope a new week brings some form of resolution to you both! Pixie dust to you both.

 

[dianeschlicht]

So glad Heather came back to report!!! Now let's all hope for a good outcome for Dani and Stacy this week!

 

[lisaviolet]

So sorry to everyone who has had to go through all this....the gamut of emotions you all must have felt. I'm so sorry.

Best wishes for some kind of "positive" result.

All the best,

Lisa

 

[CinderellaIam]

So glad that Heather has checked in and confirmed that her stay at BCV went well. Was holding my breath for her. Now hopefully a new week will bring resolution to Staci and Dani.

 

[monkeyjuce]

I'm very sorry you've had this experience. This is exactly the scenario that kept me from renting points a few months ago. I was checking the R/T board frequently, and it seemed to me that there were an inordinate number of brand new Disboard members with points for rent! Even though everyone on here are complete strangers, there is some (perhaps false) security in dealing with people who are well known and well respected (here on the boards, at least). There are several posters who I would happily pay in full immediately, but not people with low post counts!

I come and read the Dis boards all the time but am not a strong typer and really don't have that much to say....What I want to know is how does the number of my posts make someone reliable? It isn't like this is ebay and posts are actually sucessfully completed transactions! Someone could take a day or two post till their hearts content and then scam someone if they wished to. And how would someone really go about checking out 'sucessfully completed transaction' anyway? Its like this....your honest or you aren't and if you have your heart set on being the latter there really isn't much to do to protect yourself against being taken. These transactions are all about trust and I have been looking to rent points but it is scary...I honestly don't know what to do after reading this today. I am sceptical and I think rightfully so. Anyone have any advice on how not to be scammed? There seems to be a debate over Western Union vs. Papal.
I know if the ressies are made (with the owners points) what is the cancellation penalty?

 

[Deb & Bill]

....What I want to know is how does the number of my posts make someone reliable? It isn't like this is ebay and posts are actually sucessfully completed transactions! Someone could take a day or two post till their hearts content and then scam someone if they wished to. ...I know if the ressies are made (with the owners points) what is the cancellation penalty?

If a non-member wants to check on a member by the number of posts, all they have to do is "Find More Posts by XX" (Drop down box when you click on a person's name). Look at the content of the post. Again, if all 50 posts were in the last few days and they were of little or no content, don't rent from them. But if they have been on the DIS a while, post things with a bit of thought behind them, not just bump, bump, bump, they may have a little more seasoning and less likely to scam. A scammer doesn't have the time to post thoughtful responses to other threads. Takes too much time.

I'm not sure what you mean by cancellation penalty. When a member cancels a reservation 30 days or less before the start of the stay, those points go into holding. Meaning you can only make a reservation 60 days or fewer ahead of time. And they must be used before the start of the next use year (when a member gets the next set of points). If it is 31 days or more from the start of the reservation, the points just go back into the member's account. They might still be able to bank them or they may need to use them before the end of the year.

The non-member may have a cancellation penalty of no refund based on what the agreement with the member states.

 

[Lynne M]

I...What I want to know is how does the number of my posts make someone reliable? It isn't like this is ebay and posts are actually sucessfully completed transactions!

It's not that a low number of posts makes you untrustworthy, or that a high number makes someone trustworthy.

It's just that when you read someone's posts on a wide variety of topics, over a long period of time, you start to get a sense of what sort of person they are. I read these boards daily for a long time before I started posting, and I really do feel like I 'know' many of the regulars. You do get a good feeling for their personalities. There are some regular posters on the DISboards that I wouldn't hesitate to rent points from, and there are others that I wouldn't be at all comfortable conducting that kind of a financial transaction with.

So it's not the post count. It's the comfort level you gain by getting to know the person you're renting from.

 

[robinb]

I come and read the Dis boards all the time but am not a strong typer and really don't have that much to say....What I want to know is how does the number of my posts make someone reliable?

It doesn't, but by checking the posts that someone has made you can determine if they are a member of the DIS community or someone who is just using the Rent/Trade board for their own benefit. I would trust a DIS community member over a Rent/Trade newbie any day.

I know if the ressies are made (with the owners points) what is the cancellation penalty?

The cancellation policy depends on the DVC owner. Many (if not most!) DVC owners have a "no refunds" policy. Some will work with the renter to re-rent the points and some will say "it's yours, call me when you have a new renter.". My cancellation/refund policy is pretty liberal: I allow cancellations and I will do at least a partial refund all the way up to the final week as long as I can re-rent the points myself.

 

[Beca]

Heather, I am SOO glad everything went well for you....and, I anxiously await your trip report (you know how much I love BCV!!! ). But seriously, you should get your "referral fingers" ready....I guess you are PP's greatest success story...I think she will be referring a LOT of people to you!!

Stacey and Dani.....still crossing my fingers for you!!

 

[wirki]

I don't think I like the sound of this. The last time a large group of people drank some Kool-Aid together...it didn't turn out so good.

I was just thinking the same thing. And then I thought I really like Orange.

Sorry a little OT.
I am so sorry that this has not been fixed yet. I am hoping that a new week will bring better news for Dani and Stacy. I am glad that your trip went well Heather. Can't wait to hear more about it.


Debbie

 

[tedhowe]

It doesn't, but by checking the posts that someone has made you can determine if they are a member of the DIS community or someone who is just using the Rent/Trade board for their own benefit. I would trust a DIS community member over a Rent/Trade newbie any day.

I have been thinking about the 50 posts/6 month guidelines a lot since it was first posted in this thread. I think it is important to be sure you have BOTH elements to get a more comfortable feel.

Someone who is looking to get away with some scam transactions could very well join the boards for a couple of weeks and post a bunch of messages - even relevant ones - to several different forums at DISBoards and easily get to a 50 post count.

But a scammer is less likely to put in the time and effort to have a presence on the board for 6 months with postings at semi-regular intervals. It's too much effort.

 

[greenban]

I don't know, it makes sense to me. If you are a big time poster and like to post things that are somewhat "controversial" or get into heated arguments with other posters, you are likely to offend either exisiting or potential customers. Having a separate rental screen name fixes that, no one links the two as one. Keep in mind I am completely "out of the loop" here, so I could be way off base, LOL.

Back on topic, sorry!

I pretty squarely fit into the controversial category. In fact I think Doc has designated a 'special category' for me and my self-perceived sense of humor. However, I have one and only one DISboard id (as per the rules) and it has never interfered with my rental activities.

The problem is that PP may not have violated any DISboard rules that would allow her banning, even though most of us would agree her actions are far 'worse' than posting, "...sorry your dates are all sold out..." on the R/T board.

I'm hoping an exception has been made and PP is banned, because her rental activities seem to have morphed into a pyramid scheme.

Let me close with again wishing the best of luck to PP's growing number of victims, and hoping this all finally ends as well it can!

-Tony