Sad Story from One Who Trusted without Checking!

[Deemarch]

Unless you personally know someone, how can I let my friends & family take a risk? This makes me too nervous to consider.

 

[JimMIA]

diznyfanatic started a "DVC Points Rental Primer" thread, and here's a link: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1255828

A lot of the suggestions that have been mentioned here would be welcome additions to that thread, and I'd suggest that anyone who has ideas go there and add to the body of knowledge.

This comment by Denise is in line with one of the ideas I posted to that thread -- If you're not completely comfortable, just walk away. It's the best protection you could possibly have.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Cancellation/refund-or-not agreement should be spelled out. In my deals we have just agreed on these points by email for my small rental amounts, but for high$ rentals I would say printed and signed/notarized is best.

I think the best methods to pay for rented points to protect buyer and seller are :
Certified cashier's check from a phone-able major US bank with multiple locations...
Personal check from phone-able major US bank with multiple locations...
Possibly US Postal Money order (I have not researched how well the Post Office checks IDs when someone cashes these, however, and there is a dollar limit on each one)....

When I have rented some points, I paid by personal check once and business check once. My business is easily verifiable online as real, and the pointowner had no real risk, since if the check didn't clear he could cancel the reservation. After the DVC confirmation is in hand and after the payment clears, there is very little risk left (usually none for the seller), and a great stay is probably going to happen

...

But until you own the points, you don't get to set the rental requirements. As a non-owner, you can ask the owner to do something, but they can turn you down if they don't like your method of payment, your terms of payment, the color of your check.

 

[Frankiesmom]

I am sooo sad that there has been no resolution to this!

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

One question I have for you.... When you rent, How much time does your rentee give you to pay? They have paid for your vacation until you do. Whether they have anything to loose or not they have money on the line, out of pocket.

I think this is up to both parties and what agreement they come to. For us as renters and my 'tenants's ' we required 50% upfront and then the remaining 50% 60 days out. I used a written contract, something I found on these boards for the protection of everyone...... Again every rental is different. Some people don't use a contract - other do. Some ask for 100% up front others ask for a deposit to hold the reservation.....
You gut feeling will also help.

I am still hoping for a resolution to the original poster but it is not looking to good. Taking the next legal steps might be necessary as others have posted. Do what is best for you and your family. If to much time goes on it will only worsen your case in my opinion....

 

[FarmerJohn]

I hate the fact that member services doesn't allow non members to call anymore
It was nice when a renter could call & check on their reservation with the confirmation #

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Although I understand the concern that many people have expressed that there might be a better way to ensure that a scammer can't hurt us, I'm more concerned that one rotten apple is having the effect of scaring us so badly. We don't have a trend here, unless you want to call it a trend that 1000's of good transactions have occurred without incident.

If a real trend develops the only real solution may be to call a halt to the rent/trade board entirely. But I think that the strongest defense we have at this point is to do what has been done - shine a big, bright, collective light on the occasional scammer. If we don't lose confidence in each other we will stay strong enough to do that. The worst thing that could happen is if we all begin to drift away from the boards in fear.

 

[dumbo71]

I hate the fact that member services doesn't allow non members to call anymore
It was nice when a renter could call & check on their reservation with the confirmation #

If you want to have access to an account all you have to do is buy a contract. I, for one, do not want renters having access to MY account. We are talking about privacy laws here. A written confirmation copy from DVC should suffice for a renter.

If a renter is unwilling to accept this there is always CRO. Reduced price rentals come with some risk and a loss of control over the reservation.

 

[robinb]

I hate the fact that member services doesn't allow non members to call anymore
It was nice when a renter could call & check on their reservation with the confirmation #

FWIW, it was a false sense of security since the renter could still cancel your reservation at any time. You could always request a 3-way call with the member and member services but the same caveat applies.

 

[dumbo71]

But until you own the points, you don't get to set the rental requirements. As a non-owner, you can ask the owner to do something, but they can turn you down if they don't like your method of payment, your terms of payment, the color of your check.

Great post. As a member that rented over 20 times I agree 100%. Renters simply do not have the same rights and privledges that an OWNER/MEMBER has, nor should they.

 

[JimMIA]

If you want to have access to an account all you have to do is buy a contract. I, for one, do not want renters having access to MY account. We are talking about privacy laws here. A written confirmation copy from DVC should suffice for a renter.

If a renter is unwilling to accept this there is always CRO. Reduced price rentals come with some risk and a loss of control over the reservation.

Clever.

But if you check this link http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=15189935&postcount=38 I think you will find that FarmerJohn is, in fact, a worthy DVC owner...so no need to flame out over his simple statement.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you want to have access to an account all you have to do is buy a contract. I, for one, do not want renters having access to MY account. We are talking about privacy laws here. A written confirmation copy from DVC should suffice for a renter.

Clever.

But if you check this link http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=15189935&postcount=38 I think you will find that FarmerJohn is, in fact, a worthy DVC owner...so no need to flame out over his simple statement.

I didn't see it as a flame for Farmer John, but as a note for non-members who are still bemoaning the fact that they cannot call MS to confirm the reservation.

 

[kimberh]

But until you own the points, you don't get to set the rental requirements. As a non-owner, you can ask the owner to do something, but they can turn you down if they don't like your method of payment, your terms of payment, the color of your check.

This is my point! I have had non-owners approach me with how a previous owner had rented to them. It did not meet my standards. That is why I asked the question and wanted to point out that we do have money on the line, until the reservation is paid in full. If we have paid to have the points transferred in, then we have even more money in the non-owners vacation. I do use a contract, I do not get it notarized. I require 50% down and the balance 60 days prior to travel. I do like the 90 days that I have just read. Some points cannot be returned back into an account. It does depend on the Uy. If a person rents every year, maybe they should consider buying. I have had two people say that to me recently.

Happy vacationing and I am so sorry for the Op.

 

[DMKEDM]

I'm sorry to report there's still no news on our situation...

Steps have been taken, and now we have to wait for those steps to play out...it will likely take some time...but I'll pop back in here from time to time to let you know that we remain active in our pursuit of a resolution...and of course both Stacey & I will post when a final resolution occurs...but it will take some time...

I'll also repeat, for the readers here who are very nervous about renting: There were several spots in this "transaction" where my radar twanged...had I walked away when this evidence of something not quite right presented itself, I would not be out $870 ... the point is that a very clever scammer could probably get by everyone's "internal warning system"--but a very clever scammer is not likely to be "working these boards"...not enough money to be made for long enough to make it worth it. For the rest, had I applied even a little bit of common sense, I would have saved myself from my own stupidity! That doesn't mean I "blame myself"...I'm not the one who was dishonest. But I do see where my "blind" desire to acquire those points, regardless of warning signs, is what allowed the dishonest person who took my money to get away with it (so far, anyway). So, I don't feel particularly "scared" about the possibility of renting again...if I use reasonable caution, I feel the odds are good that I'll be fine and that both the person I would rent from and I would come out of the transaction happy...

Dani

 

[Chuck S]

Wishing you both the best of luck in recovering your losses.

 

[JimMIA]

I didn't see it as a flame for Farmer John, but as a note for non-members who are still bemoaning the fact that they cannot call MS to confirm the reservation.

But FarmerJohn is NOT a non-member. He is a DVC owner just like the rest of us, who happens to sometimes rent his points and is open-minded enough to realize that the MS change has adversely impacted his potential customers, will reduce his market, cause him a lot more work, lower his profit margin, and make renting much less attractive for both owners and renters alike.

Personally, I agree with the rule change, but I think FarmerJohn should be allowed to express his opinion without being criticized in such a condescending manner.

 

[Granny]

For the rest, had I applied even a little bit of common sense, I would have saved myself from my own stupidity! That doesn't mean I "blame myself"...I'm not the one who was dishonest. But I do see where my "blind" desire to acquire those points, regardless of warning signs, is what allowed the dishonest person who took my money to get away with it (so far, anyway). So, I don't feel particularly "scared" about the possibility of renting again...if I use reasonable caution, I feel the odds are good that I'll be fine and that both the person I would rent from and I would come out of the transaction happy...

Dani

Dani...thank you for posting the update. I think we are becoming aware that this will not be a particularly easy or quick solution, and again we offer our best wishes to you and Stacey in dealing with this person.

I feel you are being a bit hard on yourself with the above comments. Not because there weren't some opportunities to have done things a little differently, but because I think that many people have gone through rental transactions taking no more precautions than you did. It is only because the person you are dealing with has no natural feelings of obligation to you that you ended up in this situation.

I guess what I'm saying, is that many people could read your story and think "there but for the grace of God go I". So don't be hard on yourself...frankly, it could have happened to a number of us and you just happened to pull the short straw.

God bless you and best wishes.

 

[JimMIA]

Steps have been taken, and now we have to wait for those steps to play out...it will likely take some time...

I know a lot of well-wishers have been concerned that things were moving slowly...or maybe not at all. You have to realize that just because Dani and Stacey do not post their actions, that does not mean they are doing nothing. They actually began taking appropriate actions on October 14...the date this thread started. Although we would all like to see a quick resolution, these things do take some time.

The passage of time does not hurt Dani and Stacey's "cases." Time is on their side, not on the other side. In fact, every day that passes without a resolution adds to the now-overwhelming body of evidence indicating clear criminal intent on the part of the person many of you call PP. That strengthens -- not weakens -- their cases.

In the end, there will be a resolution of these situations -- either positive or negative. A positive resolution is available, but not up to Dani and Stacey. A positive resolution depends on the other side doing the right thing. If they choose a negative resolution, that is yet another poor decision, but it's their decision to make.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for the update! I realize the wheels of justice turn slowly, but I was hoping for a change of heart on the part of the PP in hopes that they were going to make your path and theirs a little easier, but it appears the PP isn't quite bright enough for that. Just chiming in with additional pixie dust and prayers for a resolution very soon.

 

[robinb]

Thanks for the update! I realize the wheels of justice turn slowly, but I was hoping for a change of heart on the part of the PP in hopes that they were going to make your path and theirs a little easier, but it appears the PP isn't quite bright enough for that. Just chiming in with additional pixie dust and prayers for a resolution very soon.

I too also hoping that the PP would buy half a clue and try to make things right without the law stepping in. I still don't think she entered these transactions with the intent to defraud, but her actions (and inaction) two weeks later all point to fraud now. Good luck with the legal route.