Sad Story

[Crissup]

Originally posted by CarolAnnC
Please pursue other avenues for retribution and resolution of such matters.

How about if we perform a public hanging using a lime green rope?

 

[CRSNDSNY]

You can always do a search on the OPs posts to narrow down who she may have gotten a bad deal from -- then you won't have to mention names.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by Poorman
I asked Doc about a renters hall of fame about a year ago, and he thought it was a good idea and would talk to the other mod's,but it never got any further.
It would be only positive experiences, nothing negative. If you rented to someone and it was a good rental post his/her name. If you rented from someone, some thing. It would be simple to get lists of good people together. Maybe it's time to do this. I don't know if we could do it on the Yahoo/DVC/ rent trade board or not.

What about a constant poll of known renters or start a good renting experience thread that will always run? Like how people have posted who their CM are and how much they loved them it could be the same thing but just giving positives to the great renters and vice versa we coulc also have a good rentee thread. Only positives though is that allowed on the boards?

 

[mikesmom]

You can always do a search on the OPs posts to narrow down who she may have gotten a bad deal from -- then you won't have to mention names.

Whoops, guys, I don't think that's a very good idea! What if 2 or 3 people answered her post publicly (and it never went anywhere) while the real culprit just sent her a PM or a private email. You'd be hurting innocent bystanders.

This is a terrible thing, but let's not jump to conclusions and hang the wrong guy. As a previous poster said, what good would it do to post names even if the DIS allowed it? They could just re-register under a different name.

I do like the idea of the board with good references, but it has it's own issues. It would penalize those who never rented before and just had to unload a few points. It would also be the most helpful to folks who rent out a lot, and there are many here who object to that. Someone who might have great references as a renter might not want to have their name posted as a frequent renter and expose themselves to potshots from folks who think frequent renting is a big no-no

 

[Divamomto3]

I am livid!
I can't believe nothing can be done!
I want you to call Judge Judy, your local news, and primetime live!

Nothing makes me angrier than con artists.

I'd also like his name PM'd to me.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

You know while it may be off topic I don't understand why people get upset with renting. It is allowable and some people look at DVC as an investment. But with that said, I think it was highly unfortunate that this renter took advantage of someone. That is not the norm though thank God!.

 

[Beca]

I read your story, and I have been thinking about how to protect yourself from this in the future.

Here's my thoughts:

1) get an AP for at least one member in your family, and stay in the same hotel using AP discounts. It might come out to be near the same.

2) If there is a DVC member that you know and trust, and/or correspond with regularly, see if they will act as an "agent" for you. Rent points that can be "transferred" into the "trusted DVC'ers) account, pay the renter, and then have the friend make the ressie for you. Of course, this will only work if you have someone you can trust. I would do it for you, but that doesn't really help...since I am a stranger to you as well. But, if you need me....


Just my 2 cents...hope it is helpful!!



Beca

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by mikesmom
Whoops, guys, I don't think that's a very good idea! What if 2 or 3 people answered her post publicly (and it never went anywhere) while the real culprit just sent her a PM or a private email. You'd be hurting innocent bystanders.

I never said you would know for sure who it was.

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by dianelevene
Thanks for the advice. We did try and get the dvc member to take a credit card through paypal. However, he refused so we went ahead and paid him. We eventually sued him in small claims court but because he lived so far away it would have cost us more to appear in court than we could have recovered through the suit. Unfortunately you can not include travel costs as part of your damages when you file suit. I was angry that he was able to get away with stealing from us but at this point there is nothing else we can do. As I mentioned before we rented DVC points once before and the arrangement worked out beautifully. I did try and call to check on my reservations but I was told that since I was not the DVC member I could not get ANY information about the reservation. Anyhow I will have to think about what I want to do when we go to Disney next January. I really love the Wilderness Lodge Villas and we enjoyed staying there. We love how close it is to the Magic Kingdom and my kids love the boat ride to get there.

You can always press criminal charges. Theft is a crime, and maybe a felony in this case, because it involves crossing state lines!!!!

 

[Rpsemont]

This first time I rented luckily the person renting to me was from NY. (I'm from MA) Believe it or not, I took some comfort in the fact that if the deal fell through the renter was close enought that I felt I could alwys pursue legal recourse since it was just a few hours away. If you rent again, maybe try to find someon from VA, or MD, or DC to be the one to rent you the points.

I would not give up on the first deal. I would gather your information together and check with your state (or the state of the renter) for consumer proection laws. If someone from Massachusetts did that to you, you could sue then under what's called 93A and ask for Triple damages! Maybe pay for your upcoming trip! If your renter was from MA - PM me. I'll help you get your money back!

 

[mitcam]

I think that this is not only a Rent/Trade issue but also an issue for DVC owners.

While I completly understand why DIS does not get involved in these transactions and I know they need to stay behind the scene when things are good and bad however IMHO it needs to be a discussion here not the Rent/Trade board

Rent/Trade I thought and please correct me was for people looking to rent or rent out points? The original poster was seeking assistance/advice from owners as she was scammed by an owner most posters on the DVC board are owners and potential owners that seems the correct place for the post. When it goes off topic I agree it needs to be either shut down or moved but for now at least I think it has been a show of true DIS support from owners who would never consider doing such a horrible thing.

With that being said is there a way to make a permanent thread always shows on the top of the page when you open Rent/Trade that renters can get the links to DVC owners who rent their points in good faith? Seems that potential renters can scan through a list of DISers and find out where they live cost of their points - I think that most transactions would take place with the same states of both parties or at least in close proximity.

You would have to request from the DIS to be on the board - there could be certain criteria to get on the board etc...

I often think about being a point broker here in Massachusetts. I am the mother of 2 small kids, I know many families in Massachusetts who would rent from DVC owners for their trips. I may even do this in my future life when I give up the "nursing gig" - thats Registered Nurse

 

[pat-rick]

Just a thought !!! I have not read all the post on this thread but.........

Since the "THIEF" insisted on full payment do you think he was not a DVC MEMBER at all. Just someone who lurks on these boards , learned the system enough to pull off the CON since the rent and trade board is based on some trust.
This is not good, not only for this party but for all of us who may at some time need to rent or transfer points.

I hope you can find a way to recover your loss in the near future.

 

[st92jmdc]

I thought that also pat-rick, but I think that dianelevene had mentioned that when she got to check-in, they told her that the reservation had been cancelled.

dianelevene: I think you should press criminal charges. Talk to your US Congressperson. They will DEFINTELY know what your rights are and how to CORRECTLY go after this person.
Also, we have an internet crime force in Philadelphia, PA that deals with things similar to this (scams that are initiated over the internet).

Good Luck, and Good Health!

 

[DB Washington]

Man, this makes me mad. I wish we could put ratings next to member names for trustworthiness like they do on ebay. I am a DVC member and have rented out to many a nervous renters. I am with the person who said you should get references. When I rent out I use a contract, give out references and request payment through Paypal. I also mail the confirmation to the renter, although that's no protection for the renter. It upsets me that a really bad apple like this brings down the credibility of the entire process.

What about mail fraud? Seems like if he did this over state lines you could file a complaint with the FBI. I know its small potatoes to them, but at least there would be something in the record.

Best wishes on your next attempt to rent. Sounds like you've gotten some really good advice on the board. I know there are many honest and trustworthy DVC members who will "do right by you" as we say in the Deep South.

 

[fkj2]

I know there are many honest and trustworthy DVC members . . .

That may be some of it--that there's a widespread disappointment to discover that not all DVCers are. I think here on the Disboards, there is this sense of community and this episode violates not only the renter, but the rest of us as well who want to enjoy and share, even through renting out extra points, the opportunity to enjoy outstanding accommodations with those who otherwise might stay at a value or moderate.

A year ago, maybe less, there was one person in particular that seemed to be renting points for an unbelievably low price and that some had some problems with.

I also seem to remember a distant post that Doc had made, maybe a couple of years ago now, about some people who had rented points and never paid for them and the owner never cancelled the accommodations. Whether or not the owner ever got paid, I don't recall reading.

It's unfortunate to be the victim. References are useful, along with the old adage, that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That may not be the case here but it is amazing to me that so many people rent points for their vacations and episodes like this are, fortunately, so isolated.

 

[Sammie]

We don't rent our points and due to the risk, even though rare, we don't rent points either.

However many do and I am fine with that, it's your points. I do however think it is very unreasonable to expect DIS to get involved in any way or DVC either.

That being said if someone really wants to have a forum where people post reviews of their DVC renting experience, Pro and Con, then all you have to do is set up a forum yourself. There are many options for this to be done. EZ Board is a good example.

However be warned if you do this, you might find out real quick why DIS wants no involvement in such a venture.

 

[Poorman]

Does anyone remember this post last year????

If it sounds to good to be true it probably is and will be a

"SAD STORY"

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=422454&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

 

[wdwstar]

That is who i thought it might have been but i wanted to follow the rules of the dis-board .....

that is the reason why i said you can trust the dvc members on this board 99.99% , that person is the 00.01% , dvc repo his points.

 

[polygranny]

Wow! This story sounds like mine. The dates match my dates and the excuse sounds the same. I have emailed you with the con artist's name. If it is the same ... I will be very upaet, I posted my story in the hope that anyone who bought from him would check their reservations. I have, with the help of a knowledgable man ,got all but one hundred dollars back. Please email me if you think there is a possibility that it is the same person. This is my first time back on this site since I asked for help on it. I feel very bad for you. Take heart my knight in shining armor came to my rescue from this site . Now, I may be able to help you.

 

[zurgswife]

Originally posted by wdwstar
That is who i thought it might have been but i wanted to follow the rules of the dis-board .....

that is the reason why i said you can trust the dvc members on this board 99.99% , that person is the 00.01% , dvc repo his points.

I remember those posts from last year...but I have a different question...how do you know that disney repo'd the points???