Some jerk did me a big favor

[Dean]

Although I hope they did, I have a feeling the actuality is more likely "they threaten to, but…." similar to what happened to me once. They had a sign at that time that if you took the cord for the internet, they'd charge you $10 for it (at OKW). Well, I was doing a split stay, and when I got to my next stop and unleaded by laptop, there was the cord, still attached. I quick called over to OKW in a panic, "Please don't charge me, I promise to return it right now." The nice CM said "Oh, don't worry, we threaten to charge but in actuality, we've never charged anyone." I know that's just a cord, not smoking, but I'm afraid the actuality may be the same. I hope I'm wrong.

In this situation I'm pretty sure they'll charge them.

 

[Bangerang]

It would be interesting to know if the previous guest was a DVC member, renter or paid rack rate. I've often wondered whether members and possibly renters are more rule followers than others.

 

[Msmithmd]

It would have been hard for us too, in addition to packing knowing there's a washer in the room; we also eat a lot of meals in the room. No kitchen would not have worked for us. I'm glad it made your trip better.

You're correct. Our situation was that this was the first part of an intentional split stay- with family coming in town to join us in a larger villa later. Thus, we knew the villa amenities were just three days away.

If it had been for our whole trip, I would have felt it reasonable to insist on relocation to a different dvc villa somewhere else. I was actually rather surprised they didn't have any empty room at Kidani from breakage or holdback left to put us in. Clearly it cost them more to put us where they did, than in another dvc accommodation.

As others do, we pack light because we use our laundry almost daily. The VWL machine has certainly gotten the catch-up workout since we arrived here.

And, we by pure luck hadn't gone grocery shopping before we became aware of the problem. All's well that ends well I guess.

It still boggles my mind that some other guest would think it was cool to essentially trash a villa to the point the hotel couldn't use it for the next guest checking in. This is a ridiculous thing to do, regardless of whether the prior guest was a member or not.

But Disney did right by us, despite the actions of the prior guest clearly being outside of their control. And I very much thank them for that.

 

[Dean]

It would be interesting to know if the previous guest was a DVC member, renter or paid rack rate. I've often wondered whether members and possibly renters are more rule followers than others.

I doubt it would help us. We've discussed this issue before related to usage in general. We have precious little info, from DVC or otherwise, but my impression is that it likely doesn't matter or that members are slightly more likely to take advantage, likely because they feel entitled due to ownership. I've also discussed it with a friend who has been in Marriott management for some time, mostly and currently for timeshares, and he agrees. He said he doesn't have data but that his impression is that the only group he can single out are the spring break type of groups. In spite of what some would like to think, even for large owners, DVC is really the setup more of a partially prepaid car rental. I would suspect that the ONLY timeshare ownership that would alter this equation would be a fixed unit setup. That said, I suspect most people take precautions to protect the villas just like they would at home and that it's the outliers that mess it up for everyone just like in most everything else. I believe that those that believe owners do a good job in this area and renters a poor one are simply off base.

 

[beer dave]

It would be interesting to know if the previous guest was a DVC member, renter or paid rack rate. I've often wondered whether members and possibly renters are more rule followers than others.

I believe that renter vs owner is a moot debate. There are no moral requirements for either, and the debate is clearly a moral issue. The only thing to compare would be desire to own a timeshare vs not.

And a honest question-- does anyone really ever pay rack rate for DVC resorts?

 

[dvc_john]

I would suspect that the ONLY timeshare ownership that would alter this equation would be a fixed unit setup. That said, I suspect most people take precautions to protect the villas just like they would at home and that it's the outliers that mess it up for everyone just like in most everything else.

For what it's worth....

I own a fixed week timeshare in a resort with all 2br dedicated units, but with two different layouts. Some years ago, my guests wanted to see what the other layout was like, so we went to the office to see if there was one we could take a look at. They said there was one that people had just checked out of, and housekeeping was on their way, and we could take a look at it.
Well, the housekeeper did let us in, but was embarrassed by the condition of the room. It was a total mess: every dish was dirty, the sink was filled with dirty dishes, as was every table, coffee table, end table, etc. trash containers overflowing, and trash all over the place, crayon markings on the wall, furniture rearranged, dirt and sand all over the carpet, etc. etc. etc.
I casually commented that I was surprised that an owner would treat their property like that. The housekeeper volunteered that it was a renter, and that by policy (based on experience), housekeeping scheduled in advance a longer time to clean a rented unit than to clean an owner occupied unit.

 

[beer dave]

For what it's worth....

I own a fixed week timeshare in a resort with all 2br dedicated units, but with two different layouts. Some years ago, my guests wanted to see what the other layout was like, so we went to the office to see if there was one we could take a look at. They said there was one that people had just checked out of, and housekeeping was on their way, and we could take a look at it.
Well, the housekeeper did let us in, but was embarrassed by the condition of the room. It was a total mess: every dish was dirty, the sink was filled with dirty dishes, as was every table, coffee table, end table, etc. trash containers overflowing, and trash all over the place, crayon markings on the wall, furniture rearranged, dirt and sand all over the carpet, etc. etc. etc.
I casually commented that I was surprised that an owner would treat their property like that. The housekeeper volunteered that it was a renter, and that by policy (based on experience), housekeeping scheduled in advance a longer time to clean a rented unit than to clean an owner occupied unit.

This is about the best source you will find. interesting.

 

[Bangerang]

First of all, I apologize for the randomness of my post last night. I was responsible for breakfast and dessert today so had spent the better part of the day baking and preparing. By the time I made my previous post, my brain had mostly shut down so I didn't get my whole thought down properly.

Second, I’m glad that this worked out so well for the OP. I’ve yet to stay concierge, but this sounds like a great alternative if there’s going to be a problem with a room.

I believe that renter vs owner is a moot debate. There are no moral requirements for either, and the debate is clearly a moral issue. The only thing to compare would be desire to own a timeshare vs not.

And a honest question-- does anyone really ever pay rack rate for DVC resorts?

I absolutely agree that it’s a moot point from a moral standpoint. It’s obvious the previous occupant wasn't thinking (or even cared) about how their actions would affect anyone else. But I don’t agree that it’s a moot point from a financial standpoint, especially if management chooses not to recover the cost of cleanup. If the previous guest booked through Disney, than the cleanup cost would fall on Disney. If, however, this was a DVC member or renter then the cleanup costs, including the cost of the concierge room, would come out of MFs. It doesn't take very many of these to add up pretty quickly and over time increase housekeeping costs.

For what it's worth....

I own a fixed week timeshare in a resort with all 2br dedicated units, but with two different layouts. Some years ago, my guests wanted to see what the other layout was like, so we went to the office to see if there was one we could take a look at. They said there was one that people had just checked out of, and housekeeping was on their way, and we could take a look at it.
Well, the housekeeper did let us in, but was embarrassed by the condition of the room. It was a total mess: every dish was dirty, the sink was filled with dirty dishes, as was every table, coffee table, end table, etc. trash containers overflowing, and trash all over the place, crayon markings on the wall, furniture rearranged, dirt and sand all over the carpet, etc. etc. etc.
I casually commented that I was surprised that an owner would treat their property like that. The housekeeper volunteered that it was a renter, and that by policy (based on experience), housekeeping scheduled in advance a longer time to clean a rented unit than to clean an owner occupied unit.

Once again, I have to wonder if it’s like this at Disney as well. Are some of the increases in MFs due to an increase in renters? We’re not likely to ever know, but the Geeky numbers side of me can’t help but wonder.

 

[Dean]

Once again, I have to wonder if its like this at Disney as well. Are some of the increases in MFs due to an increase in renters? Were not likely to ever know, but the Geeky numbers side of me cant help but wonder.

You could also schedule a visit to Celebration and discuss such issues with upper level DVC management. My thoughts are no, we are all truly renters. However, no only will we likely never know (DVC doesn't have an accurate list of who is renting) but also does it matter since we have the exclusive right to rent. I'd suggest that likely the largest variable for fees to the general membership is the number of points owned.

 

[beer dave]

You could also schedule a visit to Celebration and discuss such issues with upper level DVC management. My thoughts are no, we are all truly renters. However, no only will we likely never know (DVC doesn't have an accurate list of who is renting) but also does it matter since we have the exclusive right to rent. I'd suggest that likely the largest variable for fees to the general membership is the number of points owned.

Thats not a variable-- it is dollars per point. All points are the same cost in any given year.

 

[beer dave]

If the previous guest booked through Disney, than the cleanup cost would fall on Disney. If, however, this was a DVC member or renter then the cleanup costs, including the cost of the concierge room, would come out of MFs. It doesn't take very many of these to add up pretty quickly and over time increase housekeeping costs.

I am thinking that even if it was a cash rental, MF will pay for the clean up. The argument will be that the management of the building was responsible for the policing of the guest.

 

[Dean]

Thats not a variable-- it is dollars per point. All points are the same cost in any given year.

Smaller contracts are inherently more expensive from a management standpoint than larger ones for several reasons including economy of scale and the fact that those who own small have to micromanage. Thus larger contract owners are currently supplementing smaller points owners. Some other points systems have taken steps to make smaller owners pay more accordingly than larger ones.

 

[beer dave]

Smaller contracts are inherently more expensive from a management standpoint than larger ones for several reasons including economy of scale and the fact that those who own small have to micromanage. Thus larger contract owners are currently supplementing smaller points owners. Some other points systems have taken steps to make smaller owners pay more accordingly than larger ones.

So you are saying the cost of the services to the lower point contracts is higher per point due to the base amount that a contract costs (to service)? That makes sense-- I took it as you were saying the MF's were higher for the lower point contracts (to the owner) per point.

 

[Dean]

So you are saying the cost of the services to the lower point contracts is higher per point due to the base amount that a contract costs (to service)? That makes sense-- I took it as you were saying the MF's were higher for the lower point contracts (to the owner) per point.

There are obviously a number of factors and there is variability from one owner to another. My statements will assume the average across the groups and therefore a given members personal experience or habits really have no meaning otherwise. Maint fees/management has several components including the inherent costs per contract, the amount of interaction between the member and the system esp by phone and the usual length of stays. Actual hard maintenance of the resorts is more a constant and that amount will vary less pp than housekeeping, MS, etc though more contracts is still more expensive per. Those with the smallest amounts by necessity have to work the system to get their needs met and those with larger points totals are less likely to change around, keep calling to get something, etc. Remember we're only talking comparatively so someone who is an outlier in either group doesn't really alter the overall. The total cost for a large points owner will be more but the pp cost will be less to the degree that one who owns very small may actually cost more in real dollars to the system than one who owns somewhat larger. Say a 50 points owner may require more total interactions, housekeeping, etc than a 100 or 150 pt owner.

 

[PlutoFan10]

This is something that would cause me to worry about renting points. As DVC members, I believe we are responsible for any damage or cleaning cost for smokers. Have any of you been "burned" by this in the past? Are there contracts you could enter with the renter that would make them pay for these costs?

 

[Dean]

This is something that would cause me to worry about renting points. As DVC members, I believe we are responsible for any damage or cleaning cost for smokers. Have any of you been "burned" by this in the past? Are there contracts you could enter with the renter that would make them pay for these costs?

There is minimal risk, they would only come after the member if they couldn't charge the guest. Over the years there have only been a few stories of issues and generally they have been left charges rather than damages. However, there is considerable risk of using a large number of points for for other options where they are used for cash (DCL, ABD, etc) and there have been as many or more reports of that issue than all these type issue when renting. That's why I feel it's best to just buy what one needs (? small cushion depending) and use cash for cash type exchanges. It's cheaper almost 100% of the time, you have more options, there's far less stress/aggravation and less risk. For one who already owns a lot of points they won't use otherwise, they'll have to decide what risks and losses to take.