Tell Me About Your Experience Renting Points for a Villa

[ProudMommyof2]

I am really interested in the possibility of renting points from a DVC owner to stay at one of the villas. It seems like a nice way to experience a Deluxe resort at mod prices. I realize it involves trust btwn parties and less flexibility about changing dates.

I want to hear about peoples experiences. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

To the moderators: I hope this is the right forum. The DVC forum seems more for owners than non-owners looking at renting points.

Thanks for any help!
Pam

 

[magicaldisney]

We rented twice before purchasing DVC. Both experiences were wonderful. We worked with great owners and everything from start to finish went very smoothly. However, that is not to say it is always that way, but I think for the majority, it is a great experience.

As you stated, there is risk for both sides and you need to feel comfortable with the owner you are working with and they need to feel comfortable with you. Also, as far as flexibility, you also need to be flexible on which resort you want to stay at and size of room. It is quite possible that the resort/room size you would choose will not be available.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[haleofafamily]

We have rented points a few times and it has gone wonderfully for us. I think it helps that I know and trust the owner. We are planning on doing this every time we go. Remember when you use DVC points you do not get mousekeeping, just a mid stay trash pick up.

 

[DVC Mike]

You can certainly save a lot of money on great accommodations in a “Disney Deluxe Villa Resort” (Disney Vacation Club) by renting a reservation direct from a DVC member rather than making the reservation with WDW reservations (aka CRO).

However, please be sure and educate yourself on how a DVC reservation is very different from a regular hotel reservation, and the basics of “renting points”, as it is often referred to.

See: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1669863

 

[chalee94]

i rented at SSR in nov 06 and ultimately, had a good experience.

i tried to rent points 6 months or so out and got no responses when i contacted owners. at this point, i believe that's because DVC is very popular in nov/dec since the points are low and the decorations are up...the resorts were probably booked up and the owners didn't want to check for me since there was little chance of success.

at a month or so out, a renter must have backed out of a contract and the owner posted an offer of 5 nights at an SSR studio for only $8 a point (=$88 pts a night, tax incl.) i had the flexibility to make "last-minute" plans, so i pm'd him and got his information. i checked to see his posting history on the DIS and even googled him (he had a dental practice, IIRC) to get comfort about sending him money. i confirmed with him that i understood there were no refunds and paypalled him immediately. he faxed me the confirmation, set me up with ME and i was ready to go...

i didn't like the lack of control and uncertainty, though. i went ahead and confirmed my reservation with SSR directly at 2-3 days out...they wouldn't have had my information before that, and had the owner had nefarious intentions, he still could have cancelled any time before i checked in (that almost never happens, but it can make me a little nervous.)

i loved SSR. even the studio felt "deluxe" in style. the buses were great and easy access to the bus hub at DTD marketplace made resort hopping easy for those dining ADRs. i liked having the little fridge, microwave and toaster, and prefer not to have mousekeeping in the room everyday anyway.

i much preferred making my own reservations at OKW in 2007 with my own little DVC contract, but renting can be a great deal if you find an owner you can trust (and you have firm plans, because you often can't cancel a rental at all.)

don't feel bad posting on the DVC boards to ask questions. definitely poke around the threads there (if you might rent at SSR, read the "SSR lovers" thread, and so on...) and run some searches to learn more.

here another link to must-know information for potential renters:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1255828

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

subscribing!

 

[Crazy4Disney43611]

I have rented points once before and just like the other posters have said it is a bit nerve racking as you send your $$$ away to a faceless person. In the end it was amazing! We were able to save some $$$ and stay in a beautiful resort. I would do it again in a heart beat just pay attention to what DVC Mike said in understanding the process, the risks etc of renting. If you have any questions about the process feel free to contact me.

Have a magical trip!
Sean

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I have read DVC Mike's great post. I have also watched the rent/trade forum. It seems like everything works very fast there. An owner posts points for rent and there are a dozen replies in minutes. Is there time to check someone out? Would it be better to pay more per point and go with one of the owners that clearly rent out a lot of points?

Anyone have any bad experiences?

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

We did this in Dec '06 and were very happy with the way things worked out. The DVC member was very helpful. Like challe94 said as the renter you don't have alot of control. The member needs to do all the legwork for you. This is really a great deal if you can find the right member to rent from. We liked our stay at OKW & BWV so much that we became members. Last year we rented out our points. We had to be careful too in making sure we were dealing with honest people. I think the best thing is to see how you feel once you talk to the owner. Ask questions and make sure you feel comfortable dealing with them.

 

[tmclanton]

I am renting points for the first time for a trip this coming May. So far, it has been a great experience and I have complete trust in the man that I am renting from. I looked up his contract, googled him, have all his work information, contacted referrences and talked to him on the phone. He has been very helpful and reassuring.
I understand the frustration of all the replys in a short time and the feeling that you will not get one when it comes open. I would suggest posting a "Reservations Wanted" with the time you want a reservation. Then the owners contact you. Make sure your travel dates are concrete before posting! The great thing about doing it this way is that you get to screen people a little better... at least I felt that way. I had a couple of people offer points for around $10 a point, but they had short histories and not many posts. I then had the man that I rented from PM me. I am paying more per point (around $11.50), but feel that the higher price was worth it for the peace of mind dealing with someone with history and more posts.
Even with the higher price per point, I am still saving a bundle and paying just a little more than I would to stay at a Mod!
Good luck!

 

[skifast22]

Just subcribing and thanks to all who've posted thus far. I'm in a similar boat as the OP.

 

[Dawn68PA]

I am renting for the first time as well. I posted that I was looking to rent from 11/8-11/15 at AKV 2BR. That day I had a bite. The owner is a member of the DIS with a good post history and has rented several times previously so I feel good about him.

I like to have control about my trip and relinquishing that is a little tough on an OCD person such as I, but the savings will be worth it. I figured for what I was going to spend at an economy resort, I'm paying very little over that amount and Lord knows we need the space!

Hope this helps

 

[Cee]

I've rented points several times from two different owners and have had great
experiences. I like having all the work done for me! When you see what you
are getting for a fraction of the cost, you just can't go wrong. But ultimately,
you must feel comfortable and knowledgeable about the process before you
proceed. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

I am renting points for the first time for a trip this coming May. So far, it has been a great experience and I have complete trust in the man that I am renting from. I looked up his contract, googled him, have all his work information, contacted referrences and talked to him on the phone. He has been very helpful and reassuring.
I understand the frustration of all the replys in a short time and the feeling that you will not get one when it comes open. I would suggest posting a "Reservations Wanted" with the time you want a reservation. Then the owners contact you. Make sure your travel dates are concrete before posting! The great thing about doing it this way is that you get to screen people a little better... at least I felt that way. I had a couple of people offer points for around $10 a point, but they had short histories and not many posts. I then had the man that I rented from PM me. I am paying more per point (around $11.50), but feel that the higher price was worth it for the peace of mind dealing with someone with history and more posts.
Even with the higher price per point, I am still saving a bundle and paying just a little more than I would to stay at a Mod!
Good luck!

How far in advance did you post your "Reservations Wanted?" Is it too soon of June, 2009? I know there are various windows for DVC members v. home resort members, but I am wondering if one can begin to set things up prior to the windows.

 

[eliza61]

How far in advance did you post your "Reservations Wanted?" Is it too soon of June, 2009? I know there are various windows for DVC members v. home resort members, but I am wondering if one can begin to set things up prior to the windows.

It may be a bit early for June 09. We are allowed to book 11 months out at our "home" (the resort we purchased into) resort but you may want to troll the rent forum at the dvc boards just to familarize yourself.

I rented 2X's before I finally purchased. Both times the owners were great and it went off without a hitch. They answered all my questions (and the first time I had 1000's) patiently and completely.

 

[poohgirl6]

We rented points from an owner for BCV in Sept 2006. The accomodations were great and we'd do it again in a heartbeat. I posted a Reservation Wanted thread here on the boards and got several responses. It was kinda nerve racking the months leading up to the trip because there is no way to verify anything directly with WDW. But the owner we rented from was always so kinda and helpful and fully explained about the no daily Mousekeeping, etc. I think we ended up paying about $160 night total for a studio at BCV for 7 nights (would've been cheaper if we hadn't stayed over the weekend because the point requirement is higher on Friday and Sat nights). This was so much cheaper than reserving directly thru WDW.

 

[PKWallaby]

We rented points thru a member and stayed 5 nights at BWV in a one bedroom last spring. I read and read and reread all the helpful info posted on the DVC boards about renting, gave myself plenty of time and had everything in place with a member prior to the 11 month window.

I would rent again if only I could plan trips that far in advance...

Although the rental process can be stressfull, given the fact that it allowed us to stay in a deluxe environment at a little over the cost of a moderate(and gained lots of space!), I was willing to take the risk and was so glad I did! Good luck to anyone considering this venture