Timeshare via ebay

[bookbunny]

I have a question. Has anyone ever borrowed timeshare time from someone on ebay. I notice that they have some really decent rates to bid on and wonder if it is a safe idea? I have been thinking about using ebay to borrow timeshare for the family. I usually stay at Pop and figured with a bigger group it may be wiser to borrow from someone and stay at a DVC site.

 

[rlovew]

I would suggest being very careful about buying timeshare on ebay- I don't know about there rules but I do know that paypal does not allow timeshares. Many people that sell on ebay use RCI trades to get into DVC and if they sell the reservation and RCI finds out they will cancel it and you would have no recourse. I would suggest using the rent/trade board here on the Dis or one of the sponsors that sells points.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Exactly what rlovew said. If you find something on ebay that asks you to pay a $95 fee when you arrive, don't buy that now or ever. That is an RCI trade and it might be cancelled by RCI if the owner didn't follow their rules. You are probably better sticking with the DIS Rent/Trade Board or David's or someone you know as a friend.

Also be very cautious with unsolicited private messages offering you points to rent. The DIS asks that you notify a moderator if you get such a message.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I rented from someone on ebay back in 2011 for 5 nights at BLT for $850. They even set up the magical express and the deluxe dining plan for me. Everything worked out well. They had 100% positive feedback and had rented on ebay before. Also, they weren't RCI but were actual DVC members.

 

[Lynne M]

Honestly, there are alternatives that I'd feel much more comfortable with. I've used DVC By Request to rent out some of my points, and they were so efficient and so professional and documented everything so well that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking to rent a DVC reservation. It's especially a nice option for a first-time renter like yourself, since they explain the process so clearly and keep some of the funds in escrow until you actually check in.

There's also our own DVC Rent/Trade board, where DISboards members rent out their points. You might find somewhat better prices there.

Whatever you decide, make sure you get the terms clearly spelled out in writing, so you know and are comfortable with payment terms (how much you pay, and when), and make sure you understand the cancellation terms (most owners will not refund your money if you cancel). Also understand that with DVC, changing your reservation may not be possible once it's been made. If your dates aren't completely firm, then renting is probably not for you.

 

[spruce]

We bought a week at the Manhattan club once and all went fine. There are good people out there but many trust no one. I hate when the store checks my money with a pen.... What's happening...... The few have made us all cautious.

 

[JimMIA]

Numerous timeshare owners, across a wide range of systems, rent reservations on eBay -- and TUG, and Redweek, and the DIS DVC Rent/Trade board for DVC only, and lots of other places.

There are also several services who put owners and prospective renters together, with David's (dvcrequest.com) being the best known for DVC. For offsite, you'll find several services discussed over on the DIS Orlando Resorts and Attractions board.

There is nothing wrong with eBay per se, but Deb's caution about RCI exchange rentals is very important. Renting of RCI exchanges is prohibited and if either RCI or DVC finds out (and those listings DO get reported to RCI), they will cancel the reservation with no notice, and no recourse.