What's it like renting your DVC points?

[quandrea]

Anyone want to weigh in on the DVC rental experience. Owners not renters. I'm wondering if we should pick up some points for the future but get into renting them for now.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Are you saying you want to stay in a DVC resort and rent a reservation from an owner?

Or are you saying you want to buy DVC points so you can rent them out to others?

 

[quandrea]

Sorry for the quick, incoherent post. I am a DVC owner. We have enough points for ourselves now, but will need about 300 more in the future when we want to stay down for an extended period. Does it make any sense to buy those extra points now and rent them out for the next few years? Our Canadian dollar is great now and there are a lot of good resale listings. Maybe now is the time to add on? Or does one wait and forget about renting. Hope that makes more sense.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Renting isn't all the uncomplicated. Especially when you get shoppers. You'll have everything ready to go because someone asked you about your points and they will walk away because now they know it is available and they've found someone with cheaper points.

Save yourself the headache.

 

[crisi]

Some people do it and enjoy it. Here are things to think through.

You'll be competing against Disney. When they offer free dining, DVC rentals look less attractive - and who knows what their marketing department will dream up.

You also compete with other DVC owners - some who just want to get their dues paid to retain their point during a tough time - some who want to maximize profit.

In ten years, the price per point has been really pretty stable - it was trending towards $12pp when the market crashed and its been back at $10/pp. But in those ten years, dues have gone up. If price remains stable and dues continue to increase, the profitability will be reduced further.

It isn't riskless - your contract with DVC holds you responsible for "errors and omissions" by your "guests" - this includes your renters credit card not going through at the end of their stay, and could include room damage. Theorectically, they could come after you if your renter engaged in illegal activity while using your points.

DVC has been known to change their terms, and the current rumor for resales getting treated differently might change what you can offer your renters if you buy resale points.

As Deb says - it isn't necessarily uncomplicated. You may have to sift though a lot of shoppers before you get a buyer. You may book and cancel reservations when payment is never received. You'll want to understand your use year very well and think through your terms. Some people really enjoy it, however, its helping someone else get to WDW! - even with what other folks would think are huge headaches.

However, now is a good time to look towards resale - prices are really low. And if you knew long term you'd want more points, this might be a decent way to buy them now for the future.

 

[Mtnman44]

waaay to much trouble and risk for my tastes. While people are generally good, doing four figure business with strangers on the internet for non tangibles just makes me

 

[Jen_in_NH]

I rented out points twice right after we bought them - Disney was offering the current years points, and we weren't going to be able to use them before the banking period would run out. It's kind of a pain getting the details worked out with the renter, but once that was done, it was pretty easy.

I would think if you were going to buy them anyways, and have the money to buy them now, then go for it. If anything, it will help pay for the dues for a few years.

 

[rhodymom]

I haven't rented but there is a service by a DisVendor that I would use if I did to help reduce the risk.

 

[5forDiz]

waaay to much trouble and risk for my tastes. While people are generally good, doing four figure business with strangers on the internet for non tangibles just makes me

ita with you Mtnman44, I could never do it with our points, I'd be just with worry and then even if the $ side of things worked out I would then be worrying about the villa being trashed, etc. Beyond dealing with family, transferring with another member would be the only thing we'd consider.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I've rented my points 3 times and so far so good! It's gone very smooth with no issues!

 

[dvcbrad]

I have rented out points about 6 - 8 times now, and have had nothing but good experiences. It IS a bit time consuming in the beginning, especially the last time when for whatever reason I received a number of responses to my posting. I tried to respond to everyone, even if it was to say that we had finished renting, and I tried to help a few first timers learn how to go about renting, even if it wasn't going to be from me. The most difficult part is taking the time to determine which responses might be a good match, taking the time to contact Member Services, and then communicating with the potential renter while trying to make the reservation. You come across a number of respondents that you know are kinda fishing, as they're looking for low prices or for something where it's pretty obvious you won't be able to put together a deal.

Nevertheless, I've come across a number of nice folks, and think (hope) that my renters have had a good experience working with us, too. Good luck if you decide to do it.

 

[Metsoskil]

With resale prices continuing to plummet and rental rates staying relatively even at $10 per point, I'd wait until you need the points to buy them.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I would not purchase points for renting only. Here's why..

You will be dealing with mostly strangers. You will need to convince renters of your trustworthiness thru referrals or personal conversation.

You will need to define renting " boundaries", parameters in which you will rent your points, and convey that to your renter.

Be prepared for low ball offers. Many will want you to call and check on availability despite knowing ther is nothing available for their timeframe.

More coming...

 

[BWV Dreamin]

You will need a contract. You will need a PayPal account. You will need to be available when your renters call with questions.

You will need to thoroughly understand how DVC works. You will most likely need to guide your renter thru the whole process, from booking to dining to transportation to tickets.

Are you still interested in renting?......

 

[Tamar]

I haven't rented but there is a service by a DisVendor that I would use if I did to help reduce the risk.

I think this service will help you find a match with someone who is looking to rent the points you have and the price is pre-arranged, but many of the risks of renting still remain.

 

[dclfun]

I have a short and concise answer....NO WAY!---Kathy

 

[ValpoCory]

Some people do it and enjoy it. Here are things to think through.
... Some people really enjoy it, however, its helping someone else get to WDW!.

I am a renter, and I just want to say how appreciative I am for those owners who rent out their points. I do not have the capital at this time to buy in, so renting is my only option. Renting DVC points allows mY family to enjoy the magic of DVC resorts, like staying in the Boardwalk area.

My owner is amazing, and I try to inform myself through Disboards rather than bother the owner with unnecessary questions. I also respect the DVC and the member-only perks that renters do not get.

Thank you owners!

 

[jmhazlett]

Every now and then I have a few points extra I offer up for Rent/Trade. I have rented twice and transfered twice and never had a problem. One of the renters later became a DVC.

 

[babydoll]

Crisi wrote that as an owner I could be liable for the charges a "guest"
made if their credit card was declined. That is REALLY scary!! Has this ever happened to anyone????

I've been thinking if I get the money for the points up front, then the risk is minimal.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Crisi wrote that as an owner I could be liable for the charges a "guest"
made if their credit card was declined. That is REALLY scary!! Has this ever happened to anyone????

I've been thinking if I get the money for the points up front, then the risk is minimal.

Yes, it has happened and you'll find those posts in various threads on the DIS.

And you had better get the money for the points up front. How were you planning on them paying you, after the fact?