Worried about broker

[4Hawks]

I decided to rent DVC points through one of the cheaper brokers (not David's or the one that offers refunds)...I know you get what you pay for, but I figured it would be okay because they have a great BBB rating. Now I'm wondering if I made the wrong choice. It's been a week since we paid our deposit and I haven't heard back about our reservation. I contacted them yesterday and asked at what point the reservation would be considered "failed" and our deposit returned, and was told "when the rooms sell out". At that point, it will be impossible for me to find a rental through another broker or a DVC owner.

We want a room at AKV for the first week of October. I found an owner with points available to make our reservation today. Should I bite the bullet and rent those points (and potentially lose our deposit) or just take the risk of waiting?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For October, I wouldn't take the risk. AKV points via brokers are somewhat hard to get, and if you have a confirmed owner, bird in hand, etc. etc.

You might lose the deposit, or you might be able to claim that they didn't deliver and get it back via your credit card.

 

[Mike2023]

For October, I wouldn't take the risk. AKV points via brokers are somewhat hard to get, and if you have a confirmed owner, bird in hand, etc. etc.

You might lose the deposit, or you might be able to claim that they didn't deliver and get it back via your credit card.

Did the broker you went with make their rental policies available at the time you booked? I would bring up your concerns with the broker and see what they say.

I would avoid charging back on your credit card unless the out right misled you.

edited to add,

A week is nothing when you think about it. They need to find a renter that matches your reservation, that renter then needs to make the booking, then the broker needs to confirm the booking. That stuff is going to take longer then just booking directly on the Disney website.

 

[4Hawks]

Did the broker you went with make their rental policies available at the time you booked? I would bring up your concerns with the broker and see what they say.

I would avoid charging back on your credit card unless the out right misled you.

edited to add,

A week is nothing when you think about it. They need to find a renter that matches your reservation, that renter then needs to make the booking, then the broker needs to confirm the booking. That stuff is going to take longer then just booking directly on the Disney website.

It was totally my fault. Their communication isn't great but I don't think they misled me, I should have asked more questions before paying my deposit. I just doubt their ability to secure the points needed for my reservation in time, since the 7 months window opened today.

My choices now are to 1) take the risk of not getting a reservation, or 2) securing a reservation directly with a DVC owner and risk losing my deposit.

 

[Hopefully]

I would take the actual reservation and lose the deposit. That is a busy DVC time of year

 

[patty57]

If it wasn't a large deposit, I would let it go and book the room with the private owner.

 

[Mike2023]

It was totally my fault. Their communication isn't great but I don't think they misled me, I should have asked more questions before paying my deposit. I just doubt their ability to secure the points needed for my reservation in time, since the 7 months window opened today.

My choices now are to 1) take the risk of not getting a reservation, or 2) securing a reservation directly with a DVC owner and risk losing my deposit.

My only concern with option 2 is if you get your own reservation and then "wait and see" with the broker you could end up screwing over the renter who ends up booking the reservation for you. Even though it might not be likely, the renter would have done nothing wrong and I would hate to see that happen to someone. If you end up going with option 2 I would just be upfront to the broker about it and request a refund and see what happens. But be clear that you no longer have a use for the points from them.

Now, remember that if you go directly with a DVC member there is a bit more risk that you are undertaking on your own.

 

[4Hawks]

My only concern with option 2 is if you get your own reservation and then "wait and see" with the broker you could end up screwing over the renter who ends up booking the reservation for you. Even though it might not be likely, the renter would have done nothing wrong and I would hate to see that happen to someone. If you end up going with option 2 I would just be upfront to the broker about it and request a refund and see what happens. But be clear that you no longer have a use for the points from them.

Now, remember that if you go directly with a DVC member there is a bit more risk that you are undertaking on your own.

Good point. I would let the broker know.