Wow...I'm Tired But Will Get Flamed I'm Sure.

[poofyo101]

I feel like losses should be split 50/50 between renter/owner.

I put a 50% deposit on a rental for next January, privately through the boards. If for some reason DVC ends up closing next winter, I would hope the owner works with me to move the trip. If for whatever reason they cannot (like no availability before deadlines, etc), then we accept we're out our 50% deposit.

I'd just hope the owner gives us every possible chance to move the trip at their disposal, and not just "oh you're dates are cancelled, too bad so sad." But if their hands really were tied, then we totally accept being out our $1250 deposit. Worse things in life have happened, we'll get over it. If the owner wanted to be really swell, maybe they could offer us the difference between our 50% and their dues to give us back a few hundred but I wouldn't count on it or demand it.

Since we're renting from an individual owner, we're sharing that risk together now. If neither of us is at fault, share the loss burden 50/50.

But why doesn't the rental company assume any of the risk?

 

[CraigInPA]

Those who have read one of these standard contracts, do they usually have timeframes for hurricane cancellations (hurricane season)? What does it actually say?

There's no hurricane clause. In the past, the coastal resorts typically closed for a day or two. The number of people affected by the closure was small, and the number of days so minimal that there really wasn't a huge problem. WDW resorts have never closed for a hurricane (although the parks did). The current situation, with the parks and resorts closed for 6 weeks, is unprecedented.

Had there been a "resort closure" clause in the broker's contract, there would have been thousands of fewer posts here on this topic. But, even though the brokers knew that a resort closure was possible, and in fact, probable in some cases, they chose not to include such a clause.

 

[Mickey of the Villages]

 

[tallguy001]

I'm okay saying I work in the vacation rental industry & I work with a reputable company. But I'm just angry.... I have been dealing with both owners and renters for a month now and everyone thinks they're right. Not to mention, I've heard EVERY reason in the book why people think they're right. The whole Covid thing and entitlement is unbelievable.

Owners - Please do not complain about losing your points, maintenance fees.....Whatever. You risk something by renting...It's not a gimme. Make your thoughts known to your management company. Will it help?? Maybe..Maybe not, but be thankful that DVC is better than some companies. Nothing will change unless you make things known.

Renters...You're getting a bargain. Stop thinking that you're *Entitled* to get a full refund. The owners lose something too and really..Should it be all on them? You didn't want to pay Disney prices...there's something to pay for that.

The absolute reality is that whenever you travel, wherever you travel, unless you buy a completely refundable rate or fare, there is always a risk. If you don't think otherwise...actually take the time to read your agreement or terms.

So to all the complainers,

To the renters, come on....you're not paying Disney prices, You wanted a better price, so you rented. It's a risk. If you weren't willing to accept that, then you're silly and didn't read the rental agreement. This is a VERY fluid situation. and can change at any moment's notice. But know the owners had restrictions on what you're cancelling, so stop. If you signed a rental agreement, that should be the rule for your transaction, unless you had an owner nice enough to work with you.

To the owners,,,Stop complaining. This is a VERY fluid situation. You weren't promised anything in the purchase agreement that could have compared to this. Be happy Disney is better than a lot of companies.

When you book a vacation rental, there's no complaining about the 'Should" get a refund, especially when you're getting such a bargain. Many many brokers will be completely put out of business. Even worse, so many are dying.

Really?

You forgot to complain about the middleman. Why is no risk assigned to them? They chose this business and there is always a risk. Stop complaining!

 

[siren0119]

You forgot to complain about the middleman. Why is no risk assigned to them? They chose this business and there is always a risk. Stop complaining!

LOL I'm pretty sure she pointed out that they are not taking any commissions on the bookings that got canceled - that's clearly accepting their part of the risk and taking a financial hit for it.

 

[CmdrThor]

Honestly it sounds like you are complaining because you think you are right too. Brokers made their bed, now they have to sleep in it. The reality is in most cases renters probably are entitled to a refund. Owners probably owe money back to the brokers, but brokers may not have the means to make that happen. Renters who can utilize charge backs are doing so, and they are well within their rights to do that.

Any broker that goes out of business is doing so because of their poor contracts and handling of cash payments. StubHub requires sellers provide a credit card number so they can be billed if there is a problem at the time of the event. If brokers had collected a way to claw back money from the owners they could have reasonably collected large amounts of refunds to provide to the renters.

 

[tallguy001]

LOL I'm pretty sure she pointed out that they are not taking any commissions on the bookings that got canceled - that's clearly accepting their part of the risk and taking a financial hit for it.

Not taking commissions is "breaking even." She seems fine with owners and renters losing everything. The broker loses nothing in this scenario.

 

[Sandisw]

Not taking commissions is "breaking even." She seems fine with owners and renters losing everything. The broker loses nothing in this scenario.

I think the post was just a way to vent and share the experience of someone who is dealing with both owners and renters. This situation is unique and while some owners and renters are being reasonable in terms of trying to make the best of the situation and doing things they may not have to do, there are others who are probably not.

Again, with no clear cut decision in the contract to what happens, it then leaves other things open to interpretation or to support ones side based on what it says, and not what it implies.

 

[Heather07438]

But why doesn't the rental company assume any of the risk?

We rented privately this trip but I see your point. What cost should brokers absorb?

If an average contract is 100pts at $20pp where the owner gets $15pp and broker $5pp, then the broker gets $500 while the renter & owner split the $1500 50/50 to receive $750 back each.

I'd imagine the broker is doing twice the work between setting up the trip and then the costs to dismantle and trying to move dates, etc. Maybe it would be fair for brokers to cap the max amount of commission in cases where the trip was impossible due to shutdown and inability to move dates. What would be a fair amount to cover the brokers cost of double work? Maybe a cap at $400 and anything beyond that gets returned as well? Should that cap be more? Less?

If someone rented 300 points for $6k it does seem wrong for the broker to keep the whole $1500 commission because I think you're right, they need to share the risk as well. For economic stability let them cover their costs but give up any profits on those fees?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Not taking commissions is "breaking even." She seems fine with owners and renters losing everything. The broker loses nothing in this scenario.

I believe that the brokers have employees that they would be paying especially while dealing with all of these issues so not break even. If they have no commission which is their revenue then it's no income but still employment expense.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Absolutely not. We don't keep it and we're providing those owners who are amicable to taking care of their renters with future considerations.

We're making nothing....We're all in this together.

Redweek doesn't charge owners and renters a fee? It seems like Redweek is siding fully with renters, not owners, even when the resort is still open.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

I'd imagine the broker is doing twice the work between setting up the trip and then the costs to dismantle and trying to move dates, etc.

Maybe I've completely misunderstood the role of the broker. I thought that they merely found a "match" and acted as intermediary, but that the owner still had to make all of the arrangements with DVC to set up the trip, make any changes, etc. If, by "setting up the trip," you mean matching up owners and renters, executing the contracts, collecting the funds, etc. then there's certainly some effort involved. I'm not sure if that's twice the work under normal circumstances. They definitely have their work cut out for them during this crisis.

 

[Tink10]

Hello!

I've been meaning to respond........ We're just busy!

In my company's case, we are honestly making nothing. And for those of you who are confused by my mixed messaging, yeah....try being in the middle of it...lol.

Our company has done the work, and are doing all that we can do to facilitate between the owner and the renter, but we are not making anything for it. Granted, we're not a broker, but an advertising site. But we are making nothing from it, in fact we're losing money in labor expenses because we're spending considerable time to get people to work together to find a solution that works for both sides. We're also not making blanket rulings for any one side, because there are more things to take in to consideration than "Is a resort technically open".

Yes, I was venting when I originally wrote this but in the end, renters & owners need to understand each others' position & potential loss. DVC members are very lucky in that DVC is working with owners as much as they can...Not all companies are like that and I'm sure that we have owners of other timeshares here who can attest to that fact.

I suppose what drove me to my vent is that I've seen the best of the best in both renters and owners and I've seen the worst of the worst too. I won't go in to the most despicable things, but I've seen renters occupy a rental then claiming they didn't go 'expecting' a refund. We've had owners blatantly saying they will lose everything, when in fact, we know they will be compensated by their resort with more than just an II certificate.

Personally, I've been called every name in the book by both sides, as had my staff, all because people refuse to try to understand the other party's circumstance. Once people actually get together & are able to communicate with one another and understand what's happening on both sides, it's pretty cool how change.

I figured that I would offend some people, but that was not my intention.

I still stand firm in saying that any time you travel, rent a vacation rental or owners rent their timeshares, it is a risk, because nothing is 100% guaranteed, as we've seen with Covid.