First time renter tips? Rent from Owner?

[RedShirt]

We have a trip coming up in May and I want to rent points to make sure I want to buy into DVC. I was planning on going through dvcrequest.com as I am new to all this and he seems to be the name that pops up most.

Anyone have any tips or suggestions regarding renting. I am quite nervous as there is always the chance this won't work out, and as many have stated multiple times the contract wouldn't hold up at the end of the day.

Also how do you rent directly from an owner? This seems like an economical way...but how do you find a legitimate owner that's not going to scam you??

 

[tjkraz]

We have a trip coming up in May and I want to rent points to make sure I want to buy into DVC. I was planning on going through dvcrequest.com as I am new to all this and he seems to be the name that pops up most.

Anyone have any tips or suggestions regarding renting. I am quite nervous as there is always the chance this won't work out, and as many have stated multiple times the contract wouldn't hold up at the end of the day.

Well, if you go through dvcrequest.com, a portion of the funds are kept in escrow until you successfully begin your stay. That's about the best protect you will find.

Also how do you rent directly from an owner? This seems like an economical way...but how do you find a legitimate owner that's not going to scam you??

That's the rub, isn't it? There are things you can do like asking for references but really there are a lot of things that could go wrong. I'd recommend at least speaking to the person on the phone. Chat for a few minutes and make sure you are comfortable with him/her. Don't just rely on email communications with a stranger.

Internet reports of DVC rentals gone bad are few and far between. But all it takes is one to ruin YOUR stay. I rented points 10 years ago and was a nervous wreck until the moment I had those room keys in hand. Nothing will ruin your trip quicker than being told "sorry, sir, I don't have a reservation in your name."

Honestly, if I were renting today I'd probably go through dvcrequest.com just for the peace of mind. You may pay a dollar or two more than a private rental but I can't think of another way to replicate the professionalism and protection they offer. And you'll still be paying far less than booking through Disney.

 

[captainkidd]

No matter what you do, pay the owner through paypal. If nothing else, if the deal goes bad for some reason, you've got ground to stand on.

 

[disneyeater]

I agree with the previous poster on both points. DVCbyrequest only gives half the money to the owner up front and the other half when you successfully check in so that provides a little more protection.

Renting from an owner (which is what I did when I was researching) is nerve racking and you won't be comfortable until you check-in (and see that beautiful room). That said, it did save me a big chunk of money.

 

[tjkraz]

No matter what you do, pay the owner through paypal. If nothing else, if the deal goes bad for some reason, you've got ground to stand on.

PayPal's own dispute system has very limited recourse. If memory serves, you only have 30-45 days from payment to file a claim. If the reservation is months away, PayPal won't do anything to assist.

Now if you use a CREDIT CARD to pay through PayPal, a dispute with the credit card company will have greater chances for success. Has to be a credit card, though...not debit card, bank account, PayPal balance, etc.

Of course, none of this will be of any help whatsoever if you're standing at the front desk without a reservation. Sure you may be able to recoup some money but PayPal and credit card disputes won't get you a room for the night.

This may be a no-brainer but renters have to remember that Disney has no financial stock in rental transactions. In fact, DVC point rentals take money out of their proverbial pockets--instead of buying the room from Disney, renters are buying it from a private individual. Don't make the mistake of just assuming that Disney will "make things right" if anything goes sour with the rental. When you rent points, you aren't Disney's customer--you are a customer of a private individual.

 

[disneyeater]

Just from memory also, but 45 days for paypal sound correct to me as well.

 

[awilliams4]

Regardless of who you rent through, be prepared to have only a few options available for May depending on the accommodations you are after since it is less than (4) months out.

I am an owner and rent myself. I have heard of very few instances where the renter gets screwed on any rental deals but it can happen.

You can do the same safeguards by renting through an owner and only pay half up front and half later just like David at dvcrequest.com does.

 

[Phonedave]

Regardless of who you rent through, be prepared to have only a few options available for May depending on the accommodations you are after since it is less than (4) months out.

I am an owner and rent myself. I have heard of very few instances where the renter gets screwed on any rental deals but it can happen.

You can do the same safeguards by renting through an owner and only pay half up front and half later just like David at dvcrequest.com does.

Good luck finding an owner willing to do that. I would be leery of not seeing the rest of my cash. That's wy going through a third party works. The money is held in escrow, almost like attorney trust when buying a house. Thats why he gets his $3 cut, for that added service.

-dave

 

[RedShirt]

Thank you all for the responses! You've helped make my decision easier and I am going with dvcrequest. We are getting married at Disney so saving a few bucks would be fantastic on this trip...but I'm stressed enough. I think if this wasn't my first time renting I'd be more open to an owner. As I said though it does sound appealing. Dvcrequest just has too many people saying how good it is which knocks the nerves down quite a few notches.

I have been a paypal user for many many years and I try to avoid it like the plague. If something happened and it fell through paypal would probably be as much help as Disney would......none whats so ever. I've been on both sides of a paypal claim and the results are almost luck of the draw. Ever since ebay bought them awhile ago it turned into a whole new company. But this is not a paypal post/board so I digress.

Thanks again and now the finger crossing begins for open dates in May.