[KiKi]

We're considering renting points for the first time and I'm looking for some help about how to do this. I have been reading the boards at DIS and have a few questions.

1. How do I pay safely? Is there anyway for me to protect myself from someone walking off with my money?

2. I read on a MIS forum that the DVC owner can cancel the reservation after you have paid the money. Again, is there anyway to protect against this?

It seems that there must be alot of trust between seller and buyer.

Any input is appreciated.
Thanks,
Kathy

[rlcarmichael]

Although I've never rented points, I'd agree that there is a certain level of trust required. But keep in mind that a real owner has thousands of dollars invested in DVC membership and isn't likely to try and shaft somebody. (Not to say there aren't scammers out there.)

You will get a reservation letter from DVC when the reservation is made in your name. If you cancel the point revert to the owner, who in all fairness would owe you at least a partial refund. Keep in mind that if you book then cancel so late the member can't rent or use the points then maybe you wouldn't be due a refund. (Points have a certain time frame they can be used during.)

I'd suggest you pay by credit card or Paypal using a credit card. And if you rent points off ebay check the seller's feedback score. A low feedback doesn't mean a bad person but look for the percentage of positive feedbacks.

[bigpoppapump1]

KiKi, I sent you a PM with how I handle my rentals. Let me know if you have any questions.

[rshenry]

What do you recommend? I need 12 additional points for our annual vacation next October. Should I rent them or borrow against my next years points? I only have 150 points, but plan to purchase approx. 50 more in the next year.

[bigpoppapump1]

Just borrow against the next use year. If you plan on buying more points, do so after or while you are on vacation. That way you have already used your points, but when you add on, bank this years new points and have extra points for the following year. What we did in January was sold our VWL and 2 VB contracts, bought at SSR for 310 points. But we did this during our vacation so we got 310, 2005 use year points and 310, 2006 use year points. So we banked our 310 points and that gave us 620 points for this year. So if you decide to add on 50 points, do it during your trip and you pick up an extra 100 points for the next use year. Hope this helps.

[bali]

I've rented several times (all from the same "landlord") and it's gone very smoothly. However, when you're just starting out with renting and don't already have an established relationship built, lots of folks recommend putting the payment into "escrow" (www.escrow.com?). That way, the money can't be released to the DVC member until you safely check in for the reservation.

[rlcarmichael]

Originally Posted by rshenry

What do you recommend? I need 12 additional points for our annual vacation next October. Should I rent them or borrow against my next years points? I only have 150 points, but plan to purchase approx. 50 more in the next year.

Borrow. It's cheaper.

You also may want to consider jumping on 50 more before 1/20 with the $15 discount offered to owners, friends & family. You just have to get the ball rolling by then so you can actually drag the closing out for a while after that.