Sad Story from One Who Trusted without Checking!

[ShesAPirate]

I registered for this board so I would be able to comment on this story. I think I may have belonged to this board once before, but can't remember what my user name was or any of the info, so I just started over

All I can say is Wow! I spent the last several hours, on and off, reading this thread. It's unfortunate that there are people out there who are so heartless and cruel, and think only of themselves and what they can get for nothing. On the other hand, it's incredibly reassuring that nearly everyone on this board was so sympathetic, helpful, and generous to the victims! That restores my faith in human nature!

 

[vzjsp5]

Wow. I'm so sorry to read this. I cannot believe that people do this. My husband and I are DVC members since 2006 and we LOVE Disney. Thank you for the reminder as we were considering renting some of our points. It's always good to use your intuition.

 

[Bell30012]

My thanks to the mods and OP for this thread. As an annual traveler, we've looked at renting points rather than staying at a Value resort but now I have been forewarned to check a bit further before I send funds that would ruin my vacation plans, if stolen.

 

[Merilyn]

I am also sorry to hear about your trouble. I have rented out points several times when I couldn't use them, and all has gone well. I hate it when we have people who are dishonest and makes us all afraid to help each other out. I guess I have been lucky with all my point rentals and I hope all those who rented points from me are happy too! Don't let this person prevent you from using the rent/trade boards again. There really are honest people out there who want to help you and themselves when there is a need to rent or rent out points. It seems in todays world no one wants to go after the crooks. I had someone use my credit card number to buy something online. I knew their name and address but nothing ever was done about it. I wasn't out the money but I could have been. Again, so sorry!
Merilyn

 

[3guysandagal]

The Rent/Trade boards arent the only ones with these problems.
TUG has had a bad renter lately as well, just a slightly different approach though.

Check it out here...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1982636

 

[Dodie]

I just want to point out that this post is from 2006 and hadn't been posted on since 2007 until it was bumped up (for some reason) yesterday afternoon. I just didn't want anyone to think it was current.

 

[thepops]

Maybe it's time to close it?

 

[rlduvall]

I just want to point out that this post is from 2006 and hadn't been posted on since 2007 until it was bumped up (for some reason) yesterday afternoon. I just didn't want anyone to think it was current.

I've noticed this has been happening alot lately.

 

[Bell30012]

While it is an old thread, I am glad that I accidentally encountered it. I plan to rent points for a trip during late 2009 as soon as my daughter's school calendar gets finalized at the school. This thread, while old, may have saved me from foolish mistakes.

 

[spiceycat]

While it is an old thread, I am glad that I accidentally encountered it. I plan to rent points for a trip during late 2009 as soon as my daughter's school calendar gets finalized at the school. This thread, while old, may have saved me from foolish mistakes.

if you read the FAQ on the renting/trading board and go with someone who has several posts - you should be okay.

now don't go with a couple I have noticed that has a several posts - but have been on the dis for years - these people have less than 100 posts after being here since 2000.

the reason for this is you want to rent from someone who would be hurt by the dis - banding them. Which is one of the few things this website can do.

a 100 or less posts in 8 years is not a great committment. (my opinion)

 

[Blahnde]

now don't go with a couple I have noticed that has a several posts - but have been on the dis for years - these people have less than 100 posts after being here since 2000.

the reason for this is you want to rent from someone who would be hurt by the dis - banding them. Which is one of the few things this website can do.

a 100 or less posts in 8 years is not a great committment. (my opinion)

I think this is really, really BAD advice!

Whether someone has several thousand posts (or fewer than 100!) is completely irrelevant in determining whether to rent or not rent from them. Use the advice in the "stickies" at the top of the Rent/Trade board: things like using a contract, asking for referrences, getting the owner's full name, address, e-mail, and phone number, and, yes, READING their past posts. If for whatever reason you are uncomfortable, do not go forward with this owner. But do not simply look at the number of posts and discard someone as an incapable or dishonest owner because of a low point count.

Some folks do not feel they need to chime in on every topic, but that does not mean they are dishonest. I, personally, would rather rent from someone who writes well thought-out posts which offer alternative points of view but who may have a low post count over someone whose count is in the thousands but cannot capitalize, spell, punctuate, and simply says, "I agree" or regularly repeats what has already been said. Of course, that is just my opinion.

Blahnde

 

[JimMIA]

I think it is a HUGE mistake to rely on any one indicator in a transaction like this. Just because someone doesn't post much does not mean they are untrustworthy. The fact that someone has thousands of posts doesn't mean they know what they are doing.

To me, the main value in a number of posts is that it gives you a body of material to look at with the search feature to get an idea of what kind of person is behind the posts. Equating posts with either expertise or honesty is a mistake, IMHO.

I think any potential renters should also understand that fraud situations like Dani and Stacey faced in this thread are very, very unusual. The main problem we see occasionally in renting is not dishonesty, but one or both parties not knowing what they are doing. Historically, that has been a much more serious risk to both sides in a rental arrangement than fraud.

 

[mcgregml]

Originally Posted by Blahnde
Whether someone has several thousand posts (or fewer than 100!) is completely irrelevant in determining whether to rent or not rent from them. Use the advice in the "stickies" at the top of the Rent/Trade board: things like using a contract, asking for referrences, getting the owner's full name, address, e-mail, and phone number, and, yes, READING their past posts. If for whatever reason you are uncomfortable, do not go forward with this owner. But do not simply look at the number of posts and discard someone as an incapable or dishonest owner because of a low point count.

Thank you, Blahnde and JimMIA!

I was very worried the second time I attempted to rent points out; the first time was a disaster, but we ended up using the points personally which was more fun for me anyway! As you can see, even now my post count is extremely low. Even in cyberspace, I prefer to "lurk" in anonimity 99% of the time. If I really have something to say, or want to be included in an event like a cruise thread, then I'll break out and post. Otherwise, I stay on the sidelines. It really upsets me that for some people post count alone is the determining factor.

That being said, I understand that post count is one factor to look at when renting. I try to compensate for the fact that I'm not very chatty on the boards by providing address and telephone information, and looking to my ebay account as a reference as well.

Thankfully, the second time around renting points went smoothly for both sides of the transaction. I credit that largely to reading the DVC rent/trade stickies and seeking help in the best way to go about renting (use a contract, etc.).

Anyway, buyer beware and do your research before renting points! Good luck to everyone!

 

[disney aviator]

I think this is really, really BAD advice!

Whether someone has several thousand posts (or fewer than 100!) is completely irrelevant in determining whether to rent or not rent from them. Use the advice in the "stickies" at the top of the Rent/Trade board: things like using a contract, asking for referrences, getting the owner's full name, address, e-mail, and phone number, and, yes, READING their past posts. If for whatever reason you are uncomfortable, do not go forward with this owner. But do not simply look at the number of posts and discard someone as an incapable or dishonest owner because of a low point count.

Some folks do not feel they need to chime in on every topic, but that does not mean they are dishonest. I, personally, would rather rent from someone who writes well thought-out posts which offer alternative points of view but who may have a low post count over someone whose count is in the thousands but cannot capitalize, spell, punctuate, and simply says, "I agree" or regularly repeats what has already been said. Of course, that is just my opinion.

Blahnde

I agree with Blahnde. I am new to the DIS boards as I bought a DVC resale in August. I bought a contract with a large amount of points that are banked from last year and will expire in Jan 09. I am trying to rent what I can't use on the r/t board, but I'm sure with my low post count, many if not all will be very hesitant to even contact me. There's nothing I can do about that really, but it's unfortunate because I have a fair price and will use a sample contract for rental that I have found on the board as well. But because I am new and with few posts, my points which are just like any others (except that they are only good for a reservation through January 09) will probably end up unused.

Also, I am glad this one got bumped no matter how old it is. This is a very good case study for a newbie like me!

 

[kimberh]

I agree with Blahnde. I am new to the DIS boards as I bought a DVC resale in August. I bought a contract with a large amount of points that are banked from last year and will expire in Jan 09. I am trying to rent what I can't use on the r/t board, but I'm sure with my low post count, many if not all will be very hesitant to even contact me. There's nothing I can do about that really, but it's unfortunate because I have a fair price and will use a sample contract for rental that I have found on the board as well. But because I am new and with few posts, my points which are just like any others (except that they are only good for a reservation through January 09) will probably end up unused.

Also, I am glad this one got bumped no matter how old it is. This is a very good case study for a newbie like me!

I know excatly what you are saying. When I bought my first contract, it came with 600 points, about half were banked. I didn't have a clue what I was doing at first. I read and read then read some more. Then I started posting. When I read that people felt more secured renting from those that had a higher post count, I found Threads that interested me and I could post a decent reply on. Not a no nonsense reply. When I reached 500, I really felt like maybe a renter would give me a second look. I hate that you are in this situation, but from someone that has rented before they bought, it does help to have some background on the person. I am even leary of excepting a transfer from someone that has a low post count. I really need to talk to them on the phone, see if they know what is going on. The biggest problem with a low post count to me, is that they don't know how things work with a transfer or rental. This can pose a huge problem.

 

[chromi]

I think the person from NY is at it again. She uses a nick name and replies really quick to any offer! So many red flags. Her cell number is registered in a different state than her DVC location, she didn't answer her phone, never signed her e-mails. She wanted half of the money before she maked the reservation. However, all conversation with her ended when I asked her for her full legal name to search for her ownership record on the Florida comptroller site (occompt.com/disclaimer.html)[/url]. Of course, she did not reply to that e-mail! If she was legitimate, she would have had no problem responding to that request. Suddenly, her DVC posting was closed too. I guess she got nervous! I would never rent from someone that hid their true identity. And with the internet, it is easy to check on someone. Amazing what people post on Myspace.

 

[Deb & Bill]

... However, all conversation with her ended when I asked her for her full legal name to search for her ownership record on the Florida comptroller site (occompt.com/disclaimer.html)[/url]. ...

Just a reminder: you won't find all DVC members at that website because some don't own in Orange County. Some have all their points at VB or HHI.

There are a lot of members who will want half or full payment just to make the reservation.

It may have been a legitimate owner who thought you were a bit needy and decided they didn't need the headache, too. Just an idea.

 

[Laurabearz]

Lots of good info in this thread. It should be bumped everyone once in a while

 

[chromi]

Being smart about a large purchase is not being needy. When someone has something to hide, there is always a reason. If someone did not own in Orange county, I'm sure they would provide the appropriate info. Unless of course, they have reason to hide that info.

Please note, I have worked with legitimate renters at this site that have been wonderful. Most provided more info then I even knew to ask.

 

[chromi]

Laurabearz

I'm almost at my required posting count so I can not send you a PM yet or I would have sent this directly to you.

I read your posting. I love the Quit smoking tracker that you have. Where did you get that from? I could not lift it from the posting.

I am interested since I am a cancer researcher working with lung cancer patients and their families that have multiple members with tobacco related cancers. I would love to pass this on to those struggling with their nicotine addiction. It may give them more incentive to quit. I love how it tracks the money you they are saving! BTW, I was a too cool smoker at one time too in the '70's so I know how hard it is to quit.