!!! PLEASE READ!!! Important News Regarding Swaps & Shares!!!

[Metsfan520]

Well, if the strollers in Walmart are crap, then why not bring your own?

 

[nelep]

I am so saddened to see the latest RESTRICTION on the DIS. Although I understand the explanation, I must respectfully disagree with the policy.

The DIS is a community of people who share their enthusiasm for Disney. It works because most people here take pride in helping others through their experience and personal advice. The Budget Board has become a place I visit daily for ways to save money and opportunities to help my fellow DISers.

I cannot think of a better way for a group of people to come together to save a few dollars (and the hassle of transporting a large stroller) than a stroller swap.

As long as the DIS is perfectly clear that they are not responsible for any of these swaps, I see no reason to discontinue all of them. If swap participants are willing to take part at their own risk, why prohibit the swaps? It is clear to me that swap leaders are NOT making money on these swaps. Stroller swaps, in particular, could not continue long term if a small DONATION is prohibited. In the case of the Royal Carriage Swap, this DONATION is used to maintain the strollers and nothing else. 100's of DISers have participated in this swap alone. I am disheartened that the DISboards has shut the swap down. There is no way it can continue without the DONATIONS of participants.

I hope that you will reconsider your decision given the popularity of swaps with DISers. Perhaps a separate Swap Board would be appropriate with strict guidelines about donations for long term swaps.

 

[princessmom29]

While I understand that the DIS does not want to be responsible for lost cash on these transactions, I wonder how the DVC Point Renting board circumvents these rules.

If the worry is about a lost $10, $20, maybe $30 from a swap gone bad, what about the loss of hundreds or thousands from a DVC point rental gone bad?

I'm not trying to be a trouble-maker...just trying to understand the decision to stop these and wondering why the "no cash exchange" rule doesn't apply for DVC point rentals.

Speed

exactly!!!! That is ok becuase it generates increased traffic and is worth the risk would be my guess. I don't understand why the rules can't be changed to a swap at your own risk type thing, and a section set up specifically for swaps, like the DVC point exchange board. . That would satisfy all complaints here I think.

 

[blairbear]

Who would do this? Really...you would pay $100 bucks and allow others to ride on your cd... I don't get it.
I personally would think that all photopass shares wouldn't be allowed. We'll see what the mod would say.

If I I decided to purchase the photopass cd, I would consider letting a couple of families who didn't have the money to buy one use mine. Most people buy a spindle of cds any way what is two or three cds and $10 bucks shipping to help someone out. I realize that not everyone would offer but I see no reason why someone who wanted to do something kind for someone else should be stopped.

 

[princess momma]

I really have no opinion on the stroller, refrigerator, etc. swaps. I don't really know how they work. It sounds like more trouble than it's worth to me, but whatever.

But the photopass share? It's about time this was banned from this site. Sharing a photopass is stealing. PERIOD. I can't imagine how someone could rationalize this practice.

 

[speedyf]

The board may be about maximizing time and dollars, but in the end it is the Owners of this board who are paying out the cash to keep it going and they get to make the decisions.

I applaud this decision. In the past few months I've seen more and more posts advertising swaps and shares. Then came the posts "I'm looking for..." swaps and shares. Yes, folks don't have to click on those posts to read them...but when you need to wade through two or three pages of these posts to find anything meaningful it becomes ridiculous.

Folks who want to continue to run swaps and shares can...its not like the DIS banned them completely. All they are saying is find someplace else to run your swaps. They no longer wish to allocate the bandwidth or board space to accommodate them here.

I understand it is their decision to make...but, what about a sub-forum with only swaps (as was mentioned several times). DVC Point Rental has this. The people on the Resort Boards were probably tired of the "code" posting at some point, so now they have a sub-forum for "Codes and Discounts", etc.

Again...it is fully within the owner's rights to ban swaps, etc. and I have no problem with that. I personally don't mind all the swaps on the boards....just like I don't mind people asking for advice on personal issues, etc on this board.

Speed

 

[DisneyTigers]

And like a PP said, cheap umbrella strollers are CRAP. Also like someone said, this is just a liablity thing, I'm sure.

Also, a VERY good point: what about the DVC points for rent???? My gosh, there's a whole separate board devoted to that!!!!! Better remove those threads immediately b/c money changes hands... or I'll call the "rule police"!

 

[DisneyTigers]

Well, if the strollers in Walmart are crap, then why not bring your own?

Again, please see my previous post regarding the room in my van.

 

[princessmom29]

Well, if the strollers in Walmart are crap, then why not bring your own?

Some of us do not usually use a stroller with our 4, 5 or 6 year old and know that they cannot possibly walk for 12 or more hours in the parks. Most strollers have a 35-40 lbs weight limit and will not hold a larger child. The ones that will are really expensiveI ened up buying a Maclaren from a discount site for the trip rather than swapping, but I seriously considered a swap. I fell sorry for the people who were counting on that stroller and now have no recourse but to rent one or run out and spend at least $100 on a new one.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

WE ARE GROWN-UPS, PEOPLE!!! We can make our own decisions about how to "risk" our money. And frankly, this puts a sour taste in my mouth about the budget board. This board is about how to maximize our time and dollars, especially as these topics pertain to our Disney trips. The swaps were a GREAT idea and should be continued. I'm extremely disappointed, and I DON'T understand, support, or otherwise agree with the decision, no matter what "it's breaking the rules" rhetoric you choose to flame me with.

Thank you, I could not have said it better.

I don't want a foam cooler for my drinks - been there, done that and it always leaks! I have to pay for my luggage, so I'm not going to bring a cooler.

The people running these swaps are not doing it for profit. Are the DVC boards where people are making money going to be shut down?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

While I understand that the DIS does not want to be responsible for lost cash on these transactions, I wonder how the DVC Point Renting board circumvents these rules.

If the worry is about a lost $10, $20, maybe $30 from a swap gone bad, what about the loss of hundreds or thousands from a DVC point rental gone bad?

I'm not trying to be a trouble-maker...just trying to understand the decision to stop these and wondering why the "no cash exchange" rule doesn't apply for DVC point rentals.

Speed

The DIS never was responsible for any swap, share or DVC rental that went bad.

The DVC Rent/Trade Board is a totally different type of board, created solely for that purpose and very closely moderated. Threads have to be approved by a moderator before they will even appear on that board. It's been a part of the DIS as long as I can remember. But, to be honest, I don't know why. You may want to contact one of the webmaster for an answer to this one.

 

[Clarice]

We have 4 kids; we drive down in a packed-to-the-max van. I would be hard-pressed to fit a cheap umbrella stroller, much less the double that we need. Yes, I have a cheap umbrella stroller, but when I am at DISNEY, I want a big one that will seat both my pre-schoolers comfortably and that will hold our stuff, which is why I loved the swap.

To bring my big double stroller with me costs the space in my van, which I cannot afford.

Strap it to the roof... problem solved .

 

[Mouse House Mama]

This is just speculation and what comes to mind but perhaps the shares/swaps are a concern because WDW provides all the stuff the swappers are swapping? They rent strollers. You don't have to rent one. You can bring your own and they are free to gate check at the airport. You stay at a value and you want a fridge? They rent them. You don't have to rent one, but they are there for you to rent.
Does anyone think that maybe WDW is tired of storing and lugging all of this stuff free of charge? I know it is a magical place, but at the end of the day it is a business. Businesses are in it to make money. If you want what you want then you have to pay for it. That's just how it is.

As for photopass shares, well they are illegal. No I do not care to argue this point with the sharers as we have been over it a thousand times. So I can see where that is a problem.

I also agree that the BB is here to give people ideas on how to budget. It is not a swap meet. I think this is a great move by the MODS. I rarely go to the BB anymore because it is usually filled with swaps and very little info on real budgeting. Hopefully now it will go back to focusing on budgeting so we can share tips!

 

[msmayor]

And like a PP said, cheap umbrella strollers are CRAP. Also like someone said, this is just a liablity thing, I'm sure.

Also, a VERY good point: what about the DVC points for rent???? My gosh, there's a whole separate board devoted to that!!!!! Better remove those threads immediately b/c money changes hands... or I'll call the "rule police"!

In my opinion, the DVC Rental board is a completely different situation. In most cases, there is a legally binding and written contract between the parties making the exchange so that if something goes wrong, legal action can be taken WITHOUT involving DIS. Its not a 'share', its a business transaction between two parties who are not depending on six parties in between their dates being responsible and ensuring that their specific agreement takes place.

 

[princessmom29]

Strap it to the roof... problem solved .

What if it rains on the way down?? What if the van doesn't have a roof rack?? There has to be a reason it's not strapped to the roof and it is probably b/c it would not be safe to do it!

 

[DVCBELLE]

I'm not saying the person that posted this would do it, but obviously people could post a "free" photopass share and take care of the money aspect off the boards. Just use the disboards to get the other participants. Again, I'm not saying that's what that poster had in mind. I guess I am too cynical.

That was not my intent....it just said no photopass threads were allowed so I was checking that...

If I am going to go ahead and pay the money - I probably wouldn't mind helping out families who can't afford the full amount.

But you are right - there is nothing stopping people from posting this and then the disers that they help offer money up privately. I anticipate this might start happening and there is no way the DIS could patrol this. You were cynical of my intent and yet you still thought it was possible.

I think the rule is flawed....either ban them all (free and pay) or allow them all - I would think the best thing to do would be to start a new section called swaps and very clearly lay out that this is a buyer beware situation.

And it seems like a problem that people can still do this as a fireworks cruise - or what about group trips that get planned on the board.

I did a photopass share recently and it was great not to spend the money but I was the organizer and it was a BOATLOAD of work for me and I would not head one up again but I also wouldn't give my money to someone else so it doesn't affect me one way or another.

 

[Metsfan520]

Some of us do not usually use a stroller with our 4, 5 or 6 year old and know that they cannot possibly walk for 12 or more hours in the parks. Most strollers have a 35-40 lbs weight limit and will not hold a larger child. The ones that will are really expensiveI ened up buying a Maclaren from a discount site for the trip rather than swapping, but I seriously considered a swap. I fell sorry for the people who were counting on that stroller and now have no recourse but to rent one or run out and spend at least $100 on a new one.

I didn't know that. All the kids I've traveled with that are that age walk. We just take a few breaks during the day. When we stay on site, we sometimes go back to the room for a break.

 

[Metsfan520]

In my opinion, the DVC Rental board is a completely different situation. In most cases, there is a legally binding and written contract between the parties making the exchange so that if something goes wrong, legal action can be taken WITHOUT involving DIS. Its not a 'share', its a business transaction between two parties who are not depending on six parties in between their dates being responsible and ensuring that their specific agreement takes place.

I believe it's even in DVC contracts that points can be shared.

 

[princessmom29]

The DIS never was responsible for any swap, share or DVC rental that went bad.

The DVC Rent/Trade Board is a totally different type of board, created solely for that purpose and very closely moderated. Threads have to be approved by a moderator before they will even appear on that board. It's been a part of the DIS as long as I can remember. But, to be honest, I don't know why. You may want to contact one of the webmaster for an answer to this one.

Why not set up a moderated board for swaps? there seems to be enough public outcry here to justify the resources! Either money changing hands is ok or its not. I just don't see how it is fair to apply the rule to one situation and not the other. If you are going to provide for one group to do it, it should be provided for everyone.

 

[DisneyTigers]

What if it rains on the way down?? What if the van doesn't have a roof rack?? There has to be a reason it's not strapped to the roof and it is probably b/c it would not be safe to do it!

Thank you, princessmom29. I was just going to ignore the ignorance of that person's remark, but your reply is great.