more info on NY approval of BCV

[Disneyolic]

I called the Attorney General Dept of Real Estate this afternoon and was given a little info. The representative that I first spoke with told me that the request for BCV came in on 11/16/2001. He then told me to get more info I would have to speak with Arthur Walfish (sp?) and transferred me to his office as he was in charge of this matter. I spoke with Arthur personally. (note - he was a bit condescending when I was trying to explain that I was just a "regular" person and not a law firm, etc.) He did not have a clue on the BCV off the top of his head and said that he would call me back tomorrow (friday) with info. Here's hoping that he actually calls me back! Maybe some other NYers could call too to get the ball rolling... I so much want to purchase BCV and still get the current incentives!!!

addendum - Arthur called me back and said that he was not handling this case and gave me the name of Lisa Wallace. I called her office and left a message. Okay - here's hoping, again, that she will now call me back.

[JonHM]

If she doesn't call you back, go ahead and post her phone number and I'm sure she'll get quite a few calls... ha ha ;)

[ripleysmom]

Yes please...I'll take that phone number!! :D

[JonHM]

was searching the site of the Attorney General of NY - hard to sift through, not very well organized, and there are links to LOTS of divisions, in lots of different locales. Here is one that *might* be the one that handles this kind of thing (the following is a quote from the site)

REAL ESTATE FINANCING
120 Broadway
New York, New York 10271
(212) 416-8121

The Real Estate Financing Bureau's main function is to protect the public from fraud with regard to real estate offerings, including cooperatives, condominiums, syndications and real estate investment trusts. To carry out this responsibility, the Bureau requires the filing of prospectuses or offering circulars, which must disclose information concerning all material aspects of the offering. In addition, the Bureau investigates complaints and, where appropriate, initiates civil or criminal actions to enforce the law. Many complaints received are from tenants in buildings undergoing cooperative or condominium conversion and concern allegations of improper disclosure, tenant harassment and misleading information provided to tenants.

Disneyolic - is that the office that you called?

[Disneyolic]

I called an 800# at first but was given a specific # for Lisa Wallace. It is the same office I believe. I am glad you did some homework for me. I feel a bit reassured after reading that - that I called the correct place. I'm still waiting for that call. I'll post later whether she calls back or not. Thanks again Jon.

[Disneyolic]

Not surprisingly, I did not receive a call back from Lisa Wallace. I was gung-ho on this matter at 1st but I guess I will just see what happens now. If anyone gets any info, let me know. Thanks.

[BIERMUGG]

REAL ESTATE FINANCING
120 Broadway
New York, New York 10271
(212) 416-8121

Wow i was in that building today!! 1 block from ground zero. I wish I would have Known after i was finished with my Meeting would have loved to knocked on some doors. But i thought the approval was coming from Albany?

George

[Disneyolic]

I thought it came from Albany too only because everyone on these threads said so. But the number I was given is definitely a 212 area code. Do I wish you knew too. It may make more sense why they were backed up due to 9/11. Still, it doesn't help us at all.:(

[BIERMUGG]

Even more of a reason to Give New York DVC'rs more time.

[michpoit]

I called the same number in NYC too on Thursday. I was transfered to Kevin some one and got his voice mail. I left a message but did not get a call back. I'll have to call again tomorrow. Did you have a direct number for Lisa Wallace or was it the one listed in the other posts?

[Disneyolic]

Here is the # for Lisa Wallace. (212) 416-6384. This is a direct # to her - or at least a voice mail. There shouldn't be any reason why I can't post this # as it was given out to me freely from Attorney General real estate office representative.

[Disneyolic]

I called at 9:24 a.m. today and left yet another message with Lisa Wallace. This time I gave her my cell # so there will be no busy phone (just giving the benefit of the doubt).

[Disneyolic]

Yet, again, another day goes by w/o a return call. Should I keep calling every day to show I mean business or is it probably just too late by now?

[ripleysmom]

I called and left a message too Disneyolic....nada....

[michpoit]

I called again today too and got no return call. I think that we should keep calling them until they get sick enough of hearing from us on a daily basis and call us back!

[Disneyolic]

I will make that call, again, this morning. I feel better that others are trying to call too. Thanks.

[Disneyolic]

Well, Lisa Wallace did call me back this afternoon. She was very polite and told me that they were still working on change of wording in the contracts for the BCV. The approval will not happen before 4/30 deadline on incentives. I asked her how long we were looking at - a couple months or what? She said no and that she hoped to have it all done by the middle of May as she was going on leave then and wanted it all to be completed. I guess that is good news regarding buying before the price goes up in June. Lisa suggested to me to call the DVC and ask them about extending the incentives for NYers.

I called the person I have been dealing with, Michelle MacAlister. She said she would relay it to management. She was under the impression that it was brought up before and they had decided not to extend incentives for us. She was going to relay the new info I told her to management again, tho.

The next step for you all out there is to call DVC and ask if they can possibly give us the extension! Maybe with enough of us...

[CarolMN]

She was very polite and told me that they were still working on change of wording in the contracts for the BCV.

I'm not from NY, but I have been following this wondering why NY always seems to be one of the last states to approve a DVC property.

I can't help but wonder what "additonal protections" NY is insisting on getting for its residents. Doesn't it seem like common sense for DVC to have sent them something very similar to what they approved for VWL? Maybe DVC did. We'll probably never know.

Anyway, hope it is worth the aggravation you all have been expressing. Good luck with the efforts to get DVC to extend the incentives for you.

[BIERMUGG]

Will do, thanks for all your hard work. Does anybody have a email or snail mail address we can also write too?

[Disneyolic]

Biermugg - I'm not sure whose address you want but I would figure to write DVC directly to management.

Disney Vacation Development, Inc.
200 Celebration Place
Celebration, FL 34747

It probably would be good to send a formal letter expressing our concerns. Can't hurt.

By the way, I forgot to mention that Michelle (from DVC) did tell me that they were going to have new incentives some time afterward but they would probably not be as good as they are now and she could not really talk about them.

[BIERMUGG]

The Latest Word is New York Will give its approval to DVC by May 15th or sooner. If the Approval is before the price increase, some kind of incentives will be offered to existing DVC Members ONLY for a BCV add on. New Members will be out of luck.

George

[Disneyolic]

That would mean that I'm out of luck then. That really is not fair. Just wondering - did your guide give you that info? I am toying with the idea of just waiting it out. I know the price increases as of 6/1 so I'm wondering if sales may dip a bit that they will give some other incentives. I may take one last stab at faxing a letter down to them with my appeal.

[JonHM]

Have you spoken with a guide, to let them know of your intent to buy? If not, definitely do so today before the incentives go away. They *may* wind up grandfather clausing in people who had contacted them, you never know. It's worth the phone call, IMO.

[JeffreyH]

I'm from NY and luckily I happened to have my trip planned for this week. I was told that they will not be honoring the incentive retroactively but probably would honor the $75/point if approval came after 6/2/02.

The "Quality Assurance" guy who went over everything with us said a NYer had flown down just to buy in...like 225 points.

Best of luck all.

[Brikate]

Originally posted by JeffreyH
... The "Quality Assurance" guy who went over everything with us said a NYer had flown down just to buy in...like 225 points.

We just got back tonight from OKW (1st time in a 1bdrm and loved it... but love the location of BWV/BCV). We did NOT have a trip scheduled until last Tuesday when we read about the incentive ending (and SouthWest's Friends Fly Free program helped sway us ;) ). We flew out of Albany on Sunday morning and had an appointment with Larissa (our guide) at 9am on Monday. Jeff was our "Quality Assurance " guy. Having bought 210 points in BWV in 2000, we doubled our points, now owing at BCV also!!!

We had hoped to go down sometime in late summer / early fall to celebrate our 25th anniversary, but there was more of an incentive (for us) to go now. Now I can put both oval stickers on my van. Way too excited!!!!! :D

Kate :earsgirl: :earsboy:

ps - they told us the same thing about NY being approved ... "hopefully soon... maybe in the next month" But no definite answer about after June 2nd. And the guides DO feel bad about all of their NY members wwho want in.

[mle]

hey, I'm another NYer that did the same, bought in at 260 points (spent too much time on this board researching the decision and learned the DVC mantra: You can never have enough points!).

Actually it was my husband. I arranged for him to fly down today to take advantage of the incentive. He was gone from about 6:15 this morning until about 8:15 this evening.

For less than $175 for the airfare and car rental, I opted for the 10 free nights as opposed to the $5 rebate. Before I came up with the brilliant idea to become DVC owners (come on all you DVCers out there, I am certain the majority of purchases were initiated by women!), we were planning at least a full week in deluxe accomodations at WDW for our 15th wedding anniversary in October (and MNSSHP). When I called DVC, my guide had data from when we originally spoke four years ago!

Looking over the numbers, 10 nights at the Polynesian resort, even at a discount would run about $2,600. That works out to $10 a point versus the $5. We already have a short trip planned for Memorial weekend and then the anniversary trip. So most likely we will bank all our points and have double available for 2003.

DH really enjoyed his brief visit. To quote him upon his return: "I love Disney. Everyone is so friendly." After the paperwork was finished, he spent a few moments checking out BWV, even managed to choose a piece of artwork ($$$) at Wyland Galleries that needs my OK when we are there in May. Unfortunately, he did not have enough time to stroll over to BCV to snap some pictures. Plus it was 95 degrees and he was dressed for 60 degree overcast NY weather, so walking to BCV and back was not a priority to him.

In all of our visits to WDW these past 15 years, we have never really done much outside of the theme parks, including going to the other resorts at WDW and the water parks. Now that we are part of DVC, we can be assured that when we tell the kids "we'll do that next time", we really mean it!

[SINK]

Originally posted by mle


I am certain the majority of purchases were initiated by women)



I guess we are in the minority. I (DH) were the one that has to convince DW to buy three contracts. She was not very happy that I did. She wants to vacation at someplace she has not been, but I wanted to vacation at a place where I can relax, eat, and if bored, go on some wild ride.

[JeffreyH]

It was you Jeff was talking about!! Mentioned your 25th anniversary.

Congrats!!

Jeff

P.S. I've definitely been more "into" this than my wife, but she'll enjoy the vacations when they start!!

[gscott8075]

As I was reading through this, I had the same thought as the earlier poster --

You will come out ahead if you want to buy by flying down for the day and making the purchase.

With the price increase and the incentives ending soon, hop on a plane for $300 and spend the day at Disney.

[sumessefui]

I was on the phone with my guide on Wednesday to do a small addon. He asked what was going on, on the boards as he did not have time to read them. I mentioned how concenrned the NY people who wanted to buy BCV were, about not being able to. He said he had many NY people waiting to buy, and that DVD was not happyabout the situation either. He said the DVD had spent a lot of time and money to get the approval, but always has trouble with NY. Since NY is their #1 customer, the guides are unhappy also. I asked if an extention of the inceniative would be offered, and he said as of May 1 it was over. He would not comment if anything else would be offered. Jerry.

[Tagrel]

Does it bother any other NYers that DVD seems to have no problem dismissing the incentive for their largest state market?

Given the history of the time it takes NYS to approve a new DVC property, the delay should be NO surprise.

And, from a business sense, the delay provides DVD a way to give incentives to other less lucrative markets while then 'forcing' NYers (and anyone with a points addiction IS forced!) to pay a higher cost and still DVD can point the finger of blame directly at NYS.

So, DVD gets to maximize profits by bringing in less likely buyers using incentives, and then after the incentives end (and just a few weeks later, surprise!, NYS approves sale...assuming the rumors are true... sigh...) a whole slew of new buyers show up to keep the money flowing... at a higher cost.

If this IS NOT the case, I can NOT understand why DVD would not grandfather the incentive for NYS for a short time. Even if they JUST gave the incentives to customers that contacted them prior to the April 30th deadline, it is only giving the incentive to those who would have purchased anyway... if they could have.

See what happens when we can't get our DVC purchase! Too much time to think! :rolleyes:

Tagrel

[Disneyolic]

I had thought the same thing. We have decided now to just wait for awhile. I asked my guide how long she anticipated until the close out of BCV sales. She said 10 to 13 months and that it was only 20% sold out. I guess I am hoping that after the price increase and in some many months to come that maybe sales will slip enough for DVD to need to do more incentives again. I know that they had really good incentives during the close out of WLV of $1500 cash back on 150 points. We didn't buy then because we really wanted BCV. Who knows... we are not planning a trip until 9/03 so we do have time to save more money.

[disnefile]

Any recent updates on NY approval or where it stands.

Thanks,

Pete

[BIERMUGG]

DVC is expecting NYS approval by May 15th.

[JonHM]

at this point, they *are* still doing incentives which still bring the sales price down to $70 per point, BUT it is now a Magical Beginnings incentive, meaning that you would need to give up your first year's supply of points. That is the exact type of incentive that we used when we bought in last year at VWL. I was not at all sorry that we did it, it worked well for us.

That said, however, I can't believe that they won't do something for the NYers who wanted to buy in earlier but couldn't. But I know they're not going to say in advance that they'll do it. Wait until May 15, and BESIEGE them with calls and e-mails asking for the pre-April 30 incentives. I would bet if they get enough feedback that they will provide a window (even if it is a very small one) where they allow NYers to take advantage of the earlier incentives.

[AnnaS]

I will also be calling Lisa Wallace today - I would like to hear what she has to say. I did speak to my guide yesterday and I told her I am panning on buying a resale for BW or HH. She said I waited this long wait another week it should not be much longer (yeah right). Once approved we will have only two weeks at the pre-set price (I am thinking the price she quoted me at $70 per point). I will not pay $75 or $80. If they do not do this for us - no sale.:(

[JeffreyH]

Never really understood why people would do Magical Beginnings, other than the "ease" of it.

Why not pay $75 to Disney for all your points, rent the 2002 points for $10 each, have a net cost of $65 per point (instead of $70/point if you do MB). Yes its a little work, but you save $750+ for your effort.

[ripleysmom]

Since we are not buying 100 points, I am not worried about the expiration of the incentive. If we were though I would be definitely complaining up a storm!!

[AnnaS]

I called Lisa Wallace again this morning and left a message. She called me back at 12:30. She asked me where I got her phone number and I told her on the computer. She said was my name listed there too? I said yes - but she did not ask me exactly where on the computer I got it from and I did not volunteer that it was a message board and not an official site of their office or other. Anyway, she said words needed to be revised and did not know and would not give me a time frame of when NY might be approved. She asked me if I was currently an owner, it would not be fair to say a week, two weeks or more. I told her you would think that since all this has been done before it would not take so long and she also said that if everything was treated as urgent something else would not be getting done. She was very nice but I was hoping for a time frame (which I bet they must have and find it hard to believe). Guys keep calling!

[Disneyolic]

I realize it may be hard for her to find where on the 'net Lisa's name was posted but you don't think I could "get in trouble" by posting the number? As I said before, I was given her name and number freely and willingly by the AG operator, so I guess anyone could have obtained it that way. I just get a little frightened by her being a lawyer. Someone out there just reassure me please...

With Lisa not knowing when the approval will come exactly, then I find it hard to believe that it will be sooner than later. It's been almost 6 months since they received the contract!

[AnnaS]

Why would you get "in trouble" - I think she might be curious how it was pinpointed to her as dealing with this issue. If a friend was looking to purchase something or needed information about something that I am sure is listed in a phone book somewhere, I would giver her that number. We are all friends here right?;) My guide said to hang in there another week - I honestly don't know anymore.

[JeffreyH]

Her number is on the web. I had searched the Atty. General's web site when this thread started and found it. Her work number isn't a secret. Someone told you she was responsible for the project...people called.

All that said....just because you're assigned to/"in charge of" a project does not mean that you control the schedule of it and no matter what you do it can get held up somewhere else in the chain of command. I don't think daily calls from multiple people would help....although sometimes a well-written letter explaining how delays impact citizens (read "voters") can sometimes get action.

[Disneyolic]

Thanks...just needed to hear it. Even tho we decided to put the purchase on hold, I feel committed to this "project" now. It is strange in a good way how everyone here seems like an "old friend" now.

[Disneyolic]

I really don't think it's up to NY now. Even though they have taken way too long (according to us), I believe it is really now in the hands of DVD. They don't seem to care that we will not have the incentives that most other states have had. I have called my guide and pleaded that she talk to "the powers that be" which she stated she would. I had also faxed a letter to management just prior to the 4/30 cut-off date with a plea to extend the incentives for NYers - or at least for those that had been on the waiting lists. I really don't know if it had helped or not but I feel that I have done whatever I could possibly do to sway their decision.

[tfc3rid]

NY State Legal Reviews take almost 9 months now (used to take about 6). Ever since September 11, NY State work has taken much much longer than expected. I deal with the New York City and State government and things have been really really slow for any and all approvals that have to go through legal avenues, especially because of the huge bureaucracy that is New York.

I really want to purchase BCV prior to price increases. I will be down there in July, with NO plans to go before. I am really hoping that the State comes through.

[Jimmac]

Unfortunately, it looks like another rumor for an approval date, May 15th, came and went. :confused: :(

[disnefile]

This is vvery disappointing. For a change I have the money to spend on this property and NY won't let us do it. I guess they want us to keep the money here.

Anyone speak to their guide lately on this subject?

Pete.

[BIERMUGG]

Put a call into my Guide today. Still waiting to hear back

[marymrg]

What were the incentives offered and were they just for current DVC members?
MaryG

[Disneyolic]

The incentives were $5 cash back per point that could be applied toward your balance after you put down 10%. They were for anyone purchasing from a registered state or if you were in Florida prior prior to 5/1. So NYers were out of luck.

[marymrg]

I was there at the end of March/beginning of April but didn't investigate it at that time :( I am kicking myself!
Mary

[BIERMUGG]

Spoke to my guide yesterday. The Guides and Manangement are having a meeting early next week to discuss NY members. It appears NY will not get approval soon, but nobody knows for sure. They do not want NYer's shut out of the incentives or get hit with the price increase, But they do not know what they are going to do until the meeting. Told my Guide I was looking to add 200 points at BVC but if I had to pay $ 80.00 a point it would not happen, Told him it should be $ 70.00 a point like it was offered to the rest of the World.


George

[Debby7]

i put a call in to my guide today. Since NY approval doesn't look imminent ,just wanted to go on record as to contacting them prior to price increase about our intention to do on add on at BCV as soon as approved. I missed his call back, but he told my son to tell me that current prices would be extended for 30 days. Is this just for NYers? It sounded to my son like NYers have 30 days after price increase to figure out how to get down there to purchase. Anyone able to shed more light on this ??

[AnnaS]

I also heard the same thing. If they do get approved before July 1st, we would have only two weeks to purchase. This is why I am looking into a POA for when my sister goes down next month. I don't think it's fair that we should have to pay 75 or 80 p.p. - regardless of when it's approved - we should have 2-3 weeks from that date. This is my opinion.

[Cora's Mom]

What are you calling about? Sorry I guess I'm in the dark - just starting to look into DVC.

[AnnaS]

Corasmom,

NY State has not approved the sale of BCV to us. They started selling to all other members/states in Feb. Original incentive gone and price increase coming up. We are very disappointed.

[chrstopher]

I am very disapointed with not being able to purchase DVC in New York. It is very upsetting. If anyone has good news please let me know. Thank You, I am first time user of the disboards, but have been reading and found very usefull.

[MdmMim]

They are giving price quotes for current DVC members who live in NY. At least they'll talk to us about it now! Hope it's getting closer! :D

[FLIKFAN]

I spoke with my guide today regarding additional points at the BWV. I am on a wait list. He extended the lower price until July 1. So it is not just for NY residence looking into the BCV. My suggestion is that if you are thinking about buying, call and get your price quote extended.

[BIERMUGG]

Spoke with my guide today. The person handling the Approval for the State is now on Maternity leave. DVC just hired a lawyer in New York to speed up the process. If Approval comes before July 01, than we have 15 days to buy points at the $ 75.00 a point rate plus the presale incentives. After July 01, all points will go to $ 80.00 and DVC will say we tried our best but sorry it is out of our hands. DVC has a wait list for NY residents.

George

[Debby7]

I too spoke with my guide today and he said that the $75.00 points and 5 dollar incentive would be honored for NYers who are already members, for two weeks whenever the approval comes through. This would not hold for new NYers buying in for the first time. He made no mention of a July date. He said that DVC does not know when the approval might come through so to help NYers who are already members, they would honor the pre- price increase sales terms, whenever the approval comes through.

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Debby 7:

This is amazingly great news and should be a thread of its own. Wow. Have other guides said this to anyone else?

HBC

[BIERMUGG]

>> He made no mention of a July date. <<

My Guide made it quite clear and stressed after July 1 The resort officially opens and it goes to $ 80.00 and sorry we tried.

George

[marymrg]

I'm in the process of buying a resale so if that goes through, I hope they let me do an add-on. I have let DVC know that I was interested long before the price hike. At least there's some hope.
Mary