Semi-bad news for DVC resale buyers

[MardiGrasDVC]

We bought an OKW resale from The Timeshare Store in 3/01. I was talking to my Sales Guide yesterday about a BCV add-on and discovered that, as a resale owner, I am not eligible to get referral fees when I refer friends & family. Only DVC owners who bought directly from Disney are eligible to earn referral fees.

I was very surprised to hear this, since I thought once you closed on a resale DVC treated you the same as people who bought directly. Guess not!

My Sales Guide is checking on whether buying the BCV add-on (directly from DVC) will make us eligible to earn referral fees. I hope so ... we've got several friends & family members who have taken the tour and are considering buying!

[Richyams]

Wow, that is definitely news to me. I was very much under the impression that there was absolutely no difference at all in ownership.

I guess there still isn't for those liveing in states that don't allow the referal at all.

I think its a big plus for those states, imagine having your government care so much about you that they would go to such lengths to protect you from the EVIL Disney company.

[SueM in MN]

WWell, we've bought both directly from Disney and thru resales, so we'd be eligible. IF our state allowed us to get a referral fee, we would have gotten a couple already.

[MaryAnnDVC]

Really? Why should it matter? If you're referring someone to DVC and THEY buy through Disney, why shouldn't you get the reward for it? :confused:

[mikek]

Originally posted by Richyams


I think its a big plus for those states, imagine having your government care so much about you that they would go to such lengths to protect you from the EVIL Disney company.

I live in over regulated NJ.
I think your a little confused Rich- I beleive they are trying to protect my family from ME. I think the thought is i might screw over my family and friends by recommending disney.

Who knows though- i live in the only place in the world where its 'too dangerous' to pump your own gas. And when the rest of you get free stuff for buying $8 worth of gas we arent allowed to have it. It seems alot of people might just want $7.99 of gas so forcing the $8 minimum causes people to over spend their budgets to get charlie brown glasses at the mobil.

Apparently we're the only ones paying to step foot on our beaches too so who knows....

[triple7]

Just be sure that the potential buyer mentions your name prior to them agreeing to buy. I was denied a referral last year because my name was mentioned after my friends said they would buy. I talked to my guide and he was able to look up the computer records of the sale. A notation was clearly written that said I had made the referral but my friends only mentioned me after the sale was verbally agreed to. He said that is policy, and that he also missed out on some form of recognition. (Apparenly the guide of a person who makes a referral gets something also.) It wouldn't have mattered anyway because I live in Virginia and it is one of the states that do not allow DVC to compensate referrals.

[Johnnie Fedora]

why DVD has to be soooo cheap about throwing a couple of bucks your way. It's a little annoying that you that to make sure your referal mentions your name before a certain point in the transaction. Kind of a weasely loophole...........Ooops to bad/so sad.....you lose!!!!:confused: :confused: :( :(

[triple7]

To shed a little more light on the subject, this happened on the Disney Magic and I am almost positive that I had told the DVC Rep that I was working hard to convince some people that DVC was right for them. There was another DVC owning couple at our table and between the four of us we had them sold before they walked into their appointment. The most important thing is that they bought and like many of us, they are convinced that it is some of the best money we have ever spent.

[DeeP]

mikek,
NJ residents are eligible for the DVC referral bonus as long as the buyers buy through Disney and not a resale but that is true no matter what state you live in. I own homes in NJ and FL and I was going to get a referral bonus on my NJ address but then the people bought a resale through timeshare.com so of course that was the end of the referral bonus.
Also other states besides NJ charge beach fees but I will admit it is a pain but NJ is not the only state that does charge beach fees.

[Paul in CT]

DeeP,

Not true! Connecticut does not allow any bonus payments for referrals so DVC gladly complies. ;)


Mikek,

I feel your pain! ;) I drive through NJ frequently and I hate having to wait for them to pump the gas. The attendants must have a strong union.

:D

[DeeP]

I was only talking about NJ, I do not know what other states do as far as DVC referrals go but I do know about NJ and FL since I am a home owner in both of these states. Are you saying that in CT even if someone buys through a resale and not through Disney, DVC gives you the referral bonus??
I actually like having my gas pumped when I am in NJ, when I am in FL and paying almost the same prices for gas I do not like to have to pump my own gas, but have no choice.

[KNWVIKING]

Not all Jersey beaches charge beach fee's and the price I pay for full service gas is less then other states pay for self serve.

[DeeP]

This is true KNWVIKING, I recently paid more for gas in FL that I had to pump myself than gas that I had bought in NJ that was pumped for me!

[Paul in CT]

I was responding to your comment that "NJ residents are eligible for the DVC referral bonus as long as the buyers buy through Disney and not a resale but that is true no matter what state you live in." I thought that you meant DVC referrals bought through Disney received bonuses "no matter what state you live in."

I am saying that CT does not allow the payment of referral bonuses for timeshares period, no matter if resale or not. I suspect our attorney general is trying to "protect" us from unscrupulous timeshares. :D

My objection to the prohibition of pumping your own gas in NJ is strictly related to convenience. Nearly every other state has "pay at the Pump" everywhere by CC and it is much faster than waiting for the attendant pump and then run yuour card IMHO.

[DeeP]

:) Ok, Paul, now I understand what you meant about timeshare referrals in CT. We were in the same church but different pews! LOL :)
I never pay for gas with a CC so the time factor to run the CC is not an issue for me and most times in FL when I have to go inside to pay with cash I always have to wait in a line so it is costing me almost the same or more for the gas and I have to pump my own gas and then walk inside to pay for it. Amazing how the same experience but with slightly different circumstances are so different for each individual. :)

[anniet]

I am glad this topic came up about the referral bonus. Here's what happened to me, and I'm a little disappointed with the way Disney handled it.

A friend/woman I work with requested DVC infor a couple of YEARS ago. I went down in March and bought the DVC at WLV. I came back raving about it and my friend said she looked into it a few years ago, but she had just bought her house and didn't want to take on another financial burden. After I told her how I financed and what my payments were, she called DVC to make and appointment for a tour in June when she would be visiting Orlando. At that time she mentioned my name, and was told that since she didn't mention me as a referral when she originally called for information, and because they had already sent her the information, I couldn't get credit for the referral.

Annie<--------Huh???????????????

My friend bought 270 points, they are making good money off of her, and she might not have looked into it further if we hadn't had a conversation. You would think $250 Disney dollars would be no big deal to them.

[KimOhio]

how much money do you get for a referal??

[anniet]

They give you $250 Disney dollars for the first referral, and the second too? I'm not sure and then I believe it may go up from there, but not much. I don't really know, they sent me a kit, but after what I happened I was so disappointed I just threw it in the trash.

But as my brother-in-law pointed out yesterday, since they give you Disney dollars, and given their retail prices it's probably only about $100 or so that really comes out of their pocket, which isn't much given the prices of DVC.

[WebmasterDoc]

Basically, the first contact with DVC must indicate your referral. If the person already has taken a tour or sent for information, DVC regards the initial contact to have come from their own marketing efforts, not those of someone else.

While the policy may seem harsh at times, it does eliminate a lot of potential problems for the program in general.

If you have a friend you think might be a good candidate, just send the name and contact iformation to your own guide. You'll get a thankyou response from your guide and will be the reference of note for that individual should they later purchase.

I have a stack of those "Thankyou" notes and many have become members, but Indiana isn't a state eligible for any reward. I do get some personal satisfaction from the effort however. :)

Enjoy!

[PamOKW]

I know that at least in some cases, when a person asks DVC for information DVC asks them if they know a DVC member. A co-worker told me they had given DVC my name and the same with some relatives who stopped in for the tour. So, I think DVC does try to give credit when they can. I'm also from CT, so no bonuses for me, just the thank-you notes.

[MardiGrasDVC]

Hey guys,
I'm the original poster of this thread. I ran across a referral packet that my Sales Guide sent me in January 2002. I expect that most/all DVC members got the same thing at the same time. There is a lovely legal-sounding Terms & Conditions in the packet, and it says NOTHING about resale owners not being eligible. In fact, the wording is:

"Only Members of DVC can participate in the program. A Member is an individual who purchases an ownership interest in a DVC Resort and whose purchase has closed."

I left a message for my Sales Guide to see if I can clarify this. Perhaps she misunderstood and was thinking that the people I refer have to buy directly from DVC ... if they buy a resale I don't get a referral fee (which I understood all along). But she pretty clearly said that *I* was NOT eligible to earn referral fees since *I* purchased a resale.

I really hope I am eligible, since I live in a state that allows it, and I have several friends who are getting ready to buy. I already got the thank-you letters, and it would be nice to get the bonus!

Someone else posted that you just get Disney Dollars as the bonus, but according to this packet, you can choose Disney Dollars, credit towards your DVC annual dues, credit towards additional DVC points purchase, or you can donate it to the Red Cross. For closings within the same calendar year, you get $200 for the first, $350 for the 2nd, $500 for the 3rd, $750 for the 4th, and $1000 for the 5th!

I'll let you know what I find out re: eligibility of members who bought resale.

[MardiGrasDVC]

Annie,
I'm sorry to hear what happened with your friend. I did find some relevant verbage in the referral Terms & Conditions:

"The Introduced Guest must not previously have been contacted by a DVC representative within the twelve (12) months prior to being introduced, or has not previously attended a sales presentation at a DVC resort."

Your friend must have taken the tour previously? If not, it looks like you should be eligible as long as it had been more than 12 months since she first requested information.

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by Richyams
I think its a big plus for those states, imagine having your government care so much about you that they would go to such lengths to protect you from the EVIL Disney company.

I'd imagine most of the states with these laws passed them back in the 70's or early 80's, when timeshare was held in as high regard as used car salesman and civil attorneys. It irks me that my own state of PA has such a law, but I also understand that 1) They've no clue about DVC and 2) they would not change the law for one company, even if that company is Disney...Now maybe if Disney would buck up the dollars to build their own building for the tabled Philadelphia DQ... :)

Quite frankly, I'd more than rewarded when our 'converts' decide that their decision was a great one and we can share vacations with them. Any excuse to go to the World. :)

And just an aside about NJ gas, calling someone pumping your gas for you full service is just plain wrong in my book. I can't tell you the last time someone in NJ checked my oil, cleaned the windshields, check tire pressure, or did a visual inspection under the hood for deteriorating wear items. Call me a curmudgeon, when the 'attendents' don't fill the tank (its always less than 'F' when they take it to the next quarter amount), take forever to get to you, then get back to your car after the pump cuts off, then grumble when you don't have a quarter or 50 cents, I'd rather pump my own. Unless its February, 0 degrees with a stiff wind, and the pump doesn't have a lock to keep the gas flowing so you have to stand there and freeze while holding the lever.

-Joe
who apologizes for grouping used car sales people with civil attorneys. Used cars are a vital part of our society and the grouping is unfair.

[Dean]

I'd assume the guide is giving you BS. I've only bought resale and gotten a number of referals. As I've said before, timeshare sales staff tend to stretch the rules. Fortunately it's unusual for DVC but it does happen. Hopefully he won't be there long or will get straightened out. I'd report it to a supervisor.

[Jimbo]

We're resale owners that have gotten a referral bonus, so I agree, it's BS. And by the way, the bonus is $200 for the first referral in a year.

[TroyWDW]

MardiGrasDVC,

Who is your DVC Sales Guide?

Troy

[anniet]

MardiGras,

I checked with my friend today. She did take the tour.....in 1999, and had no contact with DVC since. :( Like I said, I'm a little disappointed, but that won't stop me from trying to sell others on it. Plus my reward is that now I have a friend who I can Disney dream with!!!!!

One of they guys I work with takes his family of four down every year and I cannot sell him on it at all, even though he stays at moderate or high end resorts.

I think I'll send DVC his name just in case he changes his mind.:)

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by anniet
...(snip)....But as my brother-in-law pointed out yesterday, since they give you Disney dollars, and given their retail prices it's probably only about $100 or so that really comes out of their pocket, which isn't much given the prices of DVC.

Just FYI for your BIL:D, Disney Dollars can be exchanged for good old American currency at any time, so $250 worth of Disney Dollars really does = $250 cash. You do not have to spend them at WDW or on Disney merchandise. To make the exchange, you'd just take the DD to any Disney Store or any of the guest services windows at one of the parks or Downtown Disney.

[Sheree]

I bought my dvc points thru the Timeshare Store.

I referred my neighbors TO DVC and they bought DIRECT FROM DISNEY and I got the referral bonus.

I think the confusion is that if your referred person buys resale you're not entitled to anything, that makes sense.

And I live in NJ, got the referral, I don't pump my own gas, but pay the same as those in PA and NY do and they do the work, and the beaches in wildwood crest are Free!

[MardiGrasDVC]

Sheree,
I'm glad to hear that you got the bonus! I agree, I think my Sales Guide must have been confused ... she must have been thinking that we don't get the bonus when our referred friend buys a resale. (At least I hope she was confused and not deliberately misleading me.)

Troy,
My Sales Guide is Diane Henry.

[MardiGrasDVC]

I got a call back from my Sales Guide, Diane, today. She was wrong!! (whew!) DVC owners who bought resale *ARE* eligible for referral fees. I felt pretty confident that that was the case, based on reponses to this thread, and what I read in the Terms & Conditions, but it's nice to hear it from her lips.

Thanks to all who responded!

[WebmasterDoc]

Thanks for the clarification, MardiGrasDVC!! :)

I had the opportunity to speak with the DVC Referral program administrator this afternoon, who was eager to confirm the program.

Any DVC member who owns a contract of 150 or more points (master contract) is eligible to receive the referral rewards regardless where/how they purchased their membership. If you have purchased a resale contract of fewer than 150 points- you are still considered a DVC member, but would NOT be eligible for the referral program since you do not own a master contract. This is a stipulation of the program itself.

Last month alone, DVC awarded over 20 certificates for the referral program to members and many were resale owners.

If you know someone who might be interested in joining DVC, contact your vacation guide with their name and address. This is best way to insure that you are the referral of record and will be credited with any eligible reward.

If the individual has already had prior contact with DVC- either by telephone, internet or personal tour (including a cruise presentation), no referral reward is likely to result.

The true intent of the porgram is to encourage members to provide sales leads to DVC. If the lead already came from DVC, no reward is earned. Initial contact is the test for the program.

The Referral program does provide a significant boost to the DVC sales program and the efforts of all of us, as members, is truly appreciated- thus the reward to those in eligible states. Even if your state does not allow participation, there is certainly a sense of satisfaction in encouraging others to join the DVC! :)