Questions about buying...

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

I'm looking into buying DVC resale, and I have a couple of questions. I'm in the very beginning stages of my research, so please forgive me if these are silly questions.

First, is there any reason to buy direct instead of resale? (I'm sure this has been asked a million times; sorry.)

Second, does the use year matter? Does it affect when I can book? How do I know what month is good for me?

 

[princessaloha]

I'm looking into buying DVC resale, and I have a couple of questions. I'm in the very beginning stages of my research, so please forgive me if these are silly questions.

First, is there any reason to buy direct instead of resale? (I'm sure this has been asked a million times; sorry.)

Second, does the use year matter? Does it affect when I can book? How do I know what month is good for me?

I too am in the process of buying into DVC. Hope you don't mind me jumping in and testing my own understanding. If I get it wrong, someone will correct me.

Any and all basic questions pertaining to DVC have (mostly) been asked and answered here so reading is invaluable when starting out. If afterwards you still have a question or don't understand something, the other posters are fantastic at guiding you further along.

There are pros and cons to resale vs direct and vice versa. It's different for every individual and their family. What one person considers a pro, a dozen more will not. Only you can determine that for your situation. In simplistic terms the major advantages of resale over direct are cost and availability at sold out resorts. In simplistic terms the major advantage of direct over resale are trade options such as cruises, etc, instantaneous gratification of points and reservation, and the ability to choose UY, specific points, etc.

The use year only really matters in the case of cancellation for the ability to bank those points and not lose them. Which I believe may happen once or twice or more considering the long term nature of DVC. If that happens, then it's very important.

No it does not affect WHEN you can book, as long as your needed points are available at the time of your travel. The more important time frame is the 11 month and 7 month booking windows.

To determine the best Use Year (UY) for you, first determine your travel schedule, keeping in mind that this may change as the years go by. Then choose a UY early in that schedule. For example if you like to travel June/July/August then a June UY would be best (or May).

Again, I would urge you to take a few days and read as much as possible on this thread, then go back re-read the questions posted, see if you can answer them without looking at the replies, then re-read the replies and see if you got it right.

Good Luck, happy researching!

 

[ELMC]

I'm looking into buying DVC resale, and I have a couple of questions. I'm in the very beginning stages of my research, so please forgive me if these are silly questions.

First, is there any reason to buy direct instead of resale? (I'm sure this has been asked a million times; sorry.)

Second, does the use year matter? Does it affect when I can book? How do I know what month is good for me?

The previous poster did a great job answering these questions, I would just like to put my own spin on them as well.

Advantages to buying direct:

First off, it's less stressful, you get your points immediately. Second, you can customize your purchase...you can buy exactly what you want and where you want it. Third, you have an easier time financing (although this is widely considered to be, um, less than prudent). Fourth, under the current contract language you can use your points for any of Disney's offerings (Adventures By Disney, Disney Cruise Line, Concierge Collection, etc.). Let it be known that these perks are not guaranteed and can be taken away at any time. It is also prevailing opinion that while convenient, they are a less than optimal way to use your points.

A big downside of buying direct is similar to buying a new car. When you buy direct you will experience an immediate and drastic depreciation in the cash value (read: what someone will pay you for it) of your contract.

As for your use year question, basically it has to deal with when you like to vacation. Ideally you want to receive your new allocation of points immediately prior to your typical vacation window and you don't want to have your vacation window at the end of your use year in case you need to cancel last minute. Tons of great information on use year can be found by reading this thread (which also has links to two other threads in one of the posts).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2914530

Good luck with your research and your decision!

I too am in the process of buying into DVC. Hope you don't mind me jumping in and testing my own understanding. If I get it wrong, someone will correct me.

I think you did a very nice job.

 

[KS_Disney_Dad]

Advantages to buying direct:

That it is! We did a resale add on and as we waited for the points to finally show up, everything we wanted disappeared. But saving $45 per point can help ease the stress some