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Did you second guess your decision to purchase?
- Thread starter jani3
- Start date
AulaniNutz
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2015
Let's take a walk down memory lane... From a sponsor, the TimeShare Store, http://www.dvc-resales.com
Here is their listing from Aug 21, 2008:
https://web.archive.org/web/20080821041709/http://www.dvc-resales.com/dvclisting.cfm
AKV $90-$100
BCV < $90
BWV $82-$88
OKW $72-$74
SSR $74-$85
and then Oct 6, 2012:
https://web.archive.org/web/20121006090154/http://www.dvc-resales.com/dvclisting.cfm
AKV $64-$70
AUL $103
BCV $76-79
BLT $90-$95
BWV $64
OKW $58
SSR $59-$66
Today:
AKV $81-85
AUL $102-$106
BCV $102-$108
BLT $113-$125
BWV $85-$88
OKW $74-$80
SSR $82-$88
Yep -- DougEMG has it right... Some good deals back then..
pmaurer74
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2010
I know, I finally just had my first contract go to ROFR and I still have the 2012 prices in my head! I wish I could have bought back then too.
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2008
Best deal I ever had was in the summer of 2012. $50/point for 200 points at SSR, seller paid MF, buyer paid closing, came with 598 points.
What really kills is thinking about the deals I turned down cause they were a couple dollars/point more than what I thought I should pay. Boy was I stupid!
What really kills is thinking about the deals I turned down cause they were a couple dollars/point more than what I thought I should pay. Boy was I stupid!
DisneyGirlFlorida
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- May 17, 2015
I'll admit, I had a bit of buyer's remorse for about 2 weeks after purchase. I jumped in with both feet after months of research. I purchased a VGF contract resale for 120 points, then on a spontaneous trip to Disney a few weeks later while still waiting on my VGF contract to close, I added on another 80 points purchased direct for SSR. It was after the SSR purchase I was having second thoughts. For me, it was either DVC or a down payment on a house. I passed on the down payment for a house in favor of DVC for a number of personal reasons, but in the weeks after, I kept thinking whether I made the right financial decision for me, and part of me kept wishing that I kept the cash for a home downpayment instead.
Fast forward a few weeks, I took my first trip as a DVC member to the Neighborhood Beach Bash, did a split stay of SSR (home resort) and AKV and WOW! No more buyer's remorse for me! It was SO nice staying at SSR (which I LOVED more than I thought I would). I enjoyed the DVC event, and the nicest part was not having to worry about getting my credit card bill with the room charges from my trip charged.
Now I'm waiting for my VGF points to be loaded to my account (deed recorded yesterday) so I can book my trip for Princess Marathon weekend. Looking at my calendar and all the RunDisney events I've signed up for, plus MNSSHP and thinking about all the money I'm saving and not having to pay out during the November-January time frame (when money is tight due to the holidays), I'm VERY pleased with my decision.
Plus, when you think about it, I DO own a home now - IN DISNEY!
Fast forward a few weeks, I took my first trip as a DVC member to the Neighborhood Beach Bash, did a split stay of SSR (home resort) and AKV and WOW! No more buyer's remorse for me! It was SO nice staying at SSR (which I LOVED more than I thought I would). I enjoyed the DVC event, and the nicest part was not having to worry about getting my credit card bill with the room charges from my trip charged.
Now I'm waiting for my VGF points to be loaded to my account (deed recorded yesterday) so I can book my trip for Princess Marathon weekend. Looking at my calendar and all the RunDisney events I've signed up for, plus MNSSHP and thinking about all the money I'm saving and not having to pay out during the November-January time frame (when money is tight due to the holidays), I'm VERY pleased with my decision.
Plus, when you think about it, I DO own a home now - IN DISNEY!
johde
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2002
I purchased a small DVC resale back in 2001. At the time, OKW and BWV were "readily" available resale and VWL was the current resort. The only "second guessing" I might have had is buying OKW instead of waiting for a BWV contract to become available. The studios I like to book are Standard at the BWV and Standard/Value at AKV (I like the low points and a room with 1 bed and a pull out couch). I don't dislike OKW I just prefer the other resort more. Having 11 month priority at BWV would be nice.
Sparrow624
"I wash my hands of this weirdness"
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2011
Only regret is that I did not buy more points at VGF when we purchased. Now I stalk the resale market for the right amount of points and use year...
Humphrey_Bear
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2015
If only I had known about the resale market sooner, I would have jumped sooner. I'm kicking myself for now perusing sooner. We've been priced out of all our fav deluxe resorts and even the Riverside seems to be getting there. 
I don't see the prices dropping, if times get tough I see Disney offering more incentives or the prices stabilizing, but not dropping.
I love love LOVE
the Wilderness, but small contracts are few and far between and hadn't seen one in a while, so we grabbed a small one at SSR. Were thrilled. Not 1 month later, a small VWL came up and fully loaded to boot. We jumped on it, but now we have 2x more points than planned. Although a little nervous about so many points, we're already planning on using both for a big family trip next summer. Those we don't use, we're planning on renting. 
No regrets.
As far as what will happen with VWL, who knows. I hope like most it doesn't ruin it (like it did the Poly beach). But its a small contract, so I'm hoping if we sell, it will go fast (but I really really hope we won't have to).
I don't see the prices dropping, if times get tough I see Disney offering more incentives or the prices stabilizing, but not dropping.I love love LOVE
the Wilderness, but small contracts are few and far between and hadn't seen one in a while, so we grabbed a small one at SSR. Were thrilled. Not 1 month later, a small VWL came up and fully loaded to boot. We jumped on it, but now we have 2x more points than planned. Although a little nervous about so many points, we're already planning on using both for a big family trip next summer. Those we don't use, we're planning on renting. No regrets.As far as what will happen with VWL, who knows. I hope like most it doesn't ruin it (like it did the Poly beach). But its a small contract, so I'm hoping if we sell, it will go fast (but I really really hope we won't have to).
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2006
My regret is that I expected DVC to be run like premium product who cared more about their "members".
Trained MS CM's, waitlists that work as expected, a full featured website that works as expected, reasonable phone hold times, better communication, advance notice of discounts and perks, clean, well maintained rooms, and less lip service and more action actually improving the product and member experience.
Bill
Trained MS CM's, waitlists that work as expected, a full featured website that works as expected, reasonable phone hold times, better communication, advance notice of discounts and perks, clean, well maintained rooms, and less lip service and more action actually improving the product and member experience.
Bill
ell13
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2014
Reading your posts lately, you seem pretty jaded almost to the point of disappointed. Are you considering selling your points?My regret is that I expected DVC to be run like premium product who cared more about their "members".
Trained MS CM's, waitlists that work as expected, a full featured website that works as expected, reasonable phone hold times, better communication, advance notice of discounts and perks, clean, well maintained rooms, and less lip service and more action actually improving the product and member experience.
For me, I don't regret much yet, but it's early. My parents have been members since I was 7 (1994), and I bought my first points resale at SSR in 2013 for $58/pt. Now, I'm buying more resale but at BLT and for a "premium". I'm excited to own at two separate locations: a quiet place like SSR and a get up and go go go place like BLT. I wish BCV and BWV made sense for me since EPCOT is our favorite Park, but 2042 is way too soon of an expiration for us.
The experiences I've had at Disney and through DVC have yet to let me down. There have been some small issues here and there, but nothing that hasn't been rectified or dealt with in a professional manner. Of course, as I type this, I'm thinking of Disney holding my resale contract hostage for 40 extra days...
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2006
We have sold several contracts but not because of disappointment. I don't feel jaded, more like a beacon of truth in a sea of Disney can do no wrong.
For some reason it seems to me that we accept sub par service and give Disney a free pass because it's Disney while Disney sees little reason to improve with record profits being the norm these days. DVC collects millions and millions of dollars each year to run the DVC on our behalf and I don't always feel that we are getting what we are paying for.
Holding your closing hostage for 40 to 60 days is a wonderful way for Disney to express how they really feel about you and me, yet we buy more contracts and spend boatloads of money at Disney. Interesting isn't it, maybe Walt transmitted subliminal messages to us when we used to watch the Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color back in the '60's?
Bill
ell13
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2014
I'm glad you didn't take that response as an attack. I've been around the forum for a while, mostly as a lurker prior to joining and I respect your thoughts.
I remember a time when park admission was included and all we had was OKW. DVC was truly a secret back then and the point system was revolutionary putting each owner in control of their vacation dates. Do I think Disney has gotten greedy? How could I not? But I knew what I was buying when I bought it... Again, only 2 years ago. Maybe my expectation is different from those who bought 20 years ago or even 5 years ago.
I remember a time when park admission was included and all we had was OKW. DVC was truly a secret back then and the point system was revolutionary putting each owner in control of their vacation dates. Do I think Disney has gotten greedy? How could I not? But I knew what I was buying when I bought it... Again, only 2 years ago. Maybe my expectation is different from those who bought 20 years ago or even 5 years ago.
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2006
I think it's hard not to get greedy. Corporate America puts the shareholders before the guest experience, I would love to see some sort of balance between the two. IMO you can still make great profits while providing an exceptional guest experience.
At one time our family was a heavy duty DVC advocate, sending referrals their way even though in our state we didn't get paid for them. As time went on, DVC became more show and no go and we started getting some negative feedback from family and friends so we stopped.
Wouldn't it be nice if we didn't have to play games to make a reservation, if room issues were taken care of before we checked in, if we knew in advance when the next PAP or discounted admission ticket was going be offered or better yet make it a standing benefit for DVC members.
Bill
Dean
DIS Veteran<br><a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
My experience suggests that DVC is just another good timeshare. Not as good as many think it is and not as bad as some think. Once one gets past thinking that DVC is different (it's not), then they can decide if it's a good long term fit. I think Bill is about as cynical as one can be and still be satisfied with owning and he's a good example of one learning what the true value of DVC is and isn't then moving forward.
ell13
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2014
I'll agree with that to a point. It's a good timeshare. But are there any "great" timeshares? Is it all relative?
I'd argue that for the first 10 years, DVC was great... the best it could be at least. But at some point, around the point they started to really advertise DVC and expand, it became less about the best experience possible and more about maximizing DVC itself. And as it grows and expands to more resorts with more points and more members, it's not as easy to appeal to select group when you're forced to appeal to just about everyone.
It still has to sell itself though. It can still be satisfying to me and serve a needed purpose.
deedisneydream97
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2010
No regrets at all...we now own 8 contracts at four resorts. We did pay a lot for SSR when it first became available, but have never stayed there and have enjoyed those points at HHI and twice at Aluani, not to mention using them at the 7 month mark to stay at other WDW DVC resorts numerous times.
Regarding complaints about how long it takes for resale.....a family member just did a deed transfer to us for a different timeshare....documents were sent to closing attorney in mid-March. Deed was recorded May 1. We got our member number last week.
Regarding complaints about how long it takes for resale.....a family member just did a deed transfer to us for a different timeshare....documents were sent to closing attorney in mid-March. Deed was recorded May 1. We got our member number last week.
Dean
DIS Veteran<br><a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com/dis
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
DVC was certainly better in the early years though I'd suggest 10 yrs might be a bit generous. Regardless it was predictable that it would not live up to many people's expectations. I've seen many post they would never have bought a timeshare and that Disney was different or they thought it was (depending on where they were in their enlightenment, some haven't woken up yet). I'd agree that there are realities with timeshares, that is in part my point, but much of the issue with DVC IMO is not in the obligate areas but in the areas of choice. Things like service, maintenance, responsiveness and the like. All areas where DVC falls behind many top timeshares and in some areas, where they fall behind most timeshare systems that I have knowledge or experience with. I'd somewhat disagree with the reasons, IMO it was and is management plain and simple. I don't feel the advertising or expansion are the reasons though they may be a symptom at times. I own DVC plus 3 other systems and I'm in or have in excess of 10 villas per year. This year we'll be in approximately 25 villas as a minimum either owned or through RCI & II across all 4 systems plus a couple of others we don't normally experience. That includes 10 at one time in Gatlinburg, 3 at SSR in May and 4 coming up soon also at SSR. IMO all of the other systems do a better job of taking care of immediate issues. For example, you call for a blender with DVC, you're likely waiting an hour or 2 until someone makes rounds. At a Marriott, Bluegreen or Wyndham property you make the call and someone normally shows up with the item soon and then you get a phone call to see if you got it and everything is OK. On our last DVC trip they missed T&T and were supposed to take care of it the next day. When they hadn't and we needed items, it took 2 hrs to get someone to bring towels but only after a 20 minutes phone call with someone arguing it wasn't on her list and that there wasn't anyone on property that could do it (2:30 PM) and they were between shifts.
IMO DVC's only claims for being better are location and theming. As for other great timeshares, nothing is perfect but many exceed DVC in all but these 2 areas.
ell13
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2014
I have yet to have any experience like that one you've described. Maybe my parents did and I was kept in the dark. And, again, I understand that I'm a new owner and there will be plenty of time for unhappy moments. I'm by no means defending DVC, nor am I forgiving them for being less than what they were and even could be.
FWIW, 10 years puts it at 2001. I think that's fair.
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