25 Points at BLT-Limited Time?

[tjkraz]

If we had listened to those that interpreted the POS for us and told us we should have expected for DVC to lie, cheat and steal and we were being unreasonable, they would have never reversed their decision.

I resent that remark. This is a discussion board. People are simply offering their opinions and/or interpretations. Whether you choose to agree with it or not is up to you...but let's not get into the business of saying that someone was wrong for posting just because you disagree with the message.

And where are these comments from people saying that you "should have expected for DVC to lie, cheat and steal."

They knew they were wrong and they didnt care. They did it anyway. Only when they were hit with legal action did they respond.

What legal action?

 

[Chuck S]

I hope if they do find out... they give that guide a bonus!!!
He is communicating! He is doing his job! He is selling DVC!!!!

If they don't allow email... that's a ridiculous way to handle business in 2009! That is the BEST way to communicate with me... and if the microscopes are on... DVC needs to know that!!!

FYI... I called my guide yesterday and ASKED that he email me... which he hasn't... nor has he called me back. And I want to buy. Maybe DVC should be looking there!

AND thanks to WilsonFlyer and everyone else that posts on these boards! Disney ultimately owes this board for keeping information going... selling DVC... actually doing a good bit of THEIR work!!!

Convenience really has nothing to do with it.

Emails can be considered legally binding by a court. If a guide sent out false info, even if s/he believed it to be correct via email or sends an email to states that do not allow direct DVC sales, it could be a very expensive error for Disney.

 

[cheezNE1]

What happened to you doesn't pass Bob's smell test (nothing to do with you).

Less than 100 points was supposedly over Jan 15 (until this deal came along).

So you're telling us that your guide, out of the goodness of his or her fuzzy wuzzy little ole heart; decided to let you have 50 points as a concellation prize but wouldn't/couldn't sell you 25 when EITHER would supposedly supercede DVC policies firmly in place? C'mon man. You gotta be kidding me. These guys can't get a cup of coffee without a manager's approval.

Methinks you're getting hosed for an extra 25 points at the expense of your guide. If that's true and it materialized the way you say it did, he or she ought to be fired right here and right now and I'd have their head on a platter if they tried to pull that crap on me.

Guide just called me, and told me he just received the email this morning on this. So i dove in and added the 25pt i wanted. Guess DVC needs better communication trickling down the hierarchy.

 

[rkwier]

Originally Posted by DVCGeek

*I* REALLY appreciate your information and people like you who provide breaking news are why I read these boards!!! I hope you do "keep doing what [you] can".

Thank you!

-Craig

I agree 100% with Craig. I so appreciate the information on this board. I have learned so much here and it has enabled me to make very well informed decisions regarding all aspects of DVC beginning with whether or not to purchase, how many points to purchase, and just about any other aspect of ownership. I find that I am ahead of the game on information because of the knowledge that I receive from everyone who posts here. Thanks to all who are willing to share!

Now to call about adding on those points...

 

[disney dumbo]

Convenience really has nothing to do with it.

Emails can be considered legally binding by a court. If a guide sent out false info, even if s/he believed it to be correct via email or sends an email to states that do not allow direct DVC sales, it could be a very expensive error for Disney.

Is there is a law that says... I can be called... but not emailed? I originally bought on the phone.

In my case, convenience has EVERYTHING to do with it. This guide is bound to have tons of phone calls a day... plus paperwork. I also have a life. I can write him and he can write me... all at EACH of our conveniences! We don't have to play telephone tag. We each can get things accomplished.

Besides, this is the way I like to do business PRECISELY for what you say... everything is clear. If someone is fearful to put it in writing... I am fearful of giving them my hard earned money!!! I don't think this is the case with Disney.

In fact, Disney should be giving info to the guides in writing... to make it ALL clear!!! Surely they don't play the gossip game with them... allowing thoughts to be passed from 1 person to another... and surely that can't have them all in a meeting at once to hear wishy/washy thoughts. So if it turns out to be an "expensive" error for Disney... congratulations... they have earned that expense by not putting it in writing in the first place!

While we are talking about it... they could just post it on their web site for heaven sakes... give the guides a break... and inform the DVC membership as well.

I'm sick of the world running from the legal system. Not emailing because of a fear? Just do what is right! It's not that hard.

PS... I agree that you shouldn't post emails from a person without their permission... if you NAME that person. I don't think saying "my guide" names them... unless you've done that somewhere.

PSS... sure hope the microscope is looking at this!!!

PSSS... thank for eveyone that posts on these boards!
You've helped me, other members, prospects... and probably DVC too!

 

[DVCGeek]

In my case, convenience has EVERYTHING to do with it. This guide is bound to have tons of phone calls a day... plus paperwork. I also have a life. I can write him and he can write me... all at EACH of our conveniences! We don't have to play telephone tag. We each can get things accomplished.

Besides, this is the way I like to do business PRECISELY for what you say... everything is clear. If someone is fearful to put it in writing... I am fearful of giving them my hard earned money!!! I don't think this is the case with Disney.

In fact, Disney should be giving info to the guides in writing... to make it ALL clear!!! Surely they don't play the gossip game with them... allowing thoughts to be passed from 1 person to another... and surely that can't have them all in a meeting at once to hear wishy/washy thoughts. So if it turns out to be an "expensive" error for Disney... congratulations... they have earned that expense by not putting it in writing in the first place!

While we are talking about it... they could just post it on their web site for heaven sakes... give the guides a break... and inform the DVC membership as well.

I'm sick of the world running from the legal system. Not emailing because of a fear? Just do what is right! It's not that hard.

I agree with everything you are saying. My pseudo-rant comments-

E-mail = much easier to use and clearer than phone calls. If DVC is being up front the first time then there is nothing legal to fear. Just distribute correct information to the guides. tell them "This is what you can e-mail". I got promo e-mail from my guide about the 100 points @ BLT and AKV price increase for Jan. 15th, but I think it was a week or two after I read about it on the boards! That was basically just an e-marketing postcard, and it came from a generic Disney address and said to call my guide. She actually may have had NOTHING to do with it!!!

Also, a "Add-On Options" section to the member website would be an EXCELLENT marketing tool in my opinion! I'd sure like to see it. I'd still watch the boards of course, but it would be nice to be able to go there. Put in a button for "Request my guide contact me" right there!!!

Finally, it definitely would be nice if EVERYTHING wasn't being done these days with constant fear of being sued. it costs money to defend against frivolous lawsuits even if they eventually get thrown out. That's just not right... But you can't just say loser pays because a legitimate victim shouldn't get doubly-hit because someone gets off on a technicality...

I admit I don't know how to fix it, but there sure are things that need to get fixed!

One can dream...

 

[tjkraz]

Guides do seem to have different philosophies on communicating via email. To be honest, I'm surprised Disney lets them do it at all. And to some extent they are putting their jobs at risk every time they send an email to a client.

As Chuck said, anything put in writing can be held against Disney at a later date. Telephone conversations and face-to-face are largely unverifiable. Even if a Guide were to verbally mis-speak while selling, there are no witnesses. But if there is a member running around with an email from his Guide which says "it will always cost 8 points per night for an Old Key West Studio in Adventure season", DVC has a big problem.

Whether or not the lawsuits have any teeth is largely irrelevant since they still cost money to defend. We live in an overly-litigious society and Disney is a big target. My recent favorite is the guy who rode Soarin at DCA and sent them a letter saying "hey, you should add this to Epcot." After the Epcot ride opened, he sued Disney claiming he was due a consulting fee.

As for putting more info on the member website, local timeshare laws may well prohibit that. There are residents of several US states and most Canadian provinces who can only buy points if they visit a sales center in person--even current members cannot add-on from home.

 

[disney dumbo]

To be honest, I'm surprised Disney lets them do it at all. And to some extent they are putting their jobs at risk every time they send an email to a client.
As Chuck said, anything put in writing can be held against Disney at a later date. .

Sorry... I just find this an extremely sad statement. I know our legal system is a mess. But I certainly think the guides are knowledgeable and responsible enough to email information that would not put Disney in jeopardy. This is just an insult to the guides, DVC membership... as well as prospective purchasers.

As for putting more info on the member website, local timeshare laws may well prohibit that. There are residents of several US states and most Canadian provinces who can only buy points if they visit a sales center in person--even current members cannot add-on from home.

This would certainly be easy to handle via the internet.... certainly easier than requiring guides to call membership. You sign in on their web site... they know where you live.

All this is just basic communication in the year 2009. And remember we are talking about Disney... for years they've been able to make "dummies" talk... I think they can handle email and the internet.

 

[tjkraz]

Sorry... I just find this an extremely sad statement. I know our legal system is a mess. But I certainly think the guides are knowledgeable and responsible enough to email information that would not put Disney in jeopardy. This is just an insult to the guides, DVC membership... as well as prospective purchasers.

Sad or not, Disney has to take appropriate steps to protect itself this environment.

You may think that Guides can communicate effectively, but something is apparently being lost in translation since there are so many people on the reallocation thread claiming they were verbally told something that goes against the written POS.

Simple words like "may", "could", "might", "will", "should" can dramatically alter the content of a statement made in an email.

This would certainly be easy to handle via the internet.... certainly easier than requiring guides to call membership. You sign in on their web site... they know where you live.

All this is just basic communication in the year 2009. And remember we are talking about Disney... for years they've been able to make "dummies" talk... I think they can handle email and the internet.

It may seem simple but apparently Disney doesn't see a value in following that approach.

I'd be willing to bet that statistics show that sales organizations are more successful when they encourage verbal communications with customers rather than creating ways to discourage that one-on-one interaction.

EDIT: I should also add that I'm not sure I agree that email is "easier." It may be more convenient for some but it almost certainly occupies more of one's time. I'm a decent typist but it took me at least 10 minutes to properly express myself in this reply. That's about 5x what it would have taken to get the same point across if we were speaking one-on-one.

If it takes a DVC Guide 4-5 times longer to respond to sales inquiries via email than phone, that's a significant drain on their time. We're also talking about people who spend a great deal of their day away from their desks giving tours, meeting with prospective clients, participating in member meetings, taking shifts on the DCL cruise ships, etc. They may not find email to be nearly as efficient as we technophiles do.

 

[toocherie]

Darn. And that's what I do for a living. Go figure I of all people, never even thought about that. All removed (FWIW) except the main statement.

It's gotta be general public information by now though. I hope he doesn't catch any crap because of me. He's gotta be one of the best guides at Disney even if he is fairly new.

Actually, it is fairly easy to figure out who your guide is--just look in the "Who has the same guide as you" thread . . .. .

and that is why I am very hesitant about posting any info my guide gives to me unless I have asked whether it can be posted.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

OK... I've tried to play nice and go along and let everybody just bust my balls but let's face facts and be adults here, folks. If it wasn't public information when he sent it to me, he wouldn't have sent it to me.

Everybody needs to give the pray for your guide thing a rest. He's a big boy and he knows I post(ed) everything on this board when I learn something. I've told him time and again.

I don't sleep with him. It ain't pillow-talk. He's my salesman. He ain't telling me nothing he ain't telling every client he gets a chance to tell if he thinks there may be a dollar in it.

He ain't in trouble for e-mailing me any more so than he'd be if he'd called me.

Let's go to something else or somebody else. Find somebody else to beat up on.

I'm through sharing anything here. Funny thing is, I haven't seen one single duplicate first post as mine which is unheard of on a board like this. Did anybody else hear from somebody at Disney except me before you read it here?!?!?

What an absolute waste of time to try to help people here. For Christ's sake folks. Get a life.

 

[Sandisw]

OK... I've tried to play nice and go along and let everybody just bust my balls but let's face facts and be adults here, folks. If it wasn't public information when he sent it to me, he wouldn't have sent it to me.

Everybody needs to give the pray for your guide thing a rest. He's a big boy and he knows I post(ed) everything on this board when I learn something. I've told him time and again.

I don't sleep with him. He's my salesman. He ain't telling me nothing he ain't telling every client he gets a chance to tell if he thinks there may be a dollar in it.

He ain't in trouble for e-mailing me any more so than he'd be if he'd called me.

Let's go to something else or somebody else. Find somebody else to beat up on.

I'm through sharing anything here. Funny thing is, I haven't seen one single duplicate first post as mine which is unheard of on a board like this. Did anybody else hear from somebody at Disney except me before you read it here?!?!?

What an absolute waste of time to try to help people here. For Christ's sake folks. Get a life.

Just want to say thank you to you. If you had not posted it the other night, I would not have emailed my guide. Although he didn't have the information yet when he called be back that night, it still initiated my ability to change my contract for the better.

I also wonder if DVC didn't initially put this out the way they did to "test the waters" to see if it sparked more people calling in asking for the add-ons. I would bet that the BLT add-ons dried up when they went to the 100 pt level and what better way to get people fired up or interested in something than to bring something back that was taken away.

So, for me, I appreciate your sharing the information that you get!

 

[anna08]

What an absolute waste of time to try to help people here.

It may be too late to say so, but I think your original post clearly is meant to be helpful, and I appreciated it, as I do most things that are introduced here first (or at least early ) that affect my DVC membership.

In my line of business, I also try to treat my "customer" as I would want someone to treat my family member. That way I rarely find myself having to apologize. Your guide probably just operates the same way, and is reliable at getting info out to you.

Keep posting please. p.s. glad to hear you're not sleeping with your guide

 

[DVCGeek]

p.s. glad to hear you're not sleeping with your guide

My guide isn't bad looking- if I weren't married...

<Incidentally, I'm JOKING around here!!!>

 

[Tara]

p.s. glad to hear you're not sleeping with your guide

Well, he IS a good looking guy!

 

[disney dumbo]

I'm through sharing anything here. Funny thing is, I haven't seen one single duplicate first post as mine which is unheard of on a board like this. Did anybody else hear from somebody at Disney except me before you read it here?!?!?

What an absolute waste of time to try to help people here.

Don't let others beat you down. What's right is right. You've done nothing wrong... in fact, you've done exactly the purpose of this board. This thread has been viewed 3700 times. I'd say you have more people praising you than being critical of you.

Guess I'll start a poll on another thread about email.
tjkraz, sound like you agree there is a problem in the verbal communication area. And I'm saying that is why it should be in writing. IMHO, if you cannot clearly communicate... you should not be a guide. IF DVC is giving them the run around... shame on them!

My bottom line... still no call or email from my guide. Glad there are those of you in communication with your guide.

to all!
Hope everyone is buying points!!!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Well, he IS a good looking guy!

He ain't built right for me.

But my wife thinks he's cute. I hope he's got a lot of points personally. She's high maintenance.

 

[LIFERBABE]

He ain't built right for me.

But my wife thinks he's cute. I hope he's got a lot of points personally. She's high maintenance.

 

[rkwier]

Originally Posted by WilsonFlyer

I'm through sharing anything here. Funny thing is, I haven't seen one single duplicate first post as mine which is unheard of on a board like this. Did anybody else hear from somebody at Disney except me before you read it here?!?!?

What an absolute waste of time to try to help people here.

It makes me so sad that you are feeling this way! I thought your post was so very helpful and I really appreciated that you took the time to share it with us. One of the best parts of this board, IMHO, is that for the most part, the people here are so nice and willing to help each other. Try not to feel discouraged and know that there are many of us who are grateful that you shared the information with us.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

OK... I've tried to play nice and go along and let everybody just bust my balls but let's face facts and be adults here, folks. If it wasn't public information when he sent it to me, he wouldn't have sent it to me.

Everybody needs to give the pray for your guide thing a rest. He's a big boy and he knows I post(ed) everything on this board when I learn something. I've told him time and again.

I don't sleep with him. It ain't pillow-talk. He's my salesman. He ain't telling me nothing he ain't telling every client he gets a chance to tell if he thinks there may be a dollar in it.

He ain't in trouble for e-mailing me any more so than he'd be if he'd called me.

Let's go to something else or somebody else. Find somebody else to beat up on.

I'm through sharing anything here. Funny thing is, I haven't seen one single duplicate first post as mine which is unheard of on a board like this. Did anybody else hear from somebody at Disney except me before you read it here?!?!?

What an absolute waste of time to try to help people here. For Christ's sake folks. Get a life.

Ah - try not to worry about it. The only one who should care is your guide IF they had asked you not to post and I don't believe you would have if they did!

It is a discussion board so people can question (I think you questioned something I posted the other night ) but it's a bummer to post info about a change that has been so wanted and to get kind of kaboshed on it. Obviously many people are very thankful for your info.