A Newbie question I haven't seen yet...

[Zbridget]

Hello everyone

I am considering a DVC purchase this year, and reading these boards have been very helpful! Here's a new question. My SIL is a DVC member, by using her as a reference would she get anything nice from DVC when we buy? You know, a thank you for referring someone new to them...

Bridget

 

[castleri]

Yes she would be given a choice of several things that are in the $200 bracket. I don't have my paper in front of me but one is that amount off annual dues, use it towards purchasing more points and when I had that happen that amount of Disney Dollars which I used on my next trip. The amount increases if the person refers more than one buyer in a calendar year. She probably gets the mailings and they send little cards you can give someone who is considering a purchase that they can give to a guide. In my case the buyer just gave them my name and they looked it up in the computer. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I am considering a DVC purchase this year, and reading these boards have been very helpful! Here's a new question. My SIL is a DVC member, by using her as a reference would she get anything nice from DVC when we buy? You know, a thank you for referring someone new to them...

It also depends on which state she lives in. Some states allow referral bonuses, others do not. Make sure she gets your name in as a referral to DVC.

HBC

 

[Tramp68]

Another option available to you...

Since it is your SIL and not just a friend...We had my parents (DVC owners since 94) buy 2 - 120 point add ons at SSR. They were able to put mine and DWs name on the deed along with my father's. By doing this we:
1. Became DVC members ourselves
2. Were able to take advantage of the $8 discount
3. Were able to take advantage of the no dues for 2005 (they have a Feb UY)
4. Got the 100 bonus developers points for 2005 (100 points twice and was able to bank the 200 or rent for an extra $2000 off)
5. Because their Deed was PIF there was no credit check for us.
6. We can remove my father's name when ours is PIF )if we want)

Overall I think it was a much better deal than buying on our own

 

[Pa@okw95]

She won't get anything if she lives in Connecticut-it is against the law. You can give gifts to our governor and other public officals here >>

 

[CarolMN]

She won't get anything if she lives in Connecticut-it is against the law. You can give gifts to our governor and other public officals here >>

But public officials have much better reputations for integrity than do timeshares salesmen and women, don't they?

Best wishes -

 

[DizneyNutz]

She won't get anything if she lives in Connecticut-it is against the law. You can give gifts to our governor and other public officals here >>

Nothing would prohibit them from giving her the gift on her next trip home. Everyone on this board are always looking for another reason to take a trip back HOME anyway! How could Connecticut stop her from accepting the gift (whichever choice she wanted) in Florida?

 

[Tramp68]

For that matter, use someone on these boards as your referral. I don't know about you all, but whenever my parents have been a referral they always at LEAST split the referral bonus with the person that referred them. One year they had enough referrals that they were getting over $500..(can't remember the amount)

 

[Pa@okw95]

Nothing would prohibit them from giving her the gift on her next trip home. Everyone on this board are always looking for another reason to take a trip back HOME anyway! How could Connecticut stop her from accepting the gift (whichever choice she wanted) in Florida?

DVC would not give it to her. They have to respect the laws of the states they can sell to. I have given referals and could not receive gifts for them. DVC does obey the laws. I live in Connecticut, they do not let their residences receive gifts for referals. End of story.

 

[Zbridget]

Thanks for your answers everyone.

Pa@okw, I hear you about the corrupt officials. For those of you not from CT, our former Governor started his first day in Federal Prison yesterday for accepting gifts from state contractors...stuff like $20Kspending money for a trip to Las Vegas.......yet it is illegal to give a small referral gift..

It's a shame, I would like to have seen her get SOMETHING.

Tramp. It is an interesting idea....edited to add...I originally wrote that I didn't feel comfortable with that arrangement, but after some thought...How does that work?

Per your points:
1. Buy "tagging along" with my SIL we would become members ourselves.
2. We would still get the $8/per point discount
3. Would the use year of our add on be the same as her use year? The DVC agent told me new units wouldn't be available til Sept, I thought that would be when my UY would begin.
4. The 100 bonus points, is that for buying any amount to start? I was only going to start with 150points. Do they have to be purchased in any increments? I guess she could keep the bonus points in lieu of a "perk."
5. I think her deed is PIF.
6. We can get her name taken off only after it is paid up, as I understand it.
Another question: would the dues be separate? DVC wouldn't combine them with hers?

I am interested in hearing your response, I originally thought she wouldn't go for it, but it sounds good for both parties.

 

[DizneyNutz]

DVC would not give it to her. They have to respect the laws of the states they can sell to. I have given referals and could not receive gifts for them. DVC does obey the laws. I live in Connecticut, they do not let their residences receive gifts for referals. End of story.

Hello Pa@okw95,
I am new to all of the DVC stuff and was unaware of DVCs stance. I cannot buy a lottery ticket in my state either, but I can go across the state line and get one and bring it back and accept the winnings if I choose to, as long as the purchase was made where it is legal to do so. We are not even talking about a purchase, but instead a gift. Are you telling me that you cannot accept a gift in any location is this world, because you live in CT. Certainly not. I am really not trying to argue, but merely asking what power your home state has on you outside of it boundaries. I am certainly not a lawyer, but I would be interested to hear from someone with legal knowledge if this is acceptable by law and not just DVCs stance. I have a contact at my state's Attorney Generals Office and I will check with him on the legalities. Anybody interested in my findings? If not I will let it go, but I for one want to know.

 

[jnrrt]

Sorry to be dense, but what is PIF?

 

[Zbridget]

PIF=paid in full

 

[DizneyNutz]

Not dense this internet chat can drive you crazy. Paid in full.

 

[Tramp68]

Thanks for your answers everyone.
Tramp. It is an interesting idea....edited to add...I originally wrote that I didn't feel comfortable with that arrangement, but after some thought...How does that work?

OK, let me take this one point at a time..

Per your points:
1. Buy "tagging along" with my SIL we would become members ourselves.

Yes, they set up the add on as a seperate deed listing me as the first name, DW as the second name and my father as the 3rd. DW and I are now DVC members, make our own reservations, etc. We are entitled to all member perks as well.

2. We would still get the $8/per point discount

Yes, you would be paying $87 per point

3. Would the use year of our add on be the same as her use year? The DVC agent told me new units wouldn't be available til Sept, I thought that would be when my UY would begin.

We were given my parent's UY of February. We were also told September would be first available if we were to buy on our own. I do not know if you have your choice of UYs or not

4. The 100 bonus points, is that for buying any amount to start? I was only going to start with 150points. Do they have to be purchased in any increments? I guess she could keep the bonus points in lieu of a "perk."

You have to buy a minimum of a 120 point add-on for the bonus points, so your 150 points would be fine. You would get the 100 bonus points and they would be at the resort that the original account was under (your SIL's home resort) We bought 2 120 point add-ons so we got 200 points (I gave 50 to my parents). There is no set increments, you can buy 121 points if you want. Also, the true minimum is 25 points, 50 if you want Disney financing. (but there are no perks for that amount, not even the $8 off as far as I know)

5. I think her deed is PIF.

That would make you getting approved for financing easier, but otherwise it doesn't matter

6. We can get her name taken off only after it is paid up, as I understand it.

That is correct, but the only difference it really makes is that she would have access to your points i.e. to make reservations etc.

Another question: would the dues be separate? DVC wouldn't combine them with hers?

Dues are seperate and you can use your checking or savings account to set up a direct debit so SIL will never see a bill. BTW, 2005 dues are paid as a bonus as well.

I am interested in hearing your response, I originally thought she wouldn't go for it, but it sounds good for both parties.

Absolutely! There is only risk for each of you as I see it.

Your risk: SIL gets divorced and could fight for her share since her name is on it (so make sure the name on it is a direct relative)
Her risk: You default on payments...but it is a seperate contract so I dont think they could touch hers, they would just repo yours I would think

I hope this answers your questions. If not, feel free to PM me for a phone number and we can talk it out over the phone...might be a bit easier.

 

[DrTomorrow]

[...]We are not even talking about a purchase, but instead a gift. Are you telling me that you cannot accept a gift in any location is this world, because you live in CT. Certainly not. I am really not trying to argue, but merely asking what power your home state has on you outside of it boundaries. [...]

Not a lawyer, here (actually, a software engineer going back to school to be a HS math teacher), but here's my $.02. While it may sound nice to call it a "gift", I'm fairly certain that the governement - particularly the IRS and those bodies that govern timeshare sales - treat it like consideration based on a referral for a real-estate transaction. (Hey, if you convince your boss to call your salary a "gift", then you don't have to pay taxes on it! ). More seriously, Disney / DVD has to be very careful of all the various timeshare regulations in every state (and country) - they don't want to risk hundreds of thousands of dollars just so someone can get a little referral bonus. Say what you will about Disney, but it doesn't seem like an "under the table" & "look the other way" kind of organization....

 

[DizneyNutz]

I believe the example I used of winning the lottery which was bought in another state where legal, would ALSO require paying taxes on it. Duh! I am referring to the location where the transaction actually takes place making it legal or not?? I happen to be in one of the states that do not allow it and IF I find out that it is acceptable as long as it takes place outside of the state, then there is nothing wrong being done. I am not in any way trying to get DVC or anyone for that matter to do anything against the laws of their own state. I referred to the (gift) because the other post said DVC would not allow SALE to a state where prohibited??? That would truly be a shame. Regardless, I am going to get the answer for myself because I feel it is double standards if they are just using the home state law as a stance (if that is the way it turns out)??? If not then I will totally accept t either way. Just thinking outside the box, so flame me for that!!!

 

[Zbridget]

I believe the example I used of winning the lottery which was bought in another state where legal, would ALSO require paying taxes on it. Duh! I am referring to the location where the transaction actually takes place making it legal or not?? I happen to be in one of the states that do not allow it and IF I find out that it is acceptable as long as it takes place outside of the state, then there is nothing wrong being done. I am not in any way trying to get DVC or anyone for that matter to do anything against the laws of their own state. I referred to the (gift) because the other post said DVC would not allow SALE to a state where prohibited??? That would truly be a shame. Regardless, I am going to get the answer for myself because I feel it is double standards if they are just using the home state law as a stance (if that is the way it turns out)??? If not then I will totally accept t either way. Just thinking outside the box, so flame me for that!!!

Gosh Disneynutz, I don't think anyone was flaming here, just stating different points of view...


DrT--It's interesting that you use the example of the gift from your boss not being taxable, I got a bonus from work 2 years ago, 25% of it easily went to tax. (sigh, it was better than nothing)

Tramp--I think that is the course I am going to pursue, though I haven't even discussed any of this with DH, which may finish the deal altogether

Thank you everyone for your input!

 

[DizneyNutz]

No I haven't been flamed yet, I just didn't like the insinuation that I WANTED DVC to "LOOK THE OTHER WAY or DO SOMETHING UNDER THE TABLE" because that is certainly not what I am all about. I EXPECT evertything to be above board. I just want us all to be entitled to the same gratuities if it is allowed, no matter which avenue we have to pursue it. I may be totally wrong and will the first to admit it if I find out differently and will post it to all of you. I hope you all understand that I am merely exploring if it is legal through another avenue, because I personally know the law works in mysterious ways. I have no problem with Dr. Tommorrow. Just HOPING to find a loophole (THAT'S LEGAL) that would benefit the rest of us that live in a state where this is not acceptable and we can benefit from telling our friends about such a GREAT Opportunity. Glad you ALL are here and for the fellowship and sorry if I posted to stongly.

 

[RobDoc]

Nothing would prohibit them from giving her the gift on her next trip home. Everyone on this board are always looking for another reason to take a trip back HOME anyway! How could Connecticut stop her from accepting the gift (whichever choice she wanted) in Florida?

Since DVD is a business and is closely governed by the laws of the states in which they do business, they cannot offer a "gift" (referral award) to members who live in states where the practice is prohibited. Because they are a business and would want to declare any such "gift" as a deductible expense, they can't/won't try to circumvent the laws of the state where they do business by violating those very laws.

Please let us know if you get DVC to find (or even look for) any loophole.

I also live in a state where referral awards are prohibited, but have still eagerly shared our enjoyment of DVC with many who have later joined DVC and provided my name as a referral. While some tangible recognition would have been nice, the written notes of appreciation from DVC for those referrals has given us a great feeling of accomplishment over the years. Why not share your excitement of DVC even if you won't get anything except the satisfaction of sharing a good deal with a friend (or a stranger) ?