Aggressive Hawking Of DVC On Cruise Ship

[lugnut33]

I sat and listened in horror during the Laughing Place Podcast as they were telling the story of how aggressive the DVC sales team was on the new Disney Dream cruise ship. They said they literally followed people down the hallways trying to get them to come in for a meeting. And then when they did the presentation they came outside to announce for everyone at the top of their lungs that a presentation was commencing.

Sorry, I just don't like that sales tactic because it "cheapens" the product.

 

[hellerjw]

I guess "Disney's Best Kept Secret" isn't spoken in whispers anymore I am disappointed that it appears they have sunk to the industry standard approach to selling now.

 

[4orm]

Hard sells are a huge turn off for me.

 

[DVCconvert]

I was on the Magic last month.
I got AT LEASt ONE phone message everyday from my "dvc team" trying to get us to meetings/events. I wondered if I could go to guest services and ask to be put on their "do not call" list!!

 

[YoMickey]

If that is the case then we'll be booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean.

 

[JimMIA]

I am disappointed that it appears they have sunk to the industry standard approach to selling now.

They're still several levels above the "industry standard."

I'll give you an idea. Wyndham is certainly not the worst of the timeshare organizations, but here are a few of the things they do to entice people into presentations:

• When you check in to your resort, they won't give you a key at some resorts. You have to go to the "concierge" desk where they make a valiant effort to sign you up for an "Owner's Update." They will eventually give you your room keys, but not without first trying to sign you up for a presentation.
• They offer cash inducements, like $100 (sometimes more) gift cards.
• They call your room so regularly that many owners unplug the phones before they unpack their bags.
• And recently, they have started just dropping by owners' rooms unannounced. They offer some excuse why they need to explain something to you, counting on your good manners and courtesy not to throw them out. One owner recently reported the salesman jamming his foot in the door, and having to slam the door on the guy's foot to get the door closed!
• If you make the mistake of attending an "Owner's Update," you are bombarded with blatant lies, high pressure, and basically hostage-taking to try to get you to sign on the dotted line. The "updates" are so bad that some Wyndham owners attend them just for sport -- just to torment the "sales weasels!

DVC has LOTS of ground to make up to be like the "big boys!"

 

[disneynutz]

I was on the Magic last month.
I got AT LEASt ONE phone message everyday from my "dvc team" trying to get us to meetings/events. I wondered if I could go to guest services and ask to be put on their "do not call" list!!

Same here. It was our first cruise and we felt that the entire cruise was just an attempt to get a captive audience to buy, paintings, DVC contracts, bingo cards, spa treatments, bar drinks, and diamonds at every port of call.

Bill

 

[keishashadow]

Same here. It was our first cruise and we felt that the entire cruise was just an attempt to get a captive audience to buy, paintings, DVC contracts, bingo cards, spa treatments, bar drinks, and diamonds at every port of call.

Bill

eliminate "DVC contracts" and add "prebook a cruise" and you've described every cruiseline's method of operation we've sailed upon.

some lines even have announcements "in" the cabin vs thru speakers in hall

 

[nifferearly]

They're still several levels above the "industry standard."

I'll give you an idea. Wyndham is certainly not the worst of the timeshare organizations, but here are a few of the things they do to entice people into presentations:

• When you check in to your resort, they won't give you a key at some resorts. You have to go to the "concierge" desk where they make a valiant effort to sign you up for an "Owner's Update." They will eventually give you your room keys, but not without first trying to sign you up for a presentation.
• They offer cash inducements, like $100 (sometimes more) gift cards.
• They call your room so regularly that many owners unplug the phones before they unpack their bags.
• And recently, they have started just dropping by owners' rooms unannounced. They offer some excuse why they need to explain something to you, counting on your good manners and courtesy not to throw them out. One owner recently reported the salesman jamming his foot in the door, and having to slam the door on the guy's foot to get the door closed!
• If you make the mistake of attending an "Owner's Update," you are bombarded with blatant lies, high pressure, and basically hostage-taking to try to get you to sign on the dotted line. The "updates" are so bad that some Wyndham owners attend them just for sport -- just to torment the "sales weasels!

DVC has LOTS of ground to make up to be like the "big boys!"

Here's my favorite one: we've stayed a couple of times at Sheraton Vistana Villages because we've got great deals (and it's a beautiful resort). They don't give you any soap in your room! If you call, they'll tell you it's in your "welcome" packet at the concierge desk which is where they hit you up for the timeshare tour. After our first trip, we just started buying soap at Target when we buy our groceries. Solved the problem of getting out of their salespitch!

 

[adminjedi]

I was on the Magic last month.
I got AT LEASt ONE phone message everyday from my "dvc team" trying to get us to meetings/events. I wondered if I could go to guest services and ask to be put on their "do not call" list!!

We were on the Magic in January....
Yes, they did leave a vm each day, but you failed to mentioned they offered a free gift each day as well. No hard sell, a gift just by asking for the it at the DVC desk.

 

[DizDays]

How sad. DVC has done so well over the years doing things the professional Disney way. I believe that's why they've done so well. It's a shame they have to resort to these tactics. I'm sure it's because of quotas given to the sales team.

 

[tjkraz]

If that is the case then we'll be booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean.

Good luck with that. Cruise passengers are a captive audience. Everything I have ever read about cruise lines indicates that they often rely on alcohol and other ancillary sales just to turn a profit on the voyage.

You're gonna get it from all directions no matter which cruise line you choose.

eliminate "DVC contracts" and add "prebook a cruise" and you've described every cruiseline's method of operation we've sailed upon.

some lines even have announcements "in" the cabin vs thru speakers in hall

You forgot about the casinos.

We were on the Wonder in November and I guess I didn't even notice it. We went to the member meeting and I had my free cocktail. They did have a number of offers where you could get a free pin, tattoos, etc. for stopping by the DVC desk, but there was no real effort to sell--it just seemed like a way to keep the communication going.

As for other stuff, we didn't spend a penny on mixed drinks, photographs, spa treatments, bingo cards or anything else I can think of. Did buy a t-shirt at Castaway Cay, though.

No matter where I am there are advertisements and commercials trying to sell me something. Most of it just goes right over my head.

 

[mom_rules]

Yup-even on the Wonder in January.
(We actually did end up buying).

 

[lilpooh108]

We received daily phone messages about the free stuff available at the DVC desk each day during our Dec Wonder cruise. Strangely, there was never a salesperson at the DVC desk when we stopped by. We always had to track him down for free hats, pins, etc. But the free stuff was fun, and we were never even asked to buy (or pressured to attend presentations). I didn't think it was too bad. Maybe it's different on the Dream?

 

[backyardponder]

eliminate "DVC contracts" and add "prebook a cruise" and you've described every cruiseline's method of operation we've sailed upon.

some lines even have announcements "in" the cabin vs thru speakers in hall

Celebrity Cruise Lines is one which has virtually no announcements. We just got off the Equinox. Announcements were limited to a captain's update immediately followed by a brief summary by the Cruise Director. They make only one announcement per day. Although they had the normal art auctions, cassino, future cruise credits, etc., I felt under no pressure at all. The only phone call we got was from the concierge introducing himselves and letting us know of the services he provides.

 

[CMOORE185]

There must be something about me, but DVC sales people leave me alone on the ship. I actually appoach them to talk. My 1st experience with DVC was at VB, we were there as non-members, (didn't even know it was a timeshare) and they offered us $50 gift card to restaurant to go to sales presentation. I was impressed but didn't purchase for another 2 years. They were very low pressure at that time, which I liked.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I went to and enjoyed one DVC presentation on our 3 night DCL cruise last November. We did get some DVC things left in our cabin, like a small jewlery box with a pin, or a card to get a pin. We were able to get pins for the 3 DGC. There was nothing low class or frantic about the presentations.

Bobbi

 

[keishashadow]

I went to and enjoyed one DVC presentation on our 3 night DCL cruise last November. We did get some DVC things left in our cabin, like a small jewlery box with a pin, or a card to get a pin. We were able to get pins for the 3 DGC. There was nothing low class or frantic about the presentations.

Bobbi

We don't use our points to cruise but always stop by the DVC desk in the terminal to let them know we're onboard& to be invited to any presentations. Always have had fun meeting other members, some light refreshments @ the onboard presentations and have even won some stuff when they did trivia, along with few goodies in the cabin. IMO, it's no problem to scroll thru voice mails on the cabin phone.

we did stay @ sherton vistana few years back for 4 nights for $199-$100 deposit was supposed to be refunded upon arrival with no presentation required. Catch was we found out we had to meet with rather slippery to pin down head honcho to get our $100 deposit back, finally tracking him down the 3rd day of our stay. After getting 3 phone calls from the staff in 1st hour we checked in, I promptly disconnected the phone from the wall, not sure if you can do so in the cabins or not

 

[Donut23]

Everyone is using value added sales to increase revenue - but no one works harder to separate you from your $$$ than Disney!!!!

We are AVID - no RABID cruisers. DH is a castmember so we get last minute cruise specials which are truly wonderful - and we have sincerely appreciated. Last time we just decided it's simply too much.

Royal Caribbean has been our first-choice cruiseline for many years (married in Alaska on the Radiance). If you are looking for a truly innovative ship...nothing floating can compare to the Oasis or Allure of the Seas (but BOY are they big - too big for us after one try).


RCI also has always had wonderful prices. We traveled to WDW in December for 8 nights-castmember rates for the room, free airfare, free can rental - cut our food budget by 40% by dining off property (and far better food by the way) but RCI beat that budget hands down for 2011.

We will be sailing (in an aft-facing corner suite with a 400 square foot balcony) - 12 days - all travel, excursions, drinks and shopping budgeted.....for less than our 8 day Disney trip in Value Season. What a deal! 12 days in the Caribbean - here we come!

.......and no annoying sales call or announcements for Vacation Property sales.

Perhaps we will try DCL again when DVC sales aren't so slow and sales quotas don't add an air of desperation. We have other choices!



oh yes, and 2 weeks after booking we got coupons to save $200 which they applied....even BIGGER savings than December at Disney! We don't even have to be sad about missing Lights of Winter!!!

 

[LIFERBABE]

I was on the MV Dream and that was not our experience at all.

The member morning session was packed! We had fun and it was informative. Free Mimosas so my recollection could be cloudy, but I did not feel pressure. I had an old DVC hat on, and 1 of the team complimented me on my cap and we laughed that it was vintage

The new phone system/wave phone on the Dream, you get text messages and the phone barely rings in your stateroom. The messages were just like previous cruises, where they tell you about the presentations, or to stop by and get your special gifts.

We received a magnet on our door and the wooden box and lanyards in our stateroom. By attending the presentation, we received hats, shopping bag, lithos, and pens, and complimentary mimosas. Played a fun game, got to meet lots of members, heard about the incentives and we were free to go.

Stopped by the desk later to get the Cpt. Mickey pin for each of us. No selling, just gave me the pins.

I thought the selling was much more high pressure on the SS Member Cruise. They literally delayed debarkation at CC until after their presentation in the Walt Disney Theater. I was pretty peeved about that!

Ive been to high pressure TS in Mexico and Vegas so I know low class and tacky, and as much as I dislike that DVC has changed in terms of marketing, they would have to fall off the Empire State bldg, to get that low.