Anyone else have this problem with family?

[Tink10]

FreeTime's thread got me thinking about come of the comments my family members have made since they found out that we purchased DVC....

Everyone (for the most part) in my family thinks that buying DVC is "stupid" and "a waste of money" (I quoted my DS's directly)....My in-laws think that the money would be better suited in....get this....life insurance.

But, my sister has already asked me if I would book her family's room on their next visit to WDW....

Needless to say, I was a bit insulted. For something that's so "stupid", they sure are ready try to cash in on it..

Does anyone else have this problem, or am I the only one with very rude relatives?

 

[athenna]

Not as of yet. I actually expected friends/family to say stuff like ''it's stupid'' or ''it's a waste of money'', etc. But I was very pleasantly surprised that everyone is happy for me. I'm sure their thinking to themselves, she's going to Disney again'' or ''she bought what!'', but everyone has voiced only positive opinions. And so far no one's invited themselves to come along, but I expect that will happen eventually.

 

[FreeTime]

The only person who has told us it was stupid was my FIL, who you know ended up wanting to buy in himself. No one has come out and asked us if they could use our points yet, but we have invited several family members who have taken advantage of us after we have invited them. For example, the last family we invited thought we needed to pay for their transportation after we had already paid for their room and tickets!

 

[athenna]

Oh no, FreeTime, how awful. I'm sorry to hear you had that experience. I don't know why some friends/relatives think their entire trip is going to be free.

 

[MrTerrorChair]

I have a couple of Aunts and Uncles who I love dearly, but who felt buying into the DVC was a "silly" idea. They never said so, but I could tell just by their reactions.

The only reservation I had about buying my DVC share is that it might cost me some of the vacation time I may have spent with relatives like these. They are avowed Theme Park avoiders. I will most likely not be vacationing with them as I used to. Yes, I know that I can exchange for Member Getaways, but with 210 pts, I won't be doing that anytime soon.

Most of the head-shaking done by others is because they would spend the money on something else. That's all. As I said in another post, we must all prioritize. I think it's important and essential to spend time with family on vacations. As a teacher, I know that the kids in my classrooms who never get to travel outside our area do not have the full life that others do.

Don't let anyone fool you. Money can buy you happiness, if done wisely and kept in perspective.

Just smile at those relatives who don't "get" it.

 

[spiceycat]

when I first brought at DVC (OKW) - I got talked out of it by these relatives (not to mention friends) - well the next year I took my brother, his wife and children, my mother and myself to DL (POR) - that trip was expensive talking $4,000 -

when I got home from this trip got a note from DVC staying that they had lower the points (190 it was 230) and would I reconsider.

Well I was going to call them - so this was even nicer.

I was working full time and going to college. My brother's kids were starting pre school and we couldn't get together. My buying then - allowed them to take wonderful DVC vacations and me too....

No regrets!

 

[tamu91]

I also had some relative who thought we were 'wasting' our money with DVC They just couldn't comprehend why we would spend $15,000+ to buy DVC and pay yearly maintenance fee TOO, for what?? To go to WDW and spend more money......
But guess what? One of my aunt is going to WDW in March and guess where she is staying? Yeap, VWL.
Can't live with them, can't get rid of them. What can we do?

 

[Deep-Thots]

We have used our points to invite family members to go with us. So far, no problems, though I can foresee a time when an attitude of entitlement (on *my* side of the family, not DH's - sigh) might come into play.

Tink10, I'm curious: How did you respond to your sister's request?

 

[Tink10]

I explained the point system and that I really didn't think we'd have any extra points next year because we were already planning our vacations for 2006.....I also told her that I would keep an eye out for any discount codes that may or may not happen....

Her response was "fine"....

It's amazing....When I book a room on Priceline.....They think I'm nuts for doing it, when I buy DVC, I'm a sucker, but when they want to travel, it's always "can you get me a room?"

So, I feel like I'm darned if I do & darned if I don't.......Go Figure

 

[Beca]

Tink10....sorry that is happening to you.

My mom bought in shortly after we did, but now she want to go on "our" points all the time (she says, "You have a lot more than I do...I need to save mine"). But, my dd adores her...so, why not??

However, my sister thought we were COMPLETELY stupid. When I told my Mom that we added on 65 pts at OKW so we could do a "family" trip once every three years, she was SO excited. Next thing I know, dsis called me and wanted to know "when we're going"!! I told her it would be a few years, and she was REALLY disappointed!! She thinks I am deeply stupid to buy, but would LOVE to stay in my room!! Oh well....we keep using those 65 OKW points every year instead of banking them...those "family" trips are SOOO never going to happen!!!



Beca

 

[jenny2]

We haven't even told our family and we bought last year! After our first DVC trip... then I'll think about it.

 

[AmyBeth68]

I'm very fortunate, my in-laws bought OKW in the very beginning! And my parents own a timeshare. So our relatives were very supportive.

But friends....that's another story . They all think we visit WDW too much as it is. It's somewhat of a joke to them. But we always get the last laugh when we're in sunny Florida enjoying the magic .

 

[tamu91]

We haven't even told our family and we bought last year! After our first DVC trip... then I'll think about it.

too smart, too smart I should've just kept my mouth shut but the cat is out of the bag now

 

[Sammy]

We purchased DVC in December of 2003 and so far, only 1 friend and 2 family members know about it! I pretty much like to keep our private affairs well.....private! I don't talk too much about our finanical situation (good or bad) or discuss purchases. My family and friends know I'm a Disney nut, so we just leave it at that. I just don't want to deal with any of the "what the heck did you spend all that $$ for..." type of stuff, or feeling like I have to justify buying DVC to anyone else.

 

[Tink10]

The only person I told was my not-too-judgemental sister and, well.....before too long everyone knew.

My family is a gossip mill....

 

[greenban]

The only person who has told us it was stupid was my FIL, who you know ended up wanting to buy in himself. No one has come out and asked us if they could use our points yet, but we have invited several family members who have taken advantage of us after we have invited them. For example, the last family we invited thought we needed to pay for their transportation after we had already paid for their room and tickets!

Dear FreeTime:

Just want you to know that I and Michele feel left out. As close family members (Michele is the sister-in-law of your DW's Brother-In-Law, once removed) We are very hurt that you forgot to invite us. And BTW we don't think your DVC or is it DCV purchase was stupid, especially as you are paying for our transport and tickets as well!

Please call us as soon as you can!

-Tony

H: (973) Bled-U-Dry (973-253-38379. P.S. Please don't call collect we are saving our money to buy a new Bichon Frise Puppy!

 

[FreeTime]

Thanks greenban, I need alaugh concerning that trip on occasion!

 

[athenna]

Greenban-
That was a riot!!!!!!

 

[CarolA]

Most of my family has no idea I own. My Mother, Father and Brother (and family) know I own a "few" points.... the exact number is a deep dark secert. My BF of over a decade does not know! LOL!

 

[Blackunicorn]

My mother's exact words were, "You'll never use it. It's the stupidest thing I've ever heard."

My husband's father was also convinced that we're stupid, but he also opposed us getting married 15 years ago. ("You don't have a pot to p..... in, how can you afford to get married?")

Most of my in-laws were supportive, though, because we told them that it would encourage us to visit them in California--after going to DL, of course! (And it has!) I think it's a matter of finding out what buttons to push. So, if you start taking all of your relatives to WDW, they're bound to love you! (But I'm first. I made the suggestion, remember? And you have soooooo many more points than I do.)