Anyone use Fidelity to purchase resale? Pros? Cons?

[PCMama]

Oh, I know, was going to respond to each quote individually then just made a blanket statement.

It must seem like I have a vested interest in Fidelity the way I defend them. It just irks me when people are dealing with their first contract ever, in this market and griping. Everyone is swamped

That's ok.if they bash. More contracts for the rest of us!

 

[dbs1228]

Here is a point that none of you are taking into account when bashing, this is a completely different time for DVC resales. I agree they could use some help but no one foresaw this rush to contracts coming.

I had a contract with them last May that took 7, weeks offer to points loaded and one that took 7 weeks and 2 days. Everyone is delayed right now. The Broker, the Title company and Dis themselves is taking 2-3 weeks to load contracts that used to be loaded in 5 days.

No one there on weekends is inexcusable though, they post new listings on Thursday night, if you make an offer on Friday there is a good chance you hear nothing until the following Monday or Tuesday, at best.

Problem with this is I have TRIED to buy a few years ago - not a busy time and had issues and the biggest issue for me was LACK of communication and at the time I was dealing with Rachel. We had an offer accepted that after time we withdrew which probably was a "seller" issue BUT there was no communication to me which is unacceptable. I recently have been dealing with Sharon and she's been good but I am really confused as to why Disney refers all contracts to them when they are truly under staffed. On the other hand maybe that is the "plan by Disney" to use a mediocre resale company so people just find it easier to buy direct!

 

[UFlawgator]

I agree that Fidelity seems to have more inventory. I have used them (along with other resellers) and was very pleased. Others have had problems. Did you do a search for "Fidelity" on this forum? There are lots of threads with this very question.

We purchased from Fidelity for this reason, too...more inventory. We found the contract we wanted at AKV at an acceptable price and the points and use year we wanted. We used Shawn Ray and she was very professional and did her job. She even stayed late one Friday evening to contact the sellers with our offer, and then us with their counteroffer. I did always follow up and stayed on top of things by calling her with questions and update requests. I also emailed her and she answered all of them, although calling her was faster. I would use Shawn Ray again, but would also not hesitate to use the other major DVC brokers. I think it just depends on who has the contract you want at any given time. I do wish Fidelity would eliminate that $195 fee to the buyers.

 

[theguda]

It seems like Fidelity has the most inventory and most attractive asking prices for the contract....but their communication leaves a lot to be desired.

I submitted an offer 2 days ago and haven't heard anything. I've had to reach out to Fidelity myself to get an update....they haven't initiated any of it.

And their website is awful. Many of the listings on their website are actually sold. I bet they get tons of calls about listings that aren't even available anymore.

 

[Illini Al]

I just finished up with them on a SSR contract. Very pleased. A couple of minor miscommunications, but all went smoothly. Timely communication to me, and every time I called my agent, she answered the phone live. Never had to leave a voicemail. Plus, all e-mails were answered quickly. Ideally, I would have preferred not to pay the extra $195, but they had the contract I wanted and their service was a 9 out of 10.

 

[ptlohmysoul]

It seems like Fidelity has the most inventory and most attractive asking prices for the contract....but their communication leaves a lot to be desired.

I submitted an offer 2 days ago and haven't heard anything. I've had to reach out to Fidelity myself to get an update....they haven't initiated any of it.

And their website is awful. Many of the listings on their website are actually sold. I bet they get tons of calls about listings that aren't even available anymore.

Yes. How can you even tell what their inventory is when the website is outdated?

 

[DizBub]

Yes. How can you even tell what their inventory is when the website is outdated?

They are supposed to update the website twice a week. Thursday and I can't remember the other day.

I think contracts must be flying out the door at a rate we've never seen before.

 

[dbs1228]

They are supposed to update the website twice a week. Thursday and I can't remember the other day.

I think contracts must be flying out the door at a rate we've never seen before.

Tuesday and Thursday are the days I was told by both agents yet I call on Tuesday about a contract an hour after listed it was sold yet it still on the website.

 

[PCMama]

Tuesday and Thursday are the days I was told by both agents yet I call on Tuesday about a contract an hour after listed it was sold yet it still on the website.

They take it down after the contracts are executed.

 

[tb1972]

We've purchased two contracts - one with TSS and one with **********. I did bid on contracts through Fidelity but was too late making offers. I don't think their website inventory is updated much...old listings still there even though offers were accepted.

Anyhow, I communicated with Sharon at Fidelity when making offers & thought she was friendly and knowledgeable. She was honest about pricing & her opinion about same UY for add ons. I wouldn't hesitate to work with her although I don't anticipate buying a 3rd contract soon. Who knows though?!

 

[ACDSNY]

I've dealt with TSS and Fidelity and I agree the website, communication and timeliness was better with TSS. My latest dealing with Fidelity, had an offer accepted with the details email to us, then a few days later we found out the banked points listed on the website were no longer in the contract and when I asked to have the price re-negotiate due to the missing points the sellers raised it so I walked away rather then pay the higher amount. I've seen many listing stay on their website long after I've been told they are sold too.

 

[Fignewtons]

I just had an offer accepted from Fidelity. Good selection, my agent was very co-operative on what offer to make and what is fair market value. My only complaint is they are so busy, you have to keep on top off them. 80% of the communication on status starts with me. But they are never bothered by me calling to check on statuses. If you want a more personal relationship, some of the more common DVC resale sights are good like that. Also, there is the $195 admin fee. But the prices are generally so good, that is peanuts to what I am saving on my purchase.

See how the rest of this goes once it is sent to title company.
No real complaints.

 

[Minniesgal]

Current listing prices would be a big downside but then they are only asking prices

 

[Fignewtons]

I just had an offer accepted from Fidelity. Good selection, my agent was very co-operative on what offer to make and what is fair market value. My only complaint is they are so busy, you have to keep on top off them. 80% of the communication on status starts with me. But they are never bothered by me calling to check on statuses. If you want a more personal relationship, some of the more common DVC resale sights are good like that. Also, there is the $195 admin fee. But the prices are generally so good, that is peanuts to what I am saving on my purchase.

See how the rest of this goes once it is sent to title company.
No real complaints.

Ok, did my offer on Apr 19 and still may not be done until mid next week. I think this is stating to influence my opinion I posted above. Whenever I call, I am thanked for reminding them to look for the emails we are expecting. This is starting to go from some customer service to no customer service.

Hope I am allowed to say that on here!!!

 

[lchute1158]

Have you even got the contract yet?

 

[Fignewtons]

Nope, just sitting here getting older.

 

[quinnc19]

It took Fidelity several days to get back to me about offers and they were upfront with the fact that it would take several days more to even send the contracts to me. With TSS and First American Title: made an offer which was accepted on 3/19, sent to ROFR on 3/20, passed on 4/15, closing documents on 4/17, and closed on 4/26. I also impressed that I received the email that I closed on a Friday evening and that it happened so quickly given that the sellers were from the UK. Communication and customer service were top-notch from TSS. I will only look at Fidelty for contracts in the future if I can't find what I need elsewhere.

 

[DizBub]

I think I must be the only person this has ever happened to.....very unusual.

When we first contacted Fidelity it was late Jan 2012 on a Saturday. Of course it was the "contact us" on the website. I knew they weren't open on weekends and was shocked when I recieved an e-mail in response that same day. We e-mailed back and forth a couple of times and she promised to hand me over to Rachel Monday.

Sharon contacted me on Monday and everything went great until the wheels came off because the sellers would not sign closing documents. Sharon was terrific and very patient throughout and helped us get another contract that went very smooth.

I don't know what's going on with them lately but just wanted to say that things haven't always been this way with Fidelity. Just that they appear to be very, very busy. If you aren't in a huge hurry (like everybody else these days) I'd wait a bit and let things settle down. Hopefully they can get back to at least the service they used to offer.

 

[disneynutz]

A few years ago their service was horrible, almost as if they didn't care. We bought one contract from them, paid the undisclosed $195 fee and could never get them on the phone or via email.

Reports on the DIS seemed to indicate that they had improved but now it seems like old times again.

The issue may be that you are dealing with workers at a big company who are just punching the clock. Self employed brokers have more at stake, tend to hustle and seem to enjoy what they do.

Bill

 

[JessLCH]

I am the OP of this thread. I do appreciate all the input as I am a first timer to purchasing any type of timeshare. I have been dealing with Fidelity and have found the communication to be pretty much what you have described...I have to be the initiator. That said, Sharon has answered her phone every single time I have called her. in midst of negotiating a price with seller now. we shall see. I will say that I have tracked listings on various resale sites for some time. in my particular case Fidelity is the only place that had a listing for anything close to what I was looking for at a much better asking price than anywhere I have seen.