Banned from Boardwalk Openhouse

[YoMickey]

We just returned from a fabulous trip. I only had a few non-magical momments and one of them was when we were walking around the Boardwalk after dinner last wednesday. We happened to stumble upon a sign that read
"Open House" right out in front of the DVC kiosk near the Boardwalk Villas. We started to go in and were stopped and asked a few questions. We let them know we had recently purchased at BCV and wanted to check out the open house in case we ever wanted to stay there. We were then informed that it was for new prospects only. I was pretty PO'd by the whole thing.

What are they trying to hide/protect from new prospects?? I guess they do not want us existing DVC'rs mixing with prospects. Well, here I was about to give my guides name out to anyone who asked about DVC and I had to change my stance on it and I gave out the TTS name and number instead.

I think I actually convinced about 2-3 family's to check out TTS. They were all scheduled to take the SSR tour and I said don't buy direct go resale. This was alll because I couldn't take a crappy little 5 mintue walk thru an openhouse.

Way to go "explitives" you just lost 2-3 prospects to TTS.

YO

 

[T.E. Yeary]

Thank you so much!

 

[Chuck S]

There are specific hours set up for existing members to tour the models at SSR. I am assuming this was done because existing members are already familiar with the DVC program, so there would be no need to take up their guides time to do the full program presentation. Plus most existing members, if they were interested in purchasing an add-on, would call and make an appointment with their guide prior to arrival at SSR. If an existing member simply wants a "lookie" at the models, it would take time from sales presentations, as usually the guides will escourt prospective members and their parties one party at a time through the models and answer any questions they may have, for privacy. Existing "just looking" members tie up what may be valuable time, preventing the models from being shown to potential new members.

 

[all5ofus]

Chuck is probably right, but I think that DVC should call it something other than an "open house" if they have specific restrictions.

I thought that the models and sales office at BWV were closed and only tours were given at SSR? What were they giving tours of?

 

[rinkwide]

I remember back when guides used to say the best way to to sell a prospect on DVC was to introduce them to an existing member. Maybe the advent of SSR has changed all that.

 

[YoMickey]

No add-ons for me at Boardwalk and not intersted in a tour at SSR. We were just being nosy. It wouldn't have been even 2 mintues. They're not that big. Like you said we just wanted a quick lookie. There was no line and there was no-one currently viewing the unit, at least no one that we could see. It's close proximity to BCV is the only reason.

Anyways, I can see your point about privacy, they wouldn't want an educated DVC member addressing the questions with blunt,
"unsugarcoated" answers.

It's kind of like when I sold my own house without a realtor and these nasty old bags would show up with 8 gallons of perfume pretending to be interested in my house and then give me their business card on the way out, asking if they could list it. We didn't like that either, but always told them that if they brought someone to the table we'd compensate them appropriately. We smelled them coming and never turned them away. Needless to say we sold it ourselves in 10 days.

PS Why did it say "Open House"? It should have said "scheduled tours for non DVC members only"

Still...........not very magical to me, and even less now that someone is actually defending it.


The tour appeared to be of a first floor unit facing the lake. Right after the micro brewery place on the Boardwalk.

 

[cobbler]

That is weird. We went to the "open house" last year. I don't even know if its a guide there really, I think its just one of those that sit at other DVC locations to answer a few questions and then have you schedule a tour.

We walked in and took a look around (it was a one bedroom if memory serves) and the person there was nice, asked if we were members, we said yes and that was about it.

 

[fishermouse]

I remember back when guides used to say the best way to to sell a prospect on DVC was to introduce them to an existing member. Maybe the advent of SSR has changed all that.

Have yet to meet any of these unhappy SSR owners but we'll be there next week, 4th trip to SSR, maybe if I try real hard I can have a horrible trip. Then I can wish I owned somewhere else. If not I'll just have to continue being happy with my purchase.

 

[MinMouse]

I think "Open House" implies just that . . . anyone can come in and look around. I often go to open houses in our neighborhood and once was asked by the realtor if I was interested in the house or a neighbor. When I said I was a neighbor she pleasantly said feel free to look around. It seems DVC should be prepared to apply the same courtesy. I think you should have been allowed to poke around all you want!

 

[Chuck S]

Still...........not very magical to me, and even less now that someone is actually defending it.

If you didn't want opinions, and/or possible explanations why did you post?

 

[keishashadow]

What a surprise to read this...

FYI, while traditional R.E. agents hold an open house to primarily sell the property, there are many other objectives that can be achieved, including the opportunity to farm new customers for other homes/sites.

Additionally, many times a "lookie-see" will pass the info on to an acquaintance.

Did you get the name of the guide? Think DVC management would be interested in knowing who is doing them such a dis-service.

 

[Chuck S]

Chuck is probably right, but I think that DVC should call it something other than an "open house" if they have specific restrictions.

I thought that the models and sales office at BWV were closed and only tours were given at SSR? What were they giving tours of?

I thought the models at BWV were closed as well, being converted to regular rooms along with the sales center. Maybe they have a small reception area still open where folks can go through the photo books and get basic info, like other DVC kiosks around the property. If so, there is no point to this thread, as to see any models the OP would have had to go to SSR.

 

[LisaS]

We toured the BWV model unit in January. We walked in, introduced ourselves as DVC members who had recently purchased points at BWV sight unseen and wanted to see what we just bought. The woman there was very friendly and told us to feel free to look around and that she would be happy to answer any questions we had. There was nobody there when we first entered. We walked through the model, chatted with the woman for a few minutes and then, when some prospects walked in, we left so that she could give them her undivided attention.

I'm sorry that you were turned away YoMickey. I think we're all curious to see what the other DVC resorts look like (just to see if you might like to stay there some time) so I can't see the harm in letting you take a 2-minute walk through, particularly since there was no one else there.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

That's horrible. When I was there in Feb 06 I went in and then my DH went in separately. I wanted to check out the 2 bedroom too. They were very nice at that time. Maybe the guide wanted to go home??

Or maybe they don't want to waste there time when you "belong" to another guide. I would call up your guide and complain--

 

[elijahpep]

I remember back when guides used to say the best way to to sell a prospect on DVC was to introduce them to an existing member. Maybe the advent of SSR has changed all that.

WHY must every every other thread have a SSR Basher? Many of us LOVE SSR and ,...well,... Opinions and Earholes, everyone's got two. Very immature.
Thank you for sharing your superior opinion of SSR owners. We all certainly appreciate the extra thought you gave from upon your high mount about us today. Pride goeth before the fall... especially from such a high mount.

Back on Topic,
Seems they would allow, during an Open House, to let folks view at leisure and have guides posted around for potential buyers. Even current owners at other resorts would be potential buyers for the open house resortof which they don't currently own, wouldn't they?


~DW

 

[JimFitz]

They dont want exsisting members telling prospects about the resale market.

 

[spiceycat]

this seems very strange to me....

at every open house that DVC has members were always welcome - with open arms even....

they know a happy customer when they see one.

Some of the new customer wanted to know if I was planted.....

I have never been turn awayed.... going in a couple of weeks - I haven't been by BWV - because I also heard it was closed....

they had 2-bedroom (1-bedroom and studio) of BWV, BCV and VWL in this area.

do you remember the name? maybe he wasn't a guide just one of those referral people....

 

[greenban]

I remember back when guides used to say the best way to to sell a prospect on DVC was to introduce them to an existing member. Maybe the advent of SSR has changed all that.

Thanks for the smile!

-Tony

 

[PKS44]

WE were just there on March 30--they have NOT closed this location--it is a model 1BR but the kitchen counter is now used as their "desk"-we walked in --mostly so I could show my wife how our 1BR --we were in a dedicated std 1BR --differed from this room (our room had no front hall closet and was slightly smaller)--also we used it to cut through to get back into the building without walking all the way around....we were welcomed to walk around the model unit--we were offered stickers--my sons declined--and then stickers were "forced" upon me--oh dear--so mean--any way they could not have been nicer...sounds like the OP ran into some people in a bad mood--both there and here on this thread...

 

[Blue&Gold]

Sounds like a Guide territoriality question... After all, current owners are the best prospects for additional sales. For the most part, they've already set the hook with us!

For my $ .02, I'd rather have them put that room into the inventory and sell more BWV points!