Benefits not the same if purchase a resale...is this true?

[hmillerbarilla]

If any DISers are at WDW right now, could you do us all a favor and ask a bus driver?

Thanks!

 

[Anjelica]

Maybe it's the CMs saying..."Let's have some fun with the DIS!".

FWIW, I just called MS and spoke to an agent about depositing points in RCI. She said no problem.

I told her about the rumor here regarding points purchased resale and she said that was not true -- no restrictions based on where you purchased the points.

So I told her the rumor here also included DCL and ABD. She said not true again. She said the DCL situation was strictly a lack of availability, but no restrictions whatsoever on resale points if I wanted to book a cruise for 10/2011 or later, or ABD or RCI anytime.

Unless someone else reports different results, I'm going back to my original response to this rumor: The DVC timeshare salesman was LYING.

We're going to have to start using the term "Weasel Speak" because these DVC timeshare salesmen are really trying to earn it.

I think its really sad if these sales people are resorting to scare tactics to get a sale. We LOVED LOVED LOVED our first two guides and felt they always went above and beyond but our latest one - I barely know him so I have no clue if I he would lie to us or not.

I think at minimum, if folks are being told these "mistruths" by these guides (regardless if you are a member or not) you should definetly make DVC very aware of the less than stellar tactics these people are using. It is inexcusable to lie to people over such a huge purchase.

 

[com_op_2000]

I just spoke with my sales rep, he's a friend from before DVC.
He has worked everyday since last Friday and has not received a single word about this from anyone. He stated that if a change of this type was made it would have been put in writing to all members before the change took effect.

JMHO - OP if I was you, I would talk to a sales manager, inform them of what you were told, and demand that the sales rep be ....(whatever you believe to be a proper punishment). Maybe you can get a benefit out of all this, if you do purchase.

 

[mouseaider]

I just spoke with my sales rep, he's a friend from before DVC.
He has worked everyday since last Friday and has not received a single word about this from anyone. He stated that if a change of this type was made it would have been put in writing to all members before the change took effect.

JMHO - OP if I was you, I would talk to a sales manager, inform them of what you were told, and demand that the sales rep be ....(whatever you believe to be a proper punishment). Maybe you can get a benefit out of all this, if you do purchase.

I agree with this..... I emailed my rep and he answered me that it was NOT true. I'm not going to see 400 posts here by tomorrow..... you win the bet Charlie.

But on a bright note..... we have closed and I can start booking very soon !

 

[robert@dvcstore]

We at The Timeshare Store, Inc.® have read the same rumors here on Disboards. Disney has not given an official word of any changes in benefits for members purchasing a resale property.

For the last 18 years, all memberships have been equal whether they were purchased resale or directly though Disney.

We have a great working relationship with the Disney Vacation Club and we would expect if there is a change, they would let us know.

Robert

 

[cseca]

We at The Timeshare Store, Inc.® have read the same rumors here on Disboards. Disney has not given an official word of any changes in benefits for members purchasing a resale property.

For the last 18 years, all memberships have been equal whether they were purchased resale or directly though Disney.

We have a great working relationship with the Disney Vacation Club and we would expect if there is a change, they would let us know.

Robert

Oh thank goodness!

OP, I think you might want to consider one PP's post about notifying a supervisor. A "guide" can't tell a LIE to a potential customer to get a sale and not be reprimanded for it...

 

[JimMIA]

This whole thread is BOGUS!
I just spoke with my sales rep, he's a friend from before DVC.
He has worked everyday since last Friday and has not received a single word about this from anyone. He stated that if a change of this type was made it would have been put in writing to all members before the change took effect.

JMHO - OP if I was you, I would talk to a sales manager, inform them of what you were told, and demand that the sales rep be ....(whatever you believe to be a proper punishment). Maybe you can get a benefit out of all this, if you do purchase.

The thread is not bogus -- OP reported what they were told. If the information is incorrect,one or more DVC timeshare salesmen are bogus.

And if I were going to make a complaint against someone at DVC, I certainly would NOT call the sales number and ask for a manager. More than likely, you will get referred to a regular salesman who will blow you off. If I were concerned enough to complain, I would do so in writing and I'd send it to Disney corporate offices, which I believe are in Burbank, CA.

THAT will get a response. A phone call to the sales office will get belly laughs as soon as they hang up the phone.

 

[Vapor Trail]

double post...

 

[Vapor Trail]

JimMIA -- I'm glad you called and asked about this. I was hoping someone experienced around here would.

I'm going to email the Guide that gave me the story about the pending changes to resale owners and for confirmation of what he said. I'm sure he'll dance around his words and give me nothing incriminating in writing.

I think I need a new Guide. I don't want to make a major purchase with someone using such sleazy sales tactics!

 

[BeccaG]

I second that. I would literally buy into that.

i agree this makes sense and have seen it in other timeshare systems.

 

[BeccaG]

Oh, I don't think anyone would expect DVC to grandfather all existing owners into a new VIP program. When I talk about grandfathering, I'm saying I don't think they would take away benefits from longtime members who happened to buy resale. Or folks like us, who bought first resale and later direct -- what do you do with us? And there are a LOT OF US!

The kind of program I envision would be for direct purchasers from X date forward only, possibly with tiers for level of points purchased direct -- the more you buy/own, the more benefits you get. Buy 1000+ points, you get $200 off APs for five years, etc.

They could also offer the option for existing owners to buy into the VIP program -- new source of revenue, existing owners have no gripes. Wyndham has such a plan that existing owners, including resale buyers, can buy into for $2,395 (I think).

Again, what you are describing Jim makes sense. My inlaws own part of a smallish timeshare system out west here. If you buy 800 or more points directly from them, you get premier check in and an earlier booking period. If you total 800 points with resales, you don't get these "perks." Of course I never saw those perks as worth paying full price, but the cruise and other Disney trade outs might be a deterrent to buying resales for some. As I said earlier, I was considering buying resale which would mean more of my vacation dollar for disney from tix meals etc, but this whole thing has left a bad taste in my mouth....

 

[JimMIA]

JimMIA -- I'm glad you called and asked about this. I was hoping someone experienced around here would.

I'm going to email the Guide that gave me the story about the pending changes to resale owners and for confirmation of what he said. I'm sure he'll dance around his words and give me nothing incriminating in writing.

I think I need a new Guide. I don't want to make a major purchase with someone using such sleazy sales tactics!

Yeah, you definitely need a new guide. I would write a letter explaining the misrepresentation (I wouldn't use the word "lie") and requesting a new guide. And I would send that letter to Disney HQ in Burbank, not to the Orlando sales office.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I though DME is run by Mears. Did I miss something?

Yes, but it's now controlled by Disney-you book thru Disney, when you check in, Disney CMs greet you, white Mickey gloves wave at you. How many people see it as "owned by Mears" vs. "Disney-run"?

 

[Sammie]

Yes, but it's now controlled by Disney-you book thru Disney, when you check in, Disney CMs greet you, white Mickey gloves wave at you. How many people see it as "owned by Mears" vs. "Disney-run"?

actually those CMs work for Mears not Disney just as the valet at the resorts work for Mears. Many areas of Disney are now outsourced, you will not be able to tell from their costumes.

 

[Anal Annie]

Creating an environment that increases direct sales and decreases resales make perfect business sense. Decreasing benefits to people who buy resale is an easy thing to do without increasing the cost to Disney. Sure some members may get upset and try to sell their memberships, but that is an acceptable loss.

I can hear the Guides now, "sure you can buy a contract from a private party and maybe save a little money, but you won't be able to use your points to vacation at any of the 4 million special family vacation destinations or to book a vacation on the Disney Cruise Line".

Seems like a perfect and successful plan to me.

Bill

The problem I see with this plan is that down the road there will be tons & tons & TONS of resale contracts out there that nobody can sell because nobody will want them if they don't have the same features & flexibility. If they're not as flexible / valuable nobody will want them and everybody will be stuck. Then that screws everybody if they can't sell the darned things. It's like selling a used car without a steering wheel - oh yeah, it's a real bargain if you don't mind that little item being missing. What they should do is just stop letting all these resales go thru for NOTHING. Start exercising the ROFR so that they don't sell for pennies. JM2C.

 

[Sammie]

The problem I see with this plan is that down the road there will be tons & tons & TONS of resale contracts out there that nobody can sell because nobody will want them if they don't have the same features & flexibility. If they're not as flexible / valuable nobody will want them and everybody will be stuck. Then that screws everybody if they can't sell the darned things. It's like selling a used car without a steering wheel - oh yeah, it's a real bargain if you don't mind that little item being missing. What they should do is just stop letting all these resales go thru for NOTHING. Start exercising the ROFR so that they don't sell for pennies. JM2C.

If that happens, Disney could scoop up a lot of points at sold out resorts for very low prices and then offer them with all the bells and whistles and a steering wheel too.

I don't always agree with the way DVC/Disney does things, but I can guarantee if something is happening that is draining money from them, eventually they will come up with a solution to stop that drain. We might not like the solution but they will.

 

[disneynutz]

The problem I see with this plan is that down the road there will be tons & tons & TONS of resale contracts out there that nobody can sell because nobody will want them if they don't have the same features & flexibility. If they're not as flexible / valuable nobody will want them and everybody will be stuck. Then that screws everybody if they can't sell the darned things. It's like selling a used car without a steering wheel - oh yeah, it's a real bargain if you don't mind that little item being missing. What they should do is just stop letting all these resales go thru for NOTHING. Start exercising the ROFR so that they don't sell for pennies. JM2C.

So what you are saying is that the DVC will be like all other timeshares with the resale prices selling for pennies compared to the direct price.

Maybe Disney is waiting for members to just walk away from their contracts. Why ROFR and pay to buy back contracts with so many members begging for Disney to take them back for free. As soon as the dues bills are mailed, I get the felling that Disney will pick up a lot of free contracts.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I think the only "negative experience" disney could be worried about is their negative experience of having competition for their points.

Other than meeting their contractual obligations, is there anything else they should be worried about?

Wow. If true, this is major. Didn't Marriott just do something similar re. resales? I hear the sucking sound of the bottom dropping out of the resale market. Wonder if Disney is planning to abandon ROFR.

Marriott has always had some differentiation between retail and resale. They kicked it up a notch 2 months ago. Essentially they froze at that point their full weeks program, initiated a points system and gave those in the former group a chance to convert to the latter for a price.

Here's an issue I have and why I think they can't do this, at least not retroactively. You have the right to gift/will your ownership to family members as long as you don't charge a fee. This past July my parents did this, they added us to their membership for estate planning.

Disney treated it as a resale, even though it wasn't. Matter of fact, my parents names are still on the deeds, they just added us.

However, all of us got 2010 Vacation Planning Guides (even my parents), new membership cards, etc. We were all treated as though we were new members and the code on the box the planning guide came in was something like "resale-bwv".

You can't code fee free ownerwhip changes within the family as a resale and then take away benefits. I guess you can, but if that's the case the value of membership has deteriorated entirely as no one buys a 50 year timeshare interest expecting to use it themselves (or most don't) that entire time.

That's another reason I still call shenanigans.

They may have put you through the resale steps but that situation will not make you a resale buyer. There is NO contractual situation to offer DCL, DC, CC, ABD or even an exchange company. Disclaimers make it clear that such programs can change or be eliminated at any point, for any reason, yesterday if they like. Other companies, including FL based timeshares, have removed options from resale buyers and in some cases, generated a VIP program that required "qualified points" to participate. They tell you and have you sign up front that such perks could change and the legal paperwork not only reinforces that issue but further states (and you sign that you agree) that verbal representations are not binding. The legal paperwork also makes resale buyers subject to the same legalities as the original buyer and any changes that have occurred since.

The days of DVC maintaining the best timeshare resale value is numbered...

It would be funny (sad funny, not haha funny) if they send out member updates with this information prefaced by:
" To increase member satisfaction... "
or
" Based on member survey/request... "

I doubt it'll make much difference, the ancillary options are all more style than substance and always have been.

I agree with Jim that adding perks for direct buyers would be popular...but think of the cost of extending those benefits to 150,000+ current members AND all of the future direct buyers. Every added benefit costs the company money.

This rumored take-away approach costs them nothing.

On at least two separate occasions DVC has surveyed members about adding an extra level of perks for those who own 1000+ points. That seems like a more realistic approach for doling out added perks because they would only be extended to a very small subset of owners.

I don't disagree it would be smart from a business sense but I don't think this group overall would appreciate it. Here's why, it's a certainty it wouldn't simply keep everything the same for everyone then add benefits on top of that to retail buyers. Rather you could expect erosion of current benefits with those benefits and possibly others, being added back to the smaller group. It also lends itself to a VIP system where additional benefits could be added to those with larger number of points at the expense of the rest. I would be comfortable because I am willing to either position myself to be one of the haves or to move on. Changes happen with timeshares and most of them are bad for most members and all of them will be bad for someone.





I frankly doubt this to be currently true but even if it is, it's likely DVC will grandfather "current" owners.

 

[otterpop]

Why can't the names of the guides/sales people that give the wrong information on purpose (that's a nice way of saying "lied") be posted on here?

I am new to DVC and I don't know who my guide is. What if it's one of the same who is providing the bad information? Wouldn't that be beneficial for myself and others who are in the same position as me, to know? Also, isn't that what these boards are all about; helping each other out?

If I can post specific names from specific resale companies that I bought DVC from, why can't we post guide names?

Without posting any names, nothing will change...the guides/sales people will keep doing what their doing. But, if we get their names out, then maybe their sales will take a hit and/or Disney will notice, and things will change.

Evan

 

[Sammie]

Why can't the names of the guides/sales people that give the wrong information on purpose (that's a nice way of saying "lied") be posted on here?

I am new to DVC and I don't know who my guide is. What if it's one of the same who is providing the bad information? Wouldn't that be beneficial for myself and others who are in the same position as me, to know? Also, isn't that what these boards are all about; helping each other out?

If I can post specific names from specific resale companies that I bought DVC from, why can't we post guide names?

Without posting any names, nothing will change...the guides/sales people will keep doing what their doing. But, if we get their names out, then maybe their sales will take a hit and/or Disney will notice, and things will change.

Evan

I would think a more appropriate way to handle it would be for the person who has a problem, contact MS and file a compliant.

Anything else is just hearsay and there are slander laws that could be in affect.

I appreciate the DIS for not allowing it.