Best way to intro DVC

[sueg]

I posted about helping a co-worker set up a PS (& how this triggered a need to book a trip for our family) He returned from his trip & it turns out that the PS was a big hit. Cinderella's Castle (or whatever they call it now) for dinner during the fireworks. They saw Cinderella as they entered, got a window seat for the fireworks & since I noted it was his DW's 40th, a cake with a candle to end the meal. His DW was awestruck (of course, she thinks he did this all by himself) and he was talking about memories that will last forever. Then he started to ask about DVC. (They stayed at BC) He seems genuinely interested, but cautious. I don't want to steer him towards sales yet. I thought about sending him to lurk on the Bds. What do you think is the best, low pressure way to enable a potential buyer to educate themselves, at their own pace?

 

[Granny]

I'd suggest giving that person the location of this site and this board. Let him look over the DVC FAQ's at the top of the page. If still interested, have him register and ask questions. They will all be answered, usually within a very short period of time (an hour at most).

Also, there are other information sites about DVC. Have him do a search and read up on it.

This is exactly how we started. We read up, lurked on this board and sopped up all the expertise, and finally asked a few questions.

By the time I talked to a guide (salesman), my only remaining question was how many points to get.

 

[crisi]

I'd actually keep him AWAY from these boards....for a little while. Send him to the information on Mouseplanet. Its probably the best when it comes to clearly explaining the program. Someone probably has a current sales video they'd be willing to share - without him signing up with sales. And loan him your old membership guide - if you still have it around. Send him links to the resale sites, so he understands the amount of money he is talking about (and remind him to add closing costs to the price that he sees - he may decide to buy from Disney, but he'll at least have a realistic idea of the investment looking at the resale sites). Let other materials sell him on the idea - and when he is sold, introduce him to this madhouse.

When I first found this place, I thought you guys were nuts and petty. I didn't understand Richyams' sense of humor, thought the attacks on resorts indicated real problems instead of picking at one another in fun, and that the whole five in a room thing (as well as the smoking thing - oh and there was a towel on the balcony thread) to be indicitive of a membership that was going to stick their nose in my business. People here are pretty obsessive about Disney - a little overwhelming for the cautious - who don't want to think that 150 points will "never" be enough and that they will immediately want to do six trips a year. There is something about DVC on this board that reminds me of drug addiction. In fact, I came about this close to deciding this wasn't for me - after having been convinced by the mouseplanet stuff - from the behavior and profile of people on these boards.

Now, after having hung around here for going on three years - and having taken my first trip home - I've learned to understand you guys. A few people still strike me as a little nuts. A few others still strike me as a little petty. And a very few as both.

 

[spiceycat]

Crisi - sorry about that - there are other websites that aren't so over the board - just depends upon what you want

Hey 150 points is fine - at my favorite OKW - if you don't stay for the weekend - a studio will run 40 points in Sept and Jan - you can stay 3 weeks (if you stay weekend - then 1 week and 6 days).

but most of the DVC members (here at least) - want to stay in a 2-bedroom - a 150 points won't last long that route.

alot of DVC members only get 150 points and they are very happy with that....

I have 240 at OKW, 60 at VWL and 50 at BWV - the 240 is so my brother can stay in a 2-bedroom and I get to stay at OKW,too, both VWL and BWV are for MY studio stays in Dec/Sept.....it works great for me.

 

[crisi]

Long forgiven.....most of the people here are now treasured.

(Maybe not if I'd actually believed Rich about OKW being the only true DVC resort and gotten stuck without a pool slide )

We only have 150 points and stay in a two bedroom, but we only travel every other year - which was our plan when we bought in. Works pretty well. In fact, I'm going to be able to take my parents, sisters and there families in a couple years on 150 points - three years worth of points go a long way with one 2 br sv and 2 sv studios (if I can't get the standard view, I may have to rent a few points or check in Sunday - but for a once in a lifetime trip, I think renting is a better option than an add on - and I suspect by the time that trip comes along, it will convince my sister to purchase a contract. I may in fact end up owning another contract in the near future for this trip and to sell to her later - they are just spending money in different places right now - like trying to conceive - but once there is a baby in the house I think DVC is in their future).

150 points doesn't go very far if you want to take annual trips in a two bedroom.....

 

[Speed Weasel]

Sueg-

I think that the video would be a great "low-pressure-at-your-own-pace" tool to send to the co-worker. Do you have the sales brochure also? Not the member guide yet, but the thinner more advertising magazine thingie (yes, I believe that that is the technical term)

Also have them go on the Disney vacation booking website and do some what-if planning to see how much the on-property resorts cost per night (and then add 11%-12% tax!).

 

[dianeschlicht]

Because we didn't buy the first time we took the tour, I ended up with two intro packets. Then when I was going to donate a stay to my DS private school auction, I had DVC send me another to give me some pictures to post with the silent auction info. I also use this material when I have someone going with us who has not stayed on site before and knows nothing about DVC. They enjoy the floor plans and photos.

 

[spiceycat]

how many points do you have???? maybe you could book him a stay at your home resort....

most people after they stay at a DVC resort will buy....My problem is the people I know who easily afford DVC won't even considering staying at one.

Last year one guy took his whole family to WDW - won't consider a 2 bedroom at BCV or BWV - I tried so did the CRO - so he got 3 (maybe 4) rooms at the YC.....

some people do not understand that DVC is not like other timeshares....

 

[disneyberry]

Originally posted by crisi
When I first found this place, I thought you guys were nuts and petty. I didn't understand Richyams' sense of humor, thought the attacks on resorts indicated real problems instead of picking at one another in fun, and that the whole five in a room thing (as well as the smoking thing - oh and there was a towel on the balcony thread) to be indicitive of a membership that was going to stick their nose in my business. People here are pretty obsessive about Disney - a little overwhelming for the cautious - who don't want to think that 150 points will "never" be enough and that they will immediately want to do six trips a year. There is something about DVC on this board that reminds me of drug addiction. In fact, I came about this close to deciding this wasn't for me - after having been convinced by the mouseplanet stuff - from the behavior and profile of people on these boards.

crisi, ROFLMAO!!!

anyway, i agree. don't steer them here first. we are a crazy obsessive bunch.
most regular people would be completely freaked out by us.

you have to ease them into it... (ok i'm scaring myself now... that really sounds like something you'd say about a drug)

 

[Deemarch]

Crisi, boy are you right!!

We first learned of DVC through friends who found out how much we liked going to Disney World. They leaked the word about DVC and then said to check out the website for a free video. We were hooked!!!
Then I found these boards. If I had come here first I would have run screaming into the night...4 & 5 stays per year, always 2 bedrooms, 6,000 points and adding more tomorrow...It is a bit intimidating. But after you're here a while, you ease into your own spot and go from there. Last night we ran into a couple from town who are DVCers and we all reacted as if we were long lost relatives.

We are all connected!!! I love it!

 

[Granny]

My suggestion to come to these boards was driven by my own experience. I spent two months lurking on these boards before I asked a question.

Also, I figured the OP would still be in contact with the prospective owner (since he's a co-worker) and would be able to help him along the way as well.

crisi....glad you stuck around to find out the real joys of DVC ownership!

 

[Cruelladeville]

When I found these boards, I thought I'd finally found my home Of course, I already had one contract, and an add-on, and wanted more--I thought I was alone in that I couldn't get enough vacation time at Disney. When I found all of you..well, I nearly cried

 

[crisi]

crisi....glad you stuck around to find out the real joys of DVC ownership!

I am too. I'm not yet nuts enough to say it was the best thing I ever did (divorcing my first husband, marrying my husband, adopting my son, and giving birth to my daughter all outrank DVC yet - but if I spend much more time on this board, it might start creeping up the list), or that I wish I'd done it (much) sooner (before our trip just prior to joining we had other financial priorities than a pre-paid vacation plan), but I'm glad I wasn't scared off. And you know what, the BWV hallways are only half as long as the walk to Epcot.....

 

[sueg]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. DH, after reading MY post, rememered that we have an old DVC planning tape. I think I'll offer it to my co-worker. I didn't really intend to spark a debate on the "scary" quality of some of the posts, on this Bd. But I basically agree that a cautious buyer could be scared-off.
We purchased OKW when it was called "Disney Vacation Club". If these Bds. exsisted at that time, I didn't know about them. We did a second contract at HH & still didn't know about the Bds. It was only thru the Bds. that I came to understand such concepts as "use year" and lock-off. I always thought that I might have done things differently if I found the Bds. earlier. For example, our guide (Bob Something-or-other---long since gone) sold us HH as a less "expensive" way to have more points at WDW. Of course, we only accepted this logic because I didn't understand the 11/7 month windows. But as it turns out, we loved HH when we tried it (we bought sight unseen) and our 11 month window there has resulted in several great Aug. vacations. This is a a long-winded way of saying that the Bds. would have influenced our DVC decisions, but I don't know if they would have made them better!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Originally posted by disneyberry
most regular people would be completely freaked out by us.

Well, now I know why I felt so at home here!

I agree; unless someone is already familiar with boards, forums and newsgroups - and the drama sometimes associated with them - this place could be a little overwhelming.