BWV add-on with surprising reaction from DVC Guide

[IndianaDVCMember]

We have a pending purchase of a 100 point BWV contract through resale. Over the past few weeks I have been keeping tabs on the resale listings until a contract with the desired point total popped up. Up until this time, I was on a wait list for points through DVC. I wanted to cover all my bases to make sure I was given the opportunity at the first available points. I gave my DVC Guide a courtesy call to let them know that our point requirements had been met through a resale. He asked me if it was for the same use year and I told him no. He then advised against this, telling me that this is not how the program is supposed to work, and that reservations do not go smoothly this way.

I know this is a business and that DVC is in competition with the resale market, but I was expecting a reaction of congratulations rather than being told that I'm making a mistake. I'm not going to disclose the name, but I was wondering what the other members on this board thought of this.

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by IndianaDVCMember
He asked me if it was for the same use year and I told him no. He then advised against this, telling me that this is not how the program is supposed to work, and that reservations do not go smoothly this way.

I don't see anything terribly wrong with this statement. Just as DVC almost always goes through the laundry list of cancellation policy when you reserve a room, your guide was doing his duty and letting you know that DVC advises against buying outside your Use Year. In fact, it may be construed that he had a responsibility to advise you of that so in the future you couldn't claim that you "didn't know" and had not been reminded/ told of the policy when you spoke to your DVC guide about planning to purchase this resale.

It was nice of you to advise them of your plan but I wouldn't be put off by the answer you got from the guide. It seems that this type of sale works fine for many members so -- congratulations!

 

[IndianaDVCMember]

Originally posted by PamOKW
I don't see anything terribly wrong with this statement. Just as DVC almost always goes through the laundry list of cancellation policy when you reserve a room, your guide was doing his duty and letting you know that DVC advises against buying outside your Use Year. In fact, it may be construed that he had a responsibility to advise you of that so in the future you couldn't claim that you "didn't know" and had not been reminded/ told of the policy when you spoke to your DVC guide about planning to purchase this resale.

It was nice of you to advise them of your plan but I wouldn't be put off by the answer you got from the guide. It seems that this type of sale works fine for many members so -- congratulations!

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I too agree with the guide. When I was playing with the idea, I contacted my guide, she said also that she would advise against buying outside of my use year. I don't think they can even sell outside the use year to an existing customer. Sounds like it must be a bookkeeping nightmare on their end, especially when owners "mess up" their tracking system and come to them for help. I don't think they did anything wrong, and I also wouldn't have expected a congrats, that's money out of their pocket!

 

[pumpkinboy]

I agree with Pam on this one Your guide was right to advise you that DVC discourages differing use years as it makes bookkeeping (yours and theirs) much more difficult. Our most excellent guide actually advised us to look for good deals via resale, but cautioned to keep the same UY for easier integration into existing contracts. In any case, our BWV add-on points (Feb UY) came thru, so we'll go the easy route.

My guide did inform me that we could add-on with a different UY directly thru DVC, but that it would be have to a completely new contract and a minimum purchase of 150 pts.

Congrats on getting your add-on at a price you liked! Enjoy!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad that DVC didn't "red flag" your purchase, since you were on a wait list for points. I know that I'm tempted to go for a DVC resale for VWL points, mostly because those points will be primarily used for Christmas time/December and my March use year doesn't work well. I don't think we ever will go in January or February and if we have to canel Dec. those would be the options.

Congratulations on your add-on! I wish you success in keeping track of your 2 use years!

Bobbi

 

[IndianaDVCMember]

Let me state that I am not angry with our guide. He has been very helpful to us, and that we already knew the drawback of separate use years. My first choice would have been to keep everything together, but I don't think it will be a nightmare either. I don't think he did anything wrong, but I have maybe an unrealistic perception that DVC always acts in the best interest of the Member. The vibe I got was that he was disappointed in the lost sale rather than his fear that we would be disappointed.