Direct Purchase benefits announced!

[tjkraz]

You are a newer member, correct? We get that same statement each and everytime there is a change. Whether or not it's true.

I'm sure the statement is true. You can't tell me that no member has ever said "I wish direct buyers had better perks than resale buyers" or "I wish weekends didn't cost so much" (before reallocations), etc.

Heck, I was sitting in the audience at last month's annual meeting when a member stood up and wanted to know why she didn't receive extra benefits as a sign of appreciation for the 1600 points she owned--and other members of the audience applauded the comments!

There certainly is no way of knowing how widespread any sentiment may be and DVC is most likely to act on suggestions which serve their own purposes. But it's hard to take any discussion board thread as a true indication of what all members think. There is a sort of mob mentality that takes over; like-minded individuals are more likely to comment (or even be reading) rather than those who feel otherwise.

 

[JWG]

Frankly, I'm not too upset about the changes. Different perks for different folks. Not any different then most timeshares or ownership programs. If you go into these things thinking nothing will change or nothing will change in a way you may like, you will always be disappointed.

Some members will like this, some hate it. I'm neutral to it, understanding I do expect more will come in the future.

 

[dis-happy]

It's probably an inconsequential deletion as far as annual member usage goes, but it does the one and only thing necessary: allows the salespeople to say there's a benefit to buying direct and a downside to buying resale.


My complaint:
the hints of tiered benefits but no actual declaration. It would be nice to know if what the levels of tier-ing will be and if they'll have any significant benefit.

Those members who may be short by 80 pts. or whatever to the next tier should have the option of adding on via resale now, and making an informed decision based on what has yet to be announced.




Am kind of wondering if everything between now and March will be ROFR'd.

 

[tjkraz]

Am kind of wondering if everything between now and March will be ROFR'd.

DVC wasn't under any obligation to provide the 2 months' notice. Honestly I don't see why they would bother giving this 2 month window, only to delay closings and/or ROFR contracts in bulk. They could have simply implemented the changes effective immediately for all future resale submissions.

 

[chalee94]

Am kind of wondering if everything between now and March will be ROFR'd.

resales now have access to the trade perk.

resales after march will lack the perk.

assuming loss of the perk reduces prices, i would think ROFR would be more attractive after march.

but i don't think resales will take a big price hit - only a small decrease - so i doubt ROFR patterns will change that much.

 

[LIFERBABE]

You cant buy a perk. It's still a perk and just because you purchased direct or close before March 20 does not mean you will always have access to this perk.

If you want to stay onsite at WDW and have access to all WDW Resort offerings, you either call CRO or DVC. That's it. That's the value of DVC. Not a perk that can go away on a whim.

I just see alot of people setting themselves up for disappointment.

As far as value, get it before you sell.

 

[webcs]

Guys let's all keep in mind that disney has the right to take away these items for people that purchase through them as well.

These are just side perks and were not originally meant to be part of the time-share. Disney only offers these perks because it is in their $$$ interest to offer them.

As far as any other changes, at least disney is saying if we make any other changes that old contracts are grandfathered in. They had the right to strip it from everyone, correct?

Personally, I use my DVC points for disney DVC resorts and that is it.

 

[DVC92]

I don't use my points for anything but stays in DVC resorts; however, what bothers me is that what I contracted for is no longer what I will be able to convey. My contracts included whatever benefits that exist or would exist in the future, since the benefits could be changed. They are now saying I can't sell what I purchased. I have no problem with the elimination or altering of benefits for all members but not the unilateral changing of my contracts which included whatever exists at the time. What I can buy on 3/15 is what I should be able to sell on 3/25. This change should only apply to direct sales and resales after the effective date.

 

[Sammie]

Heck, I was sitting in the audience at last month's annual meeting when a member stood up and wanted to know why she didn't receive extra benefits as a sign of appreciation for the 1600 points she owned--and other members of the audience applauded the comments!

A DVC staff member probably.

 

[Sandisw]

I don't use my points for anything but stays in DVC resorts; however, what bothers me is that what I contracted for is no longer what I will be able to convey. My contracts included whatever benefits that exist or would exist in the future, since the benefits could be changed. They are now saying I can't sell what I purchased. I have no problem with the elimination or altering of benefits for all members but not the unilateral changing of my contracts which included whatever exists at the time. What I can buy on 3/15 is what I should be able to sell on 3/25. This change should only apply to direct sales and resales after the effective date.

As long as you own your contracts, they still have all those benefits. Remember the ability to book outside DVC is not part of the product you bought. It is an ADDED perk to your ownership that, like valet parking, can be eliminated at any time. They could decide in a year from now to simply say to everyone, no more using DVC points for cruises. When I bought in 2009, we got free valet parking and now we don't. It was something I got when I bought and now I don't. To me, this is the same thing. It's like some warranties that you buy. You get the benefit as the original owner, but if you sell, the warranty doesn't transfer.

I think what is key is that they are giving those that want to buy resale plenty of notice that what they are buying is not going to currently carry the same trading perks that you would get if you bought direct.

Where I see it possibly making a difference is for owners who use those options or will in the future. Right now, my points were all bought direct. If I decided to add on through resale and then in a few years, want to cruise, I won't be able to use all of those points toward the cruise. If I was someone who thought that was important, then I might think twice about where I bought those extra points.

 

[Sammie]

It's probably an inconsequential deletion as far as annual member usage goes, but it does the one and only thing necessary: allows the salespeople to say there's a benefit to buying direct and a downside to buying resale.


My complaint:
the hints of tiered benefits but no actual declaration. It would be nice to know if what the levels of tier-ing will be and if they'll have any significant benefit.

Those members who may be short by 80 pts. or whatever to the next tier should have the option of adding on via resale now, and making an informed decision based on what has yet to be announced.



Am kind of wondering if everything between now and March will be ROFR'd.

Surely you do not think they would make it easy for you the member, that would defeat the purpose of doing all this.

Make resale less attractive first, then after that, announce the tier benefits for members, which I am sure we will hear nothing about until this March date passes.

That way they will tempt you to add on direct from them.

Smart like a fox.

 

[DVC92]

As long as you own your contracts, they still have all those benefits. Remember the ability to book outside DVC is not part of the product you bought. It is an ADDED perk to your ownership that, like valet parking, can be eliminated at any time. They could decide in a year from now to simply say to everyone, no more using DVC points for cruises. When I bought in 2009, we got free valet parking and now we don't. It was something I got when I bought and now I don't. To me, this is the same thing. It's like some warranties that you buy. You get the benefit as the original owner, but if you sell, the warranty doesn't transfer.

I think what is key is that they are giving those that want to buy resale plenty of notice that what they are buying is not going to currently carry the same trading perks that you would get if you bought direct.

Where I see it possibly making a difference is for owners who use those options or will in the future. Right now, my points were all bought direct. If I decided to add on through resale and then in a few years, want to cruise, I won't be able to use all of those points toward the cruise. If I was someone who thought that was important, then I might think twice about where I bought those extra points.

I agree that the perks were capable of being changed or eliminated. As I stated, I have no problem with that; however, your contract should convey whatever exists for you at the time of sale.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I agree that the perks were capable of being changed or eliminated. As I stated, I have no problem with that; however, your contract should convey whatever exists for you at the time of sale.

Selling your contract conveys only what is in the contract...

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I do not believe there is verbage in the contract stating Disney will provide any perks or outside trade options. So, no perks or outside trade options would be conveyed when your contract transfers.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I tend to agree. In small bites our world is changed. Remeber the frog in the pan of water - drop him in boiling water and he jumps out; raise the temperature slowly, and the frog sits in the pot until the pot boils over!

We either speak up or shut up. I said the following back on page three of this thread - To paraphrase Pastor Martin Niemoller, First they came for my cruise perks, but I didn't speak up because my family doesn't cruise . . . .

(I have been a bit surprised at the number of people I have conversation with that read the DisBoards that had no idea what famous quote I was paraphrasing! We are doomed to relive what we don't remember!)

Now I'm not a big fan of Jim Lewis, but to compare him to Hitler and DVD to the Nazis is a bit much.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Surely you do not think they would make it easy for you the member, that would defeat the purpose of doing all this.

Make resale less attractive first, then after that, announce the tier benefits for members, which I am sure we will hear nothing about until this March date passes.

That way they will tempt you to add on direct from them.

Smart like a fox.

Exactly! JL is not gonna walk anyone thru this.

Whatever position you want to be in, they are giving you 2 months to get there. After that, all bets are off and the gloves too!

Im sure there was an internal struggle regarding the March date, and that's the best they could do.

 

[Deb & Bill]

So with the first day of Spring, DVC members get shafted more???

 

[csharpwv]

DW and I have been combing the internet for last few weeks looking for the 'perfect' add on. We were just waiting to hear back from the seller when I read this. Hopefully this will light a small fire under the seller - and THEN hopefully we will pass ROFR when we get to that point!

It's a pretty ironic thing that we have felt compelled to add on recently LOL

In all reality - do you think this will reduce resale prices by 1/3? 1/2?
The points are only 1/2 as valuable for an owner looking for 'all' of the benefits that DVC offers. We have used points for a cruise - and while it isn't the 'best' value - value is a relative term.

We think that by the time you buy your meals, park tickets etc etc associated with a WDW Vacation - in the end you are paying about the same.

If you are going to a WDW just to sit by the pool - chill out - and see the 'rest' of Orlando - then DVC stays at DVC resorts are definitely a better value.

Value is totally a relative term.

 

[deerislemaine]

We purchased a resale contract in November, and this announcement (even if it included our points) would not matter for us. We purchased DVC points to use at Disney resorts. I don't think that other potential buyers will care that much. It will no doubt help Disney sell some contracts, but I don't think that most informed buyers will care (some will of course, but I don't think that it will be a large number).

 

[LIFERBABE]

Selling your contract conveys only what is in the contract...

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I do not believe there is verbage in the contract stating Disney will provide any perks or outside trade options. So, no perks or outside trade options would be conveyed when your contract transfers.

You are correct. We all signed by the Mickey Ears and dated by the palm trees that perks/benefits were not part of our ownership interest.

You cant sell what you dont own.

 

[Sammie]

Now I'm not a big fan of Jim Lewis, but to compare him to Hitler and DVD to the Nazis is a bit much.

Godwin's Law: it states: "As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches."