Direct Purchase benefits announced!

[Corwin]

Remember we are dealing with Jim Lewis who has been the head DVD guy for about four years. Whenever he starts a sentence with "In response to repeated requests of our members and in order to enhance the membership expierence ..., " you can bet the farm that you are about to get hosed. This is someone whose "tiered benefit" program, when it is announced, is likely to be something that takes away existing benefits from those below a designated tier and which does not create any new ones for those above. That is indicated by the first step already taken which is to take away the Disney Collections from resale purchasers.

Exactly. That's why I commented earlier that it's almost Orwellian in nature in describing these changes as "enhancements" or "benefits."

On the contrary, nothing is being actually enhanced, and nobody is getting a benefit. Instead, some members are having something being taken away from them, and some members will henceforth be discriminated against.

All members are having the resale value of their membership be diminished. Some enhancement.

I personally have never looked at my membership as being an investment. I have no current plans to ever sell my membership. Nevertheless, when I purchased my membership, I did comfort myself that DVC memberships have historically retained significant value, especially when compared to other timeshares, should I ever need to sell.

My automobile isn't an investment, either. Indeed, I have no current plans to sell it. Nevertheless, I would not be pleased if its resale value plummeted for no reason.

I liked the analogy earlier someone made about how it would be like people who didn't buy their house from the developer being told that they would not be allowed to use the sidewalks in front of their house.

At least they grandfathered these changes, so that we can continue to use the sidewalks.

 

[jarestel]

I am not talking about survival at all. I am talking about the loss of a once captured market that will be no more. This will have an impact negatively on their sales. DVC's owner add ons are significant, unlike other time shares in the industry. The other time shares did not have a market to loose compared to DVC. This will have a negative sales impact on that market. Will it be to there end, most defenitely not, they will just reverse stratagies and blame it on the owners telling them to do so.

Historically, DVD/DVC doesn't have much of a track record on backtracking once they've announced new policies or procedures - glassware fiasco aside, of course. I wouldn't count on returning to the old system if this fails to accomplish DVD's objectives. They would more than likely simply institute what many here would view as more restrictive changes for resale purchasers.

If the new resale policy curbs illogical choices, we can all agree this is a good thing for members, so at least that's a member benefit of the changes.

 

[maminnie]

In the end many direct members will become sellers. So if you sitting here today and life is treating you good, you never know what tomorrow will be bring. Just take a look at the number of resales over the last few years during the course of the difficult economy. Recall the threads from fellow members who have shared their personal stories and HAD to sell. This change may not effect you now but it could in the future. And who knows what additional 'enhancements' (lol) to us members are in the cards.

Since I have been a member I have watched my two desireable DVC properties sour on the resale market and drop (one a bit more then the other) but it was due to additional resorts available, the economy and difficult times, and a subsequent influx of contracts. It was NOT due to a decision by DVC/Disney to limit priviledges to anyone who purchases on the resale market and hence devalue members points. There is a big difference IMHO. But of course Disney/DVC is permitted to do anything they want even at the obvious and sad expense of their members.

 

[going/again]

I don't think so. If a Member trades their points to use on the Disney Collection, The Adventurer Collection, or the Concierge Collection, the corresponding villa is now part of the Disney cash inventory and no longer available for other DVC Members to use for points-based reservations. If the Member has resale points purchased after March 20, 2011, the Member will use those points to book a villa. Either way, other Members will not have access to the villa. Thus, this change will not improve or lessen the availability at DVC resorts.

May make more owners who cant trade out book rooms and rent them, that cant be good for members or CRO.

 

[tjkraz]

I am not talking about survival at all. I am talking about the loss of a once captured market that will be no more. This will have an impact negatively on their sales. DVC's owner add ons are significant, unlike other time shares in the industry. The other time shares did not have a market to loose compared to DVC. This will have a negative sales impact on that market. Will it be to there end, most defenitely not, they will just reverse stratagies and blame it on the owners telling them to do so.

It's certainly trading one market for another. Sure some people will alter their buying strategies as a result of this. DVC knows that. They are betting that there is more to gain from added direct sales than they would lose via this loss of good faith you describe.

Member add-ons are very important to DVC and members will continue to add on. Some--apparently like yourself--will go through a different thought process before doing so. Some will decide not to add on based upon whatever the resale market does. Meanwhile another group will almost certainly opt to go through DVC to get the added benefits--people who otherwise may have purchased resale.

It's a complicated matter with no clear answer. Whether I like it or not, I happen to think DVC has more to gain than it has to lose via this change.

Exactly. That's why I commented earlier that it's almost Orwellian in nature in describing these changes as "enhancements" or "benefits."

On the contrary, nothing is being actually enhanced, and nobody is getting a benefit.

Tell that to folks who couldn't book the Disney Dream on points due to excessive demand.

Using points for cruises and some of these other destinations has never been popular on the boards. I'm not a fan myself. But it's clearly important to many members. And those members will truly receive the benefit of increased access as newer resale buyers are prohibited from booking those destinations.

Of course this decision was primarily made for DVC's financial benefit. But there are ancillary benefits to members as well.

I also think folks overlook the value of participating in a healthy timeshare program rather than one that is slowly dying.

 

[tjkraz]

In the end many direct members will become sellers. So if you sitting here today and life is treating you good, you never know what tomorrow will be bring. Just take a look at the number of resales over the last few years during the course of the difficult economy. Recall the threads from fellow members who have shared their personal stories and HAD to sell. This change may not effect you now but it could in the future. And who knows what additional 'enhancements' (lol) to us members are in the cards.

Since I have been a member I have watched my two desireable DVC properties sour on the resale market and drop (one a bit more then the other) but it was due to additional resorts available, the economy and difficult times, and a subsequent influx of contracts. It was NOT due to a decision by DVC/Disney to limit priviledges to anyone who purchases on the resale market and hence devalue members points. There is a big difference IMHO. But of course Disney/DVC is permitted to do anything they want even at the obvious and sad expense of their members.

One question: If DVC had not made this decision, what do you think would have happened to the health of the DVC program and resale prices in the future?

 

[going/again]

I'm sure some won't buy related to this but overall it's likely that they will be able to have a more efficient sales process and a larger profit. I'm starting to wonder if the next step might be a replacement system with the points held in trust and NO home resort priority.

I thought the POS guaranteed at least a one month home booking advantage, so how would they get round this?

 

[nyck]

I thought the POS guaranteed at least a one month home booking advantage, so how would they get round this?

I think Dean is saying this would wind up being the next limitation set buy Disney for people who buy resale after ___ date

 

[Brian Noble]

DVD/DVC doesn't have much of a track record on backtracking once they've announced new policies or procedures - glassware fiasco aside, of course

It is possible that, in the case of the glassware issue, the problem was exactly what Disney said it was. As I recall the explanation, the removal was expected to be temporary, until Disney could place facilities to sanitize items at the affected resorts.

I could be wrong though. This is all a pretty dim recollection.

I thought the POS guaranteed at least a one month home booking advantage, so how would they get round this?

Other systems have done similar things by creating a "new" points product, fixing the exchange rate at 1:1 with the "old" points product, but releasing a new set of rules that govern the new product. Wyndham has done this twice now---once with Club Wyndham Access, and again with Presidential Reserve. Obviously, prior sales belonged to the "old" point system, though, even on resale.

 

[maminnie]

Any members in the newspaper business in Florida? A little press about the purposeful elimination of perks on Disney timeshare contracts that are sold at resale may make for some interesting reading since it's coming from the happiest, friendliest place on Earth! Also a 'buyer beware' may also be warranted to future direct buyers so that they are definitely aware that perks WILL be taken away on their contracts too if they have to sell.

I certainly hope DVC clearly adds this to the 'Product Understanding Checklist' that we all received when we purchased. I'm sure it definitely won't be part of all that wonderful promotional literature they have with pictures of all those happy members strolling down Main Street with Mickey Mouse.....

 

[Joan of Arc]

Any members in the newspaper business in Florida? A little press about the purposeful elimination of perks on Disney timeshare contracts that are sold at resale may make for some interesting reading since it's coming from the happiest, friendliest place on Earth! Also a 'buyer beware' may also be warranted to future direct buyers so that they are definitely aware that perks WILL be taken away on their contracts too if they have to sell.

I certainly hope DVC clearly adds this to the 'Product Understanding Checklist' that we all received when we purchased. I'm sure it definitely won't be part of all that wonderful promotional literature they have with pictures of all those happy members strolling down Main Street with Mickey Mouse.....

Ha, Dare I qoute from another animation source: Son I am going to teach you how to catch a mouse!

 

[maminnie]

Ha, Dare I qoute from another animation source: Son I am going to teach you how to catch a mouse!

As I am sitting here on a Friday evening with my husband trying to figure out if we should sell now, he quoted from another very famous Disney animated film:

"Those who have the gold, make the rules....."

 

[Chuck S]

Any members in the newspaper business in Florida? A little press about the purposeful elimination of perks on Disney timeshare contracts that are sold at resale may make for some interesting reading since it's coming from the happiest, friendliest place on Earth! Also a 'buyer beware' may also be warranted to future direct buyers so that they are definitely aware that perks WILL be taken away on their contracts too if they have to sell.

I certainly hope DVC clearly adds this to the 'Product Understanding Checklist' that we all received when we purchased. I'm sure it definitely won't be part of all that wonderful promotional literature they have with pictures of all those happy members strolling down Main Street with Mickey Mouse.....

Why would such a change make the newspaper? Are you saying they regularly post articles about changes in perks and policies for Marriott, Wyndham, Hilton, Bluegreen, RCI, etc. I mean really, if you feel this is newsworthy, why aren't policy changes of any other timeshare company front page news?

 

[maminnie]

Why would such a change make the newspaper? Are you saying they regularly post articles about changes in perks and policies for Marriott, Wyndham, Hilton, Bluegreen, RCI, etc. I mean really, if you feel this is newsworthy, why aren't policy changes of any other timeshare company front page news?

Disney is an icon in Florida. Anything they do positive or negative is always of interest to the community. Also how many Floridians and those from the deep south are DVC members????

 

[Joan of Arc]

Why would such a change make the newspaper? Are you saying they regularly post articles about changes in perks and policies for Marriott, Wyndham, Hilton, Bluegreen, RCI, etc. I mean really, if you feel this is newsworthy, why aren't policy changes of any other timeshare company front page news?

I dont think some people really understand the perception(real or imaginary) that people have when it comes to Disney. Just go over to dvc mousellanious board to see how people talk about getting a rip off credit card just so they can get a disney picture on it. It is amazing the loyalty that Disney evokes from people based on EMOTION. If Disney plays around too much with taking that perception away- the people will follow. Enough press about this chips away at the perception. It is news worthy, just as every other move Disney makes is reported on. This one might just be seen as negative rather than positive.

 

[Chuck S]

Disney is an icon in Florida. Anything they do positive or negative is always of interest to the community. Also how many Floridians and those from the deep south are DVC members????

How many people from Florida and the Deep South own Marriott, Hilton or Bonnet Creek? Same thing, a timeshare is a timeshare. Purchasers should read and understand the rules before they buy, or at least while they are in the legal timeframe to recind.

 

[chalee94]

Any members in the newspaper business in Florida? A little press about the purposeful elimination of perks on Disney timeshare contracts that are sold at resale may make for some interesting reading since it's coming from the happiest, friendliest place on Earth!

it already hit the local paper:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/the-daily-disney/os-disney-vacation-club-20110118,0,4116233.story

 

[Chuck S]

I dont think some people really understand the perception(real or imaginary) that people have when it comes to Disney. Just go over to dvc mousellanious board to see how people talk about getting a rip off credit card just so they can get a disney picture on it. It is amazing the loyalty that Disney evokes from people based on EMOTION. If Disney plays around too much with taking that perception away- the people will follow. Enough press about this chips away at the perception. It is news worthy, just as every other move Disney makes is reported on. This one might just be seen as negative rather than positive.

More than likely it would be seen as a big *yawn*.

Rip-off credit card? That is a matter of opinion and use. While I don't have a Disney credit card, like any other reward type card, if you manage it wisely and pay in full monthly, the perks can add up to a real savings. And , like any other credit card, if you make the minimum payment, you could be paying interest for 20 years. Again, no shocking news to anyone, is it?

 

[maminnie]

I did read the rules and no exactly what they say. Believe it or not I even did a chart regarding compounded increases on maintenance fees for the life of my timeshare!! Unfortunately the increases are happening at the rate we forecasted which is not such a good thing either for any of us owners.

Many people bought from Disney because they TRUST the product and believe they won't be taken advantage of by Disney. This is not the case with this latest negative change.

 

[Joan of Arc]

More than likely it would be seen as a big *yawn*.

Rip-off credit card? That is a matter of opinion and use. While I don't have a Disney credit card, like any other reward type card, if you manage it wisely and pay in full monthly, the perks can add up to a real savings. And , like any other credit card, if you make the minimum payment, you could be paying interest for 20 years. Again, no shocking news to anyone, is it?

If thats true then why is it being discussed over and over again on the internet? Even from you. Why has it already been reported on. Pay no attention to the mouse behind the curtain