Do your friends/family assume you got to be a DVC member for FREE?!?

[ReneeQ]

This is driving me nuts! Went to dinner with friends Friday night. We were all catching up on what everyone had been up to. One friend and her family had just been to Universal. I talked about our recent Disney trip in May with my husband's family. One of the friends says "Oh, yeah, you really need to take us all to Disney the next time you go, since you get to go for free." I wanted to scream!

I've had people say "the next time you go, let us know, so we can go. We'll bring sleeping bags and sleep on the floor." Uh, NO! And it was far from FREE! These are some of the same people that "shop til they drop" every weekend (I'm pretty frugal) and get "annoyed" to hear I'm going to Disney again. I've heard "How can you afford to go so often?" a million times!

Does anyone else have wannabe freeloaders, or is it just me?

 

[Disney Doll]

If they do, we clear up that misconception quickly!!!!!

 

[Mic]

My family(and especially the in-laws) all think we get to go for free because we don't charge them for the room(always a studio, though) when they go with us. If they happen to take the DVC tour while staying for free on my points, I don't have to explain the cost to them; my own guide usually does a really good job of that. However, one relative took the tour, and was offended that I reserved the studio for them when the 1-bedroom was so much nicer! Family...can't pick 'em, can't kill 'em!

 

[rocketriter]

We have family who don't care if it's free or not. We've set up something in honor of one related couple's birthday next fall, and another relative--after finding out about ours--wants to run a competing event in a different city for the same occasion. They think we'll just cancel and walk away from our plans.

It's really intended to punish us for not including them in the trip in the first place. With that kind of behavior, of course, you can see why they don't get included...

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

I lost a lifelong friend because I haven't invited her family. Years ago, she would come along and crash in the living room but now she has a husband and two very young children. I would need to reserve an extra room. People don't realize that the points have an actual $ value. I wouldn't dream of asking someone to pay for a hotel room for my family on their next vacation...

Besides, I've paid my 'baby dues' and have no interest in spending a week with toddlers.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) This is not a rare case.
2) Unfortunately there will always be moochers.
3) Even if they understand points, they try to take advantage.
4) I think some are just inconsiderate and rude.

5) We have seen this both with DVC and our other timeshares.
. . . folks assume you paid maintenance for the year
. . . with maintenance paid, there are no more fees
. . . with no more fees, what do a few more people hurt
. . . they will go off on their own, and not bother us
. . . with them off, it's like they aren't there

 

[KNWVIKING]

We just tell people we're going to Camden for vacation. They never offer to join us.

Note: This excuse only works if you live in Jersey or the Philly area. You'll need to adlib with your own states crime infested cespool.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by ILoveMyDVC
I lost a lifelong friend because I haven't invited her family.

No offense, but I think your definition of friend and hers was never the same. Sounds like you were the friend as long as she could sponge off of you.

 

[rchristiansen]

OH dear...not good to know. I've told all my family about it (they know how much it costs and understand that they would have to fork over a portion of the cost if they join us), however the In-Laws may not think the same. How do you broach the subject to instead of saying, "Hey fork it over!"

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by rchristiansen
OH dear...not good to know. I've told all my family about it (they know how much it costs and understand that they would have to fork over a portion of the cost if they join us), however the In-Laws may not think the same. How do you broach the subject to instead of saying, "Hey fork it over!"

I'd say something like "We'd love to have you with us, but we cannot afford to treat. Any chance you'd like to spend your vacation $$ at WDW this year?"

Good luck!

 

[NewJerseyDVCMembers]

We know the feeling... Everyone assumes we can take them with us time and again. If you invite one person everyone else feels entitled of the same treatment.
One time we took family, 5 others total, we got a 2 bedroom and did a few other things. They didn't even offer to pick up a meal not even a Casey Jones Hotdog!!!
Another family member, wants us to let them use our DVC so they can go without us!!!

I know what you mean KNWVIKING... I'll put her up in Camden I think!

 

[Margie J]

Though nobody has mentioned the word free I get the feeling some people think that, especially relatives. Either that or maybe they think I bought a condo that can be used year round so what's the big deal if they use it for a week or two. Well, there goes MY vacation for the year (or more).

It's a matter of understanding how timeshares work and that they are not for free.

Since I can't tell people around here that I'm going to Camden maybe I can tell them I'm going to Malden.

 

[JLPooh]

I will be in the same situation most of the time, I just joined by myself and will always be bringing someone with me when I go to Disney. If you don't mind me asking, what do you usually charge family/friends, if you do charge for using your points?

 

[tiggerguy2000]

NEW JERSEY CAMDEN/TRENTON TRIPS
I think we should get a pamplet made with a bogus trip .
I have everyone thinking because I go alot and the last few times I had work done on my home while I was gone.
I like the one who says I just dont get the DVC thing but when you show them pictures of the resort and rooms they offer themselves up to go.
I have a bottem line price for those who want to go.$2,500 for a 5 night stay and i have not gotten any takers yet but then most of my friends believe in the cheapest room outside is our speed.the question I get is why pay alot for a room You only sleep there?We all know it's more then just a place to sleep.
tiggerguy2000

 

[msdis]

Since it is such a fun and exciting purchase you feel like you want to shout it to the whole world. My experience has been the less you say the better off you are.

 

[Dean]

We usually do a family trip about every two years. We furnish the lodgings, our choice. We invite who we want. Anyone that isn't greatful or seems inappropriate wouldn't be invited back. I make sure the regulars take the timeshare tour so they know what's involved. It's just one of the things we do to try to give back to the family. We usually invite a core group of people then rotate asking others until we're out of space.

My sister and BIL took the tour at HH for Marriott. When the sales rep asked them why they wouldn't buy, my sister replied "why would I buy when I can mouch off him?" while pointing to me. You'ld have to know my sister, she is actually about the most appropriate person in this regards and it was more of a joke than anything else. But you should have seen the look on the salesman's face, he didn't know what to say.

I guess it's only human nature for someone to feel like it's free for a timeshare or condo, but we all know it isn't.

 

[MELSMICE]

If someone assumes it's free we just explain to them that " No, it's not free. We have paid for our accommodations in advance & continue to pay maintenance dues every year".

I have to say that we haven't had a problem yet. My parents have stayed with us each time we are in a 2BR & have always picked up the cost of the food we buy & a meal or 2 outside the "condo". My brother, his wife & daughter only stayed w/ us one night & couldn't have been nicer about being able to enjoy the resort with us, even though it was only for a day/night.

I do have to admit though, I honestly don't think at this point I would use my points to get someone their own room. I guess I'm being selfish but I feel as though we have worked hard for DVC & I want to be able to use my points for my family to enjoy. Like I said, we always invite my parents (my kids would be devastated if gramma & grampa didn't join us), but that's in the same accommodation as us so we aren't spending any extra points anyway. I'm sure when our DD's are grown we'll have them join us & if I've lost all patience for children by that time I may want to get them their own room!

 

[pumpkinboy]

We have folks coming with us in January on a BWV/VB long weekend. Since VB is cheaper at rack rate than on points, we are getting the three points nights (2 rooms) and our friends are getting the two cash nights (also 2 rooms). So the weeknights come to 12 points per room *2 rooms *3 nights = 72 points; rack rate VB Ocean View comes to $180 *2 rooms *2 nights = $720. I'm gonna see if I can't get the cash nights for an AP discount, or at least the DVC discount on our room to save our friends a bit of dough, but they seem to feel guilty about us getting three of the five nights, even after I explained the mechanics. We'll see how it goes (crossing fingers), but I am hoping that explaining everything up front prevents any misunderstandings or resentment.

We will alse be bringing ppl with us in November and April, but in 2BRs. The lodging will be our treat, but both sets (son's godparents and my parents, respectively) generally treat us whenever we go to dinner, and I expect would never find themselves at WDW if not for our invite. I cannot imagine either expecting to be invited and brought along for free.

 

[crisi]

Try playing your discussions from a different angle...

"How do you guys afford to go to Disney each year"

"DVC - its Disney's timeshare"

"Really, how does that work" (I've never had anyone not ask, unless they think its intrusive, and those people don't invite themselves along).

"Well, you start by giving Disney at least $15,000. Then you give them $600 a year and in exchange you get your accomodations. Its expensive up front, and the yearly fees aren't cheap, but the rooms are much nicer than we'd get for similar money."

Usually, they've choked on whatever they were eating at "$15,000."

It would work even better if you had a large contract and figured the value of your own points at the going rate and dues - for those out there that own 400 or 500 points.....

I never talk DVC with people for the first time without pointing out its pretty expensive - unless the conversation ends with "we own a timeshare."

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by crisi
Try playing your discussions from a different angle...

"How do you guys afford to go to Disney each year"

"DVC - its Disney's timeshare"

"Really, how does that work" (I've never had anyone not ask, unless they think its intrusive, and those people don't invite themselves along).

"Well, you start by giving Disney at least $15,000. Then you give them $600 a year and in exchange you get your accomodations. Its expensive up front, and the yearly fees aren't cheap, but the rooms are much nicer than we'd get for similar money."

Usually, they've choked on whatever they were eating at "$15,000."

It would work even better if you had a large contract and figured the value of your own points at the going rate and dues - for those out there that own 400 or 500 points.....

I never talk DVC with people for the first time without pointing out its pretty expensive - unless the conversation ends with "we own a timeshare."

Low Life response. "It's paid for, great, lets go."