Does anyone buy DVC for this reason...?

[carlbarry]

Do yourself a BIG favor and look on ebay for timeshares. You will be shocked to see the low prices they are going for. Of course, that does NOT apply to DVC, because Disney keeps prices up by right of first refusal. But for almost any other timeshare, expect to pay 10% of what the salesman was offering.

 

[Lisa P.]

There's the matter of DVC's corporate II membership vs. other timeshares which usually require an individual II (or RCI) membership, in order to exchange. Disney's external exchange options are limited, not only by what II deems a comparable trade but by what DVC has deemed an acceptable trade. So the number of resorts on the list, for your consideration when trading out of DVC, is much smaller than with nearly any other timeshare ownership, IMO. Simply put, DVC's Member Services calls the shots.

Because they also select the weeks to deposit with II - and they'll naturally try to save points by selecting offseason weeks - DVC deposits are given an "averaged" trade power of all their deposits, which may make it more difficult to secure your trades. This is a common practice in points-based timeshares and it's good for owners/members who want to keep maximum prime inventory available for owners/members to reserve with points. However, it may mean that regular timeshare weeks with a high demand in II would have better trade power.

 

[Darkside]

We did the time share trade out thing in Orlando years ago. We traded four times and got a different resort every time. We made it easy on ourselves and just bought DVC. There are very few places that we have stayed at that were nicer than DVC and certainly none that had better all around service.

 

[drakethib]

DVC can be fabulous if you want to stay in a DVC resort, but it is generally a poor value for trading.
.

I agree with this.

 

[southgal]

We have bought three timeshares on the resale market - we did our research and made sure that they trade well etc. We purchased units close to home so that if times are tough, we can use them ourselves easily rather than trading. Between the three units, we get six weeks per year - our total cost to purchase was under $2000.

Right now we belong to II, but all of our units also trade with RCI. We plan on also joining RCI to increase the number of trading options.

When you say you did research, what do you mean? I'm just starting to look at this, thinking now (next 12 months) might be a good time to get something good for a reasonable price. To be clear, I'm not asking you to do my research, I'd just really like some pointers on the best route to finding these. I've heard of tug, and am well-acquainted with ebay (tho only for other things), but that's about it. If you prefer to PM me, that'd be great too. Thanks for any and all!

 

[bwvBound]

When you say you did research, what do you mean? I'm just starting to look at this, thinking now (next 12 months) might be a good time to get something good for a reasonable price. To be clear, I'm not asking you to do my research, I'd just really like some pointers on the best route to finding these. I've heard of tug, and am well-acquainted with ebay (tho only for other things), but that's about it. If you prefer to PM me, that'd be great too. Thanks for any and all!

To me, "doing the research" means spending a year reading everything you can on TUG. Learn all you can about resort mgt for both independents and brandname clubs; learn about exchanging: characteristics of trade "power," VEP, internal exchange preferences, when/why to use RCI/II/SFX/DAE/TPI or other exchange companies; points/weeks/UDI; prepare your checklist for evaluating a resale purchase (once you are working from your shortlist); gain contacts for doc prep and closing services; etc.

 

[Brian Noble]

Agreed. It was about two years between the first thought of "maybe a timeshare would work for us" to my first purchase. The last six months of that time was spent doing a lot of reading.

 

[southgal]

To me, "doing the research" means spending a year reading everything you can on TUG. Learn all you can about resort mgt for both independents and brandname clubs; learn about exchanging: characteristics of trade "power," VEP, internal exchange preferences, when/why to use RCI/II/SFX/DAE/TPI or other exchange companies; points/weeks/UDI; prepare your checklist for evaluating a resale purchase (once you are working from your shortlist); gain contacts for doc prep and closing services; etc.

Thanks, terrific info. I'm needing to learn the language, so this is a great beginning to my "dictionary". I am surprised that TUG seems to be the only place noted, but maybe that's a good thing -- just 1 site to navigate versus a dozen. Thanks again.

 

[bwvBound]

southgal -

Add to your learning plan a careful evaluation of your own "wish list and needs." It took some tweaking (trying/buying/selling) - but we now have a great combination of drive-to and "dream" destinations; points and weeks; "own to use" and "own to trade" properties; etc. Two of our local properties offer "day use" with pools, fitness center, golf, tennis and equestrian. Very cool. Timesharing is soooo fun.

 

[happymommy]

You don't "join" II. DVC holds the membership in II and allows members access to limited bookings. You can't view the online availability and must call Member Service to see what is available.

Actually, you do have to pay annually to have membership into II. We own Marriott Ko Olina, and the first year it's paid for. After that, you do have to pay for this.

Also, Marriott has Right of First Refusal, just like Disney.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Actually, you do have to pay annually to have membership into II. We own Marriott Ko Olina, and the first year it's paid for. After that, you do have to pay for this.

Also, Marriott has Right of First Refusal, just like Disney.

You are right about Marriott. But DVC doesn't allow DVC members individual membership into II. So there is no annual payment to II by DVC members individually. Just the corporate membership that DVC owns to allow members to trade.

Hilton Grand VC also allows members to purchase an individual membership.

 

[Dean]

Actually, you do have to pay annually to have membership into II. We own Marriott Ko Olina, and the first year it's paid for. After that, you do have to pay for this.

Also, Marriott has Right of First Refusal, just like Disney.

while true, I see that as a plus for Marriott given you have direct access to II including online, Marriott to marriott trading preference (if you own Marriott), better trade power in MAN instances than DVC, the potential of bonus weeks and access to cash getaways.

 

[Deb & Bill]

while true, I see that as a plus for Marriott given you have direct access to II including online, Marriott to marriott trading preference (if you own Marriott), better trade power in MAN instances than DVC, the potential of bonus weeks and access to cash getaways.

We just checked out the new Crystal Shores (I think that's the name) at Marco Island. For $57K I can get one week, direct beach view and a very luxurious two bedroom condo. And direct access to II. It was a beautiful place, though. Just out of my price range.

 

[Dean]

We just checked out the new Crystal Shores (I think that's the name) at Marco Island. For $57K I can get one week, direct beach view and a very luxurious two bedroom condo. And direct access to II. It was a beautiful place, though. Just out of my price range.

That is an extreme example, I think the top option there is in the $140K price range last I heard but I'm glad to hear it's looking good as I plan to exchange in there. Anyone who buys such a week would be an idiot to routinely exchange it for all but a few other top notch places. But from an exchange standpoint $5-10K can get you essentially everything that Crystal Shores or Maui (as examples) would get you. It does bring up a pointe I've made many times that applies to DVC and any other top timeshare for peak weeks. Trading a BMW for a Chevy is simply stupid but the reverse makes great sense. Of course one would often have to compromise for one purchase to get the best unit that works for you to use and also makes sense to trade. For Marriott it often makes better sense to buy two weeks (one to use and one to trade) and buy them so you can reserve using the 13 month reservation option as well.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Sorry, new to the thread and to the idea of timeshares. I want to buy into DVC so I can go to WDW and maybe DLR one-two times a year. My DH is not a Disney freak like me so I have been tempting him with the idea of golfing at other destinations by trading our points. But this thread makes it sound very difficult and even unlikely that I will be able to do this. Oh dear!

 

[culli]

Sorry, new to the thread and to the idea of timeshares. I want to buy into DVC so I can go to WDW and maybe DLR one-two times a year. My DH is not a Disney freak like me so I have been tempting him with the idea of golfing at other destinations by trading our points. But this thread makes it sound very difficult and even unlikely that I will be able to do this. Oh dear!

There are many many better options if you want to trade than DVC. We own DVC to STAY at WDW and have no intention on trading. I also own some other TS that I picked up for very cheap that trade into DVC, Marriott, and other nice resorts. If you like forums and research this site http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/ will give you some really good info on TS. My view is ONLY buy DVC if you plan to use it at DVC (some others will disagree with me) and buy a good "trade" week (you need to research) for going to other places.