DVC Buyer’s Remorse Update!

[culli]

If you have any reservations, cancel save the upfront cost and rent. This is a big thing research and know the ins and outs and don't buy unless you are sure this is the right thing for your family.

IF you like the EPCOT resorts I suggest buying at BWV or BCV but if you can't/won't/don't want to book between 7-11 months then rethink your strategy. I love booking at 11 month window and we also love EPCOT area......we own at BCV but wish we owned all our pts here for that reason.

If you are going to book at 6 months like you said SSR pts are the cheapest on the resale market, longer contract and very good MFs. Bang for the buck SSR is the best DVC deal out there, and has the treehouses. After 7 months pts are pts doesn't matter where you own except for the MFs you pay.

 

[sleepydog25]

Wow!! Thanks for all the replies!

Let me clarify, by last minute I mean about 6 months out. We do plan one vacation a year about a year in advance but the others are more 5-6 months prior. The more spontaneous vacations are usually the shorter getaways.

I love Epcot resorts (we usually stay Swan, Dolphin or YC). I’d be willing to try BLT but not more than that. The reason we chose BLT was the longer ownership period and lower yearly dues. We figured that BLT might be easier to sell in 20 years (if we choose too) than older resorts with ownership until 2042.

Anyways, I did check The Timeshare Store and the prices are much much lower than what we paid for BLT on the Dream.

I called my DH and we’re going to sit and look over everything (including this thread) tonight.

Wanted to add, we've been going to WDW every year (sometimes more) for about 12 years. Every year we say that we should've bought DVC years ago, so on the cruise we just decided to sign up.

Thanks again!!

It bears repeating that the best option for most is to "buy where you want to stay." However, if any resort will do--and if you plan to do most of your DVC reservations 5-6 months out that will most often have to be the case--then go for a less expensive option. Resale contracts are much cheaper, but if you've done some research, you'll have read by now that there are rule changes afoot for resale contracts that are submitted after 20 Mar 2011. That doesn't make resales a bad choice, just be aware of all the issues. And I strongly agree with Lynne M about not taking resale considerations into account--the resale market is too big of an "if" to use as any sort of basis for buying into DVC. If you want to have pre-paid accomodations at a DVC resort, especially your own, for the life of the contract, then DVC can most definitely work for you, but that's the only truly worthwhile consideration when deciding to buy or not. Again, good luck, and let us know what you decided.

 

[sweetdana]

Cancel, until you are sure of what you want.
Do not regret a huge purchase and commitment to MF over a rush decision.
If your fav resorts are BC or BW I see no reason to pay more for BLT.

Ideally makes more sense to pay less resale for what you want.

If you have to finance, (and this is why you are going direct), I think OKW is 90$ a point, and same years or close to it. Or SSR I think 4 yrs less, I would consider this over the extra 30$ a point. This would be fine with 7 month window without paying the BLT premium price.
Also if your goal is to probably resell in 20 yrs, buy smaller contracts like 75 points a piece they resell better, and if you are doing say 200 points do 2 75 points and a 50 point contract (buying direct). G L

 

[Sammie]

Oh my gosh, these sales people are getting to be absolutely ridiculous.

Buy, where you want to stay, it is getting harder and harder to get what you want unless you do.

I have too agree, cancel and if they ask why, please let them know you don't appreciate being told information that is not truthful.

The thing is you might not be able to book further out than 6 months now, but that could change. There might be a time you would like to have a Grand Villa at the Boardwalk and you are going to need to own there for that.

 

[ToddyLu]

I think anyone would have certain regrets after a large expensive purchase. I did for a couple of days until I settled on the fact that there was no way DH and I could stay in a SV room at AKV on a fireman/nurse salary year after year. So we purchased DVC in 2009 and have not looked back. We purchased direct from Disney and financed....still no regrets.

I would cancel at least for now. Regroup, do some looking at resales and see what you get. If it is before 3/20/11 great, you can use those resale points to go on cruises and stay certain places that will not be available using those points after 3/20/11. If you are going to Disney every year anyway then this little hiccup isn't going to affect your ownership at all.

DVC will be there, resales will be there and you can take your time to make a more informed decision--win-win.

 

[ToddyLu]

Definitely buy where you want to stay--if you love EPCOT, buy there by all means. If it were me I would be thinking "man we could be staying at BCV right now, floating at SAB---but nooooo we had to get points at BLT. While BLT is lovely, it just isn't us.....man I could watch Illuminations tonight and be back at the room in 10 minutes walk.". Of course the owners who bought at BCV but wanted BLT are saying. " man we could be enjoying a drink at TOTWL---but nooooo we listened to that stupid salesman and bought here---there are too many people running around the pool here and I could be watching Wishes from my balcony."

We bought at AKV sight unseen--never saw the property and we were going to WDW yearly. We lucked out, DH decided that AKV was the right resort for us and I went along--luckily it was perfect. Don't short change yourself and worry about the end date--heck isn't it still 30 years away??

 

[cseca]

Oh and one more thing,
With all the changes that DVC has been passing ("improvements" based on guests feedback), I would really strongly consider purchasing where you want to stay.

The only thing we as owners are promised is a home resort stay if/when you can get availability. Everything else is just "perks". So all the exchanges that we are getting right now (even within DVC resorts) could be taken away and there's really nothing we can do about it other than sell our contracts.

Soooo... just a little heads up in that direction.

 

[Mtnman44]

Cancel, Cancel, Cancel. It sounds like you have a lot to still think about. Availability is getting very limited these days at 7 months, at least in my experience. My first, second, and third choices were not available for my last stay in the second half of January when I booked at 7 months.

Do not spend the money to own at BLT unless that is where you usually want to stay. (my opinion).

 

[La2kw]

You may want to cancel. Your guide should have told you that booking ahead is necessary with DVC. Last minute plans are not a good idea, especially if you prefer the Epcot area.

 

[Kymm1111]

We added on at blt. I know blt is a magic kingdom resort but with the monorail, we find it super convenient to get to epcot.
We were on a waitlist for bwv for starwars weekend this year and got the res. a week ago. I find the later I book , the "less" choice I have in accomodations but I waitlist all over the place and 80% of the time it comes through!

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

If you have any doubts----at all---cancel now. Research the system, both from the developer and in the resale market, and make an informed decision.

I agree. If I ever question a purchase then I return it asap or cancel the transaction. I know I can always purchase later if I think right at a later time but I may not be able to cancel later.

Jason

 

[buck4568]

If you think you would rather purchase reale DVC points do it now because changes are coming! Read below:


New Policy Announced for Re-sale Purchases

Disney Vacation Club® has announced a new policy that limits access to certain Member Getaways exchanges for Ownership Interests purchased on the secondary market (also known as the re-sale market).

Under the new policy, Members who purchase from anyone other than Disney Vacation Development, Inc. after March 20, 2011, will not be eligible to use those Vacation Points to make reservations within the Concierge Collection, the Disney Collection (including the Disney Cruise Line) or the Adventurer Collection. Those Vacation Points will instead be valid only for reservations at Disney Vacation Club resorts, as well as for RCI® exchanges, Club Cordial and Club Intrawest.

The affected collections are special Member benefits programs offered by Disney Vacation Development, Inc., and are not part of Members' Ownership Interests. That said, Members who purchased on the secondary market prior to March 21, 2011, may use those Vacation Points for all Member Getaways.

Note that the policy doesn't impact banking, borrowing or transferring Vacation Points. All Members will continue to have the ability make such transactions, regardless of where they purchased their Ownership Interests.


___________________________________________


Disney announced the change on January 18th, 2011.

We are sending this email to make sure everyone is aware of the change. Since the announcement, there has been quite a reaction. We have placed some of the buyer and seller thoughts below. If you have any questions please call us at 1-800-550-6493 or email us at sales@dvcstore.com.

1) Sellers who were on the fence about selling are listing their property NOW, as these sellers feel that this is the highest dollar amount they may ever be able to get for their property. If we sell your property, you MUST return the initial paperwork to us by 3/20/11 BEFORE 5:30 pm so that we can submit the contract to Disney and the buyer can have all the benefits. Disney has informed us the contracts have to be submitted to them no later than 3/20/11 in order for the buyer to have full benefits. If you would like the details on selling please email us at sales@dvcstore.com and we can let you know what similar properties are currently selling for and email you a listing agreement.

2) Buyers who were on the fence about buying more points are acting quickly since it doesn't cost anymore to get all the options to their Disney Vacation Club membership, just in case they or their friends and relatives want to take a cruise or use the other Collections. If you do decide to purchase now, you must return the initial paperwork to us by 3/20/11 BEFORE 5:30 pm, giving us time to submit it to Disney in order for you to have all the benefits. Disney has informed us that the contracts have to be submitted to them by 3/20/11 in order for the buyer to have full benefits.

 

[DVC Eric]

We dont regret buying just wish we would have bought our first dvc where we like to stay. Disney vacation club will also sell you other resorts if you are persitant like at the boardwalk or beachclub you might have to wait for them to come available.

 

[Carl'n'Ellie'sDad]

My two zinc-oxide coins will echo many others -- buy where you want to stay. Don't count on availability at the resort you really want at 7 months, certainly not less than 7. Don't take it as a certainty that you will be able to book at a resort other than your home resort -- DVD's recent decision on resales after 3/20 may have beneficial affects for their bottom line, but for those paying attention, it has just called attention to the fact that any "perk" not in the POS, including booking at non-home resorts, is negotiable.

There is no reason, other than following the path of least resistance, to pay the direct DVD premium for BLT if it's not Where you want to call home.

After you make a decision about your current contract, there are two different ways you could go. If you have your heart set on Epcot, be aware that you will need to plan ahead to take advantage of your home-resort priority. If you can't plan ahead, and you're at least OK with the "condo resorts" (SSR and OKW), you could probably save 000s with an SSR or OKW resale -- IF you would be happy staying there.

Good luck! I hope a lot of us haven't scared you completely away from DVC -- our family has only been members for 6 years, and it has given us great memories and that next trip to look forward to. You won't experience WDW the same way again. However, it's best if you learn how to use DVC as a tool to get the Disney experience you want.

 

[culli]

We added on at blt. I know blt is a magic kingdom resort but with the monorail, we find it super convenient to get to epcot.
We were on a waitlist for bwv for starwars weekend this year and got the res. a week ago. I find the later I book , the "less" choice I have in accomodations but I waitlist all over the place and 80% of the time it comes through!

Just a note on waitlists - not sure what waitlist all over the place means but you can only have 2 active waitlists now. This can be an issue for some, it is for us as we plan multiple trips in year. PLaces with multiple booking categories like BWV, BLT, and AKV and SSR with the treehouses add to the waitlist issue. This is a strategy that worked great for us before the waitlist change.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

Thanks for all the advice!

My Dh and I decided to cancel the contract. I sent my fax to DVC this morning.

We also decided that we want DVC but at an Epcot resort. We're trying to contact the Timeshare Store as we have a few questions.

I feel really good about my decision.

Thanks again.

 

[lugnut33]

Wise decision young Padawan.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

Wise decision young Padawan.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Thanks for all the advice!

My Dh and I decided to cancel the contract. I sent my fax to DVC this morning.

We also decided that we want DVC but at an Epcot resort. We're trying to contact the Timeshare Store as we have a few questions.

I feel really good about my decision.

Thanks again.

I think that in the end you will be glad you did this. I bought my BWV contract through the Timeshare Store and had a great experience.

The good news here is that from your description of how you vacation, it sounds like your family is a perfect fit for DVC... now you need to find the right contract to meet those needs

 

[disney11fan]

We just bought Vacation Club Points on the Dream last week. After reading all the negatives I am suffering from buyer’s remorse. I am still in my 10 day cancellation window and am considering cancelling.

I would really appreciate some input.

First of all My Dh and I are not really into booking 11-7 months in advance for all our vacations. Our guide told us that wasn’t a problem. The only time of year where it’s tough to go last minute is thanksgiving to Christmas. Is that true?

We like staying at an Epcot resort but bought BLT. He told us that’s it’s not a problem to get Boardwalk or Beach club villas (except December). Is that true?

We told him that we wanted to go to Hawaii next summer again he said no problem.

Were we just being naïve? How realistic are our expectations?

Again input would be greatly appreciated.

if your thinking about it....then you need to cancel...now.