DVC direct buyers

[Tamar]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think that you can add on a small contract only to your home resort. If you buy a different resort you must buy the minimum allotment if you buy direct, i.e. 160 points.

I've never heard this. Can someone confirm?

 

[AnnaS]

I am sure someone will chime in here soon - but unless things have changed recently - you don't need to buy the minimum of 160 (which is now 100 from what I have been reading) for a new resort. My friend has additional points at Vero and HH for under 160. I believe HH is 50.

 

[bakerworld]

We were called last night by our guide and offered 100 pts at AKL @ 115/pt - with no MF until 2012 which would be reduced due to march purchase date and 2011 plus 2012 pts. + $500 gift card - what do you think??

 

[katieam1]

We were called last night by our guide and offered 100 pts at AKL @ 115/pt - with no MF until 2012 which would be reduced due to march purchase date and 2011 plus 2012 pts. + $500 gift card - what do you think??

We just did this deal. I was asking my guide about VGF but said no news on that so told me about this deal.

 

[disneynutz]

We were called last night by our guide and offered 100 pts at AKL @ 115/pt - with no MF until 2012 which would be reduced due to march purchase date and 2011 plus 2012 pts. + $500 gift card - what do you think??

I think that the offer is $110 per point and they are giving you the points that you are entitled to, 2011 and 2012. Don't you love the spin that the Guides put on the deal.

Still more expensive than buying resale but only you know if it's acceptable to you.

Bill

I just noticed that AKV is selling resale for 75 per point. That's a $3500 premum for buying direct!

 

[katieam1]

I think that the offer is $110 per point and they are giving you the points that you are entitled to, 2011 and 2012. Don't you love the spin that the Guides put on the deal.

Still more expensive than buying resale but only you know if it's acceptable to you.

Bill

Nope it is $115 per point after the $10 per point discount for 100-159 points. They raised the prices to $125 per point at AKV recently

 

[disneynutz]

Nope it is $115 per point after the $10 per point discount for 100-159 points. They raised the prices to $125 per point at AKV recently

Take $500 off for the Gift Card.

Bill

 

[disney11fan]

I just don't understand DVC. What's the payback period vs buying into DVC. We go on 1 vacation a year anywhere between 7-10 days and go to Disney. We stay at the value resorts because we don't spend alot of time in the room. Can anyone shed some light on the up front cost and yearly dues if there are any vs paying year to year.

 

[zavandor]

If you stay at values and are happy with it, DVC will not help to save any money.
The yearly maintenance fee costs alone will make you pay about the same price than a value resort.
If you factor in the money you pay to buy the points upfront (that will de-value over time, up to zero when the contract ends and property goes back to Disney) and the opportunity cost of how much you could earn investing that money, you will end paying about you would pay for a moderate resort.

What DVC is all about is upgrading you accommodation. You will stay in villa instead of a value room. You will have more space, a deluxe resort with lots of amenities and activities, often a very good position (from some resorts you can walk to a park or to DTD), a full kitchen and washer and drier in your room (or only a kitchenette and free use of resort laundry in a studio).
You won't spend less, but you'll stay better.

If you are searching for a way to save money, DVC is not for you. If you want to enjoy deluxe vacations for the next 40 years, DVC might be for you.
Just be sure to read a lot this board, you'll find lots of useful informations (like I did) that will help you to take the best decision. For many NOT to buy is the best decision.

There is a useful thread about renting vs buying. You'll discover that renting points instead of buying is a very valid option too.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2867777

 

[JimMIA]

We were called last night by our guide and offered 100 pts at AKL @ 115/pt - with no MF until 2012 which would be reduced due to march purchase date and 2011 plus 2012 pts. + $500 gift card - what do you think??

You're getting a 4% discount on an $11,500 purchase ($500). They are giving you nothing except the points you are buying. You are paying the 2012 MFs that you would owe for 9-10 months of ownership in 2012.

Resale prices would be much lower, depending on what resort you buy, and more than likely you'd get the 2012 MFs thrown in because they are already probably paid in full.

But only you can decide what's a good deal.

 

[a742246]

I just don't understand DVC. What's the payback period vs buying into DVC. We go on 1 vacation a year anywhere between 7-10 days and go to Disney. We stay at the value resorts because we don't spend alot of time in the room. Can anyone shed some light on the up front cost and yearly dues if there are any vs paying year to year.

Here is example: You travel 7-10 days a year to WDW. Lets say you travel off peak season. You are thinking about buying a DVC and you want to know if it will save you money. You will need about 100 points. This will be good for 9-10 days a year. You can buy a OKW DVC for about $5,000.00 that will suit your needs(this is only for a studio), MF this year will be about $530.00.
If you prorate 5000.00 over 30 years. Let's say for argument it adds $200.00 a year to that $530.00 yearly MF. So the total for ownership comes to $730.00 a year. Lets say 9 nights of lodging. That comes to $81.00 a day and there is no tax.
I do not know how much off peak value Disney hotels prices are???? Does anyone kow?

This above sample will give you a simple (2012 price) idea if DVC will save you money. Other resorts and other times will be different prices. This is just a simple snapshot for price comparisons only.

 

[disneymom0331]

Hi Everyone, this is only my 2nd time posting a thread or replying, so I'm sorry if it isn't the correct way. We are huge Disney fans who go to Disney World every year to every other year. We just got back from the Disney Dream cruise and fell in love with this! Everyone we talked to on the cruise were DVC members and couldn't believe we were not with all the times we have traveled to Disney. To make a long story short we have called in the past and thought about purchasing DVC direct. We made an appointment with Saratoga Springs when we got back from our cruise and before we had to head back to Minnesota and had the most horrible experience. The sales girl was a complete snot! She kept saying she didn't think this was for us because we had called in the past, but never bought. She would not even shake our hands as we were leaving. We did call in the past but never got an explination of points or how DVC worked. I'm wondering if anyone can give a name and contact of another sales person we could try and work with. I refused to buy when we were there because the girl was so horrible with us. Customer Service and Disney "normally" go hand in hand. Thank you all so much. I love reading all your posts! Very helpful!!!

 

[MsRem]

Hi Everyone, this is only my 2nd time posting a thread or replying, so I'm sorry if it isn't the correct way. We are huge Disney fans who go to Disney World every year to every other year. We just got back from the Disney Dream cruise and fell in love with this! Everyone we talked to on the cruise were DVC members and couldn't believe we were not with all the times we have traveled to Disney. To make a long story short we have called in the past and thought about purchasing DVC direct. We made an appointment with Saratoga Springs when we got back from our cruise and before we had to head back to Minnesota and had the most horrible experience. The sales girl was a complete snot! She kept saying she didn't think this was for us because we had called in the past, but never bought. She would not even shake our hands as we were leaving. We did call in the past but never got an explination of points or how DVC worked. I'm wondering if anyone can give a name and contact of another sales person we could try and work with. I refused to buy when we were there because the girl was so horrible with us. Customer Service and Disney "normally" go hand in hand. Thank you all so much. I love reading all your posts! Very helpful!!!

I dont blame you one bit! There would be no way, no how I would buy from someone with that type of attitude. Our guide's name is Randy Kruger and is as nice as can be and will gladly answer any questions. Not sure if he takes brand new sales or not though. If you run a search on this board I believe there is a thread giving props to different guides and giving everyone's experience with them. At least I think its this board as I frequent a few.

Another thing, read everything you can on these boards and really understand how DVC works, that way if you do go direct for points, you'll understand all the ins and outs if you end up with a guide thats not so genuine.

 

[MousekeTom]

I'm wondering if anyone can give a name and contact of another sales person we could try and work with.

I would suggest you ask for Judy Kaufman.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I'm wondering if anyone can give a name and contact of another sales person we could try and work with.

Many of us are quite attached to our guides. LOL, I won't be surprised if you don't have a list of 10 recommendations shortly.

We decided to purchase DVC after requesting the DVD by mail, and bought sight unseen without ever taking the tour at SSR. (I'm almost glad we did, if an experience like yours could have been possible. I'd hate to think we could have been turned off to what has turned out to be a wonderful purchase and many great vacations.)

Our guide is Bernard Lebeaupin (just ask for Bernard, the folks who answer the sales center phones all know no one can pronounce his last name). He specializes in phone sales and has been a tremendous help to us with our two direct purchases. He's as friendly as can be, and I really felt he was looking out for us. (Yes, I know he's a salesman and he's really looking out for interests besides ours, but he earned our trust during our initial purchase. We bought back when they were offering friends and family discounts, but we didn't know to ask for it. Friends of my parents are owners and were willing to refer us. When I read about the deal here on DISboards, our contract was already being processed. I asked him if we were too late, and he said, "oh no, we're going to make that work for you." Sure enough, we got a new contract to sign a few days later and saved quite a bit of money.)

Of course, if you decide to go the resale route, you don't need a DVC guide.

 

[Irishmom23]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think that you can add on a small contract only to your home resort. If you buy a different resort you must buy the minimum allotment if you buy direct, i.e. 160 points.

I just called my guide at WDW to inquire about a 60 point add-on for BCV and to see if it was available or if I needed to be put on a waiting list. I own at Saratoga Springs (250 points) but could have purchased the 60 points at BCV today if I wanted to. I have looked at resales but have not been able to find a contract small enough and in the use year I want, so I will have to go with Disney directly as I need my add-on before next January.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Many of us are quite attached to our guides. LOL, I won't be surprised if you don't have a list of 10 recommendations shortly.

Our guide is Bernard Lebeaupin (just ask for Bernard, the folks who answer the sales center phones all know no one can pronounce his last name). He specializes in phone sales and has been a tremendous help to us with our two direct purchases. He's as friendly as can be, and I really felt he was looking out for us. (Yes, I know he's a salesman and he's really looking out for interests besides ours, but he earned our trust during our initial purchase. We bought back when they were offering friends and family discounts, but we didn't know to ask for it. Friends of my parents are owners and were willing to refer us. When I read about the deal here on DISboards, our contract was already being processed. I asked him if we were too late, and he said, "oh no, we're going to make that work for you." Sure enough, we got a new contract to sign a few days later and saved quite a bit of money.)

Of course, if you decide to go the resale route, you don't need a DVC guide.

My guide was Bernard as well. He was great, very helpful, very informative (although I did learn a lot more from the disboards). I can say he was not pushy, and I didn't feel pressure from him to buy. I did feel if I was going to buy direct, I definitely would have bought from him. We ended up going resale because of the huge price difference. He broke down the difference between buying resale and buying direct for me as well, but in the end, it wasn't worth the premium to buy direct. So we went the resale route.

 

[bakerworld]

You're getting a 4% discount on an $11,500 purchase ($500). They are giving you nothing except the points you are buying. You are paying the 2012 MFs that you would owe for 9-10 months of ownership in 2012.

Resale prices would be much lower, depending on what resort you buy, and more than likely you'd get the 2012 MFs thrown in because they are already probably paid in full.

But only you can decide what's a good deal.

Thanks for confirming what I was thinking - just didn't think we were getting anything except the $500 card and I didn't think that was worth the 100 pts cost. Plus the pts were only at AKL - which we already own - or Anluni - which I don't want.

BTW, our guide verified that they can't move the Anluni resort at all

 

[DizBub]

The sales girl was a complete snot! She kept saying she didn't think this was for us because we had called in the past, but never bought. She would not even shake our hands as we were leaving. We did call in the past but never got an explination of points or how DVC worked. QUOTE]

This same thing happened to our DD and her DH. They took the tour Sept 2008 and were very interested but not financially ready. The next year before the trip back Sept 2009 they called their guide to set up a meeting. The guide basically chewed them out and told them not to waste any more of her time. Son-in-law called the preview center for an appointment during the trip and told them that under no circumstances would he deal with that woman. DD and Son-in-law (and we) bought during that meeting with the new guide. We have since added 100 points. The previous guide missed out on 3 sales with her crappy attitude.

Please do not let this bad experience put you off. There are some wonderful guides out there. Then again, keep doing your research and get good advice here, there's always resale. Buying direct is certainly easier but resale is a whole lot cheaper.

 

[TheYellowDart]

Wow, what a bad experience... Our guide (have not even bought yet) still answers questions and calls to see how we are doing or thinking and asks how our normal Disney vacations are ... We have been working with her for a year ... she puts up with a lot I guess. Try someone else for sure though but let Disney know what you think of the other guide