DVC Member Events/Specials Increasing?

[BK2014]

I have only been a DVC member since January. But it seems that lately there are a lot of DVC member events/specials being offered. We bought resale so we wouldn't be eligible. But I am wondering if they have increased these offerings as a way to lure more direct buyers, or have they always had a similar number of DVC member offerings?

 

[ELMC]

I have only been a DVC member since January. But it seems that lately there are a lot of DVC member events/specials being offered. We bought resale so we wouldn't be eligible. But I am wondering if they have increased these offerings as a way to lure more direct buyers, or have they always had a similar number of DVC member offerings?

Very astute observation. Over the past few years DVC has felt the impact of the resale market and the negative effect that it has had on direct sales. They're taking a carrot and stick approach. They used the stick in 2011 and again in 2016 by imposing restrictions on those who purchased resale. The events that you are describing are the carrot...the incentives to entice people to buy direct. Once they have the desired effect there is a strong possibility that they take these incentives away. But in the meantime if they mean that much to you, a good strategy is to buy a resale contract and then add on 25 points direct at the same resort with the same UY. It qualifies you for all these offers without fully committing you to the direct purchase price for your entire ownership.

 

[Wakey]

Yes you have got to remember all these events, lounges etc - they are not actually supplied or paid for by DVC (out of dues in which case they would have to be open to everyone). All they are is marketing, paid for by DVD, solely for the purpose of selling new timeshares. Ken P and his team decided they were now being hit so hard with resales, that they put more restrictions on, and offered more events. The good news is that legally, they cannot take anything else away from my analysis. All they can do is give away more marketing freebies. Most people would never get the value out of these perks, compared to the savings they make, but they do not do the proper calculations. They often do not even know resale, then have buyers remorse when they find out, then start on forums talking about the fantastic benefits of direct over resale, as a way of justifying spending over double what they possibly had to. As ELMC says if you really need the perks (and I think only worthwhile if you are buying annual passes), then a 25 point direct add on is the way to go. Rather than spending £185 buying Copper Creek to stay in a studio, many people would be infinitely better off saving thousands AND buying double points at say SSR at $75 a point, enough to get a 1 bed, which is much much more likely to mean getting resort of choice at 7 months, albeit there will be a bit more dues, but then again, get a studio one year and rent out all those extra points for a nice profit, and you are staying in a suite rather than cramped in a studio (family is cramped in there, not couples).

 

[disneynutz]

As fast as current management added the perks, the next management team can take them away.

Bill