DVC Presentation experience

[ChrisParker]

Hi all

I have been debating whether or not to share this but I can't stop thinking about it and I'm also considering writing to Disney themselves but I really don't know if it will make a difference.

Nevertheless, here is our story.

Last year I convinced DH to go to a conference in Orlando so I could take a few days off and go with him. During that time I went on the DVC presentation because why not. I didn't even know about the fastpasses when I went that time and we were staying at the conference hotel so there was no gift card. I had a lovely hour with a gentleman named Judson who answered all my questions and gave me lots of advice that I found helpful (including Canadians shouldn't use our financing. You should do that on your own at home and go from there, which turned out to be relevant later). There was no pressure and after I talked to him I was thinking it might be a possibility for us.

Fast forward to last week when DH and I were both at WDW for a vacation without the kids and I said you should really do this thing with me and see what you think about it. So off we went. We made an appt with a gentleman named Ashley in Disney Springs and they picked us up from Movies at 8:10 the next morning. The driver was great and we were soon there.

I won't name the salesman we spoke to but if anyone wants to know his name to avoid having him do your sales pitch, PM me.

We sat down in the little room and watched the video. Then he turned to us and said, "Why are you here? You went last year already." I was a bit taken aback. I said, well, my husband is here now and I wanted him to hear first hand the information also.

We then sat through a high pressure sales pitch. I can't remember it in sequence, partly because I was so shocked for the first 10 minutes.

Highlights included - You should really buy today. Prices just went up 20% and if you wait even a few weeks they could go up that much again.

I mentioned what Judson had said about Canadian financing. I was told I should lock into the DVC financing today and then pay it off early if I found a better deal at home.

I mentioned that this big of a purchase would require us to go home and talk to our advisor and look at how it would fit long term. I was told that my advisor couldn't understand the value of a Disney vacation so it wasn't worth talking to him.

My husband naively asked about the benefits of buying direct over resale. We were told that if we bought resale we would not have membership cards and that we would miss out on a lot of perks, and that Disney had never lessened the perks of DVC but would only ever increase them.

I mentioned the fact that the US dollar is at $1.38 at the moment and that if that changed it would make a big deal of difference on a bit purchase so we were trying to time that as well. I was told that I hadn't let the dollar make a difference when I planned my current trip (which was not true) and I shouldn't let it make a difference here either.

I asked about the resale restrictions at the Riviera. First he pretended not to know what I was talking about. I was told that just as "a certain type of clientele" buy at Grand Floridian, it would likely be the same type who would want to buy at Riveira, so it wouldn't be an issue on resale because there would be so many people who would only want to stay at Riviera, but he would show us the Wilderness Lodge suite as well. (It so happens that we liked it a lot better.)

He spent a lot of time telling us how we could use our points anywhere we wanted all over the world, etc. and stressed that we should cruise with them also. Then I asked about Aulani. I said, well how about Aulani, what would that price point be? And he flatly refused to tell me. He said, "You don't want to buy there. It's too expensive to get there. You couldn't fly there every year." I said, "Yes, but you've just told me how I can use the points anywhere." He ignored me and started talking about something else.

At some point, my husband flat out said, "We're not in a position to sign today but we are interested in taking the information and considering it."

Within about 5 seconds of that, the salesman said, "Well let's get you the things you were promised and get you out of here."

Suffice it to say, I was deeply offended by the experience, as well as shocked. I left there thinking why on earth would I ever deal with these people instead of going resale? I keep going over it in my head and I have never heard anyone say they had an experience like this.

Anyway. Maybe now I've shared it with y'all I can get some peace around it and leave it.

 

[katandmouse]

How awful for you! I think it would be good for you to write Disney. Even if it doesn’t directly change things it could help you feel more closure. I would hope they would at least speak to this guide though. And if enough people register complaints like this, maybe they’d take notice.

 

[jerseyduke]

If you are considering writing Disney themselves even though they may not do anything, just say the Guides name...that is where your power is.

(of course, I am just saying what I would do - you have to be comfortable in your own skin)

 

[motherof5]

Hi all

I have been debating whether or not to share this but I can't stop thinking about it and I'm also considering writing to Disney themselves but I really don't know if it will make a difference.

Nevertheless, here is our story.

Last year I convinced DH to go to a conference in Orlando so I could take a few days off and go with him. During that time I went on the DVC presentation because why not. I didn't even know about the fastpasses when I went that time and we were staying at the conference hotel so there was no gift card. I had a lovely hour with a gentleman named Judson who answered all my questions and gave me lots of advice that I found helpful (including Canadians shouldn't use our financing. You should do that on your own at home and go from there, which turned out to be relevant later). There was no pressure and after I talked to him I was thinking it might be a possibility for us.

Fast forward to last week when DH and I were both at WDW for a vacation without the kids and I said you should really do this thing with me and see what you think about it. So off we went. We made an appt with a gentleman named Ashley in Disney Springs and they picked us up from Movies at 8:10 the next morning. The driver was great and we were soon there.

I won't name the salesman we spoke to but if anyone wants to know his name to avoid having him do your sales pitch, PM me.

We sat down in the little room and watched the video. Then he turned to us and said, "Why are you here? You went last year already." I was a bit taken aback. I said, well, my husband is here now and I wanted him to hear first hand the information also.

We then sat through a high pressure sales pitch. I can't remember it in sequence, partly because I was so shocked for the first 10 minutes.

Highlights included - You should really buy today. Prices just went up 20% and if you wait even a few weeks they could go up that much again.

I mentioned what Judson had said about Canadian financing. I was told I should lock into the DVC financing today and then pay it off early if I found a better deal at home.

I mentioned that this big of a purchase would require us to go home and talk to our advisor and look at how it would fit long term. I was told that my advisor couldn't understand the value of a Disney vacation so it wasn't worth talking to him.

My husband naively asked about the benefits of buying direct over resale. We were told that if we bought resale we would not have membership cards and that we would miss out on a lot of perks, and that Disney had never lessened the perks of DVC but would only ever increase them.

I mentioned the fact that the US dollar is at $1.38 at the moment and that if that changed it would make a big deal of difference on a bit purchase so we were trying to time that as well. I was told that I hadn't let the dollar make a difference when I planned my current trip (which was not true) and I shouldn't let it make a difference here either.

I asked about the resale restrictions at the Riviera. First he pretended not to know what I was talking about. I was told that just as "a certain type of clientele" buy at Grand Floridian, it would likely be the same type who would want to buy at Riveira, so it wouldn't be an issue on resale because there would be so many people who would only want to stay at Riviera, but he would show us the Wilderness Lodge suite as well. (It so happens that we liked it a lot better.)

He spent a lot of time telling us how we could use our points anywhere we wanted all over the world, etc. and stressed that we should cruise with them also. Then I asked about Aulani. I said, well how about Aulani, what would that price point be? And he flatly refused to tell me. He said, "You don't want to buy there. It's too expensive to get there. You couldn't fly there every year." I said, "Yes, but you've just told me how I can use the points anywhere." He ignored me and started talking about something else.

At some point, my husband flat out said, "We're not in a position to sign today but we are interested in taking the information and considering it."

Within about 5 seconds of that, the salesman said, "Well let's get you the things you were promised and get you out of here."

Suffice it to say, I was deeply offended by the experience, as well as shocked. I left there thinking why on earth would I ever deal with these people instead of going resale? I keep going over it in my head and I have never heard anyone say they had an experience like this.

Anyway. Maybe now I've shared it with y'all I can get some peace around it and leave it.

How awful. You should let Disney know as this doesn't seem typical. Do you mind me asking what they give you for going to presentation? I have never gone but did buy direct and resale. Not sure if I would learn more going and if they would offer me anything.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

How awful. You should let Disney know as this doesn't seem typical. Do you mind me asking what they give you for going to presentation? I have never gone but did buy direct and resale. Not sure if I would learn more going and if they would offer me anything.

If you already own, they don't tend to give much more than ice cream.

 

[Tink10]

While it's not magical in any way, it could be that the salesperson you were with may have been newer and have come from another timeshare company who's much more high pressure (Think Westgate or Wyndham).

IMO, guides have changed drastically from when we first purchased. We were sad when our original guide left. We had an awesome relationship with her, received regular emails and a "Welcome Home!" call on every visit. When she left, that personal touch went out the window, so it wouldn't surprise me if they were turning a blind eye to higher pressure tactics..

 

[jbehr12]

Hi all

I have been debating whether or not to share this but I can't stop thinking about it and I'm also considering writing to Disney themselves but I really don't know if it will make a difference.

Nevertheless, here is our story.

Last year I convinced DH to go to a conference in Orlando so I could take a few days off and go with him. During that time I went on the DVC presentation because why not. I didn't even know about the fastpasses when I went that time and we were staying at the conference hotel so there was no gift card. I had a lovely hour with a gentleman named Judson who answered all my questions and gave me lots of advice that I found helpful (including Canadians shouldn't use our financing. You should do that on your own at home and go from there, which turned out to be relevant later). There was no pressure and after I talked to him I was thinking it might be a possibility for us.

Fast forward to last week when DH and I were both at WDW for a vacation without the kids and I said you should really do this thing with me and see what you think about it. So off we went. We made an appt with a gentleman named Ashley in Disney Springs and they picked us up from Movies at 8:10 the next morning. The driver was great and we were soon there.

I won't name the salesman we spoke to but if anyone wants to know his name to avoid having him do your sales pitch, PM me.

We sat down in the little room and watched the video. Then he turned to us and said, "Why are you here? You went last year already." I was a bit taken aback. I said, well, my husband is here now and I wanted him to hear first hand the information also.

We then sat through a high pressure sales pitch. I can't remember it in sequence, partly because I was so shocked for the first 10 minutes.

Highlights included - You should really buy today. Prices just went up 20% and if you wait even a few weeks they could go up that much again.

I mentioned what Judson had said about Canadian financing. I was told I should lock into the DVC financing today and then pay it off early if I found a better deal at home.

I mentioned that this big of a purchase would require us to go home and talk to our advisor and look at how it would fit long term. I was told that my advisor couldn't understand the value of a Disney vacation so it wasn't worth talking to him.

My husband naively asked about the benefits of buying direct over resale. We were told that if we bought resale we would not have membership cards and that we would miss out on a lot of perks, and that Disney had never lessened the perks of DVC but would only ever increase them.

I mentioned the fact that the US dollar is at $1.38 at the moment and that if that changed it would make a big deal of difference on a bit purchase so we were trying to time that as well. I was told that I hadn't let the dollar make a difference when I planned my current trip (which was not true) and I shouldn't let it make a difference here either.

I asked about the resale restrictions at the Riviera. First he pretended not to know what I was talking about. I was told that just as "a certain type of clientele" buy at Grand Floridian, it would likely be the same type who would want to buy at Riveira, so it wouldn't be an issue on resale because there would be so many people who would only want to stay at Riviera, but he would show us the Wilderness Lodge suite as well. (It so happens that we liked it a lot better.)

He spent a lot of time telling us how we could use our points anywhere we wanted all over the world, etc. and stressed that we should cruise with them also. Then I asked about Aulani. I said, well how about Aulani, what would that price point be? And he flatly refused to tell me. He said, "You don't want to buy there. It's too expensive to get there. You couldn't fly there every year." I said, "Yes, but you've just told me how I can use the points anywhere." He ignored me and started talking about something else.

At some point, my husband flat out said, "We're not in a position to sign today but we are interested in taking the information and considering it."

Within about 5 seconds of that, the salesman said, "Well let's get you the things you were promised and get you out of here."

Suffice it to say, I was deeply offended by the experience, as well as shocked. I left there thinking why on earth would I ever deal with these people instead of going resale? I keep going over it in my head and I have never heard anyone say they had an experience like this.

Anyway. Maybe now I've shared it with y'all I can get some peace around it and leave it.

Sounds like you got a cynical salesman who probably has a hard time closing sales, and decided to take his frustrations out on you.

 

[Malyficent]

I have a presentation setup at Saratoga Springs for this December. Like you, it's to show my husband how DVC works and to try to convince him to at least consider it. When I spoke with the guide over the phone (there was a mixup and they thought I wanted to do it over the phone), he brushed off the one question I had - about Use Years. It was a real turn off. I'm never going to buy something I don't fully understand and him just brushing the question off...well, I have my doubts about how this session is going to go. We shall see. In the meantime I will do my homework and brush up on use years.

 

[MinBz]

I’m sorry you had that experience. I’m hoping to do a tour in October. Can we request a certain guide or do we have to get whoever’s up in the queue? If we get to pick, anyone have experience with a great one that may still be there?

 

[MickyLynn]

That's a shame. Our guide was great. We told him we were there to look at resorts we might buy at and weren't ready to sign, he gave us his schedule and phone number, then sent us out to do our "homework". Before we left he showed us 75 vs 100 point costs and MFs for 4 resorts and let us take pictures of the numbers so we could use that while comparing.

He did use the "lets get you out of here" language, but it was in a nice way. A "get back to your vacation" way.

Don't book it in advance, go to a model early and let them offer something.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Sometimes you get lucky when you don't even know it. It was a good introduction to the fact that DVC is a timeshare. They usually hide it under the Disney name coupled with club but it's a timeshare with some sales people that fall right within the usual stereotype. Who knows. Maybe they are under directions so that DVC can watch and see if they close more sales than the laid back approach.

 

[CarolynFH]

I agree that you should let Disney know about your experience - and definitely tell them the Guide’s name.

 

[zavandor]

I'm sorry you had a stressful experience.
I'm particularly surprised by this:

I asked about the resale restrictions at the Riviera. First he pretended not to know what I was talking about.

What did you ask? About lost value when reselling?
I would think he would boast about resale being an inferior product, not trying to deny any restriction exist. Wondering if they're having some backlash from the restrictions and guide are on defensive mode already.

 

[ChrisParker]

I'm sorry you had a stressful experience.
I'm particularly surprised by this:



What did you ask? About lost value when reselling?
I would think he would boast about resale being an inferior product, not trying to deny any restriction exist. Wondering if they're having some backlash from the restrictions and guide are on defensive mode already.

Resale Riveria (I can't spell that for the life of me) can only be used at Rivera. I knew that thanks to Pete and the DVC show (whoop whoop).

 

[AlldayIdreamaboutDisney]

I’m sorry for you experience! I will say though when my DH and I were staying T CCV in myay my husband walked by a couple of guides standing outside Geyser Point and overheard one say to the other “so did you get ‘em? Did you get’em to sign ?” My husband came up to me and said Wow! They’ve certainly changed the way they work their DVC. He was really put off by them.

 

[ChrisParker]

I did decide to share the info with Disney. I got in a chat with someone who told me this gentleman's supervisor, edited my post here and sent it yesterday. I did mention that I would rather not be contacted by the salesman directly. I also mentioned that I am someone who #castcompliment s to the max and gives lots of positive feedback. I do feel like I've let it go now. For days I couldn't stop thinking about it. I usually identify more with Ana but...

 

[ChrisParker]

While it's not magical in any way, it could be that the salesperson you were with may have been newer and have come from another timeshare company who's much more high pressure (Think Westgate or Wyndham).

That was what DH thought as well. He had only ever been to normal non-Disney timeshare pitches and he didn't really see the problem. I educated him...

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I am glad you reported it. That was very different from my experience.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Being in that type of high end sales takes a tremendous amount of finesse and professionalism. Since I used to train people in a different, but highly specialized industry, I can say that you either "have it or you don't" and so many people just "don't". It's not that they don't want to do a good job, they just do not have the capacity to do so and sometimes all the training in the world can't do it. I'm sorry you and your husband had such a bad experience and agreed - you will never forget it. We generally buy resale but have purchased direct twice and gone to presentations three times. We had an excellent Guide then (1996 & 2000, 2017) and now (we bought 4 resales since)...we may make a direct purchase in the near future and would not hesitate to contact our Guide as he is nothing less than 100% professional. You were right to contact DVC as they should only have the best and brightest working for them. Take care.

 

[meekey7197]

That is disappointing I tell people all the time what a low pressure sales presentation it was. We went last week to tour Riviera and decided to buy a small contract. We got the same guide we had two years ago when we bought Poly. She treated us like we were old friends. She set us up in the little room, gave us the information and left my husband to play with the "magical calculator" on the computer until we came to a number we were both comfortable with. Had we decided not to buy, I'm sure she would have given us hugs and told us to enjoy the rest of our vacation. I'm glad you discussed your experience with Disney.