DVC said NO Waitlist

[marathonmommy]

I was relatively certain that DVC did indeed have a waitlist, and judging from many of your reponses, that is the case. I really appreciate the feedback you all gave me and am strongly considering TTS! You are all so helpful. Although I am new to the boards, I think this a great place! I can really be the WDW geek that I am here. Neighbors and colleagues just don't understand (except for a few)! I have received so much information from you all regarding DVC and am hoping to make some smart decisions.
But of course, I have a couple of more questions for those of you kind enough to answer:
For a purchase of 150-200 points, what do closing costs usually range from? Any other "hidden" costs I should know about? Oh, and if you make an offer and it goes to ROFR, are you out any money?

 

[Dean]

If you're pretty set on a resale, I wouldn't change guides until after you buy. You may want to talk to a supervisor about the specifics if you truly want to buy through DVC for non SSR resorts.

 

[LisaS]

For a purchase of 150-200 points, what do closing costs usually range from? Any other "hidden" costs I should know about? Oh, and if you make an offer and it goes to ROFR, are you out any money?

The only data I have on buying through a resale broker is what I've learned from talking to two people at the Timeshare Store (TSS). They are very friendly and helpful (and there is absolutely no pressure!) so you could call their office to verify my responses, but I believe this info is correct or at least close.

Closing costs for that number of points will be around $500.

The only other cost that might surprise you is that TSS has the buyer reimburse the seller for the current year's dues, provided the seller hasn't used up all of the current year's points and borrowed some/all from next year as well. I was expecting that the dues would be pro-rated (i.e., the buyer pays the dues beginning with the closing date) since this is how DVC does things. You could certainly try to negotiate this.

Once you and the seller have agreed on a price, the broker will ask you for a 20% deposit. If your offer doesn't make it through ROFR and Disney buys the contract, you get your deposit back in full.

You might want to take a look at TSS's FAQs page: http://www.dvc-resales.com/faq.htm

 

[Dean]

The only other cost that might surprise you is that TSS has the buyer reimburse the seller for the current year's dues, provided the seller hasn't used up all of the current year's points and borrowed some/all from next year as well. I was expecting that the dues would be pro-rated (i.e., the buyer pays the dues beginning with the closing date) since this is how DVC does things. You could certainly try to negotiate this.

This is a common mistake that many resale agencies make. It's called "if you get the points you pay the dues". Unfortunately, it shows a misunderstanding of the way the dues are charged to the members and can make or break the value of many larger resales, IMO. But one should look at the overall situation and decide what's best for you. And there's no reason one can't specify in their offer a different approach to dues.

 

[crisi]

I didn't think DVC guides were paid comission?

Its possible that there is no formal waitlist for new members and some guides are simply willing to check regularly for points. Other guides don't want the bother.

 

[Mike]

I didn't think DVC guides were paid comission?

Its possible that there is no formal waitlist for new members and some guides are simply willing to check regularly for points. Other guides don't want the bother.

I was under the same impression. I was told here on the boards that the reason that the sales pitch is so low pressure was that the guides were salary positions and did not receive commissions.


As for dues on resales, that is negotiable. I purchased last summer and had all 2004 points available. I offered the seller half of the dues and they accepted. However, this was before the sudden spike in ROFR activity. I believe that things like seller paying dues and/or closing costs make ROFR more likely as the contract becomes that much more attractive to DVC.

 

[bongo59]

guides are paid to sell the newest resort..............they are capitialist just like most of us..........it is caveat emptor is your a buyer.................do your due diligence as a customer..............if your lazy or passive you will lose like any transaction. Ask alot of questions and go up the chain of command................and no matter what you buy there us always a resale or wholesale market.............you have to find it.

 

[JimMIA]

I don't know whether guides are paid commissions, or salaries with bonuses...but they clearly have a HUGE preference to sell SSR. How the money finds its way to their pockets, I couldn't tell you -- but they obviously have some incentive to sell SSR over other properties.

 

[Daitcher]

After reading many of the postings on the message boards and considering BWC or BCV resales, I thought I would get a resale at a timeshare resale company or through DVC directly (but getting on a wait list.) I spoke to someone today at DVC who said that there is no wait list - only people who currently own can get on a wait list. She also said that I probably won't be able to buy a resale elsewhere (timeshare company) unless the seller is asking an unreasonable price because Disney has ROFR. Based on what I read in the postings, I didn't think either of these statements were true??!!!!! I realize she was trying to sell me SSR, but that really puts a bad taste in my mouth. It appears as if she was misleading to say the least.

She wasn't misleading at all just doing her job. No you can't get on a waitlist through DVC unless you already own DVC. She was correct on that. Secondly it can be quitehard to buy reslae as DVC is exercising ROFR quite often. If you have to bid high to get resales to clear ROFR, why not buy SSR and get those extra years? Don't let the naysayers and paranoid members convince you to buy where you want to stay. I own SSR and never stay there. I've always gotten what I've wanted including a beach cottage at VB for 7 days this October. Home resort is over rated unless you muist travel peak seasons. This paranoia about it getting harder to book at 7 months has not panned out. Everyone wants to think that evryone wants to stay at there resort. There are a proportionate number of rooms for us all. Good luck.

DAVE

 

[tjkraz]

She wasn't misleading at all just doing her job. No you can't get on a waitlist through DVC unless you already own DVC. She was correct on that.

What's your basis for saying this? There are people posting on this very thread that they did contact DVC, asked to wait for points at a specific resort, and got their initial contract days or weeks later at the resort of choice.

What do you know that we don't?

 

[JimMIA]

No you can't get on a waitlist through DVC unless you already own DVC. She was correct on that.

Actually...if you read TammyAlphabet's post above, it is quite obvious that she was NOT right. Tammy is one of a legion of non-members who have bought their initial contracts direct from Disney through the waitlist.

An individual guide may not want to sell waitlist, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

 

[LIFERBABE]

You have received some great info and good luck with your purchase.

I will say, that I don't think the guide was being dishonest either.

Technically, what she told you was the truth. But just like any job, there are those guides willing to work with you outside of the box. That doesnt make it policy but an exception. Many here will encourage you to press the issue as they have others and I think that's great, but I wouldnt go so far as to say she was dishonest or to complain to her supervisor for doing her job. Thats just MHO and not at all directed at the OP.

From the looks of the ROFR thread and other posts, DVC has cleared its waitlist for all DVC's except BCV and that has an expiration date. We all know how quickly Disney works with changes (ie MYW tickets, Dining Ressies) without notification, so it is possible they are no longer dealing with wait lists. To do so would be counterproductive to what they are currently selling.

 

[JimC]

I don't know whether guides are paid commissions, or salaries with bonuses...but they clearly have a HUGE preference to sell SSR. How the money finds its way to their pockets, I couldn't tell you -- but they obviously have some incentive to sell SSR over other properties.

It may not be an incentive. It could simply be what management has trained them to do.

 

[Daitcher]

What's your basis for saying this? There are people posting on this very thread that they did contact DVC, asked to wait for points at a specific resort, and got their initial contract days or weeks later at the resort of choice.

What do you know that we don't?

Personally I find it annoying that I have to justify my post. My post as writen is indeed fact. I don't care who has been put on a waiting list and bought points from Disney. Wait list is for established DVC members as a courtesy. Non members are not put on any list. If a DVC salesperson keeps their name and number and tries to help them that is their business. I can really stir things up with this bit of info. but oh well, you've forced my hand. There is no official waitlist through DVC. It all depends on how hard your DVC salesperson pushes to get you the contract you are looking for. If anyone thinks they have a list and go inorder they are crazy. This is why you hear about people getting contracts through DVC so quickly and others waiting for years. Your salesperson and how hard you push are really the deciding factors. This info. is not made up it comes from a DVC guide. Guides saying I'll put you on the waitl;ist is just doubletalk. What they should say is I'll see what I can do. Hopefully this answers any questions.

DAVE

 

[RobDoc]

...Guides saying I'll put you on the waitl;ist is just doubletalk. What they should say is I'll see what I can do. Hopefully this answers any questions.

I don't care what you choose to call it, if someone takes my name with the intent of eventually getting what I requested, I would call it a WAITLIST. If they tell me nothing can be done, then there is no list at all. Perhaps it's just semantics, but non-members can certainly purchase all DVC resorts directly thru DVC. Just ask your guide for assistance- regardless what you choose to call the process. Just tell them what you want and to let you know when it becomes available (I'd still call that a waitlist).

 

[tjkraz]

Personally I find it annoying that I have to justify my post. My post as writen is indeed fact.

First, no reason to be belligerent. As stated, I was simply curious to hear the source of your info since it clearly differs from other reports in this very thread.

Interestingly enough in this rant you did NOTHING to actually justify your post. Where does this info actually come from? A Guide? Jim Lewis? Michael Eisner?

I can really stir things up with this bit of info. but oh well, you've forced my hand. There is no official waitlist through DVC. It all depends on how hard your DVC salesperson pushes to get you the contract you are looking for.

Really? This post seems to offer conflicting information:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=618642

In that post I'm seeing multiple, corroborating reports of an official waiting list being put into effect back in August 2004.

If anyone thinks they have a list and go inorder they are crazy. This is why you hear about people getting contracts through DVC so quickly and others waiting for years.

Actually it has more to do with the number of points desired and the specific Use Year. Current members wishing to add-on can only buy points in their current Use Year. The immediacy with which one member gets his/her points over another has to do with the number requested and UY and, indirectly, the number of other members who may be ahead of each member on a waiting list.

 

[JimMIA]

We can beat each other up as much as we want, but all we really need to do is answer OP's original questions -- which were...Is my guide giving me accurate information when they say I can't buy sold-out resorts direct from Disney, and when they say it will be very difficult to buy resale because Disney is ROFRing virtually everything?

The answer to both questions is NO. At best, your guide is mistaken.

No matter how we word our answers, the fact is OP CAN buy sold out resorts direct from Disney if she chooses, and the resale market continues to thrive despite the doom and gloom she got from her guide.

 

[byoung]

I got 200pts thru Disney in June. BWV

 

[Doctor P]

I disagree with the characterization that the guide is mistaken or misleading on both accounts. We have had a number of posts, based on high quality sources, that as a matter of policy these waitlists do not exist for nonmembers (and in fact many have suggested that waitlists no longer exist for members outside of a guides own efforts to check on availability). If there is no centrally maintained list with rules as to how to proceed through it, then it is not a waitlist. You may, however, find a guide that is willing to do a little more legwork and keep someone in mind if something comes up. That is not a waitlist. All I am arguing is that the guide may not have been either misleading or dishonest. Can you get sold out resorts direct? If you find the right guide who is willing to go the extra mile and bends some policies, it appears to be, yes (and understand that I am not criticizing it--that's great customer service, the type that I have always gotten from our guide). I won't even begin to defend the other part--obviously, resales remain a plausible way of buying into any resort at this time.

 

[RobDoc]

... <snip> ...as a matter of policy these waitlists do not exist for nonmembers ... If there is no centrally maintained list with rules as to how to proceed through it, then it is not a waitlist. You may, however, find a guide that is willing to do a little more legwork and keep someone in mind if something comes up. That is not a waitlist.

It appears that this may be a personal definition for "waitlist" so I'll disagree and offer my own ... If I call inquiring about something not currently available at that time and the business, or anyone employed by that business, takes my name and information with the suggestion that if/when something becomes available later I will be contacted and I am later contacted with the opportunity to purchase what I had inquired about ... that's a waitlist (my definition). It does not need to be centrally maintained (by my definition), it can be maintained by the one individual (assigned to me by that business) who took my information , but regardless what others choose to call it - I was placed on a list because I had to wait until the product I wanted became available. By my definition - that's a waitlist.

If there is a policy prohibiting non-members to purchase sold out resorts thru DVC directly, it seems there are a lot of guides who are violating that policy based on the number of successful purchases reported on this board. It would seem to be fairly simple to enforce such a policy, if it were in place. A couple of lines of code could be programmed to deny any such sale right in the computer.

Maybe someone should define "policy" too!