DVC Sales Down

[disneynutz]

I just noticed that DVD is running 30 minute sales commercials on our local and cable channels. Six have aired just this morning. Why the big push all of a sudden, are sales down?

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

DH had noticed DVC infomercials when he was in Brownsville in late May/ June. He did ask that same question when we were in Disney and got the reply that they haven't had many inquiries from those infomercials up to that point.

 

[gardenia]

They have a "new" product to sell - Aulani. That's the reason.

 

[disbiz]

That wouldn't surprise me considering the economic climate we are in. Not everybody is willing to drop 15k into what is basically prepaid vacations. Just a hunch

John

 

[rutgers1]

There was a looping commercial on my Continental flight yesterday.

Whenever I am at Disney, I always keep an eye on the little DVC outposts around the hotels and parks. They seemed to be less crowded than ever this past week. In fact, whenever I saw someone chatting it up with the DVC rep and walked by, it was usually an existing member.

 

[tjkraz]

I doubt sales are down to any disturbing degree right now. The end of the fiscal year is two months away and DVC isn't doing much (in terms of incentives) to drum up new sales. All incentives gone on BLT. AKV and Aulani are just a few dollars off per point--no other freebies.

My sense is that they are in a comfortable position for the 2011 FY and are just coasting until the start of 2012.

I tend to view different campaigns as part of the normal sales cycle. Different sales techniques / approaches reach different markets. No matter how many WDW bus billboards, websites and malls they advertise in, there are millions of people who won't see those ads. But maybe some of them will see a TV informercial. Some will hear a Steve Harvey radio contest. Some will hear DVC mentioned on Funniest Home Videos or Extreme Makeover.

 

[BigDaddySlick]

They have to keep the pipeline full...the sales cycle on DVC has most likely increased...so you get people a year before they buy interested....

 

[zawisza]

Found this link on dvcnews.com

http://dvcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1632&Itemid=449

 

[disneynutz]

Here is some more info. http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/dvc-sales-statistics

Looks like the number of deeds sold are about the same on average. Maybe Disney is putting pressure on DVD to increase profits even more.

Bill

 

[Dean]

Here is some more info. http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/dvc-sales-statistics

Looks like the number of deeds sold are about the same on average. Maybe Disney is putting pressure on DVD to increase profits even more.

Bill

You've got basically 4 (? 5 CA) resorts in active sales right now and likely less points per contract for those deeds that are sold compared to a few years ago due to lower minimums. On top of that you've got a major sphincter tightener in HI with the first off site option in a long time and the other 2 flopped from a sales standpoint compared to expected.

I think DVC will eventually have to move closer to the timeshares sales methods of the other timeshare companies like Marriott and Westin, which they can do and still be professional.

 

[4DisneyAddicts]

I read this thread yesterday and awoke at 3:15 am to a DVC infomercial. I live in PA.

It highlighted Aulani and interviewed some owners. It showed them enjoying time in the parks and showed the interior of a BLT GV and 1or 3 bedroom. I didn't see the whole thing but I think they should have focused more on the benefits of the villas; size, kitchens, laundry, etc.

 

[disneynutz]

I read this thread yesterday and awoke at 3:15 am to a DVC infomercial. I live in PA.

It highlighted Aulani and interviewed some owners. It showed them enjoying time in the parks and showed the interior of a BLT GV and 1or 3 bedroom. I didn't see the whole thing but I think they should have focused more on the benefits of the villas; size, kitchens, laundry, etc.

I finally watched the infomercial and 3/4 of it was about using your membership non DVC locations. Even though there was really small printed disclaimers, the information was really misleading showing a family vacationing in England, Hawaii, and other locations. Without knowing better, people watching are lead to believe that the DVC provides all inclusive vacations with only a point purchase. It also made me feel that if I didn't buy a ownership interest, I am a horrible parent and husband who doesn't want to have wonderful vacation memories with my family.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I finally watched the infomercial and 3/4 of it was about using your membership non DVC locations. Even though there was really small printed disclaimers, the information was really misleading showing a family vacationing in England, Hawaii, and other locations. Without knowing better, people watching are lead to believe that the DVC provides all inclusive vacations with only a point purchase. It also made me feel that if I didn't buy a ownership interest, I am a horrible parent and husband who doesn't want to have wonderful vacation memories with my family.

Bill

This has always been true of the sales presentations and other materials including DVD's.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Found this link on dvcnews.com

http://dvcnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1632&Itemid=449

Here is some more info. http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/dvc-sales-statistics

Looks like the number of deeds sold are about the same on average. Maybe Disney is putting pressure on DVD to increase profits even more.

Bill

You know both of those come from tjkraz's (Tim) website, right?

 

[saintstickets]

Maybe there is a push to clean out as much inventory as possible before they start pre-construction offers for DVC-Grand Floridian?

 

[jennypenny]

I was surprised at how much of the infomercial was focused on non-WDW travel. I know that's always been part of the push, but it also used to require fewer points to do that. To highlight an ABD trip is almost absurd--very few owners with children have enough points to cover that. Pushing an exchange in Whistler or something seems reasonable to me, but pushing ABD is unrealistic.

Although the line "you can stay anywhere you want" seems unrealistic now also

 

[DebbieB]

I was surprised at how much of the infomercial was focused on non-WDW travel. I know that's always been part of the push, but it also used to require fewer points to do that. To highlight an ABD trip is almost absurd--very few owners with children have enough points to cover that. Pushing an exchange in Whistler or something seems reasonable to me, but pushing ABD is unrealistic.

Although the line "you can stay anywhere you want" seems unrealistic now also

I've always disagreed with that approach too. It makes it sound like a minimum purchase could get you all that. The cheapest adventure is Hollywood and would be over 700 points for 2 adults. The African Safari is almost 1700 points for 2 adults.

 

[burnsoc]

Went to the movies yesterday and saw two DVC commercials for Aulani before the movie. I wished they showed more of the resort, but it seemed to focus on smiling people wearing traditional Hawaiian clothing.

 

[XGrumpy1]

I think the real target for Aulani was the Japanese market and that market dried up after the reactor problems over there. Now DVC is doing everything it can to push sales in the US for Aulani, until the Japanese market gets stronger.

 

[DenLo]

You know both of those come from tjkraz's (Tim) website, right?

Since the articles mentioned by the other two posts were not written by Tim I don't get your point.