DVC sales tactics on the cruise............

[DVC96]

When we bought in 1996, we were given a credit for our stay at CBR.

 

[disneynutz]

I agree TJ. We must have been on the same cruise. The meeting for existing members was SO low key. In fact, after the meeting I stopped by the DVC desk to find out what the incentives were for existing members because the details really were not presented. They wouldn't tell me but wanted me to schedule a meeting with the guide. So imagine my surprise when I attended the meeting for new recruits. It was so different and obviously full of mistruths.

Another point mentioned in that meeting is that one of the big reasons Disney agreed to DVC is because they were losing so many guests to offsite resorts due to cost. Isn't that why they built the Value resorts?

DVD knows that the money is with new members not existing and they know that existing members probably know the rules and regulations so it's more difficult to paint a inflated sales picture and to make a sale.

I have been told that the Guides want to spend there time where they make the most money and selling to existing members isn't where it's at.

Bill

 

[eyor44]

I purchased direct at Disney in January. The incentive was how ever many points you purchased you were credited them for 2011 immediately. In fact, when I made my deposit a few days later the 2011 points were available for me to book that same day. Point prices were $90 for SSR and $121 for BLT. The only "push" was the guide mentioned the date that the price would go up to $130 which was just a few days later.

We had a tour and meeting with a guide in 2008, but he didn't really answer a couple of our questions, details that we wanted to know first, so we didn't buy. I did a lot of research on my own (love the Disboards!) and when I went this January I spoke to a guide at a booth to make an appointment. I told him I didn't want the same guide as before and the specific questions I had. I didn't want to waste anyone's time if they weren't going to answer them. The meeting lasted for two hours, I got all of my answers and was very happy with my guide. There was no push at all.

The only mistake I made was purchasing all of my points in one contract instead of two. While I don't plan on my children inheriting my points, heck I still plan to be going to Disney in my 80s, I forgot that contracts can't be split. Oh well, I'll just have to purchase a second contract which means more points to use. The sacrifices we make for our children.

 

[katieam1]

I purchased direct at Disney in January. The incentive was how ever many points you purchased you were credited them for 2011 immediately. In fact, when I made my deposit a few days later the 2011 points were available for me to book that same day. Point prices were $90 for SSR and $121 for BLT. The only "push" was the guide mentioned the date that the price would go up to $130 which was just a few days later.

We had a tour and meeting with a guide in 2008, but he didn't really answer a couple of our questions, details that we wanted to know first, so we didn't buy. I did a lot of research on my own (love the Disboards!) and when I went this January I spoke to a guide at a booth to make an appointment. I told him I didn't want the same guide as before and the specific questions I had. I didn't want to waste anyone's time if they weren't going to answer them. The meeting lasted for two hours, I got all of my answers and was very happy with my guide. There was no push at all.

The only mistake I made was purchasing all of my points in one contract instead of two. While I don't plan on my children inheriting my points, heck I still plan to be going to Disney in my 80s, I forgot that contracts can't be split. Oh well, I'll just have to purchase a second contract which means more points to use. The sacrifices we make for our children.

WOW those are good prices for direct. That is not the prices we just got when I called my guide for an add on. Must be just for new members?

 

[eyor44]

WOW those are good prices for direct. That is not the prices we just got when I called my guide for an add on. Must be just for new members?

I don't think so. The guide was telling us about his upcoming trip to Alani and that he was waiting to go until after the price increase because he knew of several of his clients that were going to do add ons, but said they always wait until the very last day. I did see somewheres that BLT is running around $150 now. I wasn't sure if that was correct, because I distinctly remember him saying the increase was to $130. Maybe he had it wrong?

 

[katieam1]

I don't think so. The guide was telling us about his upcoming trip to Alani and that he was waiting to go until after the price increase because he knew of several of his clients that were going to do add ons, but said they always wait until the very last day. I did see somewheres that BLT is running around $150 now. I wasn't sure if that was correct, because I distinctly remember him saying the increase was to $130. Maybe he had it wrong?

Yes BLT is selling $155 per point direct and my guide sent me those prices (I asked because I was thinking of adding on BLT and wanted to know what they were going direct verses resale) on January 24. When I bought in 2010 they were $112 or $120 per point. Then I remember they increased to 130 then 140, shortly after that 150 now again another increase to 155 per point. SSR is $105 now too with no incentives at all direct (in the summer when we went with my family they tried to get them to buy SSR at $99 which was discounted which my parents did not buy because they would like to buy resale). Interesting the different prices. I would say you got a very good deal then!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2823609

 

[ELMC]

Here is a take on the cruise part. For example I was looking at a 7 night Alaska cruise for Aug. 2013. The cash price was $8450, the points cost was 1144 for a family of four in a verhanda room. My dues average $5.30 per point. Now you need to factor in your inital investment. I paid 35,480 for my 500 points. Over the live of my contract I will get aprox. 25,000 points. So I paid about $1.42 per point. So for the cruise I am paying about 6.72 per point. 6.72×1144= $7688+the $95 transaction fee= $7783 I am paying for cruise using my points, a savings of $667 over the cash price. Everyones numbers are going to be different than this depending what you paid per point and your dues. Some will have more savings than me, some less. One thing is for sure though, it is not a huge savings if any at all.

So much talk of the cost of DVC points surrounds the idea of combining purchase price with annual dues to get a true cost of the points. And I guess that makes sense as far as an "out of pocket" cost is concerned. But something you overlooked is that it is very easy to rent the 1144 points you need for the cruise for about $10 a point, which would be $11,440. So you could rent out the points and they pay cash for the cruise and pocket $2,990 in cash. This is one of the main reasons people say that using points for a cruise is a bad deal. The value of the points is not what you paid for them, it's what others will pay you for them.

 

[CMOORE185]

So much talk of the cost of DVC points surrounds the idea of combining purchase price with annual dues to get a true cost of the points. And I guess that makes sense as far as an "out of pocket" cost is concerned. But something you overlooked is that it is very easy to rent the 1144 points you need for the cruise for about $10 a point, which would be $11,440. So you could rent out the points and they pay cash for the cruise and pocket $2,990 in cash. This is one of the main reasons people say that using points for a cruise is a bad deal. The value of the points is not what you paid for them, it's what others will pay you for them.

You are right, but renting out points is not for everyone. I do not personally know anyone to rent to, so it would be a stranger for me. Some things that would worry me, if this person you rent to does not pay their bill, you as the owner are responsible, if they trash the room, you as owner are responsible. If they want to back out and haven't payed in full your points go in holding and you may lose them. If they want to back out and have a good reason, I would feel obligated to return their money. You would have to call MS for them if they wanted to make changes, add DDP, or had a complaint. And finally is it really that easy to find someone who well rent your points for $10 per point? It is easy to say, just rent your points for $10 per point and buy the cruise on cash, but is it really that easy.

 

[CMOORE185]

DVD knows that the money is with new members not existing and they know that existing members probably know the rules and regulations so it's more difficult to paint a inflated sales picture and to make a sale.

I have been told that the Guides want to spend there time where they make the most money and selling to existing members isn't where it's at.

Bill

I have heard from guides before that a good chunk of new sales comes from exsiting members. There is a good percentage of owners that add on after their initial purchase.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

We signed up for 160 points on our cruise. We got a five hundred dollar ship credit, and sixteen hundred off the purchase price. We also got an 'extra' 160 points from this year.
Now that we are home I think we may back out.
I have to admit I am disappointed with the cost of cruising, going to non Disney places such as Egypt or Europe. It would cost our three person family ten or twenty years worth of points to do those trips.
We still have a few days to think about it but I don't think we will go through with it.

 

[TigBaby]

I had a similar experience on the Dream at the end of January/beginning of February. I decided not to buy on the cruise, but had a few conversations after the cruise with the sales person to clarify my understanding of how DVC worked. I was particularly interested in the cancellation policy. I thought I had gotten all of my questions answered, and put a deposit down on 300 points for BLT. Imagine my surprise when I received the paperwork to find out that the cancellation policy was different for the DVC resorts vs the cruise (I specifically asked about both), and to find out about the "holding account" if you cancel within 30 days of the resort stay. The sales person also never said anything about the "rule of four".

Based on the cancellation policy for the cruise (plus things on read on this site), I decided to cancel the direct sale contract with Disney and purchase 200 resale points for BLT with a use year that would work for my family. Found a contract right away and quickly had an agreement with the seller for a purchase price that I think is fair. Just did all of this on 2/26. All paperwork went to Disney very quickly to start ROFR process. I went through The Timeshare Store, and thus far I'm extremely pleased with the level of service and communication. Can't wait for ROFR to be done.

Thanks to all on this site for your wisdom. It was invaluable to me.

 

[Dean]

Sounds like the guide was out there (as presented) for DVC but this is small potatoes in the timeshare world. As a rule the guides are not that familiar with the limitations of a given option nor are they obligated to spell them out.

 

[momtofour]

OP here. Any feedback from those that have recently attended sales presentations onsite at Saratoga? Is the information provided upfront and accurate? Or more like my "cruise experience?"

 

[tjkraz]

OP here. Any feedback from those that have recently attended sales presentations onsite at Saratoga? Is the information provided upfront and accurate? Or more like my "cruise experience?"

It varies at every location depending upon the salesperson.

 

[momtofour]

Isn't there some sort of set presentation? I believe these guides attend weeks of training. With Disney so carefully crafting their image I would imagine they are to follow a certain protocol. Are they really allowed to just wing it? I find it hard to believe that upper management at DVC would have been happy with the presentation I heard for new members on the cruise.

 

[tjkraz]

We're talking about people that have sales quotas to meet and paychecks to earn. Yes there is training and there are guidelines. But it isn't unheard of for people to put their own twist on things while trying to earn a sale.

 

[Dean]

OP here. Any feedback from those that have recently attended sales presentations onsite at Saratoga? Is the information provided upfront and accurate? Or more like my "cruise experience?"

As noted, it varies by guide. As you've presented it, I'd say your presentation was about as far out as DVC goes. Milquetoast in my book.

 

[jaxgatorfamily]

Are there better incentives to join DVC on the cruise as opposed to going to a presentation at the park? We're huge disney fans and were considering DVC but heard that booking your vacation was a lot less flexible when using DVC points as opposed to booking outright? Is that true?
Do they give you anything for attending the sales presentation on the ship?

 

[JimMIA]

We also got an 'extra' 160 points from this year.

You got nothing except what you purchased. If your contract was still in its 2011 UY, you simply got what you bought. Nothing more, nothing less than the LAW requires.

Timeshare salesmen will try to make it sound more than that, but it is NOT.

I have to admit I am disappointed with the cost of cruising, going to non Disney places such as Egypt or Europe. It would cost our three person family ten or twenty years worth of points to do those trips.

I'd be amazed if DVC/RCI offers anything in Egypt (which would be a rather scary place to visit anyway). There are only a handful of DVC/RCI options in Europe -- and I'd be willing to bet, no reasonable expectation of actually getting a reservation.

We still have a few days to think about it but I don't think we will go through with it.

Under Florida law, you have ten days. I don't know your personal situation or what you were guaranteed in writing, but the general consensus with any timeshare purchase is "If you're not sure...rescind."

 

[lmb]

We were on the Dream in Feb and while I didn't go to any DVC activities or sales pitches I thought that the little contact I had was them was very negative. They were very unprofessional, arrogant and not good reps in my opinion.