DVC Survey

[Brianstl]

Of course. But they’ll have the benefit of reading some well thought out reasons for various opinions, even pros and cons, maybe even some aspects they hadn’t thought of. And I think they can get a feeling for what the general reaction might be if they implemented these proposals.

My experience is that when a company sends out a survey like this is that they have almost always already decided what they are actually going to do and will only use the feedback they receive to justify the decisions they have made.

 

[CarolynFH]

My experience is that when a company sends out a survey like this is that they have almost always already decided what they are actually going to do and will only use the feedback they receive to justify the decisions they have made.

Yes, I know, just like removing alarm clocks from the villas was “in response to member input”!

ETA: I hope they haven’t decided to implement the “pay to book earlier” or “book earlier if you own more points” ideas. Those are just plain wrong.

 

[Cfabar1]

Almost certainly relates to the trust product and trying to determine if off property points will be part of the future....

Wonder if HHI is code for Vero Beach also by the way...

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

ETA: I hope they haven’t decided to implement the “pay to book earlier” or “book earlier if you own more points” ideas. Those are just plain wrong.

Here’s hoping they intentionally put some horrifically offensive options into the survey so they when they do something medium annoying we’re all like “well at least they aren’t giving commercial renters dibs on SAP use at 9 months based on owning more points or charging us for the chance to stay in a standard studio our home resort!”

 

[daisyduck2]

I'm wondering if we aren't getting it because we've purchased direct recently. It sounded like the survey was trying to see what would motivate someone to buy. If they are asking people who bought a while ago and haven't added on directly in recent history, they might be looking for a way to hook them. Just a thought since I have no idea if the OP purchased direct recently. They probably don't need to ask me because they're thinking, "She'll buy anything for any reason, even VGC at $330./point."

I purchased a contract at the Boardwalk, resale about 5 years ago.

 

[zavandor]

Just a few things to note.

• DVC is somewhat fond of following in the footsteps of other timeshare developers.
• Other timeshare developers already do several of these things.

For example: Wyndham has four* booking windows.

1. At 13 months prior to check-in, owners can book at their home resorts; Members of the Trust can book Trust-allocated inventory.
2. At 11 months prior to check in, Owners can make a total of between zero and five reservations each year in most (but not all) resorts, based on how many developer points they own.
3. At 10 months, all** properties are available to all owners.
4. At 60 days, point requirements are discounted between 0% and 60%, again based on how many developer points one owns.

If DVC does something like this, I will die of Not Surprise (with apologies to Iago.)

-----
*: There are actually a couple of other windows, but they are not relevant here.
**: This is not quite true, but again, not really relevant.

But window number 1 is owners of the resort book first, all at the same time.

I think Marriot has that if you own two weeks you can book earlier? Not sure.

According to the contract, resort owners are guaranteed:
a) at least 1 month priority over non owners
b) bookings are fist come first serve

Resorts with guaranteed weeks have a sort of reservation before 11 months, but that is in the POS. So, I don't see how they can introduce at existing resorts a priority window over/between resort owners. Maybe in the future?

What they could do is perhaps something like:
- home resort priority at 11 month
- if you pay a fee, you can book other resorts at 10 months
- if you own at least 500 direct points, you can book other resorts at 9 months
- if you own 215* direct points, you can book other resorts at 8 months
- everyone else book at 7 months (and good luck with it)

* Why 215 and not, say 250? Because I own 215 points

Edited to add a perhaps in the above paragraph. Not sure how changes to the booking process are regulated for the BVTC. Is it a fiduciary of the membership or is under total control of DVD?

 

[Carouselofplanning]

But window number 1 is owners of the resort book first, all at the same time.

I think Marriot has that if you own two weeks you can book earlier? Not sure.

According to the contract, resort owners are guaranteed:
a) at least 1 month priority over non owners
b) bookings are fist come first serve

Resorts with guaranteed weeks have a sort of reservation before 11 months, but that is in the POS. So, I don't see how they can introduce at existing resorts a priority window over/between resort owners. Maybe in the future?

What they could do is perhaps something like:
- home resort priority at 11 month
- if you pay a fee, you can book other resorts at 10 months
- if you own at least 500 direct points, you can book other resorts at 9 months
- if you own 215* direct points, you can book other resorts at 8 months
- everyone else book at 7 months (and good luck with it)

* Why 215 and not, say 250? Because I own 215 points

Edited to add a perhaps in the above paragraph. Not sure how changes to the booking process are regulated for the BVTC. Is it a fiduciary of the membership or is under total control of DVD?

The large point owner priority only compounds the commercial renter problem they pretend to have an issue with.

 

[MICKIMINI]

My experience is that when a company sends out a survey like this is that they have almost always already decided what they are actually going to do and will only use the feedback they receive to justify the decisions they have made.

Sadly, that was my first thought too! They have been working on this and now want to see what our reaction will be. After 30 years, I am so tired of DVC playing with us, messing with point charts, allowing mega renters to snag all the availability at 7 months and so on. We just closed on another OKW resale (it was a steal though) and though I squawk about being mistreated, we need more points... At some point though, I will be too pissed off to care and that will be the end.

 

[pzw90]

The large point owner priority only compounds the commercial renter problem they pretend to have an issue with.

If its benefit direct points it would make a little more sense, I don't see mega renters buying direct, would really cut into the margins

 

[VGCgroupie]

If its benefit direct points it would make a little more sense, I don't see mega renters buying direct, would really cut into the margins

True. I do think some may have stocked up with the OKW fire sale though. Other than that most of their points I would think are resale.

 

[AstroBlasters]

If its benefit direct points it would make a little more sense, I don't see mega renters buying direct, would really cut into the margins

Yup, many are buying at “Instant Sale” prices, through loan foreclosure, or at auction.

 

[lowlight]

This was not on my “What stupid ideas will DVC dream up next” Bingo card.