DVC vs Marriott VC

[RJake1]

Please help me out here.

I just committed to Marriott Vacation Club at Palm Beach oceanfront to the tune of $24K. Now I'm wondering why and whether DVC would've been better. I looked thru trading book and interestingly saw all DVC properties available for trade, so really what's the difference? Any advice would be appreciated.

I have 10 days to rescind. Thanks.

 

[Viki]

Back in 1998, when I had no discernable interest in timeshares, a very close family member - who works for Marriot, sat me down and said BUY DVC.

I wasn't looking at either. But she was in the business, she knew my family, she saw our love of travel, and she gave me great advice which I took that year and have never regretted for lots of reasons, but probably the most important were the flexibility of the point system and magic of Disney. In other words, I prefer DVC for practical and not so practical reasons!

 

[allforpooh]

We were in the same boat, we had bought Hilton Vacation club and in the end decided to recind before the deadline. 6 mos later we bought DVC and do not regret it, the Hilton system was more complicated then DVC and I did not want to spend my time trying to figure out the rules.

Since buying DVC we have been to WDW once on points and have traded into a Marriott resort in Williamsburg VA which was painless.

I really think everyone is different and it depends on what you are looking for. We like the point system vs the week system...and we love WDW..

Denise

 

[Dean]

You should be able to find that cheaper. OF will not trade any better than OS but is better for using. OP will likely trade as well as DVC but give you more choices as long as it's Gold or Platinum. buy DVC if you want to own there and NOT to trade. I've stayed at OP this summer, we didn't particularly enjoy it overall.

 

[RJake1]

I'm curious as to your advice to buy DVC if we want to own but not trade. Is DVC property difficult to trade? I'd have thought it to be of good value.

Another question - how does this whole trade thing work? Ocean Pointe is all RED - 52 weeks/year, but so is all of Orlando. As I understand the system, that doesn't guarantee you even up trades, ie. Red for Red is not a guarantee. What other factors play into the trading biz?

 

[rocketriter]

It's not that hard to trade out of DVC, but it's not an exceptional value, either. Unless you do your homework, you can wind up trading down in dollar value or in luxury compared to DVC. Even so, many DVC families trade (mine does). We love the convenience of having DVC set up the entire trade for us. But we also recognize that we get the most bang for our buck within the DVC system; that's where we have the easiest bookings, the best values, the most flexibility and the most reliable high quality.

That's why people say you should buy DVC as a way to visit the DVC properties and occasionally trade out, rather than buying it strictly as a trading vehicle. For the latter, there are less expensive ways to go that can be more effective.

 

[AmyBeth68]

I just want to add that it's not that easy to trade into DVC properties if you own other timeshare properties (even Marriot and Hilton). My parents and in-laws both tried with Marriot and were unable to trade in, once during early November and once during early December. We thought that travelling off-peak would get them into OKW, but we were wrong. It really seems that with DVC there isn't a true off-peak time, so it's tough to get in. I'm sure some have had success, but I wanted to throw that out there.

But I'd also like to add that the Marriot properties are VERY nice and we've had the opportunity to stay in them on a few occasions, both in Williamsburg and Orlando area. We are actually staying at the lovely Grand Vista in November.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by RJake1
I'm curious as to your advice to buy DVC if we want to own but not trade. Is DVC property difficult to trade? I'd have thought it to be of good value.

Another question - how does this whole trade thing work? Ocean Pointe is all RED - 52 weeks/year, but so is all of Orlando. As I understand the system, that doesn't guarantee you even up trades, ie. Red for Red is not a guarantee. What other factors play into the trading biz?

DVC is too expensive and there are too many negatives and restrictions on trading DVC. To a certain extent, OP Platinum OF would have many of the same negatives. Part of the problems with trading a top resort is that most exchanges will be a downtrade. one you could have gotten easily with something costing thousands less and with far less yearly fees. OF does not increase your trade power with II either.

It sounds like you're just learning about timeshares. You should cancel and spend months looking at your options and deciding what's best for YOU. It might be DVC, it might be OP or maybe neither. One of the advantages of OP is it's a lockoff allowing you to trade essentially as two weeks.

Don't get wrapped up in the red week thing. One red week IS NOT THE SAME AS ANOTHER. So don't let anyone tell you just because it's a red week, it will trade well. That's definitely BS. You should to to TUG (Timeshare Users Group) and get yourself educated before actually committing. This Board is the best for DVC but not for other options. But don't buy elsewhere expecting to buy into DVC. Of course there's no rule that says you can't own both.

 

[PrincessDadx2]

We have been easily able to trade into DVC in January. Last year we used our Marriott Williamsburg lockoff studio and this year we used a bonus week we received for depositing our 1brm side. This is a great value - This year we received a 160 point OKW week for $249 + $95 transportation fee.

We consider this a nice bonus. Trading in during peak season is a lot more difficult although I see regular availability in Sept/Oct timeframe. For summertime, it might be better to do a direct exchange with a DVC owner.

One thing I noticed, is that to get a full 2bdrm week at DVC you need to have about 260-300 points, not just the 150 point minimum. If you can avoid weekends it is a much better deal.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Originally posted by PrincessDadx2
We have been easily able to trade into DVC in January. Last year we used our Marriott Williamsburg lockoff studio and this year we used a bonus week we received for depositing our 1brm side. This is a great value - This year we received a 160 point OKW week for $249 + $95 transportation fee.

We consider this a nice bonus. Trading in during peak season is a lot more difficult although I see regular availability in Sept/Oct timeframe. For summertime, it might be better to do a direct exchange with a DVC owner.

One thing I noticed, is that to get a full 2bdrm week at DVC you need to have about 260-300 points, not just the 150 point minimum. If you can avoid weekends it is a much better deal.

Wow! That's great that you had good luck trading into DVC properties twice . I know that November and December are both popular DVC months, which may be the reason my parents had trouble getting in. With the MNSSHP and MVMCP as big draws, perhaps that is why, even though they weren't holiday weeks. Anyway, we've definitely tried twice but to no avail . That's good news for sure, I'll let them know they need to try again in the future for more off-peak times!

 

[spiceycat]

go visit the tug site - they is a private board (must be a member to use) - Sightings, Distress Exchange - someone will post anytime they see a DVC resort - so someone else can get it if they are interested.

 

[stlrod]

I own both (for about another week--Marriott is being sold.) They are different programs and each fits different needs. . A lot of people promote the idea that you get lousy trades with some of the lower-priced Marriott (would not include OP.) Our Marriott is in Orlando and off-season. We have had some terrific trades. Additionally, I have a friend who owns at Branson Horizons who traded his lockoff studio for a 1 BR at OKW in the summer and the other BR for a 2 BR at Newport Coast also in the summer (excellent trades.) Our Disney HH has been great--it allows us to visit HH for 5 nights in the summer at a fraction of what a HH Marriott would cost. However, I would never use Disney for anything other than a Disney DVC resort. I bought the Marriott from Marriott and have used the points exchange very wisely (our most recent use was 75,000 points for 3 nights at 47 Park Street in London which would have cost about $2,000.) However, the value of the point option has been dwindling. Therefore, I am not as big of a fan as I used to be for buying from the developer. My children are teens and we've found ourselves spending more time on cruise ships and skiing than we thought we would. Since ski trips are typically 3-5 days high season, timeshares aren't that useful (I am considering the Sheraton in Avon, Co though--but for now I've managed to get such great rates that it doesn't make sense.) I would caution you though about OP. Frankly, I like Vero better. More importantly, it is not as popular as many would believe. One way to gauge the popularity of Marriott properties is to look for availability using the owner discount (MOD) on the Marriott website. I was able to get reduced rates at OP over Christmas about a month ago--they also have reduced points rates indicating more availability.) Frankly, if I were considering a coastal location in Florida, I would check out the Hyatt Coconut--beautiful though not on the water.) If you are new to timesharing, consider rescinding to educate yourself more. $24,000 is a lot of money in the timeshare industry. Best of luck.

 

[mickeyc]

We own both DVC and Marriot. Both are quality programs.
Bottom line... DVC is much more flexible and a good value if you want to stay at Disney. I agree with the above comments to check the TUG website which is: www.tug2.net.

I purchased our Marriot via directly from the seller no real estate or other companies involved at a substancial savings. Sometimes you can get a good value with a resale. I think $24,000 is a lot for any timeshare.

Good luck and enjoy your vacations!

 

[JudyS]

I agree with all the above posters who say that you should rescind. With timeshares, 99 times our of 100 you will be able to get the same deal, or a better one, later on. If you aren't *sure* that you got the right timeshare for your situation, then you aren't ready to buy. Selling (as oppsoed to rescinding) a timeshare can be very difficult, and even with a Marriott, you are likely to lose alot of money in the sale.

I also second the suggestion to check out www.tug2.net

 

[DrTomorrow]

Recind! NOW!

I know very little about non-DVC timeshares - only what I've learned here. I DO know that if you are that uncertain about a $24,000 purchase, you need to stop and give it a lot more thought. Explore your options, determine your needs and educate yourself - then see what's out there.

 

[Joe T.]

We own both DVC(OKW) and MVCI(Grand Vista), and are happy with both. We use DVC strictly for Disney vacations, and use MVCI for exchange vacations. Also, we have traded MVCI time for Marriott Reward points, which expands the flexibility.

An II person once offered me "anyplace I wanted" for my DVC week. My only problem with MVCI is the cost of internal exchanges and the lack of the advantages of the point system. We have recently upgraded our status with Fairfield because their flexibility and free exchanges within their properties.

DVC is our favorite for many reasons - service is best and the ease of dealing with member services has always been pleasureable. We get to WDW every year, and have reunion type vacations every 2-3 years.

Timeshare are not for everyone, and no TS will satisfy every situation. But, I know that without our TS we could never afford the vacations we now enjoy.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[RJake1]

Thanks for all the good advice. I am checking out TUG and also resale market. I've found I can buy resale at OP for thousands less (although not necessarily OF) if I'm willing to sacrifice the Marriott point option, which I am.

Sounds like a good strategy is take the same money, but resale Marriott and resale DVC. Get the best of both worlds so to speak.

I am typing the rescission letter today.