Ex Guide

[DizBub]

In your personal opinion/experience what DVC resort was the easiest to sell and what price point most fair?

Also as a guide how did you handle the fact that some of your clients/members bought resale after buying direct?

 

[Jason99]

In your personal opinion/experience what DVC resort was the easiest to sell and what price point most fair?




Also as a guide how did you handle the fact that some of your clients/members bought resale after buying direct?

BLT around $100 to $120 was a breeze
SRR at $95 when everything else was higher was great also
Guides are not stupid. They understand why

 

[Jason99]

Honestly I don't think they care less because they have you. The lady at the front desk wasn't told, they own so don't worry. I don't think there is any less complaining about the hotels then the DVC rooms. As a guide you hear both ... like anything else, its a small portion

Because they can, also might explain the lower level of service in the DVC rooms and member services. Once you by a contract, they got ya. If you are unhappy, your only recourse is to sell to someone else. As a company, why spend time and money on someone who will vacation at Disney year after year no matter what.

More that once Its been hinted by the front desk that my negative room issue is acceptable because it's DVC. Is there really a double standard?

Bill

 

[Jason99]

If you guys learn anything, its that guides are sales people and DVC tries to keep them at a higher level , no BS but we are there to sell. Every resort pays us the same. Why would we push VGF over BWALK ? Although it does make DVC more profit, we really don't care, we just know we have VGF inventory and might not have BWALK and we want to get paid NOW, not in 2 months. Subsidized dues is not a selling tool. If a resort is 50% built but 10% sold out, DVC needs to pay the fees for the 40%, its that simple. Its is NOT a selling tool !! As you saw from the Jim Lewis debacle , DVC follows rules with that kind of stuff.

 

[DizBub]

Guides are not stupid. They understand why

I know they understand why but I kind of feel like as a person taking the guide's time during a tour to mention resale is like rubbing their noses in it and taking food off their table so to speak. Maybe that's just me.

I know you guys are considered to be just salesmen and not "guides" on forums like this but you are people first and foremost trying to make a living. It really comes down to the money on both ends. For what it's worth we really like our guide but we bought resale after 2 direct purchases.

 

[bwvBound]

Jason99:

THANK YOU!

Reading this thread was like attending a VIP "Pop-Up" event (short-notice, special "here today, gone tomorrow"-type event). It has been a very fun read.

THANK YOU for dropping in and offering your time and insights.

 

[Jason99]

Its really just a game, crappy guides take it personal. Good guides understand you win some you lose some

I know they understand why but I kind of feel like as a person taking the guide's time during a tour to mention resale is like rubbing their noses in it and taking food off their table so to speak. Maybe that's just me.

I know you guys are considered to be just salesmen and not "guides" on forums like this but you are people first and foremost trying to make a living. It really comes down to the money on both ends. For what it's worth we really like our guide but we bought resale after 2 direct purchases.

 

[Jason99]

your welcome. Salesman in most cases are hated. As a general rule DVC sales people are some of the best and do want to help the members BUT we are there to sell so that comes first. Some feel no remorse on how they get the sale, some do. Sales is a chess match !! To their credit DVC tries to keep their guides on the up and up.
Here is a fun fact. Did you know EVERY guide EVER to sell for DVC in the last 20 years was trained by the same person ? Yep, she has been with the company from day one and is amazing but make no mistake about, she knows how to sell. Also the top person in charge on most guides was fired last year. Another top person was demoted 2 years ago and should be fired. And yes, like any other company, its very political and people FIGHT to get these jobs when they are lost. Another fun fact, the top guide in the company left last year also.

Jason99:

THANK YOU!

Reading this thread was like attending a VIP "Pop-Up" event (short-notice, special "here today, gone tomorrow"-type event). It has been a very fun read.

THANK YOU for dropping in and offering your time and insights.

 

[heynowirv]

I agree with Dizbub, I would never talk resale to my guide.Our first contract was resale about a year after we did a tour with our guide.It was at OKW 190 points.When we did our first trip as owners she called us to welcome us home. Our next contract which was during a SSR promotion I was more than happy to stop by and see her on our next trip and buy a contract from her.

When we met her she had been from NJ and working for DVC for 2-3 years. Now she's married with 2 children ,so yes we always got it that you guys are like the rest of us looking to make a living and enjoy your lives .

 

[Jason99]

smart guide, she knew she lost but didn't give up and won

I know you guys are considered to be just salesmen and not "guides" on forums like this but you are people first and foremost trying to make a living. It really comes down to the money on both ends. For what it's worth we really like our guide but we bought resale after 2 direct purchases.

I agree, I would never talk resale to my guide.Our first contract was resale about a year after we did a tour with our guide.It was at OKW 190 points.When we did our first trip as owners she called us to welcome us home. Our next contract which was during a SSR promotion I was more than happy to stop by and see her on our next trip and buy a contract from her.[/QUOTE]

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

your welcome. Salesman in most cases are hated. As a general rule DVC sales people are some of the best and do want to help the members BUT we are there to sell so that comes first. Some feel no remorse on how they get the sale, some do. Sales is a chess match !! To their credit DVC tries to keep their guides on the up and up.
Here is a fun fact. Did you know EVERY guide EVER to sell for DVC in the last 20 years was trained by the same person ? Yep, she has been with the company from day one and is amazing but make no mistake about, she knows how to sell. Also the top person in charge on most guides was fired last year. Another top person was demoted 2 years ago and should be fired. And yes, like any other company, its very political and people FIGHT to get these jobs when they are lost.

That is a fun fact!
Used car salesman are hated. I never heard of ts salesmen being hated.
Thank you for stopping by. Hope you stop by again sometime.
Merry Christmas and happy retirement.

 

[DizBub]

Its really just a game, crappy guides take it personal. Good guides understand you win some you lose some

Funny you should mention this but 5 years ago one of our daughters and her husband were ready to buy and called their guide to set up an appointment to do so. The guide (a woman) basically told them not to waste any more of her time. They took the tour the year before and could not afford to buy at that time. Son-in-law, with my husband and myself in tow, went to the preview center and demanded another guide. Long story short, they bought 210 points at BLT and so did we. We bought another 100 a year later and kids bought 60 at VGF last year. So the original guide lost out on at least 580 direct points. I know that's peanuts in the grand scheme of things but she lost a lot of good will there.

 

[bwvBound]

Here is a fun fact. Did you know EVERY guide EVER to sell for DVC in the last 20 years was trained by the same person ? Yep, she has been with the company from day one and is amazing but make no mistake about, she knows how to sell.

Is that Joan, by chance?

 

[Jason99]

great example. A good guide would have sucked it up and she would have won

Funny you should mention this but 5 years ago one of our daughters and her husband were ready to buy and called their guide to set up an appointment to do so. The guide (a woman) basically told them not to waste any more of her time. They took the tour the year before and could not afford to buy at that time. Son-in-law, with my husband and myself in tow, went to the preview center and demanded another guide. Long story short, they bought 210 points at BLT and so did we. We bought another 100 a year later and kids bought 60 at VGF last year. So the original guide lost out on at least 580 direct points. I know that's peanuts in the grand scheme of things but she lost a lot of good will there.

 

[Jason99]

Joan WAS the top guide a while back, still there I think as a guide, not a trainer

Is that Joan, by chance?

 

[bwvBound]

Joan WAS the top guide a while back, still there I think as a guide, not a trainer

Ah, thanks

My husband wants to know ... how does a Guide get a gig representing DVC on the 'special' DCL sailings: Panama Canal, Transatlantic, etc.? I think he has some envy of those "great-job-if-you-can-get-it" moments ... lol.

Of course, I think you've already answered it: Joan (and her sailing peers) were 'top guides' at the right time ... ?

Thanks again -- what a fun read.

 

[Jason99]

Cruise guides used to be the best of the best. They have cut their pay so much, its not as high profile a job as it was 5 years ago. Each dept has its own gates !!

Ah, thanks

My husband wants to know ... how does a Guide get a gig representing DVC on the 'special' DCL sailings: Panama Canal, Transatlantic, etc.? I think he has some envy of those "great-job-if-you-can-get-it" moments ... lol.

Of course, I think you've already answered it: Joan (and her sailing peers) were 'top guides' at the right time ... ?

Thanks again -- what a fun read.

 

[DizBub]

Another question. Your opinion on a Fort Wilderness DVC? If it does happen eventually do you think they will try to maintain the insanely ridiculous high prices like VGF and the Poly (I'm sure Poly will go higher) or will they adjust to a more reasonable price? CAN they adjust? They will need more to sell......or will they convert hotel rooms and offer extensions at the classic resorts?

 

[Jason99]

great question. I think Poly will start slightly below VGF. After that they kinda screwed themselves as they can't sell a non monorail resort like VGF and Poly but won't want to lower prices. For the record, DVC does not expect Poly to sell as good as VGF and I agree. the good news is they didn't expect what we did with VGFand overpaid us but that won't happen for Poly. The gates stink I hear for Poly already. Just a guess but I could see a small Yacht DVC. Any non monorail will have to be a lower price. Knowing DVC, they will just raise Poly and VGF and make the new one look lower.

Another question. Your opinion on a Fort Wilderness DVC? If it does happen eventually do you think they will try to maintain the insanely ridiculous high prices like VGF and the Poly (I'm sure Poly will go higher) or will they adjust to a more reasonable price? CAN they adjust? They will need more to sell......or will they convert hotel rooms and offer extensions at the classic resorts?

 

[wdrl]

the good news is they didn't expect what we did with VGFand overpaid us but that won't happen for Poly. The gates stink I hear for Poly already.

What do you mean DVD overpaid you on VGF? And what do you mean about the "gates stink" for the Poly?