Gilcee print/why???

[rayelias]

I was like a kid in a sweet shop yesterday when our print arrived all the way from the USA. We had no idea it was coming and all the kids thought it was fab.

To me this is what Disney is all about, going the extra mile and really caring about people and of course a little bit of exhuberance with it. At least our money is being spent partly on us!

love my print!

You got your print all the way in Queensland already?!? I'm in NJ and it's still MIA!

I am so jealous of everyone else talking about how great the print and the package is!

WHERE'S MINE?!?!?!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

I don't mind Disney Vacation Club gifts — as long they're paid for out of the marketing budget (Disney's money), not out of the operating budget (our money).

I don't want my dues increased to buy a gift for me that I don't even want.

I hope the canvas print was paid out of the marketing budget.

Marketing vs Operations.... I don't see the difference. As a Director of operations for a small company I see both as an expense that draws from the bottom line. Expense. Got my flame shields up now!

 

[Sammie]

How does anyone know that it came out of the dues?

How is this any different than anything Disney does. You will never please everyone. I could care less for the hot tubs at the pools. I have a jacuzzi in my villa so never use it. But I would certainly never complain about the cost and the upkeep, which I am sure is part of my dues, just because I don't care for them or use them.

Personally and since others have stated their opinions and not gotten flamed, I will say I think it is kinda narrow minded to think that Disney should only offer something that appeals to everyone. It is one thing to not care for it, but it's another thing to think that because one does not like it, that they should not have offered them.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

How does anyone know that it came out of the dues?

The bottom line... Expense. I think the question is ... good expense or bad. Time for a poll.

 

[Sammie]

The bottom line... Expense. I think the question is ... good expense or bad.

So you are saying every expense that DVC incurs, goes out of the dues?

 

[DisDaydreamer]

So you are saying every expense that DVC incurs, goes out of the dues?

Yes. If an expense is paid for by DVC then it must be paid for by our dues... DVC is a non-profit organization so the dues are the only means for paying the expenses. I have been proven wrong on many subjects... so I won't mortgage the farm on this, but I think this is the case.

 

[thirtycats]

I wasn't that excited by it either. We don't really collect Disney stuff. We'd probably not get too excited by any Disney gift, but if there had to be some gift, we'd probably prefer something more useful. A mug? Backpack? Pen?

It would be nice if it was optional. Although maybe that would get too complicated. Perhaps they could simply send a letter out before the big package mailing and ask people if they want the free gift or not.

 

[Sammie]

Yes. If an expense is paid for by DVC then it must be paid for by our dues... DVC is a non-profit organization so the dues are the only means for paying the expenses. I have been proven wrong on many subjects... so I won't mortgage the farm on this, but I think this is the case.

So we pay salaries.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Well, if you just don't want it, send it back to

Laurie Ryan
Disney Vacation Club
6655 Sugarloaf Parkway
Duluth, GA 30097

Ask her to credit your dues for the price of the print. You might get about $1.

I'm keeping at least one of mine and sending the other off to another member who didn't get one (if that happens). If not, I have some friends who would like it.

I personally think it's kind of neat for DVC to send the members a nice birthday present.

Happy Birthday, DVC. We're looking forward to many more.

 

[Barnum01]

You got your print all the way in Queensland already?!? I'm in NJ and it's still MIA!

I am so jealous of everyone else talking about how great the print and the package is!

WHERE'S MINE?!?!?!

Got ours in central Ohio today. While respecting the opinion of the OP, I am also in the disagreement camp. Whether it came from member dues or not (and I'm guessing not as someone else suggested that marketing expenses are funded differently than operating expenses), it's an attractive print that captures the spirit of choice in DVC.

Regards

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Yes. If an expense is paid for by DVC then it must be paid for by our dues... DVC is a non-profit organization so the dues are the only means for paying the expenses. I have been proven wrong on many subjects... so I won't mortgage the farm on this, but I think this is the case.

DVC is not a non-profit organization.

Disney Vacation Development (DVD) is owned by The Walt Disney Company. DVD builds and markets the DVC resorts. All indications are that DVD makes a lot of profit. Sales and marketing expenses, including advertising and the DVC Guides' salaries, are part of DVD's expense structure. Such expenses are not paid by our dues.

Our dues fund the actual operations of the resorts through a separate condominium association for each DVC resort. These expenses are what you see if you look at the budget document that you receive every year — including housekeeping, utilities, front desk operations, reservations, security, transportation, Member Communications, ongoing maintenance, and reserves for major maintenance. Although the condominium associations are non-profit, the operations are carried out by Disney Vacation Club Management Corp. (DVCMC), which is entitled to a management fee (profit), as is normal in the property management business.

See the recent thread, Relationship Between Disney and DVC for more details.

If the design, manufacturing, and mailing of giclee prints are funded as marketing give-aways to generate add-on sales, then the expense will not hit the DVC Member dues.

But if the giclee prints are funded as some sort of member communications budget expense, then we're paying for the "gifts" to ourselves. I really hope that's not the case.

What makes this particular case troubling is that the giclee print was sent with the new, expensive Vacation Planner in a big, expensive FedEx package. A simple Vacation Planner in a simple 9"x12" envelope would be a legitimate member communications expense.

I hope we didn't pay for the fancy book on expensive paper, or the giclee print, or the inner box, or the outer box, or the FedEx charge.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Sell it on EBAY if you don't like it. They are going for $14-$18 and you will more than get your money back.

 

[kimberh]

I was thrilled to get mine. I have a room where I a hang all my Disney pictures and it will go nicely in there. For all the collectors, It is a 15 year print with a certificate, if you don't like it, hang on to it. Disney articles will surprise you in the years to come!!! Sell it on Ebay, I will buy it.

 

[Sammie]

Certainly everyone is entitled to their opinion on whether this came from our dues, or not. We truly do not know.

However even if it did, I find it amusing that some have a problem with it, but no one ever seems to have a problem with members over riding the air conditioning controls to freeze their room and run up the utility bill.

There are many wasteful things members do and we all share the cost of that, including putting too many people in a room which results in more wear and tear.

I think if we really want to be concerned about how our dues are spent, there are certainly bigger issues.

 

[lisareniff]

I think if we really want to be concerned about how our dues are spent, there are certainly bigger issues.

Definately agree with that one! I also know most will enjoy the print, and I'm sure I'm in the minority with not really caring.

 

[Beaniebug]

You'll never please everyone. No matter what they sent, someone would complain. Seems like the majority are happy they received one. I know I am. We still have to pay dues no matter what - they still go up every year - we all except that if even if we don't like it. I think it is just nice to have something from Disney and to be thought of and remembered, instead of being looked at as just another contract. They didn't have to do that. Sell it or trash it if you don't like it. I am thankful and plan on enjoying mine.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Well Debbie... as you can see from my poll, it seems a vast majority of people think it is a welcomed gift and a good expense. Nice to see you didn't get flamed for expressing your opininon. The DVC boards are pretty respectable people.

I do have to comment on the planner being too big or bulky. Years back the planner was in a nice 3-ring binder and Disney would just send you the pages that changed once or twice a year. We were real dissapointed when they switched over the little brochure type planner. Seemed cheap compared to the binder. We kept the binder for years because it had much better and more pictures and information on all the resorts and trade properties. I like the new planner and would gladly trade my print for the old type planner to come back.

Have a great day.

 

[bobbiwoz]

...
For all the collectors, It is a 15 year print with a certificate, if you don't like it, hang on to it. Disney articles will surprise you in the years to come!!! Sell it on Ebay, I will buy it.

This made me pause, DID I THROW OUT THE CERTIFICATE? Well, no, it's in the back! Whew..

Bobbi