Got my Giclee, but ...

[tomandrobin]

Even though I know I paid for the print, I really like that they do things like this. What other timeshare company does events and things like this for thier members?

 

[JandD Mom]

Even though I know I paid for the print, I really like that they do things like this. What other timeshare company does events and things like this for thier members?

I agree with you 100%. I doubt Marriott does.

 

[ORD2KOA]

I know that Hilton doesn't.

I agree with you 100%. I doubt Marriott does.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

Dvc does a lot of special things for their members. If you are going to ask how much the giclee is then ask how much the Merry Mixer is, or the DVc events they have in select cities, or Welcome Home Wednesday mixer.

I probably won't ever attend any of these events due to the time of year I go, but I think its wonderful that DVC plans these special events. The merry mixer is given during a busy DVC time so lots of members get to enjoy it. There has been numerous post of DVC members really enjoying these events.

The point is that we don't have control over how the money is spent, so why worry about it.

If you really want to save- then the points charts should only be given once every 3 years, as the points never change- only some of the dates. DVC could easily make their charts for 3 years. I've only been a member for 1 year and I have 4 point charts books already.

The retail value of the Giclee is $50 plus tx & shipping and anyone who would like an additional copy to purchase can do so from the DVC website as the order form is now on the website.

I was VERY happy to receive my Giclee. At least with the Giclee ALL members get to enjoy it.

 

[nhdisnut]

For us, the whole package is just part of the "Disney Magic." Our kids loved the box, and we have the print hung on our wall. Every time I look at it I smile and am reminded of our past and future trips to the World. It's things like this that add to the enjoyment of our DVC membership.....never considered for a minute what it may have cost....when the "magic" appears at our home....that's priceless!

 

[MsAmerica]

I agree with the OP.....As soon as I opened the box I wondered out loud " I wonder how much this cost us?"

I think it is a very reasonable question for a member to ask and I respect the OP for bringing it up. I don't think it is a negative question at all.

MsA

 

[the who #3]

didn't your mother ever teach you not to look a gift horse in the mouth?

it is a lovely gift and for one am very pleased recieve it. i would think that if you are calculating cost, you would have to calculate for the entire 15 years. what it means is that dvc has done a spectacular job of not only selling but of making people happy enough that they want to continue ownership. sounds pretty good to me.
i say lets try for another 15 years and see what that one will be like.

 

[eileenkeeney]

I would bet that the print was paid for through DVD marketing, but packing and shipping, since it also contained our 2008 point charts, through DVC.

I am o.k. with that.
I liked the packaging, and will probably use it this Christmas season.

 

[AllyBri]

Yes, but even if it cost $2.00, they sent out 100,000 of them. I can think of better things for them to do with nearly a quarter of a million dollars than send out a print that most people will probably throw out.

Throw out

Anyone thinking of getting rid of their picture, I will gladly take it from you.

 

[Sammie]

As to whether our dues covered any of the expense of it or not, I am not sure any of us know for sure.

I do know that there are many things that our dues cover that members abuse such as utilties, altering the air conditioning to make rooms colder and putting more people in a unit than allowed, adding to wear and tear. I for one could care less for hot tubs at the pools, but would never complain about my dues paying for them, for others to use.

I am sure there are many ways our dues are wasted and never would anyone agree on what is useful and what is not.

When you become a member of group that goes with the deal.

 

[Dean]

Does it really matter how much it costs. I think its a nice little gift......it doesn't happen every year. Its things like this that give me a warm and fuzzy about joining. Disney does a great job keeping our attention by sending a nice gift out with our vacation planner....You could ask the same question about the tote bag for new members, who pays for that?
Brownie

Yes, it matters. I too suspect it comes under the management contract and/or DVD marketing, likely a combo. But the dues are high enough and to spend significant dollars as in this case over something so frivolous would be inappropriate even if it were only one time, no matter home nice it was.

 

[starbox]

I am o.k. with that.
I liked the packaging, and will probably use it this Christmas season.

Me too. We are surprising the kids with news of a New Year's trip on Christmas morning. I hid the box from them and we'll wrap it up as their "big" gift and have them open it together.

 

[Pinnie]

I am a DVC member that has appreciated attending the Merry Mixers during the holidays and this summer attended the party at Pleasure Island. We got free DVC member visors, popcorn, ice cream, key chains, light up DVC pins and luggage tags. Getting the package this month seems to tie in with the announcement of the new DVC at AK. It's part of marketing. I would rather they spend the $ on members than on NON members.

pinnie

 

[tjkraz]

I am a DVC member that has appreciated attending the Merry Mixers during the holidays and this summer attended the party at Pleasure Island. We got free DVC member visors, popcorn, ice cream, key chains, light up DVC pins and luggage tags.

Now THOSE things we actually pay for. Check the resort budget under the heading of "Member Activities." About $16 of my dues this year went toward funding the parties.

As for the prints, if the funds came out of the Management Fee, then it was something members were committed to paying regardless of how DVC chose to spend the money. As I said in a previous post, the Management Fee is fixed at 12% most other expenses. We pay that 12% regardless of how DVC spends the money. They could spend it on Giclees or office parties or boxes of whistles and it wouldn't impact our wallets a single bit. If they hadn't spent the money on the Giclees it would have been profit for TWDC.

On the other hand, if they were paid for out of a marketing budget, that's completely separate from dues accounting.

 

[the who #3]

i have received mine but wondered if one is sent for each membership. does anyone know. my daughter and i have two contracts (one is an add-on) under one membership and i have a totally separate contract and membership. it was a different home resort and different uy, so the two are not combined.
i will be at wdw at the end of the month for a week and i would like to know whether or not to have a family member watch for it. the other was just left on my porch.

 

[Dean]

i have received mine but wondered if one is sent for each membership. does anyone know. my daughter and i have two contracts (one is an add-on) under one membership and i have a totally separate contract and membership. it was a different home resort and different uy, so the two are not combined.
i will be at wdw at the end of the month for a week and i would like to know whether or not to have a family member watch for it. the other was just left on my porch.

You will get one for each independent contract ONLY if you get separate mailings for other things based on my past experience with the same issue. This is in part why we have different addresses on our memberships due to the fact we want separate mailings. It has been quite a hassle over the years keeping it going.

 

[castleri]

You will get one for each independent contract ONLY if you get separate mailings for other things based on my past experience with the same issue. This is in part why we have different addresses on our memberships due to the fact we want separate mailings. It has been quite a hassle over the years keeping it going.

I have two contracts and got two planners last year but so far only one this year. The contracts are totally separate with one in DH and my name and one just mine so would think we should get two if what you say is correct. Makes me wonder what order they send these things out - by state, contract number, name, etc. Of course it didn't fit in the mailbox and they left it sitting on top of the paper box next to it- maybe the second one did come and someone helped themselves. I don't need two but would give one to one of the Disney nuts in the family if we did get an extra one.

 

[Bojo]

Yes, but even if it cost $2.00, they sent out 100,000 of them. I can think of better things for them to do with nearly a quarter of a million dollars than send out a print that most people will probably throw out.

Before you throw yours out let me PM you my address and you can send it to me! I'm not sure if your trash guy would truly appreciate it.

 

[browniemtb]

Yes, it matters. I too suspect it comes under the management contract and/or DVD marketing, likely a combo. But the dues are high enough and to spend significant dollars as in this case over something so frivolous would be inappropriate even if it were only one time, no matter home nice it was.

All I can say is WOW!!I did not realize this was such a hot topic.
We paid our dues...why shouldn't we get a nice souvenier in return. I understand where you are others are coming from. But why should we be so critical of something we can't control. Its not like the next time Disney's going to call us and say, "Hey, would you like a Giclee with your book or a $15.00 rebate." Most of us spend that kind on money before we even board a plane to get to Orlando......
Would I like to see the money spent on on line reservations...yes
Would I like to see lower dues...yes
Its out of our control.........at least I think. Does DVC have a true voice to be heard by DVD?? Is the association that does exist actually able to participate in these type decisions??
Brownie

 

[Figment2]

Over the years we've gotten some very nice surprises (two come to mind immediately - the pin for the opening of WLV and the pin commemorating 911). I never gave it a thought as to who paid for it. I just thought it was a nice, thoughtful surprise.

Did we ultimately pay for it - probably yes. At least we all received one. How about the pins, lanyards, buttons DVC gives out during the DVC cruise, DVC meetings, parties, etc. I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Cyn