How important is a good DVC Guide?

[BfloRaisin]

Just wondering if there's any dealings with your Guide once the purchase is done - and if so like what? I was assigned a guide randomly - I'm sure that's the way it's done for everyone- but I don't think we hit it off. For instance, was told had to make SSR purchase by end of this month for $10 discount promotion and he'd do my a favor by overnighting promotional material but when it came, states the promotion runs until 10/31 (noted a thread about SSR from Doc said 10/31 also). So right off the bat I feel this guy is dishonest and lied to pressure me. Then - hasn't yet returned my phone call. When you call your guides - how long would it take them to return the call? Could I request a different guide or once it's done does it not matter. Resale purchasers don't even have a DVC guide, right?

 

[lenshanem]

I think I've heard of other asking to be chnaged. My guide always calls me back within hours if his message says he is in that day. Otherwise he always cals back the day he says he will be back on his message.

 

[floridafam]

I think the guides are really trying to get any potential sales wrapped up by tomorrow-at least ones that look promising. As far as I know, tomorrow is the end of the fiscal year for DVC and the guides obviously want to sell as much as they can before tomorrow because they will be paid better.

I like our guide-honest, tells it like it is, etc. He also advised that the incentive could go away at any time. It's true. They don't have to run it until 10/31 but they probably will.

Our guide is good about calling back. The only thing we really need to talk to him about is add ons. Is there a specific reason you were calling your guide? Maybe someone here would have the answer to your question.

Sure, the guides can seem pushy sometimes but they are just trying to do their job.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[JimC]

Our guide spent many hours answering questions. He was very prompt returning calls, even when he was on holiday. A classic gentleman, I recommend him highly. His name is Byron Helgeson.

I thought the Disney guides were salaried.

 

[lenshanem]

They must get bonuses based on their sales or else soem of them wouldn't be misleading or pushy. I'm sure in the scheme of things they are the best timeshare salesmen to deal with!

 

[DrTomorrow]

Our guide - Jim McCoy (thanks, floridafam!) is great. He returns calls ASAP, is very helpful w/questions, and is upfront about giving his opinion on things. Plus, he's very pleasant to deal with; I know that "he's a salesman and has to be nice", but it doesn't come across like that. In fact, even though we've already received our final acceptance letter, we have an appointment to see him and the SSR models next week - and he says he "can't wait to meet us." To me, after-the-sale attention is a big plus.

 

[KNWVIKING]

I knew what DVC offered, I knew what I wanted. Buying in was no different then buying a tee shirt, all my guide had to do was point to the places I needed to sign. I don't know what his commision was, but it had to be the easiest money he's ever made.

 

[CarolynK]

We weren't happy with our original guide, and we called and talked with someone else. With the kind of money you are spending, you should be happy with the person you have to deal with. Definitely ask for someone else.

 

[RobDoc]

As with KNWVIKING our purchase was a pretty easy score for our guide. She was a nice person and often left a "Welcome Home" message on our voicemail when at OKW, but otherwise we were pretty low maintenance. (I'd recommend Bettie to anyone, but she has recently left DVC after almost 12 years as a DVC guide.) Our new guide was most helpful when we toured SSR and I'd also be happy to recommend Ken Bradshaw to anyone who needs assistance.

IMHO, the product sells itself and the guides are generally a formality. If you don't like the way you are treated, ask for a new guide- but, in general, you will get better (and faster) response to any questions right here.

Resale buyers will also be assigned a guide. You will generally get a note from your guide months afterwards, but if you want contact about potential add-ons, call 1-800-800-9100 and they can provide the information you'll need to get strated.

Enjoy!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I think how important your guide is depends on if you found the Dis Boards before or after you purchased. Th information on these boards really cuts down the amount of explaining a guide needs to do.

HBC

 

[goofy4tink]

Doc...that wasn't Betty P. was it? She's our guide and I was going to be calling her next week. Hopefully there are two Betty's there? Thanks.

 

[RobDoc]

Bettie Pleasant has moved to NC with her family and is no longer with DVC. She was a great guide and part of the original sales team.

You can call and find out who you have been assigned to by DVC.

My new guide is Ken Bradshaw- he also works out of Celebration just like Bettie did.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
IMHO, the product sells itself and the guides are generally a formality.

I agree wholeheartedly. Especially, as HB Cat points out, if you've already been prepped on these boards before calling as I was.

My guide was a nice guy. But haven't heard from him since we bought two years ago. And I don't think less of him because of it.


I wouldn't put up with poor callback timing though. If it persists, I'd ask for a new guide. Even if they're busy they can call to let you know that. Just Salesmanship 101.

 

[Luvdisney]

My guide is Glen Wilson. He has always called back promptly, although I would say I get more information from these boards then I do from Glen.

 

[lucillemcg]

I'm having major issues with my DVC guide! When I called to buy at SSR, thanks to these boards, I had everything completely researched and was ready to buy right then and there on the phone. I basically said "300 points at SSR" and was ready to buy.
Well, first she was confused about the pricing---she never mentioned about the $500 down---so when I confirmed that on these boards and called back the next day, she said she had me down for BOARDWALK! I never even mentioned anything other than SSR.
Once we got it straightened out and she re-wrote the paperwork--we received the SSR paperwork and my husband's name was spelled wrong, so we had to send all that back and wait for a whole new set of paperwork.
Finally, I thought everything was fine--we had paid the $500, then the 10% and she said everything was fine over a month ago---until last night when I was balancing the checkbook on the phone and it said that yesterday $500 charge went through to DVC. My husband called the main number and they said the guide had put us through for a 2nd SSR 300 point contract yesterday!!! Well, she's not in the office today and there's nothing we can do until we talk to her. I was ready to change guides at first, but I figured once everything was completed, we wouldn't have to deal with her anymore. Has anyone else ever had that problem before? I'm really frustrated!

 

[JimC]

lucillemcg,

If you are having ongoing problems, call and ask for a supervisor. Explain what has happened. I am sure they will put everything right and use the feedback to help your guide improve. If you want a new guide assigned you can request that as well. Our guide is Byron and he is a classic gentleman. We recommend him highly.

 

[lenshanem]

lucillemcg, wow. I'm sorry your're ahving such a hard time. I wonder if they're new cause they sound liek they don't really know what they're doing! I woudl call and talk to a supervisor. Mayeb thsi peron needs more training?

 

[jaysue]

Our guide is Bryon as well - executed everything well without a hitch - did not rush or pressure us at all - having said that I agree that these boards are quite informative and often the guide comes down to a formality

thanks
jaysue

 

[DeeP]

I have been lucky and have had the same guide since my orginal purchase who is Judy Kauffman. She has always been very, very nice. She is always very prompt at returning calls and she is very, very, very good at what she does. I would be very surprised if she is not one of DVC's top salespeople and most popular guides. Judy keeps a very active data base of her current and past customers and she often makes the effort to welcome members home with a call to your resort or a postcard when returning home and she always makes sure you are informed of any new DVC properties, special deals etc. Her continued contact with her members works to make the member feel valued and also works to her advantage in selling many add ons to repeat customers.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Guides are just salesman, similar to guests are just customers at WDW. They like to use more friendly names!