ELMC
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2011
- Messages
- 2,932
None of this has anything to do with what we are talking about. I don't care how many years of experience you have, I'm persuaded by sound logical arguments and reasoning, not by unsupported assertions. If you've learned so much from your vast timeshare experience, that should be reflected in your explanations and reasoning. I'm open to the idea that DVC rental points resist the laws of supply and demand, but the burden of proof is on those who make that claim.
What Dean posted above has everything to do with what we are talking about, assuming that you understand what it is he (and I) are trying to say. [I'm not saying this to be insulting or demeaning, but some of your replies indicate that either I have not made myself clear or you are not understanding what I'm trying to say]. Nobody is saying that point rental prices don't follow the laws of supply and demand. What I am saying is that they follow the laws of supply and demand within the DVC point rental market. An example of that would be the recent shortage of rental points available to point rental brokers, which led to them offering to pay more in an effort to attract more points. My interpretation of what Dean is trying to say is that even within that market, point rental prices have remained fairly static for a prolonged period of time and that it doesn't operate as efficiently as you suggest.
Where you and I differ in our thinking (and again, not to be insulting but I'm not sure you've heard this point) is that I believe there is little to no established connection between the direct booking market and the DVC point rental market. I don't believe that direct booking prices influence point rental prices at all for two distinct reasons. First, the majority of Disney guests are completely unaware of Disney Vacation Club. Within that community that is aware of its existence, there is only a small percentage that is aware that point rental is even an option. They're can't be a demand if people don't know something exists. I don't believe that direct booking guests are creating any demand for rentals at all.
On the other side, people who are aware of point rentals are trying to get the best price per point based on what is available, either by trying to take advantage of distressed points or negotiating with posters advertising points. In my experience, they are not going on the Disney site, checking to see what the cost of a direct booking is, and then comparing that to renting points. They are only functioning within boundaries of the point rental market.
I simply don't believe that there is any connection between direct booking prices and point rental prices. They are two completely separate products operating in two completely separate markets with two completely separate customer bases. I am curious to hear why you think otherwise.