How many DVC'rs (except for these boards) do you think are really CLUELESS ??

[panfan]

Funny thing happened today. Ran into another DVC family at a school function for ds. Just got to talking about vacations in general and DVC came up. My first encounter with another DVC'r in my neck of the woods!! Anyway, this lady was really totally clueless about the whole thing !! She bought back in the beginning . I asked her where she stayed when in WDW usually...her reply was "the vacation club" of corse!! Really was un-aware she could stay anywhere else...she said that they never really "looked into it". Also....here is the kicker....They only go about once every two or three years and never bother to bank their points....too much trouble ...she said. She didn't even know how many they owned , just enough to get her two -bedroom they stay in . She figured it was still a good investment in vacationing in WDW even if they have points that they actually"throw away" on years they don't go. It got me wondering .....we HERE spend a lot of time on these boards , almost daily ( okay...really daily!) checking all the facts, ins and outs etc...what do the other DVCers do?? Do you think this lady represents a small percentage ?? I can't imagine how you could put so much money up and not know what you are doing!

Just a thought!

 

[bobbiwoz]

While on vacation, we've met perhaps 4 different DVC families, none of whom were aware of these boards. They all loved their DVC and had plans for points way into the future, like we do, but didn't seem interested in coming to the Disboards.

So, I haven't met anyone who was "clueless." I found these boards because we were at home, not at WDW, when we decided to look into buying DVC. This board came up when I did a search for DVC.

I'm hoping to meet some Disboard people, maybe on the cruise!

Bobbi

 

[Cinderelli]

We have friends who toured with us back in 1993. They bought immediately, we, however, waited until 2000. I wouldn't say they are absolutely clueless (they have traded out to Hawaii twice), but have no idea of the ins and outs like we do. We'll get talking with them and they are always amazed at how much we know. Not just about DVC, but Disney in general. I would say that those of us who frequent these boards have much more knowledge than the average DVC owner.

 

[Dean]

I'd guess most members are clueless to one degree or another. And this level of ignorance is not limited to DVC but exists in all levels of timesharing.

 

[jctwizzer]

IMHO, reading, or posting on, these boards does not keep you from being clueless about DVC to some degree or another.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I think there are a lot of people who never quite get the hang of being able to make reservations 11 months in advance, especially when it's in another use year. I get the feeling some folks wait until their use year begins to make a reservation within it.

HBC

 

[panfan]

I would have to agree that I too am pretty clueless about certain aspects of the DVC and am learning everyday !

I originally was just wondering if a large part of the DVC population really don't know the value of what they have or how it generally works.

Thanks!

 

[SSRex]

Yeah, I think I know more about DisneyWorld than the average visitor, but I'm new to DVC and making my first trip home in July.

If someone cares enough to find out, there is more than enough information out there for anyone to become a so-called expert.

Heck, I even gave a "Dean approved" explanation of how to use 4 years worth of points for a single trip and I've not been on my first.

It's not just DVC, it's anything and everything, if they care, they can learn all the ins and outs of it. I worked in a bank branch for years and lots of people have no clue about lots of stuff, not just DVC. When I worked in a movie theatre, people really asked us, no kidding, "what time does the midnight show start?" Midnight!

Rex

 

[Granny]

I've wondered this same thing, actually. I imagine that if we bought DVC in an emotional rush during a trip to WDW, and the only information we would have would have come from our guide.

Yes, I think we'd be kind of clueless about a lot of things. I don't think we'd let points expire, but I'll bet that's not unheard of each year.

Certainly, we wouldn't be up on new DVC developments or rules or perks coming or going.

99% of what I know about DVC I learned from this board.

 

[RumpleMom]

Wow letting points expire!

 

[WDWLVR]

I think the level of cluelessness is pretty much the same outside the DIS as it is inside. I know of a number of DIS members who are really clueless as to how DVC works and I don't think they understand how to open up the guide book. They'd much rather just ask a question and let someone else answer it. Maybe clueless isn't the word for them - lazy is.

Having said that I know that I've met other DVC'ers (both on the cruise and Member Homecoming) who are very up to date on things but have never heard of the DIS.

I, for one, like the information I can get here, but I think they are many others who manage DVC just fine without the DIS.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I would bet that many are clueless. I have heard members talking at the member update, and they really did not have a grasp on their membership.

I would also bet that the good folks here on the DVC/DIS Boards are leaps and bounds above the average DVCer.

MG

 

[Margie J]

I'm so surprized that a DVC Member family who bought in the beginning still are unaware of banking or never take advantage of it. Maybe since the cost was so low for them and they really seem to have no other vacation interests or needs it truely doesn't matter. Hey, as long as they are getting what they want out of it I can't judge their use as bad. Ignorance is bliss for them.

I can admit that I made a banking mistake in the beginning however. I totally missed banking the first years surplus. That mistake was never repeated though. It does take a bit of work to get the system right and to plan. Since DVC never reminds us of our point total or that a deadline is looming it's so easy to forget.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

For those owners, the level of DVC cluessness probably extends into other areas of their lives. DVC -- with all the rules, points, use years, 11/7, is a perfect match for a detail minded/OC type of individual, there is probably a little of that in all of us.

 

[SamS]

What's with four years worth of points on a single trip? I think I need an exclamation to remove me from the "clueless"!

 

[JimC]

We on the DVC DIS are possibly among the most knowledgeable Disney guests. It's a passion for us. I am surprised that someone would not bank points -- it's only one call. But if they are enjoying their membership that is all that is really important.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Johnnie Fedora
For those owners, the level of DVC cluessness probably extends into other areas of their lives. DVC -- with all the rules, points, use years, 11/7, is a perfect match for a detail minded/OC type of individual, there is probably a little of that in all of us.

Actually that goes for Timesharing in general. Those who do the best are the ones who seek info and plan ahead. They tend to buy resale, buy what will fit their needs and trade far in advance. They frequently are trading up, at the expense of those that don't plan. They allow weeks to go unused, points to expire, and banked weeks to expire with II. IMO timesharing (DVC or otherwise) is not a good fit for those that are lazy and won't/can't plan ahead.

What's with four years worth of points on a single trip? I think I need an exclamation to remove me from the "clueless"!

If you stay over your use year, you can actually work it so you can combine a full 4 years worth of points for a single trip.

 

[LiloH]

Hi Panfan,

I live in Wallingford, probably less than two miles or so from you and I'm not clueless! You should run in to me sometime.

I am off for my first visit to the BWVs tomorrow morning at 5am (really quick Fri-Mon trip to celebrate our anniversary!) so off I go to bed!

 

[Merilyn]

While we were there in May, I sat with a lady on the bus who had been a member around 10 years. That was their first trip. Can you imagine that?

 

[pmcpmc]

Originally posted by Merilyn
While we were there in May, I sat with a lady on the bus who had been a member around 10 years. That was their first trip. Can you imagine that?