Immediate bill for Annual Dues?

[BlueRibbon]

Hi There!

Back in April I bought an additional 75 points direct with a December UY. We paid cash and got the 2018 UY points. Once the transaction was finished we didn't receive any bills or communication(as expected). Today, in the mail, both my wife and I get "Past Due" notices for our annual dues with a $25 late fee and interest! To say I'm surprised is an understatement. Is this normal?

I can see the reasoning since it could be the dues for the 2018 points I received, but just a little weird since I never received an original bill, and wasn't told during the purchase that I'd be responsible for it...

And I come to see that Member Services is closed due to the approaching storm, and they asked that basically if it isn't an emergency, please call back after the storm has passed....

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You pay dues on direct purchases that are pro-rated from the date you sign the contract, assuming the resort is already open and you receive current points which you did. Somewhere along the way the original bill would have been sent. It usually arrives in the 6-8 week range after the purchase signing. Sounds like it didn't make it all the way to your house. The purchase contracts outline your responsibility for the dues if you want to look back at the information.

 

[Sandisw]

The dues should have also shOwn in your online account. You could go in and pay them that way, even with the offices closed. Then you can contact them regarding the late fee and interest.

But, as mentioned, due are based on calendar year, so if you bought in April, then you’d pay about 9 months worth of dues for 2019.

 

[RescueRanger]

You should have paid your maintenance fees up front or set up monthly auto pay. You are currently in your 2018 use year so you would owe a prorated portion of those fees. It should have been in your paperwork that you had to read and sign when you purchased.

 

[BlueRibbon]

Thanks for the replies. After looking through the paperwork again, the initial contract mentions:
"Costs Associated with the purchase of your Ownership Interest today include:
1. One Time Purchase Price - $<Dollar Amount>
2. Closing Costs - $<Dollar Amount>
3. Annual Dues"

Looking through the rest of the contract, there is mention that dues are prorated during the initial year of purchase, but reading what I did at the time, I figured that the prorated dues were included with what I paid that day. There is certainly no mention that you'll be billed 3 months later.

Seems like a misunderstanding, but I will press to have the late fee and interest removed since no bill ever came, and the contract is unclear.

I was able to find the balance due online, but it was certainly not obvious. Going to the annual dues page, it showed a zero balance, but when I clicked on "By Contract" it split into two line items, one for my original .0 contract, and my add-on .1 contract that had a balance due.

 

[BlueRibbon]

Update: After waiting a few days for the storm impacts to subside, I called member services, and after hearing my long winded story, the CM happily removed the late fee and interest. The CM stated that this wasn't the first time a direct buyer had thought the prorated Annual Dues were covered in the original purchase amount.

I was then able to pay my dues with my Disney Rewards Redemption card!

 

[gharter]

Glad it worked out for you.
From the working you posted, it would seem reasonable to expect that the dues were included in the purchase cost. Member Services is usually very reasonable to deal with if you have a reasonable request.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

I'm happy everything turned out ok. I had confidence in Disney that they would do the right thing. I hope you enjoy many years of Disney magic.

 

[Philsfan77]

Hi There!

Back in April I bought an additional 75 points direct with a December UY. We paid cash and got the 2018 UY points. Once the transaction was finished we didn't receive any bills or communication(as expected). Today, in the mail, both my wife and I get "Past Due" notices for our annual dues with a $25 late fee and interest! To say I'm surprised is an understatement. Is this normal?

I can see the reasoning since it could be the dues for the 2018 points I received, but just a little weird since I never received an original bill, and wasn't told during the purchase that I'd be responsible for it...

And I come to see that Member Services is closed due to the approaching storm, and they asked that basically if it isn't an emergency, please call back after the storm has passed....

All of our information has been online on our DVC account...we set up autowithdrawal through the online portal...i'd advise setting that up going forward, unless you want to pay the lump sum in one shot.

 

[Philsfan77]

Update: After waiting a few days for the storm impacts to subside, I called member services, and after hearing my long winded story, the CM happily removed the late fee and interest. The CM stated that this wasn't the first time a direct buyer had thought the prorated Annual Dues were covered in the original purchase amount.

I was then able to pay my dues with my Disney Rewards Redemption card!

That's great news!!