Just had a crazy DVC conversation!

[Sammy]

I had the most insane conversation with a coworker today regarding DVC. He knows how much of a Disney fan I am, so he mentioned today that he and his wife just bought DVC at AKL. I congratulated him, and the conversation went downhill from there:

Me: "Congratulations...Animal Kingdom is really cool! You'll love it there!
Him: "We bought enough points to have a scenic view." (Savannah view?)
Me: "Nice! We own at Old Key West."
Him: "Oh, we own right at Disney"
Me: "Um, yeah, OKW is also at Disney. It was the first Vacation Club Resort."
Him: "Oh. Well, I guess you can stay at the other Vacation Club Resorts too, right? I know there's some kind of Music resort, and one named Coronado."
Me: "No, those aren't DVC Resorts," (I named a few) "but once you start staying DVC, you'll really get spoiled."
Him: "I know! I'm paying $250 a month for 10 years and then I'll have 50 years of vacations for free."

At this point, I'm flabbergasted and realize I need to just shut up and nod my head a few times. He's really clueless. Then the conversation ends with this gem:

Him: "My wife and I going to celebrate our 25th Anniversary in 5 years, so I'm planning on saving up a few years' points and booking at the Grand Floridian."

Oh god. How can someone spend $14,000 (what he told me he paid) and not have a CLUE???? Did Disney see this guy coming or what?

I know not everyone is as informed at the people on this board, but really! If you're going to make a signficant purchase like this, shouldn't you do a little more research?

 

[TiggerFreak]

He forgot to tell you about the new Harry Potter ride opening soon at Disney World
Oh and how he can bring all 17 of his inlaws and have them stay with them in a 2 bedroom

 

[tinkerfan1]

Maybe he has an "in" and knows about a new DVC that will be opening in 5 years at the GF? Yeah right! Lordy...

 

[WilsonFlyer]

My bet would be on the fact that he doesn't know what he's talking about because he hasn't bought DVC. Either that or the old adage applies, "A fool and his money are soon parted."

 

[Sammy]

My bet would be on the fact that he doesn't know what he's talking about because he hasn't bought DVC. Either that or the old adage applies, "A fool and his money are soon parted."

Bob,

Unfortunately, I think that's the case. He was so excited, saying they've been to Disney 4 times over the past 6 years and now he'd be all set for the next 50 years of vacations!

 

[Harlemgirl720]

My bet would be on the fact that he doesn't know what he's talking about because he hasn't bought DVC. Either that or the old adage applies, "A fool and his money are soon parted."

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[DVCJones]

 

[Tiger926]

That conversation just made my head hurt...Tiger

 

[lugnut33]

Disney should make reading these boards mandatory if you want to purchase DVC.

 

[3DisneyKids]

These stories never cease to amaze me! How can someone spend that kind of money and have no clue?!?!

 

[disneynutz]

I hate to pop your bubble but most folks don't use the DIS. In fact most who buy an interest in the DVC only know what they are told by a Guide or what they see at the presentation or DVD.

We talk to other owners on every trip and most have very little knowledge about what they own.

Last month we met a couple who haven't used their points in three years. We talked about banking and he told me that they don't know anything about it and that it sounded like too much trouble.

If the member meeting last month is any indication or owner demographics, the average age of DVC owners is around 60 years of age. A group that maybe doesn't take the time to DIS.

Bill

 

[Chim Chiminy]

My parents bought their own at SSR in 2006 and don't understand how DVC works.
I am an associate on theirs and help them with booking and banking points.
They aren't interested in learning the ins and outs which baffles me. And yes, they are both in their mid 60's.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I hate to pop your bubble but most folks don't use the DIS. In fact most who buy an interest in the DVC only know what they are told by a Guide or what they see at the presentation or DVD.

We talk to other owners on every trip and most have very little knowledge about what they own.

Last month we met a couple who haven't used their points in three years. We talked about banking and he told me that they don't know anything about it and that it sounded like too much trouble.

If the member meeting last month is any indication or owner demographics, the average age of DVC owners is around 60 years of age. A group that maybe doesn't take the time to DIS.

Bill

Bill makes a great point here. A few years ago, a bunch of us here attempted to figure out about what percentage of owners were actually on the DIS, and it seemed that best case scenario was like 2%. Very low. The assumption was that those of us here on the DIS are more informed than the "average" owner who just watches the DVD and talks to the guide.

Now, there are certainly other fan sites out there (though the DIS is the biggest, by far), so even if you take all of them into consideration, you MIGHT be talking 4-5% who are "die hard" DVCers and really know all of the ins and outs of the system.

So again, it never ceases to amaze me...

But YIKES on the story above about the owner who hasn't gone in three years and never banked points! Holy wasted money!

 

[robertdangelo]

Maybe his wife has all the facts & is the planner of the family. My wife prefers to have me handle our DVC planning. We discuss things together, but when it comes to banking/borrowing, etc. I work it all out.
Our 20 month old daughter loves looking at the DVC planning book. She knows the resorts when I ask her to point at them! My wife often jokes that when I pass on, our daughter will have to manage and plan DVC!

Bob

 

[BeccaG]

Oh to be rich enough to spend 14K and not really care to know the details or use the points I bought!

 

[Starr W.]

I hate to pop your bubble but most folks don't use the DIS. In fact most who buy an interest in the DVC only know what they are told by a Guide or what they see at the presentation or DVD.

We talk to other owners on every trip and most have very little knowledge about what they own.

Last month we met a couple who haven't used their points in three years. We talked about banking and he told me that they don't know anything about it and that it sounded like too much trouble.

If the member meeting last month is any indication or owner demographics, the average age of DVC owners is around 60 years of age. A group that maybe doesn't take the time to DIS.

Bill

You are right on the money. We met a non-DIS member DVC owner at our school carnival.

on how much they didn't know about the system.

They use their points to cruise, had only spent 1 night at a DVC resort(post-cruise!).

 

[dianeschlicht]

You do NOT have to be on the DIS to know how to use your DVC. I didn't find the DIS for the first 4 years of membership in DVC, and I learned how to use it just fine.

The problem is that DVC does not do a tutorial, and if folks aren't willing to read and learn on their own, then they WILL be a FOOL parted with their money AND points.

Our guide told us of someone who owned for 12 years and paid dues for 12 years and never once booked a trip! My guess is that one thought they were paying for "one trip" and never even realized they could travel every year.

Sorry, but folks who aren't smart enough to own DVC will learn the hard way what they can and can't do. My guess is your co-worker will be coming to you in a year or two to find out "what he did wrong". Either that, or he'll be complaining about how worthless it is to him!

 

[tjkraz]

I hate to pop your bubble but most folks don't use the DIS. In fact most who buy an interest in the DVC only know what they are told by a Guide or what they see at the presentation or DVD.

Totally agree. Not only do they just know what they are told, they often seem to misinterpret what is said. That's why I'm always a bit dubious when people make claims like "my Guide told me the points would NEVER change!"

Really? Are you sure about that?

As for the individual in question, obviously he's wrong about the trips being "free" for 50 years. But I'm not inclined to slight him over a desire to stay at the Grand Floridian. They are his points and he can pay the premium rate for another resort if he wishes.

Every day people choose to pay $50K for a Cadillac instead of $25K for a Kia. It's their money.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Maybe his wife has all the facts & is the planner of the family. My wife prefers to have me handle our DVC planning. We discuss things together, but when it comes to banking/borrowing, etc. I work it all out.
Our 20 month old daughter loves looking at the DVC planning book. She knows the resorts when I ask her to point at them! My wife often jokes that when I pass on, our daughter will have to manage and plan DVC!

Bob

So true! My DH doesn't have a clue.....

 

[Crystal_27]

I know not everyone is as informed at the people on this board, but really! If you're going to make a signficant purchase like this, shouldn't you do a little more research?

I think the lack of research happens more than you would ever imagine. In fact, Disney probably banks on the fact that the majority of people buy DVC as an impulse while on vacation without doing any research. I know that when we bought, we were eating ice cream with another couple who also bought in, and I asked them where they had bought and they said "Bay View...or something." That really gave me pause because I would think that if someone just dropped $15,000+++, they should at least know the name of what they bought. However, the term "Bay View" is now a standing joke between DH and I, and hopefully the new owners in question are happy with their purchase.