Just had a crazy DVC conversation!

[TiszBear]

Here's my 2 cents worth..

I bought in 1999 and did not know about the Disboards until 2004. When I brought in I had a great guide who explained how the "system" worked. He even wrote out examples and information to make it easier to understand. Well 8 months after I purchased he sent a letter to me and I assume to others that he was moving on and I would be assigned a new guide. I was and I couldn't be happier with who I have. But anyway...

I also have met as I assume most of have, those are DVC owners that just don't understand. They choose not to read the materials given to them or ask questions and I feel that no matter what I say it won't change how they use their membership. So when I "run" into a "brick wall" I just nod when they start to talk and move on because pretty soon one day the light bulb will light up and they will realize that they lost out on alot of useable points and perks.

 

[saintstickets]

SHHHHH PEOPLE!!! If ALL DVC members start lurking on the DISboard then they will become informed and we'll never get that primo view at 7 months not at our home resort!!! I feel for them but if someone is willing to spend that much money without getting all the facts, then they have no one to blame but themselves. In the words of David Hannum "There's a sucker born every minute!"
(BTW, this saying is erroneously attributed to P. T. Barnum)

 

[Husurdady]

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?

How's that saying go; A sucker is born every minute.

 

[hlyntunstl]

DIS and the internet in general is a great resource but ultimately it comes down to the effort of the individual.

I couldn't agree more. Everything is spelled out in the contract and, if there's something you don't understand, you should ask. I spoke occasionally to my guide over a 10 year period prior to actually making a purchase and she very patiently answered every single question I ever had despite the fact that she probably thought I had no intention of ever purchasing. I managed to understand the process pre-DIS boards but I took the time to make sure I had full understanding of everything prior to signing those final documents.

Reading every word of everything I sign once saved me $500 on my car as the dealer "neglected" to include my previously provided downpayment (given to hold the vehicle) in the total I was about to finance. If I start thinking "why am I am reading this entire thing", I just remember that $500. It's up to me as the purchaser to fully understand or ask questions if I don't.

I hope things work out for the OP's friend and I'm sorry to hear so many other people don't understand what they spent good money to have.

 

[Goofy442]

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?

This made my day I was laughing so much that people were asking what is so funny if they only knew. We go to WDW every year so we would take the DVC tours and I think our guide was tired of seeing us. My DH had to know everything he could before buying DVC. You need to read the fine print!

 

[Coach81]

All I can say is... WOW

 

[RIJim]

I agree with the earlier post that he/she's spouse is the primary driver and thats why they are uninformed. I plan all our vacations, including DVC, flights, hotels, activities. I joke that all my wife does is get up in the morning and sit in the car seat, I take care of everything.

 

[gracelrm]

We bought back in 2001. I must say, our guide spelled it all out quite specifically. We asked questions and then left. We had 30 days to purchase under the conditions that we were given. We called back with several questions and read the literature we had been given. I finally gave in on day 29 and we purchased. I can not imagine not knowing what you were getting in to. My DH had watched the DVC advertisements on our in-room tv during one trip. Then on our next trip - he watched some more and went to the lobby of the WL and talked several times with the guide there. He talked me in to going to the presentation on the last day of our trip. It's funny - he had a clue in the beginning, now I keep track of everything and he's a little clueless! I do keep up with these boards and I think that helps me stay in the loop - whereas, he just dreams up trips and then I make them happen!

 

[smjj]

This thread is a hoot but right on. It reminds me of the time we were waiting in the Orlando Terminal to go home from our Member's Cruise. A couple accross from us saw my hat and shirt and stated they were on the same cruise with us and wanted to know what resort we had bought into. They we members at OKW. I explained we had just bought in 2 years prior at OKW and they both looked at us like we were lying to them. He stated that OKW was and had been sold out for years and wanted to know how that was possible. I explained the Timeshare Store and how resales happen and stuff like that. They were in shock. They thought once a resort was sold out , it was forever sold out and they had no idea you could buy from someone other than Disney. These people did not look that much older than us and we are in our early 50's. I told them about this site(DIS) and they were glueless. I remind you they were on the Members Cruise with us. How can this be???...smjj

 

[El&Asmom]

I'm not surprised. My parents are some of the biggest cheapskates around, but my dad bought two timeshares over the phone without doing any research on them or even going to one of the resorts they bought into. They have yet to use their RCI TS, and only go to their TS in Cancun every few years. They probably spent about 15k for them. I wish they would have just invested in DVC. We could have managed their points, and they could be taking us on vacation instead of us putting them up with us. Oh well. They took my brother and I many places growing up, so now it's our turn.
I think the big issue is that they are in their 60s, and are not good at researching on line. I will probably have them give me their documents so I can try to figure it out so they can get some use out of them.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Oh - if someone spoke to my spouse about DVC there would probably be a thread about that conversation!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm not surprised. My parents are some of the biggest cheapskates around, but my dad bought two timeshares over the phone without doing any research on them or even going to one of the resorts they bought into. They have yet to use their RCI TS, and only go to their TS in Cancun every few years. They probably spent about 15k for them. I wish they would have just invested in DVC. We could have managed their points, and they could be taking us on vacation instead of us putting them up with us. Oh well. They took my brother and I many places growing up, so now it's our turn.
I think the big issue is that they are in their 60s, and are not good at researching on line. I will probably have them give me their documents so I can try to figure it out so they can get some use out of them.

LOL, the bolded part of the quote above made me laugh out loud! I'm going to guess El&Asmom is younger than my children! We are in our 60's and I know for a fact we are not the ONLY ones on this board who are!

 

[kimberh]

I just hope his wife was the one that had the knowledge about DVC. I know my dear husband would be lost if I were to die. I need to write it all down for my kids to follow. We have 4 membership numbers, 3 UY's, 2 dvc passwords and ID numbers, for the accounts, it can get complicated. I didn't understand in the beginning to join these memberships. Then when DVC started all their enhancements to make our membership better, I was glad that I had not.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

OK. Confession time here. When I first bought in I was pretty ignorant. My business was humming along and I wasn't as careful in general with money as I am now (I am so ready for this recession to be over). I was one of those that just loved owning a piece of Disney. I knew nothing about the resale market. I spent most of my points in CA at the GCH (not the most efficient use of points). But over a short period of time (thanks be to Disboards) I learned all about DVC and how to use and manage my points and other things. I never knew that you could get a reduction on your airfare with Southwest just because they had lowered their prices (even after I had already paid for my tickets). I love the boards.

 

[james'mommy]

My DH would probably be okay on his own if I died. He seems to have a pretty good grasp on DVC. He could use it as a way to lure a new wife. We just booked a vacation for my whole family and DH pointed out that I could borrow 2011 points when I was stressing about having enough points.

 

[thesupersmartguy]

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

Maybe he will book the Venetian Resort. You know, the one between the Contemporary and Magic Kingdom?

 

[Sammie]

I guess I am going to be the dissenter here. I figure if someone is happy with their purchase it is their business how much they know or how little.

Everyone is different and many would think most of us are overly obsessive about Disney, DVC and all the planning.

I don't give them a hard time about how they do things and they don't give me a hard time either. There is no one way to do this.

As to the Grand Floridian comment, sorry I don't get what is wrong with that at all. I use my points anywhere I want to and I can certainly understand saving them to use for something special like that.

Some think it is foolish to use points on weekends but I personally don't.

 

[CoffeeCup]

DH and I bought a DVC membership last summer at AKL, and I am in my early 60's while he soon will be. Far from being clueless, we researched the offer very carefully, paid cash for it, and have 2 vacations booked for this year. I frequently read the Dis for information and entertainment, and we have been to Disney World too many times to count. Don't make fun of us old people. Most of the people I know in their 60's are about like us....retired, receive a good pension, still work at least part-time since we have too much energy to sit in our rocking chairs and enjoy spending money too much not to continue earning more of it. Our brains still work okay, our bodies still work well enough to get around DW, we have 5 computers in our house for the 2 of us, and life is good....especially when we are on vacation. Last year we took a cruise to the Southern Caribbean, spent a week at AKL, spent a week at the beach, and took several shorter trips. There are advantages to being "old"!

 

[maburke]

I guess I am going to be the dissenter here. I figure if someone is happy with their purchase it is their business how much they know or how little.

Everyone is different and many would think most of us are overly obsessive about Disney, DVC and all the planning.

I don't give them a hard time about how they do things and they don't give me a hard time either. There is no one way to do this.

As to the Grand Floridian comment, sorry I don't get what is wrong with that at all. I use my points anywhere I want to and I can certainly understand saving them to use for something special like that.

Some think it is foolish to use points on weekends but I personally don't.

I don't think the OP was trying to give him a hard time, but trying to help him despite the "I know more than you, I bought on property" attitude the new buyer was giving. (And I can't believe that anyone would rather stay ignorant of banking and lose points.) And he can stay at the Grand Floridian if he wants, but he can't save up 5 years' worth of points! If he doesn't find that out before the time comes to make that reservation, he'll be mighty disappointed.

 

[Tiger926]

I guess I am going to be the dissenter here. I figure if someone is happy with their purchase it is their business how much they know or how little.

Everyone is different and many would think most of us are overly obsessive about Disney, DVC and all the planning.

I don't give them a hard time about how they do things and they don't give me a hard time either. There is no one way to do this.

As to the Grand Floridian comment, sorry I don't get what is wrong with that at all. I use my points anywhere I want to and I can certainly understand saving them to use for something special like that.

Some think it is foolish to use points on weekends but I personally don't.

You make some good points about if people are happy, so be it! I've been thinking about that very thing since I read the first post. Many of us on here are obsessed with Disney and planning, but that doesn't mean everyone has to be or should be. We also believe that our points are ours to do with what we like - whether that be weekends, cruising or non-DVC. We have used them to stay in non-DVC resorts as well. Best points I ever spent were for Contemporary Concierge - we got upgraded to Presidential Suite for 1 night. OMG!!! It was a sweet surprise and one that we will never forget as that MK view was outstanding!

I think for many here, this kind of conversation seems so absurd as it's far from the compulsive, Disney-obsessed, planning world that most of us live in. That being said, I do believe that not understanding the actual policies and procedures of DVC could prove dangerous in terms of losing points, not understanding cancellation policies, etc., but that is their choice in not properly knowing how to work their vacation program. It's not very smart, IMHO, as it will most certainly mean loss of points, booking windows, etc., but not much can be done about that but provide info - whether people take you up on that offer is another thing altogether.

Good points - thanks for providing another point of view, Tiger