Lots of Questions

[Soccer Princess]

I think I know the basic ins and outs of DVC now and I see no reason why we shouldn't take the plunge. We would want to buy resale though b/c we don't need 150 points right now. We would probably only want 50-60 for now, which would be fine for the next few years until we want/need to add-on. After the initial cost per point and the yearly maint. fees of course, are there any additional costs I need to know about?

I think I'm going to add my name to some of the resale lists to be notified when something I'm looking for comes available. Are there any of those you do or do not recommend?

Do most of you think you should buy where you want to stay or that it doesn't really matter? I think we want SSR b/c of the longer contract (Hey in 2054 I'll only be 69 ) but to be honest we would rather stay mostly in the "hotel" DVC's like BWV, BCV, and VWL. Should we just buy one of them and forgo the extra years?

Here is my thinking. Say we stay the the Boardwalk/BC/YC for 5 nights (in value season). That right there is $315x1.125(tax)= 354.38x5 (nights) = $1772.

60ptsx$86 (seems to be avg. resale for SSR -some as low as $80)=$5160.

(Not taking into account the average yearly hotel price increase)
$5160/1772= around 3 stays. So after 3 of these trips the initial investment would be paid for correct? After this, I'm simply paying maint. fees for my 5 night trip each year correct? $4x60pts=$240. $240 is less than 1 night at one of these resorts. Am I missing something here?

And lastly, is use year really that important? If we find the perfect contract (price, points, location..) but the UY isn't what we were looking for, should we go ahead and make an offer? I was thinking with resale we can't be too picky and UY is one thing to be more lax on?

Any other thoughts/advice/comments??? Thanks!!!

 

[tacomaranch]

I am too new to answer any questions with knowledge other than I can only say wonderful things about Tom and his wife Judy at the TSS, the sponsor of this site.

Judy pointed out to me that when a person sells their DVC it is because they have to. When buying a contract from the TSS they know the prices that will pass and it gives the buyer a good contract and the seller a fair price.

I went with another company for our first contract. The price was very low, I negotiated the closing costs and had a sweet deal. If it was TSS they would have told me that no way would I get it. Sure enough, the contract went to Disney on ROFR. The other company got a commission and the seller got a low price. Disney got a great deal!

Go with the TSS you are also helping out another member who is most likely in bad time because they have to sell.

Tom is wonderful, his wife Judy is a gem. They offered to help me out when I was in jam and I am grateful that they do care for others.

 

[CarolMN]

I think I know the basic ins and outs of DVC now and I see no reason why we shouldn't take the plunge. We would want to buy resale though b/c we don't need 150 points right now. We would probably only want 50-60 for now, which would be fine for the next few years until we want/need to add-on. After the initial cost per point and the yearly maint. fees of course, are there any additional costs I need to know about?

Assume you know that DVC covers only the lodging. The "other" costs will include transportation, food, tickets and souvenirs. Those can be significant, LOL.

I think I'm going to add my name to some of the resale lists to be notified when something I'm looking for comes available. Are there any of those you do or do not recommend?

Our DVC Forums sponsor - the TImeshare Store, gets rave reviews. IMHO, you can't go wrong dealing with them. The owner, Tom Yeary, posts on these boards and you'll find his team works hard to provide excellent service. (And no, he doesn't pay me to say that, LOL).

Do most of you think you should buy where you want to stay or that it doesn't really matter? I think we want SSR b/c of the longer contract (Hey in 2054 I'll only be 69 ) but to be honest we would rather stay mostly in the "hotel" DVC's like BWV, BCV, and VWL. Should we just buy one of them and forgo the extra years?

Depends. When do you anticipate traveling most often? Will the vacation be less satisfying if you end up staying at SSR because you can't get into the smaller DVC resorts - VWL, BCV & BWV? Are you OK with using the waitlist? (I am absolutely ROTTEN at using the waitlist - worry too much and want to get my reservation settled as soon as possible. If something isn't available at 7 months, it would make me crazy to use the waitlist. OTOH, lots of people have no problem using the waitlist and say it works for them often - however, they don't want standard view at the BWV during early December, either, LOL). Anyway, if you travel during the busier times for DVC (which do not necessarily match up with busy times in the parks), can't see your self happy most times at SSR or would hate the waitlist process, buy VWL, BCV or BWV or wherever you think you would be happioest staying most often. There is lots of competiton for the smaller resorts at 7 months and as SSR sells out, it will only get more intense.

Here is my thinking. Say we stay the the Boardwalk/BC/YC for 5 nights (in value season). That right there is $315x1.125(tax)= 354.38x5 (nights) = $1772.

60ptsx$86 (seems to be avg. resale for SSR -some as low as $80)=$5160.

(Not taking into account the average yearly hotel price increase)
$5160/1772= around 3 stays. So after 3 of these trips the initial investment would be paid for correct? After this, I'm simply paying maint. fees for my 5 night trip each year correct? $4x60pts=$240. $240 is less than 1 night at one of these resorts. Am I missing something here?

Probably, but if you go to WDW at least every other year and stay at a deluxe resort, DVC can be a better value for you - depends on how you use it.

For example, if you stay mostly on weekends or use DVC to regualrly stay outside of the 7 DVC resorts, DVC will end up costing you $$.

Also, many of us who buy DVC end up going more often, staying in larger accomodations and inviting others with us. Not exactly a good way to save $$, LOL.

And lastly, is use year really that important? If we find the perfect contract (price, points, location..) but the UY isn't what we were looking for, should we go ahead and make an offer? I was thinking with resale we can't be too picky and UY is one thing to be more lax on?

Any other thoughts/advice/comments??? Thanks!!!

USe year is only important if you have to cancel a vacation that is scheduled to occur late in your use year. (For example, if you cancel a December vacation and have a February use year, you may end up losing points if you can't reschedule before the end of the following January. That's because you would be past the 100% and maybe even the 50% banking windows). Many people never have to cancel so use year is no big deal.

Keep in mind that your travel habits may change over the course of your membership, so what is "perfect" now may not be in the future.

If an otherwise good deal comes along, I wouldn't let use year be a deal breaker. Others may have a different opinion.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[starbox]

Here is my thinking. Say we stay the the Boardwalk/BC/YC for 5 nights (in value season). That right there is $315x1.125(tax)= 354.38x5 (nights) = $1772.

Carol alluded to this already, but make sure to realise that with DVC those 5 nights have to be Sunday-Thursday to do the trip for 60 points. If you are going through CRO, the room prices don't double on the weekends.