Membership status same if ONLY bought resale?

[oct2014]

I am a DVC member, but my question is for someone looking to make an initial DVC purchase. I have been promoting resale because she only plans to use the points at BWV and is not in a rush.

In reading the many pros and cons threads on here for years, I saw at least one indication of resale owners not being full-fledge owners if they ONLY bought resale. Aside from the limitations on using the points outside of DVC properties (if not grandfathered in), I thought there were no other distinctions. If there are events (might have been a member cruise?) or discounts that she would be excluded from, however, then I probably would advise her to buy the smallest contract she could through Disney directly and then look for a resale with a matching use year. Thoughts on whether there are any other restrictions?

On a related note, if she does buy resale and later wants to buy direct from Disney (for whatever reason), does she get the same offers we do as far as a 25-point minimum and any promotions?

 

[erionm]

If someone only has restricted points, they can't book the Member Cruises (even if they wanted to pay all cash). The Member Cruise is technically still a Disney Collection Reservation.

All members regardless of how they purchased their points have access to member discounts on passes, dining, merchandise, etc. Except for the member cruises, all other special events are open to all members regardless of how they purchased their points.

Direct add-on minimums and pricing/promotions are available to all members regardless of how they purchased their other points.

 

[oct2014]

I didn't realize that about the member cruise (on cash). I just wanted to make sure there wasn't a laundry list of items, and to at least inform her of any that do. Thanks!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

As Michael mentioned it's only the member cruise although it's quite a premium for that also.

I'd still recommend the resale and then if later they find they have to do a MC they could purchase a small contract direct - and DVC does sell all resorts direct although there can be a waitlist for the older resorts. I recommend the resale first because DVC can match up to their UY so it's leaving more flexibility on the resale with not having a UY to try and match up.

 

[oct2014]

Oh if it is just the member cruise I totally agree with going resale given where/when she will use the points. Frankly, it is more about full-disclosure on my part! Thanks for confirming!

 

[lgpav1]

We bought off the secondary market and my membership works just fine. Couple things we can't do, but, I don't think we would use that part of the membership. It works very well for the resorts and many other aspects. Plus, I only paid 55% of the points price at that time.

 

[icydog]

I haven't been on a member cruise since I sold all my DVC developer points and bought new non-developer resale points. It bothered me in the beginning but I'm over it. One of my big issues with member cruises is that they take place when school's in session. (has this changed?)

 

[disneynutz]

Buy direct, pay more than resale.
Use points for anything other that DVC resort stays, pay more than equivalent cash.
Go on a member cruise, pay more than a regular cruise.
Attend an exclusive DVC membership magic event and pay more than if you booked the event yourself.

Anyone see a pattern here, Disney obviously doesn't see any reason to offer DVC members a discount and they feel that we have deep pockets.

Bill

 

[Dean]

I am a DVC member, but my question is for someone looking to make an initial DVC purchase. I have been promoting resale because she only plans to use the points at BWV and is not in a rush.

In reading the many pros and cons threads on here for years, I saw at least one indication of resale owners not being full-fledge owners if they ONLY bought resale. Aside from the limitations on using the points outside of DVC properties (if not grandfathered in), I thought there were no other distinctions. If there are events (might have been a member cruise?) or discounts that she would be excluded from, however, then I probably would advise her to buy the smallest contract she could through Disney directly and then look for a resale with a matching use year. Thoughts on whether there are any other restrictions?

On a related note, if she does buy resale and later wants to buy direct from Disney (for whatever reason), does she get the same offers we do as far as a 25-point minimum and any promotions?

There are no situation where it makes sense to buy retail to gain the options that are currently restricted and likely never will be. Personally I'd want 2 criteria to consider the options as a positive on the purchase side. Those are guaranteed continuance and a reasonable return. NONE of the options or perks are guaranteed and NONE of the cash type exchanges return a reasonable value to make buying retail for them worth while. While RCI may be a break even in a few instances, there are too many risks and limitations to make buying to use RCI reasonable. If a resale member wanted access on cash to the member cruises, they could buy resale then add on for 25 points somewhere. Make sure they know that they can only use the qualified points for the restricted options, owning both only gives you access with the qualified portion. My opinion is that they should buy resale or not buy unless they are set on a very new and high end option basically all of the time like VGF or the Poly. And they should be looking at cash only.

 

[oct2014]

OP - I already have explained to her that the point restrictions are irrelevant as well as the variable nature of the perks associated with membership. It really is just about making sure I give full disclosure. It is unlikely that she would go on a member cruise anyway, but I wanted to be up front about getting invitations that she won't (we often travel together). It still sounds though like the member cruise is the only example of "you're a member, but not a member" if she buys exclusively resale. Thanks everyone!