My Guide is Getting My Referral Mad at ME!

[Breyean]

We've been members since 1993 and have been extolling the benefits of DVC to our family and friends ever since.

My sister now has a 3 year old and is finally serious about DVC. I called my Guide and gave him their names and address and he was to send out some stuff for them to review. Over a month passed and they got nothing. I called my Guide again and he explained the mailing are now handled by a third party company and he had submitted their info so it was out of his hands.

I spoke at length with my sister and her husband, basically playing sales guide as best I could, because they had viewed the Aulani webcast and wanted to get those incentives for BLT. Then they spoke with our Guide, questions in hand that I couldn't answer, and to get the actual costs.

My sister called me yesterday morning and told me the price he had quoted her. I couldn't believe it - $140 less $10 for being a referral, then another $19/point off for 150 points. I told her it was a great deal; it seemed to be the same sort of discount we had just gotten adding to Aulani. But they are not DVC members, so I figured it must have been the Friends & Family discount mentioned on the sales site.

She was all set, even deciding to go to 180 or 200 points.

Then she got an email from our Guide, explaining he had quoted them the rates for existing members, and as new members they not only qualified for fewer dollars off, but the thresholds at which they increased also were higher (160 vs 150; 220 vs 200).

So she called me last night, explained what the new deal was, and wanted to know if DVC was always so messed up. First, no sales package. Then the error made by the Guide.

I told her it was still a good deal if she wanted to buy direct from Disney, but now she feels pressured that the webcast incentives end tomorrow, and they have to get their calculations adjusted for the new costs.

And, of course, I am somehow to blame.

 

[JimMIA]

I see a number of BLT resales on the TTS listings for low-$90's. Saving her $40 per point might be the best referral of all.

Or she can buy several of the other resorts resale for less than half what Disney direct is going to charge her.

 

[Breyean]

Believe me, I pitched that idea to them HARD.

They are adamant about buying direct from Disney. Nothing I could do would change their minds. They are VERY risk adverse and were scared when I explained about the restrictions, worrying there w/b more to come.

So, yes, I tried that route, but to no avail.

 

[Greysword]

Have them go to the DVC News site for Pricing & Promotions:

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-program/financial/pricing-a-promotions

The current pricing promotion appears to be, "$140 base price less $10 promotional discount; 160-219 points."

In addition Tim says, "Special Offer 1: With a referral from a current DVC member, base price of $130 applies. May also be additional per-point savings."

Maybe they need a new guide

 

[disneynutz]

I would back away from helping the Sister on this one. Since you introduced her to the DVC, anything and everything that goes wrong will be your fault.

If she can't get the reservation she wants, you didn't tell her, your fault.
If the dues go up, your fault.
If the rooms aren't clean, your fault.

You get the idea.

Good luck!

Bill

 

[mjc2003]

I see a number of BLT resales on the TTS listings for low-$90's. Saving her $40 per point might be the best referral of all.

Or she can buy several of the other resorts resale for less than half what Disney direct is going to charge her.

There is a posting today on Donald's thread, a BLT resale just passed at $83. This means the average of the last 3 resale contracts to make it through BLT ROFR is $79 pp. That's $61 off the list price direct.

Believe me, I pitched that idea to them HARD.

They are adamant about buying direct from Disney. Nothing I could do would change their minds. They are VERY risk adverse and were scared when I explained about the restrictions, worrying there w/b more to come.

So, yes, I tried that route, but to no avail.

If they are risk adverse, they would buy resale. Should they have to sell in 3 years due to unforeseen circumstances, they lessen the risk of losing a lot of money if they buy at $80 vs $140. If there are more restrictions to come, it would not affect them any more than it would if they bought direct.

I would listen to the PP who suggested you back away and let them pursue this on your own. Sometimes the best of intentions end up blowing up in our faces.

 

[Breyean]

I would back away from helping the Sister on this one. Since you introduced her to the DVC, anything and everything that goes wrong will be your fault.

If she can't get the reservation she wants, you didn't tell her, your fault.
If the dues go up, your fault.
If the rooms aren't clean, your fault.

You get the idea.

Good luck!

Bill

So you know my sister!

Actually, she called this afternoon and said I shouldn't feel bad. Probably because she called and spoke with a sales manager who is working with her to resolve the problem. Since the Guide actually referenced his error in his email and explained he had offered her the member rates, the manager said Disney will have to make some concessions.

So if my sister's happy, I'm happy (and maybe off the hook).

 

[CarolAnnC]

The Aulani Webcast I was invited to was only for DVC Members. Was there another one for new prospects?

 

[dizfan]

The Aulani Webcast I was invited to was only for DVC Members. Was there another one for new prospects?

It was the same webcast for both new and existing members. Different links for signing up.

My understanding is the pricing/incentives were slightly different. I think it was an additional $2 off for existing members.

After the original dates for the webcast, DVD added a few more at the start of June for those who missed it.

 

[disneychic]

My sister now has a 3 year old and is finally serious about DVC. I called my Guide and gave him their names and address and he was to send out some stuff for them to review. Over a month passed and they got nothing. I called my Guide again and he explained the mailing are now handled by a third party company and he had submitted their info so it was out of his hands.

OK - What's up with your guide??? Because I was on a DVC trip in May with my Mother-inlaw and she attended the member celebration at BLT with me. The next day she mentioned that she was thinking about DVC all night and she'd like to speak to someone about joining. I called my DVC guide that afternoon & left him a message. When he called back that afternoon I put my mother in law on the phone with him. He was about to leave for the day and he had the next few days off so she gave him her address and he said he would get something out in the mail to her. This was on a Tuesday. When she got home on Friday there was a fed-ex box there waiting for her with the DVC info inside. So, I'm not sure why your guide couldn't get info out to your sister?

 

[CMOORE185]

My sister called me yesterday morning and told me the price he had quoted her. I couldn't believe it - $140 less $10 for being a referral, then another $19/point off for 150 points. I told her it was a great deal; it seemed to be the same sort of discount we had just gotten adding to Aulani. But they are not DVC members, so I figured it must have been the Friends & Family discount mentioned on the sales site.

She was all set, even deciding to go to 180 or 200 points.

Then she got an email from our Guide, explaining he had quoted them the rates for existing members, and as new members they not only qualified for fewer dollars off, but the thresholds at which they increased also were higher (160 vs 150; 220 vs 200).

There must be some serious Disney kool aid flowing these days if Disney can continue to sell direct at these prices. Especially in this economy and with resale prices so low. And people think they are getting a good deal! I'm mystified.