New BLT info - Rumors

[UConnJack]

The whole Steve Harvey thing was in the OP, so I guess I don't see how that is off topic, but anyway... I also find it funny that some people don't know who Steve Harvey is. I am a young, white female and I know who he is. I actually think he was a good marketing choice. He is an older African American, very successful and clean cut. I think he would appeal to other African Americans in his age range, especially. I don't see why Disney wouldn't want to market to middle-aged African Americans with disposable income, just like they are marketing to white Americans with disposeable income. Makes sense to me. And who cares if Jim Lewis is black? I don't think that has anything to do with anything. Just because Jim Lewis is black and so is Steve Harvey, I don't think that automatically makes them friends. I am not friends with every white person I have ever met. This thread is getting a little ignorant in that respect.
Also I still find it funny that the acronym is BLT. I can't stop thinking about sandwiches. I'm hungry...

I agree, Steve Harvey is a positive person to use from a marketing perspective, but I don't think he has much crossover appeal or recognition outside the African American community. I admittedly don't know how big his role is in DVC marketing, but if he has been the face of the overall marketing effort, then I don't think he's a good choice without the crossover appeal (although he certainly shouldn't turn anyone off) . If he is the face being used to specifically market to the African American community, then he is a good choice.

 

[UConnJack]

Yes, this discussion is not about Steve Harvey, its about BLT. So lets move on, shall we?

One of the rumors listed in the OP was that guides were unhappy with Steve Harvey representing DVC and implying that it was because the black community can't afford DVC. The DVC, Disney, and race discussion may not be the part of the topic you are interested in discussing, but I think it is within the topic presented in the OP, nonetheless.

 

[Chuck S]

Folks,

We need to get back to the main topic of this thread, not dwell on Steve Harvey and/or targeted marketing to specific groups. All major companies do a fair share of marketing to sub-communities within the US, and the world at large. People are often marketed to by age group, gender, sexual orientation, race, income levels, zip code, etc. It is simply part of business as usual for all businsses.

Since several posters have reported that Disney is happy with DVC sales and profit for the current fiscal year, I think there is probably little validity to the price hikes and other rumors reported in the OP of this thread.

 

[Mtnman44]

exactly. Every one of those groups of earners are paying more than their "share" in taxes. That was my only point. The idea that the middle class pays for everything while the rich get off through loopholes and such is a MYTH, based in class-envy marxist political games. I realize it is getting off topic, but I try to correct things inject facts when I see the opportunity. (I'm now setting my political debate mode to OFF.)

Just a note on these stats, they mean nothing without perspective. using the same source the top 1% earned 21.2% of total income, the top 25% earned 67.5% and the top 50% earned 87.2%

 

[UConnJack]

Chuck has spoken, so I won't pursue the race and marketing topic here any further. But if anyone is interested in rationally and respectfully discussing controversial topics, I would invite them to go to the Community Board. There can be some interesting discussions to be had there (if you can weed through the American Idol, Big Brother and Paris Hilton threads).

exactly. Every one of those groups of earners are paying more than their "share" in taxes. That was my only point. The idea that the middle class pays for everything while the rich get off through loopholes and such is a MYTH, based in class-envy marxist political games. I realize it is getting off topic, but I try to correct things inject facts when I see the opportunity. (I'm now setting my political debate mode to OFF.)

But before I go, I have to say

 

[BlakeNJ]

For those interested, I started a new "New BLT Rumors" thread. This one just too a bad turn IMHO.

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

I think the whole idea that they may create second tier resorts, change the booking parameters, etc. are wishful or imaginative thinking. Certainly it was not the intention of DVD when they filed the papers for this resort. The disclosure document listed all the current resorts as participants in the program. and included the 7 month booking window. Using the maximum allocation chart, existing resort breakdowns and some guessing I figure that the total point available for sale at BLT will be somewhere north of 5,000,000. At the current price of $104/pt that would equate to $520 million. The resort expansion has been listed as $110M project. Even after the expenses involved with selling and marketing they will not have to jack the price to make a profit.

 

[camack7827]

DVC could be floating a high price so that when they come out with, hopefully, a reasonable price, people will say, "Ahh, a bargain!"

My thoughts exactly. I just read a study as part of a sales training I took that when customers were shown the least expensive pool table first, the average sale price was $550, when customers were shown the most expensive pool table first, the average sale price was a little over $1,000.

All that said, I've been saving for BLT for a while and am on "the list of people interested in new projects as they become available" with my guide. I pull the trigger no questions asked at $110. The closer to $120 we get, the more pause I give, and at $120 I go hit the resale market for the cheapest points I can get.

Still just hoping for an announcement soon!!
Chris

 

[Chuck S]

For those interested, I started a new "New BLT Rumors" thread. This one just too a bad turn IMHO.

No point in having two threads running concurrently. I'm going to close this one and refer everyone to the newest thread so that the replies stay sequential.

New thread