New DVC purchase, of course I have questions!

[Jaylin]

Here's my details.....help me figure some things out, PLEASE!

We took the tour on 8/27 and called our guide to purchase on 8/28.
Here is our deal:
AKL
160pts @ 104/point = $16,640
Got a $1,280 off incentive
Got a $500Visa card for a referal
We paid him (disney visa) $500 + the closing cost (which were somewhere around $300, I forget the exact amount right now)

We still haven't gotten the fedex with all the paperwork yet.

We get 160 points free towards SSR to use before May2009(or maybe Mar).

We are probably going to be vacationing the last week in Aug for awhile and would like to go everyother year. (We went this year, and would like to return in Aug 2010.

Our guide suggested a March user year.

Now, when do we get our first set of points? We are counting on banking points everyother year so that we have 320points, we'll need about this much to get the 2br that we will need.

Are we going to have enough point to go in 2010? Or are we going to need to borrow points?

Does everything sound ok with our purchase? Does anyone foresee any problems with anything? Our user year?

I'd appreciate any input anyone has!!!!
Thanks!

 

[drusba]

With March use year at AKV, you will get first allotment of AKV points March 1, 2009, which you can then bank into March 2010 use year, which will then give you a double allotment to use for a trip in Aug 2010. March use year is fine if you usually go in Aug.

Those SSR developer points must be used by time specified in deal. My undestanding was that you would have one year from date of sale to use them but maybe something has changed, so you may want to verify. Only "problem" with your deal is that you really have to use those SSR developer points by time specified or lose them and it sounds like you may not be going within the next year.

You cannot use those AKV points coming in March 2009 for any trip that begins before May 1, 2009, when the Kidani resort opens (and you apparently have no intent of doing that).

 

[jcodespoti]

I'd call down to DVC if you haven't gotten the Fedex box yet.

Joe in CT

 

[5forDiz]

When you get your first set of points is a very important question and you need to contact your guide immediately and get definite answer. If pp is correct that you would not receive your regular point allotment until March 2009 that, in my opinion, is like Disney selling you a stripped contract. I could be wrong but I did not think this was how Disney sold contracts - is it because Kidani isn't available until May 2009 ?

But still :
If you get assigned March UY you are still in 2008 UY right now
(March 1, 2008 - Feb 28, 2009) . . . true there is a little under 6 months left in this Use Year but you'd have until Oct. 31, 2008 to bank regular points into your 2009 UY.

I just don't feel Developer Points substitute for regular points. If you are not getting 2008 UY allotment of regular points then Disney shouldn't be making it sound like the Developer Points are " free " - - especially that they need to be used within a year of purchase and are limited to SSR, DLR ( & II trade ?) and cannot be banked.

 

[fadedgirl]

Hi all,

We just bought 100 at AKL and have to agree with 5forDiz re: the developer points and having a stripped contract.

Of course, we didn't get any developer points because we bought in at 100 and not 160. While I wasn't thrilled with the Developer Points offer at 160, I was even less happy with getting no other benefit at 100pts except for the $8.00 off per point, which as I understand it, really isn't a "special" incentive but the standard price 99% of the time.

The whole deal has left me with a mildly bitter feeling considering the incentives that are being given for add-ons at 100 pts.

Also, our guide put a 3-day expiration date on the offer. Not only was this expiration date completely invalid and therefore only a sleazy tactic, it also nicely blows to heck Disney's constant mantra of "no pressure sales". I understand that offers end, but this offer ends Sept 20th, not Sept 3rd! So I visit DVC while I'm on vacation and am expected to make a decision by the end of two days later, while still on vacation? Oh, and the guide is gone and totally unavailable for both of those days as well?

Bitter! I can only hope that my experience with DVC as member will be different then as a purchaser. =)

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Hi all,

We just bought 100 at AKL and have to agree with 5forDiz re: the developer points and having a stripped contract.

Of course, we didn't get any developer points because we bought in at 100 and not 160. While I wasn't thrilled with the Developer Points offer at 160, I was even less happy with getting no other benefit at 100pts except for the $8.00 off per point, which as I understand it, really isn't a "special" incentive but the standard price 99% of the time.

The whole deal has left me with a mildly bitter feeling considering the incentives that are being given for add-ons at 100 pts.

Also, our guide put a 3-day expiration date on the offer. Not only was this expiration date completely invalid and therefore only a sleazy tactic, it also nicely blows to heck Disney's constant mantra of "no pressure sales". I understand that offers end, but this offer ends Sept 20th, not Sept 3rd! So I visit DVC while I'm on vacation and am expected to make a decision by the end of two days later, while still on vacation? Oh, and the guide is gone and totally unavailable for both of those days as well?

Bitter! I can only hope that my experience with DVC as member will be different then as a purchaser. =)

Don't let this end here. Call member services and verify that what you received is all that you were entitled to. Some guides make mistakes and sometimes things fall through the cracks. Developer points do not show up in your account, maybe you got them and don't know it. Its worth a call and a littleleg work. Everyone purchasing at the same time gets the same thing. Although incentives do change, DVC usualy offers more than just $8 off.

 

[mgroshans]

We are signing tomorrow for a new 100 point purchase and are getting only the $8 off per point as the only incentive. I asked about all the other incentives I heard about and they are either only for an add on or 160 point purchase. When we toured the suites in Chicago, our guide said the incentives were good for a week. Oh we are also getting 100 points for 2008.
She is showing me there "cheat sheet" showing all the incentives b/c of everything that I have read on here and inquired to her about.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

Hi all,

We just bought 100 at AKL and have to agree with 5forDiz re: the developer points and having a stripped contract.

Of course, we didn't get any developer points because we bought in at 100 and not 160. While I wasn't thrilled with the Developer Points offer at 160, I was even less happy with getting no other benefit at 100pts except for the $8.00 off per point, which as I understand it, really isn't a "special" incentive but the standard price 99% of the time.

The whole deal has left me with a mildly bitter feeling considering the incentives that are being given for add-ons at 100 pts.

Also, our guide put a 3-day expiration date on the offer. Not only was this expiration date completely invalid and therefore only a sleazy tactic, it also nicely blows to heck Disney's constant mantra of "no pressure sales". I understand that offers end, but this offer ends Sept 20th, not Sept 3rd! So I visit DVC while I'm on vacation and am expected to make a decision by the end of two days later, while still on vacation? Oh, and the guide is gone and totally unavailable for both of those days as well?

Bitter! I can only hope that my experience with DVC as member will be different then as a purchaser. =)

P.S. I am not sure when you bought, but you have 10 days to change your mind.

 

[fadedgirl]

Yes, I have been considering getting out of it. Also, just for more background, during our initial meeting with the guide I inquired to the possibility of being able to buy only 100 pts, as I knew they had this offer just a month or two ago, and she said "No way, the minimum buy in is 160 pts".

So a few days later when we spoke I told her that I wasn't going to buy 160 pts, but if they could do the 100 like they were doing a few months ago, that I would do it. Again she said NO emphatically, so I said goodbye. Then she decided that she would ask someone, put me on hold for less than one minute and then said "Yes, we can do the 100 pts at $96.00 a point but no other incentives" and acted as though this was something they were doing just for me.

Now that I've been reading the boards, I see that other new-to-DVC people were offered the 100 pts @ $96 a point with no other incentives as well (except they were actually offered it upfront, unlike us), so I guess in the end we got what everyone else is currently getting...it just makes one wonder when the entire order was handled so, well, seemingly not 'above board'. Plus, a few months ago they had incentives, so why not now?

I have to say that due to the above, the only reason we are doing this now is to be a Founding Member for GCV...although we are seriously re-considering that aspect. We were worried that GVC would sell out to DVC members and not be available to the public...does anyone find that likely? However, we may just rescind & take our chances with GCV. After this AKV deal we are caring less about belonging to the DVC at all.

MGROSHANS: what Usage Year were you given?

Thanks to all for the advice and input.

 

[mgroshans]

december UY. we will be getting 2008 points also. as of last saturday they had 68,000 points left for 2008, but they all pull from the same pot. is there a doorway to dreams store in san diego?

 

[fadedgirl]

december UY. we will be getting 2008 points also. as of last saturday they had 68,000 points left for 2008, but they all pull from the same pot. is there a doorway to dreams store in san diego?

To my knowledge there is not a Doorway to Dreams store in San Diego. We were at Disneyland (about 1.5 hours away) and went to the DVC offices there.

We received a December UY as well.

I really am excited about being an owner! I just wish we had gotten a nicer, honest Guide.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We toured in mid-August and our guide told us that the incentives were not good once we left Orlando which was 2 days after we toured. He went so far as to say that we did not have to come back to sign, but had to leave a message on his machine giving names and point amount we would purchase before noon the day we checked out.
I can add that to the list of "fibs"---I went the resale route and am very happy.

 

[Tozzie]

Yes, I have been considering getting out of it. Also, just for more background, during our initial meeting with the guide I inquired to the possibility of being able to buy only 100 pts, as I knew they had this offer just a month or two ago, and she said "No way, the minimum buy in is 160 pts".

So a few days later when we spoke I told her that I wasn't going to buy 160 pts, but if they could do the 100 like they were doing a few months ago, that I would do it. Again she said NO emphatically, so I said goodbye. Then she decided that she would ask someone, put me on hold for less than one minute and then said "Yes, we can do the 100 pts at $96.00 a point but no other incentives" and acted as though this was something they were doing just for me.

Now that I've been reading the boards, I see that other new-to-DVC people were offered the 100 pts @ $96 a point with no other incentives as well (except they were actually offered it upfront, unlike us), so I guess in the end we got what everyone else is currently getting...it just makes one wonder when the entire order was handled so, well, seemingly not 'above board'. Plus, a few months ago they had incentives, so why not now?

I have to say that due to the above, the only reason we are doing this now is to be a Founding Member for GCV...although we are seriously re-considering that aspect. We were worried that GVC would sell out to DVC members and not be available to the public...does anyone find that likely? However, we may just rescind & take our chances with GCV. After this AKV deal we are caring less about belonging to the DVC at all.

MGROSHANS: what Usage Year were you given?

Thanks to all for the advice and input.

It sounds like your guide is not a good one and that can make all the difference. I have a great guide and there was absolutely no pressure at all, I had pretty much made up my mind before I even went on the tour, so I signed that day and everyone was great. Even sent my stuff back to my hotel so I could meet my sister at a park.

I don't think there were any incentives for the 100 point buy in only the add on of 100 points.

I think the guide makes a big difference and I am sorry you got one of the questionable ones.

 

[RobDoc]

Hi all,

We just bought 100 at AKL and have to agree with 5forDiz re: the developer points and having a stripped contract.

Of course, we didn't get any developer points because we bought in at 100 and not 160. While I wasn't thrilled with the Developer Points offer at 160, I was even less happy with getting no other benefit at 100pts except for the $8.00 off per point, which as I understand it, really isn't a "special" incentive but the standard price 99% of the time.

The whole deal has left me with a mildly bitter feeling considering the incentives that are being given for add-ons at 100 pts.

Also, our guide put a 3-day expiration date on the offer. Not only was this expiration date completely invalid and therefore only a sleazy tactic, it also nicely blows to heck Disney's constant mantra of "no pressure sales". I understand that offers end, but this offer ends Sept 20th, not Sept 3rd! So I visit DVC while I'm on vacation and am expected to make a decision by the end of two days later, while still on vacation? Oh, and the guide is gone and totally unavailable for both of those days as well?

Bitter! I can only hope that my experience with DVC as member will be different then as a purchaser. =)

You did not purchase a "stripped" contract - you will receive ALL points from the current Use Year. Early buyers had a minimum purchase of 230 points. If you had purchased 160 points (the current "minimum") you would have gotten the developer points. The limited ability to purchase at 100 points is simply another incentive to purchase. If you had really wanted a different incentive (like the Developer Points), the minimum would be 160 points. If that's what you would really prefer, simply call your guide and inform them of your preference for the "other" incentive.

Otherwise, please accept the great deal you have alread received. I would anticipate the purchase price to increase in the near future (it's been $104 since March, 2007).

If you are truly dissatisfied with your contract, you do have a window to cancel your contract.

 

[Moeluv4u7]

We just recently purchased as well and I love our Guide- He was no pressure at all- even when we spoke the first time- he told me about all of th ecurrent incentives including the 100 pt offer and to the fact the incentives were not as much- he was on th ephone with me for almost 3 hours while we figured up costs of each contract and if I were to pay this or this what would the advantage be, etc- I was at that time still just reseraching information, he didn't try to get my personal info or anything and he never said that I had a couple days or the offer would end- I told him I would call back after researching a bit more and speaking w/ DH , the only info I gave him was my name and address w/ e-mail , where he sent me a link to resort rooms of AKV as well as sent us the "Dream" book snail mail - I told him approx. when I would call back- I called back 2 days later- (he also told me when he would be off which was the next 2 days, so we agreed I would call when he returned) When we spoke the 2nd time, I was impressed because after all of teh many people he speaks to, he remembered me- (big in my book) he also remembered a lot of our conversation (I am sure he had notes in his system, I am not jaded)- We went over some questions I had and then other things that had come up since I had found "the boards"- LOL He gave me honest answers even when it was something I didn't want to hear... i.e. I could buy elsewhere but w/o any of the AKV incentives- We decided AKV due to incentives and the fact that our 2 youngest would really enjoy it. After the 2nd conversation which lasted about an hour, I told him I wanted to see this "book" and still do a bit of nosing around- It was 3 days, he never called or even e-mailed me- I called about 1 week later and we went over other concerns again - and did everything that day- He was awesome! He still is! He is helping us through our planning for our first AND 2nd trip as well as telling me some really cool extra stuff to do while there and where we can find certain things- Yes, since, I have found a few of these things on here but I love that he truly made sure he was appealing to my motivations to buying- Never pushed us one way or another & I decided on 200 pts- not 160 and not 320- on my own.. I tried hard to get him to suggest the best point purchase and he said that would have to be our decision- Can we post Guide names? I would love to tell everyone how cool he is- I haven't saidname since I notice no one else has, but I haven't read on any sticky's that we can't say who our Guide is...

 

[anbouk]

Here's my details.....help me figure some things out, PLEASE!

We took the tour on 8/27 and called our guide to purchase on 8/28.
Here is our deal:
AKL
160pts @ 104/point = $16,640
Got a $1,280 off incentive
Got a $500Visa card for a referal
We paid him (disney visa) $500 + the closing cost (which were somewhere around $300, I forget the exact amount right now)

We still haven't gotten the fedex with all the paperwork yet.

We get 160 points free towards SSR to use before May2009(or maybe Mar).

We are probably going to be vacationing the last week in Aug for awhile and would like to go everyother year. (We went this year, and would like to return in Aug 2010.

Our guide suggested a March user year.

Now, when do we get our first set of points? We are counting on banking points everyother year so that we have 320points, we'll need about this much to get the 2br that we will need.

Are we going to have enough point to go in 2010? Or are we going to need to borrow points?

Does everything sound ok with our purchase? Does anyone foresee any problems with anything? Our user year?

I'd appreciate any input anyone has!!!!
Thanks!

Jay...we sat in at the same time frame during our DVC tour and received the same package as you Minus the $500 Visa incentive. Can you pls describe that....what is that all about? I'm so confused, too!!! BTW, I need to make a decision by Sept 10. Thanks!

 

[Jaylin]

ANBOUK......we are getting a $500 Visa card because we had a referral name. I mentioned that our neighbor already had the DVC and had told us all about it. I'm glad I did, because they never asked if we knew anyone with the DVC.

And our guide was absolutely wonderful, absolutely no pressure what so ever. We toured on a Thursday, called him on Friday from our resort, and they Fedex all the paperwork to our house.

I spoke with a contract rep yesterday and she cleared up pretty much everything that I had questions about.

We get our 160 points on March 09. We get 160 developer pts, that are good for 1 year, unless we travel outside of Disney, then they are good for 2yrs.

I've been running thru the numbers and although I was worried that 160pts wasn't going to be enough, I think we'll be just fine for the next 14yrs. Maybe after that we can downside a vacation for 1 year to recoup some points.

Thanks for everyone's input, I really appreciate it!

 

[CarolAnnC]

We just recently purchased as well and I love our Guide- He was no pressure at all- even when we spoke the first time- he told me about all of th ecurrent incentives including the 100 pt offer and to the fact the incentives were not as much- he was on th ephone with me for almost 3 hours while we figured up costs of each contract and if I were to pay this or this what would the advantage be, etc- I was at that time still just reseraching information, he didn't try to get my personal info or anything and he never said that I had a couple days or the offer would end- I told him I would call back after researching a bit more and speaking w/ DH , the only info I gave him was my name and address w/ e-mail , where he sent me a link to resort rooms of AKV as well as sent us the "Dream" book snail mail - I told him approx. when I would call back- I called back 2 days later- (he also told me when he would be off which was the next 2 days, so we agreed I would call when he returned) When we spoke the 2nd time, I was impressed because after all of teh many people he speaks to, he remembered me- (big in my book) he also remembered a lot of our conversation (I am sure he had notes in his system, I am not jaded)- We went over some questions I had and then other things that had come up since I had found "the boards"- LOL He gave me honest answers even when it was something I didn't want to hear... i.e. I could buy elsewhere but w/o any of the AKV incentives- We decided AKV due to incentives and the fact that our 2 youngest would really enjoy it. After the 2nd conversation which lasted about an hour, I told him I wanted to see this "book" and still do a bit of nosing around- It was 3 days, he never called or even e-mailed me- I called about 1 week later and we went over other concerns again - and did everything that day- He was awesome! He still is! He is helping us through our planning for our first AND 2nd trip as well as telling me some really cool extra stuff to do while there and where we can find certain things- Yes, since, I have found a few of these things on here but I love that he truly made sure he was appealing to my motivations to buying- Never pushed us one way or another & I decided on 200 pts- not 160 and not 320- on my own.. I tried hard to get him to suggest the best point purchase and he said that would have to be our decision- Can we post Guide names? I would love to tell everyone how cool he is- I haven't saidname since I notice no one else has, but I haven't read on any sticky's that we can't say who our Guide is...

By all means, you may feel free to post your Guide's name here on our boards. However, if you want to offer yourself as a referral, that may only be done on our "Referral" thread which is stuck on top of the boards under the "Ongoing Discussions" thread. Thank you.