Newbie didn't jump at chance, need some advice

[AdamJ]

Hi all:

This seems like a great forum so thought I should share and ask for some advice.

So here's the story. My wife and I are long-time Disney fans (honeymooned, worked for the Disney store for a time, etc.). We recently got referred to DVC by my brother who is a member. We went to a DVC open house on the last day of our most recent vacation (10/25/07). We had the same guide as my brother when he joined.

Anyway, we got the tour and really liked it. And we got a pretty sweet incentive deal (basically the same as the current incentive but the developer points were point for point with your purchase). The incentive was advertised as a limited time type offer. So we spent the weekend after returning home discussing DVC at length and just felt like the "opportunity cost" at the time was too great. So I called up the guide and let him know that as interested and excited as we were, we just couldn't do it.

Fast forward to now, my wife and I have not been able to stop talking about the DVC and how we think it is a great choice for us. In addition, I got a freelance gig with a much better paycheck than I expected since we returned. My wife and I decided yesterday (11/30) that we just needed to take the plunge. So I called our guide, left a message and expect him to call tomorrow or Monday.

Here are my questions:

1) Is there any chance of getting the original incentive offer? Or did we make a bad decision that we'll just have to live with?

2) If there's no chance of getting the original incentive offer back, could we still get the current incentive that has been discussed here on the forum?

3) Any suggestions on how to approach this with the guide? I figure just be open and honest, ask for what we want and hope for the best?

Any thoughts?

Thank you all in advance.

 

[tjkraz]

You should be able to get the current incentive. Since you have the referral on file already, if you buy 225 points you will get the $8 or $10 per point discount PLUS a one-time bonus of 160 Developer's Points. If you are looking to buy less than 225, you will only get the cash discount OR matching Developer's Points.

Good luck!

 

[ldo]

I thought that they offered the same deal for everyone and it was good for a specified time---not just a "one time-take it or leave it" offer. I have never heard of someone getting a better offer b/c they bought on the spot vs. getting the DVC info and calling them later.
Best wishes, Elaine

 

[DVC Mater]

(basically the same as the current incentive but the developer points were point for point with your purchase).

It sounds like OP would be getting a better deal compared to current offer of 160 dev points for first time. It looks like if he bought 225 points he would get 225 developer points. Does DVC offer different incentives when you buy on site as supposed to over the phone?

 

[RLCarmichael]

There are often some sort of deals available. Same no matter how you buy. I bought before touring and the whole thing was done by phone/fedex.

The current "Friends & Family" is still being offered - talked to my rep last week. It's a pretty decent offer so I'd jump on it if that's what you want.

I'd go for as many points as you can.

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

We just walked through the Disney Doorway to Dreams store to see the models as we are considering DVC. We were given the current incentive as we know DVC owners (160 developer points for 225). What I thought was odd was our guide told us the offer would be good for one week. Seriously, I went back in two weeks to buy would I not receive the incentives? Or is this promotion ending?

 

[vwlvette]

Have you looked into the resale market? some good deals out there, Might be worth your time to check it out.

 

[magsnden]

So, Adam, did you hear back from your guide? The reason I ask is that we just got home from WDW and my husband was considering going to the open house (really just to get a better idea of how it works), and I told him we shouldn't because since we can't buy now, we'd lose any incentives they were offering.

I'd love to hear how it worked out!
Good Luck!

 

[AdamJ]

Hi all:

So here is the resolution to my story...

Spoke to my guide this afternoon. He politely explained that I could not receive the original "package" that was offered. The original package was developer points on a point per purchased point basis. So buy 225 points, get 225 developer points. I explained that I was aware of a referral package,that my brother had heard about via DVC (he is a member). So I received the current incentive that has been talked about on this board. I purchased today (12/3/07) - 225 points at $8 off per point (so $96 per point price), 160 developer points that need to be used within 12 months. Use year of October 1, 2007.

An interesting note on things. At first my guide said he could give me the 160 developer points but that he needed to check with a manager about the $8 off incentive. I swear I felt like I was at a car dealership... He called me back about 10 minutes later and said he couldn't find a manager but that he thought it would be best if he "asked for forgiveness later". So I asked him, "Are you saying I can count on the $96 per point?" He said, "Yes, but if you try to call me a few months from now and I'm not around anymore, you'll know why." Sounds like a line frankly, but that was the conversation.

In the end the only two differences from the original package I was offered is 65 fewer developer points and a use year of October 1 instead of June 1. In reality I think I end up even better. Because had we done this 5 weeks ago we would have never done 225 points - we would have only done 160 points. So by taking 6 more weeks (although at the time we thought it might be a year or more if ever) we end up purchasing more points then we would have thought of before, and get the same amount of developer points that we would have. In the end, better for my family I think.

So I don't know how the "incentives" work through DVC. There are a few possibilities:

1) The incentive I was originally offered was offered to everyone on October 25, 2007.

2) The incentive I was originally offered was based on the "Friends and Family" referral incentive that has been talked about, but spiced up for me as a "limited time offer" because I was doing a tour.

3) All first time contacts or tours get a "limited time offer" to try and seal the deal quickly.

Who knows, but in the end - my wife and I are unbelievably excited!!!!

Thank you to all.

Adam

 

[DVC Mater]

Let me be the first to say Home!! I think I read somewhere that there was a point for point developer point incentive but you didn't get the $8/$10 discount per point. Maybe that's why they were different.

 

[dizplanner]

From my reading of the boards I think the situation is this
1. Everyone is offered the same deal, but the deal changes over time.
2. I think the offer you had at the time you went was 160 developer points OR $8 off. That has been the typical offer. There was a period where they offered double developer points, but it has been months since that expired.
3. The Friends and Family offer is for 160 developer points if you buy 225 points AND $8 off. So a better deal if you need the 225 points.
4. When you take a tour, they do tell you that you have a limited time to get the offer. (3 or 5 days or something like that after you return home) This is done to get people to make up their minds. However many people have gotten their guides to honor the current offer past the deadline. (if the offer has expired for everyone that is a different matter - like the Visa reward dollars - it expired on 11/30 - so you couldn't get that now even if it was available when you talked originally). When you think about it, are they really going to pass up a sale just because you called a few days later? On the other hand, they will not bargin - everyone gets the same offer - take it or leave it.

 

[CarrianneB]

We bought in while on a disney cruise oct 20-27, and we were offered either $8/10 off per point OR developer points to match our points purchased.

We chose the $8/off at AKL, but then a few days later (when we were still in the period we could cancel) our guide let us know about the friends & family, so we got the 160 developer points as well with our 225 point purchase (we originally were going to buy 216).

I think the deal they have right now is great, so enjoy your purchase!!!

Welcome Home!!

 

[charliemim]

hi i wish i had a freind that was a member right now to get the good incentives cos i am on the verge of making a purchase over the phone from yk i am expecting a call from my new guide after making my enquiry(after ordering my dvd) and the initial call to see if i wanted a guide asked me if i was a friend of a member of the dis boards and i said no i was mostly browsing to learn, but i didnt know why she asked me im trying to understand everything i have a question when is the best time to have as a user year and what is the closing fee for and when is it payable and how much there is so much to take in and what is a good starting amount of points do you think 200 would be good for 3 adults

 

[tjkraz]

hi i wish i had a freind that was a member right now to get the good incentives cos i am on the verge of making a purchase over the phone from yk i am expecting a call from my new guide after making my enquiry(after ordering my dvd) and the initial call to see if i wanted a guide asked me if i was a friend of a member of the dis boards and i said no i was mostly browsing to learn, but i didnt know why she asked me im trying to understand everything i have a question when is the best time to have as a user year and what is the closing fee for and when is it payable and how much there is so much to take in and what is a good starting amount of points do you think 200 would be good for 3 adults

I've sent you some info via Private Message regarding the promotion. You need to purchase at least 225 points to get the extra bonus.