Please Help! Anxious to Join DVC

[Disneyhappy]

We have been Dinsey fanatics since our first on-site stay in 1998 and have visited on an average, yearly since then. We have always stayed in deluxe resorts, Epcot being our favorite. We know that buying DVC makes sense but the problem is DH will not attend any Timeshare presentations due to a bad experience 18 years ago. I did get him to walk through the sample room at the Boardwalk when BCVs were being sold but he will not go to an open house. At that time he told me to just go ahead and buy into DVC but I am so uncomfortable and unprepared to do it on my own (of course, his name would be on the deed) for such a major purchase. But really, DH prefers to have no dealings with sales people even though I told him Disney is not a hard sell.

We just returned from a quick trip and I have decided to give it a go on my own but have a few questions.

Will people deal with me even though DH wants to stay uninvolved? (I am not implying Disney will not deal with a female, just curious if they require both spouses, if married, to participate.)

Who do I contact since I have not done an open house?

I don't know if I should buy into SSR or by a BC resale since we really love the Epcot resort area. Is it hard to get into the BC or BW 7 months out? I'm sure it is impossible at Christmas and Easter but what about during July and August?

What is the minumum number of points required to join whether through Disney or resale?

Any other thoughts or suggestions? I truly appreciate any help!

 

[vascubaguy]

We have been Dinsey fanatics since our first on-site stay in 1998 and have visited on an average, yearly since then. We have always stayed in deluxe resorts, Epcot being our favorite. We know that buying DVC makes sense but the problem is DH will not attend any Timeshare presentations due to a bad experience 18 years ago. I did get him to walk through the sample room at the Boardwalk when BCVs were being sold but he will not go to an open house. At that time he told me to just go ahead and buy into DVC but I am so uncomfortable and unprepared to do it on my own (of course, his name would be on the deed) for such a major purchase. But really, DH prefers to have no dealings with sales people even though I told him Disney is not a hard sell.

We just returned from a quick trip and I have decided to give it a go on my own but have a few questions.

Will people deal with me even though DH wants to stay uninvolved? (I am not implying Disney will not deal with a female, just curious if they require both spouses, if married, to participate.)

Who do I contact since I have not done an open house?

I don't know if I should buy into SSR or by a BC resale since we really love the Epcot resort area. Is it hard to get into the BC or BW 7 months out? I'm sure it is impossible at Christmas and Easter but what about during July and August?

What is the minumum number of points required to join whether through Disney or resale?

Any other thoughts or suggestions? I truly appreciate any help!

As long as your DH is willing to sign the documents, your guide shouldn't have any issue working with you only.

You can call DVC at 1-800-633-5139 and they will put you in touch with a guide. I can recommend my guide, and give you my information to provide (if you don't already have a referral) so that you could take advantage of the SSR promotion, assuming you went with SSR. Right now the promo is 15% off, or $83.30 per point, regular price is $98. This promo ends the end of this month. However, if you prefer to only stay at the Epcot area, you might be better off sticking with BCV or BWV. You can also purchase BWV direct thru DVC, with a 150 minimum purchase; however, they will "push" the benefits of SSR. If you only want BWV, you can simply tell them that's the only place you are willing to buy, the point price there would be $92 per point. There is currently a long waitlist for BCV, so buying there direct thru DVC isn't likely to happen for a long long time.

Ok, since you love the Epcot area, you could check with the board sponser, The Timeshare Store, to see what BCV and BWV contracts they have available. Some of the "smaller" contracts go really quick and at a premium. Just know that you will be paying the same, or more, for the BCV or BWV contracts than what you could get for SSR, plus you get the extra 12 years on the contract at SSR.

If you decide to purchase direct thru DVC, you have to get at least 150 points. To purchase via resale, you can get contracts as low as 25 points. Note: these smaller contracts go quick so when you find one you want, you have to act fast. Also, these contracts are usually listed at a premium price because you get full DVC membership even with 25 points. Additionally, these contracts are starting to be ROFR'd more frequently.

HTH

 

[spiceycat]

I think he is willing to sign the contract that is all that matters.

You can call my guide Judy Kaufman 1-800-827-7163 and see.

again the current offer 15% off is ONLY for SSR not the other resorts.

however that say if you would only be happy staying at BWV or BCV - then definitely buy there.

most of time you could get them - but sometimes like the food/wine festavial or Dec 1- 18 - they are just hard to get.

 

[bsusanmb]

I had the same problem. DH doesn't trust timeshares and had some bad experiences with high pressure at Marriott etc. We go to WDW 4 times a year and have stayed in BCV and VWL and he loved them. So, since I am able to pay for this on my own, and I have a good job, and I also inherited a little bit of money, I called DVC, sight unseen, and purchased 250 points at SSR. I had not problems with the guide, and it was a non issue.
I think I could have badgered DH into going in on this, because I had to do the same thing with buying our home, buying our cars, etc. He is not one who likes changes or anything "new" or going into any kind of debt.
But he LOVES WDW and he will surely benefit from my decision!

 

[MrShiny]

You can do a "tour" over the phone. Some states have regulations about real estate sales, but your guide will walk you through that.

As long as you have the money/credit, they will talk to you I'm sure!

If you do get dh to tour, it is unlike any timeshare you've been to. Very low pressure. Also, if you do your homework before, it's even more relaxed.

That being said, no reason you can't buy it on your own. I'd strongly suggest paying cash if you can or getting a home equity loan. Much better than financing through Disney (because of the rates). We actually financed first and then paid it off with ahome equity loan a few months later.

 

[Jen D]

Not necessary to tour or get DH involved, he just needs to be informed of the particulars and be ready to sit down and sign a bunch of documents. That's how we're doing it in our house.

I haven't toured and we just purchased. I felt completely fine given the info I received here and in the sales kit (and from what I had seen on previous Disney stays). The virtual tours online and on the DVD will give you a good feel for the resort.

The current incentive is a great one, but it won't be aorund much longer!

 

[garydeb]

Hi Disneyhappy,

My husband and I joined DVC in 1997 and have done 3 addons. I did all the work and my husband just signed where he needed to sign. I take care os all our reservations, additions, banking and other stuff. I never had a problem with DVC with being a woman. DVC will send you a packet that goes into detail on how to do the paperwork and if you have any questions they are happy to help you. I have a great guide named Greg Coots call him at 1-888-808-9247. He'll answer all your questions and not get impatient with you.

Good Luck and Hope to Welcome you home soon.
Debra Thompson

 

[dairyou]

To the original OP,

I feel your apprehensiveess...is that even a word? Anyways, I'm sure it will be hard to proceed with a big purchase like this without his full involvement. I know there are somethings that both husband and wife should be present for. If he has given you his blessings it should be fine. My husband is the same way, but he went to the presentation. He kept bouncing his leg up and down, but had a million questions to ask. I'm sure you will still discuss the process with him and maybe that will make you both feel better.

I had to go by myself to purchase our car because my husband hates dealing with sales people so much...I think I got a good deal too!

Deb

 

[LisaS]

I just purchased a BWV resale contract in July through The Timeshare Store. DH and I knew we wanted to stay at an Epcot resort so we bought there to get the 11-month booking window at the place we most wanted to stay. DH and I talked things over and he was definitely interested in buying into DVC, but had no interest in crunching the numbers, talking with a DVC guide or a resale broker or handling any paperwork so I did everything myself. He did sign the documents but that was it. I was listed first on all the paperwork since I was the primary point of contact but when it came to Disney putting us in the system, they listed DH first and now everything they send us comes in his name sigh...

If you want to get an idea what's available on the resale market, scroll up to the top of the page and click on the "DVC Resales" link. You will see the list of contracts available for sale through The Timeshare Store, the sponsor of this board. If you purchase a resale contract, you will be paying closing costs so add in $500 to the price of the contracts that are listed there. Once you add in the closing costs, you will pay about the same for a BCV contract through the resale market as you do purchasing directly from Disney at $92/point but the difference is how long you have to wait to get the contract -- Disney has a long waiting list of people who want to purchase BCV points and you could wait anywhere from a few months to more than a year. Going resale, you could buy something fairly quickly.

Just pay attention to the details of the resale contracts. When you purchase from Disney you get a full set of current year points as part of your purchase. With resale, some contracts have been "stripped" of their current year points and next year's points as well. It's no good paying top dollar for a contract but not getting any points for two years. On the other hand, you may get lucky and find a "loaded" contract where all/most of last year's points have been banked, all/most of this year's points are available and next year's points are untouched. Most likely, you'll find something in between, but look at each one carefully because you have to compare more than the price/point, you have to compare how many points are available with that particular contract.

If you do decide to buy via resale, call The Timeshare Store and tell them what you are looking for: the resort, number of points, use year (if you have a preference) and then if something good comes along they will call you.

 

[Caskbill]

If you purchase from Disney, you can buy any number of points with a minimum of 150. So buy 150, 151, 155, 182, whatever you want.

If you purchase resale, you cannot choose how many points to buy. You can only buy the contract being offered. If the contract is for 200 points, you can't buy just 150 of them...

I'm sure you understood that, but just thought to mention it.

Once someone is an owner, they can do add-on's from Disney with a 25 point minimum. If someone does that, and later sells the add-on, that's how it becomes a resale contract that's smaller than 150 points. So even though it's less than the Disney 150 minimum, anyone can purchase it as their first contract. They don't already have to own 150 points somewhere.

 

[PinkTink63]

We have been Dinsey fanatics since our first on-site stay in 1998 and have visited on an average, yearly since then. We have always stayed in deluxe resorts, Epcot being our favorite. We know that buying DVC makes sense but the problem is DH will not attend any Timeshare presentations due to a bad experience 18 years ago. I did get him to walk through the sample room at the Boardwalk when BCVs were being sold but he will not go to an open house. At that time he told me to just go ahead and buy into DVC but I am so uncomfortable and unprepared to do it on my own (of course, his name would be on the deed) for such a major purchase. But really, DH prefers to have no dealings with sales people even though I told him Disney is not a hard sell.

We just returned from a quick trip and I have decided to give it a go on my own but have a few questions.

Will people deal with me even though DH wants to stay uninvolved? (I am not implying Disney will not deal with a female, just curious if they require both spouses, if married, to participate.)

Who do I contact since I have not done an open house?

I don't know if I should buy into SSR or by a BC resale since we really love the Epcot resort area. Is it hard to get into the BC or BW 7 months out? I'm sure it is impossible at Christmas and Easter but what about during July and August?

What is the minumum number of points required to join whether through Disney or resale?

Any other thoughts or suggestions? I truly appreciate any help![/QUOTE

We never toured either! We had one stay at DVC and we wanted in! I called after coming home and they sent us the paperwork.
He just needs to be prepared to sign papers.
Good Luck!
Stephanie

 

[BobfromNY]

My wife and I bought in August at SSR. She never went to the open house but only because she was busy working. My son and I went to the presentation and it was absolutely the lowest of low key sales offers. In fact, when it was over, I was kind of surprised that our sales guide didn't ask me if I was interested in taking the next step. He brought us into the ice cream parlor, shook my hand and said goodbye. I had to contact him a few days later to tell him to send us the paperwork.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Thank you so much for all of your responses! I feel so much better doing this by myself. I really need to evaluate whether to go with SSR or a resale at BC or BW. One thing I do not understand. In my reasearch, I think I read that someone purschased a resale contract for 50 points that were not at their home resort. Did I misread that and if not, what would be the benefit?
Disneyhappy

 

[CherCrazy]

Thank you so much for all of your responses! I feel so much better doing this by myself. I really need to evaluate whether to go with SSR or a resale at BC or BW. One thing I do not understand. In my reasearch, I think I read that someone purschased a resale contract for 50 points that were not at their home resort. Did I misread that and if not, what would be the benefit?
Disneyhappy

The purchase for the additional 50 points NOT at their home resort means that it was a different home resort than their ORIGINAL home resort. Now, technically, they have TWO home resorts.

Example... 150 pts at BCV plus 50 pts SSR = TWO home resorts
Example 2... 150 pts at BCV plus 50 pts BCV = ONE home resort, but TWO contracts and most likely TWO different use years...unless some good planning was done to get the same use year.

Back to your OP...I did all the calling for our purchase at SSR...and it was also sight unseen with no tour. I am a salesperson myself and sales people are the worst at taking sales tours!! We can spot a scammer in a minute!!

 

[Disneyhappy]

So if you owned points at two different resorts you could call 11 months out for either resort?

Very funny about your being a salesperson! I wish I had your experience as i go through this process. I am soooo anxious to finally become a DVC member after dreaming about it for 5 years!
Thank you!

 

[LisaS]

So if you owned points at two different resorts you could call 11 months out for either resort?

At 11 months out you can only use home resort points. So if you had 150 BCV points and added on 50 VWL points, at 11 months out you can use your BCV points at BCV and your VWL points at VWL. At 7 months out, you can use your BCV and VWL points at any resort.

The advantage of a small add on is that by banking and borrowing you can consolidate enough points into one use year to book a stay at your second home resort at 11 months out every 2-3 years. So if you want to spend the holidays at VWL every 2-3 years, a small add on will give you that option.

 

[CherCrazy]

Yes, you would make your calls 11 months out for both resorts. But you have to be careful...I think that it would be confusing for most people. I only own 1 contract and I still have to do a little thinking over the whole use year thing. I am starting to think add on though....I can't stand to not be HOME!

You'll really learn a lot from these boards. Just keep posting questions...you'll get lots of knowledge real fast!!

I dreamed of owning this for years too...ever since I first heard of it when they started with Old Key West. I know EXACTLY how you feel!

You'll find the Disney reps to be very knowledgeable and NOT pushy. The reality is that they don't need to be pushy, the product sells itself. It took us a few months to really get it in gear once we made the decision to buy (DH had just lost his job). Our rep hung in there, didn't bother us, and even held up our contract until we finally got our trouble behind us. Her name is Michelle McAllister.

Hey, did you order the DVC DVD yet? That is pretty nice...you can watch it without being bugged. DH and I still watch it...and we have owned for 3 years now!!! WE ARE SO SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!