Purchase Etiquette

[DenLo]

You could be honest with the DVC rep. This is what I did. I called the DVC rep and quite clearly said that we are now ready to make the purchase..had been in contact with her on and off for over 2 1/2 years. I said that we were interested in OKW but wasn't sure what would be the best finacial decission for us direct or resale. Once we considered all the factors...end dates, cost per points and length of closing we decided that for us Direct was more in line with us than resale. Money over time and potentially getting ROFRed and having to start all over again wasn't our thing.

I agree. We said the same thing with our guide when we wanted to add on a 100 points at AKV. At the time the incentives for AKV were terrible and even considering the closing costs of buying resale it was better for us to buy resale. We just explained to our guide, Ron that we couldn't justify paying hundreds of dollars more just to get the points quicker. He said he understood but his hands were tied and he had to quote the rate Disney told him.

One thing I learned recently that if you do a tour with another guide, and buy direct with the DVC with 30 days of that tour, your guide and the tour guide share the commission. I don't know the ratio. Considering all of the time our guide Ron spends with us versus the few minutes the tour guide did, I really think that's unfair especially since with the tour we got a better incentive. And our guide, Ron couldn't offer us the same rate. The same thing happens on cruises.

 

[NewDCLGuy]

Ok my questions. Is it proper to use the agent for information and then turn to resale?

Yes. However, once you know you are going to buy resale, you probably should stop asking the agent for more info. Since you've found this board, there is no need to anyway. You'll get better info online than from a salesman.

Call after hours. Very quickly thank the agent for their time and let them know you have decided to by resale.

 

[tjkraz]

Once a person has made the decision to buy resale, I think it is inappropriate to continue to use the guide for issues related to that purchase unless it's about issues that might change your mind back to retail.

I will second that.

If you are still weighing the direct vs. resale decision, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with using whatever resources are available. But once you decide to buy resale, you should view the resale agent as your resource for questions and info until the contract has closed and is in the system. Then you will have access to Member Services.

To the Guide, it's ultimately a lost sale. Some level of disappointment is inevitable. How that disappointment manifests itself will vary from one Guide to another.

 

[MickeyT]

I will second that.

If you are still weighing the direct vs. resale decision, then there is absolutely nothing wrong with using whatever resources are available. But once you decide to buy resale, you should view the resale agent as your resource for questions and info until the contract has closed and is in the system. Then you will have access to Member Services.

To the Guide, it's ultimately a lost sale. Some level of disappointment is inevitable. How that disappointment manifests itself will vary from one Guide to another.

I have only spoken to our Guide twice on the phone. Once confirming that he had been assigned to us and another time for about 10-15 minutes as he offered the incentives from Disney. He did e-mail me the info.

So I haven't taken up a lot of his time and would still like to go through Disney. Problem is>>>> We really like the Beach Club area and right now in our decision making process we would like to have that as home resort. Is this possible through Disney? All their info points to BLT, AKV and SSR. We don’t really want to buy where Disney wants us but where we would like to be. (#1 rule of purchasing, right?)

I am a firm believer in honesty and would never 'use' the Guide for information once we had crossed over into 'the decision has been made area!'

 

[Dean]

I have only spoken to our Guide twice on the phone. Once confirming that he had been assigned to us and another time for about 10-15 minutes as he offered the incentives from Disney. He did e-mail me the info.

So I haven't taken up a lot of his time and would still like to go through Disney. Problem is>>>> We really like the Beach Club area and right now in our decision making process we would like to have that as home resort. Is this possible through Disney? All their info points to BLT, AKV and SSR. We don’t really want to buy where Disney wants us but where we would like to be. (#1 rule of purchasing, right?)

I am a firm believer in honesty and would never 'use' the Guide for information once we had crossed over into 'the decision has been made area!'

You can buy BCV through DVC but you might have to push your guide to do so. The price will be some roughly $20 a point higher than resale. If you want BCV, resale is better for you. I don't think the amount of time taken is the issue, simply that once you've decided to go resale for that purchase it is inappropriate to cont to use the guide for that specific purchase unless you're reconsidering the decision and the info you discuss with the guide is relative to that decision. Unfortunately this gets a little convoluted since that guide will cont to be your guide even if you buy resale. As you and others note, simply be honest and things will work out.

 

[joandegennaro]

I have only spoken to our Guide twice on the phone. Once confirming that he had been assigned to us and another time for about 10-15 minutes as he offered the incentives from Disney. He did e-mail me the info.

So I haven't taken up a lot of his time and would still like to go through Disney. Problem is>>>> We really like the Beach Club area and right now in our decision making process we would like to have that as home resort. Is this possible through Disney? All their info points to BLT, AKV and SSR. We don’t really want to buy where Disney wants us but where we would like to be. (#1 rule of purchasing, right?)

I am a firm believer in honesty and would never 'use' the Guide for information once we had crossed over into 'the decision has been made area!'

Given that you want BCV as your home resort let the guide know that this is where you want to purchase DVC for. Ask if there is anything that DVD can offer to sway your decission to purchase Direct instead of the resale market. I was told to ask for Developer points (not sure what this means) As I said before the quick turn around via Direct from Disney is what swayed our decission and we don't even plan to vacation before March next year. Your guide may be able to given you something to help you to go direct. Then again they may not and your best financial decission is to go with a re-sale. If you give your guide the opportunity to try and get the sale and he just can't compete with a re-sale then you shouldn't feel bad about going re-sale.

 

[MickeyT]

Want to thank everyone for the great information. All this is helping me feel sooooo much more comfortable in making the right decision. This way when we do buy it will be a good/calm feeling instead of whether I did the right thing.

 

[Ryansdad0727]

I would buy resale if it saves you money. The sales person is there to answer questions for you and they will do that whether or not you buy from them. Disney wants the annual dues probably more that they care about how much each point sales for. They want you into DVC for the dues. Don't worry about the sales person, they work at Disneyworld. What better perk could they have.

 

[Danamy]

You have to find out the information some how so do what is best for you.

 

[silmarg]

I took the DVC tour knowing full well that I was 95% going to go resale. Heck, I even mentioned it to the DVC kiosk guy... but he was eager to book me on a tour anmyway. What I most wanted to see were room layouts for 1BR and 2BR - and we did see them. In fact all I wanted to see was the rooms and did not want to waste the guides time. But they insisted -and I went.

During the tour word "resale" did come up. Once I mentioned that the guide stopped talking about SSR/THV and was leaning us towards BLT (location location location - will have the best resale value).

That said, he was fairly professional... we did buy resale.... and we have never heard from him again.

IMO its the guides job to try and sell, but not everyone is going to buy. As long as you are not hogging his time, I think you are fine.

In a similar vein, when I bought resale I went to all 3 major brokers. I ended up using 2 of the 3 (we got ROFRd twice). And while the 3rd agency (which happens to be TSS) did not get my business, they were very very professional - they simply did not have the contract we needed when we needed it - but their competators did. Its just business, and the folks at TSS never made me feel like I was wasting their time, which I appreciate.

The bottom line, act professional and expect the same in return. I am sure it will all work out for you.

 

[dbs1228]

Do what works best for you. We bought over 400 points direct most BLT some at GCV through dvc and 160 resale and the resale experience was far better for us then the direct buys as far as customer service went.(not to mention cost) TSS always got back to me promptly. My guide has to be chased down, does not return calls and I am very frustrated. I actually asked if I can get a new guide, at that point without me knowing (I was put on hold) they transferred me directly to my guide who for once was available(???)as nice as the guide is he always seems to busy for me.

Go with you gut instinct and if you are truly looking for BCV or BWV then get prices direct, get prices resale and definately buy where you want to stay
Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

How do you get the direct prices? And what can your guide do for you once you have signed on the dotted line? Our guide always seems to be out of the office on a cruise or other excursion... so it's very hard to reach her. I would love to know what the BWV price for an add-on is direct from Disney.

Do what works best for you. We bought over 400 points direct most BLT some at GCV through dvc and 160 resale and the resale experience was far better for us then the direct buys as far as customer service went.(not to mention cost) TSS always got back to me promptly. My guide has to be chased down, does not return calls and I am very frustrated. I actually asked if I can get a new guide, at that point without me knowing (I was put on hold) they transferred me directly to my guide who for once was available(???)as nice as the guide is he always seems to busy for me.

Go with you gut instinct and if you are truly looking for BCV or BWV then get prices direct, get prices resale and definately buy where you want to stay
Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[dbs1228]

If your guide is unavailable ask for someone else, let them know you have been waiting for some answers. Be honest, and ask "I am looking at BCV or BWV that is where we want to buy, does dvc have inventory and if so what is the price per point, closing costs, minimum purchase and what incentives are you offering" They should be able to answer those basic questions and make sure you let them know that your guide is difficult to get a hold of and you really are looking for answers so you can make a decision. Most resale companies state closing cost and price per point but also call if there is a contract that catches your eye and ask what is the bottom line. There is 1 resale company (that I know of) that charges buyers a 195.00 fee.

Good luck

 

[MickeyT]

Well I did it. I made a bid on a contract with resales. I called my rep with DVC and told him that I had made a bid on BCV through a resales company. He rattled off a bunch of numbers and 'facts' that said I was making a mistake. All of this was done in a professional and business like manner by both of us. He did say he appreciated me calling as most buyers do not do this. Thanks again for all the info and 'etiquette' examples.

Who knows. If ROFR falls through I may be back with DVC and rep!

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Who knows. If ROFR falls through I may be back with DVC and rep!

I think I'd be too nervous that my contract would be targeted to fail ROFR by doing this... Disney gets the full contract for review, right? Do you think they exercise ROFR when they know they are losing a direct sale due to the resale?

 

[MickeyT]

Personal Opinion. The agent had called me earlier to check my interest and make sure I had all my information. When I called him back (less than 24hrs later) to tell him about resale he didn't even remember who I was. Had to give him my phone # so he could look up what he offered me. I really think they have so many potential buyers in the pipeline that they are wheelin and dealin and working the phones/contacts that they really would have to slow down to dig into ROFR information to find me. Plus the fact that if I get refused I could just keep going back until I get one resale and how many of those would they have behind them. I think they know they will get XXXX number of clients and XX number of those will buy from them and XX will go resale.

Now if I get whacked I will always wonder!

 

[es45]

Well I did it. I made a bid on a contract with resales. I called my rep with DVC and told him that I had made a bid on BCV through a resales company. He rattled off a bunch of numbers and 'facts' that said I was making a mistake. All of this was done in a professional and business like manner by both of us. He did say he appreciated me calling as most buyers do not do this. Thanks again for all the info and 'etiquette' examples.

Who knows. If ROFR falls through I may be back with DVC and rep!

Hope all works out for you!

 

[fers31]

Personal Opinion. The agent had called me earlier to check my interest and make sure I had all my information. When I called him back (less than 24hrs later) to tell him about resale he didn't even remember who I was. Had to give him my phone # so he could look up what he offered me. I really think they have so many potential buyers in the pipeline that they are wheelin and dealin and working the phones/contacts that they really would have to slow down to dig into ROFR information to find me. Plus the fact that if I get refused I could just keep going back until I get one resale and how many of those would they have behind them. I think they know they will get XXXX number of clients and XX number of those will buy from them and XX will go resale.

Now if I get whacked I will always wonder!

When Disney exercises ROFR, it's to get back inventory or to purchase because the price is too slow. I'm pretty sure Disney won't refuse it out of vengeance!

 

[chalee94]

How do you get the direct prices? I would love to know what the BWV price for an add-on is direct from Disney.

here's a good place to look:

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

(and guides are basically salespeople. if getting you a tough reservation helps close the deal, they might be able to swing it...but once you sign, you don't usually have much contact with them.)

 

[dbs1228]

Well I did it. I made a bid on a contract with resales. I called my rep with DVC and told him that I had made a bid on BCV through a resales company. He rattled off a bunch of numbers and 'facts' that said I was making a mistake. All of this was done in a professional and business like manner by both of us. He did say he appreciated me calling as most buyers do not do this. Thanks again for all the info and 'etiquette' examples.

Who knows. If ROFR falls through I may be back with DVC and rep!

Congrats and good luck! When I told my guide (after buying 360 pnts through him) about my resale purchase, he "professionally" gave me all the senerio's that could go wrong especially the points that are suppose to be in the contract being gone after closing and to "be careful". I took all his "concerns" to the closing company and they reassured me that once a contract goes to dvc the account is frozen, others on this board say that is untrue but if dvc is considering excerising ROFR they would make sure the account cannot be used at least through the ROFR time frame. Closing agent also told me that I could have my resale agent pull an points account activity for the contract to make sure the points are still there on closing date. I took her advise for piece of mind and all was good.

What type of contract did you put an offer on?