RESALE POLICY CHANGE!

[malba2366]

I am currently in ROFR process and to me the only loss of value is the AP discount, I have no interest in DVC parties etc. We do have family in Florida so I could just change the address of my checking account to the florida address and use that along with my passport to buy Gold Passes. So all in all not a huge loss to me, I think we are going to keep the Resale.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/florida-residents/validation-requirements/

To people that want out, from talking to my attorney friend, you could likely use the lack of membership card as a way to get out of the contract as a membership card is not defined by DVC as a incidental benefit.

 

[Sammie]

I think what bothers me is that this was handled in such a non-magical, punitive way. (Before anyone tells me that it's not magic, it's a timeshare, please, I already know that, but they market themselves as different, so if they're not acting different, they've failed.) In addition to the bad communication, for which there is no excuse, I think they could have handled it with a better, more positive spin, and accomplished the same thing. Imagine how different it would be if, instead of saying that new resale members would not get a membership card, they said, "Starting April 4, existing members and new direct members will get a fancy new discount and member benefits card, in addition to their membership card. This is the card that will be needed to access all of the member benefits. New resales will not be eligible for the card." Then grandfather in everybody who already has a signed contract.

At least I'd feel a lot better about the whole thing. Focussing on the member as second class just feels ugly. (Glad I don't read the FB stuff.) I'd rather look at it as you get a discount card, or you don't.

The thing is and maybe many of you don't read other social media forums and the DISboards/DVC is a gentler, milder version of what is really out there. I have already shared two comments. Members who are direct buyers would complain over having to have two cards. They would see that has punishment to them. Believe me lately I have seen these new members and some are not very nice and they are very, very vocal.

 

[Sammie]

Actually, sounds more like sour grapes that those that paid half the price are reaping the same benefits. I could see why people feel this way. Can you imagine - and this may really happen to someone - paying $170 a point somewhere and because you didn't book at your VGF home resort at 11 months you had to book elsewhere, and then you run into someone that paid $77 a point at SSR, and they ARE staying at your VGF home resort? I could see where sour grapes could come from.

Based on social media comments I have read; the MK parties really got people's dander up. They were limited in number and some direct buyers, especially Polynesian buyers weren't able to get in. Then after this happened I saw talk about the new lounge, would they get turned away there too, because as you said someone that paid half what they did is up there.

 

[Sammie]

Sammie - Did you mean DVD paid for the Member Nights? I'm about 99.999% positive that this is the case.

For those who do not know, DVD is Disney Vacation Development. This is the entity that sells and markets the DVC resorts. This entity receives no money from Member annual dues.

DVC is the Disney Vacation Club and that is the entity that operates & maintains the timeshare resorts. DVC is funded by member dues.

As drusba posted earlier, it would not be legal (according to Florida law) for DVC to pay for any "Membership Extras" if those extras expressly exclude a subset of the members who fund DVC.

DVD can fund whatever discounts/events it wants and invite whoever it wants to participate in them.

Yes sorry, I meant DVD. I am so used to typing DVC it just happens. Thanks for catching that.

 

[tjkraz]

Suave -- it's the same, only cheaper.

But is it really the same or is that just the marketing pitch?

The thing about that is they did get the money for those points originally, they aren't totally out in the cold like if you bought an outfit at Macys instead of Penneys.

That's not really a perfect analogy.

Think of any other second-hand / thrift store analogy. If I buy a Coach handbag from a used clothing store, Coach doesn't earn any more money from it. If I buy a 2-year old Jeep from a used car lot, Jeep doesn't receive a portion of the sale.

I'm disappointed with the way Disney handled the implementation here but the policy doesn't surprise me a bit. These "Membership Extras" aren't perks and benefits to be shared by all...they are incentives to buy points direct from Disney.

When you buy that brand new Jeep Wrangler, typically there are a handful of extras included. You'll get the bound owner's manual to stick in the glove box, maybe a nice set of floor mats and a $1500 manufacturer's rebate. When you buy a similar vehicle from a used car lot, Jeep isn't giving you the bound manual, the floor mats or the rebate.

By virtue of owning the car, you're part of the Jeep Wrangler owners' club...but you did NOT give Jeep any money for that used vehicle so you're not going to receive the same treatment as a customer who did.

 

[js]

I am currently in ROFR process and to me the only loss of value is the AP discount, I have no interest in DVC parties etc. We do have family in Florida so I could just change the address of my checking account to the florida address and use that along with my passport to buy Gold Passes. So all in all not a huge loss to me, I think we are going to keep the Resale.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/florida-residents/validation-requirements/

To people that want out, from talking to my attorney friend, you could likely use the lack of membership card as a way to get out of the contract as a membership card is not defined by DVC as a incidental benefit.

I agree with you.

I purchased resale, SSR, two contracts 200 and one for 220 in 2009 for $77 and one for $78 per point. With the resale purchase in 2009, I am grandfathered in that I can use my points on cruise (done that twice, once in concierge) and Disney Adventures. If I was ready to purchase now, I would most certainly purchase resale. I have stayed two different weeks in a two bedroom at GFVs, the Poly, BWVs, SSR Grand Villas. I didn't purchase to stay at other places other than DVC properties but it was nice to have an option, not something I need or purchased for and I have never been to any parties or cared to join. Good luck with your ROFR process! Let us know how you made out!

 

[sgtdisney]

Perhaps Disney should revisit their entire marketing policy. Stop calling it DVC, which infers that anyone who owns is part of a club. They can call it DVT, Disney Vacation Timeshare. I mean face it, it's really not a "club" at this point. Disney Vacation Timeshare can have two classes of people who own the real estate interest. You can be a DVT/Member or a DVT/Owner. "High class" and "Low class." During sales presentations, they can really sell how why would you want to be anything less than a member, etc. Just a thought..

I have to smile about the people in other forums are saying how dare a person get more benefits when they paid 160+ a point. We paid around 52.00 a point. I wonder how they feel about us"old-timers". Staying in the newest properties and with a fantastically low initial buy in. It must really irritate them that we got 8 years of park tickets, which came pretty darn close to paying off our initial buy-in in value.

 

[skier_pete]

If I buy a 2-year old Jeep from a used car lot, Jeep doesn't receive a portion of the sale.

The Jeep is a good example though. A lot of times, dealers will sell a new car buyer an extended warranty. Often, the extended warranty is written such that if the original owner sells the car, the extended warranty does not follow with it - only the original 3/36 warranty. Therefore, the resale buyer does not receive all the "perks" that the original owner received.

 

[skier_pete]

Perhaps Disney should revisit their entire marketing policy. Stop calling it DVC, which infers that anyone who owns is part of a club. They can call it DVT, Disney Vacation Timeshare. I mean face it, it's really not a "club" at this point.

But wait, it's not even MORE of a club. The direct buyers are part of that club. Resale could be part called DVT.

 

[sgtdisney]

But wait, it's not even MORE of a club. The direct buyers are part of that club. Resale could be part called DVT.

That may work. They could fully differentiate the haves from the have-nots. Great sales technique to sell direct. Perhaps they can make two different color membership cards. For the club members they can be the traditional blue ones with the mouse ear logo. Perhaps a white one for the basic owners with a big letter D on it in the color scarlet. It can be their "scarlet letter" so to speak.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Just wait until they give direct buyers preference on room selection. Hello 7am garbage pickup outside my window!

*ducks*

 

[ziravan]

But is it really the same or is that just the marketing pitch?



That's not really a perfect analogy.

Think of any other second-hand / thrift store analogy. If I buy a Coach handbag from a used clothing store, Coach doesn't earn any more money from it. If I buy a 2-year old Jeep from a used car lot, Jeep doesn't receive a portion of the sale.

I'm disappointed with the way Disney handled the implementation here but the policy doesn't surprise me a bit. These "Membership Extras" aren't perks and benefits to be shared by all...they are incentives to buy points direct from Disney.

When you buy that brand new Jeep Wrangler, typically there are a handful of extras included. You'll get the bound owner's manual to stick in the glove box, maybe a nice set of floor mats and a $1500 manufacturer's rebate. When you buy a similar vehicle from a used car lot, Jeep isn't giving you the bound manual, the floor mats or the rebate.

By virtue of owning the car, you're part of the Jeep Wrangler owners' club...but you did NOT give Jeep any money for that used vehicle so you're not going to receive the same treatment as a customer who did.

Maybe. But it's just an unnecessary move.

By offering the discounts that brought Poly down to effectively $154/month, they roughly doubled sales last month. And. They've extended a similarly valued offer to Oct, so that, even when prices go up to $171, they're still effectively in the $150s.

I just don't see the resale market affecting Poly sales that much.

I bought BCV resale. I knew all about the resale market, obviously, but I bought direct because I wanted Poly.

The pixie-dusted vacationers buying impulse isn't going to be swayed by this, or at least, could have been swayed anyway.

On the resale side, previous owners won't care.

This only affects new, resale owners. If these new rules were in effect when I bought, I wouldn't have bought resale.

DVC isn't just telling potential customers that they don't really count as members, they're telling the very customers most likely to extensively research it and get the message loud and clear.

(And yes, buying BCV resale made me a customer, not a competitor. THAT'S what my $27K Poly contract represents.)

I wouldn't have bought direct as a first time buyer. I wouldn't have bought at all. I only bought Poly direct BECAUSE of my experience with the system that I gained resale.

New resale buyers are prime candidates for addonitis. Disney is alienating new direct customers more than they are attracting them.

Of course DVC COULD make these changes. I just don't think they SHOULD.

I think it's bad business.

 

[malba2366]

Based on social media comments I have read; the MK parties really got people's dander up. They were limited in number and some direct buyers, especially Polynesian buyers weren't able to get in. Then after this happened I saw talk about the new lounge, would they get turned away there too, because as you said someone that paid half what they did is up there.

I don't think DVC much cares about these buyers either...all they care about is juicing their direct point sales which have been in a slump. The Polynesian is a flop because you need to spend mega $$$ to get anything more than a studio. I would be very upset at Disney if I bought 200 points at Poly, with the expectation that I could book elsewhere if I needed a bigger room and at 7 months only SSR or OKW is available (much more than the minor annoyance at the recent resale changes...and yes I am affected). They should consider creating a second booking window (maybe 9 months) for the more desirable (end expensive) MK area and Epcot area resorts where only owners in that area can book into other resorts in that area.

 

[ziravan]

Just wait until they give direct buyers preference on room selection. Hello 7am garbage pickup outside my window!

*ducks*

That's one reason not to buy Poly resale, ever.

"We're sorry, sir, but we only take requests for connecting rooms (or upper floor lake view rooms) from direct purchasers."

 

[sgtdisney]

Just wait until they give direct buyers preference on room selection. Hello 7am garbage pickup outside my window!

*ducks*

But I thought the dumpster view was considered a premium location.

 

[southerngirl528]

"We're sorry, sir, but we only take requests for connecting rooms from direct purchasers."

All the studios at PVB connect with the exception of maybe 4.

 

[ziravan]

All the studios at PVB connect with the exception of maybe 4.

Yes, but booking two rooms and getting them connecting is a request, not a guarantee.

 

[southerngirl528]

Requests are never and have never been guaranteed. PVB is probably the location where the odds of getting your request (of connecting rooms) are exponentially higher than about anywhere else simply because virtually every studio connects.

 

[ziravan]

Requests are never and have never been guaranteed. PVB is probably the location where the odds of getting your request (of connecting rooms) are exponentially higher than about anywhere else simply because virtually every studio connects.

You missed the point and that is what's to stop DVC from refusing to take requests at all from resale buyers.

 

[drusba]

All the studios at PVB connect with the exception of maybe 4.

Has anyone done the actual count to detemine number of connecting to those which are not at Poly? My understanding is also that it would be a low number but that is based on my guess that you should find a non-connecting studio on one side of a floor only if the number of studios on that side is an odd number which would leave only one without a connect, but I do not know if my reasoning is correct.