sales tactics

[disneymom2one]

Originally posted by lisareniff
Three days isn't enough time to do your laundry let alone decide on a min of 50K purchase with a level head.

3DisneyNuts, you did the right thing waiting. This type of purchase should not be done in a rush.

What do they say "fools rush in"? I my opinion Disney wants people to act like fools!!! That's just not right! They should want very knowledgable committed customers. As many would say "just not very Disney like"!!

Just my 0.02.

This was not our experience with our guide at all. We first contacted her in early spring. But we didn't buy until June. She was always patient and never pressured us at all. She made the whole process easy and we did everything on the phone and through the mail. In the end, we felt like it was OUR decision and have no regrets. The whole experience couldn't have been more positive.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Yeah personally it was worth losing the $750 discount to have the peace of mind knowing that we were prepared to make the purchace. Personally I think that 3 days is not enough time that was what my OP was about. I really liked our guide and the transaction did go really smooth but of course that one practice will just leave a little "rub" on it.

Plus if it was true that they could have really offered it past the 3 days and some members did not really get held to the 3 days then that isn't fair at all. I did ask our guide if he could still give it to us and he said Disney would not allow it. So that would be a lie if some were able to get the offer after the 3 days and some were not.

It also makes DVC a haggle process which is something I hate having to do. Lay it all out honestly from the beginning and tell me this cost this much and done. All the little "deals" that one person can get but another has to haggle for is not fair. Now don't get me wrong I agree with price increases they are a buisness but don't offer a discount like that with a time limit just because we got to tour. Not good business IMO.

Trust me if we were on the fence about buying and really weren't sure we would have walked away rather than buying because of that offer. We really wanted DVC and just needed extra time to get finances figured out. That is why we bought anyway.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by disneymom2one
This was not our experience with our guide at all. We first contacted her in early spring. But we didn't buy until June. She was always patient and never pressured us at all. She made the whole process easy and we did everything on the phone and through the mail. In the end, we felt like it was OUR decision and have no regrets. The whole experience couldn't have been more positive.

Did you tour? We toured and because of that the time limit was imposed for the discount. We had not known of this practice or would have done it a little differently like went down with all our finances already figured out but who wants to do that before vacation and who wants to rush home afterwards and do it? It just isn't enough time IMO even 14 days-30 days would be more approriate IMO but 3 days is just too short.

 

[anniet]

We toured in March 2002. They were doing pre-sales for BCV and that was all the guide spoke about until dh made a comment kind of quietly to me saying "We should have bought when WLV was available" The guide without saying anything except "excuse me for a moment" left the room and came back with 150 points for WLV that he said he was sorry, but if we wanted WLV points we HAD to purchase that day because they were trying very hard to wrap up the WLV contracts.

However he DID say after signing all documentation we had 2 weeks to decide whether or not we wanted to go through with the purchase. If not we could contact Disney and tell them we didn't want it. Now, I can't say for sure if we would have have to forfeit any costs....we never asked, since we knew we wanted WLV, and they gave us a better MB than what they were offering for BCV.

Wasn't anyone else ever given that 2 weeks after signing to think it over as an option???


Also, let me state for the record, if anyone thinks DVC is high pressure, they should take the Ron Jon's timeshare tour in Kissimmee to use as a frame of reference.

 

[brivers222]

Originally posted by 3DisneyNUTS
Since the topic of high pressure timeshares compared to low pressure of DVC sales I figured I would bring this up. When we toured in February 2004 we were told one of the incentives to buy expired 3 days after the tour after we returned home from that vacation. Now basically it was saving $750 on 150 point purchase. We "gave up" that discount so to speak since we wanted more time to decide if DVC was right for us. This was the only sales tactic that left a bad taste in my mouth.

DId anyone have a similar situation or have another tactic used that you were not too happy about?

Exact duplicate of my experience last month.

I was able to finally get ahold of our Guide and after talking to her supervisor, she still let us use the Magical Beginnings to sell back our first years points and buy at at discounted rate.

Our main problem was wondering how we could come up with the funds at the time for pay it. We were 1,200 miles from home, at the end of our trip and didn't have that much money left on our credit card... Thats where our problem came into play.

However, the $750 was lost because it actually was a 3-day only offer because they were moving into the SSR building the 4th day, thus nullifying the $750 building incentive.

I happy things worked out for us but YES that was misleading at the time.

I am very excited that we are now member, confusion or not, its 50 more years of Disney Magic for our family!

 

[megrod74]

I don't think this is exactly underhanded. It sounds like the guide told you that all you had to make was a $500 deposit and it would have held the discount for a month, right? If you decided against it wouldn't you have gotten your deposit back?

I think that buying sight unseen has its disadvantages and should require more time to think about it. You have to realize that there is a LOT of phone tag when you don't have the tour. At the tour most of your questions are answered plus you get to see some semblance of the property. Therefore, it's only appropriate that the discount would last longer when you have only artist renderings to look at and have to wait days to speak to your guide. At least, that's what happened to us.
I really think it would be an odd presentation (and more pressure) if your guide had started the conversation with "we have a limited time deal when you take the tour and you will only have 3 days after your vacation to make a deposit". That would be really strange. Lots of people would walk away, IMO.

I hope this experience doesn't leave a bad taste for you about dealing with DVC.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by anniet
We toured in March 2002. They were doing pre-sales for BCV and that was all the guide spoke about until dh made a comment kind of quietly to me saying "We should have bought when WLV was available" The guide without saying anything except "excuse me for a moment" left the room and came back with 150 points for WLV that he said he was sorry, but if we wanted WLV points we HAD to purchase that day because they were trying very hard to wrap up the WLV contracts.

However he DID say after signing all documentation we had 2 weeks to decide whether or not we wanted to go through with the purchase. If not we could contact Disney and tell them we didn't want it. Now, I can't say for sure if we would have have to forfeit any costs....we never asked, since we knew we wanted WLV, and they gave us a better MB than what they were offering for BCV.

Wasn't anyone else ever given that 2 weeks after signing to think it over as an option???


Also, let me state for the record, if anyone thinks DVC is high pressure, they obviously have never had any other timeshare tour to use as a frame of reference.

Yeah we were told we could back out if we wanted to after the deposit was made.

And FTR I never said DVC was high pressure at all. We did a hyatt timeshare presentation in puerto rico and that was really high pressure. I just don't agree with the 3 day decide or lose it tactic. It isn't enough time.

 

[anniet]

Originally posted by 3DisneyNUTS
Yeah we were told we could back out if we wanted to after the deposit was made.

And FTR I never said DVC was high pressure at all. We did a hyatt timeshare presentation in puerto rico and that was really high pressure. I just don't agree with the 3 day decide or lose it tactic. It isn't enough time.

I guess I don't understand- if the $750 was a factor and they are giving you time to back out after you make the deposit, why not take it and then back out if you don't think it's right for you?

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by megrod74
I don't think this is exactly underhanded. It sounds like the guide told you that all you had to make was a $500 deposit and it would have held the discount for a month, right? If you decided against it wouldn't you have gotten your deposit back?

I think that buying sight unseen has its disadvantages and should require more time to think about it. You have to realize that there is a LOT of phone tag when you don't have the tour. At the tour most of your questions are answered plus you get to see some semblance of the property. Therefore, it's only appropriate that the discount would last longer when you have only artist renderings to look at and have to wait days to speak to your guide. At least, that's what happened to us.
I really think it would be an odd presentation (and more pressure) if your guide had started the conversation with "we have a limited time deal when you take the tour and you will only have 3 days after your vacation to make a deposit". That would be really strange. Lots of people would walk away, IMO.

I hope this experience doesn't leave a bad taste for you about dealing with DVC.

See our situation was a little different we were in discussion with our guide only through phone converstations. We were planning on buying anyway when we booked a last minute trip to WDW so we figured why not tour. It wasn't until after the tour (with a different guide) that we were told of the 3 day thing and when we spoke to our original guide he confirmed it. I did not want to give a deposit because we did not have our financials figured out and had no idea if it would have taken a month or longer to do what we wanted to do. So rather than lose $500 and $750 we decided to just wait until we figured out the way we wanted to pay. DVC financing was way too expensive IMO, otherwise there would not have even been an issue we would have signed right there.
Had we been told prior to touring would would have a time limit on the price we were quoted because of touring, we would have never toured. We already knew we were buying, we just did not have the financing figured out and like I said before 3 days was not enough time to do it.
But in the end it worked out really well for us since we found a way to get it for 0% financing until it is paid off. That saves us more than the $750 anyway.
But the reason for this post is that I still do not think it was fair that we lost the original price because we toured and it is definitely not fair if everyone wasn't held to those 3 days.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by anniet
I guess I don't understand- if the $750 was a factor and they are giving you time to back out after you make the deposit, why not take it and then back out if you don't think it's right for you?

I just posted this at the exact time you asked the question LOL

 

[Coach Rick]

I guess DVC should just do away with any kind of incentive to purchase the day of, but I am glad when we finally did purchase, that discount was there. We were able to achieve that discount because it was a few years from the original tour. The price had gone up, but with the discount it brought right back to where it was. If you do your homework first, you will not have this problem. We knew what we wanted to do, so it was not an impulse purchase, and we saved the $750 too.

Maybe because I was in sales in a previous life I understand a bit more what that is all about, and therefore a bit more forgiving of "sales tactics". It's no different than buying something from a sale flyer, except of course sales flyers usually don't contain items at $13K.

 

[Mickmse2002]

I do not understand the problem with the offer of a discount if your purchase within three days? It is open, above board and as far as I can tell very consistent. We toured back in 1997 and it all seemed too good to be true and I was very sceptical about any timeshare and didn't avail myself of the offered discount. I never felt pressured to buy, just the opposite, I wish I would have been pressured a little more. I was told about the "limited time offer" and the availability to put $$ down then later cancel but was too hard headed to listen. When we finally did buy no discount was given even though I begged, pleaded and claimed ignorance.

I am also confused by the folks who say they were intending to buy before taking the tour then are upset about the three-day window.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by 3DisneyNUTS
But the reason for this post is that I still do not think it was fair that we lost the original price because we toured and it is definitely not fair if everyone wasn't held to those 3 days.

Regarding the fairness issue, Mr Poohbrain's comment about getting the discount reinstated 2 weeks later is extremely rare. The only other example of this I have ever read on this forum was someone who was offered a similar discount during a cruise, and there was some dispute regarding when the 3-day period actually began--from the date of the meeting with the Guide or from the date of return to port.

On the other hand, I have read many posts from people who tried, in vain, to get the discount reinstated after the 3-day window had passed. Some folks have tried to climb the proverbial DVC ladder all the way to the top, and it appears that DVC is very consistent in sticking to its guns.

So, there may well be extenuating circumstances involved in any exceptions that you read about. Or, it could just be a Guide who improperly broke the rules to make a sale.

 

[megrod74]

...we were in discussion with our guide only through phone converstations. We were planning on buying anyway when we booked a last minute trip to WDW so we figured why not tour. It wasn't until after the tour (with a different guide) that we were told of the 3 day thing and when we spoke to our original guide he confirmed it.

I think I understand what you mean now. You're saying that if the difference in DVC's eyes is between a phone / long distance purchase and an onsite purchase, you should have been labeled a long distance purchase, therefore follow the rules for that type.

 

[lisareniff]

Originally posted by lisareniff
Three days isn't enough time to do your laundry let alone decide on a min of 50K purchase with a level head....

What do they say "fools rush in"? I my opinion Disney wants people to act like fools!!! That's just not right! They should want very knowledgable committed customers. As many would say "just not very Disney like"!!

I want to clarify that I didn't think Disney was sneaky or below board but disagreed with their sales tactic. Putting a such a short time limit on a deal IS putting pressure on the customer to make a decision that he/she may be not ready to make. Of course some amount pressure, no matter how small, is required to sell. (one must at least ask!) The question is, is this too much? Those that come to the tour and have already researched DVC, probably not. But those that haven't gotten to that point, I think it is too much.

Our specific interactions with Disney were wonderful. We bought sight unseen and have been very happy. If we had gone down to disney and taken a tour, I would not have appreciated this deal if I was semi-serious.

 

[kweaver]

FWIW...we were also able to get the discount after the three day *limit* was up. We did not find out about the 3 day limit until well into our tour...and I will say that it left a very bad taste in my mouth. I had read here that DVC was so low pressure, etc. I was extremely disappointed. I thought the guide was a jerk. DH was ready to sign on the dotted line anyway...but I held out and said we needed to look at our finances. I believe I was one of the first people who posted here about the three day limitation for the discount (this was Oct 03).

Seriously, I don't think it's that difficult to get the discount after the 3 day limit. At least, it wasn't then. We just called about a week after we got home...told them the situation and that we were ready to buy 200 points. I believe there was something in there about checking with a manager? Got the packet a few days later and we were in business. Really...what salesperson is going to say no to a call from someone who is ready to hand over $15000? If they wouldn't have agreed to the discount, we wouldn't have purchased (at least not through DVC...maybe a resale...but we weren't too clued in about that process yet).

When we toured, I had been on the boards here a few times, but for the most part it was our first experience in seeing what DVC was all about (other than talking to Tom Jenkins on the phone one day long ago). I think most people who take a spontaneous tour while on vacation know less about DVC than I did.

DVC should inform folks about the three day rule before they tour. It's the right thing to do.

 

[manning]

I got the discount on BCV 3 months after I toured. My position to the guide was I want to buy and you want to sell but the difference is you want to sell more than I want to buy and I am prepared to walk away from the deal. From then on it was he who kept calling me.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by Mickmse2002
I do not understand the problem with the offer of a discount if your purchase within three days? It is open, above board and as far as I can tell very consistent. We toured back in 1997 and it all seemed too good to be true and I was very sceptical about any timeshare and didn't avail myself of the offered discount. I never felt pressured to buy, just the opposite, I wish I would have been pressured a little more. I was told about the "limited time offer" and the availability to put $$ down then later cancel but was too hard headed to listen. When we finally did buy no discount was given even though I begged, pleaded and claimed ignorance.

I am also confused by the folks who say they were intending to buy before taking the tour then are upset about the three-day window.

Here let me explain again to clear up your confusion. We were talking with our guide in January about buying. At the last minute Disney had a sale for pop century $55 a night which was too good to pass up, so we went down not expecting to return so quickly since we were just there the previous Sept.

When I explained to our guide we were coming down he said that he would not be available (on a cruise) but to check it out any guide could help us. I told him I would call him when I came home. He never mentioned the 3 day time limit HAD WE KNOWN about the 3 day thing I would have figured out all my financing prior to leaving for vacation.

Of course since I did not know and after coming home from being on vacation, 3 days is not enough time to get what I had to do figured out. Plus I wanted to be 100% sure I could get the 0% financing or I would have went another way. Since my bank could not get back to me with such short notice I was not going to make the 3 day time limit.

This is why we were not prepared to buy on site or within those 3 days. I never bring my financial stuff on vacation plus who would want to be calling banks from WDW and dealing with all that while on vacation? If I had known before I would have been prepared.

But my point is that it should be cut and dry like state the price final price only or offer a little more time even 14 days isn't that long but enough to be able to get banking done at least.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Originally posted by kweaver
FWIW...we were also able to get the discount after the three day *limit* was up. We did not find out about the 3 day limit until well into our tour...and I will say that it left a very bad taste in my mouth. I had read here that DVC was so low pressure, etc. I was extremely disappointed. I thought the guide was a jerk. DH was ready to sign on the dotted line anyway...but I held out and said we needed to look at our finances. I believe I was one of the first people who posted here about the three day limitation for the discount (this was Oct 03).

Seriously, I don't think it's that difficult to get the discount after the 3 day limit. At least, it wasn't then. We just called about a week after we got home...told them the situation and that we were ready to buy 200 points. I believe there was something in there about checking with a manager? Got the packet a few days later and we were in business. Really...what salesperson is going to say no to a call from someone who is ready to hand over $15000? If they wouldn't have agreed to the discount, we wouldn't have purchased (at least not through DVC...maybe a resale...but we weren't too clued in about that process yet).

When we toured, I had been on the boards here a few times, but for the most part it was our first experience in seeing what DVC was all about (other than talking to Tom Jenkins on the phone one day long ago). I think most people who take a spontaneous tour while on vacation know less about DVC than I did.

DVC should inform folks about the three day rule before they tour. It's the right thing to do.

See this to me is underhanded because I went out of my way to call our guide immediately and explain to him we needed more then 3 days. I explained everything imagineable about how I was going to pay waiting for the bank yada yada. I thought with my being honest to him he would be honest with me and when I asked if he could give the discount he said Disney will not allow it. So this is sneaky and I am just trying to decide if he deserves a call from me now. That would poay for plane fair for my family and then some!

AND this is the point I was trying to make. Why should I as a customer have to haggle with the guide and get a different price than others who needed extra time as well?

ALSO I did mention that if I found out others got it after the time frame he would be getting a call and he assured me that would not be the case...So now I am a little peeved seeing more than one has posted that they received it even after the three days.

 

[3DisneyNUTS]

Cripes that is a year and a half worth of dues....what should i do let it go or call and complain? God now I am really bothered by this. I make it a point not to lie to get discounts I never use expired coupons etc...I expect the same treatment from someone when I could have just ignored his phone calls until we had it all together. UGH but nooooo I did what I thought was right and called him the night we landed. And told him every detail of how I planned to pay. UGh!