Semi-bad news for DVC resale buyers

[MardiGrasDVC]

Hey guys,
I'm the original poster of this thread. I ran across a referral packet that my Sales Guide sent me in January 2002. I expect that most/all DVC members got the same thing at the same time. There is a lovely legal-sounding Terms & Conditions in the packet, and it says NOTHING about resale owners not being eligible. In fact, the wording is:

"Only Members of DVC can participate in the program. A Member is an individual who purchases an ownership interest in a DVC Resort and whose purchase has closed."

I left a message for my Sales Guide to see if I can clarify this. Perhaps she misunderstood and was thinking that the people I refer have to buy directly from DVC ... if they buy a resale I don't get a referral fee (which I understood all along). But she pretty clearly said that *I* was NOT eligible to earn referral fees since *I* purchased a resale.

I really hope I am eligible, since I live in a state that allows it, and I have several friends who are getting ready to buy. I already got the thank-you letters, and it would be nice to get the bonus!

Someone else posted that you just get Disney Dollars as the bonus, but according to this packet, you can choose Disney Dollars, credit towards your DVC annual dues, credit towards additional DVC points purchase, or you can donate it to the Red Cross. For closings within the same calendar year, you get $200 for the first, $350 for the 2nd, $500 for the 3rd, $750 for the 4th, and $1000 for the 5th!

I'll let you know what I find out re: eligibility of members who bought resale.

 

[MardiGrasDVC]

Annie,
I'm sorry to hear what happened with your friend. I did find some relevant verbage in the referral Terms & Conditions:

"The Introduced Guest must not previously have been contacted by a DVC representative within the twelve (12) months prior to being introduced, or has not previously attended a sales presentation at a DVC resort."

Your friend must have taken the tour previously? If not, it looks like you should be eligible as long as it had been more than 12 months since she first requested information.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by Richyams
I think its a big plus for those states, imagine having your government care so much about you that they would go to such lengths to protect you from the EVIL Disney company.

I'd imagine most of the states with these laws passed them back in the 70's or early 80's, when timeshare was held in as high regard as used car salesman and civil attorneys. It irks me that my own state of PA has such a law, but I also understand that 1) They've no clue about DVC and 2) they would not change the law for one company, even if that company is Disney...Now maybe if Disney would buck up the dollars to build their own building for the tabled Philadelphia DQ...

Quite frankly, I'd more than rewarded when our 'converts' decide that their decision was a great one and we can share vacations with them. Any excuse to go to the World.

And just an aside about NJ gas, calling someone pumping your gas for you full service is just plain wrong in my book. I can't tell you the last time someone in NJ checked my oil, cleaned the windshields, check tire pressure, or did a visual inspection under the hood for deteriorating wear items. Call me a curmudgeon, when the 'attendents' don't fill the tank (its always less than 'F' when they take it to the next quarter amount), take forever to get to you, then get back to your car after the pump cuts off, then grumble when you don't have a quarter or 50 cents, I'd rather pump my own. Unless its February, 0 degrees with a stiff wind, and the pump doesn't have a lock to keep the gas flowing so you have to stand there and freeze while holding the lever.

-Joe
who apologizes for grouping used car sales people with civil attorneys. Used cars are a vital part of our society and the grouping is unfair.

 

[Dean]

I'd assume the guide is giving you BS. I've only bought resale and gotten a number of referals. As I've said before, timeshare sales staff tend to stretch the rules. Fortunately it's unusual for DVC but it does happen. Hopefully he won't be there long or will get straightened out. I'd report it to a supervisor.

 

[Jimbo]

We're resale owners that have gotten a referral bonus, so I agree, it's BS. And by the way, the bonus is $200 for the first referral in a year.

 

[TroyWDW]

MardiGrasDVC,

Who is your DVC Sales Guide?

Troy

 

[anniet]

MardiGras,

I checked with my friend today. She did take the tour.....in 1999, and had no contact with DVC since. Like I said, I'm a little disappointed, but that won't stop me from trying to sell others on it. Plus my reward is that now I have a friend who I can Disney dream with!!!!!

One of they guys I work with takes his family of four down every year and I cannot sell him on it at all, even though he stays at moderate or high end resorts.

I think I'll send DVC his name just in case he changes his mind.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by anniet
...(snip)....But as my brother-in-law pointed out yesterday, since they give you Disney dollars, and given their retail prices it's probably only about $100 or so that really comes out of their pocket, which isn't much given the prices of DVC.

Just FYI for your BIL, Disney Dollars can be exchanged for good old American currency at any time, so $250 worth of Disney Dollars really does = $250 cash. You do not have to spend them at WDW or on Disney merchandise. To make the exchange, you'd just take the DD to any Disney Store or any of the guest services windows at one of the parks or Downtown Disney.

 

[Sheree]

I bought my dvc points thru the Timeshare Store.

I referred my neighbors TO DVC and they bought DIRECT FROM DISNEY and I got the referral bonus.

I think the confusion is that if your referred person buys resale you're not entitled to anything, that makes sense.

And I live in NJ, got the referral, I don't pump my own gas, but pay the same as those in PA and NY do and they do the work, and the beaches in wildwood crest are Free!

 

[MardiGrasDVC]

Sheree,
I'm glad to hear that you got the bonus! I agree, I think my Sales Guide must have been confused ... she must have been thinking that we don't get the bonus when our referred friend buys a resale. (At least I hope she was confused and not deliberately misleading me.)

Troy,
My Sales Guide is Diane Henry.

 

[MardiGrasDVC]

I got a call back from my Sales Guide, Diane, today. She was wrong!! (whew!) DVC owners who bought resale *ARE* eligible for referral fees. I felt pretty confident that that was the case, based on reponses to this thread, and what I read in the Terms & Conditions, but it's nice to hear it from her lips.

Thanks to all who responded!

 

[RobDoc]

Thanks for the clarification, MardiGrasDVC!!

I had the opportunity to speak with the DVC Referral program administrator this afternoon, who was eager to confirm the program.

Any DVC member who owns a contract of 150 or more points (master contract) is eligible to receive the referral rewards regardless where/how they purchased their membership. If you have purchased a resale contract of fewer than 150 points- you are still considered a DVC member, but would NOT be eligible for the referral program since you do not own a master contract. This is a stipulation of the program itself.

Last month alone, DVC awarded over 20 certificates for the referral program to members and many were resale owners.

If you know someone who might be interested in joining DVC, contact your vacation guide with their name and address. This is best way to insure that you are the referral of record and will be credited with any eligible reward.

If the individual has already had prior contact with DVC- either by telephone, internet or personal tour (including a cruise presentation), no referral reward is likely to result.

The true intent of the porgram is to encourage members to provide sales leads to DVC. If the lead already came from DVC, no reward is earned. Initial contact is the test for the program.

The Referral program does provide a significant boost to the DVC sales program and the efforts of all of us, as members, is truly appreciated- thus the reward to those in eligible states. Even if your state does not allow participation, there is certainly a sense of satisfaction in encouraging others to join the DVC!