Some observations on direct exchanges outside of DVC.

[Dean]

Originally posted by deerh
Whoops, sorry on the totals:
BWV= $4900
BB= $ 3000

Sorry, even a BIGGER DIFFERENCE!! WOW, Maybe DVC owners should ask BB owners for a room and CASH!!!

Deer H

The rack rates are the actual price at HH in the summer as there are no discounts, usually even to Marriott owners. DVC OTOH commonly gives out discounts on these rooms. I think the total expected cash outlay would be pretty close for these rooms. If the OP didn't think giving up 350 points for an ocean side or ocean front room was reasonable, I doubt they would think 306 for a Garden view were appropriate either. Both of these resorts have few exchanges for the summer that go to II. The majority of units that do get deposited go to those that own at those two resorts in or near summer and are just trying to go a different week, an extra week or get an additional unit. The few that get past that group are going to other Marriott owners. There will be an occasional exception but not many. Direct is the way to go but be prepared to pay more than 270 points for this exact exchange directly.

Of course if you find someone set on going to WDW and staying at DVC, they may be more willing to bargain in this area so it never hurts to try.

 

[StevieD]

I'm the OP - and I think the overwhelming conclusion from all of us is that the rental option is the way to go.

But I have another related question (especially for Dean) - Do you think the difficulty in getting a II exchange in the summer for Grande Ocean or Barony is an isolated case due to the quality and location of these resorts (as well as the issue of the way Marriot owners get first crack), or do you think that there are other properties which are open to a DVC II exchange which are just as difficult? What I'm trying to get at is this - it seems that DVC has limited the properties available for exchange to those which are highly rated resorts, and then set the point exchange values too low to attract an exchange. Would you all agree with that? Do you think we would be better off being given direct access to II?

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by StevieD
I'm the OP - and I think the overwhelming conclusion from all of us is that the rental option is the way to go.

But I have another related question (especially for Dean) - Do you think the difficulty in getting a II exchange in the summer for Grande Ocean or Barony is an isolated case due to the quality and location of these resorts (as well as the issue of the way Marriot owners get first crack), or do you think that there are other properties which are open to a DVC II exchange which are just as difficult? What I'm trying to get at is this - it seems that DVC has limited the properties available for exchange to those which are highly rated resorts, and then set the point exchange values too low to attract an exchange. Would you all agree with that? Do you think we would be better off being given direct access to II?

The problem with exchanging in general is that the top properties during the top times are never going to be available. Those that own those resorts/times either rent them or do direct exchanges, just like we're talking here. DVC has chosen to go a fairly unusual route with the II exchanges. While there are others that have corporate accounts, I can’t think of any others off hand that totally block contact with II. Club Intrawest I think is pretty close if I recall specifics correctly.

As to DVC members being better off having direct contact with II, it depends on the member. For those like I that are II members anyway or those that would use the getaways and short notice exchanges, it would definitely be better. For those that want to use it every few years or just have it available just in case, it would be worse. The advantages to members to be with II directly are choosing the week to deposit, access to bonus weeks, getaways, the ability to search II and see what’s there, the ability to get into other resorts not on the DVC list. Disadvantages are the $74 a year membership fee and the minimal (IMO) protection that the DVC system provides.

What I'm trying to get at is this - it seems that DVC has limited the properties available for exchange to those which are highly rated resorts, and then set the point exchange values too low to attract an exchange. Would you all agree with that? Do you think we would be better off being given direct access to II? [/B]

I think you’ve got the exchange process mixed up. You’re worrying about things with the other members of II that have no meaning. An II exchanger has no knowledge or interest of how DVC deposits with II. All they know is they ask for a DVC resort including resort, time and unit size and they either get it or not. If they get it they pay an exchange fee of usually about $121 plus an extra “resort services fee” of $95 to DVC directly. The only person that really cares how many points it takes is the DVC member. I’m reminded of someone that bought at Marriott’s Ocean Club resort and expected to trade their studio for a 2 BR at GO or Barony because “Maui had such trade power”. Well, there are many places that are just as powerful as DVC in terms of trade power with II, some far more so.

Remember that DVC owners call also work with other exchange companies like San Francisco Exchange, Donita’s, Trade Places, Platinum Interchange, Dial an Exchange, etc. Many don’t even require a membership fee, many give far more liberal bonus weeks than II, many will do request first so you can look at multiple options at one time and over time.

If I wanted to just rent out the points, I’d take the 270 for my 4th of July week but since I don’t want to go that route, I’d want the full week at a DVC resort for my trouble. As I suggested to you directly, I also think that renting your points is your best option, even if you could get the exchange through II for 270 points. You get an owners preference, save the exchange fee and know exactly what you’re getting. You also have an extra $700-900 or so in your pocket. Good luck.

 

[deerh]

By Dean:The rack rates are the actual price at HH in the summer as there are no discounts, usually even to Marriott owners. DVC OTOH commonly gives out discounts on these rooms.

It is also the other way at BWV. I don't think there are many (if any) discounts in summer. We are talking summer here are we not? They may/do give discounts during some seasons, but I doubt BWV is discounted much in the summer.

I do see your point, to get a II exchange into BB is "almost impossible" due to the Marriott setup, but I was speaking of a direct exchange with another member on TUG or something like that. I still say if I was to do an exchange (direct), with a Marriott owner like yourself, I would expect an even exchange of 350 pts (2 br at BWV pref view) for an oceanview at BB. Hope this makes sense.

Marriott and DVC are the best timeshares around IMHO. Bar none!

Thanks for all the input Dean, You know your timeshares, that is for sure, and your knowledge is great.

Maybe you should sell timeshares???!!!



Deer H

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by deerh
Maybe you should sell timeshares???!!!



Deer H

No, that would take all the fun out of it.

 

[StevieD]

Originally posted by Dean


I think you’ve got the exchange process mixed up. You’re worrying about things with the other members of II that have no meaning. An II exchanger has no knowledge or interest of how DVC deposits with II. All they know is they ask for a DVC resort including resort, time and unit size and they either get it or not. If they get it they pay an exchange fee of usually about $121 plus an extra “resort services fee” of $95 to DVC directly. The only person that really cares how many points it takes is the DVC member.

Dean, you've got a great insight into how this all works. I'm confused on how things work with DVC's II exchanges. But I assume if I get a call from DVC saying "Great news, we have an exchange for the week at Grande Ocean you requested", then there must have been some Marriott owner who deposited their Grande Ocean week, and another Marriott owner didn't snap it up so it went into II inventory. From that point, I don't know how it works - how does DVC get this week for me, as opposed to someone else in II getting the week? Does my proposed "deposit" of my 270 points (perhaps translated into an equivalent week's stay at one of the DVC resorts, but it would only equate to a 1 bedroom for a week stay for most times of the year) equate to some equivalent "pull" within II (that's how I thought it would work). Under this assumption, then, the more points required would mean greater ability to "pull" your request within II. I think my point was that DVC is giving people the impression that exchanges through II are easy (and perhaps setting the point requirement for II exchanges at 270 points allows them to "sell" this feature to potential buyers of DVC points, many of whom are buying 270 points or less), when in fact they may be difficult to impossible (my only experience is this one attempt, so I don't want to generalize too broadly - I'm just curious on other people's impressions).

 

[Lisa P.]

Dean wrote: The advantages to members to be with II directly are choosing the week to deposit, access to bonus weeks, getaways, the ability to search II and see what’s there, the ability to get into other resorts not on the DVC list.

Add the ability to seek a room size upgrade with an online search - not available to DVC members.

Dean wrote: The rack rates are the actual price at HH in the summer as there are no discounts, usually even to Marriott owners. DVC OTOH commonly gives out discounts on these rooms.
DeerH wrote: It is also the other way at BWV. I don't think there are many (if any) discounts in summer. We are talking summer here are we not?

Look on Disney's official website for BWV. Value season is the cheapest and it includes 7/4 - 10/1 in 2003. Usually value season is when the discounts are most readily available.

And StevieD, you've got the II process down. II considers your proposed deposit to have some particular trade power and your request is then placed somewhere within a queue along with others' similar requests. As weeks become available they are matched to these requests. The exchange companies tend to be somewhat vague about their prioritizing process (how they choose who will be granted the exchange). HTH.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by StevieD
Dean, you've got a great insight into how this all works. I'm confused on how things work with DVC's II exchanges. But I assume if I get a call from DVC saying "Great news, we have an exchange for the week at Grande Ocean you requested", then there must have been some Marriott owner who deposited their Grande Ocean week, and another Marriott owner didn't snap it up so it went into II inventory. From that point, I don't know how it works - how does DVC get this week for me, as opposed to someone else in II getting the week? Does my proposed "deposit" of my 270 points (perhaps translated into an equivalent week's stay at one of the DVC resorts, but it would only equate to a 1 bedroom for a week stay for most times of the year) equate to some equivalent "pull" within II (that's how I thought it would work). Under this assumption, then, the more points required would mean greater ability to "pull" your request within II. I think my point was that DVC is giving people the impression that exchanges through II are easy (and perhaps setting the point requirement for II exchanges at 270 points allows them to "sell" this feature to potential buyers of DVC points, many of whom are buying 270 points or less), when in fact they may be difficult to impossible (my only experience is this one attempt, so I don't want to generalize too broadly - I'm just curious on other people's impressions).

I'd only add that from II's standpoint, this is being treated as a 2 BR exchange in this situation. I can't argue that DVC at times suggests exchanging is easier than it is. They don't generally do it to be purposefully misleading though that ploy is common place in the industry. "buy here and trade for anywhere" kind of thing.

I do doubt that II or DVC had any deception in mind with the current points structure. Just remember though you get what you pay for. With an exchange, especially to certain resorts. that is especially true.