The purpose of the guide after resale?

[karebear06]

We just got back from DW. While we were there, we wanted to pick up our membership information. We found out who our guide was and it was the same lady who showed us around last year. Member Services suggested we call and set up a time with her so we could ask any questions and pick up our membership information. Well, I called and she didn't call back. So I called again a few days later, and this time she answered. She acted like she did not know what I was supposed to get as a member. She also said she could just answer any questions over the phone. Well after some research, I was able to find someone to give me a perks book, a point chart, and II information. When I got home, I got the vacation planner in the mail. That was all I wanted. Anyways, I guess she was mad that we bought from a resale and not from her. But we told her earlier this year on the phone, that we were only interested in Beach Club, and she said it was not available and we would have to go on a long waitlist for that. So what is the purpose of the guide? Are they just for add-ons? Also, was there any other membership information I needed to pick up? (They said the membership cards have to be mailed.)

Thanks!

 

[DVC Mike]

So what is the purpose of the guide? Are they just for add-ons?

Basically, Yes. Although they are referred to as "guides", they are actually timeshare salespeople whose job is to sell DVC points. Some go above and beyond this and some don't.

 

[karebear06]

I kept reading stories on the DIS about people making an appointment to meet their new guide and their guide calling them to tell them "Welcome Home" when they checked in. I guess that was what I was expecting.

 

[disneynutz]

I kept reading stories on the DIS about people making an appointment to meet their new guide and their guide calling them to tell them "Welcome Home" when they checked in. I guess that was what I was expecting.

Would you be friendly to someone who just took food off of your table? Some Guides are mature and move on, others may not. Disney Guides have a sales quota and losing a sale doesn't make their manager happy. Most resale buyers never receive the same documentation that direct buyers do. There doesn't seem to be a process in place to make it happen. Maybe it's Disney's way of saving money.

 

[wreck]

Last year we finally bought a new BCV contract right from Disney through our long time guide.

She was the same person when we first thought about buying BWV 6-8 years ago and she has always been super pleasant and answered all our questions throughout the 6-8 years and stood by us during are wishy washy undecided time.When we decide to buy we only wanted BCV and our guide made it happen getting it for us only two months. We hit it just right SSR was still selling and AKV sales just opened.

We met up with her on our last vacation and she took sometime to go over things and took us on a tour of the new AKV and then got us some ice cream at the welcome center.

There are some really great guides out there.

 

[CarolAnnC]

Having purchased both directly from Disney and also through resale, I can tell you that you do not receive the same items at closing. When purchasing resale, the package should be sent to you from the resale company, not picked up at Disney directly. That is because the original purchaser of that contract would have already received their package upon initial purchase. This may be why you may have felt some hesitation from your Disney Guide.

I have been an owner for 11 years now. My Guide has never called me at checkin to say "Welcome Home". But, I can tell you that Ron Brumbaugh is the most absolutely fantastic Guide there is at DVC!

 

[PamOKW]

Guide = salesperson

You did not buy from directly from DVC so the salesperson has no obligation to provide you with materials. In the future, if you decide to buy directly from DVC the guide would be the person from whom you purchase. While some guides may develop personal relationships, the real reason they "welcome people home" etc. is to maintain a relationship for future sales.

If you went to the local Buick dealer and looked over the cars and then went on-line and bought the car you wouldn't go back to the dealer and ask what incentives that dealership was offering and expect to be given them. While that salesperson might be cordial in hopes of selling you the next Buick they wouldn't be likely to go in back and get you the free DVD player that was that dealerships perk......Not sure if that's the best analogy but gives you a rough idea.

 

[karebear06]

Okay, I get the point. Again, I was only doing what member services suggested. I was not trying to get something for nothing. Member Services new exactly what I was supposed to receive and told me that I should make an appointment with my guide so I can pick the materials up.

We went on the tour a year ago. Since then, we have contacted her once to tell her we were interested in purchasing Beach Club. She said they were completely sold out and their was a waitlist that could take over a year to get plus $101 a point.

I know there are several people who go on a tour and buy resale. That was not my intentions to do in the first place, but I feel if I never went on a tour, I would have never joined DVC. So again, I don't feel I did anything wrong by buying resale instead of going thru Disney. I wanted to buy where I wanted to stay, at the price I wanted, and at the time I wanted.

 

[hlyntunstl]

I began speaking with my guide almost 10 years prior to my first purchase. She would occasionally call and mention any special incentives. When I was finally ready to buy, I made sure she would get the credit for the sale and she got it again for my add on.

Celeste Chauffet has been great to work with even though I only met her in person once prior to my purchase and that was because she happened to be working a DVC booth in Epcot. I still get a call at least once a year to check in and don't need much more than that.

I think the post-sale relationship with your guide can be whatever you make it.

 

[PamOKW]

I didn't mean to imply you did anything wrong -- absolutely no reason not to buy resale and there are hundreds (if not thousands) of people who take the DVC tour who never buy resale or otherwise -- they just want to "look". You seemed to want clarification about the duties of a guide and I admit I'm surprised to hear how attentive some guides are to the people they've sold to. In your case, you used a salesperson from a resale company -- that's where you should be looking for your information and it sounds like they have everything going through the right channels since you said you did receive the vacation planner -- which basically contains all the member information.

At this point, I couldn't even tell you who my guide is -- I just get the general e-mails and mailings from DVC.

 

[karebear06]

I thought the DVC planner was going to come from the resaler too, but it was shipped brand new from Disney.

 

[mmcguire]

Yep, they are sales people plain and simple. Our guide was not terribly friendly after we purchased through resale. Like the OP, we were only interested in BCV, and were not interested in joining a year-long waiting list to get it.

We closed recently, and she called and left a message. When I called her back, she said, "I see you are members now", in a rather cool tone, and let us know that if we ever wanted to add points, she would be our contact.

If we ever DO decide to add on, I doubt we'll do it through DVC with that kind of attitude!

 

[icydog]

We were so excited to own DVC when it first opened we bought hundreds and hundreds of points. We always bought from our guide who still works as a guide for DVC. Suffice to say he made a lot of money on us.
Anyway we asked him to meet us for a cup of coffee in Olivia's. He did and after the coffee he turned and said to us...(are you ready for this)...He turned and said, your share for the coffee and tip will $2. We gave it to the cashier but we were flabbergasted. He is still our guide. But what does that tell you about him. Not all salesman are meant to be salesmen. Some are engineers in sales clothing. Forget about it. Your guide means nothing to you once you have closed. They are only salesmen.

 

[wildernessDad]

The purpose of the guide after the sale is to sell you even more points as add-ons.

 

[karebear06]

I feel a whole lot better now. After some of the responses, I started to feel bad for even calling my guide in the first place. (Even though MS told me to.)
It wasn't like I was asking for a free tote or anything. I just wanted a point chart and perks booklet for reference.

Anyways, I know I probably made her mad by not buying from her. (And I do feel bad about that) But, when it comes down to it, anyone in their right mind would buy from a resaler who had the points, location, and the use year they wanted with a savings of over $2300! Plus you could join right then instead of waiting for a year long waitlist.

 

[drag n' fly]

I obviously don't get it so here it goes. Are you assigned a DVC guide after you purchase re-sale

 

[Lynne M]

I obviously don't get it so here it goes. Are you assigned a DVC guide after you purchase re-sale

Yes, you are. Every DVC member has a guide, whether you purchased directly through DVC, or through resale.

 

[castleri]

I feel a whole lot better now. After some of the responses, I started to feel bad for even calling my guide in the first place. (Even though MS told me to.)
It wasn't like I was asking for a free tote or anything. I just wanted a point chart and perks booklet for reference.

Anyways, I know I probably made her mad by not buying from her. (And I do feel bad about that) But, when it comes down to it, anyone in their right mind would buy from a resaler who had the points, location, and the use year they wanted with a savings of over $2300! Plus you could join right then instead of waiting for a year long waitlist.

It probably comes down to if you buy something at Walmart do you expect the salesperson from Target to give you an instruction manual when it isn't in the original package. You may find the one who will but most likely not. Disney sent you what they send every member when they are published- the planning guide. The perks booklet is something you get at check in as they change quarterly so I can understand why the guide would be hesitant about that. All other paperwork such as POS and the current planner
should come from the resaler who would probably have to get it from the original purchaser - if they still have it.
I have a great guide and she has called me a couple of times in the last 10 years to "chat" and make certain everything is going well with my membership but I didn't expect even that from her. She is a salesperson first and foremost and I am just thankful that she was super considerate to call me back on a day off when I wanted to buy SSR at the last day to get the presale price.
Hope you enjoy your membership and have many magical trips.

 

[DOUGLAS ADDEO]

The DVC sales perople are only supposed to sell the current inventory and really try to discourage resales by my experience. I dont hold anything against them for that though.

 

[tikimimi]

I have been an owner for 11 years now. My Guide has never called me at checkin to say "Welcome Home". But, I can tell you that Ron Brumbaugh is the most absolutely fantastic Guide there is at DVC!

We too have always been exceptionally satisfied with Ron Brumbaugh! He is a definite asset to the company and a great resource to us!