Thinking of adding on...but does this seem right?

[5infam]

With our first DVC trip rapidly approaching, we were considering adding on for future visits (we have the bug and we have never even seen a DVC resort in person). We live in California and I remember reading here that we may be limited to what we can buy. I called my DVC rep. Roland and asked how much would it be to add on 50 points at our current resort, the Boardwalk. Roland explained that there were no points available at all for the Boardwalk, and that I would have to buy SSR. He also said that since I live in CA, I would have to buy in Florida, because SSR was not registered in CA, so he couldn't sell it to me over the phone. I then asked if I could go on a waiting list for the Boardwalk, since I wanted to take advantage of the 11 month window with all of my points. He told me no, because there simply wasn't going to be Boardwalk points available and that I would have to buy SSR when I am there, or I can not buy at all!!! Does this sound right?!!

So it's seems my only option is to buy resale, which is how I bought my first 150 points. I contacted a couple of the agencies and got on their wait lists, but as everyone knows, small contracts like this don't come by often, especially if you are trying to get your exact use year (mine is April). Any other suggestions?!!!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I am in exactly the same position. I'm hoping that when they sell plenty of SSR, there will be other options open for us. I don't want to buy at a different resort. I like BWV and that's where I want my points. No way am I going to have two different resorts. And I would love to have a total of 200 pts. Only need 50 to do that but right now, it's just not an option.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

It was reported a while ago that DVC did away with wait lists. It was speculated that this was done to sell more of SSR. It has been reported by a couple of people that when pushed DVC suddenly found points at resorts where the DVC member already owned. Others have also reported that some guides were not being very helpful in the new process for adding on at existing resorts (what ever that process is, it sounds like they would have to check every day to see if something is available or not and have a credit card number available to make a deposit immediately).

Good luck.

HBC

 

[pumpkinboy]

Your Guide is correct, that CA state laws prevent you from buying direct form DVC (or any other timeshare not registered in CA) while you are physically in California. However a quick drive to NV or AZ and you can do it. Your Guide was correct that there is no longer a waitlist. If you call wanting to add-on at a sold-out resort, your guide checks to see if any poiint are out there, and if not, the call is over.

As for add-ons at BWV, we just added 65 points in Feb (payment just hit my Disney Visa today!). My Guide explained that BWV points direct form DVC are increasingly hard to come by, depending on Use-Year. Ours is February and apparently our points were the result of someone syaing they wanted points and never actually doing the paperwork (stringing DVC along for a few months), and then backing out. My guide tells me that if I want any more BWV points, she will keep an unofficial waitlist of earnest buyers (with whom she has dealt in the past) and check to see if add-on points at their resort and use-year are available a couple of times a week. She would have my credit card on file and immediate charge it $500 if she finds any points for me (with the balance after we sign docs).

I expect in your case, given the complications of CA residents buying direct, resale is your best option. I expect you are more likely to hit your points that way, esp if you are flexible about the number (say a range of 100-140 perhaps). I would think that different use-years would be difficult to keep track of and manage effectively, and would advise against it; two different use-years would also make it more difficult for MS to connect your two contracts also.

Good luck!

 

[5infam]

Thanks for the quick responses!! I know that Boardwalk can be sold to CA residents, it just seemed that my guide was pushing SSR to the fullest, and was ignoring the fact that I said upfront that I wanted to keep my home resort and my use year. He just kept going back into his canned pitch on the virtues of SSR. I have nothing against SSR, but with only 200 points (hopefully after a 50 point add on) it would be really difficult to make this work for us, especially because we will be looking to try and use standard view points and the 11 month window. I guess when we are down there, I will go into the sales office and raise more of a stink and see what can be done.

 

[pumpkinboy]

OK, then, in that case you might just want to get a new guide.

Another option for the near term is to rent any additional points you might need until your add-on comes thru.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by 5infam
it just seemed that my guide was pushing SSR to the fullest, and was ignoring the fact that I said upfront that I wanted to keep my home resort and my use year.

DVC will only sell you add-ons with the same Use Year, regardless of the resort. So even with SSR, they would sell you an add-on to match your Use Year.

On the Home resort option, I guess there are a couple of ways of looking at it. If you are certain that you always want to stay a BWV, then by all means make sure you get additional points there. Just be aware that you might have trouble if you are trying to find a resale that meets three specific criteria:

1. BWV
2. Same Use Year
3. Only 50 points

Impossible? No. but you might be on a waiting list for a while.

On the other hand, there can be some advantage to having multiple Home resorts. That allows you to have the home resort advantage at multiple properties. For example, if you bought a 50-pt add-on at SSR, you could use banking and borrowing to amass 150 points every three years for a reservation at the 11 month window at SSR.

Just some food for thought...

 

[lillasmom]

I do know that Washington, maybe like CA, is not a registered state for DVC. I can't talk to a guide about buying points. I have to either buy resale or purchase while I'm in Florida. I have been frustrated about this for some time but DVC has no plans to be registered in WA any time soon. Maybe, this is what your guide meant.

Good luck with you purchase!

 

[kda]

You can certainly ask for another guide (and ask to speak with a Supervisor if you feel the need). Why not find someone you feel comfortable speaking with. We switched when I didn't like the guide's style and felt he gave mis-information.

You might try mentioning that you'd like to buy from Disney, but if nothing is available, you'll have to consider other options --- and it sounds like you are. It worked for us. I was very polite, sincere and fully meant what I said. The next day we got a call that add on points were available for our home resort and use year. Perhaps it was just our turn to get sprinkled with pixie dust. Good luck!

 

[lovwdwalot]

5infam, CA is not a registered state for DVC that is why your guide can't sell to you. It has nothing to do with BWV.I would do like KDA said ask for a another guide. good luck to you!

 

[LeftCoaster]

Originally posted by 5infam
Thanks for the quick responses!! I know that Boardwalk can be sold to CA residents, it just seemed that my guide was pushing SSR to the fullest, and was ignoring the fact that I said upfront that I wanted to keep my home resort and my use year. He just kept going back into his canned pitch on the virtues of SSR. I have nothing against SSR, but with only 200 points (hopefully after a 50 point add on) it would be really difficult to make this work for us, especially because we will be looking to try and use standard view points and the 11 month window. I guess when we are down there, I will go into the sales office and raise more of a stink and see what can be done.

I met with my guide when I was down there and he explained to me the California situation. With each resort, Disney has to get registered with the state. So while, you would be able to buy BWV over the phone (if points were available), Disney is still in the process of getting registered for SSR. assuming that there are no BWV points, then that is why he was pushing for oyu to buy SSR when you are there.