Timeshare reseller question

[jdtopgun71]

Can someone explain how the point system works? I see where resellers are selling DVC contracts for various per point prices based on which resort, but can someone explain why people just wouldn't buy the cheapest (which appears to be Hilton or Vero) and then utilize the points at WDW properties? If someone wanted to vacation on property then why not go with the cheaper options?

Don't the owners of Vero have the option to use their points anywhere? Does it have something to do with the amount of years remaining on the contract?

 

[bookwormde]

11 month priority booking capability, different yearly maintinance fees, contract expiration date all play a factor.

bookwormde

 

[vicki_c]

Vero owners can only book Vero stays 11 months in advance. All other reservations are 7 months in advance. If you never book until less than 7 months out, and you don't care what DVC resort you stay at, AND you are not trying to go at a very popular DVC time (which could result in no availability at all in a few cases), then you can buy anywhere.

Vero also has very high annual dues compared to the Disney-based resorts.

The best advice is to buy where you want to stay, or at least buy where you don't mind staying. If you want to have vacations at WDW, Vero doesn't fit either of those criteria.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you want a Beach House at VB, you really need to have VB points. If you want a GV at WDW, you really need to have points at that resort at WDW. If you plan to go in December. at Spring Break or other popular times with DVC members, you need to own points at the resort you really want to stay at.

And if you want to stay at the new Hawaii resort, you'll probably want to own points there.

You never know at 7 months out what is going to be available at the non-home resort.

Plus, you need to know what the current dues are at the resort you plan to buy into. VB and HHI both have higher dues than the other resorts. BLT has the lowest right now, but it takes more points to stay in a villa at BLT than the similar sized resort at the other WDW resorts.

 

[JimMIA]

The annual dues (maintenance fees, etc) will add up to much more than the purchase price over the length of your ownership -- so buying the cheapest per-point price may be "penny-wise, pound-foolish." Before you buy HH or VB, I'd sure compare the annual dues. It may cost you more in the long run.

In addition, as others have mentioned, if you intend to stay at WDW most of the time, it's adviseable to own one of the WDW resorts.

One reason for that is if you own OKW (just as an example) but you want to stay at BLT, you can book in your 11-month window at OKW. Then, when 7 months rolls around, you can try to switch. If you are unsuccessful, at least you have a reservation at one of the WDW resorts. That's why "own where you wouldn't mind staying" is good advice.

Of course, if your work or family situation is such that you can't book more than seven months in advance, the booking window doesn't matter. At seven months "points is points" and it doesn't matter where you own.

 

[Jason@dvcstore]

Can someone explain how the point system works? I see where resellers are selling DVC contracts for various per point prices based on which resort, but can someone explain why people just wouldn't buy the cheapest (which appears to be Hilton or Vero) and then utilize the points at WDW properties? If someone wanted to vacation on property then why not go with the cheaper options?

Don't the owners of Vero have the option to use their points anywhere? Does it have something to do with the amount of years remaining on the contract?

In my opinion those that make reservations more than 7 months in advance choose to own at the resort they like best as that is where they will be staying.

Those that make reservations less than 7 months in advance do typically try and buy at the resort that gives them the lowest cost of ownership. Typically those resorts are not Hilton Head or Vero Beach because of the high annual dues unless they are only going to own for a few years or less.

I hope that helps.

Jason

 

[DenLo]

Part of the problem with Vero Beach and even HH is that they are both vulnerable to hurricane damage which raises insurance which raises annual dues. And if the damage is excessive may close the resort and suspends your points, because if your home resort is not open you cannot use your points. Of course this is Florida we are talking about and that kind of damage could happen at any of the WDW resorts. It's just that the insurance companies think the coastal resorts are more vulnerable.

This thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2502495 has some figures showing the cost per point when considering the life of the contract and the annual dues. Once again OKW and SSR come out to be the lowest price per point.