Torn between Resale and Direct

[hacknsuit]

I'm torn between adding on a 150 point BWV and a direct AKV 100 point contract for roughly the same $$

My concern is that resale "people" will be discriminated against at some point down the line. Is that really a likely possibility

I'm tempted to hedge my membership with a direct purchase just to appease DVC!

 

[CALIFLADY]

But if you have enough points bought direct for whatever "outside of DVC" you might do, then just assume you'll always use the resale points first for "inside of DVC". Make sense?

 

[JimMIA]

Resale purchasers after March 20 are going to be discriminated against. But if you purchase resale and your contract is submitted for ROFR by March 20, you'll enjoy the same benefits as a direct purchaser.

The points you already own will enjoy the full benefits no matter how you acquired them.

Unless you have some special need for AKV points or don't want to pay dues on 150 BWV points, the choice seems pretty simple to me.

 

[hacknsuit]

Resale purchasers after March 20 are going to be discriminated against. But if you purchase resale and your contract is submitted for ROFR by March 20, you'll enjoy the same benefits as a direct purchaser.

The points you already own will enjoy the full benefits no matter how you acquired them.

Unless you have some special need for AKV points or don't want to pay dues on 150 BWV points, the choice seems pretty simple to me.

I'm good with what they are saying now. I can just see them next year saying, "resale, sorry you can't get in the Merry Mixer!" or "oh, you can't book the Grand Villa, you'll have to wait until all the direct buyer have a chance!" I'm just thinking this is the tip of the iceberg. Even resale maynot get the EMH.

 

[CMOORE185]

I'm good with what they are saying now. I can just see them next year saying, "resale, sorry you can't get in the Merry Mixer!" or "oh, you can't book the Grand Villa, you'll have to wait until all the direct buyer have a chance!" I'm just thinking this is the tip of the iceberg. Even resale maynot get the EMH.

This is exactly what sales wants you to worry about. They want you to have that doubt. Mission accomplished. Personally I think you are safe, in that anyone purchasing resale before March 20th will be treated the same as direct as long as they own.

 

[JimMIA]

I'm good with what they are saying now. I can just see them next year saying, "resale, sorry you can't get in the Merry Mixer!" or "oh, you can't book the Grand Villa, you'll have to wait until all the direct buyer have a chance!" I'm just thinking this is the tip of the iceberg. Even resale maynot get the EMH.

Any of these things, with the probable exception of discontinuing EMH only for resale buyers, are already possible for any DVC owner regardless of how they purchased their points. Restricting attendance at merry mixers would be silly, and would serve no purpose for DVC. Restricting attendance to EMH would be a logistical nightmare for the CMs at the theme parks, and again, no advantage at all for DVC.

Preferential treatment for booking windows, etc, is possible, but if DVC follows the industry pattern they would increase the booking windows for owners of large contracts who purchase direct as part of a "tiered loyalty" system like they've been talking about. IF they did that, and if they followed their own precedent of grandfathering owners in, you would be included or not depending on how many points you own, not how you purchased them.

Any of those things are non-contractual perks and details of system usage that are not guaranteed to ANY owner. They could change them at any time, for any reason, for any or all owners with the stroke of a pen.

To evaluate possibilities like this, it is very important to know what you are actually guaranteed -- which is VERY little. Anything else can be changed, including many other aspects of DVC that would be much more serious losses than those you mention.

 

[joandegennaro]

I'm good with what they are saying now. I can just see them next year saying, "resale, sorry you can't get in the Merry Mixer!" or "oh, you can't book the Grand Villa, you'll have to wait until all the direct buyer have a chance!" I'm just thinking this is the tip of the iceberg. Even resale maynot get the EMH.

I think Disney is making it clear that if you buy prior to the March 20 deadline that you will not lose any DVC benifits afforded to all Direct purchases members. They have to start taking away something from resales to boost their bottom line in these economic times. This is their starting point. I think Disney hopes that they can in fact "scare" new members into buying direct at this time just like you are hesitating on a resale purchase over direct I'm sure many many more are too.

 

[DVCconvert]

.....Restricting attendance at merry mixers would be silly, and would serve no purpose for DVC.....

Not true....the savings in cardboard cookies would really add up!!

 

[tammymacb]

I'll never buy direct from Disney again. Anywhere.

Sorry, but life changes, and though many will say that "You buy DVC to keep it and vacation" sometimes things just don't work out that way.

I don't have to ( nor am I ) sell ( ing ), but if I did, I'd lose a FORTUNE on my direct from Disney contract and could sell my resales and basically recoup. Once March 20th marches past, the value of resales will be less still.

I would never pay Disney $100+ for something that will be worth at least $30 dollars less once I sign the papers.

Thanks but no thanks.

BTW, on my "home" board, someone posted last evening of buying a 250 pt AKV contract, Feb UY AND passing ROFR at $47 per point.

 

[mouseaider]

We were sent to ROFR about ten days ago on a 55 point SSR contract for $60 per point after I called my guide who said we could add on for $115 per point. I was not afraid to save the extra $55 per point by buying resale.

I think it was a smart move.

And I'm with JimMIA... I don't think Disney is going to do any thing drastic to hurt itself in the business market. They will put some restrictions on but not enough to anger the people that travel every year or more just to boost up direct sales.

People who buy resales before the March 20th deadline will be treated the same as direct purchasers or they would have made the change without grandfathering in everyone now.

But.... it will be fun to watch.

 

[sweetdana]

1) If your goal is to use them at your home resort don't sweat a thing.

2) If you get it in before 03-20 I believe this to be the be-all end all date. They are not going to have "3 classes" of points.. Direct, resale before 03-20 resale after 03-20. For accounting purposes the date of 03-20 will be in stone all "direct benefits" will be based on that date. They grandfathered people in which was the right thing to do. They will grandfather you in with a resale for ANY future changes based on this date.

I believe this to the tip of the iceberg unlike others.. I think they will have limited resort switching, or non-home resorts for a fee, discountinue AP discounts, or no annual planning book in the mail, maybe extended hours for direct buyers.. IE phone opens for direct at 9AM and resale cannot call until 11 AM. Giving them really a few hour head start on the 11 month window for say Christmas. I do think they will make changes, but based on there changes I also am in belief if you purchase before 03-20 resale you will be grandfathered in to any change they make.

3) There is no garentee all these changes cannot happen to direct purchasers eventually. GO with where you will not be disappointed to stay. If you love BW then buy there and don't look back.

 

[Dean]

Given those specifics I think I'd go resale. Personally I think the cash type exchanges are a rip anyway so the chance to save a few more $$$ resale would be a win for me. I don't think DVC will materially affect the choices I think are important nor do I care if anyone with DVC knows or cares to mention it. However, your preferred home resort and the value you put on the added RTU come into play and you need to decide what's best for you. Good luck.

 

[maminnie]

Given those specifics I think I'd go resale. Personally I think the cash type exchanges are a rip anyway so the chance to save a few more $$$ resale would be a win for me. I don't think DVC will materially affect the choices I think are important nor do I care if anyone with DVC knows or cares to mention it. However, your preferred home resort and the value you put on the added RTU come into play and you need to decide what's best for you. Good luck.

Dean:

Do you think they will alter banking and borrowing between direct and resale? I am not sure what to expect or anticipate at this point????

Thanks.

 

[hacknsuit]

Well...guess we'll see over the years! Found a seller o accept our offer on the 150 BWV points less than the 100 AKL direct with discounts!

thanks for all your input! I was leaning that way...wife wanted direct!

 

[canoe86]

The more I crunch the numbers, the more I'm viewing the initial buy as a total price for the first year of vacation.

The second year, again, price of a vacation.

From the 3rd year on, the annual dues start to eat into your initial purchase price to the point that by about the 5th year, your dues equal roughly another whole trip.

So, I'm starting to view the initial purchase as the cost of 3 trips and THEN a total loss, worst case scenario.

Its all about the dues.

 

[Sammie]

Restricting attendance to EMH would be a logistical nightmare for the CMs at the theme parks, and again, no advantage at all for DVC.

Disney recently included this option in a survey for resort guests. Guests paying full rate would get EMH guest staying on a discount, would not.

If they can seperate those guests they can seperate direct versus resale.

I was told that as soon as the LILO system is fully operational there is lots they will be able to do as far as the resort IDs.

I have no idea whether they will do this, but it's within their ability to do.

If EMH was a perk for direct sales how is that not an advantage anymore than what they did.

 

[JimMIA]

Disney recently included this option in a survey for resort guests. Guests paying full rate would get EMH guest staying on a discount, would not.

I'm not usually one to say stuff like this, but that would strike me as VERY un-Disney. I also can't imagine anyone paying full price to get EMH!

I have no idea whether they will do this, but it's within their ability to do.

Yeah, there's always a wide gap between possible and good business sense.

 

[mlm5l]

I notice Disney is advertising like crazy. Obviously they are feeling the effects of the economy. Resale is good for WDW keeps people coming to the parks.

 

[Sammie]

I'm not usually one to say stuff like this, but that would strike me as VERY un-Disney. I also can't imagine anyone paying full price to get EMH!

Yeah, there's always a wide gap between possible and good business sense.

I totally agree but it was in their most recent survey. I just think at this point there is no way to tell what they will and won't do.

 

[rlmas]

I would be interested in thoughts on the following....

I agree we all want to save money, but I have found it interesting to think about things a follows: what if everyone does what I am about to do? Would the overall result be good or bad?

If we all buy resale, DVC basically shuts down and no new resorts are built and Disney loses interest in us (just like Marriott did with their timeshare business).

If we all buy direct, we gain new resorts and options as we are collectively more important to Disney.

I know there are many very informed people here and I have ben wondering about this for a long time.