Torn between Resale and Direct

[Sandisw]

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.

I really think it is going to be a long time before resales have such a big impact that DVC stops building and let's the program go.

While they may have recently seen a hit due to the economy and felt a change was needed, I think the number of people who buy DVC direct still outweigh those buying resale (complete speculation on my part).

And, if you look at the trend with ROFR, they have pretty much stopped exercising it. I wonder if this is another reason why they decided on a change. They just couldn't possibly afford to take back all those contracts so have put something in place that may sway some of those buyers to go to Disney.

AT this point, I think anyone should buy the product they are comfortable buying. If having the "perks" of trading that will come only with Disney contracts is seen as a benefit (regardless of what others think), then go with Disney. Will it be more expensive? Yes, but only a buyer can determine if the cost difference is worth it.

When we bought, we bought BLT, even though it was more than resale contracts we could have gotten. Why? Because that is where we wanted to stay and didn't want to chance it.

Do I regret that move now, especially seeing that getting LV rooms at 7 months seems to happen a lot? Not at all. I could never take the stress of having to wait.

So, when deciding resale or direct, this resort or that, buy what you want, be comfortable with that decision, and don't look back. Just be sure you are aware what can or can not be taken away in the future. As long as you don't completely bank on that, your decision will be the right one for you.

Good luck!

 

[RescueRanger]

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.

I know this might not be a popular position, but I would welcome something like this, EMH only for non discounted stays or direct buy DVC stays. I don't use the evening ones anymore because it is way too crowded. If they limited it, it might actually become a perk again.

 

[sweetdana]

I avoid the park with EMD, early or late as it is too crowded. I wouldn't care either way, but it wouldn't change my likeliness to buy direct, and as well to pay full price for a room.
I use EMD as a guide to which park I should go to tommorrow.


I am not getting up at 6:30 AM on vacation to be at a park by 8, nor is my DD6 up to staying at the MK until 1 AM either.

 

[Brian Noble]

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

Think about how many more vacation days you are getting each year for the extra 50 points, and contrast that to the risk that someday maybe you won't get to go to EMH. Heck, I almost never attend EMH now. It's no big loss.

 

[joandegennaro]

I am not getting up at 6:30 AM on vacation to be at a park by 8, nor is my DD6 up to staying at the MK until 1 AM either.

This is what my DD's 17 and 12 count on for the evening hours

 

[Marine Mom]

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

 

[ELKHUNTER]

Something to remember is that Disney stated in writing that all contracts bought resale prior to March 20th will have the same benefits as direct purchase. Changing this at a later date would leave them liable. So i would not hesitate to purchase resale prior to the cut off date.

 

[Sandisw]

Something to remember is that Disney stated in writing that all contracts bought resale prior to March 20th will have the same benefits as direct purchase. Changing this at a later date would leave them liable. So i would not hesitate to purchase resale prior to the cut off date.

But they can certainly change the way the perks work for members so depending on how it was approached, it could still give direct buyers an advantage over resale buyers.

For example, they could raise the fee to trading in but then give a discount to people using point bought direct. They might be able to add a surcharge of points, whatever.

They could also take away the perk all together and repackage to just direct buyers. I would think all they would have to do was eliminate for everyone and a month later, bring it back for direct purchased points.

Remember, the options right now are a perk that can be played with in any form so I believe they can change the policy at any time. So many things could happen.

That is why anyone buying now, to beat the rush, still needs to realize that Disney can do away with it later.

 

[kapeman]

I know this might not be a popular position, but I would welcome something like this, EMH only for non discounted stays or direct buy DVC stays. I don't use the evening ones anymore because it is way too crowded. If they limited it, it might actually become a perk again.

DVC guests are a relatively small percentage of park visitors on a daily basis and the resale purchasers are a very small percentage of that number.

This change would have no noticeable affect on park crowds.

I am not worried about any resale purchases after March 20th.

The date I am worried about is the next one where they cut even more perks, the ones that are worth something.

 

[Brian Noble]

Something to remember is that Disney stated in writing that all contracts bought resale prior to March 20th will have the same benefits as direct purchase. Changing this at a later date would leave them liable. So i would not hesitate to purchase resale prior to the cut off date.

Not quite. They stated that points attributable to contracts purchased resale prior to March 20th will continue to be eligible for the three external exchange alternatives. For now. I would not assume that translates to "will never be differentiated".

I think they've tipped their hand that they are *likely* to grandfather (and provide sufficient notice) for any future differentiations. But, they don't have to.

 

[pkitty]

Resale or direct the dues are still the same. Disney still requires the cash from all members to keep the timeshare solvent and viable. If they feel that the product that they are marketing directly is worth double the points value than a resale by giving you EMH than I think they are mistaken. After the first 2 years I never used this "perk" ever again. To me a perk would denote something that was exclusive to my membership but EMH are available to all WDW gusest staying onsite whether your paying 79$ on promo at ASMU or $900 per night at AKL so this is not really a perk to me. I irritates me to know end that DVC owners seem to settle for the "perks" they are given and are so grateful for them when they have paid handsomely for their points. How many of us are still spending on average between dues, dining plans and passes in excess of 4000.00 per trip while regular visitors are dining for free, receiving rack rates, discounted passes and at par deals (back when the CDN dollar was being trounced by your US dollar). I am just saying that we hold these "perks" so dear because we really don't get the same treatment as regular visitors in terms of benefits so the thought of losing any of them is terrifying. I for one will be buying more points on March 21 because I figure what am I risking really? The money I save on buying resale will more than make up for the money I lost buying direct. Having said that the incentives to purchase at SSR when I first purchased where excellent ($1500.00 towards DP) so I bought....AKL I received 100 developers points in a addition to use at my discretion....so that wasn't so bad. Aside from that I can't really recall a time where I sat there and felt like I had won the lotto? Don't get me wrong....I love the House of Mouse....it's unhealthy really.....so much so that I willingly bought into DVC direct and have enjoyed every minute.....but the "perks" to me are irrelevant because they really aren't that great. Losing access to the "concierge collection" is like losing nothing because I will never use it....it's perceived value. If I want to go to Europe with my points I will exchange with RCI to get more value for my points. I'll never be able to take my family to Africa on safari with the "Adventure Collection" because I wouldn't have enough points even with banking to do it (and that's with 260 points per year)....so again.....perceived value. Your not losing anything if you are never going to use it. So yes they may differentiate resale after March 20 but I think they will be shooting themselves in the foot if they start to treat those who purchased on the resale market as "second hand, second class citizens"....they need the dues to keep the doors open....and I for one will not be to happy if the I am not shown some love when I pay them. Hope I haven't stirred the pot to much but I feel like I just had to put this out there

 

[RescueRanger]

DVC guests are a relatively small percentage of park visitors on a daily basis and the resale purchasers are a very small percentage of that number.

This change would have no noticeable affect on park crowds.

I am not worried about any resale purchases after March 20th.

The date I am worried about is the next one where they cut even more perks, the ones that are worth something.

I think you misunderstood me. I said direct buy DVC "AND" guests paying non-discounted room rates (rack rate). If you eliminated "both" those groups, it would cut down on the crowds somewhat.

 

[kapeman]

I think you misunderstood me. I said direct buy DVC "AND" guests paying non-discounted room rates (rack rate). If you eliminated "both" those groups, it would cut down on the crowds somewhat.

Yeah, that AND kind of makes a difference!