Trading outside of Disney Resorts

[HGD24]

Friends of ours are looking to buy into DVC. They are very interested in being able to trade outside of Disney but I am confused on one point. I thought I was told in the past that you are charged the $75 fee if you check availability, even if you don't decide to trade out. Is that correct? Are you charged that fee everytime you check availability within a one year period or just once per use year?

TIA for your help in clarifying this for us.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't believe you are charged unless a match is found. I might be wrong though, because it's been quite awhile since we did our one and only exchange.

 

[HGD24]

If a match is found and then you decide not to use that match, you are still charged correct?

 

[dianeschlicht]

If a match is found and then you decide not to use that match, you are still charged correct?

Not sure about that one. I thought you were charged if you accepted a match, not for searching.

 

[colleenc]

Good timing, as I got my vacation planner today. It says:

If an instant match is found, the $75 fee is charged then.

If you choose to initiate a 'request first', you are charged the $75 fee first. If you cancel the search or a suitable match is not found, the fee is refunded.

When a match is found, a vacation advisor will call you. If you do not return the call, your fee will not be refunded.

I know you have to accept a match, so I am assuming that is what is meant by "suitable"

 

[HGD24]

Just so I understand this correctly: If you call and request to check availability and a match is found you are charged the fee, even if you return the advisor's call and say "No Thanks".

I know this shouldn't be difficult, but I just don't want to mislead our friends.

 

[Dean]

You are only ultimately charged if you accept an exchange OR if you have an ongoing search that matches the parameters you've set up, even if you decline the match. If you set up an ongoing search you will be charged the $75 fee that will be refunded if you cancel without matching OR if you don't match. If you call and ask for an immediate search but do not accept anything and don't set up an ongoing search, no fee.

Just make sure they know DVC is not a good value to use for exchanges unless you cherry pick only.

 

[HGD24]

Thanks for clarifying for me Dean. We don't personally use the exchange feature and that's why I'm a bit confused by it, but I think that this couple would like to use it unless we can convince them otherwise (ie: pay cash for their vaca and rent their points). What do you mean when you say "unless you cherry pick only"?

 

[Dean]

What do you mean when you say "unless you cherry pick only"?

When I look at the exchange question, esp II, I am comparing to buying other timeshares for exchange and using cash to rent an equivalent condo or similar timeshares. If one does so there are only one group of timeshares that you can justify trading for, those are the combination of top resorts during peak times. The way one does this is keeps a running request or even better, several separate requests, that includes your group of must haves. Say The Royals in Cancun or the Aruba Marriott's for xmas, President's week or Easter. Or maybe a top ski week or a select group of HI options. Something that if you match you can easily change your plans to accommodate. The problem is these options are rarely available to DVC members in trade.

Let me say that the decision to buy with exchanging in mind is significantly different than if you already own.

 

[HGD24]

Got it. Thanks Dean!