VGF worth the Money ? Why I think YES!!!

[Johnny D]

Ben is back in the ballgame!! Welcome back my friend and well said!

Also, I'm feeling a little like Greg Brady of the Brady bunch in the exact word episode....I will triple read my posts from now on to make sure it meets the exact word standard.

 

[DVCcurious]

Also that the hype/emotion of buying often overwhelms the more factual evaluation and decision process.

That explains why they had "Cats in the Cradle" being played on a loop in the lobby of the DVC sales office!

 

[Dean]

No, Dean, it was said that when it is sold, you won't be able to get studios at VGF....I'll stand by that....but I agree there are a few slow periods where you could creep in, but honestly, that isn't availability....most people don't have so much flexibility with the vacationing....

As to your thesis on why people disagree with you and what the "need to learn"....lol....not your words, but the obvious inference....you talk about them making assumptions that are wrong, etc....

I will point out that that goes both ways. I happen to think, critically so, that your assumptions are wrong....but it won't be possible to show you empirically for a few years, so I'll table this until we get there...until then, you have all the answers, don't you? Yours are right and theirs are wrong....

I'll say this....as an experiment, why not prove your point, take 150 of your points and yearly plan a vacation to a VGF studio...if not in reality, do it virtually....and not always during the middle of september of January.....

Let's see where that gets you and compare notes. In the meantime, I will be staying there every year....without the hassle and worry of uncertain vacation situations...

You apparently have a lot of friends that pay for premium and accept lower level product on a frequent basis....per P.T. Barnum, there's no accounting for that percentage of the population....but your diatribes are intended to "educate" and that percentage of the population wouldn't be reading your "education" in the first place....

For the life of me, I can't imagine someone even unwittingly paying for the regular use of a mercedes, but occasionally trading for a honda to "change things up"....lol

Here is the quote from your second post on this thread, there is no qualification, only an absolute opinion as I read it.

Dean, you're deluding yourself if you think VGF studios are going to be available at 7 months. I've been checking multiple times at 11 months, and I'll tell you, if you don't book right away at 11 months, you've lost the opportunity and it's getting worse...and for Christmas and high demand times, you'd better walk your reservation. It's a fact. We're seeing this now with less than half the place sold. Double that, and it will be very difficult for even a VGF owner to book there unless they are very prepared.

I'm pretty sure I qualified my opinion to suggest some will stay there but most won't even if they try. I guess I'll just have to be content with my two 2BR exchanges in August that are not at VGF, at least until VGF shows up as a deposit with RCI.

 

[BenDiscipio]

Here is the quote from your second post on this thread, there is no qualification, only an absolute opinion as I read it.

I'm pretty sure I qualified my opinion to suggest some will stay there but most won't even if they try. I guess I'll just have to be content with my two 2BR exchanges in August that are not at VGF, at least until VGF shows up as a deposit with RCI.

The operative words there are "going to" which implies in the Future.....vs. ARE which would be the present....

Capisce?

 

[gray52]

When people buy direct, they're going to love and defend their resort to the end... I think we see that magnified even more with VGF. This thread proves just that. I'm sure it's not easy to swallow that someone who paid (gasp) $55/pt might be in the room next door to you at the VGF, when you paid $150. I might get defensive too.. Might make it personal as well. But I'll leave that for others.
I was told "you'll never get into BLT if you don't own." Ha... I've booked it at 4 months out. You can try to sell all day long that VGF owners will never want to stay at an EPCOT resort. But they will. That's a fact. Some kids will beg mommy and daddy to stay at AKV to see the animals from their room... and they will. That's a fact. Some will walk into a two bedroom at OKW and say "I can get all this space for how many points?" And after kid #4 arrives, they'll book it. They just will. So over the next couple of years, I'll be staying at your VGF, if I choose. I'll be certain to let you know what I think.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[sleepydog25]

The operative words there are "going to" which implies in the Future.....vs. ARE which would be the present....

Capisce?

Well, Ben, since you brought up grammar, let me further clarify that when you said ". . .are going to be available," you didn't declare when that future was. It could easily be two weeks hence rather than two years. Moreover, you follow that statement with this one: I've been checking multiple times at 11 months, and I'll tell you, if you don't book right away at 11 months, you've lost the opportunity and it's getting worse. . . In this case, I have been indicates not only the past but also the present, as in an ongoing venture, and in that statement you say, "you've lost that opportunity," meaning there is no chance (and has been no chance), and with the "it's getting worse" suggesting there will be no chance in the future, either.

Truly, I bring this up in a humorous manner just to illustrate that language is a complex beast. . .just like owning DVC. There is no doubt that VGF isn't always easy to book at seven months, and that difficulty will likely extend for a few years. Further, for those who love VGF, owning there is its own reward and value and no one can take that feeling away. However, that's the exact same feeling many owners have at BLT, BCV, VWL, Aulani, and VGC. Enjoy your purchase; I know you'll have many great memories to share in the years to come!

 

[BenDiscipio]

Well, Ben, since you brought up grammar, let me further clarify that when you said ". . .are going to be available," you didn't declare when that future was. It could easily be two weeks hence rather than two years. Moreover, you follow that statement with this one: I've been checking multiple times at 11 months, and I'll tell you, if you don't book right away at 11 months, you've lost the opportunity and it's getting worse. . . In this case, I have been indicates not only the past but also the present, as in an ongoing venture, and in that statement you say, "you've lost that opportunity," meaning there is no chance (and has been no chance), and with the "it's getting worse" suggesting there will be no chance in the future, either.

Truly, I bring this up in a humorous manner just to illustrate that language is a complex beast. . .just like owning DVC. There is no doubt that VGF isn't always easy to book at seven months, and that difficulty will likely extend for a few years. Further, for those who love VGF, owning there is its own reward and value and no one can take that feeling away. However, that's the exact same feeling many owners have at BLT, BCV, VWL, Aulani, and VGC. Enjoy your purchase; I know you'll have many great memories to share in the years to come!

What you fail to realize is that the post and grammar in question ... taken out of context....fail to properly place the "future"....but in context, where we were discussing several years down the road. I think I've most often discussed 3 years....it becomes much clearer. And yes, I stated that I've been checking, past tense....and I will tell you that in any in demand DVC time, there is virtually NO availability in VGF studios at 7 months, beyond a day here or there....usually it is blanket no availability. That is a fact.

As for Gray52, try to book a studio at VGF with your $55 points....I'd love to hear about your exploits. It's 35% sold and 75% available right now, but even with that you're going to have a hard time. Fast forward to 90% sold and you will be out of luck....a poor puppy pressed against the window.

And comparing the Grand to the Contemporary is comical. The contemporary has always been the black sheep of the family for deluxe Monorail resorts....the last alternative if you couldn't book the Grand or the Poly. Everyone knows that. It's always the one that has availability when the others are banged out. It's the lower priced entree into the monorail resorts. Furthermore, it's a much bigger DVC resort, hence greater availability (but then again, ALL DVC properties are bigger than VGF). Let's be honest...the contemporary is 70's architecture that most people would like to forget...do you see anyone planning buildings with that architecture anymore? Even for nostalgia? The only selling point for BLT is the walk to MK.

As for your litanies of "it's a fact". Well....the truth is that it isn't yet a fact, is it? It's a theory. However, the theory of supply and demand, a much more tried and true theory (as theories go), seems to run in the face of yours....don't you think? Your "fact" theories are based on the fact that, using other, lesser valued DVC resorts as examples, it has happened. But here's a fact for you. DVC, until now, had yet to have a DVC at one of its premier properties, Grand or Poly. That's gonna play with your "facts" a little....watch and see. Get back to me in 3 years with Dean and tell me how you're doing planning your VGF week vacation...especially at a studio. I'll be waiting with bated breath....lol.

Here's another fact for you. DVC owners have historically lived to "trade up" their points to the highest DVC level. You see this clearly by the fact that OKW and SSR are ALWAYS available...as are AKL (unfortunately for AKL owners....product of a DVC that is too big, spread out, and far from the preferred WDW parks. Most people buying SSR, or VB on the cheap are doing so with the hope of "trading up" to a more desirable DVC. The top of that food chain right now and the smallest of all the DVC's is VGF.

I'll go back to my car analogy. Say you're part of a car club where you use points to rent a car for a period of time every now and then when you need it. You bought into Honda points, but have routinely exchanged that for Toyotas, Fords, Dodges, heck, even a Mitsubishi once...then the car club decides to offer points in Mercedes....your contention is that Mercedes points are going to be traded for Toyotas, fords, etc....and your Honda points are going to be able to get Mercedes points just like you could Toyota points. Kind of hard to believe, don't you think? Why would the mercedes points owner want to drive a honda, or toyota? It would have to be a pretty darned good reason, don't you think?

Likewise, I think you'll find that VGF points will be used for VGF in a much higher percentage of instances than has happened with any other DVC in the past. Once Poly opens, I can see that pulling some VGF points....but one would have to be a fool to use VGF points for other DVC properties unless they couldn't get into VGF, which I can see being a possibility. Perhaps a less than astute owner might trade into an epcot resort for F&W but other than that, not a lot of appeal. Part of the problem is going to be that there will be an inordinate number of owners who bought VGF with the intention of staying in a studio there, because of the high point cost....it's going to be very tough for VGF owners to get studios once we're closer to sellout. Watch and see....It'll be a concern for a number of VGF owners.

 

[gray52]

What you fail to realize is that the post and grammar in question ... taken out of context....fail to properly place the "future"....but in context, where we were discussing several years down the road. I think I've most often discussed 3 years....it becomes much clearer. And yes, I stated that I've been checking, past tense....and I will tell you that in any in demand DVC time, there is virtually NO availability in VGF studios at 7 months, beyond a day here or there....usually it is blanket no availability. That is a fact.

As for Gray52, try to book a studio at VGF with your $55 points....I'd love to hear about your exploits. It's 35% sold and 75% available right now, but even with that you're going to have a hard time. Fast forward to 90% sold and you will be out of luck....a poor puppy pressed against the window.

And comparing the Grand to the Contemporary is comical. The contemporary has always been the black sheep of the family for deluxe Monorail resorts....the last alternative if you couldn't book the Grand or the Poly. Everyone knows that. It's always the one that has availability when the others are banged out. It's the lower priced entree into the monorail resorts. Furthermore, it's a much bigger DVC resort, hence greater availability (but then again, ALL DVC properties are bigger than VGF). Let's be honest...the contemporary is 70's architecture that most people would like to forget...do you see anyone planning buildings with that architecture anymore? Even for nostalgia? The only selling point for BLT is the walk to MK.

As for your litanies of "it's a fact". Well....the truth is that it isn't yet a fact, is it? It's a theory. However, the theory of supply and demand, a much more tried and true theory (as theories go), seems to run in the face of yours....don't you think? Your "fact" theories are based on the fact that, using other, lesser valued DVC resorts as examples, it has happened. But here's a fact for you. DVC, until now, had yet to have a DVC at one of its premier properties, Grand or Poly. That's gonna play with your "facts" a little....watch and see. Get back to me in 3 years with Dean and tell me how you're doing planning your VGF week vacation...especially at a studio. I'll be waiting with bated breath....lol.

Here's another fact for you. DVC owners have historically lived to "trade up" their points to the highest DVC level. You see this clearly by the fact that OKW and SSR are ALWAYS available...as are AKL (unfortunately for AKL owners....product of a DVC that is too big, spread out, and far from the preferred WDW parks. Most people buying SSR, or VB on the cheap are doing so with the hope of "trading up" to a more desirable DVC. The top of that food chain right now and the smallest of all the DVC's is VGF.

I'll go back to my car analogy. Say you're part of a car club where you use points to rent a car for a period of time every now and then when you need it. You bought into Honda points, but have routinely exchanged that for Toyotas, Fords, Dodges, heck, even a Mitsubishi once...then the car club decides to offer points in Mercedes....your contention is that Mercedes points are going to be traded for Toyotas, fords, etc....and your Honda points are going to be able to get Mercedes points just like you could Toyota points. Kind of hard to believe, don't you think? Why would the mercedes points owner want to drive a honda, or toyota? It would have to be a pretty darned good reason, don't you think?

Likewise, I think you'll find that VGF points will be used for VGF in a much higher percentage of instances than has happened with any other DVC in the past. Once Poly opens, I can see that pulling some VGF points....but one would have to be a fool to use VGF points for other DVC properties unless they couldn't get into VGF, which I can see being a possibility. Perhaps a less than astute owner might trade into an epcot resort for F&W but other than that, not a lot of appeal. Part of the problem is going to be that there will be an inordinate number of owners who bought VGF with the intention of staying in a studio there, because of the high point cost....it's going to be very tough for VGF owners to get studios once we're closer to sellout. Watch and see....It'll be a concern for a number of VGF owners.

For the record, I do not own any $55 points either... but many do. And they have the same benefits as your $150 points.

You continue to scoff at others for using theories as facts. But so far, that's all you've done.

Why are you debating the CR vs VGF? You're throwing in new variables... all to prove your "facts." Most of new DVC buyers do not have the benefit of understanding the historical "value" of one resort vs another (see my point above).

Aren't the number of points relative to the size of the resort? They can sell X amount of points for X amount of rooms available. The size doesn't change that. The only thing that changes is how people use their points. You will absolutely not convince me (or many others) that when a family is talked into financing 200 points at VGF for $30,000, then later find out that those same 200 points would get them a week in a 2BR at other resorts instead of a studio, they won't make that move. Of course they will. Not every year, but occasionally. So... as a percentage, the only reason it will be harder for non-owners to book there is because of the percentage of rooms available. That will raise each year. Percentage of rooms available will be less to start, but over time, it will raise. Probably not as much as other resorts, but the opportunity will be there. It just will.

I'm not exactly sure about your car comparison. I buy into the Mercedes club for twice as much as the Toyota club. This year i want the Mercedes C250. I love it and enjoy the ride for a couple years. But by the third or fourth year, I decide maybe i need a little more room and maybe i want it for a few extra days... i look at what's offered... and there sits a Nissan Armada that i can have for 10 days instead of the C250 for seven. No brainer. And the year after that, i realize that i need a pick-up... so i go to the Toyota Tundra... and this time for 12 days. All for the same price. Again... no brainer. Then i remember why i bought into the car club in the first place and go back to my C250. That C250 is not going to sit on the lots while the other cars are used.

Owners at VGF arent going to suddenly get smarter about vacationing just because they own there. They're no different than your owners at BCV or BLT. Not all of them are going to remember to book at 11 months... or 6 months... and they're not always going to want the C250 every year. YOU are a smarter vacationer... but you're in the minority.

Needs/interests change. Maybe not for you... but for the rest of us, they do.

 

[Thisdman]

This is a great thread and I'm loving the back and forth. To those making the argument that VGF will be available to non owners after the place is sold out simply are not following logic and trends. Ok what do we know to be true and verifiable? Well we know that VGF is under 40% sold and you cannot currently book a studio for a week less then 7 months out. Yet you expect people to believe that there will be MORE studio availability after there are more owners? It's possible bit I wouldn't bet on it, logic dictates otherwise. Now I can't say if a few days might not be found here or there but even that doesn't seem likely since there will be so many more owners. If it happens and you are staying next to me I will be happy to be your neighbor and I hope you will be happy with me. Good deal for you, nothing wrong with that. I, for one, will never stay at another resort but we rent a car on every trip so there would be no reason to.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

As a VGF owner, I agree it's going to be difficult getting a studio at the 11mo. after the resort is sold out.. And impossible at 7mo.
We bought enough points to get a week in a one bedroom every other year..

But I think there has been one point that has been missed..
if the Polly has nothing but studios and bungalows (as stated in the new plans)
then that would make the one and two bedrooms at the VGF even harder to get..

B/c now not only will the owners at the VGF scoop them at the 11 mo. Mark..
But them in sure the ones that buy into the poly will not want to take a huge "step down" to other DVC resorts..
And will also be trying to get anything left at the VGF at the 7mo., even if it is only a day or two..

So at the 7 mo. Mark, not only will the non-VGF owners be fighting other non-VGF owners.
But now future poly owners as well!

Just food for thought

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

IMO.. I view the VGF like the VGC..
Small and hard to get into unless you own..

 

[BenDiscipio]

For the record, I do not own any $55 points either... but many do. And they have the same benefits as your $150 points.

You continue to scoff at others for using theories as facts. But so far, that's all you've done.

Why are you debating the CR vs VGF? You're throwing in new variables... all to prove your "facts." Most of new DVC buyers do not have the benefit of understanding the historical "value" of one resort vs another (see my point above).

Aren't the number of points relative to the size of the resort? They can sell X amount of points for X amount of rooms available. The size doesn't change that. The only thing that changes is how people use their points. You will absolutely not convince me (or many others) that when a family is talked into financing 200 points at VGF for $30,000, then later find out that those same 200 points would get them a week in a 2BR at other resorts instead of a studio, they won't make that move. Of course they will. Not every year, but occasionally. So... as a percentage, the only reason it will be harder for non-owners to book there is because of the percentage of rooms available. That will raise each year. Percentage of rooms available will be less to start, but over time, it will raise. Probably not as much as other resorts, but the opportunity will be there. It just will.

I'm not exactly sure about your car comparison. I buy into the Mercedes club for twice as much as the Toyota club. This year i want the Mercedes C250. I love it and enjoy the ride for a couple years. But by the third or fourth year, I decide maybe i need a little more room and maybe i want it for a few extra days... i look at what's offered... and there sits a Nissan Armada that i can have for 10 days instead of the C250 for seven. No brainer. And the year after that, i realize that i need a pick-up... so i go to the Toyota Tundra... and this time for 12 days. All for the same price. Again... no brainer. Then i remember why i bought into the car club in the first place and go back to my C250. That C250 is not going to sit on the lots while the other cars are used.

Owners at VGF arent going to suddenly get smarter about vacationing just because they own there. They're no different than your owners at BCV or BLT. Not all of them are going to remember to book at 11 months... or 6 months... and they're not always going to want the C250 every year. YOU are a smarter vacationer... but you're in the minority.

Needs/interests change. Maybe not for you... but for the rest of us, they do.

Oh boy....so much to address here...

1. Actually, their $55 do NOT have the same benefits as my $150 points. My points allow me to book at 11 months in the VGF. Theirs do not. That's what this thread is about....

2. Are you suggesting that people PURCHASING $15k or more have no idea where the Grand Floridian sits in the hierarchy of resorts at Disney? For real? Come on now....I mean I know you think all the purchasers are stupid, but you've gone a little too far here. Who would make a purchase of that amount and not even be aware of where you're buying?

3. I addressed the Contemporary because you guys were saying how BLT owners thought the same about their property when they bought. Apples and oranges here folks....thus my point....

4. It's already at 75% availability with 35% sold....not gonna get better than that, dude....

5. You are making up figures now....there is no 2 bedroom NOR 1 bedroom in DVC at WDW that you can rent for same or lower as a standard view studio. There's in fact only 1 bedroom that comes close....a VALUE 1 bedroom at AKL....and they aren't going to get that at 7 months....back to the drawing board! oops!

6. You're assuming that every purchaser is unaware of resale....that may be the case for some, but most people making a purchase this large have done at least a little research and know that they could buy resale very cheap if they want to hop around. People buying at VGF are doing so because that's where they want to stay. You're vastly overstating the point differential...it might get you a day or two at most other resorts. In premium season, where the differential is at it's max, a standard view studio at VGF is 196 and AKL savannah view is 156....a mere 40 point difference....less so, if we look at BLT. Now, if they want to really jump down and stay at SSR or OKW, yea, maybe they add 3 or 4 nights....hardly enough to motivate a change....

7. If I found after a 4 or 5 years, I wanted to ride other cars than the Mercedes, I'd sell my interest and repurchase at low rates and get a whole bunch of points and get the toyota/honda for many more days....I would counter that most DVC purchasers aren't as stupid as you would have us believe. Certainly if they are on this forum to start, they aren't....which is the point of all of this....

8. Historically, the smallest resorts are the toughest to get bookings in....you've never seen one as small as the Grand....nor at a resort level as high above the others as the Grand. Time to reconsider our assumptions....because you know what happens when we make assumptions....lol

Have a nice day!

 

[BenDiscipio]

IMO.. I view the VGF like the VGC..
Small and hard to get into unless you own..

Even better....VGF is SMALLER than VGC...and the flagship of WDW...unquestionably....

 

[BenDiscipio]

As a VGF owner, I agree it's going to be difficult getting a studio at the 11mo. after the resort is sold out.. And impossible at 7mo.
We bought enough points to get a week in a one bedroom every other year..

But I think there has been one point that has been missed..
if the Polly has nothing but studios and bungalows (as stated in the new plans)
then that would make the one and two bedrooms at the VGF even harder to get..

B/c now not only will the owners at the VGF scoop them at the 11 mo. Mark..
But them in sure the ones that buy into the poly will not want to take a huge "step down" to other DVC resorts..
And will also be trying to get anything left at the VGF at the 7mo., even if it is only a day or two..

So at the 7 mo. Mark, not only will the non-VGF owners be fighting other non-VGF owners.
But now future poly owners as well!

Just food for thought

Interesting thought....but I don't think families looking for 1br and 2br will buy into the Poly....I really don't think buyers are as clueless as you're being led to believe on here.

On the very positive side, I foresee the VGF being one of the few DVC properties that ends up selling resale above it's original offer price. I think the OP's estimate of $130 in 5-10 years is low. As direct price continues to soar, so will the resale price. It's going to be a very valuable piece of property. People underestimate the value the small size and premium resort reputation will have on its resale....How many DVC's have 2 signatures plus a 5 star Super Signature restaurant on site? A full service spa across the street!....Monorail AND boat service...premium service and amenities unmatched in other DVC's....?

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

Interesting thought....but I don't think families looking for 1br and 2br will buy into the Poly....I really don't think buyers are as clueless as you're being led to believe on here.

I think if the families are already done with having children, know they will travel with extended family, or know the want more room.. They will not buy into the poly..

Now that being said.. There are many out there that feel a studio is big enough to fit their needs. AT THIS TIME..
Case in point..
My sister is one of these people.. It is just her and her husband..
But altho she doesn't realize it.. There will come a day she will want to have kids.. Or will go on vacation with extended family..

Just saying things change, and those people at the Poly.. IF/WHEN they go looking for 1 or 2 bedroom they are going to go looking at the GF!

On the very positive side, I foresee the VGF being one of the few DVC properties that ends up selling resale above it's original offer price. I think the OP's estimate of $130 in 5-10 years is low. As direct price continues to soar, so will the resale price. It's going to be a very valuable piece of property. People underestimate the value the small size and premium resort reputation will have on its resale....How many DVC's have 2 signatures plus a 5 star Super Signature restaurant on site? A full service spa across the street!....Monorail AND boat service...premium service and amenities unmatched in other DVC's....?

These were some of the reason we love too! My DH Loves the health center being so close... And the food!
I agree I see it going up in value...

 

[PacoDF]

Why would the mercedes points owner want to drive a honda, or toyota? It would have to be a pretty darned good reason, don't you think?

Easy answer. With a week of Mercedes Points, you can pay 3 weeks of a Toyota, or the same week of a Dodge Caravan if you need more seats for friends. So after a few times trying the Mercedes, you'll pick whatever car fits your actual needs for your upcoming trip and if you don't need a Mercedes, why would you choose one? just because you already paid for those more expensive points?

Tell me that's better to rent out those Mercedes points for a premium price to someone who actually needs/wants a Mercedes than using them for Toyota, and that's OK. But telling me that a Mercedes owner will not ever want to trade down isnt logical; sure they will!

 

[Sanchez]

So much argument and speculation as to whether VGF will be available at seven months. The original purpose of this thread was to argue that VGF is worth the money. Let's assume that VGF has no additional availability. I do not believe VGF to be "worth the money" if I had to pay a significant premium and be out of luck if I was unable to make plans at 11 months. That is quite a significant restriction for a premium purchase.

I can imagine many scenarios where VGF owners will need to stay at a "lesser" location. Sometimes it is not about whether you choose to drive the Toyota over the Mercedes you paid for. Rather, you are forced to drive the Toyota because the limited number of Mercedes were scooped up early.

 

[gray52]

2. Are you suggesting that people PURCHASING $15k or more have no idea where the Grand Floridian sits in the hierarchy of resorts at Disney? For real? Come on now....I mean I know you think all the purchasers are stupid, but you've gone a little too far here. Who would make a purchase of that amount and not even be aware of where you're buying?

HAHAHAHA... you humor me. Wow... YES... they absolutely are purchasing without any idea of where the GF sits in the hierarchy... it's called TIMESHARE SALES. THOUSANDS of people EVERY YEAR and EVERY YEAR and EVERY YEAR spend that much and are not aware of what they're actually buying... a hotel room for future stays. Westgate, Worldmark, Wyndham, Disney, Marriott and many many more... each and every day they sell them. And their best customers are the unawares.

Few of your arguments make practical sense to me. They make sense to you, i understand that. But your car rational is just nonsense to me. So i think it's better that we agree to disagree and leave it at that (or at least i will).

 

[gray52]

Easy answer. With a week of Mercedes Points, you can pay 3 weeks of a Toyota, or the same week of a Dodge Caravan if you need more seats for friends. So after a few times trying the Mercedes, you'll pick whatever car fits your actual needs for your upcoming trip and if you don't need a Mercedes, why would you choose one? just because you already paid for those more expensive points?

Tell me that's better to rent out those Mercedes points for a premium price to someone who actually needs/wants a Mercedes than using them for Toyota, and that's OK. But telling me that a Mercedes owner will not ever want to trade down isnt logical; sure they will!

Exactly!

 

[chukdotcom]

Easy answer. With a week of Mercedes Points, you can pay 3 weeks of a Toyota, or the same week of a Dodge Caravan if you need more seats for friends. So after a few times trying the Mercedes, you'll pick whatever car fits your actual needs for your upcoming trip and if you don't need a Mercedes, why would you choose one? just because you already paid for those more expensive points?

Tell me that's better to rent out those Mercedes points for a premium price to someone who actually needs/wants a Mercedes than using them for Toyota, and that's OK. But telling me that a Mercedes owner will not ever want to trade down isnt logical; sure they will!

Also, what happens if you can only vacation specific times (school vacations, etc) and even as an owner you can't get availability at VGF? Your only choice would be to skip the trip, or "trade down" with the expensive points. While I always TRY to plan my trips 11 months in advance, it is not always possible.