Wait-list explaination-why do they sell so much space??

[Maistre Gracey]

What I'm saying is that while technically DVC doesn't oversell the resorts, the end effect is that they really do. The demand for all weeks is not the same, even when adjusting for the points difference. And any given buyer has certain times they are expecting to use their points, on average, the higher demand times. So yes, to a degree, DVC is selling lower demand weeks at higher demand prices. My info suggests this is one of the main reasons DVC went with a points system rather than a weeks system. Club Intrawest has always been the master of this method though.

I couldn't disagree more.
I believe the number of rooms demanded is fairly level across the seasons. Not perfect, but in the ballpark.
Booking Christmas week will cost you more than a week in September, so I'm very confused why you say (paraphrasing) that DVC is selling a September week for what a Christmas week would cost. If you purchase enough points for a Christmas week, then opt to use them in September, you will have points left over for a second trip.
I don't follow your logic on this.

MG

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yep, I think rentals throw off the supply side of the equation - when you can rent a DVC room from a DVC owner for about half of what CRO will charge you, its a bargain - even with the additional risks (cancellation policy, private party).

But other factors are at play here as well - DVC member cruises move a heck (that was a different word, but I'll end up with little stars) of a lot of points over to CRO. Not that member cruises aren't really nice, but they don't help a glut of points sitting on the CRO side.

I totally agree with you and Deb and Bill. I think everyone who rents for such ridculously low per point costs are effecting a lot of things, including turning DVC resorts into value resorts. Not exactly what we all had in mind when we purchased.

 

[crisi]

Do they ever return unrented points to DVC? If it was within a week and still not rented out I was wondering if they ever make them available to be rented by DVC owners.

We aren't SURE, but we think that rooms that go in as breakage (i.e. not rented 60 days out) can be reclaimed. Obviously, if you are waiting for a room now for December, there isn't going to be breakage inventory to return. We THINK that rooms that go over to CRO in trades cannot be returned and that developer points cannot be claimed by DVC for rentals - even if they sit empty because CRO can't rent them. I've heard a story about a room that we THINK may have been maintenance inventory getting reclaimed under emergency circumstances (the room was obviously in poor repair and the member had been previously told the resort was full before the room magically appeared - but as I recall there was a sick child or something involved that they needed the extra night for).

You can look at CRO rooms that have been sold to CRO a little like if you sold your car to the neighbor. Maybe they go on vacation Sunday and don't need the car the very week your breaks on Monday and will be in the shop for two days, but you can't just go drive your old car - it isn't yours any longer.

 

[Dean]

I couldn't disagree more.
I believe the number of rooms demanded is fairly level across the seasons. Not perfect, but in the ballpark.
Booking Christmas week will cost you more than a week in September, so I'm very confused why you say (paraphrasing) that DVC is selling a September week for what a Christmas week would cost. If you purchase enough points for a Christmas week, then opt to use them in September, you will have points left over for a second trip.
I don't follow your logic on this.

MG

I responded this AM but guess it didn't go through. We certainly disagree. The demand is not at all even in spite of the points differences. Such is the nature of any points or floating weeks system. If enough people buy looking at higher demand times compared to those looking at lower demand times, the system is in effect oversold for those times even if not so for the entire year. And I feel that applies directly to DVC as well. HH is the most egregious example.

 

[spiceycat]

yes Dean - but I like floating weeks.

you just have to make your reservation at 11 months before, or like my other one - one year and a week before.

then you generally don't have a problem.

now I have a fixed week too - hate it. Charged the same maintence fees no matter what the week (which is highly unfair). and some places even charge studio the same as a 2-bedroom. There is nothing fair about a fixed week system.

love my floating weeks and points system!!!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If enough people buy looking at higher demand times compared to those looking at lower demand times, the system is in effect oversold for those times even if not so for the entire year.

When I purchased it was made abundantly clear that reservations were first come first served, and there may be times when there's no room at the inn.

I don't see how that's effectively oversold, but I will agree to disagree.

MG

 

[Dean]

yes Dean - but I like floating weeks.

you just have to make your reservation at 11 months before, or like my other one - one year and a week before.

then you generally don't have a problem.

now I have a fixed week too - hate it. Charged the same maintence fees no matter what the week (which is highly unfair). and some places even charge studio the same as a 2-bedroom. There is nothing fair about a fixed week system.

love my floating weeks and points system!!!!

No argument there are advantages and disadvantages. Still, it allows the system to sell every week or point like it's the best one within the season in question. I'm not complaining, just stating that's the way it is. And given that there are winners and losers within these systems, I always strive to put myself in a position to be one of the winners.

Fixed weeks certainly are a different system, also with advantages and disadvantages. The maintenance is the same for higher demand weeks and lower ones so it makes sense the fees should be the same as well. It does make a higher demand week a better value in many cases though. Maint fees are usually the same for floating weeks as well. About the only time they're different is for points systems where there is some type of formula. With Bluegreen this has worked to my advantage where he fees on the points are actually about 2/3 the fees on the underlying weeks that secure them.

 

[swim-mom]

I am going down on 9/18 and would have loved to stay at BWV, BUT there were no rooms (2bd) so I was on the wait list.

And Nothing came through, so I am stuck at OKW.................but I have a room still and still going, the idea is being able to go to Disney when you want. The hotel may not be ideal, but I assure all of you it will still be magical

I love my DVC, and hope that it will never change!!

But I would have loved another resort too

 

[Deb & Bill]

swim-mom, you are NEVER stuck at OKW. You are lucky to get OKW because it is a fabulous resort.

 

[swim-mom]

swim-mom, you are NEVER stuck at OKW. You are lucky to get OKW because it is a fabulous resort.

For the past 10 years we have only stayed at the WL, and with 4 children and an exchange student the closeness to everything at WL was wonderful.

The last time we stayed at OKW was 15 years ago, and then it was just so FAR from everything.

Which is why I said stuck, you are right though after this trip we may just fall in love with OKW!!!

Sorry for the confusion

 

[Deb & Bill]

No confusion, just an OKW fan. What's so nice about OKW is that you actually get to take a break from all the racing around. It's a very relaxing place to stay and bus service to everywhere has never been bad.

 

[Mtnman44]

This is why I believe that the whole personal renting thing is destined to be ended at some point by DVC. I just can't see it continuing as they are shooting themselves in the foot. Look for either much tighter restrictions or possibly some kind of program by which DVC will buy some points back from the member. This will allow them to dry up the private point rental market and charge what they want to cash renters.

Yep, I think rentals throw off the supply side of the equation - when you can rent a DVC room from a DVC owner for about half of what CRO will charge you, its a bargain - even with the additional risks (cancellation policy, private party).

But other factors are at play here as well - DVC member cruises move a heck (that was a different word, but I'll end up with little stars) of a lot of points over to CRO. Not that member cruises aren't really nice, but they don't help a glut of points sitting on the CRO side.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am going down on 9/18 and would have loved to stay at BWV, BUT there were no rooms (2bd) so I was on the wait list.

And Nothing came through, so I am stuck at OKW.................but I have a room still and still going, the idea is being able to go to Disney when you want. The hotel may not be ideal, but I assure all of you it will still be magical

I love my DVC, and hope that it will never change!!

But I would have loved another resort too

STUCK at OKW????? I LOVE OKW! THe rooms are larger and brighter, and ther transportation is good. Don't knock what you haven't tried. I don't like BWV either, but I still wouldn't think of it as "being stuck" there if it was all I could get.