Whart are "developer points"

[Simba's Mom]

and how do they affect the # of reservations? When I was at WDW, I had an interesting talk with a fellow DVC member. He was complaining about how extremely difficult it's been lately to secure DVC reservations. He said he was so frustrated, he was considering selling his DVC. He blamed the difficulty on "all the 'developer points'". At first I found his tirade somewhat amusing-he approached me, thinking I worked for DVC because I was wearing a DVC Accounting&Finance shirt, so he was planning to unload on me with his complaints. After I told him I was not an employee, but a member who shops on Ebay, he still let loose with his complaints. Guess he had to tell someone! What are "developer points" and are they at all responsible here?

 

[Starr W.]

and how do they affect the # of reservations? When I was at WDW, I had an interesting talk with a fellow DVC member. He was complaining about how extremely difficult it's been lately to secure DVC reservations. He said he was so frustrated, he was considering selling his DVC. He blamed the difficulty on "all the 'developer points'". At first I found his tirade somewhat amusing-he approached me, thinking I worked for DVC because I was wearing a DVC Accounting&Finance shirt, so he was planning to unload on me with his complaints. After I told him I was not an employee, but a member who shops on Ebay, he still let loose with his complaints. Guess he had to tell someone! What are "developer points" and are they at all responsible here?

They were part of the SSR deals earlier this year, buy x amount of points and get x amount of developer points. The DP's can only be used at 7 month mark and you have I think a year to use them. They can't be banked.

I asked MS about them and the person said it's been a for them because they are manual entry reservations(more work for MS) and it takes longer to get your hard copy reservation(so more calls looking for them).

I think I've seen people here complaining that VB was pretty booked up at 7 months.

Also seen an uptick in questions here about making reservations at 7 months. For the people who usually call at 7 months, they have been surprised to find things that are usually open are booked up when they want to go.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

and how do they affect the # of reservations? When I was at WDW, I had an interesting talk with a fellow DVC member. He was complaining about how extremely difficult it's been lately to secure DVC reservations. He said he was so frustrated, he was considering selling his DVC. He blamed the difficulty on "all the 'developer points'". At first I found his tirade somewhat amusing-he approached me, thinking I worked for DVC because I was wearing a DVC Accounting&Finance shirt, so he was planning to unload on me with his complaints. After I told him I was not an employee, but a member who shops on Ebay, he still let loose with his complaints. Guess he had to tell someone! What are "developer points" and are they at all responsible here?

As DVC builds-out new resorts they have an ongoing inventory of unsold units that are the basis for developer points. In theory there shouldn't be any disparity in points vs. rooms available. And I am sure the Florida law doesn't allow them to issue any points that are not attached to an existing finished unit.

That being said, it still is a murky issue for me. Seems to me that someone buying points at a new resort is real unlikely to use the incentive points at that new resort too. At the same time it seems unlikely seasoned DVC owners are going to spend an equal number of points visiting an unyet finished resort. So.... I think there probably is pressure on availablility at well established resorts caused by developer points. JMHO.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

To amplify on Starr's answer...

Developer points are an incentive offer given to some purchasers. They are essentially an extra allotment of points in the first use year. They have special restrictions as to when vacations can be booked with them, and have an off-line, manual booking process at member services.

 

[beachblanket]

Allright, let's cut to the chase: developer points are nothing more than a rebate, used to try and move a certain slow-selling property. Or put another way, you don't need to employ incentives when you have a truly high demand product. You only fall back on that if sales aren't moving.