What will make you sell?

[BeccaG]

As always with message boards, there are plenty of posts about why we are disappointed with DVC and its operations. At what point will things get to the point where you will sell? If selling hasn't even crossed your mind, why have the "problems" not gotten to you? I would try a poll but I don't think I could even begin to guess all the responses!

 

[tjkraz]

If selling hasn't even crossed your mind, why have the "problems" not gotten to you?

To be painfully blunt, it's because the "problems" are someone else's and not mine. The biggest issue I have with any forum discussion of "problems" is reconciling another member's expectations with my own. We've had close to 20 stays on our points and I can only think of one occasion room conditions were lacking. And in that situation resort management addressed the issue quite amicably.

If you count the lockoffs separately, there are over 5000 villas in the program now. Any rational person knows that 100% satisfaction is unachievable. So as sympathetic as I am to other members who experience problems, I don't see a few random forum complaint posts as any sign that the program is failing to meet my own expectations.

Going in, I didn't expect unlimited availability at 7 months. I didn't expect overly generous perks. I didn't expect like-new room conditions every time out.

What I expect are well-managed properties within a stone's throw of the Disney parks. And I also expect savings upward of 70% off of rack rates.

Again to be blunt, I'm not going to make a decision to sell points based upon Joe Stranger's trip report. As long as the DVC resorts continue to be an appealing destination for my family, and our accommodations continue to meet my own quality standards, I'm quite content to remain a member.

 

[deedeetoo]

To be painfully blunt, it's because the "problems" are someone else's and not mine.

I have to agree with this. I read all the posts with complaints, but nothing has ever happened to us. I am a bit worried that something might happen and that its only a matter of time. I do check very carefully to make sure that points are corrrect, reservation is still in place, etc., but so far so good. For us, reservations have worked the way they are supposed to, villas have always been in good shape and clean, room assignments have been great. We've been very satisfied.

So what would it take to make us sell? Obviously a change in financial situation can trigger that, but as far as the product goes, I think a major screw up that was not resolved satisfactorily and severely impacted a vacation would do it.

 

[Kidanifan08]

I have to agree with Tim. I guess I don't know what "problems" you are referring to. We have been owners since 10/08 and have had wonderful vacations, from the standpoint of the lodging. Over the past year or two, we have had problems with some of our dining experiences. Have there been minor room issues -- yes -- but nothing that would make me want to sell, or even post some angry thread. In fact, I check the resale sites a few times a week looking for a BWV bargain. If we did have a desire to sell, we would definitely take a big hit, given the price we paid to buy in and the current resale prices. Fortunately, we are very happy with our purchase.

 

[candielips]

The only thing that would make us sell would be if the dues ever got to be too much financially for us.
We bought our membership just this past summer. Our children are 2 and 4 and we look fwd to continuing to vacation at Disney for many years to come and hope to even take our grandchildren someday.

 

[vicki_c]

Well, I think Tim summed up my feelings well too. I haven't had any problems to speak of in almost 4 years of ownership (not sure how many trips that is - maybe 10?).

I think some people have legitimate issues on their trips. I also think some people seem to have WAY WAY higher standards than I do and I think those people might not be happy with anything. I also think some people didn't understand what they were buying or how it works.

Since none of those items apply to me at this point, selling isn't even a consideration in my mind.

I also don't feel that the parks are going downhill, or the world is coming to an end due to the dining plan.

 

[rentayenta]

We've only been owners since May 2009 but selling hasn't crossed my mind. We haven't run into any issues with DVC during booking or our stays. We're in!

 

[Pennyguy23]

For us almost everything has been good. I remember some type of "problems" but they weren't big enough for me to recall now. So far we love DVC. We have done a few extended family trip these past couple years and its been worth it more and more.

 

[kpatches]

DVC Members since 93' and have never had a bad experience. We have stayed at OKW, BWV, BCV, and SS. We have also stayed at HH and VB. We average about 2 trips a year and have enjoyed and look forward to many years to come!!! So many wonderful memories which we would never have had if it weren't for DVC!!!

 

[disneynutz]

I think that everyone has their tipping point. For our family we have had more than our share of problems and I attribute most of our issues to having 26 contracts at 5 resorts, going to WDW several time each year, and staying a couple of resorts each stay. This has increased the exposure to potential problems.

Today was another minor annoyance. We keep getting DVC mail sent to different members of the family whose names are on the contracts. Sometimes just DW, other times DD, and sometimes Me.

I called MS and requested that they fix the problem, they said that they did. Problem still exists so I call Member Administration, they say that they fixed the problem. I sent a email to Member Satisfaction who said that they would see to it that the problem is fixed and that they are surprised that this is occurring and that they have never heard of such a thing.

Last week I received a notice addressed to DW stating that Disney is going to share her personal information with outside companies. I contacted Member Satisfaction again and I get a call back today. Good News and I should be very happy, they found that some of our contracts only had DW or DD or my name on them in the system so they corrected Disney's records to match the deeds.

I explained that I would be happier if the problem didn't take two phone calls and two emails to get corrected. Additionally, since some of the records in the system were incorrect, Disney didn't match our request to not share our info and they may have already sold our names to outside companies.

These are the types of problems that drives me nuts.

Bill:

 

[dianeschlicht]

Another one here in agreement with Tim! The only thing that might make me sell is when I get too old to enjoy it, and if my adult offspring don't wish to take it over.

 

[lilpooh108]

We've had problems w/rooms, the dining plan, MS getting reservations wrong, etc. We've also had amazing experiences. I don't think this type of disappointment will cause me to sell.

We traveled alot before DVC, and we will continue to travel either by using DVC (or not). Booking problems, reservation problems, miscommunications happen in any travel circumstance. 2 years ago British Airways took my money, booked me an "itinerary" but never ISSUED me a ticket. I found out while I was at the Paris airport w/o a seat. Yay! Point is, mishaps w/travel is to be expected. It's silly to think that just b/c it's Disney, it won't happen.

I avoid reading threads where people say they're going to sell.

My thought is, then sell, b/c I don't feel like standing behind that same person in line at the resort waiting for them to finish complaining to the front desk person about stupid crap and screaming that they're a DVC owner (how embarassing)!

Hopefully I will always be able to afford the MFs to keep my DVC contracts.

 

[DMKEDM]

I agree w/a PP who noted that frequent trips to varying resorts increases one's exposure to inevitable potential problems...and I fall into that group. I've certainly had my problems (and have complained about them!), but by and large Disney is better than most at addressing issues...no problem I've had would trigger thoughts of selling.

However, the frequent changes to the rules of using DVC--especially in combination w/changing family circumstances--do cause me to think about selling. So far, thoughts of "should I sell" have been answered with "no." But I do think about it.

Some changes are, of course, very positive--for example, for a while the free internet to DVC members was a super wonderful change (now that it's available to everyone throughout WDW it's still wonderful, but not DVC-related).

Some make it significantly more difficult to use DVC--restricted use of the wait list is an example of a change that made DVC much more difficult for me to use. A good half of my visits to WDW are not planned 7 to 11 months in advance. Increasing difficulty in making a "last minute" (only in the world of DVC is a trip planned 5 months in advance "last minute!") reservation is probably the most frequent cause of me considering whether to give up my DVC membership. Owning a bunch of points isn't all that beneficial if one can't use them!

I love WDW, and generally think DVC has been a very good way for me to indulge in my love of it. At some point (aging child (starting his first "real job" in the fall, which means limited vacation time), creaking knees and ebbing energy are coming!), I may not want to spend as much time there as I currently do. Combine that with greater difficulty in actually getting reservations, and selling may (or may not) be in my future.

So, for me, selling my DVC points is more a function of my personal spot in the world, combined with whatever the current rules at DVC are/will be...only thing I'm sure of now (in 6 years of ownership) is that whatever the rules are now, they will be different very soon!

 

[sandieb]

What would get me to sell? Probably hefty increases in maintenance fees - we pay over $3,600 annually now. I'm not sure what the tipping point would be, and maybe we have purchased too many points (not that we don't use them). We have been memebers for 10 years and have enjoyed many wonderful trips with family and friends. I would be sad if we were no longer members.

 

[tgropp]

A small percentage of owners will expeirence a problem while on vacation. I had one expeirence last Christmas when they changed to their new reservation system. They kept on cancelling my meal credits everyday amongst other things. This years December visit was so magical. The only reason for me to sell would be:
1) Financial problems
2) Health Issues
3) Children not wanting the contract

DVC has saved me a PILE of money over the years

 

[dbs1228]

We've had problems w/rooms, the dining plan, MS getting reservations wrong, etc. We've also had amazing experiences. I don't think this type of disappointment will cause me to sell.

We traveled alot before DVC, and we will continue to travel either by using DVC (or not). Booking problems, reservation problems, miscommunications happen in any travel circumstance. 2 years ago British Airways took my money, booked me an "itinerary" but never ISSUED me a ticket. I found out while I was at the Paris airport w/o a seat. Yay! Point is, mishaps w/travel is to be expected. It's silly to think that just b/c it's Disney, it won't happen.

I avoid reading threads where people say they're going to sell.

My thought is, then sell, b/c I don't feel like standing behind that same person in line at the resort waiting for them to finish complaining to the front desk person about stupid crap and screaming that they're a DVC owner (how embarassing)!

Hopefully I will always be able to afford the MFs to keep my DVC contracts.

Totally agree with this post! I have done extensive travel over the years and was a travel agent for over 10 years and the stories of peoples vacation can be horrifying! It is really funny though how perception and expectations can play a huge roll in your vacation experience. We have had missed connections, canceled flights, no room at the "inn" even though we have your reservation, sorry ran out of car rentals I have seen it all but never has any of these situations ruined my vacation! Yes a bit of set back - but what are you going do. I guess by being a travel agent and getting blamed for "lost luggage, dirty rooms, over booked flights ect..." you gain a bit of tolerance. I do not except this situations as okay but I deal with what is in front of me and get the problems resolved.

Over all we love going to WDW and think it was a good move to buy into DVC after 15 years of going to WDW. I cannot wait to take grand kids and having a ball bringing friends and family, something many could not afford to do if they had to pay for lodging since everything else at the world has become so expensive.

 

[psac]

A small percentage of owners will expeirence a problem while on vacation. I had one expeirence last Christmas when they changed to their new reservation system. They kept on cancelling my meal credits everyday amongst other things. This years December visit was so magical. The only reason for me to sell would be:
1) Financial problems
2) Health Issues
3) Children not wanting the contract

DVC has saved me a PILE of money over the years

No kids, so 1 and 2 from this list for me. (With maybe a number 3 of brother with his kids not wanting the remainder of the contract as a gift at some point if 1 or 2 arose.)

 

[dclfun]

A small percentage of owners will expeirence a problem while on vacation. I had one expeirence last Christmas when they changed to their new reservation system. They kept on cancelling my meal credits everyday amongst other things. This years December visit was so magical. The only reason for me to sell would be:
1) Financial problems
2) Health Issues
3) Children not wanting the contract

DVC has saved me a PILE of money over the years

These are exactly my issues, and I have all three right now, due to serious health issues. My kids (grown now) only want one of my three contracts and as I am unable to work, and do not have the income to pay the MF's right now, I will be selling the other two contracts very soon. I'm sad, as I love ALL of my DVC but I don't want to leave a burden for my children either.

 

[DeeCee735]

Depends on how you define "problems". To me, to us, a problem is not being able to afford food, or having a serious health issue. So when we are in the "World", there aren't any problems. Seeing a dirty dish, or having a broken dishwasher, or not getting a room request doesn't even come close to having a problem. We're there, in our happy happy wonderful and favorite vacation destination! It's all good.

What would make us sell are unforeseeable circumstances outside of our control, like really bad stuff, illness, serious money issues, etc.

God willing, none of us have to face any of that and hopefully we all have many happy, healthy vacations ahead of us, and hopefully when me and DH are getting up there in age, our kids and their future children will be rockin the points the way we do and enjoying a life filled with happy vacation days ahead

 

[jarestel]

Into our 12th year as members and after dozens of stays, I'll admit Disney trips, though still enjoyable, aren't quite as appealing as they once were. If we were to sell, it would primarily be due to becoming "Disney-ed out". I could see a time where a trip or two every five years might be enough for us, and at that time I'd probably not bother to continue with DVC.