What will make you sell?

[lovin'fl]

Oops...duplicate post.

 

[MinnieGi]

We've been members since '02 and have had so many wonderful vacations, we have never thought of selling. We haven't really encountered many problems over the years either. THe ones we have had were handled well or have been minor. Once at BWV our ceiling fan broke, but maintenance came to fix it. Last Dec. we probably ran into our biggest problem with the DDP and new computer systems wiping out our meal credits. We ended up having to get new "cards" three times. But BLT handled it very well with big apologies and even crediting our account with $200.00 and putting all meals back on the cards from beginning of vacation time.

The only reason we'd sell would be for financial reasons of not being able to afford our dues. And of course that is all contingent upon jobs & health. While the dues are hefty compared to many other timeshares, they give us the Disney experience in spread out comfort which we highly value. We as a family look forward to and value our time together each year at WDW and at HHI as time for us!

 

[Disbroads]

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.

Does DCL allow dogs, or is Skye a service dog?

 

[a742246]

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.

I agree with vicki's statement.

The only reason I would sell is for Health, or I ran out of money.

 

[jagson]

I can see why someone might be disenchanted.
#1 Early in the DVC experience I suspect members were treated much better; sort of concierge; they were just getting started, and had to be extra attentive. Now its gotten to several hundred-thousand members, with multiple resorts, and has a life of its own, and doesn't need, nor can be as ingratiating/patronizing.
#2 It was a privilege to work for DVC back in the early days, and DVCcould pick the best of the bunch; it was the only game in town; now there are competing tourist traps in the area, increasing the competition to hire the best CMs (just ask the oldtimers). Thus, I think its possible that members are disillusioned with the new staffers, and have heard of how well run it was in the past. It ain't going to go back to the good ole days, when you were treated royally.
#3 Economic times have hit hard; not enough housekeeping, maintenance, etc, to keep the resorts running efficiently, looking attractive, and catering to the guests' needs. In the past I suspect they were overloaded with staff, that served the needs and wants of its guests. It would be informative to get the Vet DVC members' take on this, ie comparing then to now.
#4 The sales reps sugarcoat the DVC experience, obviously for financial incentives; and prospective buyers take the bait hook, line, and sinker. Some go into it with unrealistic expectations, based on the history of the old days, and the unfiltered information from the sales people. I think that new members become somewhat disenchanted when they can't get a room on demand, the rooms don't look as nice as the models, and the CMs are not as charming, and patronizing as the salesperson.
Numerous other reasons come to mind regarding thoughts of selling contracts, but thats for others to highlight. I, for one, was s/w disillusioned when I bought in 2006, but overall find DVC to be a good, not great, experience. There still are more pros than cons, but...

 

[Deb & Bill]

....
#4 The sales reps sugarcoat the DVC experience, obviously for financial incentives; and prospective buyers take the bait hook, line, and sinker. ...

Not just sugarcoat, but downright lie. The original Guides were very ethical and told you all the facts. They wanted to make a sale, but wanted to make sure they didn't tell you any stories.

 

[wulfekamp]

Most of our trips have been great. A few have had a bump or two. We love DVC but if DVC were to start treating us as second class members because we don't own as many points as someone else we would sell.

 

[lovin'fl]

We 1st went to Disney, as a family, in 2003...we bought into DVC in 2006 (200 points at OKW). We lived in NC at the time and planned to drive down to WDW once or twice a year. We were in love with Disney...our kids were little...dining plan was a great deal (included apps and tips and was like $37...our kids were like $10)...the drive was about 9 hours...MFs were reasonable...we could fit all 5 of us in a 1BR nicely (our kids were 7,7 and 9 in 2006).

Then, in 2007, we moved 5 hours to the north...and soon after that DDP started it's downward spiral. Our kids became adult ages. We lost some of our love for Disney.

We put our points on the market about 14 months ago...they didn't sell and we didn't really want to sell all 200 points, wanted to keep 100, but could not break up our contract. Luckily, our contract didn't sell (was listed for just a few months) and my inlaws asked to buy 1/2 of our points...so we let them pay for use of 100 points a year.

We just don't want to go every year...rather go every 3 years. It's just so expensive...MFs are climbing...DDP is NOT a deal at all and food prices are increasing as well...airfare is outrageous.

We've never had any major issues with DVC reservations or with any of our resort stays. I have problems with the buses and crowds....that's a WDW issue though. I can understand the concern folks have with DVC making changes to DVC rules...like in March when they made it so that resales would not be able to do the Disney collection with their points (or cruises I think). That is bothersome as it may be a precurser of things to come...but it really didn't bother me as we would never use our points to stay at a regular DVC resort or to book a cruise anyway...no biggie to me.

I just read another thread which reminded me of another thing that factored into our wanting to sell our points 14 months ago. We had trouble getting the places we wanted at 7 months out, yet we found those places available in the cash system...that bugs me. I know what Disney claims is the reason for that (folks with that home resort trading out...then that stay, they would have used, goes into the cash system)...I'm not so sure how truthful that is...but it is what it is and I now realize we should have bought where we want to stay or just make the best out of staying at OKW.

I think the things that would make us sell would be if they change it so that we can only ever stay at our home resort or if it becomes too much financially (MFs get to be too high).

 

[sajetto]

What will make me sell?......

When I'm tired of it. Honest truth, just like has been said before I haven't had the problems others have had.

HOWEVER, I wonder why I even bought a timeshare. My husband and I bought a house in North Myrtle Beach, we completely remodeled it and just sold it for a profit. Now we're buying a larger home in the same area, willl rent that one some, and then sell it also. Wish I'd just put all that timeshare money toward more properties. I love Disney and will continue going, DVC or not, but with the money made from owning REAL property I could book direct through CRO whenever I feel like rather than having to plan way ahead and calculate my points.

 

[sajetto]

****duplicate post****

 

[fsubowden]

I think the only thing would make me sell is if I didn't have the monies to continue to pay the dues.

Also, if the family wasn't enjoying going anymore. Over the years, I have not had any huge issues with booking, I get that if you bought SSR don't count on BCV at holiday time. I get that dues will go up, have you been to a grocery store lately? I get that sometimes rooms will not be brand new and there might be an issue at some time but understand that Disney will react fast.

As my kids no are teenagers they continue out of the blue talk about "remember the time when we were at Disney" stories and those are priceless. How many time do the "remember the time when we were in Walmart", never. Trust me I am not ancient but the years go by fast and the memories will last a lifetime for all involved in the trips.

 

[zeferjen]

Trust me I am not ancient but the years go by fast and the memories will last a lifetime for all involved in the trips.

I totally agree

 

[kpatches]

I think the only thing would make me sell is if I didn't have the monies to continue to pay the dues.

Also, if the family wasn't enjoying going anymore. Over the years, I have not had any huge issues with booking, I get that if you bought SSR don't count on BCV at holiday time. I get that dues will go up, have you been to a grocery store lately? I get that sometimes rooms will not be brand new and there might be an issue at some time but understand that Disney will react fast.

As my kids no are teenagers they continue out of the blue talk about "remember the time when we were at Disney" stories and those are priceless. How many time do the "remember the time when we were in Walmart", never. Trust me I am not ancient but the years go by fast and the memories will last a lifetime for all involved in the trips.

The memories are priceless!!! We would not have had them if it weren't for DVC!!! Look forward to seeing my son and his wife who were recently married making memories that will last a lifetime for them!!! It will be 20 years of DVC next year and I have never felt that we made a mistake with DVC!!!

 

[AirGoofy]

To be painfully blunt ......., 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.
.

Blunt, but well said. I think a lot of people have the expectation that their Disney vacation means their family is the only one on Disney property, and their trip should be more magical at the expense of the others because they are entitled.

The only thing that would make us sell would be if the dues ever got to be too much financially for us.

That was my first thought when I read the OP. Dues payments getting too high.

Disney not investing in the parks

I didn't think of this, but that MK view at BLT turning into a view of swampland might not look as good. Hopefully, this will never become an issue with everything Disney is involved in.

We got tired of sending Disney so much money every month so we sold off a third of our points.

Not just sugarcoat, but downright lie. The original Guides were very ethical and told you all the facts. They wanted to make a sale, but wanted to make sure they didn't tell you any stories.

Have to agree with both these statements as well as the others in your signature. We were told the allocation point charts may change when we joined, but that they never had and probably wouldn't any time soon.

We are happy with our DVC points at SSR and at BLT. We joined in 2008, and after initially financing points for a few months, paid them off. Then, we did the addon. We do studio stays and have taken 2 trips a year since then and have almost stayed at all the WDW resorts. We did do a 1 BR for part of a trip one year, which was great. But, as for all the "savings" and "investment", I haven't seen it. They are nice resorts, but we were happy at the All Star resort as well.

The best part of DVC for me has been the 5 minute walk from BLT to MK and booking there 11 months out. But, next month, will I have to buy more points to be able to do that?

 

[fishermouse]

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.

Great post

 

[fishermouse]

Not just sugarcoat, but downright lie. The original Guides were very ethical and told you all the facts. They wanted to make a sale, but wanted to make sure they didn't tell you any stories.

One can only hope people spending this amount of money have read the contract,, I have found nothing decieving in either the contract or the sales pitch. I am very happy with my purchase which still lives up to my expectations. I guess if I were ever as unhapppy with DVC as many of the posts indicate some obviously are I would sell. Makes no sense to continue going somewhere that makes one miserable just so they can come on dis boards and whine... oops I mean discuss

 

[luckyman_apd]

I have to agree with Tim from the first page as well. In the process of buying a small contract (went to DVC today for ROFR) and I believe I FULLY understand what I am getting. We've rented in the past, and stayed with friends who are owners. Now these friends of our I can tell you don't understand their ownership fully (at least SHE doesn't, he might but most of my conversations have been with her) and they complain here and there. I think if they had a better understanding before they purchased, they might not be so disenchanted.

I feel that I am getting better accomodations than I would without DVC for less money in the long run. If in the future dues start to go up 8% or more EVERY year, I might start to worry. My wife and I bought into this for the long haul. Right now, we LOVE being in the parks. I can't get enough. I am one of those people who wants to be in the park at opening, and stay till closing. It's only because of my kids that I take breaks But as we get older and may not enjoy the parks as much, it's still one heck of a discount on a vacation resort. Where else can you get that kind of vacation with so much to do WITHOUT visiting the parks? The pools, the free transportation to and from anywhere Disney, and there are so many places to eat outside the parks and in the resorts.

I do look forward to when my kids get older and my wife and I can take a trip WITHOUT park tickets. The only kicker is we do live far away.

Also one last note, I don't think I would ever have bought into DVC if I didn't think I would plan my trips 11 months out, or 7 at the very least.

 

[DisDad07]

I have asked my wife if it was time to sell and she said " NO WAY ". We are not ready to sell yet. There are problems ,but let management know and see if they can fix it. We have stayed at 4 and 5 Star hotels and trust me they have problems too. If you Don't Tell Management you have a problem with the room, they can't fix it! Many times people just don't say anything and the room doesn't get fixed. We just hope things stay Magical.

 

[Poppin]

I've had no real issues since '98. But points reallocation might do me in eventually. I need to visit specifically at certain times of the year and Disney is now finding ways to make those low point times desirable enough to justify an increase in points. I love Disney to death, but I can't keep buying points....not in this economy.

 

[FindTheMickeys]

My contract will be up in the year I turn 92. I have told my children that God willing, I will be at Saratoga Springs that year and will visit Mickey too... SO, nothing that I can think of could ever make me sell...