Who'll stand with me...outside the DVC 'member' lounge?

[DisDadDVC]

. Want to know what's funny? DVC reps called me this morning to discuss exciting new offers with purchasing dvc direct.

And I REALLY wish people would stop acting like we are being crybabies and should just get over it. I'm sure we will eventually but the truth is the package we signed up to buy is drastically different for us than it was when we put in our offers and passed ROFR. The people affected most are people in our situation, days away from closing and told we will get a dumbed down version of what we signed up and paid 20k for. The majority of those are ones pointing out that we should just be happy are the ones who have all their benefits in tact.

No, it's not the truth. What if you closed on 4/6, and then on 4/7 they announced that they were going to take away all Membership Extras from all resale buyers? You still got exactly what you agreed to.

 

[DisDadDVC]

Disney was directly involved in changing what my transaction entailed as of February.

Nope, your transaction still entails the EXACT same things. Benefits that can come and go on a whim. You are getting what you bought.

 

[DisDadDVC]

I don't wish to make this sound like an argument. I do feel bad for the people that are in the middle of this. Just as I will feel bad for the people who are currently getting benefits that I am sure they will lose in the future at some point. Not because it will be unfair, but because there is something that is lost. I just think a lot of new buyers are/were confused on exactly what they were buying (and from whom).

There really are two different kinds of "complaints" going on now.

1) I am mad that I am losing something of value. Don't tell me I can't be mad about it. I agree with these people 100%
2) I am mad that Disney "changed the rules". While I think it would be smart for Disney to grandfather the people in, I disagree with them 100%.

 

[linzjane88]

Nope, your transaction still entails the EXACT same things. Benefits that can come and go on a whim. You are getting what you bought.

Knew that response was coming. The whole kit and kaboodle (points, being actually considered a member, AP discounts) as it has looked for years changed while we had a few days left before closing. The email was sent to brokers at around 2 am when no one could respond or question how they were going to enforce it.

I really don't understand why you are here to keep trying to convince us we have nothing to be disappointed about. This thread was quite obviously started by and meant to attract those of us who are screwed the most by this (passed our ten day period to rescind but not closed).

 

[DisDadDVC]

Knew that response was coming. The whole kit and kaboodle (points, being actually considered a member, AP discounts) as it has looked for years changed while we had a few days left before closing. The email was sent to brokers at around 2 am when no one could respond or question how they were going to enforce it.

I really don't understand why you are here to keep trying to convince us we have nothing to be disappointed about. This thread was quite obviously started by and meant to attract those of us who are screwed the most by this (passed our ten day period to rescind but not closed).

I am not at all. I have said just the opposite. You have every right to be disappointed. And that is it.

I am not (directly) affected by this and I am disappointed.

 

[2thdr]

Knew that response was coming. The whole kit and kaboodle (points, being actually considered a member, AP discounts) as it has looked for years changed while we had a few days left before closing. The email was sent to brokers at around 2 am when no one could respond or question how they were going to enforce it.

I really don't understand why you are here to keep trying to convince us we have nothing to be disappointed about. This thread was quite obviously started by and meant to attract those of us who are screwed the most by this (passed our ten day period to rescind but not closed).

I would be (and have been*) disappointed were I in your shoes. What I don't necessarily agree with is the anger at DVD, or the desire to protest or back out. Those feelings, while legitimate to feel, make me think that either a broker led you down a primrose path, (in which case your anger should be directed at the broker), or that you're upset with yourself that you didn't learn all the fine print.

* anybody remember when you got the 18 month booking advantage at your home resort for Christmas season?

 

[ScubaCat]

As long as the thread is about protesting...

I just checked on godaddy, and kenpotrock.com is available to be registered.

Sooooo tempting for an IT nerd....... although somehow I bet he'll find out and take away my perks, so better not.

 

[Lyn-CA]

I am sympathetic to your disappointment, but I will say that if policy changes without notice are something you find unacceptable, you're in for a very, very rough ride with DVC. I've been a member for 15 years, and I'm trying to remember the last time advance notice was given for a program change that negatively impacted certain members. I can't think of any. I do remember a whole bunch of threads over the years posted by members who were very upset by one sudden change or another.

Advance notice just isn't their thing, it appears.

I already had a very, very rough start with DVC so I am not likely to keep it even it if means losing money. I have been personally burned from this experience so after our August trip, I'm taking a break from Disney for awhile.

 

[DisDadDVC]

I already had a very, very rough start with DVC so I am not likely to keep it even it if means losing money. I have been personally burned from this experience so after our August trip, I'm taking a break from Disney for awhile.

I do hope it works out for you. Buying DVC was one of the best things we have done. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[JimMIA]

Are those brokers, or financing companies?

Real estate brokers.

 

[southerngirl528]

The whole kit and kaboodle (points, being actually considered a member, AP discounts) as it has looked for years changed

How did the points change??? And you ARE a member if you get the privilege of owning a deeded real estate interest in a DVC resort and book stays using points vs. cash. Out of your list only one thing changed: AP discount. The AP passes have only been around a few years. Discounts come and go as do perks and benefits.

I do hope it works out for you. Buying DVC was one of the best things we have done. Good luck with whatever you decide!

Ditto here on all counts, Lyn-CA.

 

[2thdr]

Real estate brokers.

Still curious to know about the referrals and commissions alleged between DVD and these brokers. Can't imagine that's legal.

 

[southerngirl528]

Still curious to know about the referrals and commissions alleged between DVD and these brokers. Can't imagine that's legal.

Wow. I live right here in central FL, have been a member over 20 years and years ago worked for MS. And I have NEVER, EVER heard any such whisper of "alleged" commissions between DVD and brokers.

 

[JimMIA]

Does DVC get a commission from them? Or do they only provide a referral from a list? There's a big difference!

DVD receives a percentage of the sales commission. I don't know what the current arrangement is, but with Fidelity they received half the commission. Splitting commissions between realtors is common practice in the industry. If you list your home with one broker and another broker actually makes the sale, they typically split the commission. This is no different.

 

[huey578]

Agreed

i understand that this is insanely frustrating for people because it seems like DVC just sprung this news on everyone, obviously impacting plans and decisions. I'm really sorry for everyone going through this.

i feel like i may have a differing opinion from most people on here, but DVC has the right to do this if they want to do it. most people buy resale so that they can save money, and that is totally fine. but to expect to buy resale not directly from DVC and get all the perks of buying from dvc seems a little...crazy? it would be like me buying a used car from an individual or a resale company and complaining because i was not given the free oil change slips or perks that were given out by the brand name dealer at time of purchase. just because in the end i am driving the same thing (or renting the same thing) as the original owner, it doesn't mean that i have the same add ons.

if you are buying directly from DVC you are most likely paying more, so you are more entitled to those benefits. like others have said, you should not be buying into DVC for the perks. you buy into it for the accommodations. i think that a lot of people are losing sight of the privilege of even being able to afford a timeshare for DVC. Lots of families can't afford to go to disney world EVER, let alone get resale DVC membership. So you don't get to go to the top of the world lounge or a 10-15% discount on property anymore? It stinks but in the grand scheme of things, this is a first world problem. be thankful that you can still have your dvc accommodations and have that quality time with your family in Disney. what are you going to remember? the time you spent together on that trip or the discount you got on something.

 

[JimMIA]

My goodness folks! Commission splitting has been around since the dawn of time.

 

[linzjane88]

I already had a very, very rough start with DVC so I am not likely to keep it even it if means losing money. I have been personally burned from this experience so after our August trip, I'm taking a break from Disney for awhile.

For me it was a somewhat emotional buy. I'm really a hardcore Disney fan but I also was happy (and so was my husband) with staying in a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek for a 600/week. As much as I want to think I'm better than that, a big part of the appeal was being in the DVC "c lub". I envisioned us going 2x a year on annual passes (discounted) , going to the new lounge, and owning my piece of the bubble.

No resale guide sold me on anything. I never even asked anything of them. I did all my own research and called a resale company and said "I want to offer X on this contract". I know DVC can change anything. I was running on the hope that what has been offered for the last few years would be what I was receiving. And I really didn't expect them to be so low that they didn't grandfather those in limbo. While the perks that have been around aren't huge, knowing that resales are treated differently now would have probably been enough to let my logical thought process outweigh my emotional one. I was about 60/40 on my decision to buy. Throughout the years though I had gone back and forth between "we need this" and "we can do without".

 

[DisDadDVC]

For me it was a somewhat emotional buy. I'm really a hardcore Disney fan but I also was happy (and so was my husband) with staying in a 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek for a 600/week. As much as I want to think I'm better than that, a big part of the appeal was being in the DVC "c lub". I envisioned us going 2x a year on annual passes (discounted) , going to the new lounge, and owning my piece of the bubble.

No resale guide sold me on anything. I never even asked anything of them. I did all my own research and called a resale company and said "I want to offer X on this contract". I know DVC can change anything. I was running on the hope that what has been offered for the last few years would be what I was receiving. And I really didn't expect them to be so low that they didn't grandfather those in limbo. While the perks that have been around aren't huge, knowing that resales are treated differently now would have probably been enough to let my logical thought process outweigh my emotional one. I was about 60/40 on my decision to buy. Throughout the years though I had gone back and forth between "we need this" and "we can do without".

One thing to think about is that DVC is not really a lifetime decision. You can sell at any time. 1 month from now or 6 years. And you will likely not encounter the same "drive off depreciation" that retail buyers have. I think the vast majority of DVC owners will NOT own till expiration (or their children). Buy it, use it, and then sell it when you are tired of it.

 

[linzjane88]

How did the points change??? And you ARE a member if you get the privilege of owning a deeded real estate interest in a DVC resort and book stays using points vs. cash. Out of your list only one thing changed: AP discount. The AP passes have only been around a few years. Discounts come and go as do perks and benefits.



Ditto here on all counts, Lyn-CA.

For the love of pete.
Notice when I said "The whole kit and kaboodle (points, being actually considered a member, AP discounts)". I kind of implied all of it as a whole. Obviously I know the points themselves have not changed.

 

[2thdr]

My goodness folks! Commission splitting has been around since the dawn of time.

Yes, but...DVD isn't the seller (in a resale situation)! The seller is the owner of the contract, and the buyer is, well, the buyer. How could DVD possible get a cut on the resale market? I could see it if they take it by ROFR, but not otherwise.