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

[southerngirl528]

Why do our new cards have expiration dates?

Every single contract I own with DVC was bought direct. (yeah, I know. lots of folks here think all we direct buyers are stupid.) And my 25th Anniversary card also has an expiration so don't fret over the expiration.

IMHO, the expiration date was put there to start putting the kibosh on folks who were members, have sold and still are using their member card for discounts they are no longer entitled to receive. And the expiration is only for the card, not our memberships. I've had members be upset thinking that is their membership expiration date. It is not.

If you download your digital member I.D. it will have a 90 day expiration. After that you can just download an updated version. It's all good.

 

[dvcdream4fld]

There are plenty of other resale timeshares out there that cost much less that don't provide the "Disney level" of good customer service..."pixie dust". Disney and DVD has successful due the expectation of good customer service, not benefits. Without good customer service, the Mouse is just an adult dressed in a costume selling high priced food and swag in an amusement park.

For me, it was an issue of customer service, not benefits.

If Disney continues to provide good customer service..."pixie dust", then I won't have to change my username.

 

[CMNJ]

First off I am happy my new first contract will have full resale perks. For however they last. And I appreciate all the support from Direct and existing resale members gave to the cause. It was our brokers (My broker called me every day to keep me status'ed) and these forums that made DVD fix our issue. I truly believe that.

Second, Yes we knew what we were buying. We knew perks could change. But we got caught up in bad timing. And DVD really did not handle it correctly.



This was my biggest problem. That they treated us differently with no notice. I would have nothing to say if it was all of resales. This was done in 2011. Cause in the end I am buying the points. I do expect this to happen at some point.

It was sad to see other resale members reiterating it over and over what the contract is that you are buying. A simple "I feel for you would suffice." There were some of those. So TY for that as well.

I do feel badly for those who were caught in the middle and therefore not able to make a completely informed decision (i.e. Flat out knowing that they wouldn't be eligible for perks like those buying on/after 4/4/16) but I don't think Disney is fundamentally wrong in discontinuing perks for resale buyers going forward. They need a way to differentiate retail from resale and clearly the first attempt in 2011 didn't work. I am happy they grandfathered in those in the process as I think it was unkind to not give those buyers the chance to make a better informed decision (when they couldn't rescind their contracts without penalty). However if the purchase without the perks doesn't make financial sense then a person should not buy DVC at all because unfortunately Disney doesn't have to give us any incentives as resale buyers (or even direct buyers with contracts over 3 years old if I read the information correctly). They could remove them tomorrow and all that would remain is the contract we all bought. When we bought we looked at the perks and thought they were great but realized that we needed to evaluate the purchase solely based on the actual contract alone since nothing else was guaranteed. I think that is what most of the unaffected owners are trying to point out. We are happy to utilize any additional benefits Disney gives us and will be disappointed if/when they disappear but that Disney doesn't owe us or new buyers anything except what's in our contract.

 

[Andrew*A]

There seems to be an awful lot of people on here who appear to have been gloating on the disappointment of those that were caught up in this mess. I was at the point of wiring my money to close on my first contract and was gutted when the restrictions were announced. If I read one more time that I should not be upset because perks can be changed at any time, my head will explode. We all knew that the perks could be altered or removed as this is clear from the outset. It was just the unfair way the changes were implemented that got to me.
Also the comments from direct buyers saying that resale buyers were not true Disney fans has made my blood boil and I have had to stop reading for fear of getting kicked off here if i replied.
We live in the UK and have vacationed at WDW many times. Each visit lasting two or three weeks. Believe me this has not been inexpensive. Not to mention trips to Disneyland Paris in between.
One of our main reasons for buying into DVC was for the feel good factor it produces, knowing that you are always able to plan ahead to your next visit and to feel part of the Disney Club. This was totally tainted for me. Not by the announcement, but by the way it was done. If people can't see how this could have upset people, then they either need to take a good hard look at themselves or they are just commenting on here to try and get under peoples skin.

There was me thinking that this would have been a friendly community.

I for one am over the moon with the latest announcement.

Feel free to post negative comments, but rest assured I will not be reading them. I'm done.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Every single contract I own with DVC was bought direct. (yeah, I know. lots of folks here think all we direct buyers are stupid.) And my 25th Anniversary card also has an expiration so don't fret over the expiration.

IMHO, the expiration date was put there to start putting the kibosh on folks who were members, have sold and still are using their member card for discounts they are no longer entitled to receive. And the expiration is only for the card, not our memberships. I've had members be upset thinking that is their membership expiration date. It is not.

If you download your digital member I.D. it will have a 90 day expiration. After that you can just download an updated version. It's all good.

We have also bought all our contracts direct which was our decisions and choice I have never criticised resale buyers but I have been made to feel at times on this very board as stupid also. But we liked the security of it. Also they gave us last year points each time which was worth it to us plus the not waiting etc and we just liked the experience. So it's interesting you have felt this way too.

 

[erionm]

We have also bought all our contracts direct which was our decisions and choice I have never criticised resale buyers but I have been made to feel at times on this very board as stupid also.

Both of our purchases were direct also. They were also pre-opening, so there wasn't a resale market for those resorts yet.

 

[Meandnevaeh]

Just for curiosity sake-a lot of those who would have been affected by this change (in the buying process but not yet members) say they are upset about being treated like second class members and not getting perks that were "part of the contract the signed". So would you all be less upset if Disney announced tomorrow that perks had been discontinued for everyone? Or would you still feel cheated?

As one in this group, I will not and would not be upset if they decided to remove benefits from everyone, or all resale contracts, not one bit of that would bother me. Hard to believe but true, as I know it states that these perks may be removed at any time. However, as someone in process waiting to close, Disney stating the new policy affects resale purchases going forward is also acceptable, but saying those already purchased beforehand are grandfathered in, but not including those with pending contracts that were started before they were aware of this policy change would be wrong. Being in contract right now and then having Disney remove these perks from 100% of resale purchases no matter when they were made, three years ago, last month, today or tomorrow, I would not have a problem with. As that would be fair, because even those that purchased last year should know that these perks may come and go.

 

[DisDadDVC]

As one in this group, I will not and would not be upset if they decided to remove benefits from everyone, or all resale contracts, not one bit of that would bother me. Hard to believe but true, as I know it states that these perks may be removed at any time. However, as someone in process waiting to close, Disney stating the new policy affects resale purchases going forward is also acceptable, but saying those already purchased beforehand are grandfathered in, but not including those with pending contracts that were started before they were aware of this policy change would be wrong. Being in contract right now and then having Disney remove these perks from 100% of resale purchases no matter when they were made, three years ago, last month, today or tomorrow, I would not have a problem with. As that would be fair, because even those that purchased last year should know that these perks may come and go.

The only one that said that was a broker. I have not seen anything from Disney that says that. Disney getting a bad rap IMO for something they never did.

 

[Meandnevaeh]

The only one that said that was a broker. I have not seen anything from Disney that says that. Disney getting a bad rap IMO for something they never did.

The broker said it based on communication directly to them from DVC. The broker did not make up this information, it was passed on to them from DVC, bring in the middle of the process she shared all of the information they had.

 

[Murron]

I have 2 contracts that were sent to ROFR on Mar24 --$34,000----yesterday 2 brokers assured me that I was grandfathered in. I sent them emails stating that if not to rescind my contracts as they have been devalued as I was given no prior warning that Disney was going to change the policy that was in effect when I signed the contract.
They can't change the rules in the middle of the game.
I would love to speak to Mr Potrock or write him. The last few days my Disney stock has also fallen... But I may just sell it all. I am not feeling the magic and am seriously thinking of removing Mickey and Tink from my vehicle .

I just had to make one little comment....emotions + stock market = regrets. Do not sell your Disney stock! Rescind your contract, take Mickey and Tink off your vehicle, but do not sell your Disney stock.

 

[linzjane88]

The only one that said that was a broker. I have not seen anything from Disney that says that. Disney getting a bad rap IMO for something they never did.

I see where your coming from that Disney wording hasn't changed much but the various brokers were reporting to us their phone conversations with their contacts at Disney who said no to anybody not closed by 4/4. I personally called them and talked to one of the guys who let me know how the whole conversation went when they called to clarify the language of the original document.
He shared his own frustration with their communication on it saying the email was sent out at something like 2 AM when obviously nobody was around to clarify and they basically woke up to a storm because the word had gotten out before they had a chance to look into it.

If anything I would lean towards the contacts at DVC not having a clear understanding of what it meant and passing on bad info. Maybe the higher ups knew all along where the line in the sand was going to be but they didn't pass that clearly enough to the front runners fielding phone calls.

 

[Lyn-CA]

There seems to be an awful lot of people on here who appear to have been gloating on the disappointment of those that were caught up in this mess. I was at the point of wiring my money to close on my first contract and was gutted when the restrictions were announced. If I read one more time that I should not be upset because perks can be changed at any time, my head will explode. We all knew that the perks could be altered or removed as this is clear from the outset. It was just the unfair way the changes were implemented that got to me.
Also the comments from direct buyers saying that resale buyers were not true Disney fans has made my blood boil and I have had to stop reading for fear of getting kicked off here if i replied.
We live in the UK and have vacationed at WDW many times. Each visit lasting two or three weeks. Believe me this has not been inexpensive. Not to mention trips to Disneyland Paris in between.
One of our main reasons for buying into DVC was for the feel good factor it produces, knowing that you are always able to plan ahead to your next visit and to feel part of the Disney Club. This was totally tainted for me. Not by the announcement, but by the way it was done. If people can't see how this could have upset people, then they either need to take a good hard look at themselves or they are just commenting on here to try and get under peoples skin.

There was me thinking that this would have been a friendly community.

I for one am over the moon with the latest announcement.

Feel free to post negative comments, but rest assured I will not be reading them. I'm done.

Been there, done that, thinking of selling t-shirts We had both supporters and detractors. I couldn't believe the few who said I was wrong to feel the way I did . But I've been hanging around the DIS since it's inception and I find it's been more helpful than not. It is one of the more friendly Disney boards that I frequent. You can ignore the ones that got under your skin.

Oh, and to the CLUB! Hope to run into you INSIDE the lounge one day

 

[DisDadDVC]

I see where your coming from that Disney wording hasn't changed much but the various brokers were reporting to us their phone conversations with their contacts at Disney who said no to anybody not closed by 4/4. I personally called them and talked to one of the guys who let me know how the whole conversation went when they called to clarify the language of the original document.
He shared his own frustration with their communication on it saying the email was sent out at something like 2 AM when obviously nobody was around to clarify and they basically woke up to a storm because the word had gotten out before they had a chance to look into it.

If anything I would lean towards the contacts at DVC not having a clear understanding of what it meant and passing on bad info. Maybe the higher ups knew all along where the line in the sand was going to be but they didn't pass that clearly enough to the front runners fielding phone calls.

I agree 100% This is what I was trying to say, but maybe not saying it right. I think this was human error, not a bad Disney decision. Since those employees work for Disney we can certainly blame Disney. I'm just saying I don't think that was ever Disney (The company) stance.

 

[DisDadDVC]

The broker said it based on communication directly to them from DVC. The broker did not make up this information, it was passed on to them from DVC, bring in the middle of the process she shared all of the information they had.

See my reply above...

 

[mynameisnobody]

If anything I would lean towards the contacts at DVC not having a clear understanding of what it meant and passing on bad info. Maybe the higher ups knew all along where the line in the sand was going to be but they didn't pass that clearly enough to the front runners fielding phone calls.

This is exactly my impression. They implemented the change without enough training for the front line CMs that would have to deal with all the calls. Management knew exactly what they wanted to implement they just communicated it to their staff very poorly which explains the conflicting statements made Monday throughout the day. The final update yesterday was just a little damage control at minimal cost to the bottom line.

 

[DisDadDVC]

This is exactly my impression. They implemented the change without enough training for the front line CMs that would have to deal with all the calls. Management knew exactly what they wanted to implement they just communicated it to their staff very poorly which explains the conflicting statements made Monday throughout the day. The final update yesterday was just a little damage control at minimal cost to the bottom line.

Someone else that just said it better than I could...

 

[linzjane88]

Someone else that just said it better than I could...

It is frustrating that a company as customer service oriented as Disney can't make sure EVERYONE is on the same page before 'go live'. Although I guess that also increases your chances of someone letting the cat out of the bag if you are wanting to sneak the news out with no notice.

 

[Coamfo]

The only one that said that was a broker. I have not seen anything from Disney that says that. Disney getting a bad rap IMO for something they never did.

We were told by Disney on Monday afternoon that we were fine by just signing it before April 4. My parents contract wasn't submitted UNTIL 9am on the 4th but it was all signed by the 2nd. Then we were told no, then no again the next day because it wasn't submitted before the 4th.

 

[erionm]

It is frustrating that a company as customer service oriented as Disney can't make sure EVERYONE is on the same page before 'go live'. Although I guess that also increases your chances of someone letting the cat out of the bag if you are wanting to sneak the news out with no notice.

Disney if famous for not telling the left hand what the right hand is doing. They don't even tell the fingers on the right hand what's going on. And it will never change.

 

[mynameisnobody]

It is frustrating that a company as customer service oriented as Disney can't make sure EVERYONE is on the same page before 'go live'. Although I guess that also increases your chances of someone letting the cat out of the bag if you are wanting to sneak the news out with no notice.

I think that was the problem. They were trying to keep it under wraps as long as possible and it didn't work out so well.