A funny thing happened to me on the DVC tour...

[Jerm]

For some reason this just jumped inot my head and I thought I would share with all of you.

SET UP:
Back in the start of Oct. my gf and I decided we could use a free lunch voucher and some free ice cream so we took the DVC tour. First off I would like to say that DVC sounds like something that i would do if I had a lot of money but I still didn't see how it worked out better in the long run. That being said for those of you who have not taken a tour they take you to the latest DVC property show you around for what they say will be an hour....2hours later they give you a scoop of ice cream and a meal voucher.

ACTUAL STORY:
So there we are like an hour and 15 into the hour tour watching one of the videos for the diffrent DVC spots around the US. Listing to one heck of a sales men when he stops the video and goes back a few scenes and tells us how he always gets misty eyed when he sees this one shot. Because it was in one of the rooms just like the one in the pic that his son took his first steps and how great it was. So anyway we go on with our 3 hour tour and as we get to the end my gf asks him how long he has been part of the DVC and he says he isn't yet and he just started with the company. So both my gf and I look at each other and both get a look like "wow we have just been given a long list of BS from this guy." Anyone else had this happen to them?

J

 

[Figment1986]

Great sales pitch.... I might have falled for it... did you enjoy yor free ice cream and meal voucher though.......

 

[epcotfan]

Maybe the guy had vacationed there with his kid, prior to becoming a sales member. You can book vacation club resorts like regular Disney hotel rooms without being a member.
Who knows? Either way hope your enjoyed the ice cream

 

[tampabrad]

Who gave the list of BS? The guy who could have been on vacation while his kid took his first steps or the couple with no intention of buying into DVC getting a free lunch and ice cream out of it?

 

[diz420]

Yes.....and even the new guy has the pitch down pat. And to add I am not a DVC member but would like to be one in the future....

 

[Woody13]

He's a salesman, not a friend. Friends don't tell friends to buy into the DVC!

 

[s25843]

He is getting paid a great deal of $$$ to sign those new members up, that is the one and only thing they care about...

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Yeah, I think our one hour spiel turned into a six hour one because mom and dad were silly enough to buy into it. Don't get me wrong, I like it alright...staying in the deluxe resorts is pretty cool (especially when you can walk from Epcot or MGM to your hotel). But my heart still lies with the moderates...mainly PORS/DL (it's still Dixie Landings to me...I'll never get used to the name change)
Anyway, hope you enjoyed your free meal. After all, it's about the only thing you can get for free at Disney :animwink: We're still paying our "free" meal off, though.

 

[joviacdan]

He's a salesman, not a friend. Friends don't tell friends to buy into the DVC!

Sadly, the main reason I won't do it isn't even the money. I just personally think Disney does not treat DVC members like vacationers while they are on vacation.

I've heard many many excuses as to why they do this, but I still can not justify why it is that as a DVC member, you get no housekeeping, and you have to pay for fresh linens.

I tionk the one thing alot of people in DVC don't understand about people NOT in DVC is that some people simply don't have the money up front. Most people don't plan their next 50 vacations at the same time. They plan them trip by trip and pay for them as such.

 

[DisneyPhD]

He's a salesman, not a friend. Friends don't tell friends to buy into the DVC!

Not true. We love DVC so much that we would recomend joining DVC to a friend who was as much of a disney fan as us. Unfortantly most of our everyday friends and family think we are nuts, only our online friends understand. :lol:

We have friends that have being going to WDW with us and staying at the same resort we do, we stay in the villas and they in the normal part and belive me we are paying a lot less now and in the long run.

But yes he was a sales man and trying to sell something, but it is a good something. Just a something that isn't right for every person who vacations at WDW once in their life and something not everyone can afford.

BTW joviacdan, as a DVC member I don't miss mousekeeping. I think it is a waste of money to have someone make my bed daily. I would rather not have maids enter our room daily (disruping nap.) I feel it is intursive. The only way DVC is not treated like regular guests is no free upgrade if the rooms are avilable.

But we do get perks and events that are better then a regluar paying guest, in addtion to monthly newsletters, and a magizine that comes 4 times a year. :sohappy:

 

[Gail Hayden]

Sadly, the main reason I won't do it isn't even the money. I just personally think Disney does not treat DVC members like vacationers while they are on vacation.

I've heard many many excuses as to why they do this, but I still can not justify why it is that as a DVC member, you get no housekeeping, and you have to pay for fresh linens.

I tionk the one thing alot of people in DVC don't understand about people NOT in DVC is that some people simply don't have the money up front. Most people don't plan their next 50 vacations at the same time. They plan them trip by trip and pay for them as such.

I respectfully disagree. We are treated very much like vacationers and we are treated quite well.

We do get fresh linens if our stay is over 8 days OR if we pay for it.
When you buy in you are told that there is not daily housekeeping. For us it was no big deal. It is not included because it would cause dues to go through the roof. Not many times shares have daily maid service and the intent for DVC specifically is to be a home away from home. Do you have daily maid service at home (if you do, God bless you. , wish I did).
I do understand that not everyone has the up front money to join. It would be very nice if everyone did and did want to join.
I plan my vacations one at a time, not 50. I don't have to buy into a certain week and can plan whenever I want.

 

[Jaws Theme]

Non DVC members can be so jealous of thoes in the club. Anyone with kids that spends one night in a two bedroom at any DVC resort would never go back.

Jerm-I can't believe you would try to steal a free meal off of Disney an then complain about how hard it was. You knew you were not going to buy! The saleman you made fun of only gives a few tours a day and you took up a lot of his time. Your "free meal" was more important to you than his job. DVC tour times also fill up and you may have taken the time away from a family that was really interested. Next time postpone your trip a few weeks and save the money so you can buy your own Turkey Leg.

 

[s25843]

Jerm-I can't believe you would try to steal a free meal off of Disney an then complain about how hard it was.

He did not "Steal" a meal. He attended the required presentation, and that was his reward.

Who made you King of the DVC gods???

 

[FamilyMan]

DVC isn't all it's cracked up to be... not only because it reverts back to Disney after so many years, but also because of the maintenance fees. If you do all the math, including everything, you will find that it comes out about the same as if you were just staying at a resort. And for the services you loose when you're in the DVC vs. a real hotel room at Disney just aren't worth it. DVC is one of Disney's biggest money makers. And even though I know some people here are DVC members, you can't deny the fact that you're not really saving money. And for a lot of people, you're also missing out on the vacation experience of staying in a real hotel. Yes, the rooms are larger and better, but who wants to cook on a vacation? I mean, that's the point of a vacation!

 

[s25843]

DVC isn't all it's cracked up to be... not only because it reverts back to Disney after so many years, but also because of the maintenance fees. If you do all the math, including everything, you will find that it comes out about the same as if you were just staying at a resort. And for the services you loose when you're in the DVC vs. a real hotel room at Disney just aren't worth it. DVC is one of Disney's biggest money makers. And even though I know some people here are DVC members, you can't deny the fact that you're not really saving money. And for a lot of people, you're also missing out on the vacation experience of staying in a real hotel. Yes, the rooms are larger and better, but who wants to cook on a vacation? I mean, that's the point of a vacation!

Right, I worked out the numbers, and just to equal the cost of the initial points purchase (not including yearly fees) I would have to stay 32 nights at AKL Concierge to equal DVC cost (and mind you, that is staying on a concierge floor, with housekeeping, food, and concierge services)

 

[Jaws Theme]

He did not "Steal" a meal. He attended the required presentation, and that was his reward.

Who made you King of the DVC gods???

He went to the presentation knowing he was not going to purchase. He said he didn't have the money and he just wanted a "free meal". He was playing the system. The "free meals" are not set up for cheap people. They were designed to thank people for taking time out of their vacation who showed a true interest in the club . This guy just wanted a hand out. Think of all the cast members whos time was wasted on this person just so he could "dine free"

 

[Jaws Theme]

Right, I worked out the numbers, and just to equal the cost of the initial points purchase (not including yearly fees) I would have to stay 32 nights at AKL Concierge to equal DVC cost (and mind you, that is staying on a concierge floor, with housekeeping, food, and concierge services)

Neat! Comparing apples to oranges is cool! Now try the real math. Find out how much a DVC two bedroom is and see how much 32 days would cost.

32 nights in a box vs 32 years of a week or more in a big two bedroom apartment. I love people that don't get it! I'll be in the jacuzzi tub in my two bedroom if you need to run the numbers again.

 

[s25843]

Neat! Comparing apples to oranges is cool! Now try the real math. Find out how much a DVC two bedroom is and see how much 32 days would cost.

32 nights in a box vs 32 years of a week or more in a big two bedroom apartment. I love people that don't get it! I'll be in the jacuzzi tub in my two bedroom if you need to run the numbers again.

"Big two bedroom apt"

Back in Oct, one of the nights, I think I spent 7 hours in my room out of 2 days total.

a regular room on concierge is just fine.

Plus, after those 32 years, its done, zip, nadda, you have nothing to claim for your $13,000 plus....

 

[Tramp]

He went to the presentation knowing he was not going to purchase. He said he didn't have the money and he just wanted a "free meal". He was playing the system. The "free meals" are not set up for cheap people.

I don't think it's necessary to insult anyone. I prefer Jerm's honesty to your argumentative attitude so check that chip on your shoulder at the forum door.

Jerm said he would be interested in a DVC if he had the money so taking the tour was smart. Thousands of people take DVC and timeshare tours for the free gifts and hundreds of them wind up buying. It's a numbers game and it's all figured into the cost of doing business. Many years ago, I took those tours with NO intention of purchasing and currently own 2 weeks of timeshare just off the Disney property.

I would not buy DVC but would not discourage others from doing so if they are so inclined. If I had to do it again, I'd buy luxury timeshare in the Disney area that is in foreclosure for a song and a dance, ie., for 1/3 to 1/4 of the going price. I've owned timeshare for nearly a quarter of a century and, since there are no limits to the years of ownership, it could be willed to my children, or I could keep it to celebrate my 120th birthday.

Jerm, I had to laugh about your experience. Those salesmen are the best in the business. They don't take NO for an answer and when you do tell them NO, they get their manager to talk to you. When you tell him NO, he gets HIS boss. It's quite a learning experience. I see absolutely no harm in taking the tours. The tour operators encourage it cuz they figure if they could get you in there, they've tipped the odds in their favor of convincing you to buy. That's why they offer the incentives. And the fact that they continue to offer the incentives tells me that it's working and it's working BIG time. :wave:

 

[Woody13]

It's quite a learning experience. I see absolutely no harm in taking the tours. The tour operators encourage it cuz they figure if they could get you in there, they've tipped the odds in their favor of convincing you to buy. That's why they offer the incentives. And the fact that they continue to offer the incentives tells me that it's working and it's working BIG time. :wave:

You are absolutely right Tramp! These guys and gals are experts and they only need a small percentage of customers to fall for the pitch. The DVC is a BIG money maker for Disney and helps defray the costs for those of us that get the better hotel rates. Viva the DVC!:wave: