[Brian]

I am considering buying into DVC and have seen people mention buying through resellers. My question is this ...what is the downside to buying through a reseller instead of buying thru DVC directly? Do you have fewer years to use if buying through a reseller?

Brian

[mickey]

Brian

We purchased through a reseller a couple years ago. The upside is that you can purchase at any resort that they have available, the price is cheaper than going through Disney and usually when you buy them, many of them have points that they haven't used in the past year, so you get bonus points. We saved about $10 per point from the going rate and got an additional 280 points to use. Basically, you are buying someone else's points, and you just take over their stuff. Disney treats you like you were the orignal owner, though you will get a new owners book and new cards, etc.

The only downside that I can see is that usually the financing, if offered through a reseller is really bad and you can't take advantage of Disney's specials, if there are any. Also, everything is sold out through Disney except for Beach Club, Vero Beach and Hilton Head, and when available, the new Saratoga Springs. If you want to own at OKW, Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge, you have to go through a reseller.

The length of time left on all contracts is identical, regardless of how your purchase them. From Disney's standpoint, there is no difference.

One thing you should consider is where you want to own, which should be where you want to stay most often. We own at OKW, but that is because the fees are cheaper and it is costs less points to stay there. We usually get a grand villa (3 bedroom) which is horribly expensive anywhere else. We have stayed at Boardwalk, which was nice, and will stay at Beach Club and hopefully Saratoga Springs next Spring. While you can stay at other DVC resorts, it is more difficult to get a room there than at your "home" resort.

[spike]

I also purchased at OKW via a resale. As Mickey pointed out, you may have the opportunity to purchase a listing with banked points, which I did. On the other had you may find a listing with less than their use year point total, and these listings typicaly are discounted even more. Also note that when you pruchase through a reseller their will be closing costs involved around $500.00. The only downside I see is if you want to purchase at Beach Club or soon to be Saratoga Springs you have to go through Disney.

Good Luck
:)

[Brian]

Mickey and Spike:

Thanks for the info. Another question I have is what happens in 2042? Not that it will matter too much to me because I will be well into my 70's..... just wondering.


Brian

[wdwjeff]

Originally posted by Brian
Mickey and Spike:

Not that it will matter too much to me because I will be well into my 70's

You youngster, you. Even though I don't own DVC(can't talk the wife into it...yet), I'll be in my 80's by 2042.:heart :)

[mickey]

Originally posted by Brian
Mickey and Spike:

Thanks for the info. Another question I have is what happens in 2042? Not that it will matter too much to me because I will be well into my 70's..... just wondering.


Brian

In 2042, all ownership will revert back to Disney. They figured that by that time the resorts will have to be totally demolished an rebuilt or that major rennovation would have to be done, and rather than make current owners pay for it all, they would just start over. We too will be just shy of 80 in 2042, but it will be a great way for our kids to continue going to WDW in the future. One nice thing though is that as our kids leave, we will be able to use it as a second vacation home. We can now stay in a villa at the Boardwalk for nearly all of January, about 25 straight nights.

In the near future, Disney will have to change that expiration date, or it will get tougher and tougher for them to sell new units. It is expected that the new Saratoga Springs will expire in 2052, rather than 2042 with all the other resorts.

[MickeyMac]

We are considering too - can you recommend any reputable resale dealers?

Also, does anyone have any idea when the new Eagle Pines DVC resort will be sold? According to WDWIG, it's supposed to be ready in Spring 2004, but I can't find any updates on it.

[mickey]

MickeyMac - we used the timeshare store. They were great, though they have changed ownership since our purchase, so I don't know how they are now. They are located about 2 miles for WDW, near Sea World, and have about 40 listings right now, for all properties but Beach Club.

Eagle Pines was put on hold when they started Saratoga Springs. SS is scheduled to be open early Spring 2004, and I would guess that Eagle Pines is a good 2 years behind that. Beach Club is scheduled to be sold out prior to the opening of SS, so it actually may be sooner.

[MickeyMac]

Thanks! The look to have some good ones! (although I'm learning it's better to buy some with banked points??)

I'm sorry to hear about the hold on Eagle Pines. :( I don't caer for the look of Sarasota Springs, and the man at the DVC told me they expect to be sold out of BCV around May. Double wah.

I like your idea of the resale though, and would love to get into OKW, maybe.

What's this about Disney's first right of purchase on some of the lower priced resales though?

[brumcg]

Mickeymac,

Yes, if the price is too low, Disney has the right to buy the points at that price. Smart business move on their part. Essentially, then, they can control the relative price of DVC units.

If you go through one of the resellers mentioned in this thread, I wouldn't think you'd have that problem.

Bruce

[mickey]

MickeyMac, just ask the reseller that you are dealing with what there exerience is with the buyback. When we purchased ours, points were selling for $59.50 each, and we paid about $50. They were telling us that around $50, Disney was buying them back.

As far as banked points, here is what you should do. Make a spreadsheet of all the available purchases at the resort you want to stat at and in the range of points you are looking at. Add in banked points, calculate out the cost per point, and you should narrow it down to the best couple in the group. Make sure you understand that you can make an offer, just like buying a house. Also, they charge a closing fee of about $500, so factor that into your purchase.

I have a spreadsheet that I used, if you want a copy just let me know.

[MickeyMac]

Cool! I think I will, I just need DH to actually say yes. He's the one who started me on this goose chase, and now he's the one picking out all the problems!

[Connears]

We bought originally in 1994 at OKW. we just purchased 50 add-on points at HHI resort thru timesharesbyresale.com They were very efficient and all was done by phone and mail. Shontell is great. You can also see the inventory on their website. Good luck.
Connears