[Fadedgirl]

Hello!

I'll say upfront that my guide was awful & I will be switching after my transaction is finalized, but through reading tons of posts on boards lately, I find that there is great disparity on how guides deal with their clients.

For example, some guides are happy to discuss BLT and are reportedly creating lists of interested current DVC members to contact prior to the property being released...while other guides are swearing on their lives that they don't know anything about BLT...that they don't even know if its going to go DVC.

My guide told me lies about GCV when it suited her interest in selling me AKV, then swore that Disney doesn't tell their guides anything and that as far as she knew it was opening two years later than what everyone else at DVC is stating, then two days later completely contradicted herself when she felt it was to her advantage to get me to buy AKV.

Is this just the way it is with Disney guides? Or am I noticing a disproportionate amount of bad things? Just wondering if I have play this game every time I want honest information from a Guide. Or, are there other types of contacts aside from Guides in the DVC?

Thanks!

[DisneyTeacher]

I don't think all guides are like yours, I have a wonderful guide who made me feel welcome and answered all my questions truthfully.

I don't know that guides are telling people that BLT is a sure thing and I don't believe there is an official waitlist for it. Guides may be taking note of who has shown an interest but there's nothing official. In fact, I have read that some people have been fired for talking about DVC too much. Nothing has been announced so I'm not going to put my guide in a position where she has to either lie to me or risk getting in trouble. I know they can't talk about it so I don't ask.

Once you buy your contract there is no reason you have to talk to your guide again--unless you want more points. After you buy in you call member services and talk to a CM there.

[jo-jo]

We felt our guide was very honest with us. Of course at the time, the only choice was SSR unless we wanted to wait. We have had several calls from him, only one involving more points, the rest along the lines of "have a good trip" type call.

[Fadedgirl]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

Once you buy your contract there is no reason you have to talk to your guide again--unless you want more points. After you buy in you call member services and talk to a CM there.

Oh that is just wonderful to hear, thank you!

I'm also glad to hear of good guides and good experiences with guides. I was hoping mine was not the norm!!

I think its a shame (if this is the case) that guides are given information and then fired for divulging it...that is only human nature ~~ rather, it is *ethical* when the client has a huge financial investment at stake and the guide knows they would be happier or better off knowing a fact. I guess its a fine line between what is right for the client and offloading the older properties?

[jo-jo]

Oh by the way....

Welcome to Mousebuzz

[rlcarmichael]

WELCOME Home & to MB!

I've actually had 3 guides and aside from a situation that I didn't like the way they worded the title on my first contract (I'm in real estate and wanted it worded a specific way for estate purposes) which they gladly corrected, I've had no problems what so ever.

We like to think otherwise, DVC is a business - a VERY profitable one at that. And while they LOW pressure because it's an EASY sell, the guides are sales people.

I think most people's experiences are much better.

BLT has got to be the WORST kept secret!

[WishUponAStar]

I had the same experience as you. The guide that I got assigned to on our first tour ever was SO condesending to us, he made a couple comments about us being young & even made an interesting comment about my DH b/c he has tattoos & such, etc. You could tell he wasn't taking us seriously b/c when we got back into his office he basically just handed us the materials and said goodbye. NEVER a follow up call, nothing. It made us feel so crappy and I was turned off by the whole experience.

When we actually decided to buy 2 years later they insisted I had to purchase through the guide who gave us a tour and I spoke with management. I told them I ABSOLUTELY would not give that guide our commission and they assigned us to another guy who's absolutely great.

I think the "bad" experiences are very few & far between, most guides I've heard of give very consistant thorough information. I've never had a problem since.

[tinkerbelle24]

I think Im sleeping under a rock!! What BLT?

[WishUponAStar]

Originally Posted by DisneyTeacher

Once you buy your contract there is no reason you have to talk to your guide again--unless you want more points. After you buy in you call member services and talk to a CM there.

OH, trust me, I call my guide. If I am not happy with something I go right to him & he's always made it better! When we first joined DVC I had a Disneyland vacation booked & paid in full with cash. When I called to switch my reservation to DVC points the Disneyland people insisted I had to pay the "cancellation" fee, & rebook etc. because it was "two different systems and they couldn't just switch the reservation for me." I understand not being able to "just switch it" but I didn't think it was fair to pay a cancellation fee when I was indeed still coming & I was joining DVC! Well, even management at Disneyland didn't want to help me so I called Mr. DVC Guide. Then all was right in the world. He's like Superman AND AND AND next time we were at SSR he told us to come see him & he gave us a gift certificate for our inconveniences.

[Fadedgirl]

Originally Posted by jo-jo

Oh by the way....

Welcome to Mousebuzz

Why thank you!! =) Very excited to be here.

[Fadedgirl]

Originally Posted by rlcarmichael

WELCOME Home & to MB!

I've actually had 3 guides and aside from a situation that I didn't like the way they worded the title on my first contract (I'm in real estate and wanted it worded a specific way for estate purposes) which they gladly corrected, I've had no problems what so ever.

You know I was wondering how to or which names put the names on the deed. I understand the Tenants in Common versus Joint Tenants, but is there anything else I should consider? At first we were just going to put my name only on the title as hubby is active duty military and gone a lot & I want to be able to buy/sell without him present (yes we do POAs but lots of people don't understand them or want to honor them, especially in real estate affairs), then I heard that DVC "owners" have benefits and discounts not granted to "associate members"...but I've found no validation or details on this.

So I guess my question is more DVC-related than legal or estate-oriented...any opinions & experiences will be appreciated.

[Fadedgirl]

Originally Posted by tinkerbelle24

I think Im sleeping under a rock!! What BLT?

BLT = Bay Lake Towers, the new property under construction next to the Contemporary at WDW.

[Fadedgirl]

WishUponaStar: Oh my goodness, what a jerk your first guide was! Glad to hear that you were able to switch. I definitely will not use mine again.

Well, that is, unless they won't let me buy GCV unless I go through her. That would be terrible but I'd have to persevere! That's the only reason we put up with her in the darned first place!! Although I would be wondering the entire time if I'm being told the truth about the transaction or the options available. Yah, on second thought, I think I'll have to complain until I get a new one if they try to force me to use the same one once GCV comes up.

[MissDisney]

Fadedgirl, welcome!
Sorry you had a bad experience.

My own experience was that I had a VERY specific contract that I really really wanted. I explained that to my guide, and while she was very knowledgeable about all the new resorts and special packages and deals that were available for those properties, she instantly switched into high gear to find my dream resort, use year and point value. I think it took her about three days to find my perfect deal, which was a hard one to come by since I wanted a popular use year at an older resort.
She was patient, eager to answer any question and helpful with all the math. Just loved her.
I suggest that if you ever want to buy again through DVC, just get yourself a new guide. The next one is sure to be better!

[rlcarmichael]

Originally Posted by Fadedgirl

You know I was wondering how to or which names put the names on the deed. I understand the Tenants in Common versus Joint Tenants, but is there anything else I should consider? At first we were just going to put my name only on the title as hubby is active duty military and gone a lot & I want to be able to buy/sell without him present (yes we do POAs but lots of people don't understand them or want to honor them, especially in real estate affairs), then I heard that DVC "owners" have benefits and discounts not granted to "associate members"...but I've found no validation or details on this.

So I guess my question is more DVC-related than legal or estate-oriented...any opinions & experiences will be appreciated.

I had the property titled JT with rights of suvivorship which means that if one of us dies the other's share just get's larger. The share would not become part of the estate process of the one who dies.

I recommend that you have legal services draw up a limited POA for the purposes of buying/selling/leasing DVC. Disney will require a copy to record but you'll get the original back. I'd have several copies signed then send one to your guide for the file also. MAKE SURE you ask DVC for the EXACT wording on how to make the signature for hubby - i.e. sign his name, by your name, Power of Attorney. Each state can be a little pickey on the actual wording.