New DVC Survey - 18% or $6.6k Discount

How was the question worded on the survey?

Interestingly, the survey was fairly long, and the DVC-specific section started by asking me to quantify what I would consider an average discount, a good discount, a great discount, and an almost “too good to be true” discount. First as percentages, and then again in dollar amounts.

After that, they presented a scenario asking how I would react to an 18% discount, or $6,600 off. Based on the 150-point example they provided, those were effectively the exact same discount, just framed two different ways.

They then asked how likely I would be, under each framing, to buy now, do more research, wait for the next incentive cycle, or take other actions. Since I answered that I did not think those incentives were enough to make me move forward right now, they asked some follow-up questions around that.

They also asked what concerns I would have about not buying now. I mentioned the price increases, and also that the current restrictions may not be offset enough by the proposed discounts.

My guess is that they were testing whether people perceive the offer differently when it is presented as a percentage discount versus a dollar discount. But my overall impression was that they may be targeting something around the 18% / $6,600-off mark.

You think that's for add-on points or for the new Lakeshore Lodge contracts? Or both?

My gut tells me this is research for when LSL goes on sale but that's purely speculation. I have to wonder if they are a little worried about having some strong opening day sales seeing as how we just found out pretty much the entire resort will be DVC. That's a ton of points they need to offload.

There was no mention of LSL. Based on the tone it game the impression it was geared towards add-ons.

They’ve jumped the shark with the combination of current price per point, extremely high point charts, bland exteriors, and mid-quality materials that wont hold up over time.

Have to agree. It's not your Grandpas DVC. And I should know I am the grandpa. We bought in in 1996 at BWV. The Theming was great and very immersive. Now all the newest resorts give medical center vibes or are just Marriott Brown towers. Point charts are nothing to brag about either. The latest refurb at BWV is showing lots of wear. Ikea has better quality. Flooring is coming loose, Balcony doors that are hard or impossible to open. VDH looks 10 years older than it is. Just not up to the quality standards we grew used to. They are even redoing VGC refurbs because the bathrooms were neglected. I am not a fan of LSL, but at least it is not as ugly as PIT.

I would appreciate better points chart over discounts any day. We almost always stay for 2 weeks during late fall early winter. Our 250 original BWV points covered us nicely. Now not so much. You have to buy more points for the same stays and that in turn, leads to much higher dues. I bet the higher profit goes to executive bonuses and not paying the front line staff better, more livable wages.

The room cleanliness has also declined. Old days (Sorry went there) rooms were spotless and kitchens well stocked gear. Now not so much and they dont do much more than trash collection and your luck if you have a full compliment of kitchen supplies. it would be easy to blame ICE and the current immigration policies, but lets face it, mousekeeping has been declining for years.

Sorry for the long rant. And yes I complain to the desk, fill out forms, etc. The only thing I have not done is attend a condo association meeting, which I may do next year.

I got the survey as well. Longer than I thought jtbwound be. I basically said you’re too expensive and any discount coded as percentage or $$ is nill if the price per point is too high to start with. And I have doubts the point chart will be anything good.

I just have an (unsubstantiated) hunch that Direct Membership Benefits threshold is going to raise to 175 points in very near future.

That condo meeting will be a great thread to read!

I agree with these sentiments... DVC has jumped the shark...

After Grand Floridian 1.0 to be honest, they have been grasping at straws trying to figure out what to do next...

That's not to say the resorts and associations they've done or expanded since then are bad, but it is clear that they a bit greedier than in the past...

Right now I would be hard pressed to want to buy an actively selling resort Direct...

Cabins - not what interests me to buy for a timeshare

Polynesian - Crazy points chart, and i'm not a poly person

RIV - too big a depreciation hit for me in my life journey

Aulani - Big depreciation hit and very far away

VDH - most intriguing but I live very far away and go to WDW not DL

Your summary of the various active DVC offerings is spot on for our thinking process through this. And once DLL comes online, yes, it will be shiny and new but surely the points charts are going to be off-putting to most. The gateway to have enough points for studio use at Poly is doable but larger accommodations are just point drainers.