An open letter to... (Interwebs sytle)

[DizneyRox]

Saw this posted on the Orlando Slantinel in a 'news' story.. I get it, but you know it's going nowhere...

www dot kenpotrock dot com

​Dear Mr. Potrock,

I procured this website in order to get your attention. I am a member* of the Disney Vacation Club. I am deeply distressed by your recent 4/4/2016 changes to our Club. You have effectively created 2nd class purchasers. This change shatters the perception that this is a Club. In effect, you've stepped out of character on stage.

Sadly, this change was unnecessary. You have recent evidence that when the Polynesian Village and Bungalows (PVB) is priced at $168/point, then the average sell rate is 75-80 thousand points per month, obviously below your expectations. When you discount points to an effective rate of $153/point, as you did with your 25th anniversary incentive, you sold 136 thousand points, double an average month. This incentive was so effective that you created a similar incentive (that also pegs points in mid $150's/point) and extended it to October.

It's not the resale market that is affecting direct sales; it's the price per point.

DVC is an expensive product. I bought in part because I wanted to believe that it's a Club. I know, I know, it's a (gasp) timeshare. That said, Disney and DVC have a reputation for being so much more. That's why resale values are so high, and it's why you can sell direct points at the price you do.

I know this change is an industry standard. "All timeshares do it", frankly, is and should be beneath you. It's an excuse, and a sad one at that.

When you purposely create 2nd class purchasers (not members by your own definition), you attack the special bond that DVC is otherwise well-suited to inspire. Mr. Potrock, those 2nd class purchasers are your customers, too! They attend your parks, buy in your stores and restaurants, add on via direct contracts, and so much more. All purchasers, resale and direct, are committing to spend tens of thousands of dollars over decades with Disney. That should not be slighted. Indeed, you are sending this message of class distinction at peril to the entire program:

If DVC will strip member benefits from one class of buyers, why not all buyers? That's a chilling message, for all buyers, resale and direct.

I feel as though in some ways you don't understand the value of your product, what makes DVC so special. Obviously, you've never received your long awaited and anticipated membership card in the mail! If you ever had, you would not be denying that essential magic. Honestly, refusing to give purchasers a membership card is a cheap shot. It's like reserving "Welcome Home!" to members* and "You Again?!" to purchasers.

I want to believe that we are creating a fifty year relationship with each other. Instead, you've sent the unmistakable message that DVC members are only worth consideration while the ink is drying on the contract, that you only care about the next sale.

Mr. Potrock, say it isn't so! Please tell us that you aren't creating a dangerous schism within the Club (members vs. purchasers) just to create a scapegoat for having to discount points to a price where they sell well.

I know I'm not supposed to be affected by this change. Except. I am. You've pulled back the curtain. You've given lie to the idea that this is a Club. You've made a demonstrable move towards being "just another timeshare".

Some of the pixie dust is gone, not because I didn't believe; because you didn't.

That makes me sad, and that's why I'm writing to you.

Yours,
DVC Member

​[email protected]



*Member is defined by DVC per its 4/2016 Members Extras Acknowledgement and Disclosure Statement as follows: "Member as used in this Statement shall mean a purchaser who has acquired an ownership interest directly from DVD and is a member of the club in good standing".

[John]

As a resale buyer - I'm buying what this dude is selling. It really was unnecessary and I think in the long run, a bad PR move. He's totally right. The price is too inflated & if market factors actually meant something, they'd price it right and most would buy direct.

I guess I'm one of the EVIL people...

[laprana]

I couldn't agree more with this letter. I've been a DVC member since 2008 and at that time paid around $75-$80 (after incentives) per point for my membership. It was a good deal then, and a decision I'm very glad I made. We've been talking lately about adding more points, but with the prices as high as they are to buy direct from Disney, we won't be buying them there. And with all the new restrictions on resale points, I think we've ruled that out, too. It just seems like too much of a hassle. So, either way, Disney is losing the money we would have spent either on more points through direct purchase, or the money we would have spent during additional/longer WDW vacations by using points we purchased through resale.

[ThanxForNoticin]

I couldn't agree more with this letter. I've been a DVC member since 2008 and at that time paid around $75-$80 (after incentives) per point for my membership. It was a good deal then, and a decision I'm very glad I made. We've been talking lately about adding more points, but with the prices as high as they are to buy direct from Disney, we won't be buying them there. And with all the new restrictions on resale points, I think we've ruled that out, too. It just seems like too much of a hassle. So, either way, Disney is losing the money we would have spent either on more points through direct purchase, or the money we would have spent during additional/longer WDW vacations by using points we purchased through resale.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you really wouldn't be as impacted by buying resale since you already have a membership card from buying directly from Disney. You just can't use your resale points for most "exchanges" with other timeshares, which has been in effect for a number of years now. The "membership" issue is for people buying resale points only now - with no points bought directly from Disney.

[baldburke]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you really wouldn't be as impacted by buying resale since you already have a membership card from buying directly from Disney. You just can't use your resale points for most "exchanges" with other timeshares, which has been in effect for a number of years now. The "membership" issue is for people buying resale points only now - with no points bought directly from Disney.

You are correct! No impact to existing owners.

[TheHD]

Just saw this. Agreed, I hope this catches his attention in some way. Too many cutbacks with little more being offered.

[LVT]

Agreed. If they really wanted to slow resale, they have the Right of first refusal. This is beginning to seem like a pyramid set-up, if they cannot exit on fees, there might be a long term problem.

[DizneyRox]

Agreed. If they really wanted to slow resale, they have the Right of first refusal. This is beginning to seem like a pyramid set-up, if they cannot exit on fees, there might be a long term problem.

How does Right of First Refusal slow resales? Disney doesn't say you can't sell at that price, they just have the option of buying it at the agreed upon price. It still 'sells'...