Can someone help me understand the economics of a DVC resale?

[gobble]

You hadn't mentioned "short notice trips" before. I wouldn't recommend buying DVC if you aren't able to plan your vacations at least 7 (and ideally at least 11) months in advance.

Why do you need to book 7 or 11 months in advance? That would be unusual for us.

 

[dioxide45]

Why do you need to book 7 or 11 months in advance? That would be unusual for us.

Booking well in advance, often 12 months for many, is the reality of most timeshares when you need to book peak times of the year. With DVC, 11 months is when you can reserve your home resort and 7 months is when you can book a different resort.

 

[ljmiii]

Why do you need to book 7 or 11 months in advance? That would be unusual for us.

Booking well in advance, often 12 months for many, is the reality of most timeshares when you need to book peak times of the year. With DVC, 11 months is when you can reserve your home resort and 7 months is when you can book a different resort.

What @dioxide45 wrote. I would add that in DVC if you want to stay in a villa that is special in some way (e.g. AKV value or Kilimanjaro Club villas, Boardwalk View or Standard View studios at BWV) you need to book at 11 months on the dot (if not before).

And as 11 months moves toward 10 and then 7, all the studio and 2BR villas at the more hard to get resorts (e.g. BCV, BWV, BLT, VGF) disappear. 1BR villas take longer as the point costs/guest are higher...but they too are usually no longer available at 7 months at BCV, Boardwalk View/Standard View at BWV, etc..

 

[bnoble]

Why do you need to book 7 or 11 months in advance? That would be unusual for us.

That is an excellent reason not to spend tens of thousands of dollars on DVC points. You'll be left with "the leftovers", and that's also the stuff that is deposited for exchange---and you can get "the leftovers" exactly the way you are doing it now.

Happily, the DVC leftovers are still pretty great.

 

[gobble]

Does stuff pop up randomly on one or two month notice as people cancel? My wife plays RCI like a slot machine. It’s very random like Vail just popped up want to go in a month kind of thing.

 

[gobble]

Also guessing key west and Saratoga springs are the only things that ever pop up on II. Back in the day we could trade into animal kingdom and wilderness lodge on rci, did that 4 times.

 

[Dean]

Why do you need to book 7 or 11 months in advance? That would be unusual for us.

If you can't book at least 7 months in advance I WOUDL NOT BUY DVC. If you can't book close to 11 months out, it likely doesn't matter what you home resort is so get the cheapest option/best value regardless of where you plan to book. Some things you have to book 11 months out to the day and in some cases that isn't enough. In principle that's true for timeshares in general other than fixed week/fixed unit options and some VERY specific circumstances for people that are extremely flexible both in time of year, school holidays, location and resort choice. Owning a timeshares are not for everyone but one can often get much of the savings and benefit by renting privately.

 

[gobble]

In 20+ years I’ve never done one of those continuous searches. When we feel like going somewhere we’ve just looked on RCI to see what’s there, knowing it’s probably what fell through the cracks or last minute cancellations. Sometimes you need to look every morning like if you want to go skiing in CO in the next couple months or HHI in the fall. It has always seemed to work out though. I’ve found timeshare to not always be easy or convenient but a great value if you buy right and actually use it.

I’ll add that I did book this last Disney key west week well in advance but probably closer to 7 than 11.

 

[Dean]

In 20+ years I’ve never done one of those continuous searches. When we feel like going somewhere we’ve just looked on RCI to see what’s there, knowing it’s probably what fell through the cracks or last minute cancellations. Sometimes you need to look every morning like if you want to go skiing in CO in the next couple months or HHI in the fall. It has always seemed to work out though. I’ve found timeshare to not always be easy or convenient but a great value if you buy right and actually use it.

I’ll add that I did book this last Disney key west week well in advance but probably closer to 7 than 11.

The reference to timing was specifically related to owning and using points but the principles hold for an OGS. DVC normally doesn't deposit to after 7 months so they can use points from other resorts at the lower demand resorts of OKW, SSR & AKV.

 

[Great3]

Exchanging and DVC direct are two whole different ball games. While, yes, you can possibly get last minute dates / trips, just don't count on it consistently. If you truly are flexible, and will go if you get the reservation, but don't need to go if you didn't get it, I have good luck using the DVC waitlist options for 1-3 days and getting the exact dates I wanted (Usually with 2 months since DVC points goes into hold if cancelled under 31 days). Any longer trip and it's difficult to get that reservation date, even on a waitlist. If you have to to have a certain date, than you really need to book at 11 months out at your home resort. I mainly only gotten SSR or OKW at under 7 months mark (what you normally get thru II exchange anyways). It's hard to find anything for 7 days consecutively at other resorts under 7 months. Sure, I can usually piece a 7 days trip here and there with split stays across the various resorts (and with using waitlist), but it's can be stressful when you already book plane tickets but missing a day or two within your plan trip and still waiting on a waitlist request to come thru.

So as others said, you need to be able to plan with 7-11 months window if you are going to buy DVC points. Else, truly the math doesn't work out comparing to Exchanging thru II, if you are just going to wait until under 7 months anyways before planning and booking.

Great3

 

[gobble]

Wow that's a pretty big downside to the system. Who normally plans that far in advance?

 

[dioxide45]

Wow that's a pretty big downside to the system. Who normally plans that far in advance?

Then it would be a downside to almost all large timeshare systems, Marriott, Wyndham, Hilton, Hyatt. They all work in similar ways. Do you own fixed weeks?

 

[ljmiii]

Wow that's a pretty big downside to the system. Who normally plans that far in advance?

Since my first child was two year old and I knew exactly when we would be vacationing a year and a half in advance. Twenty or so years later there has been the occasional hiccup (misguessing Easter break, COVID, mismatched college breaks, etc.) but by and large I still know where and when we will vacation well more than a year in advance.

And I keep on top of cancellation/rebooking/banking (saving) schedules so I know when we can easily change our minds...and when it's not so much.

 

[Great3]

Wow that's a pretty big downside to the system. Who normally plans that far in advance?

Pretty much all the time, since I own DVC and HGVC. If you don't, there isn't much available where you to to go (they all booked full already). That's the timeshare game we play, and how it works if you want to get into the game, know the rules. Don't like it, don't play, else timeshare becomes a scam and most people that got duped by the salesman finds out after making the big investment, in what is supposed to be a growing asset. Glad you are taking the time to find out that this doesn't work for you!

Great3

 

[bizaro86]

Wow that's a pretty big downside to the system. Who normally plans that far in advance?

Basically everyone who happily uses a points timeshare.

If you view that as a huge downside then it almost certainly isn't for you.

 

[sponger76]

Basically everyone who happily uses a points timeshare.

If you view that as a huge downside then it almost certainly isn't for you.

Not just points, but also floating weeks at popular resorts during high-demand periods.

 

[ljmiii]

Not just points, but also floating weeks at popular resorts during high-demand periods.

Indeed. Fixed weeks as well for that matter...since the week *is* fixed.

 

[gobble]

My Hawaii weeks float. I always grab Christmas or new years weeks and deposit them with rci right after I pay the years maintenance fees. We then randomly book stuff with the pile of points we get, usually a month or two in advance as interesting stuff pops up. The trades are always nice places (Wyndham, Hilton head stuff, non-Disney Orlando, key west, etc) but not Disney quality. I suppose we could always plan a Disney week far in advance and supplement with other stuff as it appears on rci.

 

[ljmiii]

Wow that's a pretty big downside to the system. Who normally plans that far in advance?

Since my first child was two year old and I knew exactly when we would be vacationing a year and a half in advance...

This is actually how and why I got into timeshares in the first place. Hilton wants *what* for an oceanfront 2BR at the Hilton Hawaiian Village during President's Week?!? And you have *got* to be kidding me...Disney wants how much for a 2BR over Easter Week?!?

A bit of research online led me to understand that I could stay at these places for a fraction of the 'hotel' cost...and I became the happy owner of a week at the Lagoon Tower at HHV and a week's worth of points at Beach Club Villas.

 

[gobble]

If anyone finds it interesting, this is what RCI is showing as my history and all were booked on a few months notice or less. It must only go back a number of years because I don't see any of the old Disney trades.

Sand Pebble Resort (#0887)​

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort - West Village (#0670)​

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort - West Village (#0670)​

Westgate Vacation Villas (#0899)​

Summer Bay Orlando By Exploria Resorts (#3175)​

Grande Villas, a Hilton Vacation Club (#3996)​

Polynesian Isles Phase 4, a Hilton Vacation Club (#D636)​

Polynesian Isles Phase 4, a Hilton Vacation Club (#D636)​

Island Links Resort by Palmera (#7630)​

Club Wyndham Ocean Ridge II (#6466)​

Waterside by Spinnaker (#5366)​

Island Links Resort by Palmera (#7630)​

Swallowtail At Sea Pines Resort (#0476)​

The Cliffs at Peace Canyon (#6389)​

Royal Dunes (#3422)​

Royal Dunes (#3422)​

Vacation Village at Parkway (#4940)​

Club Wyndham Smoky Mountains - 5 Nights (#DK55)​

Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek (#6369)​

Meadow Lake Golf Resort (#1909)​

Southwind Villas (#3400)​

Port O'Call (#0995)​

Hilton Vacation Club Kaanapali Beach (#4985)​

The Bay Club, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club (#3684)​

Island Links Resort by Palmera (#7630)​

Charter Club Resort of Naples Bay (#0212)​

The Reef at Marathon Resort Club (#2100)​

Valdoro Mountain Lodge, a Hilton Grand Vacations Club (#6388)​

Port O'Call (#0995)​

Club Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Glade (#0072)​

Club Wyndham Smoky Mountains (#5993)​

Desert Breezes Timeshare Resort (#1142)​

Coral Reef Resort (#3975)​

Island Links Resort by Palmera (#7630)​

The Carolina Club (#1503)​

Southwind II (#2150)​

Scottsdale Camelback Resort (#1150)​

Club Wyndham Reunion (#C409)​

Val Chatelle III (#5160)​

Timbers At Christmas Mountain Village (#3662)​

Egret Point by Spinnaker (#4223)​

Tree Tops Resort (#2208)​

The Villas at Summer Bay Orlando By Exploria Resort (#5995)​

Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek (#6369)​

Shell Vacations Club @ Desert Rose Resort (#DS23)​

Shell Vacations Club @ Desert Rose Resort (#DS23)​

Laurel Crest (#5485)​

Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek (#6369)​

Wyndham Ocean Palms (#5992)​

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort - West Village (#0670)​

WorldMark Orlando Kingstown Reef - 2 Nights (#FB43)​

Holiday Inn Club Vacations at Orange Lake Resort - West Village (#0670)​

 

[gobble]

But anyway, I'm going to look into a Saratoga Springs resale and appreciate all the comments.

Hmm my last post says awaiting moderator approval...

 

[ljmiii]

But anyway, I'm going to look into a Saratoga Springs resale and appreciate all the comments.

Hmm my last post says awaiting moderator approval...

Without knowing more I'm guessing you asked if anyone had a SSR contract for sale. Buying/selling on these forums is prohibited...that happens elsewhere on the TUG website.

 

[Dean]

Wow that's a pretty big downside to the system. Who normally plans that far in advance?

As noted, it's a requisite to be consistently successful with timeshares in general. There are a few people that plan late but it takes a very special situation for that to make sense and it NEVER makes sense to buy with that intent going in and this is not a workable plan with DVC. If you can't plan at least 7 months out do not buy DVC. If you want Spring break, Xmas or similar; you need the 11 month window day one in many cases. Even then there are a couple of options that are not going to be workable like AKV value or Concierge.

 

[gobble]

Without knowing more I'm guessing you asked if anyone had a SSR contract for sale. Buying/selling on these forums is prohibited...that happens elsewhere on the TUG website.

The message posted now (above)

 

[elaine]

Note-dvc has a very efficient waitlist and most dvc points are not tied to an underlying “week.” Dvc owners can book single days or any combo up to 10 days on a reservation. So, if someone happened to Canx an entire week, days could (and are) immediately be picked off by waitlists. So, you might see a 2-3 day chunk or part of a week with with a gap within the week.
On the flip side, for places with lots of supply-okw, Ssr, akv, it’s fairly easy to piece together a trip with a few months’ notice. Dvc books out at almost 100%. So, concur with others-not for someone who regularly books inside 2 months unless you’re willing to pick off single days at different resorts to cobble a week.