Initial Research

At this point, we were unsure how to proceed. We had some information about DVC but not enough to make an educated decision considering the amount of money that would be invested. In addition to calling DVC directly to receive their information packet, we put a posting on the Internet through the rec.arts.disney.parks newsgroup seeking anyone with information on DVC. The response was overwhelming. Within a few days, we received over 30 email responses. Without exception, the answer to our question, "should we"??? was a resounding YES!

One response that we received was from a gentleman who had purchased his DVC points as a resale from a Realty Office in Orlando, FL. In addition to selling real estate, they also handle timeshare sales and resales (including DVC). This gentleman related a very positive experience. We hadn't even considered purchasing from anyone else except than directly from DVC. After all, is it truly Disney if you don't buy from them directly???? It seemed strange and perhaps a little less "magical" if we didn't buy from Disney....wouldn't it???? Well, there were two very convincing factors that favor purchasing a resale. Most importantly points are available at a reduced price than directly from DVC (as much as 20% less). Depending on the situation, point cost range from as low as $50 to the loser $60's (Direct from DVC points are ~$65). For various reasons, people wish to sell their DVC points. Most times it s a financial decision (can't imagine it could be lack of interest). This puts the buyer in a good financial position as the seller is sometimes anxious to get rid of the points.

Secondly, by purchasing a resale, park passes can were included (providing that the original purchase included them). For us, that would mean that we could use them for the next three years after purchase (this program expires for all at the end of 1999). This would mean another incredible savings. A five day park hopper pass for two costs about $600. Multiple that by three years and that is another $1800 `savings'.

So, after contemplating our situation and the whole issue, we called tom Yeary of the Timeshare Store, DVC division (formerly Williamsburg realty)  for information. He was quite helpful, very down-to-earth, extremely easy to speak with and a real southern gentleman. He gave us several resale choices available at the time and said he sells about 1 a week (a lot more than DVC will admit to. We believe that he is telling the truth here). During the initial conversation, we asked tom how much we would need to send him to hold the deal for us if we decided to go ahead and purchase. He said "I operate on a handshake here, I would accept your word to hold the deal for you until you could get a deposit to me". We're sure he wouldn't hold it indefinitely but even this concession represents a genuine desire to work with us as well as to trust us, a trust that isn't always present in today's business world. He gave us information on an offering at Vero Beach that was very attractive for us.

When we decided to proceed, Tom faxed a contract to us which we signed and sent back with our deposit. Over the next few days, we still had numerous questions. We must have called him several times a day. He answered our questions each time with completeness and never made us feel as though we were an annoyance to him. One of our conversations had to do with wording of a section of the contract. tom gladly worked with it until we were all completely happy with it. We really thought that he was going to say, "No, can't change it" but he was more than willing to go out of his way to help us out!

Tom told us that he has been doing DVC resales for several years now. His office is one of the larger resellers in Florida and actually receives calls from others around the country. He is more than adequately knowledgeable about the workings of DVC and adequately answered any questions that we had. He was also more than willing to supply any information about the sales and even about DVC in general.