Resale vs buying direct from Disney

[DisneyAddict]

We are going to be in a position to buy into DVC soon, and are looking at the resale market, as they appear to be a bit cheaper. From what I understand, when you buy on the resale market, you can only use the points at WDW, but it looks like using the points in other ways is a bit of a ripoff. Are there any other pros/cons to buying on the resale market?

[bnoble]

From what I understand, when you buy on the resale market, you can only use the points at WDW,

Not quite. You can also use them in RCI and (I think) the BVTC (which includes Club Intrawest, etc.)

That said:

but it looks like using the points in other ways is a bit of a ripoff.

Yes, using them for anything other than DVC lodging is probably not your best value. For any other purpose, you are probably better off renting out the points and using the proceeds to book the vacation you want. However, that assumes point rental prices will continue to hold. As ever more Members think about renting their points, there is a supply-side risk. Over time, rental prices have *not* gone up nearly as fast as dues have...

The other main difference is how long the process takes. If you buy direct, you can make a reservation that afternoon. If you go resale, you'll probably need to wait at least a couple months before all is said and done.

Personally, I would never consider anything but a resale purchase. The price difference is too great.

[George]

I second the resale advice. I just bought 410 BLT points for about $35,000. Disney is asking $53,300 for the same number of BLT points. That takes the sting out of not being able to book Disney Cruises (or WDW hotel rooms or Adventures by Disney packages) with my points.

Take your time and make the best-informed decision you can. Disney is in the DVC business to make money, which is fine with me. I just want to make sure they make as little from me as possible.

[DoctorK]

We bought resale and would again. The benefits that are not available to buyers on the secondary market are ones we wouldn't use anyway.

[George]

We bought resale and would again. The benefits that are not available to buyers on the secondary market are ones we wouldn't use anyway.

It's DoctorK! How the heck are ya? Good to see you again.

[DoctorK]

Thanks - back from a six-month self-imposed Disney site exile.

[Janine]

Why would you go and do something crazy like that?

[DoctorK]

For the first time since 2007 (and following four trips in a 20-month span) we didn't have a future trip scheduled to look forward to, so it was kind of sad for me. But now we're thinking about August 2013, and I realized I've only got 17 months to figure out how to adjust my strategy and edit my spreadsheets to accomodate concrete FP windows!!!

[mdsd8700]

Take your time and make the best-informed decision you can. Disney is in the DVC business to make money, which is fine with me. I just want to make sure they make as little from me as possible.

Very wise statment I would agree with what everyone here has said. Someday we would like to add on and I wouldn't do it any other way than except through re-sale!

Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide, when you decide.

[goldenears]

Our original DVC purchase was direct. That was before I knew any better I agree with the other posters. I would only buy resale in the future. Best of luck with your decision!

[butchie30d]

We just got back from a week at WDW. During that time we finally caved and decided DVC made sense for us financially (considering our travel habits) in terms of comfort (no more hotel room for us with our kids getting older) and in terms of stress (no more waiting for room codes!) We did the BWV tour. Got home and found just what we wanted (a big chunk of points at BC) for $40 per point LESS than Disney was selling BC resale points. If all goes well with ROFR I will save $17800 by going resale non Disney. I think that answers any questions about which is the best way to go. And I also wouldn't use the points on the concierge collection or whatever else buying form Disney allows.

[George]

Agree with Butchie. The cost difference is enormous between direct and resale, and using points for cruises, Adventures by Disney, or Disney resort hotel rooms makes no financial sense.

For example, a studio at VGC at DLR is 17 points/night ($170, if you want to value points at $10 each), whereas the same date will cost you 49-60 points/night (depending on view) DURING LOW SEASON!

[wendycooper]

We have purchased both direct and resale. I would purchase resale again in a heartbeat, wish that we had not purchased direct from Disney. We were not able to get our preferred home resort when we purchased direct.

[zmanandshan]

We purchased resale at BCV and would do so again. We bought before the rule change, but it wouldnt effect our decision.

John