Ebay & DVC

[Stimpy]

There is currently a BCV 25 point contract listed on Ebay. The seller has a few misleading and wrong things in the item description...for example he states that "with only mainteance fees of only $115 per year,That's less than $69 a night with no taxes." He also mentions the Disney Store discount and some other "discrepancies". The auction is already up to $2600, not including the "approx $420" for closing costs and it still has several days to go. Anyone else feel bad for the person that may win this who did not do their research?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4456313830&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[Rozzie]

OMG! Look at the photo he used for the studio! Ugh, folks that ain't the studio I stayed in Feb. He says in the writing about the sleeper sofa, but shows what appears to be a CRO room...

oh well, buyer beware??:Paranoid:

[ghost1000]

I saw his other recent auction and noticed a few discrepencies in the description.

[Stimpy]

OMG! Look at the photo he used for the studio! Ugh, folks that ain't the studio I stayed in Feb. He says in the writing about the sleeper sofa, but shows what appears to be a CRO room...

oh well, buyer beware??:Paranoid:

That's what I thought too! I hadn't stayed at a studio at BCV yet so I wasn't sure. And it went up again, it's up to $2755 last time I checked :scary: (plus closing costs, plus 2006 maintence fees)

[bavaria]

With so many small contracts not passing the ROFR villain lately, I wonder if this is some wanna be owners trying to get a small starter contract.

I know that I was lucky to sneak in under the wire last summer with my smaller contract (thanks to some peer pressure from my cyber buddies :doublekis ) and I have heard of ppl trying a few times to buy a small contract, only to have the ROFR disappointment.

Sure, it's a high price per point, but maybe that's still more 'affordable' than buying a 150 point contract for some ppl. And maybe they want BCV over SSR and that's the only way that they see to get their foot in the door? Did I make any sense at all???

[RweTHEREyet]

Did you also notice that he listed the cost of a DVC Annual Pass as $100.00, that's the discount, not the cost.

[ghost1000]

Did you also notice that he listed the cost of a DVC Annual Pass as $100.00, that's the discount, not the cost.

Actually, it's a matter of very clever wording. Above the costs he says "2006 Member Discounts".

[mushu]

Don't think it's worth that much per point, stick with my BWV points.

[Pumpkinboy]

Well, I expect that at $110.20 per point, I think this one might pass ROFR. Some poor sucker is going to buy this without a clue as to how it all works. But then, perhaps when they start selling DVC at the Comteporary, the list price might be up to $110.

[tjkraz]

There is currently a BCV 25 point contract listed on Ebay. The seller has a few misleading and wrong things in the item description...for example he states that "with only mainteance fees of only $115 per year,That's less than $69 a night with no taxes."

I think he's correct on the prices.

He does pretty clearly state that you'd have to use 3 years worth of points to get a Studio for Monday to Thursday. You can get a studio for 5 nights for less than 75 points in all but Premier season.

So, if you take 25 pts x 4.48 dues x 3 yrs = $336

$336 total dues / 5 nights = $67 per night

So, my numbers are actually a bit lower than his. And that's not even taking into consideration the fact that during Dream and Choice seasons it would only cost 60 points for that room, leaving 15 left to carry-over to the next trip.

Regarding closing costs, the listing does state that the buyer will pay actual closing costs, estimated at $420. I'm guessing he got that figure from the closing company that is cited, but it does leave the door open for the buyer to find his own closing company and save some extra dollars.

That said, the room photo is obviously incorrect and I didn't look at the discount list too closely. I'm not trying to be the voice of dissent here, but I don't think there was any intention to defraud--just a little out-of-date info or sloppy research along the way.

Points sold on eBay frequently seem to go for more than via resale brokers. Not sure why that's the case. Maybe people get caught up in the whole bidding aspect and just don't want to let it go. I've certainly seen that happen in other areas--one item will sell for $200 (with fierce bidding) while an identical item will only get $150.

[PoohsPal]

I think the "problem" with the quoted maintenance fess is that there is no mention that they can go up every year.

Still seems a bit slimey.

[Stimpy]

I can definately understand the whole bidding up thing...that's why we now have a Maclaren stroller that I could've got cheaper in the local Babies R Us LOL But I'm glad I learned my lesson on that instead of this DVC contract ;)

I mentioned the maintence fees because, like Carrie said, he doesn't mention that they go up every year. The seller made it seem like they would be $115 until 2042.

He's (or she) going to make a nice profit on this, which is great for him. I just kind of feel bad if the buyer doesn't know what they are getting into. But as Rozzie said, buyer beware!

[jaysue]

The ad is downright misrepesenting a material fact regarding square footage - how is a BCV Studio or any studio for that matter come to 459 square feet?

Cheers
jaysue:computers

[tjkraz]

I mentioned the maintence fees because, like Carrie said, he doesn't mention that they go up every year. The seller made it seem like they would be $115 until 2042.

I guess you could read it that way. But I still don't read the listing and see any major signs of intent to defraud. The only things that trouble me a bit are the room photo and the square footage as jaysue noted.

I looked at a few other listings and they handle the dues similarly. One listing mentioned the present cost and alsp made no mention of increases. All of the listings for The Timeshare Store address dues in this manner:

ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN COSTS WHEN BUYING A DVC RESALE?

No hidden costs. When you purchase a DVC resale through The Timeshare Store, you will have your purchase price, closing costs and applicable Annual Dues. That’s it.

If I were a complete newbie, that listing doesn't give me any impression that there are ongoing dues costs after the purchase.

That said, I don't think Tom's listing is intentionally deceptive either. Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't expect to find the Public Offering Statement and DVC member guidelines on an auction website. There has to be some expectation of the potential buyer doing his homework before buying.

If someone really wanted to try and mislead people about DVC, I think there are a lot of other ways in which he could stretch the truth.

[Stimpy]

Up to $2,855. Not sure about this either (red emphasis mine) LOL

Q: Can you book New Years Eve?
A: yes you are assured any day of the week and day of the year at Beach club because you have a 11 month booking window at beach club DVC Resort with this DVC/Beach club/December/25 pt contract

[Rozzie]

Up to $2,855. Not sure about this either (red emphasis mine) LOL

Q: Can you book New Years Eve?
A: yes you are assured any day of the week and day of the year at Beach club because you have a 11 month booking window at beach club DVC Resort with this DVC/Beach club/December/25 pt contract

double buyer beware :Paranoid:

[PoohsPal]

Wow, it ended at $2,855. Tlk about getting suckered. On the bright side, teh buyer shouldn't have to worry about ROFR. ;)

[AFMom]

I don't feel bad for the buyer - anyone buying something like this should do their own research and not expect the seller to do it for them. That said - I do think the listing is a bit questionable..... in numerous places!