Yes, it's hard to say what I would have paid for my contract via resale since none came up while I was looking. Even in looking at current listings and at the ROFR thread, there aren't a lot to compare to. There's one....and it looks like they got a really good deal. Anyway, I'd say my direct points cost me anywhere from $1500 - 2500 more than resale and I've already saved more than $1000 with my benefits. So, my circumstances qualify as an exception.
It's hard because I feel like people are comparing different things. Obviously adding on a full 75 points that you wouldn't normally buy, is a lot of money for benefits of any kind! But paying even $50/pt more for 75 points that you were buying anyway is $3750. That may be totally worth it for some families. And if you really wanted those benefits and they were worth it for 25, then the cost really just went up $2500.
I'll say it again, someone has to buy direct. They need to make direct purchases more "valuable". There has to be incentive. So, I really don't think its about making resale buyers 2nd class citizens, it's about making some people choose to pay a premium for the (not guaranteed, ever-changing) benefits.
Somebody has to buy resale, but DVC has a captive audience of tens of thousands each week.
They don’t drive you back and forth to the airport as a courtesy. We refer to taking
MDE as being ‘prisoners of Disney’.
Since they have a captive audience, they should take advantage of that before they play (the unnecessary) 2nd class citizen game.
I’m not suggesting they refuse to give you a parking pass unless you agree to attend an “owner’s update.” There are degrees to everything.
But. For example, when I have friends /family /renters use points, there’s a place to check that they’re not members on the reservation. DVC knows who they are! What a perfect opportunity to invite someone to a free meal/presentation - somebody actually trying out the product. I’m not talking about badgering them; but they don’t even ask.
If I had an EPCOT lounge in MY park, and I was trying to sell points, each of the millions of annual visitors would know it. There’d be a huge sign at the park entrance that says:
“DVC members, Welcome Home! Your exclusive lounge is on the 2nd floor of the Imagination Pavilion! (Ask how YOU can become a member, too!)”
All those booths would advertise free FPs in exchange for a presentation.
I don’t fault DVC for trying to drum up business. But THEY decided to stylize their timeshare as a club. They decided (correctly) that they could afford to be different than other timeshares. They need to own it.