I had intended that term as a reflection of the 16-18 years I've "studied" various timeshare systems as a serious hobby interest. From our first "flirt" with DVC in 1998, to our first purchase (a non-DVC product) in 2000, I studied everything I could find. I learned our first timeshare product inside-out by attending the training workshops offered by the developer, joining online discussion groups, studying the governing docs/member guidelines (etc) and spending countless hours observing inventory patterns through RCI/II and online reservation systems. Basically, I became a timeshare addict over those first few years of ownership.
It was 6 years between "first flirt" (1998) to "first purchase" of DVC (2004). By then, I already knew how the program worked and what I could expect. I still spend time studying the inventory, periodically, using the online system but only to casually pick up the odd nights, here and there, at the Grand Cal as it is a short drive away. (Last night I spotted a unit available for Mon/Tues nights of this week ... I considered booking them but am already staying Thurs night and didn't want to overdo it ...
)
So tips to a newcomer will vary depending on several variables:
- Is DVC your first or only timeshare?
- Do you plan to use DVC drive-to destinations -- or will all visits require air travel?
- What were your intended goals before purchasing? How did you see yourselves using the product?
- Where you wish to stay? What size units?
Answer these for yourself to establish a "baseline plan." Create your "top 3 visits" and start working out, on paper, on how to book them. Know in advance if you'll be using banking/borrowing and mark the relevant dates on your calendar. If you will be booking at the 7-month window, create reminders on your electronic calendaring system to alert you at 9 months to start watching inventory online; check the inventory status of your intended unit size/view for the weeks prior to your travel dates to see if those dates are made unavailable right at their 7-month window or even just prior to the 7-month window. Use the time to learn about booking strategies such as "walking" and if that might be needed/appropriate for your travel dates based on your observations of the inventory you are 'stalking.' (etc.) Basically, the truly successful folks are those that know what they own and how to use it ... inside and out. Moreover, they probably know multiple timeshare systems in similar level of depth and can carry skills/techniques from one product over to another.
Edited to add: Learn the cancellation policies and use them to your advantage. Don't be afraid to book "speculative" reservations that hold a room for you while you evaluate airfare, school schedules, other commitments, etc.
Edited again: My biggest tip is to book 1BR/2BR units and be happy with them. Don't plan on always booking the 'least expensive' room category. (We generally book a 1BR for us, as a couple; a 2BR if traveling with another couple; a GV or multi-units as you reach/exceed 3 couples; etc. When inviting friends/family -- our guideline is that every household gets a private bathroom and we never plan on having people, even children, sleeping in the living room of the unit intended as "the gathering place.")
Edit #3 to add: Expect change. When it comes, learn how the change impacts you and purpose, in advance, to try to make the best of it. I figure that timeshare is a game where the savvy folks live better at the expense of the less savvy folks. Some people will be late or careless in their timeshare use and I plan to grab as many of those newly-created opportunities as I can.
