For comparison sake of, “if only I had purchased way back when...” say you purchased Dvc back in 1994 at $62/point. That’s equivalent to purchase of $104 today adjusted for inflation. Old key west is available at this price on resale market today and so in that sense you get $ back and had 25 years of vacations at the cost of mf’s. Had you sold a couple years ago though the scenario would have been less favorable and adjusted for inflation, it was a loss. Now take the $62 in 1992 and put into investment instead of Dvc. That $62 is equivalent of $850 today. Still not the worst thing considering 25 years of vacation for cost of Mf’s but also not the best way to invest a chunk of cash. The 250 point contract was $15,500 purchase price in 1994. Had just that chunk of change been invested instead of paying upfront for Dvc it’s worth 212k today.
Finance of a purchase and no matter when you have purchased and at what price, it’s a big financial hit and risk. Dvc is for fun. It’s not an investment. Dvc clearly states that all over their website. Above just looks at the last 25 years. Purchased at direct prices today and the next ression I could see a worse outcome for Dvc compared to the last recession.
All this negative talk and I still wanted Dvc. My husband is a banker and VERY against timeshares, even Dvc. I ended up purchasing as I could with cash and by using $ I would have otherwise spent on more expensive vacations. Some resale and some direct. I get an intrinsic reward from the ownership and am happy with it but to each their own. I know it’s not the best use of money but Disney does it better than anyone when in comes to desire to part with my $.
If we take no vacations and instead invest the monies, we would all be better off financially. Can't always measure happiness via $$ you have all the time. Memories are priceless.