I think it's a bad idea for anyone who needs to finance it. If you don't have the cash, you shouldn't even consider it.
I agree it's generally terrible to finance direct purchase but I think it can work *if* resale and *if* able to pay off quickly (maybe under 3 years?).
As an example, if we look at Copper Creek at $188/pt if it's financed over 10 years at 12% I believe it adds about $135/pt in interest. Ouch!
The most likely time it could make sense to finance direct is if you can put it on a new credit card running 0% APR credit card and you pay it off before charged interest.
If one doesn't care about direct perks and he or she is able to pay off a resale contract quickly enough that interest keeps the purchase within realm of a direct price the it's not unreasonable to finance. If the perks are important than it'd be more efficient to save money until able to buy direct. To many it stinks to think that their out of pocket could be about the same direct in 3 years or resale + interest mow, but those that don't care about the perks are better off getting "in" now.
Next, many with young kids think they will be more flexible than they really will be. For example, new parents (and those expecting families in the future) don't consider the future schedules are travel sports, etc that kill family planning.
And don't buy in as an investment. Yes prices have continues to rise but the 2042 resorts are getting closer to closer to expiring and those prices cannot continue to rise indefinately. People aren't likely to pay 170 for BCV in 2030 when resort expires in 12 years. At some point the math says you're better off renting every year than buying, and when that happens at at 2042 *resale* resorts prices will begin dropping annually.
Similarly, BCV has become a villa it's fiscally irresponsible to purchase direct at $225/pt In a way, we are there with BCV *direct* at $225 and 23 years remaining, $225/23 =$9.78/pt acquisition cost (not including closing costs) + $6.94/pt 2019 dues yielding together $17.15/pt value. People would come out ahead renting points for BCV vacations at $14-$17/point.