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Diamond Resorts review: exorbitant maintenance fees 12

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4:31 pm EST
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We purchased a timeshare in their Hawaii Collection approximately 6 years ago. At that time the maintenance fees were $750 per year for an every other year stay. Foolishly we upgraded to every year; maintenance fees went up to ~$2300 yearly. They are now assessing us an extra $1400 fee for maintenance at a resort that is not our home resort (we purchased in Kaanapali Beach in Maui and the resort in question is in Kauai). It was never explained to us that we would be responsible for the entire Hawaii collection. How fair is that? We owe so much in fees that we can't afford to use our points. This summer we listed with BuyATimeshare.com in an attempt to unload this property. They asked for $1000 upfront; we have heard nothing from them since. Is there any way out of this?

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12 comments
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nomoretimeshare!
tigar, US
May 01, 2012 5:44 am EDT

I absolutely agree about the need for LEGITIMATE representation/class action lawsuit. When my husband and I purchased our timeshare in Kaanapali (Diamond Resort) 10 years ago, our maintenance fees were @ $300/yr. and our charming salesman "John" informed us they hadn't been raised once since opening. Since then, our fee has gone up EVERY year, and we now pay close to $1, 400/year. Every company with whom I've spoken about reselling or getting out from underneath this albatross has either (after repeated guarantees of no $ up front) required money up front and/or quoted me @ $7500.00 for the "exorbitant paperwork" they would have to complete to get us out of it. And don't forget, the timeshare company has right of first refusal. I take full responsibility for handing over the check, and trusting the word of John (i.e: "resale is a snap, I don't foresee maintenance fees being raised") but am appalled that this industry is still under-regulated and profiting so heavily in light of its unethical business practices.

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Abused in Hawaii
Washington, US
Apr 05, 2012 6:49 am EDT

True, we need a class action lawyer, given the misrepresentation, heavy-handed and misleading sales tactics. The Diamond Kaui resort wants an additional $2000 towards water intrusion, in addition to excessive maintenance charges. Other owners are also suffering, and we should join together.

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Kathy and Mel
, CA
Dec 15, 2011 9:16 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We bought our timeshare 5 years ago and now we want out. Our maintenance fees are so high now we can't sell and we can't forfeit our time. I think that we should all get together and get a lawyer and find out what can be done about this as there has to be some legal way of getting out of this?

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highmaintenance
Winkler, CA
Dec 11, 2011 9:10 pm EST
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I have owned my time share with Diamond resorts for 5 years, since then my maintenance fees have doubled and I to am in the Hawaii collection, which I never know would hold me responsible for all Hawaii Resorts. So now I to have received a extra bill of 1400.00 This is crazy. I will never purchase anything more from these scam artists, and I will make sure I warn as many people as possible to never buy a time share with Diamond Resorts. At this rate, it will not take long and most timeshare owners with Diamond Resorts will be warning all visitors to Hawaii not to buy with Diamond resorts. Some may even wait by the businesses that help promote Diamond Resorts timeshare presentations through discount rates on activities and warn people there, not to do it. Unfortunately they have made their own name mud.

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Vacation Owner
dbar, US
Dec 02, 2011 6:39 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

CONSUMER WARNING;
Timeshare GET OUT SCAMS abound, do not pay anyone any money upfront ($0.00) Zero, Zip, Zilch NADA DAMN DIME... If they can not help you based on RESULTS then hang up the phone...

The above post from Joseph is for a company called "Direct Transfers" please do your due diligence before working with any company that claims they can get you out of your timeshare. I did a quick search and found their job posting online looking for SALES PEOPLE with an opportunity to make good money in a fast paced environment... hmmmm RED FLAG WARNING already...

http://seattle.wajobz.com/exploding-sales-company-looking-for-the-lacey-wa.html
Direct quote from Job listing (link above)
"If you are looking for the opportunity to make 3, 500 – 7, 000+ a month in sales commissions and willing to put in the work, we will help you accomplish that goal."

Sounds to me like someone is making way to much money, if the sales guys are making that much (top sales guys maybe) it must be a pretty expensive service.

Good luck and do your research folks Use Google or other means to check out these companies (BBB is not always an accurate source) it is your money spend it wisely...

CVO

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Joseph McGinnis
Tacoma, US
Dec 02, 2011 5:47 pm EST

We have a way out for people in your situation. Call [protected] and you can get out of this!

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Vacation Owner
dbar, US
Dec 02, 2011 6:29 am EST
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Really?

Looking at your 117 trolling posts (All of which blame and demean the person posting the complaint says a lot about who you are, REALLY). Glad you got such a great deal with your Hilton Vacations (my contract was with Embassy Suites Vacation, loved it back then). Then along came the Sunterra POINT SCAM and when they got themselves into legal/financial troubles Diamond Resorts International Purchased them for an astronomical value much more than Wall Street felt it was worth (Sunterra was a public company). Diamond Resorts International did not care how much it cost because they planned to FLEECE the 450, 000+ members from the get go.

Diamond Resorts International using unfair, unethical and at times Illegal tactics to maintain their unfair advantage over the Home Owners Association at many of the resorts they MISMANAGE. This gives them the ability to raise fees and make special assessments with little to no resistance from the owners with the exception of the hundered of complaints here and else where on the Net.

When your FEES and Special assessments more than DOUBLE over 4 years time lets see if your still singing the same tune. The fact of the matter is you REALLY can not speak to OUR situation. I could easily produce the names of many hundreds of folks around the world that have been taken advantage of by Diamond Resorts International and have VOICED their complaints. So you REALLY should get your facts straight, maybe do a little homework before spewing your poison regarding things you know very little about. Very small minded people with low self opinion do the same thing, "just saying"...

As for those "10" of us (suppose you ran out of fingers and could not get your shoes off so you could continue counting, "just saying") that frequent the complaintsboard and many of the other boards like Redweek and TUGG where we use our 1st amendment rights to WARN other Travelers to STAY away from Diamond Resorts International as an altruistic act to save them from the misery that is the diamond difference in my opinion.

CVO

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Really?
San Diego, US
Dec 01, 2011 11:42 pm EST

I don't understand timeshare complaints. You bought timeshare and were given a contract and probably some owner information. Did you actually read anything before committing? I own with Hilton Vacations and have been hit with higher costs every year. It sucks but can you tell me anything that is going down in price lately? I have looked into Hilton complaints like this and even though they have thousands of owners it seems like you just see the same "squeaky wheels" on these websites. Too funny. Thousands of complaints maybe, but from the same 10 people.

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Vacation Owner
dbar, US
Nov 30, 2011 8:42 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Well Robert,

That just goes to show you, you should really think about an UPGRADE to their SUPER DUPER Platinum RIPOFF SCAM membership level (they may call it something else) just send lots more money in to the Diamond Resorts International Money Pit. They will promise verbally to not screw you over, of course the only difference is you will be much lighter in the wallet and they will be richer, thank you very much. Their house of cards will fall soon, but never soon enough...

CVO

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RobertR
Lake Success, US
Nov 30, 2011 8:26 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I tried to make a reservation online for 12/03 at my home resort. I got an error message that the transaction could not go through and I had to call Diamond Resorts directly. I tried three times. Two days later, I see on my credit card website that Diamond Resorts charged my credit card over $2, 000 on three separate transactions, totalling over $6, 000 on that day. This is using up my credit card credit limit, and now I don't have enough credit on my credit card to pay a $11, 000 payment that I have to make every month. I told my credit card company that I did not authorize these charges. The credit card rep put me on a 3-way call with Diamond Resorts. I explained that I never authorized these charges and that it is using up my credit that I needed, but the Diamond Resorts rep refused to cancel these charges. I do not have and never had a past due balance. My maintenance fees are not due for another month, but he told me that the charges would be used to pay for some of my maintenance fees even without my authorization. This is how they treat a "Gold" member! I am so outraged!

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Vacation Owner
dbar, US
Nov 30, 2011 5:51 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

xtinale,

Political Contributions...

CVO

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xtinale
santa clara, US
Nov 29, 2011 4:42 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am in the same boat. I need help getting out of this. I haven't used my points and I'm out already 14, 000. I don't understand how they stay in business with all these complaints. And if we don't pay for the maintenance fee we forfeit our $14, 000. Christina