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Diamond Resorts review: foreclosure without notification! 137

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Author of the review
8:11 am EDT
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This is my third attempt to correct this grave error that has occurred - resulting in our apparent loss of ownership. We discovered this on our own, when considering booking a Sunterra resort in Scottsdale, AZ next week. We learned that over that past year our deed had a lien placed on it and then was foreclosed on in August (according to Douglas County records - even though we were told that it happened in Clark county). Here are the facts, as brief as I can be:

We have owned since 2003
Bought in Sedona, AZ - 5000 points
Ownership fully paid for
Used only 4 times
Had over 6300 points when our membership was "closed"
NEVER CONTACTED BY RIDGE POINT REGARDING MAINTENANCE FEES - BILL, PASSED DUE, LIEN, ETC.
Continually received mailings, notifications, emails and bills from Sunterra
All bills paid
According to the dates in the legal system, we have been billed, communicated with, and paid fees even after we apparently lost our property
Our ownership cancellation was never reported to us - from Ridge Pointe, Resorts West, Sunterra or Diamond Resorts.

We have invested over $11, 000 for less than 4 weeks of travel, paid all membership fees and apparently missed maintenance fees after having never been billed. Our credit has been impacted without our knowledge and our asset has been taken from us - due to mistakes and lack of communication - between Resorts West and Sunterra/Diamond and the owner.

We have been told, "Sorry, we sold it." And, "yeah, we shouldn't have billed you; we'll reimburse your membership fees." We want our points and our good standing reestablished, with the opportunity to pay missed maintenance fees. We have outstanding credit and aside from our mortgage, have paid for all that we own in full. I share this because to reinforce the fact that we pay our bills and would have paid maintenance fees - we were never given the chance and someone needs to accept responsibility rather than blaming each other and/or the owner.

Please, someone "step up and make this right." This is a plea for various parties to work together to get our owner status restored, including our maintenance fees paid by us. I am hoping that upon review, all will recognize their mistakes, accept responsibility and collaborate to get our full ownership status with Sunterra/Diamond back ASAP - with the points we had when it was closed.

The above is the most patient and kind request I can make.

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137 comments
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jerome Love
Saint Louis, US
Sep 26, 2009 2:30 am EDT

RCI SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT.

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jerome Love
Saint Louis, US
Sep 26, 2009 2:24 am EDT

We need to file a class action.

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dukefanrox65
roxboro, US
Sep 22, 2009 7:43 am EDT

(Replies by Patrick Duffy)
"Please reach out to me in advance and we (DRI) will be happy to assist".
"This site is very helpful. It gives Diamond Resorts the opportunity to assist and clarify any questions for our owners and members before they get mislead, or worse mis-informed.
If I can help you, please feel free to email me your concerns".
"Many positive benefits have occured in the last 2 years. I hope you are updated regularly? Especially the new web booking facility.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond and perhaps assist and clarify"

What kind of "Robotic" responses are these?! Are you even reading the complaints on this board? I don't think so! You seem to sit back with some sort of automated response system and thing you are going to appease us? We're not looking for someone to patronize us. We would like some "real" answers to these problems. If you're not going to offer anything but empty responses, why respond at all?
Mr. Duffy, why don't you reach out and take my timeshare, and I for one will be "happy"
that you assisted.

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Patrick Duffy
Las Vegas, US
Sep 21, 2009 5:24 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Thank you,
Please reach out to me in advance and we (DRI) will be happy to assist.
My best,
Patrick Duffy

patrick.duffy@diamondresorts.com

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tempest53
Berea, US
Sep 21, 2009 3:00 pm EDT

Mr. Duffy,

I realize you are doing your job, I do a similar one for my company, helping our customers get our products to work for them. However, we experience the same booking frustrations as many on here. Even trying to book months ahead we are told all is booked and the property we want is unavailable. We fortunately can usually book on short notice at somewhere, although usually not where we want to stay. We travel off season and on short notice and still have frustration in booking. In the travel decline of 2008 and 2009 this should not have been an issue. On the plus side, the resorts we have used (Grand Beach Orlando, Bent Creek Gatlinburg, Hilton Head) have been well maintained on our last visits. For what our maintenance fees increased they should be! I personally would not recommend DRI to a prospective buyer simply because of the booking frustration, and yes, we do know how to work the system. We do receive billing for our maintenance fees, but if we have experience like some on this site with threatened siezure of property I will probably just let you take it.

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Patrick Duffy
Las Vegas, US
Sep 19, 2009 7:21 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Many positive benefits have occured in the last 2 years. I hope you are updated regularly? Especially the new web booking facility.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond and perhaps assist and clarify.
Regards,
Patrick Duffy

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dukefanrox
Roxboro, US
Sep 19, 2009 7:00 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Mr. Duffy. It looks to me that you would attempt to "help" your owners and members before they all felt discouraged and just plain outdone with our timeshare experiences. Fees just keep climbing and we as owners get nothing to show for it except more dismay at not being able to make reservations because everything is full. You continue selling the same units over and over to more and more people without adding more accommodations therefore making it almost impossible to find a place to stay. I have owned for 10 years now and each year fees increase. I enjoy the timeshare when I am able to find a location to stay but that is getting harder and harder as times goes on. Anyone out there thinking about buying a timeshare, please, think twice.

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Patrick Duffy
Las Vegas, US
Sep 19, 2009 5:59 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Dear Rahman,

This site is very helpful. It gives Diamond Resorts the opportunity to assist and clarify any questions for our owners and members before they get mislead, or worse mis-informed.
If I can help you, please feel free to email me your concerns.
Patrick Duffy
Chief Experience Officer

patrick.duffy@diamondresorts.com

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YRahman
, US
Sep 19, 2009 5:44 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This is a surprise for me. Thanks god that I found this site today. I was approached by Diamond Resort Sales folks to convert my Flamingo Beach St Marten to Points plan. Any updates from anyone, what kind a action that you people taking. The whole industry is terrible...

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Jacob Hafter
Las Vegas, US
Sep 14, 2009 2:41 pm EDT

I am investigating the possibility of a class action. Please feel free to contact my office to discuss.

Thanks,

Jacob L. Hafter, Esq.

7201 West Lake Mead Blvd, Suite 210
Las Vegas, Nevada 89128
[protected] Telephone
[protected] Facsimile
[protected] mobile

jhafter@hafterlaw.com
Visit us online at www.hafterlaw.com

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Patrick Duffy
Las Vegas, US
Jul 31, 2009 12:40 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Dear Ms. Amodeo...
Diamond Resorts acquired the firm Sunterra 2 years ago, hence we look forward to being of any assistance to you. As you have provided your email, thank you. A member of my staff will reach out to you to be assistance and perhaps clarify any questions.
Diamond Resorts international, you will find, to be a hospitality brand that is entirely about our members, owners and guests. Listening and caring.
Thank you,
Patrick C Duffy
Chief Experience Officer

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vacation
Glastonbury, US
Jul 13, 2009 7:29 pm EDT

I see we are all in the same boat, I have owned my timeshare atthe Flamingo beach resort in saint maarten for 20 years now, I have sent diamond resorts numerous emails, with no response and when i get a response they have no history of all my past inquiries.Every year for the last 7-8 years I have not recieved anything from Diamond Resorts including my maintnence fees, I call every Dec to ask what the fees are, and have been blown away in the past few years of how they can go up that much, I have even emailed them with again no response.Every year I pay my fees over the phone thru a credit card and again ask why I am not be ing mailed anything they say that it was sent, I told them why would I be calling for all of these years if that was the case, and on top of that I have asked for a email from them confirming my payment, not once have i recieved a confirmation, I call back ask for the person I talked with and quess what that person is never found and again them telling me they will be sending me a email .(i have never recieved a confirmation for payment not once with them for these past years, the ony receipt I have is my American Express bill. Now all of a sudden in the past 2 months I have had Diamond Resorts call me saying a represenitive in the area wants to talk to owners, and if they can meet up with me about whats new with them and about going to a point system.I have said no, they have contacted me at least 15 times, I then asked how can their company never send me one thing or answer emails and all of a sudden know all my phone #s work, home, and cell.They cant answer that, I got in touch with someone that lives near by and has owned at the same place for just a couple of years, they have not recieved any calls from Diamond, I sence something fishy, Iam meeting with them out of curosity in a wk.please keep me informed .April B Amodeo at angeloamodeo@att.net.

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D. Anne Snyder
Head of Jeddore, CA
Jul 10, 2009 11:18 am EDT

I originally purchased "fixed" timeshare weeks from Pelican Resorts, NV at the Royal Palm Beach Club 17 years years ago. Since then, the property has changed hands a couple of times, Sunterra, et al.

As a senior on a fixed income, I can no longer afford the ridiculously high maintenance fees and opted to walk away from one of my four weeks in /09 (could only pay for three this year, which I rented out a loss).

I have been informed by Diamond that I am not permitted to "walk away" and that my lease is now terminted; further, that interest will increase on the original payment due and, if not paid, the account will be placed in a collection agency.

What I ask is this... If I surrendered my week, why would I continue to be charged for a product I am no longer using? Would this stand up in a court of law?

Originally, I paid thousands of dollars to purchase these, with an annual maintenace fee of $350. per week. I did expect the fees to rise over the years, which they did, but from $900. US in 2008 to $1, 200. US in 2009 is way out of line from past history...

Am I beholden to Diamond Resorts or to the original contract I signed?
Help!

I will transfer my three remaining fixed weeks to anyone willing to take on these fees, in otherwords, I will give them away. It seems that is my only course of action, barring selling same or dying!

I will join Class Action lawsuit in a heartbeat...

DA Snyder, Nova Scotia, Canada
annesplace@eastlink.ca

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nonsense345
, US
Jun 26, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

I own a timeshare with Sunterra and it goes up a great deal every year, and now since Diamond purchased it. I used the timeshare Nov of 2007 and stayed in Williamsburg. I sat through a supposed update on what my timeshare offered and the new ownership. I couldn't believe what they tried to talk me into buying to add onto what I already have. For a fee of $19, 000, yes, that's nine-thousand dollars
I would be able to upgrade and go to any of the resorts I already go to and book it further in advance. That's the BIG upgrade? I said I didn't want it, but would like to keep the form they wanted me to sign, which i didn't, which was to say I'm waiving my right to some other amount of money which I didn't understand. They would not let me have the sheet to show to my lawyer. That's just plain robbery.

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Kirk C
Roxboro, US
Jun 23, 2009 12:08 am EDT

Paid maintenance fees in full (including $50 late fee) in April '09. Tried to make reservation online today, June 22, and find out I cannot because now I owe them $264! For WHAT!? I am sick and tired of fooling with these crooks. They increase fees every year and then add new fees. Have owned since '99 when maintenance fees were approx. $450 and now they are approx $1000.

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Patrick Duffy
Las Vegas, US
Jun 21, 2009 6:39 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

You sound more like an ex-employee than an involved owner. ARE YOU?
Feeling as you write, you really should get to know the company a little better. I attended an Education and Enrichment seminar in Sedona. Really changed my understanding. Extend of yourself beyond your written disposition, it may really open your mind up.
It did mine.
TJ

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Isabel
Tucson, US
Jun 17, 2009 1:16 pm EDT

I own with Diamond Resorts, formerly Sunterra. My loan and fees are paid in full. I am int he process of trying to donate the timeshare to a charity. I filed a complaint with the BBB and got a call from a manager at Diamond who is now willing to let me surrender my timeshare for a $250 fee. I told her I would pay it just to me out of this finacial obligation (annual Mait. fees and club fees).

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abby
, Netherlands Antilles
Jun 17, 2009 11:17 am EDT

That guy Stephen Kloo-less why didn't he leave the company for someone that can handle it ? he is an Amateur. I think that i would have felt better if he had warned us in advance, it would not have gone down well with everyone but atlease we would have known that changes were coming and we would of decided whether or not we wanted to stay or for some of us even saved more for what we would have been expecting that is the way a real business Professional does things. In all my years of owning timeshare at numerous locations Diamond Resort by far was the most un-professional. That is sad. i was told that better was going to come they made it seemed that this guy really knew what he was doing and that we were in the best hands ever (BS) i went to a presentation in February and the sale rep (i forgot his name ) said to me you would really be stupid if you do not take this offer today! and in the back of my head i saying i would be more stupid if i believed any thing that came out of your mouth. Diamond is really making timeshare look so deceiving it work well for me until he came in the picture.

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abby
, Netherlands Antilles
Jun 17, 2009 10:49 am EDT

I totally agree with what you all are saying diamond resorts deserved to be closed down the service from the main office really sucked the workers are rude and have no consideration for people ( customers). I mean i have been an owner with the Flamingo beach and the royal palm beach for years and i have notice they changed the general managers they have even closed down the sale office. Not that they were any help because everything had the go thru their main office which i found to be so stupid then i am on the phone for hours trying to get an answer. I mean if there are employees there why aren't they trained to answer any question that we the guest has. DIAMOND RESORTS are really not customer friendly. they are forgetting the hold consept of CUSTOMERS COMES FIRST.

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Isabel
Tucson, US
Jun 12, 2009 9:15 pm EDT

I am trying to get out. My loan is paid, annual fees are paid but they say that I am contracted to be in the "club" forever. because I did not but in the state of Florida. I told them I want to surrender my timeshare and they suggested I pay next years fee in January and then call to see if I can surrender then. Has anyone heard of being a "club: member for life even if you surrender, sell or transfer the timeshare>

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Les Tyler
Phoenix, US
Jun 10, 2009 6:42 pm EDT

Ok gang - this might be a lead on getting a class action suit set up.
This law firm, Green Welling LLP based in San Francisco successfully negotiated a class action settlement against RCI - another scam-of-a-timeshare company: "Plaintiffs allege that RCI actually rents out the most desirable and highly demanded vacation weeks from the spacebank, thus depleting the most desirable options available to Weeks Program members who seek exchanges". A settlement was reached Dec. 2008.

So, while many of the complaints on the board are a bit different than the suit above, I think this firm might have a good chance at taking on Diamond Resorts International in a class-action suit for their unscrupulous behavior.

You can email this firm at gw@classcounsel.com or call them at [protected]. I've sent them an email as well letting them know that there are a bunch of unhappy Diamond Resorts International owners also. I don't know how they'll respond but all we can do is try, right?

See information on the class action suit below:

www.classcounsel.com/news/rci.html

And by the way, we just found out today that our PAID-In-FULL timeshare was just foreclosed on without notice! Of course they can send you marketing emails every week but never bother to email you or call you about your maintenance fees! We actually never received any notices in the mail because we had moved, and even though we had the post office forward our mail, we never recieved any letters from them. And anyone we call simply belittles us with an "I'm sorry but you should have paid your maintenance fees". So we are absolutely sick over the thought of losing our $8000 cash we used to pay the timeshare in full in 2006 and even more so about the thought of a foreclosure showing up on our credit report even though it was paid in full. So I'm with you 100% on this.

Let's see what we can do about this together - I think we've all been used and abused enough by Diamond Resorts and it needs to stop NOW.

Email me : DontTrustDRI@gmail.com

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For Mom
Pittsurgh, US
Apr 30, 2009 5:11 pm EDT

On behalf of my Mother, I would also like to join in on the class action suit. My Mother and Father Purchased from Sunterra, 2 time shares at Powhathan Point in Williamsburg VA many years ago, with the same assigned week every year. We never had a problem with Sunterra, and enjoyed our time share for many years. Then in 2005, they called a meeting while we were in Virginia, and convinced us that we needed to convert to the points system. My mother converted her membership to a Silver Member, with 19000 points per year. We have not been able to use any of the points except once, since then, and have lost 19, 000 points a year, because they keep changing the rules regarding bookings and bankings. My mother is now 86 years old, and the new maintenance fees that have escalated to $2300.00 per year, as a widow, are impossible. I called at Christmas while visiting her, and asked if we could make payments on her account, and were told absolutely. I made the first payment of $500.00 and on March 21, she received a certified letter stating that she had to pay her account in full, or turn the property over to DRI. I have since paid the fee in full. Although I have a receipt, I have not tried to use the points. I have done this to try to resolve the issue, because I am certainly not going to let them ruin her credit, nor am I willing to let them take her $20, 000 + investment over for a lousy $2300.00.
I agree you can never get the same person twice, and NEVER get the same answer twice. I have dealt with the travel department in the past, when it was under Sunterra, with not many problems, but since becoming DRI, this has been nothing but one horrible nightmare.
If any one knows how to sell, or to contact a company that will sell, I would really like the information.
BUT PLEASE, I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN IN ON A CLASS ACTION SUIT!
You can reach me at jagerlee@zoominternet.net regarding anything on a class action suit.

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utskier
, US
Apr 27, 2009 11:55 am EDT

I have a fixed week timeshare at The Royal Palm in St. Maarten. With a fixed week I never have a problem going there. It has gone thru alot of management companies from the time I bought this 20 years ago. They were all pretty decent until NOW. I never received a maintenance bill for 2009. Then in February I get one with late fees. The increase from 08 to 09 was over $300 (35%). WHAT ! I am trying to give this timeshare away but can't do it without a deed to the property. They tell me I have to get it from the resort. The resort says it was washed out to sea in some hurricane. I told Diamond I would like some kind of proof of ownership. Guess what, nothing exsists although they have enough info to send me a past due bill. They have told me I can change ownership by just completing a Transfer of Ownership form and having either party pay a $250 transfer fee. If yo have "TRUST" you can have this 2 bdrm, 2 bath unit on the beach for a total cost of $250. NO, huh ! I guess I will not pay the maintenace fee next year and just let Diamond have it back. Thanks for reading my RANT !

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Susan B
Castle Hill , US
Apr 25, 2009 5:05 pm EDT

We also want in on any class action on Sunterra/Diamond International. We purchased in Feb. 2007 and have had nothing but headaches ever since. Our experiences and feelings about maintenance fees and lack of contact from the company are similar to those already given.

This year we were contacted to attend an "0wners" meeting while we were in Arizona on vacation. The meeting was at Villiage Mirage, the resort that we purchased points at and have never been able to get into. We went to the meeting and all that it was was a chance for them to sell us more points. When I told them that I had never been able to book at Villiage Mirage I was told that that couldn't be true. I felt like I was told that I was a lier. We refused to buy additional points and tried to discuss our problems with our membership. We got no answers about our problems other than it was those terrible Sunterra people and that everyone at Diamond was so much better.

Before we left the salesman told us that we had to sign a paper saying that we refused to buy points at the quoted price and that we knew that we would never be given this offer again. Fine, we signed it. Then he showed us a list of all of the add ons that we have with our membership, II membership, club sunterra benefits, etc., and said that we would no longer have these (they were part of our original purchase). We argued with him and I wrote on the paper that we did not agree to that. Then I asked for a copy of everything that we had signed. He got flustered and said that he couldn't find a copier, we suggested that there was one upstairs in the office we had been in when we purchased our points, he didn't want to go up there, finally he threw the paper at us and said goodbye. I believe that we were threatened at that time with a change in our original purchase agreement.

e-mail address: clackerb@localnet.com

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M Bridgewood
Lubbock, US
Apr 25, 2009 12:52 pm EDT

We recently went to the Ridge in Sedona AZ. It is the first time we have been able to make reservations with the Diamon Resort Club since purchase in SEPT 07. We couldn't get information by phone - the only number provided was just a recording which we never got any returned message or phone calls from. This was the only information which came to us in 2008. I finally got a reservation by going on the internet and after much frustration - got information for a password. Information is vague and it is difficult to get into the system. Unless you know where to go and what to do or what to ask you feel there is no information accessable.

At the Ridge when we spoke with a woman about the vague information she said she had no problem getting to speak with a live person using the same number we had been sent with our 2008 maintenance fee billing. I told her we have repeatedly called at various times of the day and only get a recordingting which we never have gotten any response to with the information we leave. I can only assume that there have been so many complaints that it was only in January of this year that there were changes were we could finally speak with a live person.

When we arrived at the (Diamond) Sunterra Ridge Golf Course Resort we were put in a unit which needed many repairs. A chair which was greasy and thread bare stunk of urine - I called to have it removed. We went to complain about the many issues we were concerned about with the unit and our contract. We were told that the Sunterra people had "not charged enough maintenance" to keep up with yearly repairs and if we wanted to enjoy the "Diamond" resort club we'd have to pay the extra $171 jump in our maintenance fees...now over $761 for 2500 points.

When we purchased we were shown a lovely (luxury) two bedroom unit which we believe we were getting in addition to 2500 points to trade for other Sunterra (Diamond) Resorts. I paid cash. When we read the contract it mentions nothing about a unit or points. Some of the papers are not even signed. I tried calling and getting on the internet but to no avial (re info above).

The 2500 points won't get us much at all ( a studio or 1 bedroom off season) and we certainly are not thrilled about an almost $200 jump in the maintenance fee. Which I suspect will go up again this next year. We'll have to save two years of points to even get into any place we want to and then there is the question if it will be a substandard unit as opposed to the luxury we were shown. The woman we spoke to (Christine) was so arrogant she in essence was telling us we "were stupid if we didn't buy additional points "..."why have the car without the motor and steering wheel"...I told her when I buy a car it always comes with a motor --- etc and that this Diamon Club operation was nothing more than a bate and switch con game. It is now obvious to us that Sunterra was already in the process of being converted to Diamon when we were shown the luxury unit. The same man who gave us the presentation - "Barrie" - was still selling new timeshares to unsuspecting people who were coming in for Diamond consultations. This is an out rage! This is out and out fraud.

We were told that Diamond now has 170 places to travel to...I'll bet they are all dogs that are being repaired on our dollars with jacked up fees. These people need to go to jail.
I want my money back - they can have their 2500 points.

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eyecee93
Pittsburgh, US
Apr 20, 2009 10:15 pm EDT

If Diamond purchases Sunterra and wants all to convert to points then they should simply change us to points at NO cost to us. Highway robbery. Spend $4000 to convert to points. Threats: You won't be able to use your weeks because everyone is changing to points. How can a company demand money for something they choose to do after buying out Sunterra?

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SusanD
San Diego, US
Apr 08, 2009 2:52 am EDT

OMG! My husband and I also own(ed) a time share purchased back in the 1990's when it was EPIC resorts (anyone else have the pleasure of dealing with them?). Paid the loan over 10YEARS to pay off in full. STUPIDLY we were in Vegas for a "free stay" in July 2008 and bought an upgrade of points so we could actually use the place. Paid off this new loan in 60days and by the end of Nov. 2008 got a "Congratulations on your loan paid in full...account current...no payments due"...blah blah.

By April 2009 (4 months after the "congrats" letter) we got a letter of intention to confiscate our property because of "deliquency" and a month later got the "object or quit" notice, of which I replied with our objection within the 21 days they gave to do it. Never heard back (and my bad didn't follow up) until this week when we called to make a reservation and were told the property had been confiscated as of June 2008 and "by the way" our objection was denied.

Been thru the epic to sunterra to diamond resorts, with all the "special assessment charges" annually and the "upgrading of membership" which will now cost the "upgraded fee" leaving us confused year to year what we actually owed. Seems we were always deliquent somehow, with no bills coming. We just visited a lawyer today regarding this and were told to hire a specialist who is a real estate litegator because suing will definitely bring us to court. Sorry this is so long but I'm IN with you all on this! Our email is srandog@aol.com with input. Thanks for all the sharing!

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Steve
, US
Apr 01, 2009 10:13 pm EDT

Has anyone purchased recently, within the past month or two? We attended a sales presentation and when I asked about the buyer paying for closing costs I was told that that practice has been in place for a year now. I am just curious to find out if those who purchased recently were told the same story or if they said the seller would pay for the closing costs.

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Donna
Glenwood Springs, US
Apr 01, 2009 1:40 am EDT

Add me in! I bought in Flamingo Beach 20 years ago - where they sold me on the fact that this as an investment that would pay off more and more in the future as prices went up, but I had paid in 1989 dollars. In the last two years I have attended several sales presentations (another just Saturday) where I am told that I MUST upgrade to points in order to truly enjoy my original purchase - to the tune of $6200 minimum! The longer I keep my weeks - the harder it will be to exchange it was their pitch. And that I should EXPECT to have to pay more for a better product. My analogy back - I bought my house 20 years ago for $90, 000. It is now worth over $300, 000 (even with downturn) - no one is telling me I need to pay someone more to fully use my appreciated value in my house, or suffer the consequences of only being allowed to use one or two rooms! I feel I was lied to 20 years ago, and they are lying to me now. Also - after shock of maintenance fees going up 25% this year to over $1, 000 I asked if I could just "give my timeshare back" to them. Period. I was told I would have to PAY $1, 000 to relinquish it! They are thieves and everyone needs to know about this. Count me in on any lawsuit. dzry@rof.net.

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hannah rickard
croydon, GB
Mar 28, 2009 4:38 pm EDT

I purchased in Florida Nov04 with sunterra, I have never been able to book the weeks/places we wished. When we brought it we were told that everything could be done via the uk, what a lie I couldn't even pay the fees. In October 06 I wrote telling them I wanted out, no reply. I tried calling, nothing I wrote again still no reply. In January 07 I stopped paying just expecting them to take it back. They then started phoning. In September 07 I wrote telling them were to go, I have not heard from them since then, until yesterday. I have recieved a letter from a lawyer in Tampa with a Notice of Lien and if I don't pay $800 they will issue in the Orange county court. What do I do? I don't want any money back, I will count this as a bad experience, but can somebody tell my what a notice of lien is, will they take back the property, I hope so and what happens if they file in the usa courts as I'm in the Uk. If they file a judgement in the USA will they come after me in the uk if I don't pay it and would I still be able to visit the USA.
Thanks Hannah

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sorj
Seffner, US
Mar 27, 2009 8:46 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I just recieved a registered letter in the mail yesturday. DRI is telling me I owe over $900 for fees and either to pay or sign over my timeshare to them. I purchase this timeshare around 4 years ago. Since then, I have never been able to use it because they have told me that I have to make my reservations 13 months in advance. My maintenence fees have gone up from $200 the first year to $400 the next, then now $900. If someone is doing something about this, please advise; otherwise, I will be forced just to do as they ask and just sign the thing over to them and walk away. I, too, used to be a happy owner even though I have not been able to use it when I wanted. I was even considering purchasing more points due to how few I have (hoping this would open more time up for usage). But, like I said before, if things do not change, I will be forced to do something I do not really want to do. Thanks, Sean

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alstephenson
, US
Mar 27, 2009 8:00 pm EDT

I'm so glad I found your post. Count me in as another disgruntled DRI owner. I've had the same problem with never receiving a bill for my maintenance fees and "The Club" fees (which are a complete waste of money). They send me multiple marketing emails every week, but don't have the courtesy to send any reminders, including by email, that fees are due. By the time I realized I hadn't been billed and hadn't paid my fees they tacked on another $165 for late fees and "collection" fees. This was less than 60 days from when the fees were due and they would absolutely NOT waive the late fees. This group is a bunch of bullies. Whenever you post on their "Members Forum" you either get a pat answer that sounds like it was written for a Business Communications 101 class in how to respond to complaints, or comments are never posted at all if they are very negative. DRI would rather charge us late fees just because they can than keep a base of happy owners. After all, happy owners are what really makes a timeshare company successful. DRI has failed miserably. I used to be a happy owner with Sunterra, but now I regret ever having bought. I have to run for now, but I'll be back in touch and I am definitely interested in banding together to try to affect change. Thanks.

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Wes Myhre
Fairfield, US
Mar 27, 2009 2:35 pm EDT

We_hate_DRI, I contacted Patrick Duffy and he was able to assist me. Thank you for the phone number.

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We_hate_DRI
abc, US
Mar 26, 2009 11:53 am EDT

We are staying at Polo Towers right now, and are trying to get some answers to our questions - we've had many of the same experiences as all of you. We had a meeting with someone yesterday, who continued to propagate the lies. They gave us a number - his name is Patrick Duffy [protected]. This is a direct line - we just tried to call it, and went to his voice mail. I'm sure he would LOVE if we all flooded his inbox with our concerns regarding this fraudlant company.

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Wes Myhre
Fairfield, US
Mar 26, 2009 11:34 am EDT

I completely agree with you. My wife and I are having the same trouble, and we are looking at doing something but cannot fight this big company on our own. We need to band together and fight them through the courts. Please contact me at F59436@yahoo.com. We can begin discussing strategies. Thank you.

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mike
Linden, US
Mar 24, 2009 6:06 pm EDT

Is there anyone out there with a lawsuit pending? We have had it with the so called company! The maintenance fee lies the free plane voucher lies, the save points lies, NEVER EVER any available rooms anytime of the year do these places really exist? The complaints just goes on and on... If we all stop paying what will happen? Can we all afford what is going to come in Jan 2010? This has to stop these people a crooks and their customer service is horrible and every time you talk to someone you get a different answer EVERY TIME!

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simonjohn67
Norwich, GB
Mar 12, 2009 6:22 pm EDT

Sorry, my email address is simonjohn67@yahoo.com & NOT simonjohn67@yahoo.co.uk

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simonjohn67
Norwich, GB
Mar 12, 2009 6:10 pm EDT

Does anyone know how i can sell or get rid of my points ( i have 8, 000 points) & as i cannot afford their ridiculous maintenance fees which has increased by approx 40% in 1 year !
If anyone can help me then please email me at simonjohn67@yahoo.co.uk
Thank you

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VegasGirl
Henderson, US
Mar 12, 2009 11:39 am EDT

I have had a lien filed on my Polo Towers timeshare unit with Clark County for a payment I made, they lost, they found after I sent them a copy of the check (both sides) and then they applied to someone elses account.

Six months later I get a certified letter containing a copy of the lien. No other communication with me before the certified letter, no call, no letter and no email.

Then my maintenance bills stopped coming and online showed a zero balance.

When I finally got them to email me a bill so I could pay it, it was dated January 2 but due January 1 and I was charged a $130 late fee.

Many calls later I had no success in getting them to waive the late fee.

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Marge
Phoenix, US
Mar 06, 2009 12:18 am EST

And How! We've never been late with any payment, and have been cheated out of the use of our points for two years and it looks like it is going to happen again this year! Can't get the same person on the phone more than once and can't get the same answer from any two people. Ask for written confirmation of what they tell me over the phone and get yet another answer! Would love to get out and would love more to make them rectify this whole nightmare!