Diamond Resorts review: maintenance fees doubled!! ( 17 comments)

This is a UK site. They have over 1, 000 members now and they all refuse to pay the outrageous Maintenance Fees DRI charges them, since they took over their Resorts. It's called DRI Protesters Group. Good luck.
http://drip.webs.com/

Golfers (and anyone else) how many resorts have you been to and seen any sign of this much vaunted refurb programme? When my wife died in 2008 I took my children to Tenerife we hired 2 apartments which were ok but nowhere near 5* I was shown an apartment that had been refurbed AN APARTMENT NOT SEVERAL! I figure this was the one per resort to help sucker more people into this organisation and scam more money out of people they have already ripped off and of course to tempt the new meat provided by Expedia!

We are in the process of searching for a lawyer to go after a charge of fraud in the initial sale of the timeshare to us. We talked to a vendor that says they can get us out of the fee commitment to ILX/Diamond Resort but they want more than what we owe. Several aspects of the sale fall under fraud, so we will be sending letters to the state attorney general asking for an investigation as well as directly to Diamond resorts. The vendor who promised that they could get us out of the commitment indicated that it takes at least 6 -12 months to deal with this group. We are fed up and would rather pay a lawyer than Diamond resorts.

Do NOT pay anyone anything to get out of your time share or holiday club except perhaps a lawyer, but expect resistance.

I would expect DRI legal double speak and paper delays to drag your wallet as far as they LEGALLY can until you quit your litigious behavior.

Just stand firm do not give in to DRI or any Quick Exit SCAMS they are both after the same thing, YOUR MONEY.

Take YOUR money you DO NOT pay these pigs and take yourself a real vacation with out ties to some greedy thieving holiday club. Trust me there are a lot of good deals out there on the Internet.

WARNING! DO NOT go CHEAP and get tied to some 90-120 minute SALES PRESENTATION unless you want to $crew-up your entire vacation and possibly your finances for many years.

Cheers,

CVO

We are in the predicament. Our maintenance fees have doubled and after 10 hrs of paying we r no where paying it off. I really just want to stop paying them but my husbands worried about the hit it will take on our credit. Any suggestions?

Mclemons if you are in the UK there is nothing to worry about because no one who has refused to pay has had any problems getting credit from other sources! No matter what DRI or their pet Debt collectors tell you management fees are not regarded as a debt that can impact your credit rating. Have a look at the Mirror blogs or the DRIP protesters site and you will get loads of good advice, support and somewhere to let of steam!

Hi all
Timeshare is a great way to holiday and see the world. Unfortunately, this company has become a STAIN on the whole system by its bully tactics and back-handed dealings.
I am sick of being conned by a bunch of ar*e wipes!

I'm in the same situation.Was happily exchanging my timeshare for 10 years and thought the maintenance fees reasonable (Los Abrigados). Then DRI took over and fees rose, now are outrageous. Have been consulting with my son, an attorney, on best approach to take. No good solutions yet.

Hi Sandeelee - I see you received your "bill" in the mail today too... my fees almost doubled for Los Abrigados. Let me know what you come up with... I am steamed!

Cujo,

Diamond Resorts International complaints are also on the rise, their GREED, FRAUD and CORRUPTION are finally paying off (by pi$$ing of more Diamond Resorts International complaining members, GOOOOO Diamond!)

If ever approached by Diamond Resorts International Fraud (sales) division, RUN, there is nothing RELAXING or SIMPLIFIED except how quickly and often Diamond Resorts International will FLEECE you of your hard earned Vacation dollars.

The previous statement is solely the opinion of a Concerned Vacation Owner...

CVO

We are deeded a 2 bedroom at Los Abrigatos and went any time of the year we wanted, but Diamond has only given us 8000 Diamond points for our 2 bedroom week. That's only enough points to go during low season, January and July. Couple that with the maintenance dues, and we want out. I think we have a case.

I am listening to all the comments and boy do I feel your pain too! I chose to do business with ILX not DRI. I am going to get some actual legal advice to see if i can do something. A third party vendor is telling me that it will cost $4495.00 to get rid of it. I don't have that money either. Where are my rights as a consumer and my ability to chose who I want to do business with. I spoke to DRI today and they said it is "just like when your bank changes over" NOT! I don't know about you, but I can take my money somewhere else.

In this situation it appears for now that I have no choice but to conform to a "service" that I have not "contract" with. Does anyone out there agree with me, or am I shouting into the wind.

Sincerely frustrated,
Holly Munford

My parents own a week at Los Abrigados and are socked at the increase in charges. I've offered to help them find some solution. Please, if there is anyone out there who has solutions for dealing with Diamond Resorts, or might want to join us in fighting these fees, please contact me. Landscapess@yahoo.com. Thank you! Julia

Holly,

There are many that feel your pain, I too have not CONtracted with these CONmen yet every year they reach in to my wallet and steal my money and claim they are doing it legally. They have by contract a fiduciary responsiblity to care for the property and to maintain the value of the resort. Since these CROOKS took over we have lost ALL our original benefits (except for booking accommodations at our home resort) and the only thing we have gained since the Diamond Resorts International Scammers took over is a higher annual EXTORTION request.

These crooks take over the resort they are being paid to manage by taking over the Board of Directors, according to my contract that I signed with Embassy Suites/West Maui Partners LLP back around 1999 it clearly states the developer is only allowed 1 seat on the board not 3 which they currently hold and who really knows the loyalties of any of the board members and what influence$ Diamond Resorts may have over the other Board members.

if you have 3 board members favoring the unfair and unethical business practices there is no longer any checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power, greed and corruption which is the real problem with Diamond Resorts International.

This too is my pain as well as my opinion.

CVO

Seems we have a consensus here on the fact that we are all victims to an unwanted takeover and there's not much we can do about it... We are owners of a every other year studio and want nothing more than to opt out, regardless of the loss of the inital amount paid for the week. It's nonsense to us that we should continue to pay for an unwanted service. But what is the real alternative to just stop payment and risk recovery assels and possible bad credit rep? I know everyone is asking the same question but there must be a way to get together on this and fight back?

Please let us know if you find such a group we will keep searching and keep you posted if anything comes of it.

Thanks
C.

Diamond Resorts International Scams require their Vail of Secrecy to be successful, they do not want potential BAD PRESS as this can keep potential MARKS from falling PREY to their SCAM from their PHISHERMEN/HIGH PRESSURE SALESMEN in the resort towns. Big big money $$$ for worthless property and even more worthless points. Even Diamond Resorts does not buy their own points back that is how worthless the Points are for vacationing.

This is of course just my Opinion.

CVO

Hi All!
I just wanted to let you know what what my husband and I are doing. We have gotten an attorney who helps people in our situation. We can not afford the maintenance fees anymore. I have contacted the Pellegrino Law Office Toll Free: [protected] Fax: [protected]

They are a reputable law firm who does this for a living and had dealt with Diamond on many, many, many occasions. Look them up. I got a free consultation, then I filled out their forms and a power of attorney to represent me. I looked up Anne Pellegrino on the internet and found her to legitimate. She has a website with the name Lady Justice on it.

Unfortunately, I do not believe that there is any other way out of the situation. If you have not paid your fees DO NOT AND contact a lawyer. Paying them I believe says you agree on some level. My attorney advised me not to pay and they are sending letters to Diamonds legal department. This my personal opinion and only because I found legal representation did I not pay my maintenance fees.

Through my reading on the internet and how Diamond Resorts conducts itself, they are in deep you know what. I have read that if you do not pay your fees they do come after you hard. I told my attorney that when I bought with ILX, thier business and contracts where nothing like Diamond. Any self respecting consumer who reads all the crap that Diamond Resorts pulls should run scream the opposite way when they mention timeshare. My Husband and I would never invest in a "point system"!

They are talking with Diamond about a "hardship" issue. (Of course Diamond resort officials will tell you that none exists.) We will pay our attorney fees that will cost no more than $2000.00. Which is much less than anyone else with a scam has offered us. Yes, we hate going in debt to get rid of this timeshare, but have no choice. We will pay a lot more in the long run if we don't. We had to put a down a $1000.00 dollar retainer and then we have a year to pay off the other $1000.00. Facing a $867.00 bill due this January and only God's knows what will be due this coming December we have no choice.

I have not heard of a group thing that we could do, however, I have been assured that my situation can be resolved with no my timeshare and if it can happen for me, then another, then another, this should only open the flood gate to all you need help. The Pellegrino Law office has successfully argued for people in my situation with Diamond Resort. Do I feel like they are getting a piece of the greed pie? Yes, but I do feel that I have found someone who can help me legitimately. The long run costs of dealing Diamond Resort thieves out ways what I have to do now.

I will keep you guys up to date with what is going on.

Good luck to you and yours, Holly M.