Very interesting keep me posted as to how the research is going! I have received my first letter telling me i am not able to resign! Let battle commence!
I have just received a letter telling me i am unable to resign from DRI, although they say in exceptional circumstances they may consider allowing you to! One of the exceptional circumstances state that on the death of the owner they may cancel membership (proof of death required) but only if there are no family to transfer the ownership to! So they claim that not only can you not resign but you have to screw your family over by passing the burden of this scam onto them! These people are beyond contemptible! They lie to get the sale and continue to lie everytime you speak to them! One day they are going to be found out as the [censor] they are and i have a feeling i may actually be around to see it!
When I sent my certificates back they returned them to me with the letter (which is unsigned!) at the end they did say under exceptional circumstances they may consider allowing someone to relinquish their points. However one of the exceptional circumstances was the death of the points owner! They would then at their discretion on seeing the death certificate make a decision! There was one proviso though that there were no family members to transfer points to! so not only are they claiming i am tied to them for life but that they can make me tie my children to them for life as well! I am not sure however how they could effect the transfer of ownership if i was dead, or how they could force a corpse to pay management fees! There are an awful lot of people now fighting them and a protest group has started in the UK called DRIP protest group over 600 members and climbing!
Same here joined GVC 9 yrs ago plenty of availability now with DRI virtually non where I want to go. My expectations are no higher than was promised when i signed up 5* accommodation wherever i went this is patently not true! Now not only do they want to tie me in for life but also claim that that even under exceptional circumstances before they will allow you to get rid of your points there has to be no family who the points can be transferred to! And before we have one of the DRI spin doctors dispute this I have a letter from DRI saying so! The lies keep coming from these people what we were sold and what DRI now claim we have are two different things! They are a bunch of shysters and sooner or later they will be called to justice! As for Mr Duffy's comments all i can say it HOGWASH! That is of course putting it politely!
Absolutely agree with all of the above they lie, lie, and lie again they lie so much politicians appear honest in comparison!
Found this on DRI's facebook page!
TO ANYONE WHO CAN READ THIS! DO NOT EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, FOREVER, INVEST IN DIAMOND RESORTS INTERNATIONAL! WE ARE PLATINUM, WE HAVE 60, 000+ POINTS AND ARE TREATED LIKE ###!12 hours ago
Seems like yet another unhappy camper!
Great answer Mr Duffy! Do I sense some pique in your response? Your company are basically crooks, you do not deliver what is promised the accommodation is nowhere near 5* the management fees are according to informed sources the highest in the industry! Your points were sold on a basis of lies and deceit! You maintain that DRI are above board and honest yet any negative comment on the DRI site is removed, and anyone at one of your presentation who presents the facts to potential buyers (even though they are members) are asked to leave if you are convinced the people you have working for you are honest and are making sure the buyers are aware of ALL THE FACTS why have over 30% of your members refused to pay their management fees? You are like all your employees a crook and in any properly regulated business would at best be out of a job but preferably be in prison! I guess the pique is as a result of more and more people taking you to task! The days of DRI lying and deceiving people are coming to an end I guess it is time for you to dream up another name for the company so you can continue to rip people off for a little longer!
Perhaps if he is still reading these posts Mr Duffy would like to put a positive spin on this story!
Lawsuit vs Diamond Resorts Proceeding in St. Maarten;
http://www.tstoday.com/members/magaz...rts%20suit.pdf
Makes very interesting reading!
The reason he has not responded is because he cannot answer the specific questions without having to perpetrate his lies further, or god forbid admit that DRI dishonest at point of sale these wonderful points were sold on the basis of them being an investment and we were told we could sell them to anyone who wanted to buy them (GVC and later confirmed by Sunterra!) now we are told by DRI that we can only sell to existing members (are there any out there who want to buy more points?) through a company nominated by lets think for a minute a'h thats it DRI! For an up front fee! We were also told we could sell them back to the company at the current market rate that points were being sold (oops missold) to new punters! So Mr Duffy when you next poke your head over the parapet could you let me know how much my points are worth and i will let you know where to send the cheque (or maybe a bankers draft may be better less chance of it bouncing!
It seems when he (or some unfortunate minion on his behalf) responds he does a lot of name calling and tries to show how articulate he is but never answers a question! A career in politics awaits you Mr Duffy!
Thought i would share these gems!
copied and pasted from the diamond resorts forum:
We hope in the days, months and years ahead, you find your vacation ownership with Diamond Resorts to be a seamless branded hospitality experience, every time.
We thank you for your patience and understanding as we develop a seamless product that offers both simplicity, choice and comfort to our members.
Diamond Resorts International believes that the people we should listen to the most are our customers. We appreciate your feedback as we listen to your inquiries and concerns.
From our values to our philosophies, Diamond Resorts is committed to a customer-centric culture, delivered at every hospitality touch.
We recognize that every member of THEClub has needs that are unique to them. DRI is dedicated meeting those needs, and to providing its guests with effortless and relaxing vacation experiences every time, for a lifetime.
Customer service is a key component to DRI's success and we can assure you that our goal is to deliver honesty and transparency at every interaction with DRI's team members.
DRI would like to express regret that the information you have noted was not posted with the response by our moderator on the previous post. We were not attempting to mislead anyone; rather it is a case of simple human error.
You will find at Diamond Resorts International we thrive off constructive feed back. Though it is impossible to adapt to each members ideas, we do add this to our queue. We hope this meets with your approval.
are the above produced from the same machine that p duffy uses?
I am sure you can all relate to this!
here is another;
We recently conducted a survey whereby over 5000 of our members responded and in answering the key question regarding DRI’s performance - taking into consideration call centre service, resort grounds, the accommodation, the check-in/out process and team member service - the results showed that 78% of our members were more than satisfied. With such a large membership base, there will inevitably be a small number of members who have issues, but clearly the majority, and a very large majority, are very happy and continue to pay their fees and take wonderful holidays with us.
small number of members who have issues = 22% = 1100 = almost a quarter of those surveyed.
when does a small number turn into a significant number - 99%?
the survey was only regarding the 'seamless branded hospitality experience'. no questionnaire yet on the change of contract terms and conditions, lack of exit strategy etc.
So obviously were are all wrong DRI are in fact all warm and cuddly! Come out come out wherever you are Mr Duffy your public awaits!
Wow I am sure most companies would be delighted with new a quarter of their customers were not happy!
Has anyone noticed how the mouthpiece for DRI has been very conspicuous by his absence of late on this site? I do wish he would come back and actually answer some of the questions! It would also be great to see how he would put a positive spin on the courtcase they lost in St Marttens! Come on Mr Duffy show yourself!
Has anyone noticed how the mouthpiece for DRI has been very conspicuous by his absence of late on this site? I do wish he would come back and actually answer some of the questions! It would also be great to see how he would put a positive spin on the court case they lost in St Marttens! Come on Mr Duffy show yourself!
Here is another website where there are a lot of complaints about DRI check out www.redweek.com
when you get on the website click on forums then on the right there is a search forums option type in Diamond Resorts search all forums and you will not be surprised to find a lot of anti DRI topics!
Of course it is only a couple of people claiming to speak for many is that not correct MR (where the heck is he hiding?) DUFFY!
Oddly enough I have just been on the Tenerife Forum under the thread What are your experiences with Diamon Resorts in Tenerife? and guess what for the first time since i have been posting on there my post has to be checked out by a moderater! Mmmmm maybe I am being cynical but perhaps given the amount of anti DRI stuff that has been posted recently I suspect interference!
Welcome to the world of DRI! I think you will find that a lot of other people feel the same as you do! When a company is prepared to rip off pensioners and harrass the sick, infirm and bereaved for their ever increasing management fees, I would have been very surprised had they shown any interest in your problem! It seems that at all levels in this company theft and dishonesty are part of the culture and are endemic!
Just come across this on the Mirror site!
In June of 2010 we booked 8 weeks with 50, 000 pts that we had paid maintenance fees on plus 14, 000 unpaid from 2011. We stayed two weeks and received a call saying if we did not pay our current maintenance fee all reservations would be cancelled for the remaining weeks. They would give us $1620 toward our maintenance fees for our remaining 36, 000 pts and we could then pay $4594 to remain current. We declined their offer and lost 4 weeks of paid vacation that we had already paid for. We are livid! These people are con artists. We had platinum status and got nothing in return. Do not buy from this company or you will be sorry. They do not buy back the points. Once you let them go, they just sell them to some other sucker.
January 28, 2011 3:23 AM
Another happy bunny! Still nothing from Mr Duffy! I wonder why!
Exactly what i was thinking 40, 000 new victims for this despicable company to fleece, scam, rob choose your own adjectives! I suspect there will more complaints once it all goes through the Tempus members are n for a nasty shock!
It is interesting that Mr Duffy appears to still be in hiding particularly since it his contention that there are only one or two malcontents that are anti DRI!
I have found this site http://www.blagger.com where there are a lot of complaints relating to the bully boys DRI have hired to harass, bully, intimidate, scare, threaten, and con into paying even more money so they can buy up more companies and screw more owners for high management fees while selling cheap holidays in the accommodation their members are paying for on Expedia etc! I am highly amused and find it ironic that DRI along with their appointed resale company have hired another bunch of shysters to try and collect money from the refusniks, maybe it indicates the circles that DRI executives move in!
Come on Mr Duffy come out you know you want to! Be a man and fave up to your accusers! I mean your company are so honest (but obviously are not able to count!) and upstanding and after all there are only a couple of troublemakers!
Here is an interesting piece!
This is really interesting found this complaint I know it is quite long but it is worth the read!;
Diamond Resorts International here on the island of St Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles, this country was not on your list, had bought SUNTERRA FLAMINGO BEACH RESORT as well as ROYAL PALM BEACH.
The Maintenance fees went from in the $700 mark to $1008 each week.
They then added on Collection fees, Late Fees Interest each different but over $200.
A court injunction was placed but they defied that and sent out Termination of Leases Letters in April 2009.
My THIRTEEN YEAR OLD daughter was sent TWO letters by Certified Mail for the foreclosures!
Their Legal Counsel ELIZABETH BRENNAN ESQ said she would take legal action against me and denies that Diamond ever sent thos letters which were sent to THE BAHAMAS so I received them months later and the post office was not going to give them as they were sent to a minor of 13!
They claim that when they type in my address IT AUTOMATICALLY COMES UP AS THE BAHAMAS
Another comment "TIME IS MONEY AND WE WILL NOT WASTE ANY MORE TIME IN CONTACTING YOU'
We went to check in and were told our weeks were forclosed.
The Resort Manager a LOU told me 'Get a lawyer"
'If you want to stay we can give you the rate of $89 per night"
Having already collected twice $1008 plus twice $31.56!
They refused to contact us.
there is another court hearing here November 3 2009.
No Maintenance fees can be paid at the resort.
He has closed the sales office.
The only thing growing is the restaurant that is spreading like a cancer and most beach front units now look at the kitchen instead of a sunset.
I also bought two weeks from an owner recently.
DIAMOND RESORTS refused to speak to me as a 'third party'
They were however happy to deduct the payments of $608, $308, $300 $400 $400 $31.56 $31.56
from the third party's credit card... mine!
When the owner called to get the transfers done she was told the weeks had been foreclosed.
This is how DIAMOND RESORTS INTERNATIONAL operates on the island of ST MAARTEN where there is no office with people to contact only mutes< EVERYTHING is done from Las Vegas.
The owner STEPHEN CLOOBECK also contributes to the Legal Counsel of a Senator under investigation as well as other political figures! With our Maintenance Fees?
Someone must investigate this man and the company
I have found that the land of the resort is under the name of 'SAINT MAARTEN TITLE LIMITED 'and the address is BONNINGTON st EDINBURGH SCOTLAND! for land on the island of St Maarten and the CORPORATE OFFICE is in LAS VEGAS USA
Now we have DRI's response;
[04/01/2010] Patrick Duffy/DRI: Hello Pamela Jenkins.
Contrary to your request, this is to inform you that you will not be receiving a settlement of the frivolous claim that you have posted here. Instead, you will be sued by us this week for defamation, intentional interference with our business, punitive damages as well as a demand for you to pay our attorneys fees and court costs. Your allegations regarding Diamond Resorts International® and Mr. Cloobeck personally are completely false, defamatory and done maliciously by you to damage the reputation of the company and Mr. Cloobeck personally. The most absurd portions of your post are your allegation of fraud along with your allegation that maintenance fees are used for political contributions, all of which you know are lies. Your improper and illegal actions will not be tolerated. Despite my numerous communications with you, you persist in making things up and harassing our company and team members. You have taken it too far now with your complete fabrications. You will be sued this week.
Elizabeth Brennan, Esq.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Elizabeth.brennan@diamondresorts.com
There are several other posts but this is GREAT!big grin
[01/05/2010] Pamela Jenkins: I would like you to know that there was a court hearing and the above threats from Elizabeth Brennan were thrown out by the Netherlands Antilles Judge and as he said THE TRUTH IS NEVER SLANDER. I won my case against Diamond resorts and Stephen Cloobeck and as soon as I have the English Translation of the judgement it will be posted.
I actually heard about the case from the lawyer involved in the Class action suit and Diamond sent THREE letters, two with the wrong name and they arrived after the court hearings
Pamel Jenkins
The site all this is on is called CanYouTrustThem.com
February 8, 2011 at 8:52 AM Edit (10m left) Delete (10m left) Flag Quote & Reply
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So Mr Duffy what do you have to say for yourself now?
Only now running out of patience? Unfortunately according to the rogues that run this company you are not able to leave ever! I say rogues but the judgment handed down by the court in St Marrtens actually supports the contention by one of their unhappy members that they are fraudsters!
Sadly Bakers you will fail to illicit a response on this site (or any other for that matter!) because Mr Duffy and co seem to be in hiding, or is it that there are so many blogs and complaints about the company now that they have not got the time te read them anymore! Which is odd because according to the cowardly Mr Duffy there are only 2 or 3 unhappy members!
Another happy customer!
This company has no moral sole or code whatsoever. . We are a hard working family who turned our RCI based time share into points in 2005. Sunterra owned our resort, Garden Lago. (this was a good time share venue and we had many weeks away having fun ) and we thought this idea looked very appealing. Fees to be kept no more than 3/4 %, buy back options any time. Quotes you are all familiar with
What a grave error on our part. This company ignores your letters and phone calls, and when they do reply they do not address the matters in hand. We fully paid our 2007 management fees and left. No contact for 2 years then a demand for over £1500, no breakdown, no reasoning. We totally refuted this, then a generic letter explaining the "death or Bankruptcy option". Nothing else. Now again 16 months later a debt collection agency with late night Friday contact just in time for the weekend ( apparently we now owe over £2000, no breakdown, mind. Perhaps a figure plucked from some warped DRI executive's fuggled imagination) We have parted with over £5000 and our holiday options were limited to the Canaries, Santa Barbara, Tenerife. Mis representation and breach on contract are quotes from my solicitor. I have been informed to make contact yet again stating " our desire to give our points up " is this does not work, then we will take this sham of a company to court.
As a note just put this company name into Google, many thousands of hits and a very small percentage of happy holidayers.
Good luck everyone.
What a wonderful company where are you Mr Duffy?
Sandra I commend you on your honesty however I know what we were told when we purchased with GVC and I know what I am being told now are completely different. I have while on holiday last year in Ireland met several people including 2 retired businessmen, a doctor (all from the UK) and a retired 3* General and they all felt they have been lied to and deceived, so while you were being honest an awful lot of your colleagues were not!
I am actually taking leagal advice because when my wife died in 2008 neither I or my solicitor were made aware of the fact by DRI that I did not have to take on the obligation of the timeshare, but could have relinquished it they just transferred it into my name, so obviously the people in Lancaster were also economical with the truth when my solicitor spoke to them.
I agree the cost of living has increased as have cars etc but management fees increased by 35% in one year and as far as i am aware nothing else i buy has increased by this much!
With regard the accommodation again I accept it is generally good but when I stayed in Tenerife it was not 5*, I went to Ireland (to use up the points i had paid for which had i been informed correctly I would not have had to do!) last year and again good accommodation but not 5*.
I am in a position now where i cannot derive any benefit from paying over a £1, 000 in management fees I can get a very good holiday anywhere in the world at a time i want for less than that, so all i want is to do what i have been told i could do by numerous employees over the years, and that is stop using the points, and not have to continue paying their fees.
Why not email Mr Cloobeck personally apparently he answers every mail he receives! Oddly though no one I know has ever had a response when they have done this! Maybe he has crawled under the same rock as Duffy!
Mr Askins the reason you have to be bothered by a salesperson is because it is a numbers game! The more people they speak to the more chance there is that someone will say yes! I also would like to congratulate you on being able to find availability at DRI resorts!
It is now becoming apparent that the reason Cloobeck has put the MF's up with DRI is so he can continue to fund his political contributions! This is despite being caught out using fees in St Maarten to back a politician under investigation on the island!
sdlm Not sure what your message refers to but I do pay my bills and owe money to no one, I have used DRI points (and GVC and Sunterra) in the past but now I no longer want to or can derive any use from the points now my wife has died so this year I have decided to exercise my right not to purchase / pay for a service i no longer want or plan to use! Which is what I was told I could do when we signed up! The fact that DRI have varied the terms and conditions to suit them is not my problem I have my agreement and am happy to go to court and prove I have the right to do what I have decided to do!
You can bet your life Cloobeck and Duffy have already got an exit strategy planned and another scam in the pipeline, this sort of people are more slippery than an eel. Eventually when one of their employees is actually caught telling lies at a presentation they will plead ignorance and wash their hands of them! That is of course if Cloobeck is not doing time for contempt of court or corruption in St Maartens!
Hey how about the judge sentences him to stay at the resort it looks infinitely worse than prison. Still at least those of us on the DRIP site know where Duffy is and why he is no longer answering questions or threatening people on sites like this he is at home looking at a multi coloured wall with his two dogs!
