Diamond Resorts-is it a scam?

chris.s_5

I am in a position to compare DRI with other timeshares having a foot on both camps firstly as ex DRI member (I have resigned membership although DRI continue under the delusion that they can somehow force me to continue to pay fees to them for nothing). We also have a week in Madeira in a 5* hotel. Same room, same week each year and the fees have remained in line with inflation. The apartment is well maintained and we have no complaint at all with the service so far. DRI is a completely different can of worms. The service has plumbed the depths and the costs have escalated to the extent that this outfit should be investigated for extortion. They are guilty of manifold breaches of contract for changing the terms which 'members' signed up for and ignoring the verbal assurances given by their salesmen. They also seem to emply Neanderthals to represent them (see the many comments posted by the incomparable Rough and Ready). Avoid like the plague!

CHR15

Rough and ready is welcome on here... he is perfect testament to the quality of staff employed by DRI.

His continued postings can only harm DRI's already "through the floor" reputation of being a bunch of crooks.... the wickfut can barely string a sentence together.

The more he posts, the more people can see them for what they are.

ChrissieM

I came to this site from the Mirror blog and I must say bthat the person claiming to be an employee of DRI is just a complete idiot. We are curr ently trying to extricate ourselves from the joke that DRI is along with hundreds of others.

The truth is that as Sunterra we had no complaints but when they sold to DRI the maintenance fees went through the roof and no hard working sensible person would pay 1,000 pounds for basically nothing. one year our flight costs were half the fees. We could have got a two week holiday all in for this amount not a one week self catering.

To anyone considering DON'T go there!!!!!

Lottieuk

antenna wrote: »

Just inform them in writing that you no longer want your timeshare and will no longer be paying any further fees,send by registered/recorded/signed for-delivery and keep all copies.........you will get further threatening correspondence from them but they know nothing would ever hold up in a court of law..........you are now clear of these thieving scumbags,and a happy new year............................

We have just received another letter from DRI. Although it was dated 17/03/10 it only arrived a couple of days ago. It says

"Several reminders have been sent to you since payment was first due. This being the case, if we do not receive payment in full by 31st March 2010 we will have no alternative but to consider submitting this debt for collection by a debt collection agency................"

We sent a letter to them some months back - but obviously with no effect! What advice does anyone have please. We have been prepared to walk away and lose all the money we have put into this in the past, but there just doesn't seem to be a facility to do this. Is it legal to trap a customer into effectively renting forever - unless you can persuade some other sucker to take on the never ending debt?

Can anyone also advise if the following is a potential lifeline for us.

We originally joined when it was GVC and I have found a signed letter from them from June 2003 stating

".......... After considering the above, should you still not wish to proceed with selling the ownership and just wish to dispose of it, you are able to surrender. However, this would mean handing back your ownership in return for any outstanding management fees and you would not receive any money in return...."

It is with regret that I didn't take them up on it at the time, but did any subsequent purchase of the business by Sunterra or Diamond negate my ability to accept this clause?

chris.s_5

I think now all refuseniks have received the same standard letter regardless of individual situation. DRI seem intent on trying to bully, harass, extort, threaten, to maintain their hopeless position and are now threatening to send in debt collectors - which debt are they talking about? What about the money they have spiritied away from the initial 'investment' people made? They also seem to be trying to add additional panic by demanding payment at a date preceding receipt of the letter (mine arrived today 3/4 for payment 3 days ago) - what a bunch of losers! I hope they have advised their bankers that these so-called debts are irrecoverable. Any bankers reading: please note it is time to pull the plug on this unscrupulous outfit and get what you can out of them before it's too late. We are certainly standing firm with all others who have refused their outrageous hikes in fees and attempts to vary the conditions of the contracts signed with GVV/Sunterra. They must know that this is not legal and that they would stand no chance if this came to court (which it will if necessary).

MothballsWallet

dacouch wrote: »

Rough n Ready aka Kenneth Williams http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvs4bOMv5Xw

Except the late Kenneth Williams was funny.

MothballsWallet

trisontana wrote: »

I see yet another semi-illiterate post from an employee of this scam company. Do they only employ people who fail English and grammar tests?

Of course they do - DRI are American and, therefore, cannot spell anyway

antenna

To send in the debt collectors or bailifs they must have a legal court order......they must send you a copy of the judgement..........this must have been one of the earlier letters that you did not recieve (in their dreams)....there is not a court in the uk that will deal with these theives.......but if you believe what they say just because you have read it in a letter then they are part way to getting your money........

Lifeisbutadream

SO am I correct in thinking that Diamond Resorts charge you for the timeshare, then charge £1000 for a week in maintenance??? and they are trying to force people to pay this???

My timeshare costy a small fortune, but the yearly maintenance is in line with what you get (i.e. much less than it would cost to just go there for a week) - but if you dont pay the maintenance you just lose your timeshare, they cant chase you for payment!

terryw

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

SO am I correct in thinking that Diamond Resorts charge you for the timeshare, then charge £1000 for a week in maintenance??? and they are trying to force people to pay this???

Yep. You have got it.