Diamond Resorts-is it a scam?

chris.s_5

crits wrote: »

I cannot agree with 'dealer wins' comments stating that any endeavours to defend DRI is tantamount to guaranteeing it is a scam !! In my original thread I replied to a previous corresopondent stating that in my case, I can only confirm that none of the Vouchers presented to me when I had attended a presentation were scam as they were all put to good use although I hadn't signed up as a Member of GVC during that year,way back in 2001. Effectively,I joined a year later and have reaped all the benefits since -- so far, so good.Of course the ever increasing Annual Fees are of concern to all Members - this is an issue which has to be taken up seriously with DRI's management. Regarding all the other gossip about one not being able to quit even if one opts not to pay the Annual Fee - in this day & age, this is hard to believe. Only a Non-Paying Member can really tell us what the consequences really are & obviously there probably are many around.
Regards,
CRITS
23/2/2009

You are missing the point. The exorbitant hike in fees is a betrayal of many of the members who put an upfront investment into an organisation which has now been taken over by a company which seems to be morally bankrupt. You only have to trawl through the Internet to see that there are many, many people who are really in despair - a lot of them pensioners who, because they put their faith in this venture a long time ago, are now being made ill with worry because they can no longer afford to keep up with the 'periodic' payments being demanded. Many would willingly release their points and wave their investment goodbye just for a good night's sleep. But DRI continue to hound them because they want to keep these unpaid fees on their balance sheet presumbaly to keep the Banks happy. It's time they came clean - the sooner they are made financially bankrupt the better for all concerned

chris.s_5

You are missing the point. The exorbitant hike in fees is a betrayal of many of the members who put an upfront investment into an organisation which has now been taken over by a company which seems to be morally bankrupt. You only have to trawl through the Internet to see that there are many, many people who are really in despair - a lot of them pensioners who, because they put their faith in this venture a long time ago, are now being made ill with worry because they can no longer afford to keep up with the 'periodic' payments being demanded. Many would willingly release their points and wave their investment goodbye just for a good night's sleep. But DRI continue to hound them because they want to keep these unpaid fees on their balance sheet presumbaly to keep the Banks happy. It's time they came clean - the sooner they are made financially bankrupt the better for all concerned

adbaz

Hi
I've read some of the comment on this chain.
I am a member of Diamond and not completely satisfied as the management fees are a bit contentious at the moment. I can tell you though that it is not a scam. The holidays are very worth taking - really good accommodation.
You will not get bullied on a presentation although they do take a long time because there is a lot of info to give out.

There is another similar holiday company where you do get bullied disgustingly and the description fits our experience of the other company. I have been told that they employ an agency to do their presentation in this country and have less control over them wanting to earn their commission.

Diamond employs the marketing people direct and they are very respectful and have a friendly approach both in this country and the reps overseas - there are always bad apples but generally we have found this to be the case. In fact that side of it is even better than when we joined through Sunterra, the previous company.

In case you're wondering we didn't buy the first time and walked away - but thought about it and bought susbsequently a few years later - so no pressure there.

CHR15

If they take so long in their presentation, how come they don't find time to explain how the increase in fees works (at the whim of the company) or find time to explain how they can get out of the commitment if their circumstances change??

How do you know how they recuit their sales staff or how friendly both the UK and overseas reps are (unless you have a connection)?

chris.s_5

Yes this glowing recommendation by Adbaz takes some crediting. On other threads he (or she) is commenting on and is worried by bank charges and overdrafts but here seems to be blissfully happy about DRI having open access to his (or her) funds. Comments about their 'friendly' sales staff fly right in the face of all other opinion here and my personal experience. It would be helpful if we could be told the name of the other company is which, it would seem, is even worse than DRI. Would you mind sharing this with us so that we can avoid them?

Midgers_2

Been having trouble getting a holiday as we are stuck with school holidays.
Just done a search for August in Europe and Diamond can give us nothing.
However - If you go onto expedia you can book accommodation in santa barbara. This is supposed to be exclusive to Diamond. Talk about having their cake and eating it.

AMZ

Hi, I have recently been approached by a sales rep in a shopping centre for Diamond Resorts and the offer seems to good to be true...£119 per person for 7 days in portugal, accomodation only. On the condition that i attend a 90min presentation with my partner. Now i have no intention or interest in time share and am aware of all the problems regarding time share with diamond, I just want to have a cheap good holiday. However I wanted to know if anyone has been abroad with Diamond, paid x amount of money, attended the 90min presentation but have not signed upto the time share plan and not had any further problems or occuring charges?

What was your experience of the holiday and was it purely just the 90min presentation and no more hidden costs or obligations. Also did anyone receive any further occuring charges other than the holiday accomodation.

Midgers_2

Believe me the presentation will not last only 90mins - I am guessing that Portugal you mean Villar Du Golf.
They will take you off in a car and it will take around 5-6 hrs.
Even as members they still give you the hard sell to buy extra points.
I am not sure what may happen if you went and did not purchase.
Although I have heard reports that they take your money and request dates you can attend then you find you cannot get anything convenient.
Our Preview week was completely free including 2 flights but that was 4 years ago in Tenerife. I would suggest they are clutching at straws to get cash in.
Be Carefull.

AMZ

Thank you Midgers, I have spoken to the sales rep again and have made it clear that I am not interested in time share and yes we are thinking of going to Villar Do Golf. Have you been there?

So are you a member of Diamond resorts? As long as i dont purchase time shares etc, do you think i will be safe for the rest of the holiday, regarding them hasseling me or taking more money from me?

Midgers_2

Yes we have been to Villar Do Golf. You do need to hire a car as it is in the middle of nowhere (except on a golf course - if you like golf).
We are members of diamond we have 13000 points and management fees have rocketed to a whopping 1200 pounds per year for 2009.
We have had trouble getting a holiday this year as we a stuck with school hols.
I will advise that if you say no on your preview just dont answer the phone or door for rest of hol, and try and get your presentation early in week. Like I say even as members they still try to give us the hard sell. But now we just tell them to go away politely (if you know what I mean).
Have a good hol in portugal it is very nice - except for the sprinklers every where.
Oh and by the way just to let you know your presentation is done on a one on one basis not as a group.