Diamond Resorts International Sampler nightmare

[GailBeatty Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GailBeatty]

Am curious- was your situation resolved? Did you get a refund?

[longtimer Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close longtimer]

It's very sad to hear all these stories. While I also bought from the developer and paid way more than I should have, that was a very long time ago - long before there were computers and easy access to information from other owners. However, after considerable time and trial and error, I have learned how to make my TS work for me and we really enjoy it. TS isn't for everyone and anyone considering a purchase (hopefully through resale, of course) really needs to think about how they vacation, and then understand that it's truly a lifetime committment. While TSs are sold as an investment in future vacations, in some instances, the MFs are higher than what a family spends on a vacation. TS sales are backwards. People buy and then are left to try to figure out how to use what they have. That's like buying a luxury car and learning you have to figure out where and how to have it serviced becaus the dealer won't help you. Instead, TS corporations should spend more time keeping the current owners happy and pumping up the benefits of ownership (instead of making us feel like captive money makers for them). The sellers want prospective buyers to feel special, but once the contract is signed there's little to no support. Keeping owners happy and making them feel like they have a good thing will draw interest from non-owners and possible future buyers.

[Jeff Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeff]

Buyer Beware

Wake up and realize you're all adults now. Read the fine print and educate yourselves before major purchases. Buyer's remorse goes away eventually the next time you have that gut-feeling that someone's pushing you into a sale (car, waterbed, timeshare, anything!), just say No Thanks and walk away. Don't put up a fuss on some bulletin board expecting a government agency and the media to appease you and avenge your ignorance and fiscal irresponsibility. You're not going to get a government bail-out like the banks did. Enjoy the expensive life-lesson you purchased...it'll take you far.

[HNLGAL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close HNLGAL]

Wow... glad you're not a relative of mine!

Wake up and realize you're all adults now. Read the fine print and educate yourselves before major purchases. Buyer's remorse goes away eventually the next time you have that gut-feeling that someone's pushing you into a sale (car, waterbed, timeshare, anything!), just say No Thanks and walk away. Don't put up a fuss on some bulletin board expecting a government agency and the media to appease you and avenge your ignorance and fiscal irresponsibility. You're not going to get a government bail-out like the banks did. Enjoy the expensive life-lesson you purchased...it'll take you far.

Wow Jeff... what a nice person you sound like!... I consider my self to be smart and savvy.. Have steered away from timeshares for years... but I got roped into DRI because they said emphatically it WASN'T a timeshare... that I was buying points I could use anywhere in the world. I was so excited. $13,000 + three years of ever increasing maintenence fees and I have yet to be able to use those wonderful points anywhere... Whenever I want to go, they are always sold out or cost too many points. I have since learned I can get the same places for less than my mainenance fee costs. so essentially I have just tossed my $13,000 in the wastebasket.
I have also learned that when I die, my poor son will be saddled with them too.
To compound the problem, last fall I was duped into yet another one saying they could rent my timeshare out at a minimum of $1800 week so I could keep my TS and still try to use it, but get my MF paid for. That one cost me an additional $2000. And I had to take a loan out to pay for that one. To date, I have not heard one peep out of them and I can't reach my 'salesman'.
Suffice it to say, I will stay away from ANYONE now.

[GailBeatty Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close GailBeatty]

I have never been subjected to the kind of high pressure snow job that DRI, and timeshares in general, practice from any other sales person in any other industry. Including used car salesmen. I suspect that's because if anyone considers the value of a timeshare rationally, no one would buy one. It makes no sense whatsoever. Last week I had a voice mail message from DRI inviting me to call them and book our "vacation package". Ugh! I couldn't hit the delete button fast enough.

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

I have also learned that when I die, my poor son will be saddled with them too.

Unless he's currently on the contract, there's no reason your son should have to deal with your timeshares. If he didn't sign that contract then he can refuse to accept that ownership; there are threads on this board explaining how.

[longtimer Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close longtimer]

Wow Jeff... what a nice person you sound like!... I consider my self to be smart and savvy.. Have steered away from timeshares for years... but I got roped into DRI because they said emphatically it WASN'T a timeshare... that I was buying points I could use anywhere in the world. I was so excited. $13,000 + three years of ever increasing maintenence fees and I have yet to be able to use those wonderful points anywhere... Whenever I want to go, they are always sold out or cost too many points. I have since learned I can get the same places for less than my mainenance fee costs. so essentially I have just tossed my $13,000 in the wastebasket.
I have also learned that when I die, my poor son will be saddled with them too.
To compound the problem, last fall I was duped into yet another one saying they could rent my timeshare out at a minimum of $1800 week so I could keep my TS and still try to use it, but get my MF paid for. That one cost me an additional $2000. And I had to take a loan out to pay for that one. To date, I have not heard one peep out of them and I can't reach my 'salesman'.
Suffice it to say, I will stay away from ANYONE now.

How many points did you purchase? We may be able to help you make the best use of what you own. We've been through the ropes, too. At least you will get something for your money.

[timeos2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close timeos2]

Wow Jeff... what a nice person you sound like!... I consider my self to be smart and savvy.. Have steered away from timeshares for years... but I got roped into DRI because they said emphatically it WASN'T a timeshare... that I was buying points I could use anywhere in the world. I was so excited. $13,000 + three years of ever increasing maintenence fees and I have yet to be able to use those wonderful points anywhere... Whenever I want to go, they are always sold out or cost too many points. I have since learned I can get the same places for less than my mainenance fee costs. so essentially I have just tossed my $13,000 in the wastebasket.
I have also learned that when I die, my poor son will be saddled with them too.
To compound the problem, last fall I was duped into yet another one saying they could rent my timeshare out at a minimum of $1800 week so I could keep my TS and still try to use it, but get my MF paid for. That one cost me an additional $2000. And I had to take a loan out to pay for that one. To date, I have not heard one peep out of them and I can't reach my 'salesman'.
Suffice it to say, I will stay away from ANYONE now.

Wise decision. Unfortunately you apparently bought retail not once but twice. Whatever you were told that enticed you to buy you need to follow up on now (most likely without any help from your sales person as chances are they are long gone) and get some value out.

Who did you pay $2000 to and for what? That sounds like one of these upfront fee operations that often have little or no real value.

You made the decision(s) to buy - now you need to figure out how to get something for your money. Rest assured DRI isn't anxious to tell you how without spending even more $$ - you've got to recall what you found attractive in the offer and now make it happen.

[Bernie157 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bernie157]

I am looking for others who have been victims of Diamond Resorts International sales tactics so we can take it to the media, the authorities, and make a lot of noise to have our issues resolved, and to warn others before they get scammed.
Our story:
Last month my husband and I were vacationing in Sedona Arizona. We were stopped on the street by someone from Diamond Resorts who "invited" us to attend a 90 minute presentation, "no strings attached" at the Ridge at Sedona Gold Resort. The 90 minute presentation was almost 4 hours of HIGH PRESSURE tactics which included, by at least three different sales people, charm, anger, intimidation and almost threats. They were so good- I would describe it as being hypnotized or drugged by this team of professional con artists. We - like cult victims - ageed to purchase the Sampler, a $1,700 vacation package that in million years would never have paid one cent for if we had our wits about us. Once the "hypnosis" wore off I called to demand a refund. Well you know the rest- we were told the Sampler is non-refundable--unlike their timeshares, which has a 24 hour refund period. WHICH NO ONE EVER TOLD US DURING THE PRESENTATION!!! All my other calls and letters have been ignored. If their product is so great, why have to resort to these types of tactics?
Please write if you have had a similiar experience, there has to be something we can do to get resolution for ourselves, and, to warn the public to STAY AWAY. It will cost Diamond Resorts a lot more than our $1,700 refund would have cost them if we can get the word out to as many people as possible.

I just found this thread (or don't remember if I had before) and will try to read it through to the end. In short we were talked into taking the sales presentation (in exchange for tickets on the Verde Valley Railway) in Sedona in March 2010; like the original poster we were seduced into buying 2500 points (almost useless) but the semi-good news was they "bought" (i.e. let us trade in) one fixed every-3rd-year timeshare from us for about $3300 and "let us" deposit a current week of another fixed week timeshare into The Club Select for 5500 points.

This month we had essentially a free week at The Suites in Branson and bought a Sampler package at the sales presentation.

Bernie

[Bernie157 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bernie157]

Unless he's currently on the contract, there's no reason your son should have to deal with your timeshares. If he didn't sign that contract then he can refuse to accept that ownership; there are threads on this board explaining how.

She is probably referring to when she passes away and if son is a beneficiary or in the will, and if he accepts it, he'll be the eventual owner.

[Vida Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Vida]

Diamond Share Sampler

On March 12th, 2011 I purchased the Sampler package with no regrets. On March 30th, 2011 my 5 year old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia *tear*. Eighteen days later.... I have faxed over the doctors findings and a letter stating that I will be unable to travel for the next 3 years due to my daughters life threatening illness. They are giving me the run around stating that they have yet to receive my fax. I finally spoke to a rep today that my fax was received and that it is under review. One of the reps told me "I dont want to burst your bubble but they never terminate the contracts" really...how about CANCER bursting your bubble. The sad thing is that the day I came home from my vacation in Vegas where I purchased the Sampler I was showing my daughter where we were going to go...now that's not going to happen. I have yet to hear back from them whether or not if they are going to cancel but if they do not...please HELP ME!

[HNLGAL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close HNLGAL]

I just found this thread (or don't remember if I had before) and will try to read it through to the end. In short we were talked into taking the sales presentation (in exchange for tickets on the Verde Valley Railway) in Sedona in March 2010; like the original poster we were seduced into buying 2500 points (almost useless) but the semi-good news was they "bought" (i.e. let us trade in) one fixed every-3rd-year timeshare from us for about $3300 and "let us" deposit a current week of another fixed week timeshare into The Club Select for 5500 points.

This month we had essentially a free week at The Suites in Branson and bought a Sampler package at the sales presentation.

Bernie

Bernie, I don't understand what you are talking about when you said:
they "bought" (i.e. let us trade in) one fixed every-3rd-year timeshare from us for about $3300 and "let us" deposit a current week of another fixed week timeshare into The Club Select for 5500 points.
I get the "bought"/trade-in (which would definitely help allay the $700 maintenance fees) but I don't understand the rest.
Also how did you get this deal please???
Thanks
Catherine
honolulugal@telus.net

[HNLGAL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close HNLGAL]

Points

How many points did you purchase? We may be able to help you make the best use of what you own. We've been through the ropes, too. At least you will get something for your money.

Sorry, I didn't get this post...
I purchased 2500 - as some other poster said... virtually useless.
Plus, to add salt to the wound, I was so desperate last fall about coming up with yet another maintanence fee that I was duped into another telemarketer who guaranteed to rent my points for $1800 mo. Talk about feeling stupid. I am now dealing with the FL BBB and the Dept of Agriculture (go figure... but that is who you have to deal with when you want to file a complaint. He says he has hundreds like mine) who are investigating this.

What are you offering or how can you help? I am even more desperate, if that is possible.
Catherine

[HNLGAL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close HNLGAL]

Hi timeos2

Wise decision. Unfortunately you apparently bought retail not once but twice. Whatever you were told that enticed you to buy you need to follow up on now (most likely without any help from your sales person as chances are they are long gone) and get some value out.

Who did you pay $2000 to and for what? That sounds like one of these upfront fee operations that often have little or no real value.

You made the decision(s) to buy - now you need to figure out how to get something for your money. Rest assured DRI isn't anxious to tell you how without spending even more $$ - you've got to recall what you found attractive in the offer and now make it happen.

Thanks for writing. I have tried to follow up. Last Xmas when I still had all the bonus points (7500), I tried to find a place for my son and I for a week. I wasn't able to find any (sunny ones) in my "price/point range". Now after having virtually lost those extra 5000 pts, I now only have 2500 left. I have banked those for next year however I have been told I can't bank them again so will have to try to find something that isn't so nice. Trouble is, I can only get away at Xmas which of course is the peak season so peak # of points.

As to the $2000... It was to Resorts Nationwide, and yes, you are right -"one of these upfront fee operations that often have little or no real value." I had never heard of anything like this type of company before... nor had I ever had any solicitations before. PLUS they knew I was with DRI, which made me feel (stupidly, I now know) that it was legit. They guaranteed to use my 7500 pts by renting them out for $1800 by the end of the year. This was back in Oct. 2010. They say you should never play with 'scared money' and I should have known better but I was desperate to come up with the $ to pay for DRI's $700 maintenance fee in January. And, he "guaranteed" me the $1800 by the end of the year... even when I asked him repeatedly if he was positive. Needless to say I have heard nothing from them. I called them 4 times and have yet to be able to speak to my sales rep and they deny any knowledge of any rental guaranty... state that they are just and ad agency and that they were very clear about that. That in itself is a croc because I would never have signed with an ad agency... how on earth could they help?
Anyway, I have filed a complaint with FL BBB and with FL Dept of Agriculture. They told me today that they went to their offices and were told they had to fire two 'bad salespeople' recently who were promising things they shouldn't have. Right.
Anyway, so not only am I out the $13000 I paid to DRI (yes, I stupidly took a loan out to buy it outright so I wouldn't have any interest charges), I am also out the $2000 I paid to Resorts Nationwide. Now I have to pay the loans back and STILL pay the maintenance fees. Even more stupidly, if I had just paid the $1800 deposit to DRI, when I came to my senses I could have just ignored any collection notices as I have been told they have no jurisdiction in Canada.
So twice fooled, thrice foolee (is there such a word?).
Thanks for your interest... Anything would help.
Catherine
honolulugal@telus.net

[Bernie157 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bernie157]

Bernie, I don't understand what you are talking about when you said:
they "bought" (i.e. let us trade in) one fixed every-3rd-year timeshare from us for about $3300 and "let us" deposit a current week of another fixed week timeshare into The Club Select for 5500 points.
I get the "bought"/trade-in (which would definitely help allay the $700 maintenance fees) but I don't understand the rest.
Also how did you get this deal please???
Thanks
Catherine
honolulugal@telus.net

As usual we fully intended to "Just say NO" but we were worn down. We eventually mentioned a couple other fixed-week timeshares we own. As you understand, they enticed us by offering to sell the every-third-year timeshare, in effect taking it in trade for purchasing some DRI points.

Part of DRI (I believe for all new buyers) is The Club of which is the Select program. This is like DRI's own RCI program where owners can deposit weeks of their outside timeshares and get a certain amount of DRI points (depending on DRI's evaluation incl. RCI rating). There's a fee when depositing.

Then we can later search the Select listings similarly to regular DRI and II availability (for another fee if we book one???). If you log in to online reservations (and select which contract if you have more than one, you should see a link near the top that says "Click here for the Club Select Exchange". This brings up a form to allow you to deposit another timeshare week; not sure how you book from The Club Select.

Bernie