Newbie Help

[jphj44 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jphj44]

Hello all. I have been through 4 different timeshare presentations (Shell, Marriott, Sunterra, Diamond), but haven't bought anywhere yet until now.

I just bought 10,000 annual points in what I guess is called the Trust (19 properties) for about $26,000. Of course they threw in a bunch of extras like 14,000 extra points, $500 in travel vouchers, first year MF, etc.

I have a 5 day cancellation period and am wondering whether to cancel.

I now see points on ebay for insanely low prices. I'd rather pay less than more and it certainly looks like ebay is the way to go. However, I read the sticky post that says points are not transferable. So, I'm confused. Is the resale market valid? Did I pay way too much for my points? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Arline Member Find all posts View Profile Close Arline]

I only own weeks, no points. But I know enough not to buy from the developer. I did that the first time, and since then, bought on eBay and from other resellers. We were taken by Sunterra once by a very creative sales pitch. We read the fine print and realized the salesman "stretched the truth". Knowing we were misled, we got out of the deal following the contract, word by word, within the grace period. I would recommend you bail and learn more on this website and others like it before you take the plunge.

[jphj44 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jphj44]

Thanks for the good advice, Arline.

I have read on this forum that Sunterra/Diamond no longer lets anyone buy into the points system. Can someone confirm that? If that is true, then aren't the points for sale on Ebay or by other resellers valueless?

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

Used Points and Deeds ARE Valid

Myself and many others have purchased most, or all of what we own, on the used market - both points packages and deeds. Diamond Resorts does allow for the conversion of these to full membership in "The Club." See discussions on this forum. Any sales office can do it. Previous contributors have said a small package of additional points must be purchased - like 2000 points for $3000. I believe the process has been referred to as a "Conversion Plus."

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

Hello all. I have been through 4 different timeshare presentations (Shell, Marriott, Sunterra, Diamond), but haven't bought anywhere yet until now.

I just bought 10,000 annual points in what I guess is called the Trust (19 properties) for about $26,000. Of course they threw in a bunch of extras like 14,000 extra points, $500 in travel vouchers, first year MF, etc.

I have a 5 day cancellation period and am wondering whether to cancel.

I now see points on ebay for insanely low prices. I'd rather pay less than more and it certainly looks like ebay is the way to go. However, I read the sticky post that says points are not transferable. So, I'm confused. Is the resale market valid? Did I pay way too much for my points? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

You need to read the entire DRI forum several times over. The points you see on eBay are good for the Trust but not for the full Club unless you 'convert' as discussed above and throughout many threads on this forum. Please read and re-read the posts.

[jphj44 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jphj44]

Thanks for the tips. I have been reading this forum quite a bit in the last two days. For example, the sticky says membership in THE Club is not transferrable. That may have been where I got the impression that you can't buy resale. As a side note, I guess that means you can't deed/pass on your entire purchase to your kids like they say you can.

Also, from reading the forum (including the Latest Conversion Info thread), it appears that the rules and price of becoming a member of THE Club after having bought resale are rather nebulous. Am I missing something?

I have to admit I was disappointed to discover after signing, then reading the sale documents and reading this forum that (1) our salesman said nothing about varying levels of membership, (2) our salesman told us we could get two weeks vacation every year in 5-star accomodations for 10,000 points (based on 4500 points for a Premium 1 BR in mid-season plus 5500 points for a Premium 2 BR in mid-season), and (3) I read the Diamond book that says it takes a minimum of 15,500 points to get a 2 BR at Ka'anapali Beach Club or 8000 points for a mid-season two bedroom at Desert Paradise in Las Vegas (where we bought).

Finally, it appears that the way to get the most bang for your buck is to buy as much as you can on resale for cheap and then try to convert it all into THE Club at once. Is that a fair assumption?

Thanks again for the help.

[catwgirl Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close catwgirl]

I would definitely rescind while you still can then take the time to study and decide what you really want to purchase. The deal you purchased will always be there should you decide that is what you want--no matter what they tell you.

[jphj44 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jphj44]

Yeah, I am 99.999999 percent sure we are going to rescind. It makes less and less sense the more I look into it.

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

Thanks for the tips. I have been reading this forum quite a bit in the last two days. For example, the sticky says membership in THE Club is not transferrable. That may have been where I got the impression that you can't buy resale. As a side note, I guess that means you can't deed/pass on your entire purchase to your kids like they say you can.

Also, from reading the forum (including the Latest Conversion Info thread), it appears that the rules and price of becoming a member of THE Club after having bought resale are rather nebulous. Am I missing something?

I have to admit I was disappointed to discover after signing, then reading the sale documents and reading this forum that (1) our salesman said nothing about varying levels of membership, (2) our salesman told us we could get two weeks vacation every year in 5-star accomodations for 10,000 points (based on 4500 points for a Premium 1 BR in mid-season plus 5500 points for a Premium 2 BR in mid-season), and (3) I read the Diamond book that says it takes a minimum of 15,500 points to get a 2 BR at Ka'anapali Beach Club or 8000 points for a mid-season two bedroom at Desert Paradise in Las Vegas (where we bought).

Finally, it appears that the way to get the most bang for your buck is to buy as much as you can on resale for cheap and then try to convert it all into THE Club at once. Is that a fair assumption?

Thanks again for the help.

1) Nothing I've seen here or elsewhere contradicts the stated right to pass on full membership in The Club to your children after death.

2) Yes it is nebulous. If you were Diamond Resorts, would you want people doing this, or buying everything through the Sales Offices?

3) With a little skill, you can stretch 10,000 points into three straight Summer 1st Floor 2BR weeks at Powhatan, including July 4th week! Learn the tricks. Don't complain yet. There are several Masters here to study under.

4) Yes. Buy everything used you'll ever want. Get it all together at one time, and pay $2995 to convert it all to The Club without purchasing any additional points.

[Arline Member Find all posts View Profile Close Arline]

Then what happens when companies are sold, do the conditions change? (Sunterra -> Diamond -> ???) (Fairfield -> Wyndham, etc.) I'm just wondering for newbies...I'm done buying

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

...
Also, from reading the forum (including the Latest Conversion Info thread), it appears that the rules and price of becoming a member of THE Club after having bought resale are rather nebulous. Am I missing something?
...

I just finally converted my first resale AFTER original purchase from DRI. "nebulous" is maybe a good way to describe it. I just basically followed up and followed up and followed up. Now that I ensured the 'point' person knows what form to sign and who to contact in one other department, I am sure I can 'guide' my next resale into the Club with little effort. But, boy that first one was nail biting to some extent. Just waiting, and waiting and waiting. Plus redirection after redirection (person to person). At some point, I even thought a few of the ppl were watching my new unit work it's way thru the system, and just at the right moment (aka when my hopes became high), ordered a redirection.

By the way if you need a kick for that one extra % to rescind, here it is

After you rescind, wait a few months and just read and re-read these boards and ask and ask questions before you take a step. Have fun with it and discuss w/ you significant other.

[jphj44 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close jphj44]

I sent the notice of cancellation in yesterday. I am definitely going to spend at least another month (probably more) reading and searching.