Confused on recent Club Dues billing

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

OK, I'll admit I confuse easily but maybe someone here can straighten me out.

Last fall we converted our deeded weeks to THE Club for $2,995. There was no additional billing at that time for THE Club dues. I thought the first year was included in the conversion fee. Recently we recieved the supplemental billing which has been paid. Yesterday I received a statement for our 2008 Club Dues for another $155. The billing says the due date is 7/1/08 but the statement I received with it (THE CLub 2008 assessment billing and collection policy CLUB DUES BILLING) states payment is due Jan. 1st and penalties apply if payment is not made by Jan. 31st.

Is it typical to get the billing for the current year midway through that year? Any idea why the bill says due by 7/1/2008 but the letter with the bill says payments after Jan. 31st become deliquent.

I understand all clubs and ownerships have fee's but these guys have me paying somthing every time I turn around. First it was the conversion fee, then the special assessment fee and now they sending me 2008 Club Dues in the middle of the year. What gives?

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

They want money and figure you will just whip out the checkbook. Call them on this.

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

I'm sure it's possible, but I've NEVER seen Club Dues included in any conversion. Unless you have something in writing, they were not, and DRI billing system finally caught up with you. You need to pay 2008 Club dues.

OK, I'll admit I confuse easily but maybe someone here can straighten me out.

Last fall we converted our deeded weeks to THE Club for $2,995. There was no additional billing at that time for THE Club dues. I thought the first year was included in the conversion fee. Recently we recieved the supplemental billing which has been paid. Yesterday I received a statement for our 2008 Club Dues for another $155. The billing says the due date is 7/1/08 but the statement I received with it (THE CLub 2008 assessment billing and collection policy CLUB DUES BILLING) states payment is due Jan. 1st and penalties apply if payment is not made by Jan. 31st.

Is it typical to get the billing for the current year midway through that year? Any idea why the bill says due by 7/1/2008 but the letter with the bill says payments after Jan. 31st become deliquent.

I understand all clubs and ownerships have fee's but these guys have me paying somthing every time I turn around. First it was the conversion fee, then the special assessment fee and now they sending me 2008 Club Dues in the middle of the year. What gives?

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

They want money and figure you will just whip out the checkbook. Call them on this.

Bing, I know you stance. Everyone here knows your stance. If you can't answer the question why don't you just leave it alone.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I'm sure it's possible, but I've NEVER seen Club Dues included in any conversion. Unless you have something in writing, they were not, and DRI billing system finally caught up with you. You need to pay 2008 Club dues.

I'll have to pull out the paperwork and look at it. I recall the salesman saying the first year was included but, I was looking for the bill to come in January when our MF's were due. I was both pleased and surprised when it did not. Since everything was done over the phone I really didn't see the salesmans lips moving so I thought maybe he was telling the truth.

I flipped the bill over and it had a few FAQ's including when are dues for hte club billedn and when are they due. Apparently they should have been billed within 30 days of the conversion. If I was supposed to have been billed but wasn't, then I guess I shouldn't be to ticked off when I get the next bill for 2009 towards the end of October.

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

I'll have to pull out the paperwork and look at it. I recall the salesman saying the first year was included but, I was looking for the bill to come in January when our MF's were due. I was both pleased and surprised when it did not. Since everything was done over the phone I really didn't see the salesmans lips moving so I thought maybe he was telling the truth.

I flipped the bill over and it had a few FAQ's including when are dues for hte club billedn and when are they due. Apparently they should have been billed within 30 days of the conversion. If I was supposed to have been billed but wasn't, then I guess I shouldn't be to ticked off when I get the next bill for 2009 towards the end of October.

I'd get hot on rectifying the situation either way, you don't want them to repossess THE Club for non-payment of dues.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I'd get hot on rectifying the situation either way, you don't want them to repossess THE Club for non-payment of dues.

I don't have a trust ownership but deeded weeks. According to the billing and what I've read on the DRI Forums, their only recourse is to suspend the account. Membership in THE Club is voluntary and can be cancelled by either party but, unlike trust units I think they'd have a hard time taking my weeks. Especially since they have been paid in full for a long time.

At any rate, the bill has been paid. If I find it in the paperwork that the first year was suppose to have been waived then I'll argue with them about getting my money back. I've found over the years it's easier to avoid conflict if you pay the bill and then fight. That way they can't use the arguement that you're past due, add past due fee's, suspend your account or attempt to take your units back.

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

That's why I said "repossess THE Club" you wouldn't want to lose the conversion fee investment and pain.

I don't have a trust ownership but deeded weeks. According to the billing and what I've read on the DRI Forums, their only recourse is to suspend the account. Membership in THE Club is voluntary and can be cancelled by either party but, unlike trust units I think they'd have a hard time taking my weeks. Especially since they have been paid in full for a long time.

At any rate, the bill has been paid. If I find it in the paperwork that the first year was suppose to have been waived then I'll argue with them about getting my money back. I've found over the years it's easier to avoid conflict if you pay the bill and then fight. That way they can't use the arguement that you're past due, add past due fee's, suspend your account or attempt to take your units back.

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

I've read quite a few posts recently about people being hit with additional charges or threat of repossession for non-payment of bills they have not received. Certainly worth checking with their accounts people, if only to let them know there is a problem.

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

I recently converted my deeded week into the club and the 225.00 club dues (155 + 70 new bill) were included in my 2995.00. It would call and just explain this I am sure they will fix it.

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

I recently converted my deeded week into the club and the 225.00 club dues (155 + 70 new bill) were included in my 2995.00. It would call and just explain this I am sure they will fix it.

Good data point, thanks!

[1950bing Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1950bing]

My " stance " is to save owners money by giving free advice on fees that have no basis. There are boards that have charged owners for fees that just plain did not exist. When they were called in on it they were forced to refund monies. It was a case of poor management. You would not buy a home or a car without knowing what all the fees were for would you ?
My " stance " is why pay for something that you may not get anything out of ? I guess if you are OK by just going along and paying for anything then it is OK with me, just trying to save you money.
If something new is added then show the figures on costs and bids if needed.
So, you see, I may have helped someone out. Some people may just ask, what"s this all about? I figure the board works for the owners, not the other way around.

[Ryne08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ryne08]

dougp26364, can you find your contract? Review the contract and see was THE 2008 Club Fees included; then I would call Member Services and discuss the problem.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

That's why I said "repossess THE Club" you wouldn't want to lose the conversion fee investment and pain.

From the FAQ on the back of the invoice:

Q What happens if I don't pay my dues for The Club?

A Members who fail to pay dues for The Club in a timely manner will have their membership rights suspended. If your membership is suspended, you will not be allowed to book reservations, access information on the website, save points or exchange with either Interval International or through member benefits.

IOW, The Club is not in risk of being repossessed but may be at risk of suspension. Suspension, IMO, would not include the loss of investment but only the loss of the right to use the benefits of The Club until the financial situation is rectified.

From previous postings it does appear that, if I were a trust based owner, repossession if a very real possibility. However, as a deeded owner and member of The Club, it appears clear that DRI's recourse is only to suspend The Club privledges and not actually revoke or reposses membership.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

I recently converted my deeded week into the club and the 225.00 club dues (155 + 70 new bill) were included in my 2995.00. It would call and just explain this I am sure they will fix it.

dougp26364, can you find your contract? Review the contract and see was THE 2008 Club Fees included; then I would call Member Services and discuss the problem.

My contract does indeed say "First year paid by developer." Unfortunately, it does not state a year. We converted our weeks in October of 2007 but, the first year of usage, or points being issued for our weeks, was 2008. I believe I have a valid arguement that either the dues I was billed for are for 2009 or they should be refunded.

Having dealt with DRI in the past, my bet is they'll argue that the first year was 2007, even though the first usage year possible was 2008. This is bound to be an uphill battle.

EDIT: I have located in the contract where it indicates that membership begins with the year 2008 and where it was written into the contract that the first years club dues were to be paid for by the developer. Now it's just an issue of getting it corrected with DRI.