New rules for TheClub

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

I didn't see the letter yet. In many ways, I'm sorry to hear about it. We are a little better off financially than most of our friends. Every year, we almost always give one of them a week to take a vacation. Usually, they come at the same time as us, so we have a great time. It's also a great way to introduce them to the concept of time-sharing. None of my friends could afford to buy TS outright from DRI, but they could afford to purchase resale. If the fee structure continues to go up, DRI is going to dissuade purchases. On the other hand, I've found there are many people who own a lot of weeks or points and rent them out to cover MFs and other costs. While I understand that some owners need to do that, the practice adds to the problem of limited availability to those of us who own just enough to get a week or two for a 2 BDRM unit. This year alone, booking 10 months out still led to no availability at some resorts. (I know the argument here is that those who own many weeks/points could potentially use them anyway - so that wouldn't change the availability problem. However, it still seems a little unfair to those of us who purchase TS for our own use.)

[Schooner Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schooner]

I didn't see the letter yet. In many ways, I'm sorry to hear about it. We are a little better off financially than most of our friends. Every year, we almost always give one of them a week to take a vacation. Usually, they come at the same time as us, so we have a great time. It's also a great way to introduce them to the concept of time-sharing. None of my friends could afford to buy TS outright from DRI, but they could afford to purchase resale. If the fee structure continues to go up, DRI is going to dissuade purchases. On the other hand, I've found there are many people who own a lot of weeks or points and rent them out to cover MFs and other costs. While I understand that some owners need to do that, the practice adds to the problem of limited availability to those of us who own just enough to get a week or two for a 2 BDRM unit. This year alone, booking 10 months out still led to no availability at some resorts. (I know the argument here is that those who own many weeks/points could potentially use them anyway - so that wouldn't change the availability problem. However, it still seems a little unfair to those of us who purchase TS for our own use.)

Just open the DRI site, sign in and go to the accounts area to see the letter and the revised 80 page legal document.

I agree with you that bringing quests along or providing weeks to them is a great way to introduce friends to timesharing. I have no idea how many people rent time out but believe from my read of the new rules and DRI's recent announcements about deals with "EXPEDIA" and others they plan to market any excess capacity very aggressively. That includes inventory they own as well as inventory they judge as "club manager" to be at risk of not being reserved by members... for example all inventory that isn't reserved at 45 days from check in is mentioned in one clause as a target for rental by DRI with all receipts from the rent going to DRI as opposed to members. In the final analysis DRI is holding most of the levers controlling availability. Unless they are very good at balancing the needs of members for time against their desire to maximize profit we are going to experience reduced availability.

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

Ok - I just got to Page 32 (of 80!) regarding the prohibition on renting points and or accommodations. It clearly states that anyone advertising in public or on the web is considered to be a commercial renter and that is prohibited.

How is that going to affect some large points holders? What would you do with all those points if you can't rent them? Oh, its specifically OK if a Diamond entity holds the points and wants to rent them. Can you say II/RCI?

I also got a kick out of the page above it where if you underpay (for any reason) you have 30 days to get current or be banned. But if you OVERPAY they will "not be obligated to return the difference". Just one minor example of the total one-sided nature of this "agreement".

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

Ok - I just got to Page 32 (of 80!) regarding the prohibition on renting points and or accommodations. It clearly states that anyone advertising in public or on the web is considered to be a commercial renter and that is prohibited.

Not being a DRI owner and having access to these rules, is the above new? It must be because I know of quite a number of people that do that. Heck, I've even rented from a couple.

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

The rule changes & fees don't look too bad compared to some others BUT how do they figure $235 for the annual fee is only 5% more than last year? Maybe if you include the screwing we got in 2008 for $75 out of the blue and for nothing - ....

Either one of two things...1) Cloobeck is wasting his money in hiring people who cannot do basic math 2) DRI is trying to be sneaky and purposely hiding the fact DRI raised the annual Club fee from 155 to 200+ just a short few months ago.

Hmmmm

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

...we are going to experience reduced availability.

Be sure of one thing. If this happens, MANY disgruntled current Club members will no longer be advocates of DRI. DRI needs to weigh this versus new blood coming being introduced to their system.

My bet (but it is not mine to make, is it?) would be to rely more heavily on word of mouth from current members, happy members, than alienate them (with high rate of fee increases yet decreasing availability).

I am at a resort this long holiday weekend, and I have spoken to several Club members, two new and three or four old timers. They are seemly happy with DRI - and there seems to be good will in what we collectively are a part of, esp the old timers seem to like the DRI takeover of Sunterra. This easily can generate real, bonified word-of-mouth leads for DRI. BUT, this can and will change if DRI is not careful.

[sheilaanthony Member Find all posts View Profile Close sheilaanthony]

Not being a DRI owner and having access to these rules, is the above new? It must be because I know of quite a number of people that do that. Heck, I've even rented from a couple.

These are only questions...Is it possible that "quite a number of people" may have it written into their old contracts that they are allowed to rent? Or have otherwise favorable contracts with other favorable clauses? Wouldn't it have behooved Diamond or Sunterra before them to strike a financial deal/business decision, with some large deed or points owners as an enticement to buy in, buy more, etc? If it was Sunterra or an entity before them, wouldn't the new entity have to honor the contract?

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

Be sure of one thing. If this happens, MANY disgruntled current Club members will no longer be advocates of DRI. DRI needs to weigh this versus new blood coming being introduced to their system.

My bet (but it is not mine to make, is it?) would be to rely more heavily on word of mouth from current members, happy members, than alienate them (with high rate of fee increases yet decreasing availability).

I am at a resort this long holiday weekend, and I have spoken to several Club members, two new and three or four old timers. They are seemly happy with DRI - and there seems to be good will in what we collectively are a part of, esp the old timers seem to like the DRI takeover of Sunterra. This easily can generate real, bonified word-of-mouth leads for DRI. BUT, this can and will change if DRI is not careful.

It makes much more sense for a business to keep its owners happy. If owners are unhappy, the negative feedback will eventually lead to a decline in new sales or increase in current members who simply don't pay their dues. In this economy, I'm sure there are plenty of owners who would rather walk away from their contracts.

[Schooner Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schooner]

Be sure of one thing. If this happens, MANY disgruntled current Club members will no longer be advocates of DRI. DRI needs to weigh this versus new blood coming being introduced to their system.

My bet (but it is not mine to make, is it?) would be to rely more heavily on word of mouth from current members, happy members, than alienate them (with high rate of fee increases yet decreasing availability).

I am at a resort this long holiday weekend, and I have spoken to several Club members, two new and three or four old timers. They are seemly happy with DRI - and there seems to be good will in what we collectively are a part of, esp the old timers seem to like the DRI takeover of Sunterra. This easily can generate real, bonified word-of-mouth leads for DRI. BUT, this can and will change if DRI is not careful.

I could not agree more. Notwithstanding the very agressive moves DRI are making to ensure they have the unfettered power to manage TheClub and other collections I have to hope they are intelligent enough to use those powers in a way that does not abuse members. For example, sell enough of the excess inventory through Expedia, II etc. so that the business thrives but not at the expense of owners. If they don't, the business will go into a downward spiral and fast!

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

Has DRI mailed out invoices for Club fees for 2009 to their members?

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

Has DRI mailed out invoices for Club fees for 2009 to their members?

I haven't received mine yet.

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

when are these club fees due? how about m/f's ?
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