sunterra will take back unwanted timeshares if you cant afford the maint fees

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

We recently got rid of our time share thru one of those agencies that take it off your hands for a fee. We did it in early Dec and already had iur maint fee bill from sunterra but had not paid it yet. The company taking it off our hands said they would pay the maint fee for us. after checking our account in jan and feb I thought we were scammed ,however when I called them they told me they had notified the resort and the fees would be paid. however in march we received a deliquent notice from the resort and in the same envelope was papers saying that if we wanted to relinqish the timeshare back to sunterra and have no further responsibility we just had to sign and notorize the enclosed form. this is a fact that noone knows. we did not eben have to pay the deliquent fees. well as sunterra was mailing this to us the company that took it off our hands finally paid the fees so in any event we are off the hook for the time share. So the moral is dont pay your fees let them become delinquent and they will take it if you wish . you dont have to pay someone to take it.

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

We recently got rid of our time share thru one of those agencies that take it off your hands for a fee. We did it in early Dec and already had iur maint fee bill from sunterra but had not paid it yet. The company taking it off our hands said they would pay the maint fee for us. after checking our account in jan and feb I thought we were scammed ,however when I called them they told me they had notified the resort and the fees would be paid. however in march we received a deliquent notice from the resort and in the same envelope was papers saying that if we wanted to relinqish the timeshare back to sunterra and have no further responsibility we just had to sign and notorize the enclosed form. this is a fact that noone knows. we did not eben have to pay the deliquent fees. well as sunterra was mailing this to us the company that took it off our hands finally paid the fees so in any event we are off the hook for the time share. So the moral is dont pay your fees let them become delinquent and they will take it if you wish . you dont have to pay someone to take it.

We appreciate your input but facts are facts:

• There's no such thing as Sunterra
• There's been numerous discussions of DRI's on-again off-again buy-backs and take-backs on this forum.
• If you took the time to read this forum, you might have decided that you could make good use of your timeshare, but it's too late for you, I guess.
• Cheers!

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

That is how timeshare ownership should be. For all that I paid over the time I owned it they should pay me,crooks.

[taffy19 Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close taffy19]

We recently got rid of our time share thru one of those agencies that take it off your hands for a fee. We did it in early Dec and already had iur maint fee bill from sunterra but had not paid it yet. The company taking it off our hands said they would pay the maint fee for us. after checking our account in jan and feb I thought we were scammed ,however when I called them they told me they had notified the resort and the fees would be paid. however in march we received a deliquent notice from the resort and in the same envelope was papers saying that if we wanted to relinqish the timeshare back to sunterra and have no further responsibility we just had to sign and notorize the enclosed form. this is a fact that noone knows. we did not eben have to pay the deliquent fees. well as sunterra was mailing this to us the company that took it off our hands finally paid the fees so in any event we are off the hook for the time share. So the moral is dont pay your fees let them become delinquent and they will take it if you wish . you dont have to pay someone to take it.

I am glad for you that you are off the hook for your timeshare but what a shame that you paid a fee to one of these "postcard companies" but could have done it for free through DRI. Some of these companies charge a lot.

Thanks for posting this so others may not make your mistake. That company is going to sell it on eBay now and may collect more money yet. Check eBay and you may find it listed there.

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

That is how timeshare ownership should be. For all that I paid over the time I owned it they should pay me,crooks.

One of the biggest problems with timeshare is owners who didn't think things through before they signed on the dotted line. Then, years later, they start complaining about paying too much, and accusing the company of being crooks. Don't they realise they have a responsibility to think before acting too???

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

You should have been in that pressure cooker with me that day.
I will never forget !!

[tonyg Goomba & Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close tonyg]

You should have been in that pressure cooker with me that day.
I will never forget !!

I remember a few of those, but I always said no except that time that I came back the next day and rescinded (and that was a soft sell in the 80's).

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

As unforgiving and critical as bing is, I cannot believe that in 1950 or 1980 or 2009 that bing's demeanor has changed. I think he had a great sales person and can't admit that he was hoodwinked.

[julieab Member Find all posts View Profile Close julieab]

What about this from the corp DRI forums: Diamond Resorts International® ?

Quote:
492007 (11.21.2008)

The topic of selling membership has been covered but how about resignation of membership. What are some alternatives if you can no longer justify the continuing expenses and selling is not a reasonable option. Our original purchase was with EPIC which was later purchased by the former company and is now owned by Diamond. Our primary reason to purchase was to gain inexpensive access to Interval Intl.. Our dues have gone from a comfortable $250 per month to over $800, this has happened over a period of 7 years! We now find ourselves owning something far beyond the original investment scope which creates a financial hardship.

Dear 492007;

Thank you for taking the time to post on the Diamond Resorts International® (DRI) Members Forum. We appreciate the feedback you have provided and we would like to address your concerns.

We are sorry to hear that you are thinking of ridding yourself of your vacation ownership interval.

Yes, under certain circumstances, you can surrender your vacation ownership interval. There cannot be any active loans on the account, and the 2009 maintenance fees and dues for THEClubSM must be paid in full.

If you own a deeded property and fit the above described conditions of no loan and maintenance fees being paid for 2009, you may request to have a warranty deed sent to you for signature before a Notary Public. Once we receive the notarized document back in our office, it will be sent to the County Recorders office for recording. When the deed has been recorded, you will no longer be responsible for the interval.

However, if you own an interval in one of the three U.S. Collections, in addition to the conditions of paid in full loan and 2009 maintenance fees being paid up, there is an $250 cancelation fee. The Mutual Release Agreement (MRA) will be mailed to you for signature before a Notary Public. When we receive the notarized MRA and payment for the $250 cancelation fee, your account will be canceled and you will no longer have any responsibility for or benefit from your timeshare interval.

We recognize that every member of THEClubSM has needs that are unique to them. DRI is dedicated meeting those needs, and to providing its guests with effortless and relaxing vacation experiences every time, for a lifetime. Customer service is a key component to DRI's success and we can assure you that our goal is to deliver honesty and transparency at every interaction with DRI's team members.

Thank you again for your feedback. We look forward to bringing you the Diamond Resorts International® experience at a value you would never have experienced before.

Regards,

DanaS

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

Oh I know I got hoodwinked big time! I just could not believe that people would actually to that to others. When I ran a business I never lied to anyone about my products just to make a sale. I hold to the truth ( at least for me ) that if you are honest with people,have a fair markup, handle complaints right away, the bottom line will take care of itself.
A friend of mine who used to sell timeshares said there is nothing wrong with timeshares, it's just how people market them. I have wondered when this type of vacation was started why someone said let's be dishonest and say and do anything to make a sale even if you have to lie. As I see it, timeshares are like most things, good for some, not so good for others.

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

We recently got rid of our time share thru one of those agencies that take it off your hands for a fee. We did it in early Dec and already had iur maint fee bill from sunterra but had not paid it yet. The company taking it off our hands said they would pay the maint fee for us. after checking our account in jan and feb I thought we were scammed ,however when I called them they told me they had notified the resort and the fees would be paid. however in march we received a deliquent notice from the resort and in the same envelope was papers saying that if we wanted to relinqish the timeshare back to sunterra and have no further responsibility we just had to sign and notorize the enclosed form. this is a fact that noone knows. we did not eben have to pay the deliquent fees. well as sunterra was mailing this to us the company that took it off our hands finally paid the fees so in any event we are off the hook for the time share. So the moral is dont pay your fees let them become delinquent and they will take it if you wish . you dont have to pay someone to take it.

Many HOA's will take deedbacks. It is much cheaper and quicker than foreclosing. I have seen a number of deeds from the Postcard Companies directly back to the HOA. They are scamming those who do business with them by not revealing this.

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

Many HOA's will take deedbacks. It is much cheaper and quicker than foreclosing. I have seen a number of deeds from the Postcard Companies directly back to the HOA. They are scamming those who do business with them by not revealing this.

I'm no fan of the postcard companies, but there are two points that come out of the statement above.

1. The seller needs to do their homework.

2. The pc company is under no obligation to inform a potential seller that there are better options out there. Is it any different to a main agent for a car brand not telling somebody, when they want their car serviced, that the garage down the road will do it cheaper??