Diamond Resorts review: maintenance fees 11

Ms. Caldwell,

How many points do you own now as compared to 1999? Your management fee is based on points and disclosed to you (with your signature) at every junction?

We are not thieves, you did get your billing...right?

Why don't you call me so I can research the alleged issue. I would be happy to.

Thank you,

Patrick Duffy
Chief Experience Officer
Diamond Resorts International

patrick.duffy@diamondresorts.com
[protected]

How can you honestly sleep at night Mr. Duffy?
We also purchased a timeshare in 2000- from Embassy Resort at Poipu in Kauai. They sold to Sunterra and now Diamond Resorts owns the property. Our maintenance fees have DRASTICALLY increased since DRI took over operations-to the tune of 55%. It's the equivalent of highway robberty. The "board" is a joke-a quick google search will fill you in on that. Read the article from Mark Givens in the Garden Island. DRI threatened a lawsuit because he spoke the truth. On top of all this we have lost most of the amenities that were offered, such as our owner happy hours and orientation breakfasts. They raised the prices and honestly there isn't a lot to show for it.
Fortunately, we paid cash for our timeshare. We've continued to pay the maintenance fees simply because I don't have the time to try and sell it, but after renting a 4 bedroom house in Poipu through VRBO we're definitely disillusioned with the timeshare experience-and plan to sell it. By the way, the house cost less then our maintenance fees did this year.

Lady,

I sleep well at night...don't you concern yourself with that...Now, what is the point of your message?

Let me explain something to you;
If DRI did not decide to acquire and run these resorts correctly...You, and all the other uninformed owners and members whould be crying about losing your timeshare. Everyone, including DRI pays to own. Your maintenace fees pay salary, utilities, upkeep, etc.

Do you think since your purchase in 2000 prices have declined in Hawaii?

If you have a cogent question/inquiry my contact information is as such;

Patrick Duffy

patrick.duffy@diamondresorts.com
[protected]

According to my recent research on one particular Diamond Resort, the "maintenance fees" exceed the market rental value by approx 64%

This result is based upon a direct equivalent example that I was able to find. There are many anecdotal claims that accomodation can be found for less in other resorts, but this seems to be a direct comparison.

For an appartment priced at 6500 points for a week to a Diamond Member (according to the 2010/2011 points table), it appears that a similar appartment, in the same development, costs just £510 to rent via Expedia. This is for Easter next year. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the price does not reflect any last minute special offers.

The Expedia price must include maintenance costs, finance costs to build the appartment etc etc. Hence it is difficult to understand how Diamond can effectively be charging over £800 for that week just for maintenance.

According to my calculations, at an assumed 80% occupancy rate over a full year, Diamond charges amount to around £34, 000 for maintenance on this one appartment. That does seem like rather a lot.

Please feel free to correct or comment on this as I am keen to get to understand this situation and I would not like to misrepresent anything.

Great answer Mr Duffy! Do I sense some pique in your response? Your company are basically crooks, you do not deliver what is promised the accommodation is nowhere near 5* the management fees are according to informed sources the highest in the industry! Your points were sold on a basis of lies and deceit! You maintain that DRI are above board and honest yet any negative comment on the DRI site is removed, and anyone at one of your presentation who presents the facts to potential buyers (even though they are members) are asked to leave if you are convinced the people you have working for you are honest and are making sure the buyers are aware of ALL THE FACTS why have over 30% of your members refused to pay their management fees? You are like all your employees a crook and in any properly regulated business would at best be out of a job but preferably be in prison! I guess the pique is as a result of more and more people taking you to task! The days of DRI lying and deceiving people are coming to an end I guess it is time for you to dream up another name for the company so you can continue to rip people off for a little longer!

Mr DUFFY is conspicuous by his absence, or is he just finding a suitable place to hide when the carpet is pulled from under him. This company is a disgrace, threatening letters from debt collectors and evening phone calls. Marvellous customer relations. PLEASE, PLEASE READERS DO NOT GET INVOLVED WITH DIAMOND RESORTS>

Come out, come out wherever you are Mr Duffy. We want to talk to you

Thought i would share these gems!

copied and pasted from the diamond resorts forum:

We hope in the days, months and years ahead, you find your vacation ownership with Diamond Resorts to be a seamless branded hospitality experience, every time.

We thank you for your patience and understanding as we develop a seamless product that offers both simplicity, choice and comfort to our members.

Diamond Resorts International believes that the people we should listen to the most are our customers. We appreciate your feedback as we listen to your inquiries and concerns.

From our values to our philosophies, Diamond Resorts is committed to a customer-centric culture, delivered at every hospitality touch.

We recognize that every member of THEClub 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.

DRI would like to express regret that the information you have noted was not posted with the response by our moderator on the previous post. We were not attempting to mislead anyone; rather it is a case of simple human error.

You will find at Diamond Resorts International we thrive off constructive feed back. Though it is impossible to adapt to each members ideas, we do add this to our queue. We hope this meets with your approval.

are the above produced from the same machine that p duffy uses?

I am sure you can all relate to this!

here is another;

We recently conducted a survey whereby over 5000 of our members responded and in answering the key question regarding DRI’s performance - taking into consideration call centre service, resort grounds, the accommodation, the check-in/out process and team member service - the results showed that 78% of our members were more than satisfied. With such a large membership base, there will inevitably be a small number of members who have issues, but clearly the majority, and a very large majority, are very happy and continue to pay their fees and take wonderful holidays with us.

small number of members who have issues = 22% = 1100 = almost a quarter of those surveyed.
when does a small number turn into a significant number - 99%?

the survey was only regarding the 'seamless branded hospitality experience'. no questionnaire yet on the change of contract terms and conditions, lack of exit strategy etc.

So obviously were are all wrong DRI are in fact all warm and cuddly! Come out come out wherever you are Mr Duffy your public awaits!

Wow I am sure most companies would be delighted with new a quarter of their customers were not happy!

I think that "not happy" understates the case. In reality we are all howling with rage. It is only English politeness and reserve that stops me from telling Mr Duffy what I really think of DRI and of him.

Come out Mr Duffy, Chief Experience Officer. You are responsible for creating a lot of misery. You need to face your victims and provide an answer.

I know, from your answer to another victim, that you sleep well at night. Shame on you. A decent human, responsible for what you have done, would never be able to sleep a wink. Even if what you have done is legal, in some narrow highly technical sense, it is highly immoral and totally reprehensible.

Come out!

Ah Patrick: I see that you are buying up Tempus Resorts INternational. Is that what you are doing with our money!

Another 40, 000 victims for you to feast upon. I guess that you will be changing their terms as well.

If you are a "member" of Tempus, you will find this site very useful: http://drip.webs.com/

We will help you to cope with your Diamond Resorts problems. We look forward to talking with you.

Exactly what i was thinking 40, 000 new victims for this despicable company to fleece, scam, rob choose your own adjectives! I suspect there will more complaints once it all goes through the Tempus members are n for a nasty shock!