Diamond Resorts International (formerly GVC) - management fees

[Richie_Freedom]

Hi All,

I have just joined the forum and this is my first post. I had a quick look around to see if this company had been highlighted, but I could not see any.

 

Firstly here is the story - sorry for the length of the message, but I just need to give you guys some background.

 

I joined the holiday club (floating points system over the year on any of a number of resorts) around 10 years ago and had several holidays with them. However on nearly every occasion I could not get the location or time that I wanted. Even booking way in advance I could not find what I wanted. Secondly the accomodation was not to the promised high standards and everyone visited was under refurb or about to be refurbed. At that point in time I had paid all of the management fees.

 

However it got to a point two years ago when I said enough was enough and withdrew my membership by writing them a letter. From that point on I stopped paying the very high management fees. They responded saying that the membership could not be cancelled and I must continue to pay the management fee until the points are sold. However this can only be really done by transferring to an exisiting member - I have tried this but I can't even give them away!!

 

I have now had a letter from them saying they are passing the matter onto a debt collection agency....hence my action to find out more about my rights and action I can and should take now.

 

So at this point in time I have yet to be contacted by the DCA concerned, however the date on the letter from Diamond Resorts states that they will hand over the alleged debt for the management fees in the next few weeks.

 

Therefore I am requesting some advice please....should I await the DCA to contact me or is there any action I should take now?

Edited June 3, 2011 by Richie_Freedom
add a word "alleged"

[honeybee13]

Hello there, welcome to CAG.

 

You're asking for advice in a fairly specialised area, but there are people here who are in the know.

 

In case it helps them to advise you, did you buy this timeshare in the UK please?

 

My best, HB

[Richie_Freedom]

Hi Honeybee 13,

 

Yes I joined the club in the UK.

 

R

[Richie_Freedom]

Anyone??

[cebow]

Hi Ritche,

take a look at the Diamond Resorts Protesters site drip.webs.com may give you some very usefull advice.Tried to PM you but new member and cannot

[Richie_Freedom]

Thanks for the web site details ....it looks like a great site for my specific query..>THANKS!!!

 

I will take a look at this to see if anyone has any ideas !

[cebow]

Ritchie,

to get all the info you will have to register on the site.It isnt automatic.Please be aware due to masive response the site owner has had to upgrade his web site so things may seem a little slow.

There is a LOT of info and it takes some wadding through,but it helps most folks to realise they are not alone.

[Richie_Freedom]

Thanks...I've done the initial registration as a "limited member" and just await full membership to be finalised so I can see all the documents and access the forums etc. As you say it apparently takes a few days after the profile information is provided.

 

I hope that it helps and can give me some advice!!!!

 

Do you have any general advice on dealing with debt companies....at this time they have not contacted me, but this could happen in a few weeks time. I guess it could start on the phone and then go from there??

[cebow]

Ritchie,

I am not a lawyer so can only pass on what I have seen.Hold on ,do nothing untill you have accessed all the information on the DRIP site.It may take a little time as the original web hoster has been litterally overwhelmed and a larger host is being set up by the site owner.

It is a self help group,voluntery,and the guy works to earn a living,running the site in his spare time.

As I understand it if the debt collector hasnt got an order from the court they can be told the "debt "is in dispute and politley told to go away .Get access to the site,read the forum on debt collectors by people who are on the same road as you but way farther down it, Glad to have helped a little

[Richie_Freedom]

Cebow, I'm a full member now and have reviewed the forum notes as you suggest.

 

Some people have sent a letter to DRI stating the alleged debt is in dispute and therefore dealing with the DC agency should be avoided. Others are ignoring the DRI letter and await contact from the DA agency...which is what my reaction to this is. There is also a lot of info of peoples actions and the steps to take which again I will certainly look at.

Thanks for the response. I'll try and pop back now and then to provide a quick update - but will concentrate on the DRIP site for this specific issue.

However I will use this site/forum for general consumer issues.

[cebow]

Hi Ritchie

I am registered with the old site,waiting to transfer to the new one.If you follow the link to the old site on the top of entry page you will be amazed at the ammount of info on there.

 

I am suprised that there are not more listings re Diamond on this site.

 

I think a lot of people are just terrified of the threats from such a big company and capitulate

[HOWLER]

hi guys

i too am in your position,, thru illness and no income i cant pay either, i have no nasty letters as yet , but am waiting ?

[eeyorebob]

My brother is a member of Diamond International (i think thats the company anyway - he does get points, and goes on quite a few holidays), i've been to a couple of the resorts thanks to him, and the 2 i've stayed at not had any refurbishment issues etc, so I cant really say, or say anything about the debt thingys either as obviously he is the points holder not me lol

 

I've also seen another good forum where i've had advice on various issues in the past too, very much along the same lines as this one, different people with different experiences http://www.complaintsfactory.co.uk/ I love these sort of sites, have had loads of advise from these places on complaining etc

[suzanne doell]

Hi Richie,

I am new to these blogs but am like many, apparently in hoc to Diamond Resorts for management fees. I am interested in the fact that you were contacted by a debt collection agency, Daniel Silverman, who are threatening legal action. Can I ask how your case has proceeded since last year? how far did they go and what was the outcome? obviously these fees are causing us all sever financial stress, and i was wondering whether you had any advice for one in the same boat?

 

All comments and advice from anyone gratefully received.

Sue