15 Mar 2017

A question about : Diamond Resorts-is it a scam?

I have had an unsolicited letter from 'Diamond Resorts' offering me a 2 night break in a luxury apartment in the UK (Devon/Staffs/Lake District) for Ј69, just for listening to their 90 minute sales pitch (timeshare).

Now, I have NO intention of ever buying a timeshare, but is it worth that 90 minutes for a super-cheap break? My 'too good to be true' radar suggests it probably is a bit rubbish, but has anyone else used them? Any cautionary tales etc?

Thanks!

Best answers:

  • Hi Lazymummy,
    Had the same letter myself and to be honest the hotels look quite nice. Would be interested to hear from anyone who has been on one of these. I don't mind 90min for a cheap couple of nights away, as long as that's all there is to it...
  • Usually they'll give you a voucher which enables you to ring up and book accom, but there is often booking fee which you have to pay before you're given available dates which are often not the ones you want.
  • I've been to one of those type things some years back.
    90 Minute sales pitch is about right........ followed by about 4-5 HOURS of HARD SELLING!!
    The 90 Mins is the presentation where they show videos of all the opportunities and waffle about the greatness of it all.
    I consider myself to be quite level headed and had ABSOLUTELY no intention of buying any of their rubbish but "my word" did they lay it on thick?
    It got to the point where we had three of them leaning over us talking to each other about how they can't understand how we can be so stupid as to not want to sign up with them. It really was emotional bullying, not persuading..... bullying!
    When I raised my voice and started a bit of fist banging on the table the Background music in the room went up a few notches to drown out my voice so the other victims couldn't hear.
    Even I considered just signing the damn thing but cancelling it afterwards just to get away!!
    Eventually I got my way and we left on very bitter terms (I almost felt violated!!)
    It did annoy me though to hear so many Champagne Corks being popped from so many other tables where people had signed up.
    Apart from that we had a nice time, the Hotel and staff are nothing to do with it at all, once the day has been wasted with these vultures you can enjoy yourself.
    I wouldn't recommend going though unless you are 100% commited to not joining no matter how they make it sound (and they do make it sound good).
    Even if you are quite a strong character, don't underestimate the pressure they will put on you.
    Not for the feint hearted at all.
  • Thanks CHR15-you've confirmed my suspicions! I don't think I can be bothered to go through all that nonsense for a cheap break!
  • any firm thats needs 90 minutes to sell ANYthing must be doing something very wrong!
  • So, Col1957. how did you come by MSE?
  • Call me Mr Cynical COL but do you perchance have anything to do with Diamond Resorts?
    1st post or not methinks you do!:rolleyes:
  • maybe this forum will help.....
    https://www.timesharetalk.co.uk/forum/default.asp
  • Start by looking on Crimeshare.... google the company names.........they WILL steal your money without any doubt,dont ever go to a presentation,if you think you can hold out........you wont..........but all you clever ones that go just for the prize or the gift you will be lambs to the slaughter....and as for signing and cancelling after.....sounds good hey.........didn,t you read the small print.....or did the "shampain" cloud your judgement.....how can anyone with only one head be so stupid as to buy timeshare or holiday points....only my opinion of course......come on...all you lot that have bought in the past,tell us how great it is......you are only trying to convince yourself.....and as for selling your timeshare with thieves that promise to sell it for a unbelievable price that advertise on a major news channel....again try Crimeshare..............
  • Oh my, TWO newbies telling us how wonderful timeshare is... It must be true.
    We (foolishly) went to one of these presentations when we were on holiday one year (think it was in malta). They took us to this lovely hotel, had a look round, all very nice . They promised us a voucher for a free meal, some free wine and a free boat trip the following day. Well after an hour or so of being told we were off our heads to not buy, think they actually called my ds an imbecile! Anyway, had enough, said forget it we just want our freebies. Sorry they said, no freebies, tough luck. And then refused to take us back to our hotel (another promise). Ended up walking for bloodly miles in the scrotching heat not really sure of which way was home.
    never again.
    If its such a great investment why do they need the hard sell?
  • Just received one of these letters myself - luxury 2 day break for Ј59, or Ј89 at the weekend. Was considering going along but really can't be bothered with the selling.
    Think I'll go on Late Rooms and get myself a reduced hotel instead!
  • My parents-in-law have bought a package with Diamond Resorts (formerly Suntera). Basically you pay x amount of money and get x amount of points to spend each yaer on accomodation in places used by Diamond Resorts. Personally I don't think it's worth it for my folks in law as they don't always get the chance to use all their points. And it did cost them a lot of money. I think if you've got the time you can make it work for you but I would have thought for most it just isn't worth it.
    The accomodation is good though I've stayed in resorts in the UK, Span and Menorca and I've always been happy with it.
    The other thing to point out is that there is also a yearly maintainence fee on top of what you've already paid originally.
  • Tbh we used a timeshare for a while , it worked well for us because we have 4 children and its hard to find anywhere big enough in a package holiday ( well this was some years ago ). I think you really need to be on the ball and know how to use the system , I do know some people find timeshare works very well for them ..........However it isnt a cheap holiday , after you factor in the cost of buying , the annual maintenance and exchange fees , depending on what type of holiday you want it can work out expensive , on the plus side you do get some very nice accomodation.
  • We have been members of Diamond Resorts and its predecessor organisations for 10 years and have not had a problem with them. I would agree that it is not the cheapest way to take a holiday, though when limited to school holidays it is very competitive. However having suffered at the hands of the package holiday industry, particularly on our honeymoon, they do offer a guarunteed standard of accomodation and facilities. Also the customer service on resorts is of a high standard that most holiday reps do not achieve.
    Before anyone suggests that I work for Diamond Resorts, let me put them straight I do not. Myself and my wife are ordinary working people who don't necessarily want the cheapest, but we do expect value for money.
  • Quote. though when limited to school holidays it is very competitive...........The trouble being the flights are 3 times the price during the school holidays......so you lose both ways.....avoid like the plague....
  • amazing how they always show up with one or two post...get out of here...you insult my intelligence
  • Diamond resorts Purchased a company called sunterra europe who owned quite a number of european timeshares (i have one in tenerife)
    Diamond resorts are Vegas based and are Very big in the time share world
    As said in previous threads on here there will be a 90 or so min sales pitch to you but this will be based on Diamond points enabeling you to rent any of their resorts (SUBJECT TO A ROOM BEING AVAILABLE ON THE DATES YOU WANT) I own my time share as it suits me ,but be aware timeshare availability in School Holidays periods is very difficult to get /book in Europe
    Most owners use their weeks ,and those that are allready on the points system have booked at least 1 year in advance.
    Also bear in mind the Credit crunch Grandads and grandmas that own in these resorts will in all probability letting the family use then rather than "banking them in 2009"
  • We have recently attended one of these at Pine Lakes Resort - We had a lakeside lodge for 4 of us in school holidays for Ј69. Anyway we went to the presentation - knowing what to expect (as we had done this previously a few years ago). I have to say the presentation was NOT hard sell - but they offered us something like a trial membership + 1 weeks free holiday in Europe for Ј1250. We have just booked the free week for the Whit school holidays & we now have enough points to book another 2 weeks holiday (if we choose school hols) or we can book last minute for 1/2 points or even have weekend breaks in the UK. There is a live on-line site so you can see availability immediatley. We often book our flight & accomodation seperatley so we are used to the excessive school holiday flights - but we would easily have spent Ј1250 on just 1 holiday. We do not have to take full membership after the trial - we can just walk away. I wouldn't rule out these presentations as you can use them to your advantage if you play the system.
  • We recently attended a 90 minute presentation in Wakefield. I believe that this is part of a National promotion where you could win Ј30,000 or a BMW, but you do get 2 out of 5 'prizes'. The hard sell didn't last more than 20 minutes when none of the 3 couples would commit themselves to immediately puirchasing a 10,000 point sampler for Ј1595. Yes, in theory it couild be a good deal, but you would have to box very cleverly to get five week stays out of it, and then in studi apartments.
    I asked whether we could take the brochure away and think about it, but it was a take it or leave it on the spot. situation. Given that it was approcaching 9pm on a weekday evening, none of the staff wanted to hang about either. Perhaps if they'd let us think about it over a ferw days, we might have weighed it all up, and found it worthwhile.
    As for the 'prizes' everybody got 4 free nights at a Diamond resort with Ј150 towards your plane ticket for a Ј50 admin fee. We might be able to use this, particularly if we use a US resort - then all we have to do is avoid the invitation for a further presentation - which would be the hard sell.
    The two for one cruise might be more difficult - because we are not crusing people - it has to be done through a website - the reduction is on brochure price, and nobody nowadays pays the brochure price - and the promotion does not include flights, so you have to pay them yourself. At present is seems unlikely that this part will be used. There was another incentive on the night - if you buy the sampler - the four free nights is upgraded to 7, with the promise of Ј250 for the flights.
    The tone of the evening was - we want to reward you for giving up your time. No doubt they read these posts as well - so it will be interesting to see whether we actually do get rewarded for our time.
    Two more things. There was no talk of maintenence fees - which might be round the corner when you do buy full membership, and these are notorious for rising exponentially. Secondly, these points expire in 2054, whereas that is not the case in the US, where it is said maintenance fees are far lower.
    Buying points might suit you, especially if you are flexible on dates and locations, but school holidays could end up hard to come up with availability.
    But if you have a strong resolve, try an evening presentation - cos they can't keep you in all night - leave your money at home - and don't sign anything.
    If I find that one or both of these prizes are good value, then I will post another comment later.
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