Diamond Resorts International Deception, innuendo, exaggeration and outright lies are the basis of their business model! Las Vegas Nevada

Nine Years With Diamond Resorts

Sedona, AZ

Our first experience with time share presentations came during a vacation to Sedona AZ with a group called Sunterra. Any previous dealings with corporate America on our part were entered into with confidence that negotiations were in good faith on the part of both parties. After years of experience with these presentations it has become abundantly evident that one of the parties in this case was not only acting in bad faith, but was taking full advantage of a carefully crafted program of manipulation and deceit to take advantage of anyone they can lure into their devious presentations. This presentation was nearly indistinguishable from all the ones that followed over the ensuing years whenever we stayed at any of "our" properties,a presentation filled with empty promises, exaggerations, disguised and shrouded information required by governmental regulatory agencies which we were required to initial to fulfill their regulatory obligations that totally skirted the real intent of the law, misrepresented "benefits" available to members, and of course outright lies.

The signature characteristic of Sunterra's presentation, is unnecessary (complicatedness). The generic term for this is smoke and mirrors. We were "especially lucky" to be experiencing this presentation when we did as Sunterra was being bought out at that precise moment by Diamond Resorts International so there were "special considerations" available to us not normally available to others! Of course the offer to buy into this wonderful opportunity was the very best deal they could afford to offer and would only be valid for that particular day after which the price would rise precipitously. Hidden in the bowels of this contract is another government regulation which we again must initial stating we read the 100 page prospectus provided by Diamond Resorts. We were told we would receive this document "in the upcoming days" at our home address so as "not to be burdened with all this voluminous paperwork while traveling."

Again, a presentation technique common to the grand design was utilized when we balked at their "very best offer." This would be another unique opportunity due entirely to fortuitous circumstance that they are "very rarely able to do" which is to include an "executive, vice presidential CEO" from "corporate" who just happens to be on site this particular day. Since he happens to be on site, and especially likes us after a very cordial and personal (two minute) conversation and because he possesses very powerful, Oz like powers the offer was suddenly improved considerably!

So now we have been offered a deal that will most certainly bankrupt Diamond Resorts if we don't promise to not divulge the unprecedentedly generous treatment showered upon us this day. Our immediate counter offer was accepted only after much hand wringing and consternation on the part of all in this grand transaction.

So, all the i's dotted and all the t's crossed, all caveats and disclaimers have been initialed, all legal signatures have been penned and properly recorded and all government regulations have been satisfied and attested to (sort of). The need no longer exists to maintain the charade that this is an exclusive vacation club with the primary purpose of offering unexcelled service in providing vacation experiences.

As the years have passed it has become very apparent that the total focus of this corporation is the above mentioned sales presentations to not only prospective new marks, but this concern is shameless enough to target those of us who have already bought into the scam and are unable to get reservations at the promised resorts because they are all held open to entice new marks! Specific example:

My wife and I traveled to Kansas City to visit our new grandson and attempted to reserve a week at the very nice Diamond Resorts property at Fall Creek in Branson Missouri. After an hour of aggravation on line and another 15 minutes of more aggravation wandering around in their robophone I finally got a live person who after another 20 minutes informed me that even though this is a preferred property in my membership portfolio of properties I could not reserve a suite. With no further assistance from "my personal club" I used The Club portion on Diamond Resorts to book a sanctioned property with at least an implied guarantee of some rudimentary quality in Branson. Upon arrival we were confronted with the most rundown, filthiest, insect infested property we have seen anywhere. All furniture torn to tatters with sofa cushions flipped for "more esthetic presentation." Main concern at front desk was photocopying (front and back) of my MasterCard for $500 damage deposit. The photocopy was carefully filed on the desk in the front office in plain view. I obviously had to cancel that card!

Now: Insult to Injury

In the lobby of our restaurant that night we were approached by a Diamond Resorts representative who feigned surprise at our response when he asked about our experience as members with Diamond Resorts. He did actually offer us a suite at The Suites at Falls Creek with a $100 gift card if we would agree to sit through yet another wonderful DR presentation.

So: The True Character of Diamond Resorts

Once you're a member you will be unable to reserve any of the admittedly very nice properties because "there is no availability" but you can reserve, sight unseen and with no guarantee of quality (let alone safety) a "comparable" property. Low and behold though, when talking to one of the lowest members of the DR food chain I can now reserve the suite I originally wanted on the dates for which I was told there was no availability and receive $100 for doing so if I subject myself and my wife to another DR sales fairy tale!

Stay tuned, this is just the first installment of factual accounts by one owner (member) of Diamond Resorts International.

Next Installment:

What do you call a business concern that forsakes their current clients to attract future clients just to maintain solvency?

Gary