How can Diamond Resorts, specifically their Board of Directors, justify charging a 25% collection fee. I received a bill for my maintenance fees on Feb 22nd with 5% late charge added since it was due on Feb 1. This was the first bill that I received in the mail but they had apparently mailed out the first bill back in November 2009. I can't blame DR for me not receiving the first bill so I immediately paid the 1220.80 balance online through their website and swallowed the late fee. On the website however my balance showed I owed $1526 not $1220.80. Thinking this must be an error I just paid the 1220.80. When I called DR Finance Service this morning, I got the most shocking news that I had been assessed a 25% collection fee for not paying the maintenance before Feb 15th. I calmly explained that this was the first billing notice that I received so perhaps they can reverse or reduce the fees since I paid immediately upon receiving this second notice. No go with the agent named Teresa nor the supervisor Dan. The timing of the statement mailing clearly offers no other purpose than to let the customer know that you are now screwed. The statement has a due date of Feb 1 and a statement date of Feb 17- two days after the mandatory 25% collection fee! So they conveniently send it out when they know there is no way for you the avoid the collection fee that is written somewhere in their policy sheet that the average owner does not read thoroughly. So I ask Why not send the 2nd notice before the unjustified collection fee kicks in! And Patrick Duffy- Chief Experience Officer of DR, how the hell does your DR board of directors justify a 25% fee for being 2 weeks late from the Feb 1 due date ! I don't even think mortgage companies charge $305 for being 2 weeks late on a 500K loan for a house you live in every day of the year! Why does your company deliberately create such policies that alienate owners. Is this the Board's way of ensuring that they have a large enough pot to fund the hefty bonus they soooo richly deserve. I hope there is a class action suit that looks into the practices of DR. Count me in Hafter Law firm of Las Vegas. I would be happy to sign on that document. Patrick Duffy, if you are really concerned about the horribly negative image that your company is gaining, I would expect to get a response from you at [email protected]. If not then your silence will say it all.

Bought timeshare in 2003 at Powatan Plantation in Williamsburg, VA. Said maint. fees would not be much over $ 500.00. The first bill was almost $ 700. Up every year after. We upgraded (what a joke) in Feb 08. They said if we get in "the trust" our maint. fees would slow down and not go up much at all. They estimated $ 1, 102, which would be due Jan 09, got the bill for a little over $1, 200. Just received the 2010 bill for $ 1, 500. Up almost $ 300 in one year. How can that be legal. They lied to us from the very first day. From the time we first joined, they told me and my wife that we could go to Powatan or Greensprings and use their facilities anytime we wanted since we live close by. They even gave us a Greeensprings club card so we could get in. My wife took our kids there and when she got to the gate she showed them the card but they said she couldn't get in because her name was not on the roster. I have called, complained, emailed etc., with no help. They are liars and will tell you anything to get you to sign the dotted line. I would never recommend Diamond Resorts to anyone. The maint. fees are so high that I cannot afford them anymore. The timeshare was sold on the idea of keeping vacation costs down. What a joke.

Rental Ripoff. I checked the rental rate for a condo in St. Maarten. I am an interval member and they have an agreement with Diamond Resorts. I got a rental rate of $138.00 via Expedia. Then I called Diamond Resorts and they told me the rate was $137.50 per night BUT they would give me the 2nd night free. So I booked two units at $137.50 for $275.00. I even commented to my rep, Ethan, that he saved me $275.00.

When I checked into the condo, the rate was not clarified as 1 night free but I was told that the front desk would look into it. When we checked out, we were charged $137.50 per night per unit. An overpayment of $275.00.

I have since called Diamond Resorts. What a bunch of flakes. After a series of frustrating semantics on Rack Rate vs. "Discount". I asked to speak to the Vice President. Jason Toste. Of course, I was told he was not in (they never are...). Well Jason ended up answering the phone after all. Then he told me that " Ethan, my rental agent was smart enough for a bait and switch...He only makes $10 an hour. "

When I asked to hear the recording, Jason said they don't exist. Then he went on to say, "Why would we rent it to you for $137.50" when that doesn't even cover our maintenance.

Bottom line is: I pay a monthly fee to Interval. Which is in partnership with Diamond Resorts.. And when it was all said and done, they did a bait and switch, using semantics and I saved a whopping $1.00 by booking direct with Diamond Resorts.

Save your money. These timeshares are a ripoff and the agents will tell you what you want to hear, then deny, deny, deny.

The latest complaint is the lack of response to requests to honor the $150 maintenance fee credit for 2009, and for two American Airlines certificates.
Phone calls and letters are to no avail. I will contact the Federtal Trade Commision.

If any one reads this Diamond Resorts has more than doubled in 5 years. They have gone crazy. I would not buy there again. It is supposed to be a help in keeping vacation costs under control. W e could book a regular vacation with airfare for less than just the maint. fees.