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Re: Diamond Resorts International (DRI) "THE CLUB" Points Program & Converting your Week to Points

As someone who is not new to the timeshare game (at one time owning 12 timeshares), I had 3 rules. NEVER buy from a developer, NEVER buy from a developer and NEVER buy from a developer. When DRI was building Tower III (the villas) at Polo Towers, I looked across the strip from my Jockey Club unit longingly wishing I could afford to buy into that resort. With the current downturn in the economy, I was able to buy a deeded week (suites) for a couple hundred bucks plus closing and "resort transfer fees" of $250.00. Admittedly the $1000 + annual MF's were a bit steep. For me, the flexibility of breaking up my week into 3 and 4 day stays and using it as a 2BR, 1BR or studio unit (lockout) made the cost acceptable. I recently let a friend use a 1BR unit as a guest for 3 days and I went the following week using the studiio for 3 days. I now have 4 days left as a 2BR with which I have the same flexiblility. I was obviously not an "original owner" as I bought my unit on Ebay (everyone thinking about timeshare NEEDS to look here), however I was invited to an "owner's meeting" during my stay. The concierge told me I needed to make a $20 refundable deposit to guarantee my presence at the meeting which I did. I was also promised a $100 VISA gift card for attending. Now, admittedly, I was expecting some sort of "pitch", but also expected some semblance of an owner's meeting as well. Instead I got a one-on-one with a salesman who proceeded to offer me the DRI points system while telling me that basically my week was now worthless. This while I was actually getting decent flexibility from my current "week ownership". After repeatedly saying NO to the salesman, who had walked me from the "owner's area" up to what used to be the rooftop lounge, I stood up and asked where I get my $20 deposit as I was ready to resume my vacation. He told me that the mgr would have to approve that and he left returning with a "manager" who then started high-pressuring me on the sale. I stuck to my very firm NO was then escorted back to the owner's area where a third representative offered me a "last chance" to get in to DRI. At this point I was admittedly getting a bit pissed off and said NO for the last time. This gentleman then walked me to the other side of the building to what used to be the lobby for Tower I. Here a very pleasant young woman refunded my $20 deposit and gave me my $100 gift card. Biggest points of this story are that DRI uses EXTREMELY aggressive sales techniques beating you up by 3 different sales people AND they definitely offer the "conversion" to DRI points through The Club. Everyone has to make their own decision, but for me, I am quite happy with my week at Polo Towers. I should also mention that the suites units in Towers I & II were remodeled a few years ago and are almost as nice as the villas units complete with granite countertops in the kitchens/kitchenettes. The other thing I have to say is that other than the "sales pitch" and the conversion of the lounge to a sales center (impressive venue as it has an awesome view to the west with the new City Center, etc.), that my stay was wonderful. The staff were all very helpful, the resort was very well maintained and the rooftop pool beautiful. I hope that my experience will be helpful to timeshare newbies as well as weeks owners. Buyer Beware and compare - do your due diligence and do NOT be pressured into anything until you are 100 percent sure of what you want and all the associated costs. One more quick note - if you like Las Vegas and are interested in timeshare there, do NOT buy at Jockey Club - what used to be a decent resort is now a sad little building that the Cosmopolitan has completely built around on 3 sides giving window views on only the north side rendering half of the units worthless in my opinion. Happy Vacationing, folks!