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Original Message:

Class Action Against Diamond Resorts? (by Irene P.):

Jo H You say you were coached to not say anything at the recorded closing. File a complaint by following our instructions found on our member-sponsored Facebook if you feel you experienced unfair and deceptive sales practices. The recording of the QA started after over 900 Diamond members complained to the AZ AG. He launched an investigation and issued an Assurance of Discontinuance fining Diamond $800,000. Maya from Diamond's PR firm Prosek in Beverly Hills called me the day Diamond launched their Clarity program letting me know, "And Diamond is going to go beyond the AOD! We are going to record the closing session." I said that will do nothing to protect the consumer. Sure enough, I have received about a hundred complaints from members reporting how they were "coached" on why they should not say anything to QA including: 1) "I will help you with refinancing. Call me after you make your first loan payment (after the rescission period) 2) A legitimate 30/30 travel discount program is adulterated with the agent adding you can pay maintenance fees at $.30 per point. "Don't say anything because they don't want you buying points just to pay maintenance fees." (The real program for Platinum members only is $.04 so $2,000 towards an $8600 maintenance fee invoice, a worthless benefit) 3) The ability to sell points if you buy these additional points will be available after the first of the year. I could get fired if you say anything because it has not been announced yet. 4) Don't say anything to the closing agent. They don't understand sales. 5) You have already been here for hours. I you ask questions you will be here for hours more 6) I rent out points on the side so don't say anything to the QA. (Despite hundreds of rental ads, renting through a third party website is not allowed. Members have had accounts suspended, terminated, issued a cease and desist for renting.)

A person of influence introduced me to some Washington DC people when I served as a panel member at the Whistleblower Summit in DC this past July. This led to our launching the nonprofit 501c4 Timeshare and Resort Developer Accountability, Inc. Diamond is not named in the reports at the end of the home page, but Beverly and Patty share their Diamond experience. Our mission is twofold. The timeshare buyer should be allowed a 24 hour "cooling off" period before signing a contract, and 2) If the closing session is recorded and used against the buyer, the buyer should be offered the opportunity to record the sales session. The lobbyist said these were the most reasonable requests he has ever brought before lawmakers.

Terri If you have no mortgage one thing nice about Diamond is they have been more accommodating than Wyndham taking back timeshares with no loan. This is the link to our member-sponsored Facebook of 4,000 members launched by an economics professor. Diamond reads every post. It's become something of a real Diamond customer service portal. https://tarda.org/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/DiamondResortsOwnersAdvocacy/