Manhattan Club Lawsuit

Pauld220 and Others: I have followed these email strings for about 18 months and have learned a lot about TMC's legal troubles . . . And the concerns of many disgruntled owners. Thanks to Red Week for providing the only central source of information I've been able to find on the Internet. Let's all think positively for as quick a remedy as possible and, please, let's think kindly of one another's predicaments.

I own 3 timeshares. TMC was my 2nd purchase. Believe me when I say I had buyer's remorse big time when I purchased my 3rd (and last) timeshare, and in the past 18 months I've rolled back the remorse to my TMC purchase just because of all that I've learned from reading these posts.

I keep my balance by reminding myself of all of the below:

1. I like and use the TMC every year, or I sell my reservation and recoup some of my maintenance fees. I have never been stiffed by Financial Services (TMC's reservations center in East Stroudsburg, PA), but I ask a lot of questions and confirm everything in writing when I make a transaction. This is good consumer practice for any "large purchase" (which varies for each one of us).

2. Whenever I experience even the slightest remorse, I force myself to learn more -- albeit, after the fact -- about the timeshare industry. This always happens everytime I have to pay maintenance fees.

3. In the timeshare industry, there is a world of difference between the sales operatives and the resort operatives. The latter are in this for the long haul. They have always tried their best (including TMC) to help me enjoy my ownership. As for the former, they are/were only interested in a quick sale. I/we never see these people again. I keep looking for a way out of timeshare ownership but realize it takes time to disentangle myself from what were "impulse" purchases - - - darn me anyway! In the meanwhile, I do my best to live up to my financial obligations, enjoy my timeshares until I can sell all of them, and remain positive and diligent.

I hope this helps.

When did you see this ad for Jetsetter? I'd rent for the night for $139. I'm in the same boat as the rest of you, but have decided not to pay my maintenance fees. We purchased our unit outright, however, wished we had not purchased at all.

I still like to go into the City and I like the location of TMC.

jills465 wrote:

Pauld220 and Others: I have followed these email strings for about 18 months and have learned a lot about TMC's legal troubles . . . And the concerns of many disgruntled owners. Thanks to Red Week for providing the only central source of information I've been able to find on the Internet. Let's all think positively for as quick a remedy as possible and, please, let's think kindly of one another's predicaments.

I own 3 timeshares. TMC was my 2nd purchase. Believe me when I say I had buyer's remorse big time when I purchased my 3rd (and last) timeshare, and in the past 18 months I've rolled back the remorse to my TMC purchase just because of all that I've learned from reading these posts.

I keep my balance by reminding myself of all of the below:

1. I like and use the TMC every year, or I sell my reservation and recoup some of my maintenance fees. I have never been stiffed by Financial Services (TMC's reservations center in East Stroudsburg, PA), but I ask a lot of questions and confirm everything in writing when I make a transaction. This is good consumer practice for any "large purchase" (which varies for each one of us).

2. Whenever I experience even the slightest remorse, I force myself to learn more -- albeit, after the fact -- about the timeshare industry. This always happens everytime I have to pay maintenance fees.

3. In the timeshare industry, there is a world of difference between the sales operatives and the resort operatives. The latter are in this for the long haul. They have always tried their best (including TMC) to help me enjoy my ownership. As for the former, they are/were only interested in a quick sale. I/we never see these people again. I keep looking for a way out of timeshare ownership but realize it takes time to disentangle myself from what were "impulse" purchases - - - darn me anyway! In the meanwhile, I do my best to live up to my financial obligations, enjoy my timeshares until I can sell all of them, and remain positive and diligent.

I hope this helps.

Good points! Thanks for a thoughtful response.

Thank you. Great perspective.

I am not paying anymore maintenance fees......the Travel Industry is holding us hostage as now the entire way bookings for resorts have revolutionary changed forever. This was not the economy, or travel destinations with Terrorism abroad in exchange with RCI. They expect u to plan so far in advance and the weather problems make the entire desire a wash. Great You love spending your money for upkeep on places that don't accommodate you as a owner. Even AIRBNB undermines in price for lodging

Our family could stay at just about any comparable or better hotel in NYC for 5 or 6 nights, for the amount of money we spend on our split week (3 nights one year, 4 nights the next year, etc.) at the TMC. The TMC hotel staff are quite nice. But I bought on condition that I could book my 3 or 4 nights with only 3-4 weeks notice. That has been changed to 1 year's notice and I can't predict my family's future with that much certainty. TMC has raised maintenance fees so excessively and unnecessarily (in spite of the sales pitch that they rarely increase), that just about any NYC hotel would be cheaper, and certainly easier to book. So why keep the timeshare? I feel so good that I finally quit paying anything to TMC and no longer consider myself a member. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

You need to do what is best for you . Not being an apologist, but don't compare a generic hotel room for 2, with a TMC unit sleeping 4 + kitchen. You'd need to find hotel suites to compare.

sallyw109 wrote:

Our family could stay at just about any comparable or better hotel in NYC for 5 or 6 nights, for the amount of money we spend on our split week (3 nights one year, 4 nights the next year, etc.) at the TMC. The TMC hotel staff are quite nice. But I bought on condition that I could book my 3 or 4 nights with only 3-4 weeks notice. That has been changed to 1 year's notice and I can't predict my family's future with that much certainty. TMC has raised maintenance fees so excessively and unnecessarily (in spite of the sales pitch that they rarely increase), that just about any NYC hotel would be cheaper, and certainly easier to book. So why keep the timeshare? I feel so good that I finally quit paying anything to TMC and no longer consider myself a member. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

I have stayed at Doubletree many times. All rooms are 2 room suites. They are every bit as well appointed as MC. The elevators are bigger faster and don't keep you waiting. Considering my MC maintenance fee it's less expensive and easier to book a room!!! I, too, have stopped paying these exorbitant fees. ...Les

bravo, leslie!!! i paid maintenance for my one bedroom this year only because it suited my need for convenience to use it for several reasons; otherwise, maintenance would have remained unpaid. (i also own a penthouse suite NOT HAVING PAID MAINTENANCE). i live within 50 miles of manhattan so i use the suite for one night each month from may to december (then it's off to fla in my condo). anyway, the nights i've stayed since may have been pleasant; however concerning the each of the suites i've had so far: carpeting, couches need replacing; the other furniture looks beat up (esp. those made of wood), and the elevators are, as expected, S L O W. i have to believe that your doubletree suite was BETTER APPOINTED THAN THE MC'S, and as you said, "it's less expensive and easier to book a room!!!"

so again, BRAVO. i join you in withholding maintenance fees, except for the above comments.

chris

lesliel167 wrote:

I have stayed at Doubletree many times. All rooms are 2 room suites. They are every bit as well appointed as MC. The elevators are bigger faster and don't keep you waiting. Considering my MC maintenance fee it's less expensive and easier to book a room!!! I, too, have stopped paying these exorbitant fees. ...Les

I just received this reply from the NY AG's office. Any ideas?

Good Afternoon: This is in reference to your email to the Office of the Attorney General regarding the Manhattan Club. At this time, there is no class action suit going on. If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to email me. Thank you for emailing the NYS Office of the Attorney General. __________________________________ Janice Santora | Law Department Document Specialist Real Estate Finance Bureau Office of the New York State Attorney General 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271-0332 ' 212-416-8757 | 7 212-416-8179 * Janice.Santora@ag.ny.gov http://www.ag.ny.gov/bureau/real-estate-finance-bureau

I just received this reply from the NY AG's office. Any thoughts about this?

Good Afternoon: This is in reference to your email to the Office of the Attorney General regarding the Manhattan. At this time, there is no class action suit going on. If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to email me. Thank you for emailing the NYS Office of the Attorney General. __________________________________ Janice Santora | Law Department Document Specialist Real Estate Finance Bureau Office of the New York State Attorney General 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271-0332 ' 212-416-8757 | 7 212-416-8179 * Janice.Santora@ag.ny.gov http://www.ag.ny.gov/bureau/real-estate-finance-bureau

There never was a class action suit. The NYAG's investigation & court case is not a class action suit. Please read the history on this site a couple months back & it will bring you up to date and explain the legal action.

The new lead attorney on the Manhattan Club Case for the New York State Attorney General is Elissa Rossi. She replaces Attorney Serwat Farooq. All inquires and letters should be directed to her at the AG's office.

It is incorrect that there isn't a class action lawsuit involved with The Manhattan Club. I joined back in March. Granted I was not happy to have to pay $300 but he is the only lawyer at this time willing to take them on. The Law Office of Lowell J. Sidney regarding the above subject. Here is the letter I received from him after speaking to him on the phone.

We filed a lawsuit alleging that flexible time shares in The Manhattan Club were oversold. The action is venued in the New York State Supreme Court, New York County under index number 654023/2015. If you believe that you are eligible for inclusion in the class, kindly complete the attached questionnaire and retainer agreement and return to our attention with a non-refundable fee of three hundred dollars ($300).

Should you have any questions, queries or comments please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,

Lowell Sidney

244 Fifth Avenue, Suite Q278

New York, NY 10001

(888) 222-0513

I did send him an e-mail after reading the letter from rachellea8 Oct, 14 questioning him why the NY Attorney General's office would say there was NO CLASS ACTION SUIT going on and this is what he responded.

"I don't know. I am able to view it. Oral arguments adjourned until January 5."

I am just speculating but I'd guess that the AG didn't mention the class action suit because it is not coming from the AG.

susanp816 wrote:

It is incorrect that there isn't a class action lawsuit involved with The Manhattan Club. I joined back in March. Granted I was not happy to have to pay $300 but he is the only lawyer at this time willing to take them on. The Law Office of Lowell J. Sidney regarding the above subject. Here is the letter I received from him after speaking to him on the phone.

We filed a lawsuit alleging that flexible time shares in The Manhattan Club were oversold. The action is venued in the New York State Supreme Court, New York County under index number 654023/2015. If you believe that you are eligible for inclusion in the class, kindly complete the attached questionnaire and retainer agreement and return to our attention with a non-refundable fee of three hundred dollars ($300).

Should you have any questions, queries or comments please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,

Lowell Sidney

244 Fifth Avenue, Suite Q278

New York, NY 10001

(888) 222-0513

I did send him an e-mail after reading the letter from rachellea8 Oct, 14 questioning him why the NY Attorney General's office would say there was NO CLASS ACTION SUIT going on and this is what he responded.

"I don't know. I am able to view it. Oral arguments adjourned until January 5."

I think most of us who have been following this forum since June 2014 realize the AG's office has NOT filed a class action lawsuit...They are involved in an investigation of fraud by TMC/Eichner. An investigation is not the same as a lawsuit. There are 2 attorneys of whom I am aware who are involved in somehow helping owners. One is Lowell Sidney (who obviously has filed suit according to the email to which I am responding) and the other Doug Wasser, who I believe is helping his clients understand what is going with the AG and keeping them apprised. I believe that if the AG does find Eichner and/or TMC guilty of whatever, that gives any of us who want to sue a much better leg to stand on. Without these findings, it would be much harder to have a successful suit. I have read about other lawsuits against TMC that amounted to nothing. This forum started out being entitled TMC lawsuit and for some reason Redweek can't change this, because it is misleading.

the nysag's court actiion against eichner is indeed a LAWSUIT, albeit NOT a class action lawsuit involving all of us who were duped and defrauded by eichner. the ag, mr schneiderman, is working on behalf of new york state to prove eichner's guilt of the fraud and scam he committed concerning his actions as a principal of the manhattan club timeshare. the current status of the lawsuit is that is out of the investigatory stage and is before the judge for further consideration and disposition. if schneiderman wins the case, all the better for us owners. we would have a strong case that would probably involve private attorneys who could now bring a class action suit on behalf of TMC shareowners.

deborahs528 wrote:

susanp816 wrote:

It is incorrect that there isn't a class action lawsuit involved with The Manhattan Club. I joined back in March. Granted I was not happy to have to pay $300 but he is the only lawyer at this time willing to take them on. The Law Office of Lowell J. Sidney regarding the above subject. Here is the letter I received from him after speaking to him on the phone.

We filed a lawsuit alleging that flexible time shares in The Manhattan Club were oversold. The action is venued in the New York State Supreme Court, New York County under index number 654023/2015. If you believe that you are eligible for inclusion in the class, kindly complete the attached questionnaire and retainer agreement and return to our attention with a non-refundable fee of three hundred dollars ($300).

Should you have any questions, queries or comments please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best Regards,

Lowell Sidney

244 Fifth Avenue, Suite Q278

New York, NY 10001

(888) 222-0513

I did send him an e-mail after reading the letter from rachellea8 Oct, 14 questioning him why the NY Attorney General's office would say there was NO CLASS ACTION SUIT going on and this is what he responded.

"I don't know. I am able to view it. Oral arguments adjourned until January 5."

I think most of us who have been following this forum since June 2014 realize the AG's office has NOT filed a class action lawsuit...They are involved in an investigation of fraud by TMC/Eichner. An investigation is not the same as a lawsuit. There are 2 attorneys of whom I am aware who are involved in somehow helping owners. One is Lowell Sidney (who obviously has filed suit according to the email to which I am responding) and the other Doug Wasser, who I believe is helping his clients understand what is going with the AG and keeping them apprised. I believe that if the AG does find Eichner and/or TMC guilty of whatever, that gives any of us who want to sue a much better leg to stand on. Without these findings, it would be much harder to have a successful suit. I have read about other lawsuits against TMC that amounted to nothing. This forum started out being entitled TMC lawsuit and for some reason Redweek can't change this, because it is misleading.

The new lead attorney on the Manhattan Club Case for the New York State Attorney General is Elissa Rossi. She replaces Attorney Serwat Farooq

One thing that has not been talked about is the Manhattan Club did not register all the timeshares they sold. Several owners who have checked New York State Acris records found they were not TMC owners according to New York State. They were not listed as owners in any of TMC real estate transactions despite they fact these owners paid for their timeshares and paid maintenance fees for years, one person from 2007. TMC's Lynn O'Donnell seems to be the point person on this had no explanation as to why these particular sales were not registered. When one owner demanded his timeshare sale be registered or he would stop paying his maintenance fee TMC's response was the New York Attorney General was preventing TMC from registering this unregistered sales.

Thank you