Manhattan Club Lawsuit

I'm very late to this game. Would love to get rid of this horse on my back. I have been renting it most of the time but not getting my money back entirely. I'm afraid of my credit being affected. Worked long and hard to have perfect credit. How do we go about dumping this?

denisek125 wrote:

Why aren't they going after you legally to pay your maintenance fee?

Probably because they were convicted of fraud(bait and switch) . Their behavior pretty much voided the contract. Other owners have quit paying and some shared that they had no issue, others said they explained what happened to the credit bureaus and they dropped the complaint.

I stopped paying maintenance fees years ago and no resulting issues with my credit

Did everyone also stop paying the taxes?

When I stopped paying, I stopped paying the entire amount on the invoice, which included the taxes.

barryc139 wrote:

Did everyone also stop paying the taxes?

Hi. I am Michelle Wladich, co-producer, research librarian and assistant to the host of Eco-Logic, Ken Gale on WBAI, 99.5 FM in New York City. Eco-Logic is an environmental show. First of all, I want to say how sorry I am that this happened to you. It's awful. I was doing background research on Eichner for both a story on the air and for a public hearing testimony. That's when I stumbled onto this webpage. I wanted to ask you a couple of questions. Have you folks ever gotten any of the settlement money? I know that you have a second major suit after the A.G.'s settlement suit. Did anything come of that or are you still waiting for a verdict from that? How many lawsuits are in the works total, do any of you know? The terms of the A.G. lawsuit was that Eichner relinquish control over the timeshare. Has he by now or is he still hanging onto it? It sounds like he still has you in his grips. How is he controlling you? So my understanding of a timeshare is that you own a share of a property but for only a few weeks and depending on the timeshare, you can go to other locations within the system, correct? Can you please explain to me why Eichner is making it so hard for you to leave the timeshare? Do you own a mortgage with the timeshare? Back to what Eichner is doing in Brooklyn. Our beloved Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Crown Heights district is in danger of becoming extinct. The former literally and the latter as we know it. He plans to build two 38 story towers that will block the sun to just about the entire garden, weakening and killing everything in it. The towers will be 150 feet away from the 52 acre park. They have Japanese cherry tree festivals around the Japanese garden, spicy pepper festivals, lily ponds and bonsai trees hundreds of years old. Lots of rare plants too. The shadow would kill all of it. It will also cast a shadow on a recently renovated playground. It cost $900,000 to do that. Brooklyn is famous for its four story brownstones. A tower like that is REALLY out of place and the zoning as it is, is supposed to protect the garden from projects like this except, rules can be changed. This tower will make people lose their homes due to gentrification because of Eichner's Real Estate games. There was a public hearing scheduled with CB 9 to argue about the rezoning of the area so he can build higher and block the sun but an temporary injunction was made against the meeting because most area residents are too poor to own an internet connection and would not be able to attend the meeting. If Eichner kicks them out, where are they going to go? Things to do to stop Eichner and maybe help yourself and someone else at the same time if you wish. Keep looking at Brooklyn Botanic Garden's website, bbg.org. On the site there is a section called, "The fight for sunlight." They post the public hearings that are scheduled to prevent this debacle. If a hearing goes forward, you may attend on Zoom, Eastern Standard Time, to tell the board what Eichner did to you, and because of his corruption why granting him rezoning to build that thing would be a lousy idea. You might be able to confront him if he's there, but please focus on the the building. I wish I could give you your money back. Perhaps confronting him in a way that would take away his new toys, might make you feel a whole lot better. A rich man's nightmare is that someone would take away in part or all of what he owns. So, come and take. And you'd be helping someone else. Be aware that hearing dates change on a dime so keep watching the website up until the minute of the meeting. Thank you for your patience in reading such a long long post. We hope to have a podcast interview with BBG really soon and discuss the sunlight issue and the dirt file I have on Eichner.

Hi Irene, Thanks for this posting. I signed the petition and look forward to the Zoom meeting, tentatively scheduled for March 18. I hope Eichner is stopped in his tracks; he belongs in jail, not still developing buildings that destroy people and environments.

It seems like Eichner has the politicians in his back pocket. We have been fighting for retribution for the last 3 years and promises made when we bought our time shares never materialized. Hopefully u can expose his fraudulent dealings as well as the corruptness within our judicial system. You may want to contact Jean Zimmerman who is the lawyer that is representing the time share owners.

His info: 908-768-6408. jmz@tmcsuit.com

Just FYI: The developers in NYC have been at war with each other over shadows and views for several years. There are many cases and suits of one developer suing another or even a public pocket park on the east side trying to keep developers from building to block sun or views. 57th street and the Columbus Circle area was/is a major battleground. There is a "billionaires' building" and several "pencil buildings" that blot out the sun for many older buildings and retail along the avenues.

I read that the "Billionaire's Building" at 432 Park Ave is falling apart...plagued by a lot of huge problems.

I have been an owner since the late 1990's, as has a friend of mine. He has decided to stop paying his maintenance fees and contacted TMC. The Manhattan Club told him they couldn't dissolve the contract because the terms of the litigation ties their hands. All they could do is put him on a list that says he wants out. They said the situation is nowhere near being resolved. They need to find some other outfit to take things over before they can do anything. Blue Green is apparently out of the picture at this point.

He told them he would not be paying for his unit this year, that he is essentially abandoning the unit. They acknowledged that but didn't say anything else. So the status is, he is on their list for getting out, and he is left open for them to foreclose if they can ever get out from the terms of the litigation.

What a mess. I have until October to decide if I will continue to pay or not.

I was a sales executive at the Manhattan Club for many years. I am also an owner. I bought flex time which Includes 3 weekends. I as my fellow sales associate co workers were told during our sales trainings and daily morning meetings that the maintenance fees would increase very minimal because our property didn't have the amenities as all other timeshare properties that are located in resort areas that have high maintenance fees due to the fact that those properties cost so much to maintain. Had I know that the maintenance fees were going to skyrocket, I would have NEVER bought a week of my own. Just like many of the people I sold to, and other owners who have bought in, I can no longer afford the maintenance fees. And I too could never get the days I requested when trying to book a reservation. I have been contacted by Ashley Potestio to relinquish aka "Give back" my share/unit. She is the manager of the "Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure Department". For those of you who have been contacted by Christine Stiles, we used to be co workers at the Manhattan Club together. She is now working in financial services based in PA.

Although I had bought my share at The Manhattan in cash, I am delinquent in my maintenance fees. I don't know if it is in my best interest to just "Give it back" after paying for my unit, plus all the years of maintenance fees I've paid in without inquiring about their class action suit. That is if there one even exists.

Renee Ippolito

I was a sales executive at the Manhattan Club for many years. I am also an owner. I bought flex time which Includes 3 weekends. I as my fellow sales associate co workers were told during our sales trainings and daily morning meetings that the maintenance fees would increase very minimal because our property didn't have the amenities as all other timeshare properties that are located in resort areas that have high maintenance fees due to the fact that those properties cost so much to maintain. Had I know that the maintenance fees were going to skyrocket, I would have NEVER bought a week of my own. Just like many of the people I sold to, and other owners who have bought in, I can no longer afford the maintenance fees. And I too could never get the days I requested when trying to book a reservation. I have been contacted by Ashley Potestio to relinquish aka "Give back" my share/unit. She is the manager of the "Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure Department". For those of you who have been contacted by Christine Stiles, we used to be co workers at the Manhattan Club together. She is now working in financial services based in PA.

Although I had bought my share at The Manhattan in cash, I am delinquent in my maintenance fees. I don't know if it is in my best interest to just "Give it back" after paying for my unit, plus all the years of maintenance fees I've paid in without inquiring about their class action suit. That is if there one even exists.

Renee Ippolito

Sorry if I missed something - Blue Green is out of the picture? What does that mean, that nothing has changed since the AG’s decision?

I would like to join in the suit with Zimmerman but since the covid hit my family finances have been very tight. I wish they had a payment plan so I could pay a little at a time. I would hate to just give it back and get noting in return for all my fees and payments. I can use some advice.

Happy to see we contacted Mr. Zimmerman, and we are so relieved to not have to pay over $5000. For a studio and 1 BR.

When we visit NYC in the future, we’ll happily stay elsewhere.

We did enjoy TMC, but not anymore. Not when we’re paying more than Eichner’s “guests” - So glad that $ is in our pocket and not Eichner’s .... not too late to join the class action suit. Jean Zimmerman, Esq., Scotch Plains, NJ 07069

C & L Young😊

Jean Zimmerman, Esq. Scotch Plains, NJ 07069

Call him ... class action suit does indeed exist. Feels good not paying Eichner anymore! One flat fee to attorney, and wipe my hands clean of Eichner ... lawsuit is federal level this time, out of the grips of NY politicians!! Go for it😊

You could also turn in your deed if you don’t want to payout to an attorney. You won’t get anything other than eventually a measly $100, but you’ll get out of ownership. Call Financial and talk to Daniel. Do not talk to or answer calls from Nicole. She strong arms and lies.

dianee195 wrote:

I would like to join in the suit with Zimmerman but since the covid hit my family finances have been very tight. I wish they had a payment plan so I could pay a little at a time. I would hate to just give it back and get noting in return for all my fees and payments. I can use some advice.

Renee, Have you contacted Christine personally since she was a one-time colleague of yours? If so, has she suggested/advised you on a way to proceed that would benefit you rather than take advantage of your situation? We are owners like you: have consistently paid maintenance fees on 2 contracts for 22+ years until this year, but are now considering cashing out for a total of $200. on the 2 contracts ($100 each) (one of which is a prime platinum 3-weekend + points contract). Documents just received from TMC (Christine's office) state "assessed value" of 1 contract is over $166,000. and the other over $178,000. (Have no idea what assessed value is based on but it does refer to a single unit, 1/52nd of total, & a specific apartment number, lot number.). It is galling to think we should return each unit's ownership for only $100.--particularly since we have paid out many thousands in maintenance fees in addition to our original purchase prices for the last 22+ years. We would very much appreciate hearing from you with any thoughts you may have, and if you are considering other actions that might prove promising. Regards, andisatt@gmail.com

reneei2 wrote:

I was a sales executive at the Manhattan Club for many years. I am also an owner. I bought flex time which Includes 3 weekends. I as my fellow sales associate co workers were told during our sales trainings and daily morning meetings that the maintenance fees would increase very minimal because our property didn't have the amenities as all other timeshare properties that are located in resort areas that have high maintenance fees due to the fact that those properties cost so much to maintain. Had I know that the maintenance fees were going to skyrocket, I would have NEVER bought a week of my own. Just like many of the people I sold to, and other owners who have bought in, I can no longer afford the maintenance fees. And I too could never get the days I requested when trying to book a reservation. I have been contacted by Ashley Potestio to relinquish aka "Give back" my share/unit. She is the manager of the "Deed-in-Lieu of Foreclosure Department". For those of you who have been contacted by Christine Stiles, we used to be co workers at the Manhattan Club together. She is now working in financial services based in PA.

Although I had bought my share at The Manhattan in cash, I am delinquent in my maintenance fees. I don't know if it is in my best interest to just "Give it back" after paying for my unit, plus all the years of maintenance fees I've paid in without inquiring about their class action suit. That is if there one even exists.

Renee Ippolito