You’d think that if there was anyone the timeshare industry would treat with dignity and respect, it would be retirees.
 
After all, they make up a significant share of timeshare owners. And…they have more time than the rest of us to vacation.
 
Plus, the Code of Ethics of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the trade association for the timeshare industry, states, “All Members shall conduct their activities honestly and fairly in compliance with applicable laws, and with professionalism, integrity, dignity and propriety.”
 
And yet, we keep discovering examples of how Diamond Resorts and its parent company Hilton Grand Vacations violate ARDA’s ethics code by disrespecting seniors. We’ve found their stories time and time again in lawsuits and complaints to state regulators. Now we can add another case, filed with the Better Business Bureau, to the list.
 
“We are requesting your assistance in filing a complaint against Hilton Grand Vacations/Diamond Resorts.”
 
“Our decision to purchase the timeshare was made under significant distress and pressure during the initial sales presentation, which lasted approximately four hours. Despite our repeated attempts to refuse the offer and leave the presentation, the sales representatives were insistent and did not allow us to leave.”
 
Distress and pressure?
 
That doesn’t sound like professionalism.
 
But that was only the beginning.
 
“This situation was exacerbated by our medical conditions. Both of us have diabetes and adhere to strict eating schedules and medication routines. By the time we finally agreed to the purchase, we were physically unwell due to hunger and missed medication.”
 
“The entire process, including paperwork, lasted from 9 AM to 6:30 PM. 
 
Nine and half hours…when they needed medication?
 
Where’s the dignity in that, Diamond?
 
“Throughout this ordeal, we were not given adequate time to read through the documents we signed, further indicating an attempt to rush us through the process.” 
 
Or the integrity?
 
After all, ARDA’s ethics codes also states, “The consumer should be provided with a reasonable opportunity to review the contract documents before signing.”
 
“Additionally, we live on a fixed retirement income.”
 
“We are financially incapable of sustaining the payments associated with the timeshare, particularly the maintenance fees, which were not disclosed to us at the time of purchase.”
 
Sounds like propriety is pretty much out the window, too.
 
That’s a pretty long list of ethics violations. It should give ARDA’s Ethics Committee plenty to consider, except…
 
…it just so happens that appointments to the Ethics Committee have to be approved by Gordon Gurnik, the Chair of ARDA’s board of directors…and chief operating officer of Hilton Grand Vacations!
 
What do you think are the odds that Gordon’s going to forward this message to his buddies on the Ethics Committee? Let’s email him at gordon.gurnik@hgv.com and see if he’ll give us the dignity of a response.
 
Do you think we would have a better chance with Mark Wang, the CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations and a member of ARDA’s board of directors? Send him a message at mark.wang@hgv.com and see whether he is professional enough to reply.
 
And don’t forget Jason Gamel, ARDA’s CEO and President. He’s a member of the Ethics Committee. Let’s email him at jgamel@arda.org to see if he has the integrity to follow up.
 
Are the leaders of your timeshare company acting propriety? If not, use this list of ARDA VIPs to contact them.
  
Have a story that makes you wonder if timeshare ethics is an oxymoron? Share it with us at info@timesharefacts.com 
  
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