| ARDA That’s the shorthand name for American Resort Development Association. ARDA is the timeshare trade group in Washington, D.C. It represents 95% of the timeshare industry! On its website, it has a tagline displayed proudly on the top of every page. It reads: A commitment to excellence in timeshare ARDA also promises that it has “our ears to the ground on issues affecting the vacation ownership and resort development industries (timeshares).” And… “When an issue arises that affects the industry, ARDA is there.” Well, that certainly seems excellent! And it’s why Timeshare Facts suggests at the end of our newsletters that concerned readers keep in touch with ARDA’s President and CEO, Jason Gamel. If anyone can help, it sure seems like he can! Because most of the unscrupulous timeshare sales tactics and callous business practices that Timeshare Facts highlight in one story, effect consumers across a wide gamut of timeshare companies. Take the case of Linda A. She wrote to us after she read our recent newsletter about the trouble Maikel had when Westgate Resorts reneged on its offer to take back the timeshare he and his father owned for 15 years. Linda told us she had a similar issue – but with Diamond Resorts, which is owned by Hilton. “I am 73 years old a widow and very disturbed by something that is supposed to be reputable as Hilton could turn out to be such a scam!” You see, Linda has owned a timeshare with Diamond Resorts in Branson, MO since 2007 and the warning signs were there from the start. “The salesman was overly attentive during breakfast when he got us to believe all his lies. Such as Branson was to be a new Disney and a [local] airport was going to be built soon…None of this happened!!” And then there were the booking issues. Linda “never used it the times I tried couldn’t get what I wanted.” Naturally, Linda tried to get Diamond Resorts to take back the deed. “I had been paying fees since 2007 to now. Then finally got a letter from a [Diamond Resorts] representative that if I sent them 1000 dollars, they would take it.” You read that right. Diamond demanded $1,000 from Linda to take the timeshare back so they could go out and sell it again! But the offer came with a warning that, “if I got involved with those calling to buy your timeshare the deal was off.” A month later Linda got another call from Diamond telling her that the $1000 deed back price was wrong. She needed to add another $250! “I sent in money and never want anything to do with Hilton Grand Resorts. A major rip off! Do the math.” $1250 is a lot to pay to get out of a timeshare she never used! Both Diamond Resorts/Hilton Grand Vacations and Westgate Resorts are members of ARDA. And not just regular members, but VIP members! So maybe Jason Gamel is the best person to contact. Perhaps Jason and ARDA can help make sure Diamond and Westgate and other timeshare companies understand the industry’s commitment to excellence, from an honest sales pitch to a transparent deed back. You can reach Jason directly at jgamel@arda.org If you have been given the run around by Diamond Resorts on a deed back promise, you can email Mark Wang, the CEO of Hilton Grand Vacations, which purchased Diamond Resorts in 2021. His email is mark.wang@hgv.com If this all sounds like familiar behavior from your timeshare company, use the contact information in this list of ARDA VIPs to find out who to contact. And if your timeshare has kept you from achieving your dreams, let us know at info@timesharefacts.com PS: Follow us on social media. Twitter Facebook Instagram |
