For travelers considering buying into a timeshare system to open up opportunities to see new places, Diamond Resorts International is surely one brand that will get consideration. This is a points-based system, which is a format favored by many timeshare buyers for the flexibility that it can offer. And, with so many destinations included in the system not only domestically but around the world, there is a strong sales pitch to be made by the sales team for this brand.
So, is buying a Diamond Resorts International timeshare all that it might seem to be? That’s an important question to answer before you think about putting down any of your hard-earned money for a purchase. Take your time to explore a range of reviews and comments about the ownership experience with Diamond before making your choice on how to proceed.
For those who are already timeshare owners and are thinking about trying to end their ownership in the near future, we have assembled some resources that may be of assistance. As a starting point, check out our best timeshare exit companies page for some of the top options in this industry. Even if you don’t yet know what path you are going to take, exploring your options and learning more about the possibilities is a good first step.
Diamond Timeshare Pros and Cons
It’s typical for pros and cons to exist with any type of purchase, from small to large. Making a buying decision is the act of determining whether or not the money being requested is a fair trade for the goods or services you would obtain. That is true for buying a Diamond Resorts timeshare just as it is true for anything else on the market.
To help you get started in making this value judgment for yourself, we have added some pros and cons below. These are points that you may experience if you decide to become an owner, although everyone’s ownership experience is different and you might not find that things play out exactly the same way in your situation.
Pros
The potential for truly global travel is what sets Diamond apart from many of its competitors. Few, if any, other timeshare brands can offer owners the options that Diamond has available in terms of traveling to far-off destinations in some beautiful locations. If you are interested in a timeshare that is going to go well beyond the standard options that are seen in the portfolios of most other brands, Diamond might be an intriguing pick.
Cons
As you are probably aware, there are some common downsides that come with getting involved in the timeshare industry. Diamond Resorts International faces some of the same complaints from its owners as many other companies in this space, so you’ll want to factor any concerns about these points into your buying decision.
The Sales Pitch
We might as well start with this drawback, because it’s one of the things that comes up over and over again in the world of timeshares. This is a business model that thrives on using sales presentations to secure new owners, and those presentations are often rather aggressive in nature and can go on for hours. Some people are comfortable saying no again and again, but that is an uncomfortable situation for others. If you put yourself in a position where you attend one of these presentations and are faced with an aggressive salesperson, you might wind up feeling compelled to purchase something without thinking it through completely.
Booking Challenges
As is the case with many timeshares, owners will sometimes find that it is not as easy as they expected to book trips to the properties they wish to visit. The impression many have when first signing up is that they will be able to travel with ease, picking and choosing when they would like to travel, and where they would like to go. However, some of the locations within the program are extremely popular and prime dates can be hard to come by. So, if there are specific destinations you’d like to use, make sure to dig deeper into how available those spots will be at the times you like to travel.
Diamond Timeshare Complaints
In the process of trying to decide whether or not a Diamond Resorts timeshare is the right option for you, one step you’ll likely take is to read a variety of comments from various current and past owners on the web. This is an easy way to get some insight into what their experiences have been like and what you can expect should you decide to join in.
If you are looking for such information, one place to head is the Better Business Bureau. The BBB website collects customer complaints for nearly all businesses, so you can use this resource to see what issues people are having and if those issues are being resolved. There is a page you can review for Diamond Resorts, and you’ll find that plenty of complaints have been levied by many owners in recent years. We have included screenshots below of a couple of those complaints to give you a sample of what you’ll find if you visit the BBB for yourself.
It should be noted that Diamond Resorts International recently merged with Hilton Grand Vacations Club, so the BBB page where you can find feedback from owners of these timeshares has been merged together, as well.
Is Diamond Timeshare a Good Investment?
In the vast majority of cases, a timeshare is not going to prove to be a good investment over the long term. It may be tempting to think about buying a timeshare as something you are doing with your financial future in mind, but rarely does it play out in a way that has this purchase bringing you back a nice return in the end.
You can look at the state of the secondary timeshare market for a demonstration of this issue. There is a weak level of demand for timeshares that are being listed for sale by current owners. If owners are listing their timeshares and are unable to sell them, or can only sell them for pennies on the dollar, there is no way to translate timeshare ownership into a positive investment. And, when the maintenance fees are added into your calculations, you’ll find that the math looks even worse. Whether or not you decide to purchase a timeshare as a way to travel with your family is another matter and your decision in the end, but this type of purchase should not be looked at as an investment opportunity.
Is Diamond Timeshare Worth It?
It’s always tricky to dive into the topic of whether or not something is “worth it”, as there is always going to be an element of subjectivity in that debate. What you get out of an experience is different than what other people may get out of it, so you’ll have to decide for yourself in the end if a Diamond Resorts timeshare is worth it or not to you.
What is clear is that plenty of previous and current owners have felt the experience was not worth it to them in terms of what they have to pay to be an owner. This is again seen in the way the second-hand market behaves. Plenty of owners are looking to sell their timeshares, and many are willing to take whatever they can get simply to be rid of the obligation that comes with the maintenance fees.
Does that mean no one finds value in their experience as an owner? No – there are thousands of owners, and certainly some of them have enjoyed what they’ve gotten out of their vacations and the memories that have been made. But you’ll need to think carefully about the costs that come with ownership, along with the obligations, before you decide if spending your money in this way is the right option for your family.
Diamond Timeshare Lawsuits
The timeshare industry is no stranger to legal action, and Diamond Resorts has been involved in its fair share over the years. Looking at ongoing legal activity is a good way to get an understanding of what is going on either with a specific company, or with an industry in general. As this space is constantly changing with new suits being brought to the table and various rulings being handed down, the best way to keep up with the latest news is to search the web for stories about the process of various lawsuits impacting timeshare companies and their customers.
You Have Options
We know that it can feel like there is no way out of your timeshare ownership. Perhaps you’ve already tried to sell on the open market and found that there weren’t any interested buyers ready to take a deal. Whatever the case, don’t give up on getting out of your contract. Call 833-416-8796 as a starting point to get more information about timeshare exits. You can also fill out our form and we’ll get in touch, or use our live chat feature. Take a moment to get started today!