Marigold Oxt

Same experience as other people listed above.

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
I don't know how to get all my money back.
View full review
Pros:
  • Having vacation in the resorts
  • I like idea of having vacations
Cons:
  • Fee huge maintenance fees and fee increases
  • Fee increases
  • Huge maintenance fees
Reason of review:
Return, Exchange or Cancellation Policy
Shanyia Czr
map-marker La Verne, California

Lawsuit against Monarch Grand and Diamond Resorts

Please add me to your lawsuit. fxnewman@***.com

20 years ago, we joined Monarch largely because they told us that they would be building a hotel in Hawaii within 5 years. That turned out to be a lie or, at least a dishonest sales ploy to get people to join.

We have felt cheated about that for a long time. We have also often been disappointed and even embarrassed at the quality of the Monarch facilities (not real clean, with cheap, falling apart furniture etc.)... not at all what they sold us on.

As I'm sure has been the case for many others, about two years ago we were informed that Diamond Resorts bought-out Monarch and we were led to believe that we then automatically became members of Diamond Resorts. That belief was supported by the fact that we then had access to a number of, but not all, Diamond facilities. We wondered why we could not access all of their resorts, but it was never something we worried about too much, simply because we couldn't afford to vacation much anyways... largely due to the exorbitant fees and dues we had been charged by Monarch for so long.

Then, about two months ago we were invited to and attended an Update Seminar put on by Diamond Resorts, with the slick sales pitch and all. At first, we were wondering why it sounded like they are trying to sell us on something AGAIN. Then, by the end of the presentation, we learned that we needed to buy into Diamond to become official members! We were very upset because, as we told them, we thought we already were members of Diamond, since they bought out Monarch. Nope. Now they said that we needed to buy into Diamond in order to get out of Monarch.

Upset, but not knowing the legality of what they were doing, we felt we had no choice but to pay whatever we had to in order to get out of Monarch. Otherwise, we would have to keep paying THEIR insane ever-increasing maintenance fees (now at over $330 per quarter - which, since the buy-out, we thought were Diamond's fees), which we had been watching go up and up. Of course Diamond told us then that their fees would be less, but it appears that they are actually more!

The amount that Diamond required we pay to become official Diamond members was a whopping $12,000 (at a ridiculous interest rate)! And after several of what were claimed to be their most valiant efforts to negotiate that amount lower with the corporate office, that was "the absolute lowest they could go".

So it seems that our Complaint in this lawsuit would be against both Monarch AND Diamond:

We believe that no Monarch member should have had to pay anything at all to become a Diamond member, as Monarch members had no say in the buy-out nor in how it was to be carried-out etc. They were obviously just along for the ride and the ones who would be left paying for a business deal that they had no control over and had been forced into.

Considering that we are now on the hook for another $12K, and also that there are thousands of others in the same boat, we are talking about a serious lawsuit.

View full review
Loss:
$20000
Cons:
  • High maintenance fees dishonesty
  • Huge maintenance fees
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
66 comments
Crysta Wku

We signed up monarch after a deceptive sales pitch in 2003. We were led to believe we were paying $12,000.00 for something of value.

We tried some of the timeshares by exchange because Palm Springs is the last place on earth we wanted to go. We had to go to a sales pitch in 2014 but declined to buy into Diamond because we simply didnโ€™t have the money. They were really pissed off that we didnโ€™t agree with it. We turned it down again in 2015 which pissed off the sales lady.

We then stopped using the timeshare from 2016 until this last week to check out the Palm canyon resort in Palm Springs for only two nights. As soon as week walked in they manipulated us to attend a meeting to get our free prizes. We were going to cancel but decided to go ahead. These people are nothing less than demonic!

The sales lady lied to us about everything Iโ€™m sure. She pressured us to buy into Diamond or our life will be ruined by monarch who will charge us $44k the next 10 years. We wrote a check for $13,000.00 but still have time to cancel by faxing or send certified letter. I wonder if they will honor this or lie to us that they never received it.

They are really scary people. Itโ€™s like walking into a Scientology meeting or something. Weโ€™re still cant believe we bought into it in 2003, and now this! The Palm canyon junior villa was real small and had a horrible couch to try to sit on.

We felt so uncomfortable there. We should have stayed away. Timeshare exit team couldnโ€™t get us out after 4 years so we lost $4200.00 on that deal. Itโ€™s just a horrible industry all around.

We couldnโ€™t even get a one bedroom at this stupid resort. Sending certified letter to cancel this new contract tomorrow and faxing it also.

Guest

Please add me to this Lawsuit! I'm working o getting an attorney of my own. I feel so defeated.

Guest

Please add me to lawsuits filed for the Diamind class action that should have included monarch, but it didn't. My Dtate Atty General in Arizona wrote me back and said Monarch was not in it.

So frustrated.

They talked us into buying Monarch when they knew they were selling to Diamond. michellewestusa@***.com

Guest

Please add us too if itโ€™s not too late. mbehar@***.com & adiduc@***.com.

Guest

Please add me to your lawsuit Lorraine Paixao I husband and I have 155 points monarch for 16 years with and everything we have to pay is a hoa quarterly which keep going up but the problem is we canโ€™t seem to get rid of it ,diamonds says we donโ€™t have That ability to get rid of it the only thing we can do is buy into diamond ,not gonna do it ,bought samplers $4000 twice they said if I did that I could volunteer to give up the Monarch voluntarily give it up and will do that So we donโ€™t have to deal with diamond people anymore ,I rather lose out on what I paid ,but I donโ€™t wanna pay and I bought samplers $4000 twice they said if I did that I could volunteer to give up the Monarch voluntarily give it up and will do that.Always has a new sales person the ones Iโ€™ve met before are gone they all lie one said last time I was there when I bought the sampler pack she showed me a paper saying that there was a court junction for Monarch saying that we give back going to lose out either way I just donโ€™t care anymore I just donโ€™t want to deal with this company anymore horribleMy emailLaurieztwin1962@***.com

Guest

My husband and I bought into Monarch 16 years ago to Cancun in Las Vegas we go every year. Every time we go to the Cancun they make us through a timeshare presentation to say that theyโ€™re giving us updated information on the resort nothing is changed there itโ€™s always the same in the past 16 years my husband and I canโ€™t seem to get out of this unfortunate Company theyโ€™re saying we canโ€™t sell Monarch and then they say if you buy a sample packet you have two years and then you can voluntarily give us your Monarch , They say the only way we can get out of this monarch now is to voluntarily give it to them after two years of using the sample packet which by the way is $4000 thatโ€™s the second time I bought one and itโ€™s not because we want it because were trying to figure out what to do so we donโ€™t have to file bankruptcy against this company I donโ€™t want to ruin our credit so they seem to have us please help donโ€™t know what to do.

Guest

Just had a Diamond Meeting today-was told pretty much the same thing about rising MGV HOA costs and having to โ€œbuyโ€ into Diamond and all the perks that come with it! Interesting pressure tactics, but financially could not afford it nor was I interested. Their biggest pitch was how I could exit Monarch since according to them there was no way I could edit them and MGV was only interested in our HOA fees since so many MGV folks went over to Diamond-not sure how true any of this is, but certainly curious why Diamond is trying so hard with their sales pitch!

Guest

Please include me in any lawsuit or information on the future of Monarch owners. Everytime we meet with Diamond we are told another different lie. I am a 155 point Monarch owner dcthompson4@***.com

Guest

Please add me to the lawsuit we can never get a reservation and two years ago we booked for 2 nights upon arrival we were only given one night and told to find a hotel.dlsolomon@***.Com I have 133 points which have been paid off for years they said when I die my kids have to pay maintenance fees. So the fees Never Stop!

Guest

Please send me information about being added to the lawsuit. I am a deeded owner of 155 points with Monarch Grand Vacations.

View more comments (65)
Eber Udi

Stressful and unhappy experience.

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
This timeshare was given as a gift to me by my parents back in 2006/2007. At first I was very happy knowing that this company had a lot to offer and many destinations to choose form. Within a year, my soon to be ex-wife wanted to extend our one week vacation package deal to a two week vacation. So, we met with one of the sales reps for Monarch Grand Vacations. He said it wouldn't cost very much more and that we would hardly see a difference in payment. So, fast forward to 2010. We can no longer afford the monthly payment. Im losing my house and were getting a divorce. But does Monarch even care? Nope, they don't want to hear my sad story nor do they want to help me in any way. Ive been hounded by phone calls/ debt collectors ever since. Leans on my house, you name it. I just want out. I don't even know what to do anymore. This company is a money pit. They have over $10K in equity from me but are saying I'm $13K in debt. Doesn't make sense to me. Then I hear they've gone bankrupt and are now called Diamond Resorts. I would have thought debts could have been satisfied at that point. Yet, I continue to try to pay them to stay afloat. I wish they would try to work with customers rather than just demanding money all the time. I read into a class action lawsuit created and is in progress in Arizona. Look up Monarch in the Better Business Bureau (BBB). There you can find out more info on the ongoing class action lawsuit. But, just my luck, looks as if I missed the deadline May of 2017. Please do your own do diligence. I know is hard to find information out there on our own. If anyone has any more information please let me know. Thank you and good luck.
View full review
Loss:
$13143
Cons:
  • Fee increases
  • Racketeering
  • Worthless vacation points
Reason of review:
Pricing issue

Preferred solution: Let the company propose a solution

Anonymous

D. Wade

Monarch and Diamond resorts are dishonest companies and if there is a suit against these companies please add us to your list.
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
2 comments
Guest

Get ahold of one of those โ€˜get out of timeshare contractโ€™ lawyers. Monarch grand resort fees are a scam and they use scare tactics to get your money.

You deserve to not have your money stolen from you. Please start a class action suit against them and stop this company from stealing from good people. Iโ€™ve been to 2 โ€˜presentations,โ€™ and would not buy. They even tried not to let us leave.

They offered a prize for just coming to the presentation that wasnโ€™t actually a real prize.

To test their legitimacy, we asked if they could get us a deal at our favorite resort in Aruba - they said they had a โ€˜relationshipโ€™ with that hotel. So i stepped into the restroom and called that resort, who said they had no idea what Monarch Grand Resorts was.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1436061

Those lawyers are also a scam the want me to pay from 5,000 to 7,000 to get out of contract and sign it over to them. They then rent it out for profit and BTW I would have to pay all maintenance fees for 2 years forward.

View more comments (1)
Anonymous

Trickery!

After purchasing a package I found out the dues are for life and your children will have to pay those when you die! It never ends! What a ripe off. I'm in my late thirties and will continue to pay for a mistake (buying this junk) until I die. I've spend thousands to sell it. It no takers! I'm stuck in a terrible situation!
View full review
Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Anonymous

New Diamond owner

I just converted my Monarch to Diamond for less than 400.00 my maintenance fees are 600.00 Year and they gave us a tablet to use anyway we want to since Diamond took over the Cancun in Los Vegas major changes have taken place more security more staff and when went to check in they came to us and took us to the VIP center to get our rooms for those of you who still have Monarch they settled in bankruptcy court and Diamond had to give us 20000 points if you plan on suing Monarch good luck because Monarch is gone wifi is now free
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
1 comment
Guest

Me and my wife just did the same thing on 4 August 2017 and was told the same thing about Monarch I just got a bill for Monarch in the mail I called it in and the lady from diamond told me that the only person that went bankrupt what the finance company for Monarch Monarch is still open for business and we still have to pay them along with my new diamond resort bill

Anonymous

Why I do not use my timeshare

I thought It's about having a vacation but its about the Diamond Resort making more money. I'm paying my fee to diamond but I don't get any perks not asking for a lot but not even discount at hotels because I'm still a monarch member wow. That is why I do not tell people to invest in the diamond company and never will. And I have been with the company 20 years. And I do not want to pay more because I have children in college and school. i'm just very disappointed and when I go on vacation I have to use my family timeshare. And it's not like I want to go over the whole world just the Los Angeles.
View full review
Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous

Monarch Grand Vacations - Vacation Ownership Review

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
I did not use them and paid excessive up front dollars and Everytime we wanted to use it was not available. Now that we have the loan paid off they are charging exorbadent maintenance fees every 3 or 4 months. We are out close to $20,000 and for what? And these maintenance fees just go on generation after generation. We want to get out of this mess as soon as possible. Thank you. Chris and Julie Schweinhard
View full review
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
1 comment
Guest

Yes Chris and Julie we are going thru the same thing with Diamond Resorts too! We paid off the loan and nothing is available and HOA Maintenance fees are sky high every 3 to 4 months!!

For what???

What a waste of our hard earn money$$$ Diamond Resorts told that if they didn't step in and take over we would be without nothing!! But we are without nothing!!!

Arynn Mas

Monarch Grand Vacations Vacation Ownership Review

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Very hard to use. Our original contract is NOT being honored as they have sold out repeatedly. And just changed hands again. They won't take it back. NEVER buy time share.....they refuse to help. Then they trick you into upgrading to their point system...right.....such a joke. Count us in for a class action law suit. We want OUT bug not by PAYING $3000 to do it to a take over company
View full review
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous

Lost 2 weeks of vacation time

I just lost my two years worth of points which I have always been able to transfer to Interval,but was told I can longer do this.Was given ridiculous options,like registering in person tonight at resort some distance away for only 2 nights. So I've lost everything I paid for during the past 2 years. Diamond converted Monarch points to Diamond points which don't carry same value. Now I get a studio for 6 nights. With Monarch, I had a 2 bedroom, 1 week each year, which could carry over for one year, so I could get 2 weeks. My fees are outrageous. Essentially, we have written a blank check every year until doomsday.That's why they made it so it would continue indefinitely and we were told this was for our benefit. Now I know better.They now get an annual income, which they determine, indefinitely.
View full review
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
Anonymous

Monarch Grand owners are getting shafted.

I can't tell what year these reviews are written. I would love to join a class action suit. My fees are now over $1500/year which is for 1 week. I usually save up for 2 weeks, which will cost me $3000 for my vacation, which does not consider the astronomical purchase price. I can't reserve Caba Azul, which is the only place I wish to stay in this network. I then use Interval World, which always places me in the most rundown places. I would really like to be able to just book a nice vacation on my own. These resorts are not 5 star resorts. I have stayed in such and there is no comparison. At least I have learned from these sites where to send a complaint. Sent 11/29/2016
View full review
Reason of review:
Order processing issue
2 comments
Guest

I have Monarch and cannot use any resort. They seem to be always booked but when you go to the resorts page, they have many vacancies.

Anyone out there putting together a lawsuit? I would like to get rid of this timeshare once and for all.

I am tired of paying for something that I cannot use. 8 years and counting of paying $200 monthly and $700 in HOA fees.

Guest

Where do we send complaints ?

View more comments (1)
Anonymous
map-marker Cedar City, Utah

Diamond resorts and monarch grand vacation

stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full stars-rating-full
Just had a meeting with a Diamond resorts rep about our MGV and were told that we need to switch to diamond resort or face HOA fees as high as 500,00 per quarter and even be hit with a "special assessment " that could be whatever price diamond resorts wants to give just so they can fix up the raggedy MGV properties. Since MGV had filled bankruptcy diamond has been making people sign over to them for huge cash. I'm very disappointed with this situation and feel I was taken advantage of and lied to. Please let me know of any class action lawsuit against these people , I would gladly join.
View full review
Cons:
  • Business practice
  • Worthless vacation points
  • Racketeering
Reason of review:
Poor customer service
3 comments
Guest

I agree - we feel totally scammed. We have been getting bills for HOA and fees up to $1400 a quarter!

I would love to sell my timeshare if we can find a legitimate way to do it. Any suggestions??

Guest

Those were scare tactics designed to make a sale. You can keep the exact contract you have, and nothing terrible will happen.

You might want to log in to www.tug2.net to view topics regarding timeshares and Diamond. They have a sordid reputation.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1222247

I just learned Fiamond was bought by Apollo investments. Did anyone get a letter about that?

View more comments (2)
Anonymous

Out $2000 and can't use my time

I went to transfer my points to Interval and was told I had no points to transfer. Called Monarch. Was told my points expired tonight and can't be used anymore. Just paid $1080 in dues and can't use my time. New rules. Diamond converted Monarch to points, which are now almost worthless. Now I get a studio instead of 2 bedroom. Cant go anywhere worthwhile. Offered 6 nights in Mexico next year with new points. I really want to pay airfare to spend a few nights in Mexico which does not have a swimmable beach. Does anyone know how to get a class action started, because I'm in. I'm ready to just let this go into foreclosure and lose my money, rather than write a blank check every year. For the money I pay in dues, I can find good deals on the internet. Learned a lesson though. These people will say anything and it means nothing. Is anyone interested in writing letters to the state atty general? It won't matter unless a lot of people do it. Or if someone wants to compose a letter for everyone to sign.
View full review
Reason of review:
Order processing issue
Anonymous
map-marker Venice, Florida

Information about Apollo leveraged buyout of Diamond

I am a Diamond ILX owner, but wrote an article that references Monarch for TheStreet. I have been interacting with people dedicated to reforming deceptive and fraudulent timeshare practices. I wrote an open letter to Stephen Cloobeck which was published yesterday, September 7 in Spain. Spain has outlawed perpetual contracts. Mr. Cloobeck sent all owners an email explaining how lucky we are to have a vacation that we can pass down from generation to generation. My response: http://insidetimeshare.com/letter-from-america/ I also wrote an article about the Apollo merger for TheStreet, Jim Cramer of Mad Money's Investment News Service. I am not a paid contributor. Just an outraged owner after signing a contract that said we could sell points. The founder of Apollo is the founder of Drexel Burnham Lambert of Michael Milken junk bond fame. We are the new junk bond sub prime mortgage opportunity for venture capitalists. The second article below published this week references the Monarch lawsuit. http://www.thestreet.com/story/1362****/1/is-apollo-returning-to-its-junk-roots-with-its-acquisition-of-diamond-resorts.html https://www.thestreet.com/story/1365****/1/the-timeshare-industry-has-improved-its-reputation-but-still-faces-scrutiny.html File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau because they are investigating Westgate and Diamond is always mentioned as being on the radar because they employ similar practices. File under the mortgage option even if there is no mortgage. You can also file orally.
View full review
1 comment
Guest

A marvelous compendium of information. Good luck in your pursuit of fairness in the industry. You might want to go to Virginia Beach to see how the Diamond buyout of Gold Key has affected timeshare owners.

Briyah Apl

Maintenance fess increase is outrageous! I want out!!!

I have been a Monarch Grand Vacations owner since 1999. The maintenance fees has increased over the years and now it is ridiculously high. I tried to sell it many times, not successful. I tried to surrender it - not allowed. I had to pay the maintenance fees with late fees last time (last month). Today I got a call from Diamond Resorts International and I was pressured to convert it into Diamond points at least half of what I own (222). I was told it would cost me $18,315 to do so. Then, I could use all the locations that Diamond Resorts have around the world. I told him I have no interest doing it. Boy, he tried to talk me into it. I had to firmly say no thanks and hung up. After the call I got online and searched any info about Monarch or Diamond Resort, then I came across this site. I have read some review about possible class action law suit dated last year. I am just wondering is this class action realized. I would be interested in this. I got divorced and I am stuck with the maintenance fees. I want out. I would appreciate it if someone can fill me in with the most updated status. Thank you!
View full review
Cons:
  • Worthless vacation points
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
4 comments
Guest

I can't tell what year these reviews are written. I would love to join a class action suit.

My fees are now over $1500/year which is for 1 week. I usually save up for 2 weeks, which will cost me $3000 for my vacation, which does not consider the astronomical purchase price. I can't reserve Caba Azul, which is the only place I wish to stay in this network. I then use Interval World, which always places me in the most rundown places.

I would really like to be able to just book a nice vacation on my own. These resorts are not 5 star resorts.

I have stayed in such and there is no comparison. At least I have learned from these sites where to send a complaint.

Sent 11/29/2016

Guest

BTW, try to contact "Jessica Levine" [Jessica (dot) Levine (at) diamondresorts (dot) com] or "Swahili Brooks" [Swahili (dot) Brooks (at) diamondresorts (dot) com].

Guest

I was in the same boat, but I didn't have nearly as many points. Finally "Jessica Levine" said she's take them.

Originally there was a ~$300 fee to transfer them back, but there were mistakes and delays so they waived the fee. was the nicest of all, as he seemed sympathetic that I wanted to get rid of these silly points. Honestly, getting rid of these timeshares is harder than declaring bankruptcy.

I even tried to consult a real estate attorney, and they didn't want anything to do with it. Good Luck!

Guest

What are your maintenance fees? Have you even used your timeshare? What's it like to own this timeshare besides maintenance fees?

View more comments (3)