GVC Sunterra - Is it a freebie?

[kingdobe]

Fullmonty why should i sell my children are already arguing who gets the the points.
The costs of flight were �140 for 2 my maintanence fees are private but the total cost for a week excluding spending money and parking was less than �400,that was for a week in a apartment with see view,we enjoyed it so much we have booked to go back next year,but if your referring to my soon to be taken holiday in Menorca,which is in high season is less than �600 for 2 not each.
The next question you should ask is can i join.


Barry

[FullMonty]

So what you are saying is that it is great value for money but you won't tell us how much it costs!!

But if you wish it to remain private that is indeed our privilege.

It is just that so many on here seem to disagree with you.

[kingdobe]

Fullmonty the fees are standard the amount you pay for points varies to the amount you own,i do not feel obliged to tell you what i pay but as you say the disgruntled ones will be more than happy to inform you.
The biggest gripe what you have is DRI use of agents which i have been informed is being reviewed,the next thing how many disgruntled members who have joined since the new owners have taken control.
It is not fair to constantly criticizes the company about which they had no control over in the past.


Barry




If there are members of DRI who do not know or have not been told how to use the system to there best advantage,please drop me a email and i will be glad to try to help you.

[southafrica]

In reply to Kingdobe Grand Vacation Club (GVC) used to own the company and about 7 years ago but were taken over by Sunterra who later said that GVC had not run the club very well and they would improve the situation but needed to raise the Management fees to do so. I went to a presentation at Wychnor Park in 2006. At the presentation I was (eventually) offered 8000 points for �9,000 or 11000 for �11,000 but only if I signed up on the day of the presentation. I said that I would not sign over �11000 without at least sleeping on it. They then offered 11,000 points for �9000 but I still refused to be rushed into it. Eventually though I did sign for an explorer membership which gave me 4000 points per year for 3 years at which time my membership ceased. For the first year managment fees were included in the explorer membership which was �2000. In 2007 the management fees for the 4000 points were �387. This was made up of a fee of �235 plus �3.80 per 100 points. In 2007 Diaomond Resort took over the company and said, suprise, suprise, that Sunterra had not run the club very well and they would improve the situation but needed to raise the Management fees to do so. The fees for 2008 were then raised to a fee of �270 plus �4.40 per 100 points making a total of �446 for my 4000 points. Obviously if you had 11000 points the fee pro rata would be �754. I will leave it to other readers to work out if they think the fees are worth it. Bear in mind however that the fees can go up to however much the current owner want and they are legally binding for the full team of the membership. In full members cases generally 49 years. the fees are also passed on to whoever you leave or give the points to.

[kingdobe]

Hi SouthAfrica interesting reply how many holiday weeks would those 11000 points get.




Barry

[kingdobe]

Sorry i forgot to ask Southafrica do you believe you wasted your money joining and if you don't mind me asking why.



Barry

[southafrica]

Barry,
The amount of holiday 11000 points buys depends on two things. 1) the dates you want to go. 2) Where you want to go and the type of accomodation you want. i.e Studio, 1 bed 2 bed etc. I gave in my explorer mebership this year because I didn't think the management fees were worth in (see my reply of a couple of weeks ago) so I don't know what DR are charging for this year. In 2007 a 2 bed apartment at the Royal Tenerife Country Club would have cost you the following per week:-
5000 Mid, 6000 High, 7000, Peak
Peak 8/7 to 9/9
High being 1/1 to 16/4, 21/5, 23/6 to 1/7, 16/9 to 14/9
Mid 17/4 to 20/5, 3/6, 4/10 to 16/12
Low no low season in the canaries
These dates being the start of the weeks.

Santa Barbara at Tenerife is
2 bed min 7500 max 8000 per week in peak.
As you can see you can't get 2 weeks in the peak for 11000 points at that resort.

I had a free weeks holiday in Portugal, 1 week in Tenerife and 1 week in Grand Canaria all in early December when I managed to get them for 1/2 points by booking less than 59 days before the holiday but most of the resorts have gone way before that is possible. I believe, DR have more members than accomodation so its no wonder getting the accomodation you want is difficult. I saved my points from 2007 for this year (giving me 8000) to enable me to go to the States but found that I couldn't get accomodation there for 2 weeks for 8000 points even in low season. Then I found that DR wanted �460 Management fees I resigned my membership as I could get a holiday in the states for less taking my airfare into consideration. So in the end 2 weeks holiday (I would have got the freebe even if I hadn't joined) cost me �2000 plus �387 (2007 ManFees) plus airfares for me and my wife (�650 approx). �3037 for 2 weeks self catering in the Caneries. I think you can work out whether I thought it was good value for money.

[kingdobe]

Hi Southafrica first thing if you want to book a thompson holiday, 1 week in july at a certain hotel and 20000 other people wanted that particular holiday in july do you think it would be available.
Second we had 3000 points and at that time 2 school age children we managed to go on holiday every year to were we wanted to go (i have a very intelligent wife).Trust me when i say at that time we we would not have been able to afford to take them on holiday otherwise.
Hence why i seam to constantly defend them but not some of there agents sales tactics,and why i have recommended this product to my friends they have only to see the benefits most joined.
Third you last point if we went to Royal sunset beach club 2 weeks mid season it would cost 6000 point total cost including flight's and parking �920.
The last point is that people are put off joining the club when they read some of the post's i try to give the alternative view,i have spoken to a few people on the the scheme that you were on and the first thing they ask is what is the catch,I explain the fees can and do go up and you must plan ahead,apart from that as of yet we have not been able to find any.


Barry




one very last thing if you live reasonably close to a uk resort you can use there facility's for free(as long as your a member of the DRI),we use Wychnor park country club to go swimming than a walk in the park than a meal (much better if the sun is shinning).

[southafrica]

Barry,
Your comment about wanting to book a certain hotel in July and 2000 other people wanting it irelavant as you could have the choice of anywhere else in the world. To book a holiday with DR you are restricted to only the accomodation they have. If they have less accomodation than members that want certain dates you will be very lucky to get what you want. Ask many other members with children at school.
I was refering to the Royal Tenerife County Club (RTCC). I have the Sunterra Explorer book in front of me and 1 week mid season (i.e. 17/4 to 20/5, week/c 22/5, 4/11 to 16/12, hardly school holiday times) would cost you 4000 points per week for a 1 bed room apartment. Royal Sunset Beach Club, mid season same weeks as RTCC is 3000 points per week for a studio which has a partial kitchen and a sofa bed (no proper beds or bedrooms) Max occupancy is 2 so forget taking the kids with you. Your posting says your holiday cost 6000 points including �920 flights and parking. I think you meant 6000 points PLUS �920 flights and parking plus, of course, your annual management fee.
I also live near Wychnor Park and have been a couple of times as a member. Although the gardens and and lounge etc. are OK the pool is small, the gym is like a under the stairs cupboard and the changing rooms are disgraseful.
One last thig you don't work for Diamond Resorts do you?

[kingdobe]

HI southafrica somebody already asked me that nope all i am is a member who trys to give a more positive view of DRI,because i would hate for people to miss out on good holidays because of a few negative people.

The point i was making if you could not get into that hotel with whatever company would you not go on holiday,no you would choose another resort.

Dont forget there is also II were you can swap into i have never used them because i can get to were i want with DRI.

Barry