Marriott Aruba Ocean Club Owners Being Ripped Off By Marriott - READ IF AN OWNER

[Kelly&Sean]

Please stop wasting our money with this stuff. We could have had a Waterslide put into our pool with the money that it cost to defend this lawsuit that you continue to pursue. Your point has been made. Enough already.

 

[jonnat]

The Dead Horse

As an owner at Ocean Club I would like to thank the Concerned Owners Group for continuing to beat a dead horse into the ground at the expense of the Association. On top of the money I have had to personally expend through my fees to defend my right to not have my personal infomation given to a bunch of whining windbags. Yes, I will say it again whining windbags and before I am accused of insulting again please let me be clear of my definition and context acccording to Webster's dictionary. Whining-to complain with or as if with a whine, Windbag-an exhaustively talkative person . When this all over and done with a lot of money will have been expended to defend against the 1000 plus owners who by default are being represented by this group without any true permissions ever being asked to be represented and nothing, NOTHING will be accomplished in the end. May the big corporation win!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dean]

This is beyond comical at this point and it is sad at the same time. Regardless of who's right or wrong it's way past time to either put up or shut up. Either get a lawyer and go after Marriott and the BOD OR drop it, otherwise it's like the parent who continues to yell at a child but doesn't actually do anything about it. Writing letters, passing out flyers and making phone calls i useless at this point IMO. Lack of understanding of why Marriott should not allow cards and flyers to be handed out on property or newspapers sold on property with such information sums it up for me.

 

[SueDonJ]

The BOD sent out a "Fall - Winter 2010/2011 Owner Update" which included a "Lawsuit Update" as well as a copy of the letter dated 8/27/10 that they'd sent to Allan Cohen; presumably this latest post from marksue is Allan's response to that letter.

You're right, Dean, it's beyond comical and sad at this point, but the tone of that letter to Allan makes me believe that it's also time for Allan and the "concerned owners group" to either put up or shut up (as the saying goes.) It doesn't appear that Marriott is going to let things continue indefinitely, that's for sure. As much as the legal fees have accumulated to now, I'd be worried that Marriott might force an ending with a full-court press that could make the accumulated fees look like pocket change. And what choice do they have, realistically, when they're caught between Allan's group's demands and the majority ownership voting to not allow a release of the owners' private contact information?

 

[Dean]

The BOD sent out a "Fall - Winter 2010/2011 Owner Update" which included a "Lawsuit Update" as well as a copy of the letter dated 8/27/10 that they'd sent to Allan Cohen; presumably this latest post from marksue is Allan's response to that letter.

You're right, Dean, it's beyond comical and sad at this point, but the tone of that letter to Allan makes me believe that it's also time for Allan and the "concerned owners group" to either put up or shut up (as the saying goes.) It doesn't appear that Marriott is going to let things continue indefinitely, that's for sure. As much as the legal fees have accumulated to now, I'd be worried that Marriott might force an ending with a full-court press that could make the accumulated fees look like pocket change. And what choice do they have, realistically, when they're caught between Allan's group's demands and the majority ownership voting to not allow a release of the owners' private contact information?

To be honest, that's far more than I figured they would do and likely, far more than they should do, as I see no way Allan would adhere to the conditions of the letter even though they are more than reasonable, IMO.

I find this part extremely interesting and while I suspect it accurately reflects the words used, it clearly does not reflect the intent of the group in question.

your fundamental issue is that there is no ability for owner-to-owner contact to openly discuss issues of mutual concern or interest, exchange ideas, etc.

If Allan accepts their proposal, I predict he won't be able to adhere to the conditions and will be looking at a lawsuit naming him personally but going beyond the simple breach of contract and seeking to recoup all expenses for all items related to the entire issue. The reality is that the offer does everything that is requested and reasonable as it is clearly NOT reasonable to deliver the contact information directly to the group.

 

[london]

2 Years and Many Posts and Views

This thread has to be a record setting one, with almost 3000 posts, and almost 150,000 views.

It brings out the many facets of timeshare ownership, BOD actions, and brand name quality issues.

Perhaps, the issues will be resolved in a satisfactory manner to the majority of the owners.

 

[lovearuba]

That would be nice

This thread has to be a record setting one, with almost 3000 posts, and almost 150,000 views.

It brings out the many facets of timeshare ownership, BOD actions, and brand name quality issues.

Perhaps, the issues will be resolved in a satisfactory manner to the majority of the owners.

I am actually not certain if this is the post with the most comments or if there is another. I think the important thing to consider is how many actual posters there are. Many posts are from the same posters that post to almost all posts on this site. Others just drop by to take a look and vent. It keeps the issue alive regardless of what side you favor

 

[windje2000]

I am actually not certain if this is the post with the most comments or if there is another. I think the important thing to consider is how many actual posters there are. Many posts are from the same posters that post to almost all posts on this site. Others just drop by to take a look and vent. It keeps the issue alive regardless of what side you favor

Click on the headings above each of the columns (replies and views) and the board sorts high to low on that parameter.

It's #2 as measured by comments. It's #1 as measured by views.

 

[dioxide45]

Click on the headings above each of the columns (replies and views) and the board sorts high to low on that parameter.

It's #2 as measured by comments. It's #1 as measured by views.

It isn't far behind the speculation thread for the #1 spot. Though I don't know if it will garner enough attention going forward to pass it.

 

[griffer331]

I hesitate to post this as this thread took on a life of its own. But i think it's important because there was a ton of discussion about this.

We received this as part of our Spring Summer update.

It appears the lawyers are still going to be making money,







Litigation Update
As mentioned in our Fall-Winter 2010/2011 Owner Update, over the past few years, the Association has been defending lawsuits filed against it in Aruban Court by an Aruba Ocean Club Owner, Allan Cohen. This Owner, Allan Cohen has demanded access to the personal email and home mailing address information for all Aruba Ocean Club Owners. We are pleased to report that on March 16, 2011, the Aruban Court, for the second time, issued its verdict in favor of the Association. This means that the Association’s governing documents have been upheld and our Owners' personal contact information will be protected.

For the sake of clarity and transparency the following is a translation of the ruling by the Aruban Court:
“Judge in this Court, adjudicating:

Declares Cohen [Plaintiff] to have no cause for action, in as far as the claims serve to order AOC to give Cohen data from the register;
Dismisses Cohen’s other claims;
Orders Cohen to pay the costs of the proceedings, until this day estimated at Afl. 3,150 in respect to attorney’s fees.
This judgment was given by Mr. H.E. de Boer, Judge, and was pronounced in the public session of Wednesday, March 16, 2011 in the presence of the Clerk of the Court.”

We had hoped that this verdict would finally put to rest the expensive and unmeritorious lawsuits filed by the plaintiff against the Association over the past few years. Unfortunately, we have recently learned that the plaintiff has formally filed an appeal which will force the Association to continue to pay for legal expenses to defend your privacy. The Association’s Aruba attorneys tell us that the appeal could take up to a year or more and estimate that it will cost the Association well in excess of $10,000.00 to defend the appeal. As a result, Allan Cohen will have forced the Association to pay in excess of $200,000.00 in legal and related expenses over the past several years.

Your Board Members have personally reached out directly to the plaintiff on several separate occasions over the past year-and-a-half in a good faith effort to find a compromise that would put this matter to rest once and for all. Knowing that the plaintiff’s stated objective is to be able to communicate with Ocean Club Owners through his personal website, the Board offered to provide Owners with the plaintiff’s personal website address in a series of regular Owner communications. Unfortunately, Allan Cohen flatly rejected the Board’s settlement offers and refused to enter into negotiations. The Board is as frustrated over this matter as many other Aruba Ocean Club Owners are.

 

[Dean]

I hesitate to post this as this thread took on a life of its own. But i think it's important because there was a ton of discussion about this.

We received this as part of our Spring Summer update.

It appears the lawyers are still going to be making money,







Litigation Update
As mentioned in our Fall-Winter 2010/2011 Owner Update, over the past few years, the Association has been defending lawsuits filed against it in Aruban Court by an Aruba Ocean Club Owner, Allan Cohen. This Owner, Allan Cohen has demanded access to the personal email and home mailing address information for all Aruba Ocean Club Owners. We are pleased to report that on March 16, 2011, the Aruban Court, for the second time, issued its verdict in favor of the Association. This means that the Association’s governing documents have been upheld and our Owners' personal contact information will be protected.

For the sake of clarity and transparency the following is a translation of the ruling by the Aruban Court:
“Judge in this Court, adjudicating:

Declares Cohen [Plaintiff] to have no cause for action, in as far as the claims serve to order AOC to give Cohen data from the register;
Dismisses Cohen’s other claims;
Orders Cohen to pay the costs of the proceedings, until this day estimated at Afl. 3,150 in respect to attorney’s fees.
This judgment was given by Mr. H.E. de Boer, Judge, and was pronounced in the public session of Wednesday, March 16, 2011 in the presence of the Clerk of the Court.”

We had hoped that this verdict would finally put to rest the expensive and unmeritorious lawsuits filed by the plaintiff against the Association over the past few years. Unfortunately, we have recently learned that the plaintiff has formally filed an appeal which will force the Association to continue to pay for legal expenses to defend your privacy. The Association’s Aruba attorneys tell us that the appeal could take up to a year or more and estimate that it will cost the Association well in excess of $10,000.00 to defend the appeal. As a result, Allan Cohen will have forced the Association to pay in excess of $200,000.00 in legal and related expenses over the past several years.

Your Board Members have personally reached out directly to the plaintiff on several separate occasions over the past year-and-a-half in a good faith effort to find a compromise that would put this matter to rest once and for all. Knowing that the plaintiff’s stated objective is to be able to communicate with Ocean Club Owners through his personal website, the Board offered to provide Owners with the plaintiff’s personal website address in a series of regular Owner communications. Unfortunately, Allan Cohen flatly rejected the Board’s settlement offers and refused to enter into negotiations. The Board is as frustrated over this matter as many other Aruba Ocean Club Owners are.

Regardless of who's right or wrong, this was a predictable outcome including court costs. If he's not careful, Allan could end up being responsible for all of the cost incurred, see that $200K figure above. I thank you for the update, wondered where this was going.

 

[KathyPet]

Somehow this seems appropriate here

http://www.scri8e.com/h/Hallo_NO_DIRECT_LINKING/ghouls/pot-stirrer.gif

 

[Dean]

http://www.scri8e.com/h/Hallo_NO_DIRECT_LINKING/ghouls/pot-stirrer.gif

I don't believe so based on my post or the previous one. As noted much earlier in this thread, having an opinion and not automatically agreeing with the "concerned owners group" is not the same as taking Marriott's side but it's looking more and more like Marriott's the one reasonable party in this issue.

 

[KathyPet]

Dean, My link was not intended for you in particular. Just my opinion of the entire mess as a whole

 

[Dean]

Dean, My link was not intended for you in particular. Just my opinion of the entire mess as a whole

Kathy, two posts since Nov, mine and the other. I don't think "stirring the pot" accurately portrays the overall situation unless you're referring to the originator of the law suit.