• The TUGBBS forums are completely free and open to the public and exist as the absolute best place for owners to get help and advice about their timeshares for more than 30 years!

    Join Tens of Thousands of other Owners just like you here to get any and all Timeshare questions answered 24 hours a day!
  • TUG started 31 years ago in October 1993 as a group of regular Timeshare owners just like you!

    Read about our 31st anniversary: Happy 31st Birthday TUG!
  • TUG has a YouTube Channel to produce weekly short informative videos on popular Timeshare topics!

    Free memberships for every 50 subscribers!

    Visit TUG on Youtube!
  • TUG has now saved timeshare owners more than $23,000,000 dollars just by finding us in time to rescind a new Timeshare purchase! A truly incredible milestone!

    Read more here: TUG saves owners more than $23 Million dollars
  • Wish you could meet up with other TUG members? Well look no further as this annual event has been going on for years in Orlando! How to Attend the TUG January Get-Together!
  • Sign up to get the TUG Newsletter for free!

    Tens of thousands of subscribing owners! A weekly recap of the best Timeshare resort reviews and the most popular topics discussed by owners!
  • Our official "end my sales presentation early" T-shirts are available again! Also come with the option for a free membership extension with purchase to offset the cost!

    All T-shirt options here!
  • A few of the most common links here on the forums for newbies and guests!

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

MikeM132

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
1,107
Reaction score
116
Location
Bethlehem, PA
I went to the "owners meeting" last night. The GM basically said there are very vocal groups making a mountain out of a mole hill. He said some issues such as the defective paint were paid out of warranty. They made a serious attempt to diffuse this issue, but were later cornered by owners concerned over all the expenses. I also was part of a conversation regarding the "week 3" group (last week). This group has done substantial damage at Ocean and Surf Club. This year was better, but the group is billed for their damage and they are not passed on to other owners. They said they itemize additional staff/security, too, and this is paid by the week 3 group. A lot of concerned owners last night. The GM had his hands full. Owners meeting was outside near the pool bar. Free wine (not whine!) and little (tiny) sandwiches. I just went to see if these issues came up....they did, but one-on-one with the GM, not in the public part of the meeting.
 

marksue

TUG Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
369
Reaction score
0
Location
NJ
Of course the GM will say that. He is part of the problem. He is a Marriott employee and all questions from owners go to him and he answers them. Gee I wonder what kind of answers are given to the owners. Marriott has purposely changed the format of the owners meetings to prevent a group discussion on the issues. Previously there would be 1 big meeting to answer questions, now they don't wan't the entrie group to hear all answers. A part of the lack of transparency that has over taken the OC.
 

sullco

newbie
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
125
Reaction score
0
Location
NY
Marriott is a tough and, sometimes, ethically challenged company

How many of you remember the class action suit a long time ago when Marriott launched the Courtyard by Marriott brand through investment partnerships? They completely overstated the occupancy, Average Daily Rates, expenses, etc., bamboozled thousands of investors in their partnerships, and eventually went through a very costly settlement.

Despite their reputation, do not lose sight of the fact that they are (land) sharks at their core.
 

lovearuba

TUG Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2005
Messages
760
Reaction score
2
Location
MA
week 3 group?

HI Mike
What is the "week 3" group (last week) reference related to? Was this a group of timeshare owners who damaged their own resort? I would be curious since I do go their and the last thing I want to worry about is security.
 

tlwmkw

newbie
Joined
Jun 4, 2007
Messages
1,456
Reaction score
154
Location
Charlottesville, VA
I was interested to hear about Aruba week 3. This is something that anyone considering a winter week in Aruba would want to know about. Sounds as if these people have no manners and treat everyone else very badly. Is it just the Marriott resorts that they take over or other resorts too?

More to the point of this thread- are they owners and what do they think of the assessments and increases in MF's? Would be interesting to know since they seem to have a lot of clout at the resort. Marksue and loveAruba you should try to contact this group.
 

lovearuba

TUG Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2005
Messages
760
Reaction score
2
Location
MA
week 3 group

Wow, I followed the thread to the aruba forum and found it entertaining as many of you find this thread. I also found it really disturbing that Marriott allows the bad behavior to affect other people staying at the resort. I will have to remember never to book week 3.
 

SueDonJ

Moderator
Joined
Jul 26, 2006
Messages
16,710
Reaction score
5,974
Location
Massachusetts and Hilton Head Island
Resorts Owned
Marriott Barony Beach and SurfWatch
More to the point of this thread- are they owners and what do they think of the assessments and increases in MF's? Would be interesting to know since they seem to have a lot of clout at the resort. Marksue and loveAruba you should try to contact this group.

In that thread it says that they own "a ton" of weeks at both Aruba properties and that's why Marriott lets them get away with taking over the whole place and running amok. Considering that they pay over and above their ownership dues for extra things like trash pick-up, damage repair, elevator operators, public rooms for meal prep and serving, etc..., I'd guess that they couldn't care less about increases in annual dues or special assessments.

Marksue or loveAruba, if you do contact them can you ask how much extra they pay to override the Room Maximum Occupancy set by Marriott? That's the one that amazes and annoys me. The rest are extras that we could all theoretically ask for and receive, but I've never heard of anyone getting a special exemption to exceed the occupancy limits.
 

esitt

newbie
Joined
Jan 26, 2009
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Location
New York
You can feel free to look me up at www.sittasset.com
I did use my real name. Eddie Sitt.
I don't appreciate the attitude, I am looking to help out.
If everyone has your disposition of shoot first and then ask questions then we are not going to get very far.
I thought that we were all part of a team with common goals.
"To make sure the resort is beautiful, and money is spent wisely and honestly."
This is not a business, it is a vacation resort. I want to make sure that someone is not making it their business!
 

SpikeMauler

TUG Member
Joined
Aug 26, 2008
Messages
683
Reaction score
5
Location
Long Island, NY
You can feel free to look me up at www.sittasset.com
I did use my real name. Eddie Sitt.
I don't appreciate the attitude, I am looking to help out.
If everyone has your disposition of shoot first and then ask questions then we are not going to get very far.
I thought that we were all part of a team with common goals.
"To make sure the resort is beautiful, and money is spent wisely and honestly."
This is not a business, it is a vacation resort. I want to make sure that someone is not making it their business!

Judging from his website, Mr.Sitt looks like he would be more than qualified for a board position. Maybe someone should talk to him.
 

Eric

newbie
Joined
Oct 17, 2005
Messages
348
Reaction score
0
He does seem like he would be a great asset to Ocean Club. It sounds like you guys/gals could use someone with diplomacy and that much experience.



Judging from his website, Mr.Sitt looks like he would be more than qualified for a board position. Maybe someone should talk to him.
 

BobG7734

TUG Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
311
Reaction score
10
Location
Boston area
Resorts Owned
Custom House; St. Kitts; Waiohai(Poipu); Maui
Wow...just read through the week 3 link on the Aruba site (not quite as teadious as the "rip off" thread)! I will never go there that week to be subjected to what has been described...sound like that is where the Surf Club owners should be directing their efforts.
 

lovearuba

TUG Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2005
Messages
760
Reaction score
2
Location
MA
SueDonJ

Hi
I am not sure why you got the impression that I would want to contact the folks in the group for week 3. I was curious about what it was from another poster and asked about it. I have not interest in speaking with them and just hope I never book that week because they don't sound too respectful of the resort and it really could damper my vacation.
 

billymach4

TUG Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2006
Messages
4,203
Reaction score
1,725
Location
Everywhere
You can feel free to look me up at www.sittasset.com
I did use my real name. Eddie Sitt.
I don't appreciate the attitude, I am looking to help out.
If everyone has your disposition of shoot first and then ask questions then we are not going to get very far.
I thought that we were all part of a team with common goals.
"To make sure the resort is beautiful, and money is spent wisely and honestly."
This is not a business, it is a vacation resort. I want to make sure that someone is not making it their business!

Ed,

I think we all agree that you should have listed your affiliation with your 1st thread. We sometimes get shills here touting knowledge about TS's and they turn out to be salespeople with their own agenda. Apologize if I came across like a heavy last time.

Welcome to Tug.

Anyway I am a Marriott owner but not at AOC. I think Marksue has a cause here and he does need help. You should speak to Mark directly for assistance.
 

SueDonJ

Moderator
Joined
Jul 26, 2006
Messages
16,710
Reaction score
5,974
Location
Massachusetts and Hilton Head Island
Resorts Owned
Marriott Barony Beach and SurfWatch
Hi
I am not sure why you got the impression that I would want to contact the folks in the group for week 3. I was curious about what it was from another poster and asked about it. I have not interest in speaking with them and just hope I never book that week because they don't sound too respectful of the resort and it really could damper my vacation.

Oh my, I can see how I confused you, sorry about that! If you look at post #682 (two above mine) tlwmkw wrote, "More to the point of this thread- are they owners and what do they think of the assessments and increases in MF's? Would be interesting to know since they seem to have a lot of clout at the resort. Marksue and loveAruba you should try to contact this group."

I took those words as light sarcasm and responded in kind. I really don't expect that you or Mark would want to be in contact with any group who would ruin a vacation for others as this group seems to do, but I was trying to follow the train of thought from that post. Again, I am sorry if I offended in any way. Good luck to you in avoiding that week - I'd be noting it, too, if I read about similar bad stuff at my resort.
 

modoaruba

newbie
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
344
Reaction score
1
Location
new york
I got the fix

How about letting week 3 patrons have a roof party.
Then they can have it fixed.
Everyone happy!!!:banana:
 

icydog

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
4,867
Reaction score
335
Location
Central NJ
You can feel free to look me up at www.sittasset.com
I did use my real name. Eddie Sitt.
I don't appreciate the attitude, I am looking to help out.
If everyone has your disposition of shoot first and then ask questions then we are not going to get very far.
I thought that we were all part of a team with common goals.
"To make sure the resort is beautiful, and money is spent wisely and honestly."
This is not a business, it is a vacation resort. I want to make sure that someone is not making it their business!


I'm duly impressed. Who knew that Tug would have such a magnate of business on their BBS. I am not using sarcasm, since that seems to be running rampant on this thread, and I am really in awe of Mr Sitt's accomplishments.
 

icydog

TUG Review Crew: Expert
TUG Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
4,867
Reaction score
335
Location
Central NJ

This was such an interesting read. Some of it was blown out of proportion with remarks on using equipment on the sabbath and all, but most was downright instructive on how not to vacation and how to avoid following the rules. I am dismayed that Marriott allows rooms to be stuffed. No wonder the beach and the pools are overrun.
 

marksue

TUG Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
369
Reaction score
0
Location
NJ
So the board had thier meeting on Tuesday. I heard from an owner who went to attend the meeting. He was told by Corey that the meeting would be starting in an hour but that he really didn't need to be there since all they were going to do was discuss the date of the next owners meeting.

Why was Corey who works for MArriott trying to talk an owner out of attending a board meeting. Is this a case that the board did not want any owner to share what occurs in the meeting. It is time for all board meetings to be open to any owner regardless if they are in Aruba or not to be able to listen in to the meeting.

THis lack of transparency and a Marriott employee talking an owner out of attending the meeting is getting out of hand and needs to be stopped.

If this call was about the meeting date, is the board going to try and change the date of the October meeting to keep those owners who normally attend the meeting from raising issues again? They sent out the nomination forms early, so i bet they have a plan to move the meeting to an earlier time frame. Let's see what happens, but I am willing to bet we hear that the meeting is moved up.

Since the annual meeting is a discussion of the upcoming MF, if they do hold the meeting early, how can they accuratly forecast the MF.

Well lets see what happens
 

marksue

TUG Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
369
Reaction score
0
Location
NJ
Eddie has a great background and could be an asset to the cause and the board. I feel his writing on here will prevent him from getting nominated. I have a feeling the board will nominate people they know and who agree with them and Marriott, and anyone who has been vocal against them will not get past the nomination committee.

I challenge the board to allow all people who wish to be on the board be submitted to the owners for a vote. Let the owners choose who they want, not have the board choose who should be on the board. Does the board have the GUTS to do this?
 
Last edited:

Luckybee

TUG Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
566
Reaction score
7
Eddie has a great background and could be an asset to the cause and the board. I feel his writing on here will prevent him from getting nominated. I have a feeling the board will nominate people they know and who agree with them and Marriott, and anyone who has been vocal against them will not get past the nomination committee.

I challenge the board to allow all people who wish to be on the board be submitted to the owners for a vote. Let the owners choose who they want, not have the board choose who should be on the board. Does the board have the GUTS to do this?

Mark am I understanding you correctly? You can't possibly be saying that the nominating committee will be made up only of the very people whose activities are being called into question by the owners? Are you telling me that those who will be deciding on who can run will be the very individuals that many owners have expressed concerns about. We already know that Allen wont be a part of the equation since the "3" overule everything he wants to accomplish. Now you are saying that they are the only ones who will decide on who "can" run for the board. I have to think you must be mistaken. In the real world that would be considered corruption at its worst. That is the kind of thing that got Enron(bringing their own people in when to do audits when questions arose instead of independents) into difficulties. That cant be the scenario, can it?
 

marksue

TUG Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
369
Reaction score
0
Location
NJ
Yes, that is correct. In the past it has always been 2 members of the board who were the nominating committee. In the past it was never an issue because the board was concerned about the owners and we all felt there was plenty of transparency. I have sent an email to the board and corey asking specifically who is on the nomination committee this year.
 

SueDonJ

Moderator
Joined
Jul 26, 2006
Messages
16,710
Reaction score
5,974
Location
Massachusetts and Hilton Head Island
Resorts Owned
Marriott Barony Beach and SurfWatch
Eddie has a great background and could be an asset to the cause and the board. I feel his writing on here will prevent him from getting nominated. I have a feeling the board will nominate people they know and who agree with them and Marriott, and anyone who has been vocal against them will not get past the nomination committee.

I challenge the board to allow all people who wish to be on the board be submitted to the owners for a vote. Let the owners choose who they want, not have the board choose who should be on the board. Does the board have the GUTS to do this?

All of this is beginning to sound exceedingly paranoid to me. I don't mean to be insulting here, but is there anything that Marriott and/or the BOD for OceanClub routinely does with which you don't find fault? Every Marriott resort follows the same procedure with respect to the application process for candidates for the Board of Directors; it would not be realistic or prudent to expect that every owner must vote on the applications for candidacy and then vote for the board members. Two separate elections? No thanks. As an owner if I wanted the responsibility of reviewing all of the applications for my resort then I'd run for a board seat myself.

As for Mr. Sitt, if you expect that board members are taking actions based on what people may be writing here, why would you write something like the above that you believe would sabotage his chance of placing his name on the ballot?

I'd guess Mr. Sitt would be a welcome addition to any board, and can't imagine that any association members would have any reason to question his motives or competency. As yet, though, none of the MOC owners have provided him with the address or requirements for him to submit his application. (I'd do it if I owned there.) Instead of responding with defeatism, answer his specific question about "how to go about it" and help him get elected!

Again, I don't mean any insult and since I'm not an MOC owner my opinion means jacksquat here. But you did put this all out for everyone to read, and my feeling after watching this thread since its inception is that if you were a "champion" for my resort, I'd be asking you to ease up on the hardline tactics. Diplomacy can be a good thing.
 

marksue

TUG Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
369
Reaction score
0
Location
NJ
I am not saying to have 2 voting sessions. What I am saying is that instead of a nomination committee just put all names on the ballot and let the owners decide who should be on the board.

I appreciate your comments, but the board has been unresponsive for a long time and a hard line needs to be taken. Others have tried a softer approach and have gotten no where with the board or with Marriott.

I had already sent Eddie the information on applying to the board.
 
Last edited:
Top