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Marriott Aruba Ocean Club Owners Being Ripped Off By Marriott - READ IF AN OWNER
- Thread starter marksue
- Start date
vincenzi
TUG Member
Board Members
I e-mailed the President before the e-mail addresses were removed. He didn't respond to me either. But, I want to know WHY he hasn't responded. WHY are the board members not communicating with the owners? They are the liaison between the owners and Marriott. Correct? Has Marriott prohibited them from responding at this point in time? I guess since we are ONLY the owners, we are not privy to any information.
I e-mailed the President before the e-mail addresses were removed. He didn't respond to me either. But, I want to know WHY he hasn't responded. WHY are the board members not communicating with the owners? They are the liaison between the owners and Marriott. Correct? Has Marriott prohibited them from responding at this point in time? I guess since we are ONLY the owners, we are not privy to any information.
Dave M
TUG Lifetime Member
When people threaten a lawsuit, which is the case here, lawyers almost always ask those that they represent to refuse to comment on any matters that might be involved in such a suit. Since it's at least possible that a suit might include claims against board members, it's easy to figure out why board members are not responding.
Marriott Aruba OC
Just to comment,
The timing of these fees in this economy is very hurtful to most owners.
Obviously there are problems which are ongoing since the construction of the property.
Should the blame be put on the party that hired the contractors who have obviously used inferior materials had poor workmanship?
Buildings do age and maintanance must be kept up with.
But these problems with the roof and leaky windows are ongoing since the beginning. At least as long as I can recall from 1998.
Many of us are fired up.
To diffuse this situation one must look at the namesake that is on display to the world on our building and to let them do the right thing.
I am in business for 28+ years. The last thing I want is a unhappy customer.
For us, the amount of money requested is exhorbitant. For Marriott it would be wisefull to weigh out the expense costs versus the negative advertisement. The old adage is one happy customer will tell a friend(that is why they want us to provide names of others to invite-they know this) one unhappy customer will tell 10. Who would list anybody we are concerned about to potentially be a buyer knowing what we know.
Just to comment,
The timing of these fees in this economy is very hurtful to most owners.
Obviously there are problems which are ongoing since the construction of the property.
Should the blame be put on the party that hired the contractors who have obviously used inferior materials had poor workmanship?
Buildings do age and maintanance must be kept up with.
But these problems with the roof and leaky windows are ongoing since the beginning. At least as long as I can recall from 1998.
Many of us are fired up.
To diffuse this situation one must look at the namesake that is on display to the world on our building and to let them do the right thing.
I am in business for 28+ years. The last thing I want is a unhappy customer.
For us, the amount of money requested is exhorbitant. For Marriott it would be wisefull to weigh out the expense costs versus the negative advertisement. The old adage is one happy customer will tell a friend(that is why they want us to provide names of others to invite-they know this) one unhappy customer will tell 10. Who would list anybody we are concerned about to potentially be a buyer knowing what we know.
vincenzi
TUG Member
That Makes Sense
Dave, thanks for the explanation. That makes sense. I should have figured that one out since I am married to an attorney.
And, am I fired up? You betcha!
Dave, thanks for the explanation. That makes sense. I should have figured that one out since I am married to an attorney.
And, am I fired up? You betcha!Vicenzi, is your spouse a class action lawyer. WOuld love to hear what they have to say.
Frank Knox wasn't even at the owners meeting. I believe he knew it was going to be a disaster of a meeting so he left that morning. Seems odd that work called him back the day of the owners meeting but he was there the day before to kick Allan out as president.
Come on Frank why are you afraid of the owners? How much is Marriott giving to you and the board to support thier stance?
Barron's just had an article on Marriott and the family selling thier stock. I wrote to them and sent them the link to this site. I am going to be sending to more of the press this site and maybe we can get some print publicity.
Frank Knox wasn't even at the owners meeting. I believe he knew it was going to be a disaster of a meeting so he left that morning. Seems odd that work called him back the day of the owners meeting but he was there the day before to kick Allan out as president.
Come on Frank why are you afraid of the owners? How much is Marriott giving to you and the board to support thier stance?
Barron's just had an article on Marriott and the family selling thier stock. I wrote to them and sent them the link to this site. I am going to be sending to more of the press this site and maybe we can get some print publicity.
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Not suggesting they are onthe take, but there has to be something on the table that they are not fighting for the owners. WHy would you think they are not fighting for the owners. If you were at the meeting you would wonder the same thing.
lets not hurt Fred
I dont know Fred but if I were him and had to really leave to go home I would be upset that folks actually implied I was on the take. Lets not accuse this man. He might just be under enough stress from Marriott and is just a scaredy cat (meow).
Dave is right, Marriott is probably telling the board what to say and not say. Hopefully our letter gets them to officially respond to our concerns.
A lot of folks that are interested in putting their name on the letter are adamant about the leaky building situation. If you havent signed up please do. Thanks
I dont know Fred but if I were him and had to really leave to go home I would be upset that folks actually implied I was on the take. Lets not accuse this man. He might just be under enough stress from Marriott and is just a scaredy cat (meow).
Dave is right, Marriott is probably telling the board what to say and not say. Hopefully our letter gets them to officially respond to our concerns.
A lot of folks that are interested in putting their name on the letter are adamant about the leaky building situation. If you havent signed up please do. Thanks
Iam not saying Fred is on the take. What I am questioning is has Marriott made promsies to the board to keep them quiet. WE the owners deserve to hear from the board and we arent. Ever since they took Allan out as president we hear nothing.
Dave M
TUG Lifetime Member
See my post #128 above for the more likely reason why the Board is keeping quiet. Advising possible defendants (and that includes Board members in this situation) to keep silent for their own protection is standard procedure for lawyers. Once the first person suggested that Board members might have acted improperly, that almost guaranteed that there would be no further communication on this issue until there is court action or some resolution.
Your suggestions that there might be secret "promises" or other favors between Marriott and Board members seem way out of line and inappropriate.
Your suggestions that there might be secret "promises" or other favors between Marriott and Board members seem way out of line and inappropriate.
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No excuse
If they are hiding behind some lawyer, from Marriott?, saying "Keep quiet" then they really aren't representing the owners. They should have an independent Association attorney. If they did it is my experience that they would be advised to bring the owners into the mix unless it is privileged information (not much would be as the owners ARE the Association).
The lack of contact is disturbing and only feeds the idea that Marriott is trying to squelch owners input and ability to obtain information. Not a good situation.
If they are hiding behind some lawyer, from Marriott?, saying "Keep quiet" then they really aren't representing the owners. They should have an independent Association attorney. If they did it is my experience that they would be advised to bring the owners into the mix unless it is privileged information (not much would be as the owners ARE the Association).
The lack of contact is disturbing and only feeds the idea that Marriott is trying to squelch owners input and ability to obtain information. Not a good situation.
Dave M
TUG Lifetime Member
I would agree, except for one thing. There have been allegations here of possible Board misconduct and threats of a lawsuit. Any individual who believes he/she might well be a defendant in such a suit would be an idiot to speak publicly (e.g., to owners, which would be reported publicly here), except for carefully worded statements approved by an attorney. Considering the nature of the dispute, no attorney would allow his possible-defendant-client to say anything that those seeking answers here would find meaningful.
A Marriott attorney can't stop a Board member from speaking out. The Board member's own attorney should strongly discourage any such communication.
Also. even though idependent Marriott HOA Board members are covered by Marriott-paid D&O insurance, they could still have personal liability, depending on their actions and the nature and amount of coverage.
A Marriott attorney can't stop a Board member from speaking out. The Board member's own attorney should strongly discourage any such communication.
Also. even though idependent Marriott HOA Board members are covered by Marriott-paid D&O insurance, they could still have personal liability, depending on their actions and the nature and amount of coverage.
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Dave M
TUG Lifetime Member
Incidentally, I have no axe to grind on the topic of this thread. I'm not an Ocean Club owner, but there certainly seem to be some legitimate concerns that will have to be resolved one way or another over time.
However, for the reasons I have enumerated, I believe that suggestions that Board members should be communicating with their accusers is unrealistic. And, unfortunately, it's too late to go back and tell Board members that "We're on the same side of this issue so please help us out."
However, for the reasons I have enumerated, I believe that suggestions that Board members should be communicating with their accusers is unrealistic. And, unfortunately, it's too late to go back and tell Board members that "We're on the same side of this issue so please help us out."
Hi Dave
Are you suggesting that we shouldnt attempt to write them a letter asking them to let us know what they were doing to address our concerns? This would really be disturbing.
I am hoping to finish the letter with input from a few owners that have been helping me. I know you dont think its a large number but I have more than 60 ocean club owners, some with multiple weeks that want to be included. I have promised that I will send the draft to them in advance and they can opt out if they wish. My letter will be respectful but direct.
The board is supposed to represent us and we expect them to respond to us.
Thanks for keeping impartial on this one, I know you have a positive opinion of Marriott.
Are you suggesting that we shouldnt attempt to write them a letter asking them to let us know what they were doing to address our concerns? This would really be disturbing.
I am hoping to finish the letter with input from a few owners that have been helping me. I know you dont think its a large number but I have more than 60 ocean club owners, some with multiple weeks that want to be included. I have promised that I will send the draft to them in advance and they can opt out if they wish. My letter will be respectful but direct.
The board is supposed to represent us and we expect them to respond to us.
Thanks for keeping impartial on this one, I know you have a positive opinion of Marriott.
Dave M
TUG Lifetime Member
Not at all! I believe you should put forth the best effort possible to try to get what you seek. But don't get your hopes up for a meaningful response any time soon. I believe, however, that if you can get enough participation in your effort, your chances of eventually getting some meaningful correspondence from Marriott go up a lot. "Eventually" might well be a long time - many months - from now.
JimC
TUG Member
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I agree with Dave on this, which is why I said that the owners should get professional counsel and then proceed accordingly. Your chance of getting a dialog underway depend heavily on the tone and content of your communications with the HOA and Marriott as well as what you post in public forums.
I have no clue but you guys ASSUME way to much. HOA members do what they do for free. To assume they don't have the best interests of the resort in mind, to me, makes no sense so unless proved otherwise, I would give them the benefit of the doubt. Not answering your emails doesn't make them evil
have you read the entire thread
Hi Eric
I am curious, have you read the entire thread? As an owner whos fees are going from 1100 in maintenance to 1600 in mainteance with an additional 700 for the next two years as "special" assessment fee it seems no one is really representing us.
If you read the letter Marksue added, it is still available through the marriott ocean club website. It is clear the board was looking towards a legal solution if they werent getting what they needed from Marriott. Then lo and behold the strongest member of the board is somehow no longer the president. We are left with folks that may be working with Marriott but if they are representing us they should be sharing their efforts with us. No taxation without representation and we dont feel we are being represented. Marksue and I agree we need to give them an opportunity to respond to our concerns and will make an effort through a letter from the owners to get that response, if it doesnt work we really dont have a choice but to pursue professional help.
My thoughts as I anxiously await my maintenance bill wrapped nicely with a special assessment bow.
Hi Eric
I am curious, have you read the entire thread? As an owner whos fees are going from 1100 in maintenance to 1600 in mainteance with an additional 700 for the next two years as "special" assessment fee it seems no one is really representing us.
If you read the letter Marksue added, it is still available through the marriott ocean club website. It is clear the board was looking towards a legal solution if they werent getting what they needed from Marriott. Then lo and behold the strongest member of the board is somehow no longer the president. We are left with folks that may be working with Marriott but if they are representing us they should be sharing their efforts with us. No taxation without representation and we dont feel we are being represented. Marksue and I agree we need to give them an opportunity to respond to our concerns and will make an effort through a letter from the owners to get that response, if it doesnt work we really dont have a choice but to pursue professional help.
My thoughts as I anxiously await my maintenance bill wrapped nicely with a special assessment bow.
vincenzi
TUG Member
Disappointed
I am thankful for Tug so I can vent my feelings. When my husband and I bought our two weeks at the Marriott Aruba Ocean Club, we thought we were dealing with an honest and ethical company. We fell in love with Aruba the first time we visited. We checked other timeshares in Aruba. However, we felt so comfortable dealing with Marriott. At the time, the reputation of Marriott was exceptional. We paid quite a bit of money for our Marriott timeshare but we thought it was worth it. The name, Marriott, spoke volumes to us. What has happened to this company? I am so disappointed. Apparently, greed has once again replaced honesty and integrity.
I am thankful for Tug so I can vent my feelings. When my husband and I bought our two weeks at the Marriott Aruba Ocean Club, we thought we were dealing with an honest and ethical company. We fell in love with Aruba the first time we visited. We checked other timeshares in Aruba. However, we felt so comfortable dealing with Marriott. At the time, the reputation of Marriott was exceptional. We paid quite a bit of money for our Marriott timeshare but we thought it was worth it. The name, Marriott, spoke volumes to us. What has happened to this company? I am so disappointed. Apparently, greed has once again replaced honesty and integrity.
I guess the question would be, what can the Board realistically do? If the roof has to be fixed and Marriott says it is the HOA's problem, after arguing with Marriott, what are their options? Can they refuse? If they refuse, would that just shut down the TS completely by government inspectors? Can the Board authorize attorney fees to be paid to sue Marriott or the construction inspector/contractor that caused the problem on behalf of the HOA?