You bought ($0 cost, I realize) into two systems that have corrupt management with stacked boards of directors. That Starwood SBP MF used to be $680, and it's now over $1,100. Wyndham is a developer and has itself as management. It's pretty sleazy, I agree, but please separate those from owner-controlled HOA's with fair elections of board members, which include no developers, and no management company members.
There is a difference, and you lump everyone into one category. It's not fair, and it's very prejudicial. Yes, it truly is.
Until you join a BOD and have people call you personally at your home to say they cannot afford their annual $500 MF's for a 3 bedroom unit (our fees are very low in Colorado at the owner-controlled resorts), then you shouldn't put us into the category of Starwood, Consolidated, Wyndham, and all of the others out there who have no stake in the resort, except as paid employees, in the pocket of the developer.
e.bram's posts are not worth reading, but yours are, Ride, because I think you are being the devil's advocate, and I understand and agree with some of what you say. Developers and their management companies don't care about owners.
I respect your right to say what you want, too, but that post about scummy developers, salespeople, PCC's, upfront fee companies, etc., was directed to those who profit from timeshares, and I have only had a few meals in my tenure as a board member. I don't even get reimbursed for mileage, although I am entitled to it. I drive 60+ miles to/ from meetings, and I pick my fellow board members up at the airport, too, and drive them. Zero reimbursement. I do get pizza, but I have to leave my business phone to the answering machine in my absence, so we lose customers in my absence (it's a chimney cleaning biz).
