What is ARDA?

[seashelldm]

I am brand new to timesharing and ARDA was mentioned several times at our annual meeting last week. Can someone explain what ARDA is?

Thank you

 

[Rent_Share]

I am brand new to timesharing and ARDA was mentioned several times at our annual meeting last week. Can someone explain what ARDA is?

Thank you

A lobbyist/professional association "controlled" by the major developers

Google ?

http://www.arda.org/arda/home.aspx

The American Resort Development Association (ARDA) is the Washington D.C.-based trade association representing the vacation ownership and resort development industries (timeshares). ARDA has almost 1,000 corporate members ranging from privately held firms to publicly traded corporations with extensive experience in shared ownership interests in leisure real estate. The membership also includes timeshare owner associations (HOAs), resort management companies, industry vendors, suppliers, and consultants; as well as owners through the ARDA Resort Owners Coalition (ARDA-ROC).

 

[theo]

I am brand new to timesharing and ARDA was mentioned several times at our annual meeting last week. Can someone explain what ARDA is?

Thank you

The quoted reply provided in post #2 above by Rent_Share is clear, detailed and self-explanatory.

Another appropriate and brief description might also be....
"ARDA is a four letter word / acronym, intimately "associated" with greedy timeshare resort developers".

 

[LannyPC]

I am brand new to timesharing and ARDA was mentioned several times at our annual meeting last week.

They'll also likely be "mentioned" to you on a yearly basis when you get your MF bill. There will be a line in there about a voluntary contribution (about $5, or so) to the ARDA. The resort will, either in the MF bill it sends you or in its quarterly newsletter, try to convince you that that contribution will be going towards an entity that has your best interests at heart.

Just remember, it's a voluntary contribution. Most TUGgers here would recommend you forgo that contribution.

 

[theo]

Well said, good point...

They'll also likely be "mentioned" to you on a yearly basis when you get your MF bill. There will be a line in there about a voluntary contribution (about $5, or so) to the ARDA. The resort will, either in the MF bill it sends you or in its quarterly newsletter, try to convince you that that contribution will be going towards an entity that has your best interests at heart.

Just remember, it's a voluntary contribution. Most TUGgers here would recommend you forgo that contribution.

Not to mention that if you buy (resale only, of course) into a sold-out facility, with a owner controlled HOA, where there is no longer any (...long gone) developer presence or influence anyhow, why on earth would you want to be sending a "voluntary contribution" to an outfit which essentially represents only developer weasels like David Sea Gull (of Westgate) and other greedy parasites of a similar ilk?

 

[SMHarman]

All the above is true, however ARDA have been vociferous in representing all timeshare owners in Maui where usurious taxation rates are now being applied to timeshare owners who have limited representation on the island.

http://www.arda-roc.org/uploadedFil...Unit Final Analysis 02-10-2011 Chart Only.pdf

http://www.uhero.hawaii.edu/assets/UHERO_WP2008-02.pdf

 

[Rent_Share]

The developers are no more concerned about the taxes being charged to their previous marks than they are with the free-fall of resale values, they are concerned with the impact on future developer sales.

 

[TUGBrian]

ARDA will certainly fight for owners, when the same cause is of benefit to the developers as well.

My biggest complaint (that ive voiced many times)...is the fact some of the largest upfront fee resale companies have been, and still are ARDA members.

At one time, a number of the "transfer companies" were ARDA members as well...but when the viking ship model emerged(that started to impact developers)...they seemed to disappear off the membership list.