QUEJAS de Tiempo Compartido en VILLA DEL PALMAR

We believe that we have been scammed, duped, taken advantage of and lied to by The Villa Group/Universal Vacation Club/Enterprise Travel. As a result we are out $19,100.

While staying at the Villa del Palmar Flamingos in July 2010, we attended an “update.” At the update we met their Sales Assistant Manager Members. We were meeting with him (as compared to just one of the sales staff) because as gold members we had a significant annual maintenance fee commitment. At the meeting, he explained that they were concerned that at some point we would want to stop being members or in the future our heirs would not want to make the payments. The program he proposed addressed the organization’s concern about receiving ongoing maintenance fees.

His proposal was twofold. The first part was to upgrade our gold membership and our fixed week unit without points to a Villa Preferred Access membership with points for $18,500. The second part of the proposal addresses why we spent $18,500 to have the same fixed week unit. He said and gave us a document in writing where he would allow us to rent, for the next 3 years, both our 3-bedroom unit for a net amount of $3,400 per week (rental amount less maintenance fee) and a 2-bedroom unit for $2,200 per week. After the initial 3 year period we could rent out one 2-bedroom unit for $2,200 each year, while going back to using our 3-bedroom unit. Also during this initial 3 year time period, we could use a 2-bedroom unit for a cost of the $798 maintenance fee. He would upgrade this unit to an ocean front or penthouse unit prior to check-in. The 3 years of $3,400 net for the 3-bedroom plus 3 years of the 2-bedroom unit for $2,200 would offset most of the upgrade fee of $18,500. Subsequent to the 3 year period, the annual rental for a 2-bedroom unit at $2,200 would cover ongoing maintenance fees. Of course the rental fees would increase by 3% annually. In addition we paid a $600 fee to Enterprise Travel to facilitate the rental process.

Unfortunately no rental monies were ever paid. But of course we paid on our side. The net result of this process has been to pay a large sum of money to convert a gold fixed week unit we already had access to into the same exact unit with points.

In January 2013 we were at the resort and found out several disappointing things, confirming what had happened to us. It started with our VIP Concierge now being an Elite Concierge. She initially thought we were elite members since our points exceeded the minimum necessary for this program. At an “update” we found out that we were not elite members, that the previous sales staff was no longer employed and that we were one of many who had been duped by their sales staff. They said we should be happy we only spent what we did as compared to what some other owners had paid. Naturally, if we paid more money and obtained more points we could be elite members and have access to some of the areas around the pool that we previously had access to.

The bottomline: We assumed because the Sales Manager was an employee that his proposal was credible, good for both parties and that his actions were sanctioned and managed by The Villa Group/Universal Vacation Club.

We have been in touch several times with a Ms. Castro with The Villa Group. They have concluded that, in spite of “the gross misrepresentation” (our words) and “some accountability must be held for both parties involved” (her words), that there is nothing wrong here. UVC apparently has no accountability at all.

While we would recommend the Villa del Parlmar Flamingos as a great resort to visit, we would, however, suggest that anyone listening to their spin at an “update” or sales presentation go in with their eyes open and understand how they operate.

I was sucked in by the timeshare people for the free ride to the Island. Don't do it.....90 minutes turn into three hours and your dignity. They are very rude people trying to make a buck. We got off easy....we saw some people that were there for a reduced vacation price that were not allowed to get away. My heart went out for them. The hotel is beautiful and I'm sure in time it will be the place to go.....but THESE people are ruining it ....I understand the urge to get it booked up but they are chasing people away. I will never go back....ever. It is a far way from everything and no shuttles. Costs a small fortune to go to town...and the resort isn't stocked with things you need....Everyone who works there...with the exception of the front desk are very friendly. if you want room service be prepared to wait. Corporate really needs to come in and over look what is going on here before the other Villa del Palmars also get a bad name. And why are they not working on getting another restaurant done. They only have two. Come on people !!!!!!!!!! No entertainment....No Sports Entertainment Team for the teenagers. NOTHING you could at least offer time in town to make up for it....throw a bone

My wife and I were suckered into the presentaion Villas Del Palmar when we landed at the airport. Thank fully the Mexican recession period forced the resort to give us a full refund. With the economy in the shape it's in you can steal a week from a current time shre owner for no up-front costs and avoid the up-front $8,000.00 deal that the resort will sell you for a time share. Just buy your own breakfeast and stay clear of the presentation.

Hi Mike and Nancy, I haven't realized a successful resolution yet. Are you able to share advice on a successful resolution?

Please note that the IP address from ROXY AND STEVE, DOUG and ISABELLA are the same. The IP address is from Mexico, therefore, these positive comments seem to come from timeshare representatives.

This isn't a complaint but they don't provide a place to send any good comments. We went to Cancun and never expected to purchase anything. We had seen others before and we didn't purchase but this time we did and we like it. Our sales lady was very nice and explained everything to us. She never said things were going to be 100% perfect but she did say it would be better than the alternative which would be hotel rooms. Jan Ciprano was her name I believe and she was excellent. No high pressure, no one else to see except her and she let us decide for ourselves what was best for us. It made sense to us when she said either hotels or condos. It was pretty much that simple. And she was right. We chose the timeshare over hotels. Thank you Miss Janet. It was a pleasure doing business with you.

Villa Del Palmar in Cancun is great. Stop complaining and just enjoy it. Going on vacation is fun now. When my wife and our 3 kids would all stay in one hotel room, wow, now that was hard. This may have cost us a little more but it's well worth it. Hotel rooms suck when you have a family. We were all on top of one and other and our vacations turned out to be nothing but a lot of stress. Now, we enjoy going on vacation. Our lady who sold us one was awsome. I believe her name was Jan or Janet. She was a nice italian girl that was actually from the states, Las Vegas I believe she said. No high pressure neither, which was a pleasant surprise. Usually you have 2 or 3 people come over to you and they all use the high presssure tactic on you and then all that does is piss you off but Janet was the only person we had to deal with and no high pressure. Thank you Janet for all your help and patience with us.

WE ALSO PURCHASED THERE AND I HAVE TO SAY THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN GREAT TO US. THE RESORT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, THE STAFF IS EXTREMELY FRIENDLY AND ATTENTIVE AND THE UNITS THEMSELVES ARE JUST GORGEOUS. IT'S ALOT BETTER TO STAY AT A RESORT THAN TO SPEND MONEY FOR A HOTEL ROOM. IF YOU'RE GOING TO VACATION, THIS IS THE WAY TO GO. EITHER WAY YOU'LL SPEND MONEY SO WHY NOT SPEND IT ON A PLACE THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY WILL ENJOY. I SIMPLY REFUSE TO WORK HARD ALL YEAR ROUND AND THEN GO ON A VACATION AND SPEND A FORTUNE ON A LITTLE HOTEL ROOM! THAT'S JUST PURE INSANITY. I'M NOT SAYING EVERYTHING IS PERFECT BECAUSE IT'S NOT BUT WHAT IN LIFE IS PERFECT? NOTHING!!! MY FAMILY AND I LOVE STAYING IN CONDO'S VERSES HOTEL ROOMS. STOP COMPLAINING ABOUT HOW BAD IT IS AND INSTEAD ASK YOURSELF WHICH IS BETTER, A BEAUTIFUL CONDO WITH EVERYTHING IN IT JUST LIKE YOUR HOME OR A 300 SQ FT HOTEL ROOM!! NOTHING IN LIFE IS PERFECT SO FOR YOU TO HAVE EXPECTED PERFECTION IS YOUR FAULT, NOT THE SALESPERSONS! YOU OWN IT NOW SO USE IT. I BET ONCE YOU STOP LOOKING FOR ALL THE NEGATIVES AND ACTUALLY START LOOKING AT THE BENEFITS OF OWNING, YOJ'LL START TO ENJOY IT AND YOU'LL PROBABLY GO PLACES THAT YOU WOULDN'T HAVE GONE TO IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE IT. REMEMBER, 300 SQ FT HOTEL ROOM OR A BEAUTIFUL CONDO - WHICH ONE SOUNDS BETTER????? I'LL TAKE THE LUXURY OVER THE LITTLE HOTEL ROOMS ANY DAY!! AND THOSE LITTLE HOTEL ROOMS HAVE BIG ROOM RATES! THINK ABOUT IT...WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PUT YOURSELF IN A TINY ROOM FOR A WEEK WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPTION TO STAY IN GORGEOUS RESORTS FOR A LOT LESS. AND EITHER PLACE YOU GO, YOU EAT, RIGHT? SO WHY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE COST OF AN ALL INCLUSIVE RESORT? YOU'RE STILL GOING TO SAVE MONEY!!! I WANT TO THANK OUR SALES PERSON, JAN CIPRIANO, FOR SHOWING US A BETTER WAY TO VACATION. SHE WAS HONEST AND NOT PUSHY AT ALL. THANKS AGAIN AND MY FAMILY THANKS YOU!

We purchased Villa Del Arco in Cabo tried to get out of it in 6 days were told we only had 5 now we own it. We would like to cancell the contract, is there any way we can get rid of it?

Nuestro caso es que compramos un tiempo compartido en Villas del Palmar y deseamos canccelar el contrato pues la atencion prestada a nuestras dudas acerca de pagos hechos siempre ha sido un problema y ademas por falta de liquides. Nos dicen que no podemos dejar el compromiso con ellos y si lo hacemos nos enviaran al Buro de Credito.Ya intentamos llegar a un arreglo pero no ha sido posible.