Comments on: “After we got back to the room, an uneasy feeling came over us” http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/ The travel troubleshooter. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:42:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Larry Potvin http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/comment-page-1/#comment-17299 Larry Potvin Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:33:51 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/#comment-17299 we also fell for the velas Valaria scam. I am thinking of not paying any more maintenance fees and giving up the time share. i still owe them a $4000. If i go to Mexico in a couple of years will they arrest me and throw me in jail or will the vellas family assassinate me? we also fell for the velas Valaria scam.
I am thinking of not paying any more maintenance fees and giving up the time share. i still owe them a $4000.
If i go to Mexico in a couple of years will they arrest me and throw me in jail or will the vellas family assassinate me?

]]> By: dan-delion http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/comment-page-1/#comment-14934 dan-delion Wed, 08 Oct 2008 15:47:56 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/#comment-14934 JOHNNY NOE is now doing time share business as the President of "St. Mary Lodge & Resort" and the president of "The Club at Glacier." Beware, he's the same flim-flam, high pressure, say anything, don't pitch the bitch, boiler room salesman. His Winter setup will be in the Cancun region in 2008/09. JOHNNY NOE is now doing time share business as the President of “St. Mary Lodge & Resort” and the president of “The Club at Glacier.” Beware, he’s the same flim-flam, high pressure, say anything, don’t pitch the bitch, boiler room salesman. His Winter setup will be in the Cancun region in 2008/09.

]]> By: Karen http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/comment-page-1/#comment-14539 Karen Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:19:32 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/#comment-14539 We also were scammed in December of 2007. Until just a few days ago I didn't realize it was a scam. I truly believed what the sales people had told me. Even though I know if it sounds too good to be true it is. I would like to file a class action law suit against them also. If anyone has any information on that may have already been started - please let me know. We also were scammed in December of 2007. Until just a few days ago I didn’t realize it was a scam. I truly believed what the sales people had told me. Even though I know if it sounds too good to be true it is. I would like to file a class action law suit against them also. If anyone has any information on that may have already been started – please let me know.

]]> By: Mike http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/comment-page-1/#comment-11719 Mike Thu, 01 May 2008 20:07:08 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/#comment-11719 I've heard of similar stories but not from a credible source before. I hope John and Jill get their cash back. I've heard www.redweek.com is great resource for timeshare owners to buy/sell/rent. I'm actually a big fan of the rental/villa industry. It's typically a little more effort / costly than timeshares but if you buy in the right area you can cover your mortgage. I’ve heard of similar stories but not from a credible source before. I hope John and Jill get their cash back.

I’ve heard http://www.redweek.com is great resource for timeshare owners to buy/sell/rent.

I’m actually a big fan of the rental/villa industry. It’s typically a little more effort / costly than timeshares but if you buy in the right area you can cover your mortgage.

]]> By: Stephanie http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/comment-page-1/#comment-10738 Stephanie Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:45:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/#comment-10738 Does anyone have e-mail addresses phone numbers for executives to contact. Velas is a total scam. Everything they tell you is a lie and EVERYONE is in on it. We can't even get a number to contact. Would be willing to include a class-action complaint if we had a contact person to complain to other than PROFECO. Does anyone have e-mail addresses phone numbers for executives to contact. Velas is a total scam. Everything they tell you is a lie and EVERYONE is in on it. We can’t even get a number to contact. Would be willing to include a class-action complaint if we had a contact person to complain to other than PROFECO.

]]> By: suzanne http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/comment-page-1/#comment-8730 suzanne Sun, 10 Feb 2008 17:20:14 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/#comment-8730 We have been duped also by the Velas rental scheme/assurances. Has anyone experienced recourse through their credit card companies? We have our salesman's handwritten notes with all the rental promises on them. Would be interested if anyone has had success with Velas Vallarta. Thank you. We have been duped also by the Velas rental scheme/assurances. Has anyone experienced recourse through their credit card companies?
We have our salesman’s handwritten notes with all the rental promises on them.
Would be interested if anyone has had success with Velas Vallarta.
Thank you.

]]> By: Wilson http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/comment-page-1/#comment-6057 Wilson Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:44:36 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/#comment-6057 Everyone knows the risk of buying food from a street vendor. We should certainly expect a higher risk when buying a time share in similar circumstances. They were lucky they did not lose more than they did. Everyone knows the risk of buying food from a street vendor. We should certainly expect a higher risk when buying a time share in similar circumstances. They were lucky they did not lose more than they did.

]]> By: Mindy M http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/comment-page-1/#comment-6055 Mindy M Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:30:50 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/#comment-6055 here it is... REAL ESTATE AND TIME-SHARES: U.S. citizens should be aware of the risks inherent in purchasing real estate in Mexico, and should exercise extreme caution before entering into any form of commitment to invest in property there. Investors should hire competent Mexican legal counsel when contemplating any real estate investment. Mexican laws and practices regarding real estate differ substantially from those in the United States. Foreigners who purchase property in Mexico may find that property disputes with Mexican citizens may not be treated evenhandedly by Mexican criminal justice authorities and in the courts. Time-share companies cannot be sued in U.S. courts unless they have an office or other business presence in the U.S. Consumers should contact a Mexican attorney, the Mexican consumer protection agency PROFECO at http://www.profeco.gob.mx/ or other consumer information agency for information on companies that operate outside of the U.S. Ownership Restrictions: The Mexican Constitution prohibits direct ownership by foreigners of real estate within 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) of any border, and within 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) of any coastline. In order to permit foreign investment in these areas, the Mexican government has created a trust mechanism in which a bank has title to the property but a trust beneficiary enjoys the benefits of ownership. However, U.S. citizens are vulnerable to title challenges that may result in years of litigation and possible eviction. Although title insurance is available in the Baja Peninsula and in other parts of Mexico, it is virtually unknown and remains untested in most of the country. In addition, Mexican law recognizes squatters' rights, and homeowners can spend thousands of dollars in legal fees and years of frustration in trying to remove squatters who occupy their property. Labor Laws: U.S. citizen property owners should consult legal counsel or local authorities before hiring employees to serve in their homes or on their vessels moored in Mexico. Several U.S. citizen property owners have faced lengthy lawsuits for failure to comply with Mexican labor laws regarding severance pay and Mexican social security benefits. Time-share Investments: U.S. citizens should exercise caution when considering time-share investments and be aware of the aggressive tactics used by some time-share sales representatives. Buyers should be fully informed and take sufficient time to consider their decisions before signing time-share contracts, ideally after consulting an independent attorney. Mexican law allows time-share purchasers five days to cancel the contract for unconditional and full reimbursement. U.S. citizens should never sign a contract that includes clauses penalizing the buyer who cancels within five days. The Department of State and the U.S. Mission in Mexico frequently receive complaints from U.S. citizens about extremely aggressive sales tactics, exaggerated claims of return on investment, lack of customer service and questionable business practices by time-share companies, resulting in substantial financial losses for time-share investors. A formal complaint against any merchant should be filed with PROFECO, Mexico's federal consumer protection agency. PROFECO has the power to mediate disputes, investigate consumer complaints, order hearings, levy fines and sanctions for not appearing at hearings, and do price-check inspections of merchants. All complaints by U.S. citizens are handled by PROFECO's English-speaking office in Mexico City at 011-52-55-5211-1723 (phone), 011-52-55-5211-2052 (fax), or via email at extranjeros@profeco.gob.mx. For more information, please see the PROFECO "Attention to Foreigners” web page at Profeco (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor). here it is…

REAL ESTATE AND TIME-SHARES: U.S. citizens should be aware of the risks inherent in purchasing real estate in Mexico, and should exercise extreme caution before entering into any form of commitment to invest in property there. Investors should hire competent Mexican legal counsel when contemplating any real estate investment. Mexican laws and practices regarding real estate differ substantially from those in the United States. Foreigners who purchase property in Mexico may find that property disputes with Mexican citizens may not be treated evenhandedly by Mexican criminal justice authorities and in the courts. Time-share companies cannot be sued in U.S. courts unless they have an office or other business presence in the U.S. Consumers should contact a Mexican attorney, the Mexican consumer protection agency PROFECO at http://www.profeco.gob.mx/ or other consumer information agency for information on companies that operate outside of the U.S.

Ownership Restrictions: The Mexican Constitution prohibits direct ownership by foreigners of real estate within 100 kilometers (about 62 miles) of any border, and within 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) of any coastline. In order to permit foreign investment in these areas, the Mexican government has created a trust mechanism in which a bank has title to the property but a trust beneficiary enjoys the benefits of ownership. However, U.S. citizens are vulnerable to title challenges that may result in years of litigation and possible eviction. Although title insurance is available in the Baja Peninsula and in other parts of Mexico, it is virtually unknown and remains untested in most of the country. In addition, Mexican law recognizes squatters’ rights, and homeowners can spend thousands of dollars in legal fees and years of frustration in trying to remove squatters who occupy their property.

Labor Laws: U.S. citizen property owners should consult legal counsel or local authorities before hiring employees to serve in their homes or on their vessels moored in Mexico. Several U.S. citizen property owners have faced lengthy lawsuits for failure to comply with Mexican labor laws regarding severance pay and Mexican social security benefits.

Time-share Investments: U.S. citizens should exercise caution when considering time-share investments and be aware of the aggressive tactics used by some time-share sales representatives. Buyers should be fully informed and take sufficient time to consider their decisions before signing time-share contracts, ideally after consulting an independent attorney. Mexican law allows time-share purchasers five days to cancel the contract for unconditional and full reimbursement. U.S. citizens should never sign a contract that includes clauses penalizing the buyer who cancels within five days. The Department of State and the U.S. Mission in Mexico frequently receive complaints from U.S. citizens about extremely aggressive sales tactics, exaggerated claims of return on investment, lack of customer service and questionable business practices by time-share companies, resulting in substantial financial losses for time-share investors.

A formal complaint against any merchant should be filed with PROFECO, Mexico’s federal consumer protection agency. PROFECO has the power to mediate disputes, investigate consumer complaints, order hearings, levy fines and sanctions for not appearing at hearings, and do price-check inspections of merchants. All complaints by U.S. citizens are handled by PROFECO’s English-speaking office in Mexico City at 011-52-55-5211-1723 (phone), 011-52-55-5211-2052 (fax), or via email at extranjeros@profeco.gob.mx. For more information, please see the PROFECO “Attention to Foreigners” web page at Profeco (Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor).

]]> By: Mindy M http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/comment-page-1/#comment-6054 Mindy M Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:23:57 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/#comment-6054 I am a Travel Agent. There was a warning on the US Department of State travel site that encouraged any US Citizen buying a "timeshare" or other property in Mexico, to be sure to hire a Mexican lawyer before signing anything. I ued to put a copy of this in my clients' travel documents before I sent them off on vacation..... I am a Travel Agent. There was a warning on the US Department of State travel site that encouraged any US Citizen buying a “timeshare” or other property in Mexico, to be sure to hire a Mexican lawyer before signing anything. I ued to put a copy of this in my clients’ travel documents before I sent them off on vacation…..

]]> By: Cliff Woodrick http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/comment-page-1/#comment-6036 Cliff Woodrick Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:12:12 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/blog/after-we-got-back-to-the-room-an-uneasy-feeling-came-over-us/#comment-6036 Hi - NEVER go to a sales presentation as it will ruin your day. If you want a timeshare, buy it on the secondary market for 1/3 to 1/2 the price that you will be quoted at these presentations. I own 20 weeks of timeshares and travel 22 - 23 weeks per year all around the world. In December we will go to Orlando with a son and his family. I own a two bedroom suite that sleeps eight. The timeshare allows us to bring family and freinds with us. Have a wonderful day - Cliff Hi – NEVER go to a sales presentation as it will ruin your day. If you want a timeshare, buy it on the secondary market for 1/3 to 1/2 the price that you will be quoted at these presentations.
I own 20 weeks of timeshares and travel 22 – 23 weeks per year all around the world. In December we will go to Orlando with a son and his family. I own a two bedroom suite that sleeps eight. The timeshare allows us to bring family and freinds with us.

Have a wonderful day – Cliff

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