779 views
New Reviewer
8 comments

On March 29, 1989, I became involved in a timeshare nightmare that won’t go away. I purchased a timeshare club membership for a one bedroom fixed week during Springbreak in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico at the Villa Del Mar resort, Universal Vacation Club, indicated as owned by South Pacific Travel Ltd. I was also required to pay a yearly membership with Interval International in order to bank unused weeks or exchange weeks.

I was naïve and an anticipated 20 minute presentation extended into a 4 hour high pressure sale. I was told of all the bonuses the purchase would include as well as the returns for investment, opportunities to bank unused weeks, ease of exchange as my fixed week was rated “Winter High Time”, etc. The purchase price was $8,350. I provided a down payment of $2427.25 and a monthly payment plan of $152.29 paid over a period of 60 months.

I signed their contract as well as their promissory note but 3 days later when I was on the airplane returning to Canada, I reviewed the contract and the payment plan they had provided. I realized that the initial purchase price of $8,350 would be increased with a 16% interest rate to $11,564.65. Upon realizing this, I immediately contacted Universal Vacation Club to try to cancel the purchase as I had understood the price to be $8,350. As a first year elementary teacher, my income was limited. I was told that the contract stated “no cancellation on contracts made in Mexico.”

I was only told that my only option was to pay the purchase price completely and immediately or be responsible for the additional $3,214.65. Reluctantly, I paid the full amount. I was unaware and not informed that there was a period of time to withdraw from the contract.

My contract stated the maintenance fee would be $154 per year, paid by May 31 in advance of the actual year of use. The contract also assured that “Maintenance assessment may only be increased for cost of living increases by the affirmative action of the board of Directors.” I was provided a pictorial table which indicated what the annual dues pay for. No indication was given for additional properties or resorts. I initialled acknowledgement that “I also agree that this membership is 100% affordable to myself and my family.

At my first attempt to use the resort, upon attempting to check in, I was informed that my "fixed" room was not available and another room which was less suitable was provided.

When the club initiated their policy of voluntary "additional tip" charge, I did not indicate my agreement to it. I believed this resulted in the treatment I received when checking out. I received an invoice with a substantial bill with a list of charges for furniture damage to a chair and an appliance, both of which I had not even used. While I was under time constraints for my return flight, I was told I could not leave the property until payment of the damage had been completed. I had to return to the room to be shown the damage. I explained that I do not cook at all, nor did I even sit on any of the chairs at the table, so I refused to accept any responsibility or blame for it. I finally requested to speak with a supervisor who reluctantly agreed to waive the billing.

In subsequent years of use, Puerta Vallarta, a vacation destination once promoted as "*** friendly" changed in its acceptance of *** tourists. I experienced homophobia at the resort as *** friends were stopped at the entrance gate by security, unable to visit me or even enter the resort with me. Straight members did not encountered similar restrictions with straight guests. My timeshare use at the resort began to decline when my friends and I encountered a less than friendly attitude, although I still paid the yearly maintenance fees.

When the maintenance fees began to rise, I was confused about the additional charges but continued to pay. I discovered that there are many websites with complaints with allegations of fraud related to the “elected” board of directors, the Villa Del Mar and Villa Del Palmar resort and associated management agencies.

How can the Mexican government or local business bureaus justify or allow these people to increase maintenance fees “which may only be increased for cost of living increases by the affirmative action of the board of Directors” from $154 to $459.00?

My invoices are provided below to show the confusing and inconsistent fees which were issued.

Oct 12, 2005 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 0.00

2006 Maintenance fee: $402.34

Total Amount due:$402.34 Is due: Upon receipt

Dec. 01, 2005 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 0.00

2006 Maintenance fee: 362.35

unpaid late charges: $35.90

Total Amount due:$398.25 (is due: 12/20/05)

Payment for my 2006 week was provided as well as the late charge. In March of 2006, I became ill and while I had my flight tickets, at the last minute had to cancel my vacation when I learned that if medical attention was required, my medical insurance would not be covered as my condition was “pre-exisiting”.

I was surprised to receive a telephone call from Universal Vacation Club that while I already paid my maintenance fees for the 2006 week in advance of my stay, I would be charged an equivalent maintenance fee for not arriving and not using the week that I had already paid for! I explained my illness situation and said that if such a charge was to be expected, I no longer wanted to keep my timeshare. I also shared my prior negative experiences. I said that I would send an email to indicate my wish to surrender my membership.

Oct.20, 2006 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 0.00

2007 Maintenance fee: 428.99

Total Amount due: 428.99 (due upon receipt)

Dec.04, 2006 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 384.00

2006 Maintenance fee: 0.00

unpaid late charges $41.42

Total Amount due: $425.42 (due 12/30/06)

I received the above invoice with a warning of a $75.00 reinstatement charge if not paid by 12/30/06. I called Universal Vacation Club and after being on hold for over an hour (long distance) I spoke with Jacob. I again indicated that I no longer felt the membership was fair with escalating fees which I could no longer afford. I explained that in my previous telephone call I said that I wished to surrender my membership and sent an email. Jacob said that he had no record of my previous call or any written notification. He referred to the contract and said that I first needed to pay the outstanding balance before my membership could be surrendered but would waive late charges and reinstatement fee if I paid now. He asked for my credit card information but as I did not feel comfortable giving it to him, I said that I would send a cheque. I was required to pay the amount of $469 which included the reinstatement membership fee in order to be able to surrender my membership.

Nov.06, 2007 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 0.00

2008 Maintenance fee: $454.99

Total Amount due: $454.99 (due 12/15/07)

I was surprised when I received the above billing in Nov. 2007 for the upcoming 2008 maintenance invoice. I tried to call again but was put on hold for an hour and a half before I finally hung up. I called a friend who had worked at Villa Del Palmar previously and was told that the timeshare was a scam and just ignore the invoice.

On Dec.14, 2007, I became involved in a major car accident with head trauma, vision impairment, and neurological damage. As a result of x-rays and scans, a tumor was discovered in my throat and was found to be cancerous. I required 5 weeks of daily treatment at the Cancer Center. I am now on Permanent Disability with ongoing medical treatment and associated costs.

Later that month, I received notice that my membership was suspended until fees were paid. I finally had enough of their scam and called them to say that I was fed up and as I explained to Jacob that after paying the last fees, I would not be continuing as a member. I maintained that my purchase in 1989 had been paid in full and all new and increased maintenance fees had been paid through the following years. I was told that they had no records of my previous call with Jacob and received no request to surrender my membership.

I requested that they send me a copy of all records of my use of the timeshare, unused weeks banked with associated fees paid, as well all financial transactions and any records of telephone calls or correspondence so I could dispute the credit report if filed. When I did not receive the requested information, I thought that was the end of it but instead I continue to receive additional fee invoices for subsequent years, although they had indicated that I was no longer a member.

Aug.04, 2008 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 0.00

2008 Maintenance fee: 400.00

unpaid late charges $203.04

Total Amount due: $603.04 (due upon receipt)

Oct. 23, 2008 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 613.14

2009 Maintenance fee: 513.99

Total Amount due: $1,127.13 (due 11/30/08)

Nov.06, 2008 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 0.00

2008 Maintenance fee: 400.00

unpaid late charges $218.29

Total Amount due: $618.29 (due upon receipt)

Dec.09, 2008 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 400.00

2009 Maintenance fee: 459.00

unpaid late charges $272.77

Total Amount due:$1,131.77 (due upon receipt)

Jan.07, 2009 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 400.00

2009 Maintenance fee: 459.00

unpaid late charges $347.77

Total Amount due: $1,206.77 (due upon receipt)

June 26, 2009

I received a letter from Universal Vacations Club with formal demand for the termination of club membership. My account was to be assigned to a collection agency. Past balance due: $1255.77

July 15, 2009 Debt Collector Letter:

I receive a letter from Resort Recovery Solutions, LLC in San Diego. with amount due at $1726.50

Aug.04, 2009 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 400.00

2009 Maintenance fee: 459.00

unpaid late charges $432.68

Total Amount due: $1,291.68 (due upon receipt)

Sept.02, 2009 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 400.00

2009 Maintenance fee: 459.00

unpaid late charges: $445.60

Total Amount due: $1,304.60 (due upon receipt)

Oct.06, 2009 Invoice

Due from Prior Years: 400.00

2009 Maintenance fee: 459.00

unpaid late charges $458.65

Total Amount due: $1,317.65 (due upon receipt)

I continue to receive ongoing telephone calls, harassed by Universal Vacation’s collection agency that I owe in excess of $1726.50. They threatened to ruin my credit rating and will pursue legal action. I am at a loss how they can justify their actions and how they can get away with this.

I hope that others do not become victims of a timeshare scam. Needless to say, I will never return to Mexico or Villa Del Mar or Villa Del Palmar or stay at any resort associated with Universal Vacations Club, Vacation Resorts International, Interval International, Resort Communications or South Pacific Travel, Ltd.

Location: Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco

Do You Have Something To Say ?
Write a review

Comments

chat-icon

Please avoid publishing any personal information and promotional content

You will be automatically registered on our site. Username and password will be sent to you via email.
Post Comment
Guest

I have been a UVC member for approximately 9 years and I find it interesting to read of the reports of this being a "scam" In all the years that we have visited in Puerto Vallarta to Villa del Mar/Palmar even before we were members we have never talked to anyone that is a member that is dissatisfied with this club. We purchased ours from another member and once we were members we were able to pick up two other weeks for minimal fees and when we wanted to transfer ownership of one of the weeks the UVC representative in PV was very professional and helpful.

I think that most of the complaints stem from people going to timeshare presentation, lets remember these people are sales people and sales people will say and do whatever they have to in order to make a sale. I avoid timeshare sales people at all costs. Timeshare ownership is what you make it.

Do I like it when my annual fee goes up, no, but I pay it on time to avoid late fees just like any other bill and you can pay UVC quarterly. So it is a shame to read so many negative comments, all of our dealings with UVC have been above board.

Guest

Hi!

Dear travelers, this piece of information comes a bit late, should you have already suffered damages from a scam. But it helps you to avoid such problems in the future!

If your rights as a touristic consumer have been infringed while you were traveling through Latin America and you had to face the problem being completely on your own (you were made to pay a price which was higher than had been agreed, you were sold faked goods, you were a victim of fraud etc.), you might like to know what legistravel.com/en can do for you next time – go and check our website!

However, you can take a few appropriate precautions yourself: we recommend you to make an on-line research before making any payment to book flights, hotel rooms etc. to check, whether the travel agency, which offers the product, has a good reputation. And if you are still not sure, try to buy products, which are offered by travel agencies with a quality award or another quality assurance.

DO NOT GIVE UP YOUR RIGHTS EVER! It is your money after all, and there is no reason why you should give it to people, who have absolutely no right to get it!

Thanks.

Guest

Unfortunately, the big scam about time shares is the way that timeshare sales are done. During timeshare presentations, it is very common that the sales reps tell numerous lies to the potential buyers, just to get them to sign the contract, and many of them fall for the trap. http://www.timesharescam.com/

Guest

THIS REVIEW

IS still true TODAY 2013

THE contracts are unconscionable and contain elements declared illegal in the USA...

They are connected with the banks and credit card companies.

in our case they failed to give a 13,ooo dollar credit that was promised. RUN WITH YOUR MONEY IN CABO TOO.

Guest

Timeshare deals are not always legit. These are some signs that spell scam on a promotion:

“Fees in advance” – Lots of companies claim they will give you a free vacation… after you give them an upfront fee. Most of these companies disappear once you send them the money.

“Special offer” – Most times, the word “offer” means that many extra fees will be charged

“Subject to availability” – Surprise! There is no availability in any of the hotels that you want to stay at, and there are many other restrictions in order to get the deal done.

“Popular hotel” – They claim you will get to stay at a “popular hotel” but they do not reveal the name of the company

“You have won a free vacation” – Did you actually enter a contest? Almost 100% of these notifications are a scam, since most of them do not include any information about the companies behind the deal.

http://www.timesharescam.com/timeshare-complaints-resorts-black-list/2-villa-del-palmar-timeshare-complaints/

Guest

we encountered somewhat of the same experience when it came to the maintence fees. I hope you don't have another experience like that.

We all deserve vacations, and we want to enjoy them without stress. Good luck to you.

Guest

¿Su Club de Viajes es parte de la Familia?

¿No?

¿Entonces por qué lo mantiene sin recibir NADA a cambio?

¿Está harto de seguir poniendo “DINERO BUENO AL MALO”?

Honorarios sumamente razonables y financiamiento disponible a 12 meses SIN intereses

Siempre funciona, cuando se sabe lo que se hace.

+ info: 01 55* ***-**** * LADA sin costo: 01 80* ***-**** * www.hlmexico.com.mx

Guest

Salesperson promised that they can rent out their weeks for over 4 times the price of the maintenance fee and nothing has happened.

UVC International Reviews

  1. 6 reviews
  2. 3 reviews
  3. 1 review
  4. 0 reviews
  5. 0 reviews
UVC International reviews