Universal Vacation Club International / UVC International review: Buyer beware of the villa group - uvc 108

Dear Mrs. Silva,

Thank you for taking the time to bring this to our attention and we apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced recently. We are very committed to the quality and excellence of our timeshare program and take it very seriously when a member expresses concerns such as you have done. It seems one of the key issues you have raised is concerning what you understood your membership would entitle to you in terms of accommodations. In this regard, it appears there have been some misunderstandings about the specifics of your agreement. It is extremely important to note that the terms and conditions of your membership contract specifically state that room availability at a specific resort or upgrades to an existing reservation are subject to availability. When the requested resort property or dates are not available, we make every effort to offer other suitable options to accommodate the member. In your case, we offered other resort properties that did have availability as well as other accommodations at the specific resort you requested. The rules that govern timeshare ownership have to be very specific for the program to work for all entities. We understand that can be frustrating at times, thus it is our policy to always provide options to try and accommodate our guests when this situation arises and enable both parties to arrive at a mutually beneficial outcome. We realize that you recently spoke with the President of the Club to resolve your complaint and you were able to reach a mutual understanding. The Villa Group and Universal Vacation Club values all of its guests and members. We look forward to providing you with excellent service in your upcoming trip and thank you again for reaching out to us.

Regards,
Universal Vacation Club Management

Dear Ernest and Terri,
Thank you so much for posting your whole story. I purchased a time share in April 2009 and have the same issues. Are you thinking of getting an attorney and trying to cancel? Can you please refer me to the attorney filing the class action suit? I am tired of waiting for calls to be answered and will not battle with the Villa group for a year. I would like to join. Your information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

I am interested in filing a class action suit against the Villa group. We also felt we were taken advantage of and now we have a credit card debit of $7, 500. We were given false information and feel we enough documentation to make a claim

I am definitely interested in a lawsuit against the Villa Group - I was totally taken advantage of and a former sales person has confirmed that I was! Do you have any information on how I can be part of this class action suit or other recourse?

Thanks,
MROWE

We also just spent only three days at the Villa de Palmar in Puerto Vallarta and were forced into attending a timeshare at the Villa de Flamingoes. After 5 hours of brutal pressure, we were conned into purchasing a timeshare. However, we were told one thing and then our salesperson gave us an every other year option instead and failed to mention that all those lovely other perks didn't come with the every other year contract. We were also told that since we were in Mexico there was no law regarding a 48 hour cancellation option. Now we find out that we had five days to cancel it. We want in on any class-action lawsuit! Please send me more information!

Glenn & Elissa Torgeson
Parents of three teens who need to go to college

Dear Members and interested parties, please be aware the number for the Developer Representative in Puerto Vallarta has changed. If you need to contact the Developer's Representative for any issues related to the Villa Group, you may now contact [protected] or [protected] (US Lines). We look forward to hearing from you.

Developer Representative
Puerto Vallarta Area

I just spoke the Developer Representative above and he was extremely helpful in developing a resolution that we could both live with. I highly recommend those that have complaints against the Villa Group, or its selling practices to give them a call at the number above. The gentlemen I spoke with was reasonable, helping me out of the nightmare experience I had with the Villa Del Palmar sales team.

Dear Members, as you can see, the Villa Group will respond to 95% of the issues that are brought to our attention. Please note that we have been in the process of changing providers for our US line during the past few weeks, however, the Developer Rep's office is always reachable through the International line [protected] or by email at amemberserv@villagroup.com.

Best Reagrds,

Developer Representative
Villa Group

I'm extremely upset at myself for being dupped into purchasing a timeshare at the Villa del Arco. I will join in any sort of Class Action Lawsuit, just provide the attorney's contact info.
Thanks,
John Stavich/Sophia Comins
jag4john@sbcglobal.net

What amazes me is that so many of us smart and sensible people can be dupped into buying these time shares. I thought I was smart enough that I would never let that happen to me and here I am compaining about being lied to regarding a time share I just bought at Vill Del Palmar, Flamingo, Puerto Vallarta. My sales person promised and guaranteed me that he would sell my old time share to buy this new one. But when I called the company to find out what was involved to do this I was told there was a $785 fee and no guarantees! I'm retired and on a fixed income and this could really break the bank. I don't know where to turn or who to contact.

Diane DeFeo
ddefeo333@verizon.net

I totally agree! I had the EXACT same experience with them. I told them SEVERAL times during the sales transaction that I could not afford this unless my old time share was sold. They assured me it would be within 30 -60 days. I was DUMB and paid the money to them and it has now been 15 months - not sold yet! After it not selling for 4 months I stopped paying for the new timeshare and I haven't heard from them since. I'm out my deposit, the $ I paid to list my old timeshare and the 4 months I paid toward the new one. I tell everyone I possibly can to avoid Villa del Palmar (all sites) completely!

Count me in for the class action lawsuit. Please contact me with any and all info.
chucknwc@hotmail.com

Just got back from Cancun area, and we too were persuaded into a presentation -"90 minutes". We left our hotel at 730 am, and were finally released from bondage at 2 pm. After continually saying we couldn't afford it and didn't like the location, they cornered us with the fourth salesperson. He stared me down and I felt intimidated. We consented to a "Trial Membership".

We were made to sign forms that allowed them to hassle us about payment, and waive the right to renegotiate in 5 days. And the "promise" of tickets to Isla Mujeres were rendered almost useless, as we only had 1.5 hours on the island before we had to return to be transported back.

On paper what we signed seems like a good deal, but I am disinclined to ever return because of the tactics they used.

D.C.

My husband and I purchased a studio time share in Nuevo Vallarta this afternoon. As with the rest of you, we were wooed by a very persuasive airport employee apon arrival to PV. We spend 5 hours at the Palmar Flamingos resort and finally were so worn down we purchased the base studio-Gold membership. We were told the membership was in foreclosure so it could be offered to us at a price of about 9 thousand us dollars. We paid roughly 2500 down. My husband and I normally make very sound business decesions, and this was very out of character for us. We have been experiencing such buyers remorse. At this point, we would like to try and get out of the contract. I read in a previous post, that you have 5 days. Is this true? If so, who do I contact to void the contracts? Has anyone had any experience booking hotels in the US? Just wondering if there are also reservation issues there...Any advice/help would be so valued.
J.

Hi, I we were ripped off by the Villa Group in Cabo San Lucas and would love to join a class action law suit against the company for false information, lies and unethical tactics of persuasion. Please contact us at djemilyfox@gmail.com.

We were swarmed by the timeshare agents at the Cabo San Lucas airport a few years ago. With the lure of the freebies they were offering to attend their timeshare presentation, we agreed to see it. While I had my doubts, my wife and son were gung-ho for it. My mistake. Once signed for a 2BR summer season, I had my doubts about the program the more I got my questions asked (which happened after my return to the U.S.). I suggested to the sales rep that we would agree to a 1BR winter season instead, as my son was nearly an adult and probably wouldn't vacation with us after that. The rep wouldn't even address that request. Feeling stuck with a lemon, we've made lemonade. We've exchanged the primary week at least 3 times: Lake Tahoe was a reasonable exchange, Gatlinburg was sub-par, Kelowna was good. One time, we exchanged to a 1BR winter in Puerto Vallarta, which was fine (more docile than Cabo, which fits us fine) other than their airport shuttle being a rip-off price-wise (you can go on your own for 1/2 of what they charge), and a visit to Nuevo Vallarta for a sales pitch where the rep insisted that I give the waiter the tip (vs. him)! I went to the pitch to see the resort and to unload on their sales practices, leaving their staff stunned that they didn't get to ring the bell (which indicates a successful sale). The rest of the time we've put it into the rental program, none of the times anywhere close to the 1.5x the sales rep told us we could get, the first time perhaps 2/3 of the maintenance fee, the other time close to break-even. I'd be happy to not have to have the maintenance fees for this timeshare hanging over my head for 25+ years and wish the developer was open to terminating our membership at no cost and no financial benefit to us. I'm not holding my breath, though, as we've experienced their lack of response when we tried to get a more-suitable program than what we got stuck with.

We upgraded at a "members update" in Oct 2010. When we received our contract it was not the contract we had agreed too. In fact the contract contradicts itself in several places. That alone should make it invalid. I have tried to email member services, the developer, and anyone else I could find an email address for. I have called several different numbers and mailed letters. I have had no response from anyone. So much for caring about the members and trying to "make things right". I always thought Villa group was above these tactics--I recommend no one go to a sales representation or members update without their attorney.

trophytime@aol.com

I found this website after receiving a call from the Villa Group claiming I had asked for information on one of their villas in Mexico back in January when I was staying with a friend who owned a timeshare in Vegas. I told the gentleman on the phone that I did not ask for any such type of information (I didn't) and I'm assuming they have to make up some sort of story in order to get around the do not call list which we are on.

Anyway, he tried to pitch me this great deal about only offering this 75% off special to VIP's on a limited basis, etc...I asked him point blank if it was to sell timeshares and at first he said that the way they get business is to invite only a select group of "VIP's" (That special word again, give me a break) each year and they get business from referrals. Then he added that they also sold timeshares. Really? What a surprise!

I explained to him that I was busy and asked for his contact information to call him back. Once off the phone I immediately did a Google search on the Villa Group, found their website and this one, of course. After reading the comments I felt very strongly that I needed to add my story to it because of this:

My husband and I attended a time share a couple of years ago in Vegas. My husband travels a lot for business and stays at a number of Hilton properties and we were sent a letter offering a free 2 night stay at their hotel. We understood we would have to attend a timeshare and at first my husband did not want to waste our time sitting through it as we had no plans of purchasing one but I persuaded him and he agreed. Before our stay we did more research on timeshares (although I did know a bit about how they worked as I am in the Real Estate industry) in order to have extra ammo, if you will, to object to any of the sales pitches presented to us. We knew what we were in for as we had spoken with friends that had purchased timeshares and had explained to us that the pitch was very convincing (Obviously, since they bought one!)

Indeed, it was-for me, anyway! As I'm sitting there listening to this woman I am picturing all of these great vacations at exotic locations and I'm actually thinking it may not be a bad idea! Then my common sense husband, who was way more prepared than I, began asking his questions on the finances such as the maintenance fees, etc. He asked the woman why would anyone spend more money to stay somewhere that they could stay at anytime they chose to and not be limited to a couple of weeks a year. And then pay all of these maintenance fees on top of that? He asked her how can you "own" something that you are so limited to and that gets re-sold over and over again throughout the year. Can you imagine how much money these companies rake in, not only for the regular hotel guests but the timeshare money as well?

The woman became extremely flustered and since she could not answer my husbands questions, actually left the room and apparently went to find someone else that could possibly sway us. A gentleman came in with her and was trying to offer us a temporary deal to which we declined and we were finally able to leave.

The main reason I wanted to comment is this: If you agree to attend a timeshare, don't think that you'll be able to "just say no" and get out without purchasing one. Do your research! Ask yourself "What specific benefits are there for me to buy a hotel room?" Your answer will more than likely be none. In the end, there are no benefits, unfortunately. You've spent a lot of your hard earned money --Say you spend $15, 000 on a timeshare with rack rates of $200 a night. How many times would you have to stay there in order to see that money back? The answer is that you will NEVER see your money back because of all of the extra fees you agreed to pay for each year!

I know these timeshares are extremely convincing, and as I said before, I have NEVER run into anyone who was happy they purchased one...unless they were kidding themselves and never did the math. If you feel that you must "own" something, buy a townhouse or condo where you have complete control over it and can rent it out etc. If you can't afford to do that, go ahead and attend a timeshare, be happy that you were able to stay someplace for cheap, or free, but had the common sense to "just say no" and walk away, with your money and your control still yours.

I agree with much of what is said here. We got stuck with the 2 BR summer timeshare a few years ago and got back to the U.S. regretting it due to the high price and high cost to use (maintenance fee, potential airfare, II membership) as well as the practicality of having a 2 BR. Not only did the newbie salesperson not listen to our needs too well, but when we tried to get out of it, it was as if she was checking with somebody else with more experience. When a refund request was ignored, I suggested changing to a 1BR option, as our son was so close to being on his own that it made no sense to have a 2 BR. It's not that I wanted this timeshare, just that a 1 BR may have been more usable. That request was also ignored. The saleperson's claims included that if we couldn't use the property that we could easily rent it; not so. We could use UVC's program (Suite Getaways) to make 1.5x our maintenance fee. To date, and it's been 5 years now, we've never come close to that, we haven't even broke even. We also were told how valuable the timeshare was, and to date I can't get an offer that gives it away for $500, which I'd be happy to do at this point just to get out from under it and not have to bother with signing up for the rental program by day certain each year, then waiting 15 months for the check. One would think that UVC would be happy to offer those of us who are unhappy something less than dollar-for-dollar, as then they could turn around and re-sell at the bloated price to someone else, even paying us our portion after that sale, but it's out of sight, out of mind. Contrary to the last poster, there are better timeshare companies out there, and their cost to buy and use were at one time more palatable, but nowadays that's more difficult if not impossible to find.

Is there a class action suite in process? We were talked into buying what we thought and were told, was unlimited use of a specific ocean front unit or an available ocean front unit. With the option of adding a lockout unit for additional family members, We were told we could not use it more than 4 weeks at a time. Now we find after calling for reservations for this coming spring of 2012, over 60 days in advance, that we have a fixed week and that is it. Hope someone has a class action suite in process against the Villa Group and ResortCom International. Hope to have a response.
bruce@herbrick.com

MY fiance Barb and I are in Cancun (Dec 2011). This was our first time to Cancun. We approached a desk in the airport that a sign listed as the place to stop for arranging local transportation. We paid for a round trip then were taken to a service desk where we were given the opportunity to experience a new resort in Cancun and at the same time offered local tours we wanted at a discount. The resort turned out to be Villa del Palmar - Cancun. I found out later through research that very little of what the salesman told me was true. Even at the end someone describing himself as the owner's representative asking us questions about the service provided turned out to be at best a developer's representative looking for one more chance to sell us even just "premier weeks" if he could. Our first tour was different that what was promised. "Ordinarily the Underwater Museum (4 statues, not 400) tours are $70 but we'll sell you one for $30." Turns out the $70 tour is on a very nice boat with full meal service and quality snorkeling gear while the $30 tour is on a small boat with a cup of cervichy for lunch. Today is our second tour booked through their agent. Hopefully this one is as claimed. What really annoys me about the Villa Group is how they infiltrate even the airports to pose as local hospitality when it is a sales pitch from beginning to end. I am so disgusted with all of this I never want to come back to Cancun.

Regarding the posting from Mr. Selden, I am Ms. Holden, the Developer Representative here in Cancun and am interested in hearing more about what concerns you had regarding your experience with us. If you wish to discuss this furhter I can be contacted at mservicecancun@villagroup.com or at [protected].

As of this date, I have yet to hear from Mr. Selden and am hopeful he will contact us soon so that we can review the issues he had with his visit to the Cancun property. I can be contacted at mservicecancun@villagroup.com or at [protected].

I am still waiting for Mr. Selden to contact me so that we can review his concerns during his visit with us. I can be reached at mservicecancun@villagroup.com or [protected].

We just purchased a time share and this included a trade in of our existing time share. We were advised that there would be some fee's for processing the trade-in The amount of the fee's were not disclosed at the time we signed the contract neither was a good faith esimate given . We have paid $1400 in fee's on a trade-in worth $6800 We are currently trying to get this reviewed by Villa. I guess buyer beware applies to Villa.
We purchased in December 2011 and we were told we are buying one week and we would receive a second week free, wrong! We failed to read the contract that states you have to pay a second maintenance fee to get the extra week, that's not free. The sales staff did not cover this during the sales process and we feel that we were mislead. I have been intouch by phone with Villa regarding improving the training of there sales team to improve disclosure, but I do not know if they are listening.
We wish we keeped our original timeshare with HGVC at least their staff are more profesional, well trained and helpful.

My husband and I had a very traumatic experience with the timeshare sales staff at Villa del Palmar in Cabo san Lucas in November, 2011. We approached the Canadian Consul's office and were told that we had five days to cancel our contract. Another horrible day of Villa del Arco meetings ensued and we were told that contract cancellation was impossible - they claimed they have an iron clad contract, obliging us to continue with what we agreed with when we were under extreme duress in the initial sales event.

We want to join in a class action law suit. Can Canadians join the American action or do we have to start our own? Are there other outraged Canadians who are willing to band together to end our contracts and hopefully get our money back?

I have documentation to prove unethical business practices. I would be VERY interested in joining a lawsuit against Villa Del Palmar Cabo. I was billed 2x for our 2011 maintenance fees. We paid to avoid late penalties and now we are in communication in regards to a refund - they are not showing any overpayment even though we have 2 payment confirmation codes and bank statement showing money was paid to them. I have emails documenting all communication. It is a relatively small amount, but in the business world damages for this type of behavior is monumental.

Please feel free to email me at meredith@sof-tek.com

so does anyone have any good news in the end as to what has come from all of you who have been going through all of this? Did anyone get out of the contract? Has anyone had collector after them for not continuing to pay? My husband and I have recently been bamboozled also - they had us sign this wonderful thing we thought would be okay and they took $2600 down payment (originally wanting $3900). They processed supposedly our credit card when we signed - then when we returned to home a week later the charge still wasn't through on the card. A week exactly later the charge was posted on credit card. Now i am nervous because i do not want to give them more money after reading all of the issues here. Someone please respond so i know what to do. Thanks.

The service at Villa Del Palmar is bad. Starting with Myra at reception. Poor customer service equals no time shares to be sold. I don't get this company. Strange. You provide poor service, bad food high prices and somehow this will make people want to buy a time share with you? No one ever said " Welcome to El Palmar" not even that. Adriana our concierge signed us up for the tour and Time share presentation upon arrival I wanted to check out the place. She told us that the Boat at Los Arcos was for kids to enjoy. Its a restaurant bar for adults. My brother in law bought a time share and he realized the next day that the sales people lied about a lot of things and the bad service and expensive and bad food at el palmar. when he tried to cancel Miguel and Carlos at the Villa Del Palmar said he needed to wait for another person who wasn't around until 3 days later. It was a terrible experience. I have been to Cabo several times and have never experienced the low quality of attention that you receive here at this hotel. The personell is poorly trained and very unattentive. The rugs in the rooms were very dirty and stinky. Have pictures by the way. The best part is its' location and kitchen. Thats it. Scary part is no "fire extinguishers in kitchen" and no smoke detectors. The exterior of the property is clean but this hotel is only sister to Los Arcos. Which today we were told that being able to use there facilities at los arcos means only there restaurants not the gym or pool. Gee thanks. We were asked to leave the pool. I spoke with Enrique at Los Arcos and I argued the point that this makes no sense. He was unreceptive and again I have never been asked to leave a hotel pool at the Pueblo Bonito Rose, Pueblo Bonito Blanco or the Sunset Beach you get to use all three pools. We all know that Time Share sales people are RATAS and snakes but these folks make you sick to your stomach. There tactics are awful. Bottom line my brother in law would have kept the time share but by the next day we all realized that we wanted to be a part of a great time share not a mediocore one. There is a definite disconnect at this hotel. There are no supervisors or managers that can help you around. There idea of an affordable massage is 250.00 per couple for 50 minutes. Im not sure who owns the Villa Group but they really are not a good time share to have. Even some of the staff sympathize with our complaints.

I am a member as well and they lied about many things. would love to be part of the class action suit. Please list the attorneys name and number if someone knows it.

Villa Del Palmar Flamingos is a scam. We told Austin Dickerson we had no intentions to buy that we didn't like the west coast and, it was to expensive to fly and we would never be back.. Austin Dickerson promised us eight bonus weeks we could rent and make money every year. He even stated that the money made off the rental wouldn't require a 1099 form since it was in Mexico pure profit. The package he promised never came in the mail. We called and emailed him. He said no problem and referred us to Regal This cost us another 661.00 dollars for a agency to rent them for us. Nothing ever rented. LIES! We are now being harassed by Villa Del Palmar for non payment of maint. Fees and, late penalties. I have copies of the emails with Austin Dickerson and, have contacted an attorney. Hope he can get us out of this fraudulent situation. We never even stayed at their resort they lied and, we are not sending them any monies.

Wow. Wish I would have seen this page before ALSO BEING DUPPED! I purchased a studio time share and now feel like a complete idiot after reading this online forum. Feel free to contact me with any info of a lawsuit. Does anyone have ANYTHING positive to say about this company...Out of the thousands of people they sell to Im sure there has to be some positives to it...NO?

Nicolebissell@me.com

I have had nothing but difficulties from the very beginning (August, 2012) and after reading all your complaints, I can relate. I am wondering if any of you have gotten anywhere with your complaints. I still can't get straight the UVC/Resortcom/and Villa Group dynamics. Every time I call I get different people and different answers. Any attorney info would be appreciated if you all have combined efforts. Way too much to type to tell all the issues of inept and misrepresentation from the sales rep in Mexico.
Dibav5@verizon.net

I bought my times share in June 2005 for the Villa del Arco1 bedroom at $15, 000 summer months and $525 maintenance fees. I have not been able to redeem any of my weeks due to saying their rooms were sold out. I have been to Cabo San Lucas every year or every other year and had to pay and stay at other resorts.. I was told I was getting the construction price and when I came back to the states realized they have me owner at the Home Resort Villa Del Palmar. My current maintenance fees are $765. I have many years banked and deposits to exchange for a vacation through Interval world International and I have tried many times to get a resort here in the states and never once been able to exchange because they say its high season their a big scam too. If anyone knows of any class action suits or attorneys please fill me in..
jennie

I am also trying to build a case on the Villa Group. I was scammed and i'm trying to get out of a contract. Oh and as soon as I tried to get out of the contract by typing a demand letter they sent me to collections and they want the lump some up front. I never used it and was never able to use it. It was always full, no rooms. They always lie to you when you call them. Even their own reps admit that they will lie to us because we signed the contract. stevesanchez213@yahoo.com...I am willing to help, or join in a class action law suit if possible.

we bought our timeshare last november and am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to cancel it. we haven't used it & have not paid off the downpayment for that matter... any suggestions on how to get out of this...it's a total scam !

We have a Westin Timeshare in Princeville and use it all the time, no attitude, no hassle, extremely accommodating employees...I could go on and on. We went to Cabo on an all inclusive trip to Villa Del Arco, were very well taken care of at first. We were wooed into the timeshare presentation and the story goes on and sounds just like everyone else that has written on here. We even decided to put are 2 adult children on this with us so they could use with there friends, well my daughter is down in cabo at Villa Del Palmar (as you can never get into Del Arco) right now and being hassled every time she walks in the building and it is taking 15 minutes of the same BS to get to her room. My Husband has called the Villa Group to let them know this needs to stop, and of course they say"Oh yes, I understand and it will" We paid for our entire 2 units/1 week up front and pay our annual HOA dues and expect to be given what we were promised. We have exhausted all avenues to find out why we can Never use the Del Arco Property. I could bore you with the same struff that has been said over and over. Bottom line, where do I sign up for this class action lawsuit.