Sent an email today to Profeco asking for their help. This is what I wrote:
Hola,
I would like your help in getting my money back from the Velas Vallarta. I originally purchased it in October 2006. Then I upgraded in March 2009 because they said it would help the weeks rent. The problem is the weeks don't rent. And I know Profeco is aware of this.
When I first went to the presentation I told them I couldn't afford this timeshare. Plus I already had one with Trendwest. But they showed me how to pay for it by renting my weeks out. Plus I would make enough that I could visit Mexico again and still have money to spend. It sounded great. So I did it. Then they told me that because the contract was previously owned I would not have the usual 5-day right to rescission.
Well, the weeks did not rent. So I returned to Puerto Vallarta in March 2009 with the intention of selling it back to them and getting my money back. But they said that the problem was I needed to upgrade to a better unit. The saleman even showed me pictures of his family from Canada because he liked me. But now more than a year later NO weeks have rented. Enough is enough! I want my money back! The Velas salestaff lie to your face KNOWING those weeks are NOT going to ever rent. That's called fraud! And again they told me that the contract was previously owned and again I didn't have the 5-day right of rescission. That was deceptive business with intent to commit fraud. How can these people be allow to stay in business? I don't care how much time has passed. I have gone along with their game long enough. I WANT MY MONEY BACK! ALL OF IT!
I sent you a letter in May that I wrote to President Obama and to all my representative asking for help from my government in getting my money back from these people. And I am going to see if Senator Maria Cantwell can bring new legislation forward governing timeshare scammers and maybe educate Americans of the dangers of Mexican timeshares. Why Mexican? When I called the Velas they reminded me that 'this is Mexico'! Apparently it's ok to knowingly rob Americans in Mexico.
I have created two blogs devoted to this scam:
Thanks in advance for your help.
Duke Phillips.....
Senator Maria Cantwell,
Thank you for your willingness to work with me on this problem.
I am involved in an effort to get my money back from a timeshare located in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It’s called the Velas Vallarta and they run a shady operation. They make all kinds of promises while trying to sell you your timeshare. I told them I couldn’t afford it ($33,000?) but they go on showing how one can rent out your weeks and walk away with enough to go back and stay at another hotel and enough money in your pocket to pay for you vacation. Then they have you sign up with a third party which will handle the rental aspect. That costs about $600. Maria, the weeks DON’T RENT!! Not one has rented since 2006. And I’m not the only one in this boat. They also tell you at the time of signing that this is previously owned so I did not have the right to change my mind after signing. This is another lie! Mexican law allows you a 5-day right of rescission. But, of course, you have no way of knowing this till you get back home unless you travel with a laptop. I am now at the point where I no longer want to play the game of waiting for the weeks to rent. On my second trip there in March of 2009, they were sympathetic but said I needed to upgrade to a two bedroom. Then it would be easier to sell or rent the weeks. Plus I had to join a new rental company, Dreams RSI. Another $650. And again I heard the same story again, that it was previously owned and no 5-day right of rescission. I’m done with all of this. I want my money back………ALL OF IT!
I recently started a Facebook Causes page devoted to this effort called VelasResortsScam.
But I need the help of my government also. In a recent email from Roberto Garcia, who maybe manages their contracts (phone 011 52 322 221 0091 Ext. 5618) (contracts@velasresorts.com), he reminded me that the jurisdiction of my contract is in Mexico, and I get that. But that doesn’t mean they have a right to lie and deceive. I am hoping you may have some leverage and could pull some strings to convince them to cancel my account and return my money to me. All of it. They should not be allowed to profit from this. I realize President Obama is busy and has more important things on his mind, but I figure he has a large staff that works on his behalf. I tried to send a copy of that letter to Mexican President Felipe Calderon, the Governor of the state of Nayarit, Ney Gonzalez Sanchez, which is where the Velas Vallarta is located, and to Profeco, the Mexican federal agency who’s job it is to look out for tourist, but I have not heard back.
Maria, timeshares are fleecing a lot of money out of Americans and Canadians. Besides getting my money back I would like to see a new program on the books, similar to the Better Business Bureau’s ratings, where all timeshares are graded and complaints compiled. During presentations they would have to disclose this information to the prospective buyers, whether in the USA, Mexico, or the Moon. IF they choose not to do this, then the prospective buyer should walk away quickly. This way a consumer database is easily available for consumers. Thanks you for any help you can offer me.
Duke Phillips
Velas salesman Dean McLean
Hola,Do you feel you've been scammed by any of the Velas Resorts? Please feel free to sound off here! I first joined in October 2006. First time in Mexico and I couldn't even get through the stupid airport without making that fatal mistake of connecting with a timeshare salesperson. Only I didn't quite realize it then. I was more intent on getting to my hotel and the promise of a free taxis ride and all new surroundings were the only things on my mind. At the presentation I told them I couldn't afford something so expensive. But they showed me how I could rent my weeks out. Not only that but I would have enough money from the sale to stay somewhere less expensive and have travel money to boot. Sounded good to me so I went for it. But they also said that once I signed I wouldn't be able to change my mind because it was previously owned, whatever that meant.
In the spring of 2009 I went back with the intention of selling it back to them. But instead they showed me again how the weeks would be easier to rent out if I upgraded. Or sell. So like a dumb ass I went along with it. And again they lied to me and told me this was previously owned so I could not change my mind and come back and exercise my 5-day right of rescission.
Now, more than a year later NONE of those weeks have rented. So I've made up my mind.........I WANT MY MONEY BACK!! Roberto Garcia, are you reading this? Tell your boss I'm not going away. I'm going to do everything I can to put a dent in his pocketbook.
Anyone else want to tell your story? Feel free.
Duke Phillips
