My wife and I signed up to win a Hummer at local movie theater and were subsequently contacted by Pacific Monarch Reports to attend a time-share presentation with the promise of incentives.
After listening to the sales presentation, my wife and I were eventually offered one of two packages that were significantly reduced in price. The catch: We had to sign then and there, the offer was not valied on any future date. Since my wife and I don't make such major decisions on a whim, we kindly declined their offer.
However, in a effort to retain our business, we were offered the second package presented (150 points) at a further reduction&half price! We decided not to pass up this tempting offer and gave the sales team our credit card and told them to charge the entire amount owed on the card.
While in the process of signing a myriad of paperwork, I noticed I was signing contracts agreeing to the terms and conditions of the "reverse side"; there was no reverse side&it was blank. When I brought this to their attention, I was told I would get the reverse side when we went in to the administrator's office for finalization. I was also told to sign for a government report I never received. Lastly, I was asked to sign a disclaimer that stipulated a resort in Mexico discussed in the presentation was not actually owned by Pacific Monarch Resorts.
When eventually ushered to the room where you ultimately sign the remainder of the closing paperwork, I was told they wanted to record the closing on audio tape&for training purposes&and was asked if it was okay. I told them I never heard of such a thing&We've bought homes and cars and never had audio recordings of them; we declined to be recorded.
Many red flags made me start looking at what I was signing and asking more and more questions: It ended up the second package offered to me at half price ended up being half of the package promised (72 points in lieu of the 150 originally agreed upon).
A typical bait and switch tactic that further attests to shady (and probably illegal) business tactics. I told the administrator that this isn't what was agreed upon, that I purchased the 150 point package at half price. The hard closer came back in the room and basically called me a liar.
I immediately told them to cancel my credit card transaction and sales contract. I asked to see all the paperwork I had signed and hurridly voided everything that was put in front of me. We left after 11:00 that night frustrated, disappointed, and upset.
Prior to leaving, we were escorted by our sales rep (since their mode of operation was the good guy (my rep was in training) and bad guy approach. We remembered a listing of referrals we were asked to fill out for a deeper discount was left in our folder. We wanted to go in and retrieve the listing but our sales rep promised he would distroy it and call us the following day to confirm he had accomplished this.
We never received the call. Some of my referrals have told me they have been contacted by Pac. Monarch Resorts despite our wishes of the contrary. Our sales rep at that time also told me he knew we were right; he had heard the sales closer offer me the second package at half price.
Young buyers beware of these shady hard close tactics. Ensure you read what you sign and know what you're buying. I Plan on sharing this totally unprofessional and aggravating experience with everyone I come into contact with. I hope you do so as well. Let's stop this company from taking advantage of young families and military service members in the San Diego area!
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