On January 22 I visited Sunset Lagoon and Royal Sunset for a timeshare presentation that was supposed to last 90 minutes. Six hours later I ended up buying a timeshare that still haunts me today.
Why did I purchase more timeshare weeks than I have vacation time? A timeshare that I knew I could not afford.
The salesman sold me on what a great investment a timeshare is. The salesman explained to me how to make money with timeshares. Pay $695/week (also unclear at the time, he made it sound like $695/year for all four weeks) and rent it for over $1500/week. A profit of at least $800 per week! Just to prove this, they offered a special marketing promotion to purchase my 2 VIP weeks at $1500 each for the first 3 years! This $9000 is deducted from the purchase price and I should be able to get more per week according to the sales team. What a wonderful investment!
Sunset Resorts emphasized that the marketing deal was so good that I will not be able to cancel the deal after it was done. I signed a document waiving my right to a 5 day cancellation period.in the main body of the document, there were several statements to be initialed showing acceptance. I did not initial this clause, I also did not initial a statement that I would be unable to make reservations for six months after becoming a member (signing the contract). Separate forms for both non-initialed clauses were given to me that I signed. These separate forms stated the opposite of the clause that I had not initialed.
That evening I felt I had made a mistake, the next day even more so. The next day, I met a timeshare owner on the tour bus who told me how overpriced the Sunset Lagoon was. He also crushed the idea that anyone would rent a timeshare for anything more than the maintenance fees. I would have cancelled, but I knew I had signed the waiver eliminating my right to cancel.
After returning I tried to think positive and make the best of my mistake. I told many people of my stupidity and fortunately a co-worker pointed out to me that I was a victim of fraud. He showed me that the five day waiver forced on me by Sunset Resorts was illegal by Mexican law. Unfortunately, this didn't happen until late May.
I reviewed the document copies provided by Sunset. I realized a copy of the waiver and the section that I did not initial regarding the 5 day cancellation period was not included. The clause that I did not initial regarding the inability to use the timeshare during the first 6 months was included, but the separate form stating the opposite was not.
Since then I have sent several emails to Sunset Resorts asking them to cancel my contract and return all monies paid. They have responded with threats and now have a company, Resorts Management International (RMI), trying to collect money from me and threatening to sue. I am told, by letter, I have 30 days to respond. At least this time they gave me something in writing.
If anyone can offer any helpful advice I would appreciate it very much.
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