Buyers beware!!!
We had vacationed at the Villa del Palmar in Cabo on our second trip to Mexico. We were taken by the hospitality and beautiful surroundings. On August 24, we arrived at Villa del Palmar Puerto Vallarta. Upon arrival, we were approached by Grace, the timeshare rep., to visit thier new resort, The Flamingo's in Nuevo Vallarta, for a 90 minute presentation and the rest of the day our family could enjoy the amentities of the new resort.
On August 25, we arrived at Flamingo's and were greeted and had breakfast with a hospitable "trainee/" who handed us off to Austin Dickson in Sales. Mr. Dickson showed us the various accommodations available. Our teenage children were sent to the pool whle we listened and watched as details of membership to UVC were presented.
I did not like the fact that a maintenance fee was invloved. We need accomodations for a minimum of 4 - 5 people. Availability during times our children would be out of school on summer vacation was of great concern. Austin left the table, only to return with a "deal" in which he told us there was to be six weeks of vacation time annually. Form the six weeks, one week is taken back by UVC, which would cover the entire maintenance fee obligation. A document stating this was signed at the table by my wife, Austin Dickson and me. This document, along with the diagram of the six week "deal" was NOT incluced amongst appers received with purchase agreement, contract, etc.
Additiionally, he showed us how "easy" it would be to sell unused weeks on E-bay or with Re-Max and utilize those funds towards airfare and, or, to pay off the balance of our account. When asked for a down payment, I gave Dickson my VISA credit card and drivers license. He returned with a credit card slip, which I signed.
These events occured previous to us going into another room for formal signing with Ms. Salaiza, Austin Dickson, my wife and myself. While initializing the many slots, I stopped and told them I found incorrect information regarding the maintenance fee. Ms. Salaiza looked perplexed that I interrupted to ask why there is a maintenance fee for $520.00 noted. At that time Austin jumped in to say that "Yes, there is no maintenance fee". He stated "it is only noted as contractual obligated language". I took his word and questioned if he is certain of this. He confirmed it to be as we agreed to.."NO MAINTENANCE FEE". I once again questioned about the six weeks annual time. At that point Salaiza turned to Mr. Dickson and asked "Austin, do they know what they are signing?" Dickson agian stated "Yes, you have six weeks."
What started to be a 90 minute presentation, ended up being a 5 hour ordeal. We were suppose to get a Welcome Packet and Welcome Call when we arrived home on or around September 5th. We played phone tag for a few days until we finally spoke with Josephina in the Membership Dept. Questioned Josephine regarding call, our six weeks, etc. Josephine advised we have "one winter week, for two people, in a hotel room unit". We were stunned.
Tried to questions Josephina regarding what was said to us by Austin Dickson. She advised I call my Salesperson. She also stated that someone had previously spoke with us and verifed all our information. Advised Josephina that this was the first call that we ever spoke with anyone and we have never verified our information with anyone. She would not give me the name of the person we "spoke to" for verificaiton. This was the first of many reasons to worry about UVC.
On October 5th we received a maintenance fee bill in the amount of $535.00. This initiated great interestas to what other inconsistencies are present in the paperwork. WE HAVE FOUND MANY! We were promised 6 weeks, we have one. We have a studio or effeciency hotel room for two people... Another states for 4... No response from anyone at UVC regarding exactly what we have! Document states we have vacation time of: "1 week every other year" and another document states "annual vacation".. Many more besides these.
We have called and sent letters to UVC, Villa del Flamingoes, Mr. Bill Conley and are still waiting for a response. The position of UVC, EVERY TIME WE CALL, is: Unless you bring your account up to date, We will not talk to you about your membership.in other words, unless we give them money for something we did not purchase, they will not speak with us! Makes no sense to me! On their billings sent is a statement:
Universal Vacation Clubs Membership Services Department is available to help you. We do not want you to incur any penalties or interest, forfeit the right to use your membership for any year or even be subject to permanent forfeiture of our membership. If you have an qyestions, please don't hesitate to call or write"... All lies... Unless your account is up to date, THEY WILL NOT answer any questions you have.
We also sent 15 letters to various agency's who investigate this kind of misrepresentation. There is no reason for Universal Vacation Club and Villa del Flamingo's to misrepresent these properties and memberships with fabricated promises and unethical business practice during these sales presenations. Mexico and Villa del Palmar resorts are wonderful to visit. Too bad they are being misrepresented in this way.
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