As posted on forums
"If it's too good to be true it usually is"!
I am more angry at myself for not looking into Mexico Paradise Getaways ("MPG") more before I forked over $400.00. I was given a certificate for this "free" trip almost a year ago. I mailed in my form along with my $100 and I was given my 2nd Choice City/Hotel, with my 3rd Choice travel date.
*Note
The only Hotel in Cancun they offered was an "ocean side" hotel named the Park Royal Cancun (they offered only 1 hotel in each vacation location) so I did alot of research on the hotels offered so that I could make a wise choice.
This is where the "bait" comes in, I spent almost a year planning on going to the Park Royal, serched the area on Google Earth, found sites and place nearby to visit, etc...
Anyway I did not really want to go on a trip Jan 12 (too close to the Holidays), but what are you going to do. I checked the "net" and the BBB and I did not find any negative info on them so I went ahead.
As the travel date came nearer I contacted them to find out more info, I was told I would get airline tickets 2 months before the trip so I waited. As it grew nearer I again contacted them about my trip, I was then told about the $300 taxes that I would need to pay, along with all new hotels (I picked Cancun because of the Hotel reviews I found), most hotel reviews are either very good or very bad, it was very difficult to make the choice and now they changed it, along with no ride back to the airport. When I complained they offered me a refund on my $100 deposit I declined (that was my second mistake w / MPG). I wanted to go on the trip so I paid my money (mailed a personal check), I filled out the airline cancellation form credit card # and all, faxed it off to where ever it went (everything I knew told me not send my credit card number over a fax machine) but I wanted to take the trip.
I was e-mailed by Norma Rodriguez that I forgot to check two boxes (once again I could have got out of this trip) but I checked the boxes and faxed it back to them (credit card #'s and all), this was December 17th. I asked for a confirmation, no reply, email after email no reply other than the auto reply. I contacted the customer care center (ccc) after requesting that I speak with a supervisor, I spoke w / Melina (one of many times) where I was told MPG was closed over the Christmas/New Year Holidays, I reminded her that my trip was Jan 12. She offered me a refund of my money (4th time I could have got out of this) but I wanted to go on this trip. Melina did have me fax the form to her, she would fax it to corporate and e-mail them that I had indeed filled out the form correctly, as not to delay my trip (this was Dec 26)
E-mail after E-mail after E-mail, call after call after call no Travel info. Jan 5 I faxed the form to the Mexico fax number (now my cc# & info have been faxed all over the world), but finally Thursday Jan 8 the ticket info email came (remember the trip is Jan 12).
I read the e-mail, replied to it (as instructed) so that the Hotel info would be processed in 2 days (2 days I'm flying out in 5 days) but I sent the E-Mail! I followed up w / a phone call (yes Melina again) She will e-mail corporate. I called back, I spoke w / Brian, called back spoke with Doug, all of them kept ensuring me that if I received the Airline tickets I WOULD Receive the Hotel info. I confirmed w / the airline website, reserved two seats (cost me $38) so my wife and I could sit together there and back (yes I know I'm spending even more money, but at least it's with Spirit Airlines), but I really needed to go on this trip to warm sunny Mexico 8" of snow here in MI.
Sunday Morning I am up @ 6am almost 24hrs until our flight, I checked my email, no hotel info, I call the CCC (Melina does not come in until 10am) so I surf the net and run across the trip advisor.com forum on "MPG", as I read over 40 pages (1 on Puerto Vallarta & 1 on Cancun "MPG" Scams), my jaw drops all of these people have gone through the same problems that I have (some where smart and bailed out) now I feel sick, what did I do to my self. 10am rolled around I called the CCC and spoke w / Melina who assured me that I will get the Hotel info today! I told her I will not get on a plane to Mexico with Hotel reservations, try to bill me for the trip I dare you.
I did speak w / Spirit Airlines the tickets have been paid for (I tried to get travel insurance just in case, but their website link was down) I have tickets for two to Cancun Mexico leaving Monday @ 6:35am (I will need to leave home @ 2am to get there 2 hours early per TSA rules), I have a rental car to drive to the airport, I have a sitter for the kids, a week off work, I bought 1 passport, we bought new clothes for the trip, I have travelers checks, cash in hand (small bills for Mexico) but NO HOTEL INFO!!!
It is 2pm on Sunday, Plane leaves in about 16 hours!
I did find some info as I looked at the plane ticket info if this helps anyone else.
Marcella Wolf
210 Corporate Place
Branson MO 65616
United States of America
[email protected]
417-334-5033
417-334-5033
Do Not Wait to call on the weekend!
Melina, Brian, Doug, Marcella, Chuck Snow I just wanted to take the trip to Mexico, why jerk me around so much! You bought the tickets, how hard is it to get the Hotel.
I will e-mail an update (if I survive) I have a slogan "Mexico Paradise Getaways it's not a vacation it's an Adventure from Hell!
Signed;
Too dumb to check out the internet for a scam!
Update
I Called back the customer care center (Melina went home and did not call me back) I did speak to Danny, He made a call to Doug and then Danny called me back within minutes. I told them I was going to book a hotel for Monday on my own until they get this figured out. At 6pm Sunday evening I received my hotel info, Doug did come through as he promised, he said he worked all day Sunday (on his day off) to get me the Hotel info.
*Note
The e-mails states it was sent Friday (but it was not) they booked me at the Caribbean Princess (the worst reviews of any of the hotels they offer) I Guess the squeaky wheel gets the grease (boy did I get greased) I booked Wednesday Night at the Royal Solaris so that I can enjoy 1 day in Cancun. At this point I want to get on the plane, visit, come home, get my deposit $100 refund and forget I ever heard Mexico Paradise Getaways.
Update
I just got back from my trip, it was worth some but not all of Mexico Paradise Getaways (MPG) nonsense. If you have your airline tickets, you WILL get your hotel, just keep sending e-mails and don't wait for the weekend. As I posted before my hotel info e-mail only came after I advised them I would get my own hotel for the first day and let them work it out from there! My Hotel Info E-mail was sent with in an hour (just 12 hours before I was to board the plane) once I got the hotel info, the problem became the hotel.
The Caribbean Princess Resort (CPR) has very poor reviews on this website, so I booked a room for my 3rd night with the Royal Solaris (@$89 p.P.) as you will read CPR was not as bad as reviewed. I booked a return ride from the hotel to the airport for $28 from Cancun-Shuttle (I found it on the Cancun Airport website) read more about this further on.
The trip was very nice! Once I was in the care of the airlines. We flew out on Spirit, Non stop from Detroit to Cancun. The plane was on time (it was the first flight that day). We arrived 2 hours before the flight (TSA suggestion on Int'l Flights) it took 10 minutes to get a boarding pass, and another 15 minutes to get through security, so needless to say we had a lot of time to kill waiting to board the plane. Remember this is January not the peak season for Cancun. Our Flight left on time (we had to de-ice so "take off" was about 20 minutes longer) no big deal!
When flying Spirit it is "No Frills Flying" I paid $38 for seat reservations (there and back) so that my wife and I could sit together. It was not really necessary the planes were not full after take off they will let you move to any seat on the plane even the "BIG SEATS" up front, so it was a mad dash once the seat belt sign went off. We took only carry on luggage (4 day, 3 nights) they charge for each checked bag, each way so if you can travel light carry on is the way to go for a 3 night stay.
We arrived fairly on time in Cancun got through Mexico Immigrations quickly and found ourselves outside in humid 85 degrees sunshine (I'm back in Michigan where right now it's 10 degrees so it was nice to say the least) in long pants, shirt and a fleece.
*travel tip:
If you coming from a cold weather state wear sweats over your shorts/tee shirt and peel them off on the plane before you land so you are not baking in the hot sun on the way to the hotel before you can change.
The E-mail with the hotel info had a second page that warned when you get outside of the airport (there are a lot of folks there looking to Wisk you off) to look for a sign Mexico Paradise Getaways and a person in a yellow shirt. They can't even get that right! No Sign, No Yellow shirt. We (a group of 4 couples who all complained about MPG we were all treated the same no response to e-mail, last minute trip info, etc) waited around for MPG. We asked a few of the other companies if they knew MPG, when finally a man in an Orange Shirt came looking for us! We asked about the yellow shirt, but had a list with our names on it, so we went with him. A man in Black Shirt who did not speak English, sped us a way in a plain white ford van MPG did not appear anywhere on it. 3 couples were in the van (I don't know what ever happened to the forth couple) before we left they offered $20 for each couple for the return trip back to the airport, cash! Two couples took the offer (I being smart made arrangements before I left through the Cancun Airport website for $28.00 read more about this later) The $20 cash was a good deal, and I did see this folks back at the airport when we left for home, so if the offer it take it.
Anyway off to the hotels we go, the two couples were staying at the Solaris (Oceanside hotel) so you CAN get a decent hotel. I got stuck way out in the Old Cancun side. The hotel was not as bad as the reviews, the staff was nice, the rooms were good and the food was ok.
We arrived at the Caribbean Princess around 11am the put us in room right away (after the double checked our reservation, they had only got it just that morning) after a trip that started at 2 am early check in was a blessing. You can read my hotel review on tripadvsior.com as well. I asked at the desk for the MPG Representative they only provide the room, so they do not know! I was hoping that maybe I would not have to go on a timeshare presentation (no one would want a time share @ CPR).
We enjoyed the resort and went to bed early, did not sleep well, the beds are very, very hard, so I tossed and turned all night. At 7am the MPG Representative called my room, 7am advised me that they were down in the lobby read for the timeshare presentation, after a few F words on my part, I agreed to meet them at 8:30 am in the lobby, I got there a 8am (my wife arrived @ 8:30) I spent hour telling this people of the abuse I endured w / MPG they never heard anyone with these complaints before. Are you F. King kidding me! I came in a plane with 3 other couples with the same story!
Anyway they just smiled and wanted to talk about the trip they had planned for today! Trip? I agreed to 90 Minutes, and 90 minutes is all I will do! It was a man and woman that I am meeting with in the hotel lobby. They asked me not to eat breakfast here at CPR but we will eat at the timeshare.
*Info: the woman's name is Edna Laura Ruiz [email protected] so you can have at least one more e-mail address that you can add to you list. Her cell # is 011 52 744 2140434 maybe this will help some one with a contact?
We were loaded into a taxicab @ CPR by the man
*note
ask him for the Invitation to the timeshare, the family that left just before us was given one, but we were not (it will save time when you arrive @ the timeshare)
Plus it will give you a little peace of mind as you are traveling by taxi that you might just get somewhere (I did NOT have that feeling until I arrived at the timeshare). We were told we were going to and Island for the timeshare presentation (so much for the 90 minutes) I asked if everybody goes to the same place, the man said not everyone goes to this place, (In the end if you can arrange to go to the Island it IS a nice trip, on our day it rained all day so it was not as nice as it could have been). We were driven 10-15 minutes away through a very poor part of town to get to the docks. We got out and the taxi driver escorted us to a man (lots of men standing around) who paid the taxi fare. We were greeted by a fellow who showed us a map of the time share we were going to see on the Island.
He gave us round trip boat tickets (hold on to them don't lose them, only give them half the ticket, the other half gets you back to Cancun). We waited on the dock for the boat, there are many of them, (your man will escort you all the way to the boat, ride along with you, hail a taxi to the timeshare and pay the fare when you get out) My Spider Senses were tingling all the way to the timeshare (what did I get myself into now), everyone evolved so far is just doing a job, trying to support their way of life, you are not in any danger, but it goes against every travel tip to jump in a taxi and drive away and no one and I mean no one knows where you went, and with who. This was a very uneasy feeling for me (my wife was fine with it).
We arrived at the front door of a resort (on it's own island, on an island, you cross over a wooden bridge, the truck ahead of us made it, so I figured our taxi would too) It was a very nice place ($29k for 1 week, but I'm getting ahead of myself) We were amazed at how nice this place was, they took us to a woman who asked for our Invitation (earlier I advised you to ask for one before you get in the taxi) she came back after 5-6 minutes and continued on (every one here speak English well).
The woman introduced us to another Man & Woman team (an American and a Canadian, everyone likes the Canadians they are our cousins to the north) These were very nice people (it's part of the sales pitch to pair you up with people you are comfortable with, they not going to lie to you, right?) We walked to the breakfast buffet and over to a ocean side table, what a view, what a nice breakfast. During this time they try to get to know you and your travel habits, but all I wanted to talk about was the terrible way MPG treated me, I made it very clear it was not buying a timeshare today! She realized it and asked me to keep an open mind, and off on the tour, 90 minutes went by very quickly. It was a very nice place (I would love to stay there for just one night).
When the tour was over we went in to the sales office. We were offered free drinks (ask for 2 or 3 while your there) as they went over the sales pitch, again I mentioned the trouble I was given by MPG, so she asked her manager to come over (2nd level of the sales pitch, better price, more free stuff if you buy a timeshare) All I wanted to talk about was MPG he said we are not MPG I replied you work with them, so in my mind you are them I told my whole story to this man (remember it's raining, I really have nothing else to do today), when this man noticed that we were in the CPR hotel, he offered to move us to another hotel.
* Travel Note:
It may be possible to get MPG to move you to a better hotel if you threaten to tell the timeshare how unhappy you are with your hotel.
If not, try to find the MPG Rep the first day, maybe he can get you moved.
If not inquire which timeshare you will visit (now remember you would need to do this as soon as you arrive at CPR) and try to contact the manager of the timeshare, complain maybe just maybe he can get you moved to a nicer hotel, they know how bad the CPR is and that everyone complains about it.
*note
As I am writting this I was still on vacation from work, back home after the trip; my only concern now is to help any of you still brave enough to take this trip to avoid the problems that I had.
Ok the final man to speak with us was the Developer himself. He lowered the price, add some more free stuff if we bought in, again I told him my MPG story. He advised me that he just buy's leads from MPG for qualified buyers. Qualified Buyers I got a Free Trip certificate for attending a vacation timeshare presentation back home! I cannot afford a $29k for a 1 week time share for $500 bucks a month, nor would I buy one from anyone who does business with MPG He was not happy with me or MPG at this point, he then asked what he could do for me to make this right (offered to move us to a better hotel) I told him I booked another hotel already, I paid for it, so we can enjoy 1 day in Cancun in an ocean side hotel like I was "baited" into.
I told him if you want to do something for me, DON'T DO ANY BUSINESS WITH MEXICO PARADISE GETAWAYS! Don't buy leads from them, tell your other resort buddies NOT TO DO ANY BUSINESS WITH MEXICO PARADISE GETAWAYS! Then we got up and left, I stopped and asked for a copy of something that said I went through the 90 minute presentation! I don't trust anything when it comes to MPG I want it in writing! Which they did give to me no problem. The also gave me $150 pesos to pay for the cab fare back to the boat ($30 pesos) and then from the boat back to our hotel ($120 pesos). I thanked them and left.
*Travel Note:
I am very sure you could probably hang around this timeshare for free lunch after they hear your MPG story it would be the least they can do for you I just did not think of it at the time. You are on the Island someone paid to get you there, you have cab fare back to your hotel, Stay and tour the island (it was raining so we left right away) it's a nice place!
The trip back to the hotel was uneventful, my obligation with MPG was met, and we spent the night (night 2) at CPR. We left @ 8am in the morning for the Royal Solaris, enjoyed the whole day (day 3), poolside, walked the beach, enjoyed great food & drink all day, a dinner show and slept like babies (good mattresses here). I awoke @ 6:30am (day 4) went down for a huge breakfast, brought breakfast back for my wife (so she could get another half hour of sleep) checked out a 8am heading for home.
I arranged for transportation from the hotel back to the airport ("MPG" had changed their offer, as you know now they only provide transport from the airport to the hotel), back when I was still at home (I booked the night a Royal Solaris from tripadvsior). I then went to the Cancun airport website, found Cancun Shuttle, booked a ride back for 2 people $14 (usd) $28 total, paid w / PayPal. I got a confirmation with in minutes, printed it out and brought it with us. On Wednesday (day 3) Cancun shuttle called me a Royal Solaris to confirm the pick up time (8am Thursday from Royal Solaris to Cancun airport) I was impressed that they called me to confirm. We checked out of Royal Solaris (no hidden charges or extra fees, we just loved this place and we will return pay attention MPG) at 8am, but no Cancun Shuttle!
I waited 10 minutes, the bellman called them for me. I spoke with a man, he was trying to find his driver, he asked me to wait 5 more minutes (we had a 10:06 departure), we waited 10 more minutes, @ 8:20 am I took a taxi to the airport for $20 (usd) and arrived at Cancun airport with enough time to get our boarding passes, get through Mexican security, to only find our flight was delayed (30 minutes) so no harm no foul. I'm just out $28 (usd) from Cancun Shuttle. I am sure it was just a minor delay on their part (Mexican time is a little slower than American time), I arranged for an 8am pick up, I blinked at 8:20 (I'm not good a playing chicken) and took a taxi. I figured I needed to be at Cancun Airport 2 hours early for an Int'l Flight so an 8am pickup was pushing it anyway! I have e-mailed them asking for a refund. Cancun Shuttle returned my money within 24 hours.
* Travel Tip
Taxi prices are not bad (in January) $100 pesos (less than $10 usd) took me from one end on the hotel zone (when we left CPR to Royal Solaris) $20 (usd) got me to the airport, If you remember in my long story the van that MPG picked us up in offered a ride back for $20 also, so don't worry about booking a ride back.
In closing if you want this trip, be patient if you can get MPG to send you the airline tickets, they will send you the hotel info (if you take a civil tone in your e-mails, unlike me) maybe you will get a nice hotel on the ocean side (as offered) If I can help just one person with this post I will be happy.
If all of us complain to whoever will listen maybe MPG will change their ways, no one should have to go through what some of us have. $300 is a very cheap price for this trip (if you get a good hotel) $300 is fair price if you end up at CPR. I don't think you could book this trip with airfare, hotel, and tax for less than $1000.00
Good luck to you all, I hope I get my $100 deposit back after this tell all post, we'll see! I am planning a letter of complaint to the Missouri A.G. Office C.C. To MI A.G. (my home state where the cert. Was given out), the FL A.G. (their 800# is based in Orlando), the FTC (this is an interstate offer), the Mexico & Cancun Tourist bodies (they do not need anyone giving Mexico a bad rap), Global Vacation Network (who gave this cert.in the first place).
At the end of the trip I had a nice time, and I would go back to Cancun, but I will book it through tripadvsior with the reviews from is members!
Hang in there; it turned out to be a great trip once I was in the hands of the airlines & the hotels. We were back last Thursday; I e-mailed MPG for my $100.00 deposit refund, no refund yet, not even an e-mail confirmation.
KEEP CALLING, USE THE 800# (in Orlando) demand answers ask for Melina, or Doug. The Airline was good the hotel wasn't bad.
*Update
I sent a request for my deposit refund last Thursday by e-mail, no response from "MPG". However my $100.00 check arrived today Friday 1.23.09 (1 week very good). I am finally impressed with "MPG" (the last part of the whole trip and they impress me). It is too bad that they treat people the way they do, but once I got on the airplane my trip was very pleasant!
*Update
I sent "MPG" an E-mail thanking them for the quick deposit refund. I did advise Marcella [email protected], she is the owner of "MPG") that I still plan on filing several complaints w / the MO, MI & FL A.G. Offices, FTC (interstate offer) & the Mexico, Cancun Travel Bureau's. No one should be treated as poorly as "MPG" treats people.
Good Luck to ALL of you, I hope you stay in there and take the trip, I hope you are treated better then so many other were. Mexico was a nice place to visit.
Jvh
Chesterfield, Michigan
U.S.A.
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