Hi CL'ers,
I am hoping someone reads this that can recommend an attorney in regards to a timeshare issue I am having. Here is my story:
Last August I went to Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) with my mother and my son. I have been MANY times before and know all about the timeshare sharks that try to grab you at the airport, on the beach and walking around town. I have never once been talked into a presentation ..... until now.
It was our 2nd to last day there. We didn't have anything planned but to lay on the beach. After our property tour we were told that we could stay at the resort all day. Sure, why not. We went in knowing that we weren't going to buy anything. They can have their couple of hours and then we can spend the rest of the day at their beach. When we got to the resort, I was a bit surprised because it was absolutely gorgeous. It was brand new and one of the wings was still under construction, but it was still stunning. We met our saleslady for breakfast and she gave her usual small talk all the while spitting out compliments left and right. As the tour and presentation went on, I felt myself really falling for it. I just loved the place and could easily see myself going there year after year. I wasn't interested in "trading" my week for weeks elsewhere. I just wanted to use that particular resort. Three hours later and I was sold. I did the math and after all was said and done, what I would end up spending is about what I would pay for my vacations over time so it didn't seem like that bad of a deal. I was actually already looking forward to coming back for "my week".
What I ended up purchasing was a bi-annual/every other year vacation ownership. This resort has a sister property in Cabo San Lucas which is apparently rated a "5 star" in the timeshare world. When it came time to fill out the paperwork, the saleslady said she was going to put the Cabo resort as my home resort simply because it would provide me with a higher trading power. The resort where I toured was so brand new that it wasn't even rated yet therefore giving me little to no trading power.
Fast forward to about a week ago. I called the vacation club to ask them how long in advance I could book my week in 2007. When she asked which resort I was wanting to reserve, she said I could book xx number of months in advance but it would cost an additional $200 for me to use my week there. If I wanted to stay for no extra $$ I would have to stay at the resort in Cabo which I had never even seen before. Um, what?! That additional cost was NEVER mentioned to me during my pitch. She then went on to tell me that particular resort doesn't even offer the type of vacation membership that I purchased (bi-annual/every other year).
Needless to say, I was livid when I got off the phone. I immediately shot off an email to the saleslady (Elizabeth) and the finance person at the resort that did all of my paperwork. I explaind why I was upset. I felt like I had been totally mislead and given a fraudulent sales pitch as this lady NEVER once mentioned that it would cost extra to stay at the resort where I toured. If she had, I NEVER would have gone through with it. I mean, what's the point?
In my email I explain my distress and asked for 1 of two resolutions:
1. Make my home resort the resort I toured in PV at no additional cost to me
Or
2. Void my membership (i.e., cancel the contract) and return the initial $1500 deposit that was paid
Not that I am surprised, but no one has responded. I re-sent the email last Wednesday asking someone to respond by Tuesday. So far, nothing.
I am really pissed about this. Do I have any rights here? I would like to think that I do since I believe that her pitch was fraudulent and misleading.
So .... I am interested in speaking to an attorney to talk this out with me and maybe draft a letter to the resort so they can see that I mean business.
I am pissed beyond belief that no one has responded.
Thanks for letting me rant.
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