Menu
Login
Two weeks ago I purchased timeshare points from the El Cid Marina in Mazatlan.
We were approached at the airport by the offer of a cab ride. Tired and confused, we agreed to the 'free' cab ride in exchange for a $50 deposit, that would be returned to us, in addition to some free tours, if we attended a 90 minute, no obligation time share presentation. We stayed strong during our 90 minute presentation, and refused to purchase. We asked for our $50 deposit and gifts, and kept getting the runaround. The 90 minute presentation turned into a 3 hour ordeal. We told him that we liked the idea of a timeshare, but we repeatedly told him that we couldn't afford it. We said that in 5-10 years we would be interested in purchasing. Our time share presenter told us that they offered a special package for people like us. We could rent out our points each year for a minimum of $3, 000. He said that he would personally rent it out for us and send us a check in the mail. He promised that by renting out our points we would have absolutely no out of pocket costs for five years. At the end of 5 years, we would have a timeshare that was mostly paid off, with no cost to us. That was when they asked for a credit card, just to check if we were qualified for the wonderful deal that they were offering us. They returned with a credit line that they opened in our name, that would cover the $5, 800 dollar deposit.
Then we met with another person who had the papers to sign. We were skeptical because there were no promises in writing regarding the renting of points. On five separate occassions, our time share presenter was brought back into the room to reassure us. Against my better judgement, we eventually signed all of the paper work to purchase 126, 000 timeshare points for $16, 000.
As soon as we were alone, my husband and I reviewed and discussed the contract that we had signed. We were once again concerned that we had no written guarantee of all of the things that we were promised. We told them within an hour that we wanted to cancel the contract. However, we were told that while we were free to cancel at anytime, we would lose our $5, 800 deposit. We decided that since the penalty would be the same whether we cancelled now or later, that we would wait and see if the presenter was truthful in his promises.
When we returned home we found out that everything the presenter promised was a lie. The things that he told us were part of a much-used scam. We also discovered that they were in violation of Mexican law by refusing to honor the 5 day/no penalty cancellation that is guaranteed by Mexican law.
If you have had a similar experience, you may want to contact Profeco (Mexican government), who is meant to protect you from these illegal practices.
Also, check out these websites regarding Mexican Timeshare Fraud:
http://elcidvacationsbeware.com/
http://www.mescam.com/
http://www.mexicantimesharefraud.com/
Feel free to contact me if you are a victim of this company.
The issue with El Cid Resorts has been resolved to my satisfaction.
Ctrip International
27 reviews
Sell Off Vacations
77 reviews
Flylink
1 review
Great Wolf Lodge
257 reviews
Blue Waters Hotel
2 reviews
I have a similar scenario. Please email me with how you resolved the issue. Thank You!
We too bought a vacation rental from El Cid. We were promised many things as we went through the pitch with them. Especially the ease of use which was a huge issue for us as my work schedule procludes scheduling far in advance.
We paid the upfront deposit and were dutifully paying the monthly payments and annual fee. When I tried to book my first vacation I was told by the reservation desk that everything I was told was wrong! I tried calling El Cid help desk but, got no response. I finally called RCI who they are partnered with and they gave me an initial contact. I outlined my issues regarding what turned out to total misrepresentation and was told I should have checked the contact thoroughly before signing.
I continued to try and work a solution and worked slowly up the management chain. Which the don't want to let you know or have in some cases refused to disclose.
I finally stopped paying and that has gotten some attention. Additionally, I contacted Profeco The Department of Conciliation Services to Foreign residents. They were recommended to me by RCI, who has had numerous other complaints regarding El Cid. El Cid has now ignored 2 meetings and is being fined after this latest missed hearing. The next hearing is scheduled for February. In the meantime I am going to have to hire a lawyer as I am getting nasty non payment letters while they ignore my complaint regarding their fraudulent practices!
Please let me know how you were able to resolve your issues.
I have encountered similar problems with El Cid and El Cid management. Please email me how you were able to resolve this situation.
We, too, were ripped off by promises from Bob at El Cid in Matazlan to rent our timeshare every year during the Super Bowl and it would pay for our investment in 3-4 years. We were also told that the contract did not expire and it does. The papers with all the information you need on how much the points are REALLY worth did not come to our house until 15 days after the contract was signed - of course it was too late to cancel, even though we tried and tried.
We now have lawyers from the Owner's Advocate helping us. It has been almost a year and nothing. These guys are nothing buy liars. Don't ever buy from them!
Gary in McGregor
I agree. They are terrible. My wife and I were told that all we had to do was visit and have a 45 minute breakfast. 3 hours later, they were demanding that we purchase a time share. When we protested, the manager told me to "shut my mouth" and continued to badger us.
Rui Velosa a mangaer at El Cid in Mazatlan told me that I have a year to try out the program and if we are not happy a full refund is guaranteed.
I have the same problem. I call to mexica and san diego the payment dept. The payment dept said I can not cancel. The lady from mexica Betty said if I cancel I can not get money back. Is ok I just want to contiue to pay in each month. I have not hear anything yet. Do any one please help me how to get out this package.
I don't want to pay any more into this package
Common Complaints:
Salespeople offer clients false promises of discounts on airfares, cruises, car rentals etc.
Salespeople claim that the points have more value than they actually do for exchange purposes.
Clients are sent the full contract on a CD to their home address. They do not receive a full copy to review and decide whether or not they want to cancel within the 5 day rescission period allowed by Mexican Law.
Salespeople offer to resell a previously owned timeshare or take it over in trade so that the client is only responsible for the maintenance fees for the new timeshare. This never happens. http://www.timesharescam.com/