Sierra Club Rental and Resales review: Possible new scam 125

We too were a taken on this scam. Monies were to be deposited by Friday, it is now Sunday and I have also emailed and called since Friday morning with no results. We too are very embrassed that we could fall for this. I am also upset with Velas for selling us on there service. We were told Sierra would rent out our rooms and after a year Sierra said now they had a buyer.

We also are waiting for this Tim Hart Guy or anyone at Sierra Club Rentals to call but their emails and phone numbers are all not working. We gave 1995 and also tax money owed and waiting but nothing. please help and if theres anything we can do please let us know,

Vudo23@gmail.com
[protected]

Yep - we were scammed by the same people representing the sale of our "unit" at Sandos. Does anyone know if Sandos is aware of this or are they part of the scam. I'm not really sure there is anythign that can be done except be way more suspicious in the future

I will comment also as I have been taken...I am too upset to talk about it now as I should have known better. I will be back when I am not so upset!

I too have been scammed by these people - Sierra Club & Kim Hart, Jim David, Ben Hermez. I was told by RealResorts that they were only dealing with Sierra - back in 2008/9 and so signed up to rent weeks. Eventually, when nothing was rented out over a near-two year period, Kim Hart got in contact offering to buy the weeks for Joyares... Sound familiar? She even said the rental fee could be reimbursed, all monies held in Escrow etc etc. but then the website shut down on Friday 22nd Oct. / phones constantly busy - just before they were due to payout.
If there are ways of tracking them / shutting them down then I'm keen to help.
This looks like Real Resorts, or somebody involved with them, could be complicit with Sierra Rentals and Sales, as they were the sole agent Real Club would deal with.
StuartG

We too have just been scammed by Sierra offering the sale of our Torrenza property. We did pay the additional $995 US to try and close the deal but can no longer contact anyone in Sierra via phone, email or fax. We bought a two-bedroom on the understanding they would "sell" all our timeshares (none of which happened).
we were then contacted by Michael Johnson (from Sierra) who assured us some company called Gibraltar would take the unit off our hands. We stopped making payments to Torrenza when they did not fulfil our contract to sell our timeshares. Torrenza now want to cancel our contract without refunding our money. We are just sick with the whole situation. Glomick@telus.net

OK so i got suckered in on this whole thing because I despartely needed money to pay off bills and now I guess I just buried myself further. Is the timeshare for Sandos even a real thing or did I get super sucked in in the beginning. Should I cancel even paying the resort? How do they get a hold of all the right information in the first place to make it look legit? OMG i am so embarrassed and feel so violated! What can I do now besides learn a HUGE lesson! If there is help please let me know tlblackjack@comcast.net

I also was scammed by Sierra. When I bought my timeshare back in 07 I signed up with them to rent my weeks. They still to this day have yet to rent them out. I have complained to them numerous times, and they said it's been impossible to rent out the weeks because of the drug wars going on down there, which I think is a crock. They said my name was first on the list, so this makes it very hard to believe that my weeks have not been rented out yet.

Then they contacted me about a year ago and offered me $42, 000 to sell my 4 elite weeks I had with Sandos, and I was stupid enough to say yes, paid them an upfront fee to do title searches etc.. Then after about a year, they said they had all the weeks they were trying to obtain, but now they wanted another $1, 125 from me to pay taxes that weren't paid to the resort. Which I found to be suspicious since Mexico doesn't charge taxes. So I contacted Sandos themselves to ask them about this whole thing, and they told me they don't even deal with Sierra anymore because they are a huge scam and they have gotten a lot of complaints. Isn't that great! They were the ones that recommended Sierra to me in the first place! So I did not pay those taxes thank goodness. I went and told Sierra that I spoke to Sierra and I didn't owe any taxes, they went and checked supposedly and said, oh okay, yeah you don't owe anything. Yeah right, just trying to scam me out of more money! Anyways I had Been in contact with Sierra alot up until recently. I had been dealing with a Patrick Wright who was emailing me back on a regular basis with updates that my bank transfer would be coming thru last week. And I am still yet to get paid. Now I try to email Patrick and his email address won't go thru, all 4 phone numbers I have for them are disconnected, and their website is cancelled as well. I know now that I have been scammed for sure. I had been trying to stay optimistic until now. There is still one email that has been going thru for me, and I email it 4 times a day, and still get no response. That email is legal@sierraresortservices.com if anyone else wants to try it out and see if they have any luck. I just wish there was some way to get our money back! Don't know what we can do, if anything. I stopped paying my monthly payment to the timeshare...I just can't afford it anymore, and I haven't even used it yet, since I bought it 3 years ago. Waste of money if you ask me!

I`m from Argentina and they made me excatly the same. Now that I´m reading what happened to you I understand why the mails and phone calls were a waste of time. From argentina there´s no possiblity of legal actions, but I hope you can get your maney back. Please let me know if someone know how to deal with these from other countries.

My wife and I were taken along with the rest . The latest e-mail came 10/08/2010 from Kristie Johnson stating that the funds should be depoisted the week of 10/18/2010. Well guess what .. they weren't and I don't expedct them to be either. They were silver tongued with there promises and documentation. Fell hook line and sinker. I have contacted my home states Atty General (Iowa ) and Nevada's as it there I believe they are operating out of. If anything I want these sleeze balls to held accountable .

If anyone wants to hook up and join foprces mail me at hoyboy1957@aol.com

Sierra took me as well - funny, it all seemed rather legit. I hope they get burned. I dealt with Katherine Diaz and Patrick Wright. Add me to your mailer. millermmk@yahoo.com

why does someone think it appropriate to post their adverts on this website?
It's bad enough that most have lost money without these clowns thinking it's a good / appropriate place to post their ad!

Please delete it, it is not a complaint / not a part of the SCRRC board.

Hmm, We also purchased weeks at the Sandos. Wow, I only wish my husband and I would have found this sooner. We were also approached about selling our time share for more than we paid and we thought wow too good to be true, they some how convinced us and I was told they would be wiring our money 2 weeks ago. Patrick Wright is who I was dealing with from Sierra Resorts, funny now that he got our wire for taxes that had to be paid before they could finalize and pay out, his e-mail is coming back undeliverable and the phone is constantly busy...I am pissed, they have been in contact, and baby stepped us throught this whole process, because I was skeptical and kept asking questions, they have an answer for everything...Except where my money is I was promised and now the fees I have paid.

Get this advertising off the complaints board!

I too was expecting a payout for my time share @ Sandos Playacar Resort. Same people same story! Goodbye upfront money,
You would think that Sandod resorts would have sent a BEWARE out as they convinced us to sign up with Sierra and have Sierra sell our extra weeks and that is how they contacted us at the start.
Robert

This reminds me of a South Park episode. Don't you just wish you could sue them for this kind of thing? Since they scammed you into a "mutual understanding, " the next best thing is to call them out publicly!

get off this web site with your advertising - this is NOT a shopping site - try ebay!

You can add me to the list of people that have been scammed. I'll do whatever I can to bust these dishonest jerks, so please let me know if I can help in any way. Has anyone done research as far as what (if any) recourse we might have legally?

I too have been scammed. Been waiting and waiting, and I sent emails yesterday, and they all come back as undeliverable. I guess if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. I just wanted to get rid of the timeshare. If you want you can add me to the list, my email is impalier21@hotmail.com.

My husband and I have been scammed as well. We were contacted originally be Bill Gomez in November of 2009. Being a company that was recommended by Velas Vallarta, I didn't have too many doubts about the transaction. After paying the $1995 fee and being transferred all over from one person to the next. I, of course got a little skeptical about what was going on. I was getting 'updates' as to what was occurring on their end. After about 8 months of waiting, I was again contacted by Sierra saying that we had to pay a 'luxury tax' on the timeshare we were selling. If I did not pay this tax the sale would be cancelled. I was told that people were getting payouts already, and that as soon as I pay this 'fee' we would get our pay-off on our timeshare. So after talking with Sierra numerous times and email back and forth, my emails are now not going through and the numbers I had for contact are all 'busy' signals. So...needless to say I realize NOW that I have been scammed 2x. Lucky me! I am too trusting of people, this is what I deserve, I guess.

Please add us to your list of people that have been scammed too: ak.rays@hotmail.com

I was under Sierra Rental and Resale's instruction and paid all fees for the title transfer. But I learned now that is a scam. How can I get my money back? Do I have a legal position to find the Sierra Corp sales? Thanks for any feedback.

This is unfortunate... Please add my email to the list of people scammed by Sierra: marie8682w@aol.com. I have saved all emails and documentation with these people dating back to 2008. Let's do what we can to expose them. Anyone notice their website is up and running again? Check it: http://sierraresortservices.com/

Yes, we are on the list of "suckers" who fell for the scam twice. first Torrenza, then Sierra, the company they recommended. amazing. We are not the kind that fall for things, but we did twice! I'm humiliated and embarrassed and kick myself. the only saving grace is knowing others have too, that this was quite a well thought out scam and sounded very legit. Today i tried their website again and YES it is up and running. IF it is really them. I don't trust anyone anymore at all..

Since the Sierra Resort Services website it up again, i thought i would try and send a nasty-gram. Sssuming it would come back mail failure as usual, i was astonished to receive something from "them". the address was info@sierraresortservices.com. They actually sent me a word document with a form letter informing customers that their website had been hacked into. Here is their letter: An unknown person or entity has hacked into our networks, telephone systems and parts of our database. This illegal act has been reported to the proper investigatory authorities. The disruption caused by this has been very costly to our company. However, we are diligently and aggressively working to repair the damage resulting from this vicious attack.We have determined that the attack originated out of Mexico, which exacerbates the difficulty in tracking the source of attack. This attack DID NOT compromise our secure server for credit card customers, or access any financial information of any of our clients.Rest assured that we are doing everything within our power to restore our damaged systems quickly so that we can successfully finalize all pending sales, as well as reconfirm all reservations for rental vacation weeks for your benefit and ours.We apologize for this delay, but ask for your patience during this difficult time.We will contact you as soon as we can proceed again." Does this ever end? Do they have no shame? Next step, Florida State Attorney office.

The email info@sierraresortservices.com is now coming back bad!

Just minutes ago I received the following letter from Sierra. Anyone else get this?

Dear Customer,

An unknown person or entity has hacked into our networks, telephone systems and parts of our database. This illegal act has been reported to the proper investigatory authorities. The disruption caused by this has been very costly to our company. However, we are diligently and aggressively working to repair the damage resulting from this vicious attack.

We have determined that the attack originated out of Mexico, which exacerbates the difficulty in tracking the source of attack. This attack DID NOT compromise our secure server for credit card customers, or access any financial information of any of our clients.

Rest assured that we are doing everything within our power to restore our damaged systems quickly so that we can successfully finalize all pending sales, as well as reconfirm all reservations for rental vacation weeks for your benefit and ours.

We apologize for this delay, but ask for your patience during this difficult time.

We will contact you as soon as we can proceed again.

Robert Williams
Sierra Corporate Sales

My credit union just called. The wire transfer that we sent to pay for TAXES for our sale clear back in September has been returned to them, saying the account information was incorrect. She asked if I wanted her to try it again. I said NO, thank you, please deposit the money back in my account. Also, we receved this e-mail from Velas asking us for referalls, ha ha ha ha ha!

Enjoy the benefits of our
Referral Program

The Velas Member Referral Program

A new way of enhancing your vacations and sharing them
with friends and family!

Share the best of life

Our friendly, professional vacation representatives will contact your referrals and invite them to enjoy a specially discounted luxury vacation package up to 40% discount.

Don't miss out on your rewards

When your referrals call us from USA and Canada at [protected] to book their vacation package, make sure they provide your Club Velas contract number so that you receive your FREE All Inclusive stay.

· Receive a One Night All Inclusive stay for every qualified couple you refer, at the resort where your referral was invited to stay.

· Receive a Four Night All Inclusive stay at the resort where your referral purchases a membership.

*Special Promotional rates apply at the resort of your referral's choice for this invitation. Referred guests must be pre-registered prior to their vacations at our resort destinations.

Call [protected]
from the USA and Canada for Reservations
A GREAT VACATION IS A WONDERFUL THING TO SHARE!

Forward email

Este mensaje de correo electrónico fue enviado a mcspires@msn.com, por comunicacion@velasresorts.com
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Velas Resorts | Av. Cocoteros No. 98 Sur | Nuevo Vallarta | Nayarit | 63735 | Mexico

Anybody else get their wired funs back?

I am embarrassed to admit I was scammed as well. I bought Velas Vallarta timeshare I can no longer afford and the fees are now due. I owe $5, 000 yet plus $800 in maintenance fees. What would happen if I just stopped paying for the timeshare?

We received the notice for our annual fee as well. Maybe if we all band together and refuse to pay?
I wonder what would happen?

I sent the forms for payout promised in October and received nothing. Now the emails are being returned undelivered. Has anyone checked with Velas Vallarta to find out if their timeshare weeks have been transferred to someone else? It definitely sounds like a scam, but what are the consequences?

I had no idea we all had such in common. It's time we band together and create a force to be reckoned with. I've had some experience putting together a class action suit for some real estate investors who were scammed into buying worthless properties (or received no deeds whatsoever). I will start by inviting all of you to become my associates thorugh this website.

Add me to this list. I too have been totally scam. I am in contact with the FBI about a potential international wire fruad crime. I would suggest we all contact the FBI because this is a crime on an international basis. Please add me to any mailing list for a potential Class Action Suite. jkterrell@comcast.net. Let us join together to stop these crooks, rip offs, & scam artist. CALL YOUR LOCAL FBI & REPORT.

The money I had wired for the supposed "taxes" was returned and has been redeposited to my bank account. Not sure what to do about the annual membership fees they are asking for. At this time, I don't plan to pay.

About 3 years ago I paid Sierra Club Rentals about $700 to sell my weeks. They never sold my weeks and their website is no longer there and every number I have for them doesn't work. They have my money and now they're gone. What can we do about these people?

add me to your email list. I to have been scammed from the wire transactions and membership fees. I was told by Sandos Royal Elite where I purchsed my membership they are in the process of suing Sierra. Not sure what to believe at this point!

I get more and more depressed about this. All these posts, but no direction or action. Wish there was someone with a legal mind posting on here that could advise.

Hi
My name is Paul Higgins from the UK. About 3 years ago whilst at the Occidental Grand Flemenco in XCaret, we bought an Allegro First Club membership, found we couldn't use it so paid the up front fee for Sierra Rental and Resales to sell our weeks. We heard from them that they would sell in September/October this year, but guess what, nothing heard, phone continually engaged and e-mails being returned!

PEOPLE - DO NOT FALL FOR THIS FINANCIAL SCAM ! WE ALREADY DID - DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE!
Credit cards, in our case master card, usually take dispute within 120 days after transaction, which by the time you realized this is a scam is over and can do nothing.
We signed contract with them based on lies Mr. Jim David promised us, to rent our weeks in year 2009, 2010 - each year came and went, they rented absolutely NOTHING.
When numerous times we called them to request update about renting, very seldom you could get someone on the phone, if you left a message they never called back. If they answered, excuses that is really slow, they are renting but not as much as they would like, etc...
The only time they called, if you pretended to be a new customer and wanted them to rent your weeks = them to steal you money and do nothing!
THEY ARE BUNCH OF THIEVES AND LIARS! Nothing else.

Has anyone bee approached by Priority Escrow Transfers yet? I received a call today from a Sophie York, claiming to work for the said company. She said she was calling on behalf of the buyer to either go forward with the closing of my sale or either cancel it so that the buyer's money would be released from Escrow. I was burned by Sierra and have a very funny suspicion that this is a scam as well. PLEASE EMAIL IF YOU HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY PRIORITY ESCROW TRANSFERS. marie8682w@aol.com

We have not. I think you are right to be suspicious. From everything you read this is all just a giant scam. Little people like my husband and I don't have funds to fight them, and the people that have the money to hire attorney's are either too embarassed to go after these people, or maybe are just smart enought not to get involved in the first place. Initially I had hopes that people would band to gether, but no one seems to know what to do. We truly thought we were investing in a country in a way that would help their economy, but apparently these people are no different than the drug lords. They just leave you bleeding financially instead of from your body.