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2.8 20 Reviews

Velas Resorts Complaints Summary

9 Resolved
11 Unresolved
Our verdict: Dealing with Velas Resorts, which has an average resolution rate, requires some diligence. Research their service in depth and read a variety of customer reviews for a balanced view. Approach any customer service interactions with detailed and well-prepared queries to facilitate a better resolution process.
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Newest Velas Resorts reviews & complaints

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8:15 pm EDT
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Velas Resorts Velas vallarta timeshare scam, ripoff

We were pressured yo renew our contract. They said 15 minutes. It was over 6 hours. They would not let us leave the lobby until we signed. We've paid the loan. We want out! Maintenance fees are unbelievable and we cannot afford to stay there anymore. We are willing to walk away. We want our contract canceled and relief from the high maintenance fees. We will never go back. How do we get out of this ?

Desired outcome: Willing to cut our losses. We just want our contact canceled. No more maintenance fees

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6:14 pm EST
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Velas Resorts False sales promises

In November 2019, we attended a sales presentation at Velas Varllarta.
We were told that Velas would take our 3 timeshares and use them for a tax deduction, The money we would pay for 10 weeks vacation, $19, 000. would fund their construction projects and we would get a $61k annuity in 25years. We were told no maintenance fees because we were not buying only renting.

We were instructed to use Value Traders for the timeshares. We paid them and provided documents requested. Six months later Value Traders canceled.

We cannot afford both Velas and the 3 Timeshares.

I am a disabled veteran with PTSD and should not of been subject to pressure sales tactics.

Desired outcome: Cancel contract and refund

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10:57 am EDT

Velas Resorts Cancellation

We visited the resort on November 29, 2020. We decided to become a member and signed the papers. After leaving the resort we realized we made a mistake as a purchase like this could hurt our chances of getting a good interest rate on refinancing our house. we returned to the resort the next day, as the cancellation policy stated that you have 5 days to cancel with a full refund. We waited for over an hour for someone to help us, when the gentleman came down he tried to convince us to stay by offering a discount. We told him about our issue with refinancing. He brought us a piece of paper and told us to write down our reason for cancelling and to sign and date it. We asked for a copy and he refused, saying it's done and you will see your refund in 15 business days. We waited the 15 days and didn't see our refund. I called the resort and was tranferred to Monica in the legal department. She was very rude. She told me that the only option I had was to keep the membership and pay the additional funds. We filed a complaint with our credit card company and have tried numerous phone calls to get this resolved. I sent and email to Monica Velas and didn't receive a response from her. Instead I received and email from Monica in the legal department. We did what we were supposed to do. I would like to get our money back and move on. I would appreciate any help. Thank you.

Desired outcome: I would like our money back.

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10:14 pm EDT

Velas Resorts Refusal to refund purchase price after cancellation of a contract

On January 2, 2011 I purchased a one-week Premium Master Suite at Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta, MX from Grupo Velas Hotels and Resorts based on Velas' promise to purchase my existing timeshare at Radium Hot Springs, BC, Canada. When I signed the contract with Velas I also signed a Global Vacation Trade Agreement to immediately transfer title to my existing timeshare at Radium Hot Springs to Global Vacation Trade . The total contract amount was $18, 160 and I paid in full at the time of signing the contract. My contract number is CV-00901. In addition, Grupo Velas offered me the opportunity to purchase a $70, 000 annuity for an investment of $4, 900 with Lloyd Share. When I explored this later, their offer proved to be entirely bogus. The promised one-year membership in the Registry Collection was also never provided. In February, when I had not received any paperwork from my timeshare company in Canada I contacted Velas through Sr. Garcia who said the matter was being processed. Subsequently, as maintenace fees were becoming due on my timeshare I contacted Radium Hot Springs and was informed that they had not received any title transfer documents and that my Radium Hot Springs timeshare was still in my name and that I was still responsible for all maintenance fees. Shortly after that, I was contacted by Jessica at Velas who said things had changed at Velas and they no longer wanted my Radium Hot Springs timeshare and wanted me to buy back my Radium Hot Springs timeshare from Velas for $2600! I refused since the timeshare was still in my name. In addition, I had not received any certificate of ownership from Grupo Velas for my Puerto Vallarta timeshare - as required by the contract. Based on this I attempted to cancel my contract directly with Velas through their representative Monica Dellagrave. When we were unable to come to any agreement after many emails back and forth, she suggested I contact Profeco - a consumer protection agency in MX. In May, 2011 I sent Grupo Velas a cancellation of my contract under Section 12 of the contract that provides that the buyer can cancel within 6 months and receive a 70% of refund of all money paid. Subsequently, Ms. Dellagrave acknowledged in an email that I was entitled to a refund of 70% of the contract price. Velas then cancelled my contract but I have never been refunded the money owed to me and have spent the last 10 years trying to get the return of the money that Grupo Velas effectively stole from me. Now Ms. Dellagrave tells me that since I contacted Profeco - which was at her suggestion - that she can no longer deal with me.

Desired outcome: Refund of 70% of my contract price of $18,160

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7:29 pm EDT
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Velas Resorts Value Traders and their inability to complete transaction

I entered into contract 3/19 with Velas to trade my Worldmark timeshare in and purchase a Velas timeshare. I have paid all the fees required then and actually all the fees required for the 2020 year. Because of a planned vacation in a Worldmark location in December, 2019, I requested that the transfer not happen until the end of December 2019. My transfer was given to Value Traders to complete the paperwork necessary to close out the Worldmark transaction. The last time I heard from someone at Value Traders, Manuel contacted me on January 10, 2020. He needed 1 further document, which I provided. I emailed him on Jan. 23, 2020 and inquired if the transaction had been completed. No response.

It is now April, 2020. I have had 2 months of housekeeping fees paid by draft to Worldmark - $800. I contacted them yesterday, 4/16, feeling sure this was in error. They informed me that they have never received ANY documents from Value Traders regarding this transaction.

When I talked to your online customer service agent, she connected me to an attorney service that I was supposed to pay for before I talked with an attorney. Believe me, if I need to have an attorney handle this, I have my own.

Velas is who I went in to contract with. You are ultimately responsible for the people you subcontract the work out to - namely, Value Traders. They have failed miserably to complete this transaction although they had nearly a year to have all the paperwork in order and submitted. It has cost me additional money that I did not want to spend. If this is the way you do business, I would like to cancel my contract with Velas as you have not completed the transaction in a timely fashion.

Please contact me with something other than platitudes. I want to know what you are going to do to take care of this.

Linda Helton
428 Eileen Drive
Sebastopol, CA 95472
[protected]

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11:02 pm EDT

Velas Resorts timeshare velas resort puerto vallarta

Went to puerto Vallarta in June and were booked at the Mayan Palace where we bought into their timeshare.
At the airport, we were approached by a sales person about a cirque de soleil show and discount tickets. It turned out to be a
Velas Resort presentation. We were impressed with the place but we already had a time share with Vida Vacations only two years in. They assured us that would not be a problem, the salesman Mauro Quévedo and his manager Eduardo Herrera assured us that was no problem. According to them they would contact Vida Vacation and buy out our contract. We waited and 20 minutes later they were able to get how much we owed, they showed us a form with confirmation of a buy out and therefore we were free to buy into the Velas Resort time share. The place was an upgrade for us.

We gave them a $6, 000.00 down payment and for being a first time customer and we had already paid Vida for our week there, Eduardo gave us our week with an all inclusive. We were thrilled. It did not last for long, Vida sent us a bill for the remaining monthly payments and when I called them as to why, they said they do not do business with third parties. Called Velas and they DENIED ever having said such a thing. When looking over our papers the form with our "payOut" was not included! Instead we found at the last page (which was not there when we originally initialed )a notation that this was not a trade in. Tried to talk to sales, no help. I spoke to Monica Dellagrave their legal rep. Awful woman with justifications of the sales people behavior and that I wrote the no trade in clause. Not even my hand writing. Eduardo Velas Ruiz owns this company, is this how he does business? He has many accolades for accomplishments, unfortunately he is impossible to contact.

Now I'm stuck with two time shares in the same place with hotels blocks from each other. No one takes responsibility for this deceptive selling, they are liars and thieves. We feel like fools, we are angry and hurt. These people smile, make like they are doing a wonderful thing while they are stabbing you in the back. DISGUSTING! In Mexico as it was explained to me I, if I owe money to these timeshares and do not pay, I WILL BE ARRESTED.for owing money. I would not mind paying the first timeshare with Vida Vacation, as it was done in good faith. Velas is not truthful and once they have your money, you are done. Monica Dellagraves their legal rep, should be ashamed of herself, no customer service and even less skill handling an irate customer. Eduardo Herrera according to the verification loan officer is no longer with Velas, so I could not speak to him. Who knows if this is true. NEVER AGAIN. I will not be able to go to Mexico as I refuse to pay under these circumstances, too bad I loved the town. I will never buy another time share ever again, not worth the headaches.

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Update by Lvsr
Aug 14, 2019 11:09 pm EDT

I find it interesting that in Mexico I would be arrested for owing money to these timeshares but they don’t crackdown on these sales practices.
What a shame, our beautiful vacation turned into a financial nightmare. Shame on them for allowing this to go on.

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maya cervantes
, US
Dec 01, 2021 4:13 pm EST

Seems like in fact this is how they do business nowaydays. The same happened to my mother who was victim of a rent timeshare fraud: https://www.timesharescam.com/timeshare-complaints-resorts-black-list/16-velas-vallarta-timeshare-complaints/
as they state in the complaints website: Salesperson claims that Sierra will rent out their timeshare weeks for a profit. Sierra charges a listing fee, but then never rents the weeks, and they stop answering the phone.

but in the end all lies! we are definetly canceling, I dont care how long it takes

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5:09 pm EDT
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Velas Resorts Timeshare Lies and pressure

In 2008 we visited Velas Vallarta and went to their timeshare. The promised and put undue pressure on us to close immediately. Later, many things hey promised didn't come through. Well, we lived with it. Then this summer we were contacted by a Mexican lawyer that a class action suite has just come through.
Ready? Here was the process: In 5 weeks we
Send a complaint, copy of contract
Fill out a couple of forms.
Pay 25000 pesos for search
Pay 39000 pesos for tax
And now. $9000 usd needed for an underwriting

All looked ligitimate. All men had Mexican government email. I am not sure I want to continue because this is also a scam. The lawyer that contacted me was involved in other class action with other time shares.

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10:47 pm EST
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Velas Resorts Timeshare fraud

On November 20, 2008, we were on vacation in Mexico and went to a timeshare presentation at Velas Vallarta. We were told we would get a free breakfast and tickets to an excursion of our choice. We should have said no and walk away; stupidly we didn’t.

When Mr. Jerry Ey, our sales rep realized we weren’t really interested because we already owned a timeshare through Interval International that was all paid for in full, he started throwing scenarios at us about buying at the Velas Vallarta, VV would rent our room out while we were not there and receive a BIG amount of money, which we would get back and could use to make our monthly payment, or several payments at once. He said they did that for all their timeshare holders, now I realized that they have scammed all their members with the same lies.

Monica Dallegrave ([protected]@velasresorts.com) is aware of my situation with the resort but she has offered a membership for the monies that I have paid so far, AN USELESS MEMBERSHIP. Do not buy anything from these people.

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Frank Ketelaa
, US
Sep 29, 2015 6:18 pm EDT

My Name is Frank Ketelaar, contract number EVV-372. I made reservations for April of next year and was sticker shocked when the cost had skyrocketed to all most double. In 2014 I paid $ 79.20 per day all Inclusive. That has risen to $136. I had planned on enjoying a terrific vacation as usual but the cost is forcing me to change my decision. My cost in 2014 was $2217.60 and now is $3808. I was never notified about this increase. I also had two friends with me in 2014 and now they can't afford to go. We are retired fixed income families and can't afford the increase. Is there a way this can be discounted for the 4 of us. I would appreciate if you could help us out. Thank you

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6:23 pm EDT
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Velas Resorts Resale of My Timeshare

I received a call from Vacation Property Services on 9/12/09 regarding a timeshare that my husband and I have for sale. The man that called said his name was Don Rice and he had a buyer for our property. He sent me a Letter of Intent signed by the buyers and a witness. My husband and I had to sign it and send it back. We also had to send $286.82 by Western Union (money in minutes)for the taxes and title search. I sent the WU on 9/15/09 in the amount of $322.82 which includes the WU fee of $36.00. After sending this, I received another call from Mr. Rice on 9/17/09 stating that the taxes would be an additional $86.32 and I need to send it right away by WU again by (money in minutes). The total for that one was $102.31, including the $15.99 fee. In both cases the WU was to be picked up by a Duane Bean, owner of Vacation Property Services in Holly Hill, FL. We were to receive a package from Fed Ex on Friday, 9/18/09 between 3 and 5 pm for the settlement. I left work early and turned down overtime to come home, so I would be here when the package arrived. I did not receive the package on Friday and have been trying to contact Don Rice and no one will return my call. I have left 5 messages since 5:00 pm Friday. I would like a full refund for the $425.13 I have spent on this transaction. The phone number for Vacation Property Services is [protected] the address is 4001 Va. Beach Blvd., Va Beach, Va 23450.
Sincerely,
Carolyn V. McNeff
308 Carolina Pines Court
Leicester, NC 28748 (Less)

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Buki
Charlottesville, US
Jan 14, 2010 10:14 am EST

I get a letter same as you about my timeshare and they asked me to sign it and send money for tax and transfer fee. I have not done that yet and they are waiting for me to sign this "Letter of Intent LOI they sent me. I am afraid that this is a scam and was wondering if you ever got your money back or sell the timeshare.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

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another scam?
, US
Nov 16, 2009 3:37 pm EST

Got call from this # being approached to see if I still wanted to sell my time share... I feel like I have been scammed before by company's saying they will sell it for me (they have listed it but no sale) and approched by people who turns out that they have scammed someone... I HATE TIMESHARES... and don't know if I can trust anyone in trying to sell this thing.

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1:38 pm EDT
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Velas Resorts Really bad bussines

I welcome this opportunity to address this horrible experience; and tell to anyone that reads my public complaint, that we were DECEIVED AND LIED TO with DECEITFUL SALES PRACTICES from VELAS VALLARTA SALES STAFF. As soon as we got off the plane we were approached by a man who offered to us a �free breakfast� at the property known as Velas Vallarta. As we arrived at Velas we were greeted by a salesman named Morgan. He made a point of telling us he also is Canadian and that he would look out for our best interest and takes care of us. While talking and discussing about this �new concept� of fractional ownership we were told that we could vacation at any of their properties and only pay membership fee when we used our vacation week.

Initially, Morgan tried to sell us one of the fractional ownership weeks at Velas for $45, 000; but we declined because as we already owned 2 timeshares and we could not afford it. We were extremely pressured and reminded of the benefits of fractional ownership over regular time share ownership. They then came back to us offer that if we purchased their property for $35, 000 that they would purchase both of our existing timeshares, so in the end we would only have the Velas property.

Finally, with an offer of $15, 000 to purchase their property and after much PRESSURE, morgan guaranteed they would assist us in selling our timeshares through a company known as Regal Rentals and Resale. it would be no PROBLEM; it is very easy to sell both of our timeshares within 30 � 60 days. it was too good to be truth, we were very tired, and so we decided to sign the paperwork.

A couple of days after returning home, we tried numerous times to speak directly with a representative from Regal and had a great deal of difficulty. At this point we noted at least 12 timeshares from each place that we owned timeshares; so we realized our timeshares were not going to have a good chance of resale through Regal. At this point we started to get worried and we tried to cancel our contract, they told us that we would lose at least 50% of the $15, 000 US purchase price.

At this point, we started to get worried and we went on the internet and googled the name VELAS VALLARTA and to our surprise, site after site and page after page the words Velas Vallarta was followed by the word s ��SCAM� and �FRAUD�. We were shocked that there were so many others dealing with the same situations that we are dealing with.

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Velas Resorts Timeshare Scam - Doug Lockett

Doug Lockett, Sales Manager for Velas Vallarta Timeshare Sales...1

"If you could buy a timeshare at Velas Vallarta that would cost you ZERO dollars, would you be interested..." was Lockett's opening line.

Lockett made false promises during a sales presentation:

1. Selling our existing timeshare:

we said we would not be interested in buying "another" timeshare at Velas Vallarta since we already had one in Florida - Sheraton Vistana.

The Promise: Lockett offered to sell our timeshare in Florida to a Mexican national who he claims needs to buy a timeshare (e.g. needed to have title to a US property) in order to gain entry into the U.S. He made a phone call to a broker, and the price he quoted us for our week in Sheraton Vistana timeshare was in the range of $17-20K.

The truth: There was no guaranteed "sale" arrangement, he was just handing us off to a U.S. based timeshare resale company. We had to assume the risk, and the sales fee, up front.

It was a carefully orchestrated sales presentation designed to make us believe Velas Vallarta was taking our property in Florida, and selling it to a Mexican national. The proceeds in the range of $17-20K would be applied to the Velas Vallarta timeshare sale. More weeks were added to the deal, and the weeks would be rented out, paying for the entire deal.

2. Renting out our weeks:

The Promise: Lockett said he could easily rent out timeshare weeks, and needed our weeks, due to high demand from company offsite meetings, etc. at Velas Vallarta. He said renting out our weeks would easily pay for the price of the timeshare.

The truth: There was no contract guaranteeing the rental of our weeks at Velas Vallarta.

Lockett and Velas Vallarta are very smooth. Watch out, they are NOT on the level...!

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Mexican Timeshare Solutions
, MX
Feb 16, 2011 9:51 pm EST
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Dear Timeshare Owners,

We invite you to get to know our services at G&G Mexican Timeshare Solutions. We are a Mexican based company that specializes in cancelling contracts purchased under fraudulent premises. We offer free consultations to anybody interested in our services to discuss the details of their case.

We are empathetic to victimized consumers and we work on a contingency basis; which means no upfront fees, and if we don't achieve results, you don't pay us a cent.

We look forward to helping you in your claim.

Customer Service,

info@timesharescam.com

[protected]

www.timesharescam.com

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9:15 pm EDT
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Velas Resorts not truthful about resale for us

My wife and I went to Velas Vallarta this past summer, and we told them that we wanted to sell our interest in the time share, that we no longer wanted to participate. I was told that they wouldn't be able to sell our unit's use the way we had it - every other year (even # years), that we would first have upgrade to have the unit every year. We did so, at a cost of just under $8000. They assured me that now they would sell it for us, and would have a sale finalized by December of 2008, or January of 2009, which has come and gone. For the past couple of weeks, I've been trying to contact them to ask about any sales prospect. I received one answer, but only by our salesman to ask how he could be of service. When I reminded him of the promise to sell our one-bedroom unit and to give me any information on a possible sale, I never heard back. I have since sent several emails to him as well as one of his colleagues to ask for information, and they don't respond at all. I've said that if they will just give me certain pieces of information that would be needed for me to make the sale myself, that I would take care of it. But they don't answer me, and without the information, there is not way I can sell our interest in the property. I'm stuck! I even said that if they would just give me back out upgrade money of just under $8K, that I would GIVE them back the property and forget entirely about our every-other-year agreement! I definitely want to participate in a class-action suit against these people! Please contact me and sign me up! My email address is robert.[protected]@sbcglobal.net. I eagerly look forward to hearing from you! Thank you!

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Velas Resorts Timeshare scam

November 2007-timeshare presentation with the added enticement of free extra weeks that will be rented for you by Sierra rentals in Nevada[$600 fee]. Chris Rogers[manager] and his cohort[jerry Ey] made the pitch-too good to be true. I could go on and on and say the same as everyelse. But I am adding something--I have been in contact with the Attorney General and the FBI--they suggest that everyone contact their local FBI office and file a complaint. We may not get our money back, but may prevent others from being scammed. I too agree that the only way to recoop our loses is to institute a class action lawsuit against Velas--so someone must have the legal mind to help us

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Russ Linda Coddington Campo
, US
Dec 14, 2016 8:38 am EST

Kenneth Kaplan, we are interested in being added to your class action lawsuit against Velas Vallarta, Ken Waller and Johnny Noe, since we have had similar circumstances to many. We just recently looked up Velas to see if there were any complaints and found yours. Please contact us at the following email: Lrusscampo@triad.rr.com. Look forward to hearing from you, Russ and Linda Campo - North Carolina PS: we tried to contact the AG in Burlington, VT, but they were not familiar with the case.

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sunnyjanet
Denver, US
Feb 28, 2010 12:23 pm EST

I cant believe all of these comments! All of you should be ashamed of yourselves. Greed which is one of the seven deadly sins is why you purchased, How can you believe such a lie. I dont know you but you really shouldnt be mad. Why? Because you purchased for vacations and nopt for investment, who do you think you are ? I hope you learned your lesson. And as for the FBI they have alot more important things to work on than educating you on investments.

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Velas Resorts - Timeshare Scam

Beware! I also experienced this unconscionable timeshare scam at Velas Vallarta. The sales representative, Ken Waller, told me that Velas would take a trade-in of a timeshare I owned at a different resort to offset the purchase of a Velas upgrade from a studio unit to a one bedroom. He was essentially offering me the same amount for my other timeshare that...

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Velas Resorts Increasing maintenance fees

Much to my regret, I purchased a 1 BR "villa" at Velas Vallarta. Besides getting taken for a huge amount of money for the purchase, I am now saddled with a maintenance fee that is growing faster than the contract allows. The contract states in clause "Seventh": Maintenance fees "may not increase by more than the percentage increase in the consumer price indes from September to September of each year as published by the Banco de Mexico, minus the percentage of devaluation in the Mexico peso against the U.S. dollar for the same time period."

I checked the numbers. Since my contract began (2 years), the increase in the Mexican CPI (the "UDI") has been 7.67%, and the peso has devalued 1.45%, so my maintenance fees should have grown by 9.12% over two years. In fact, my maintenance fees have increased by 12% over that time period. The 4.34% unjustified mark-up (so far) amounts to $34 additional fees plus 17% tax or $39.78 each year times 24 years. That's almost $1000 more that I will be paying with no justification in the contract and no accountability on the part of the resort.

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CJ R
Palm Harbor, US
Feb 15, 2012 9:35 pm EST
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I have the same problem. Is anyone doing anything about it? This is such a pervasive problem I feel there has to be a class action case somewhere. Anyone know?

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1:09 pm EST

Velas Resorts Fraudulent sales practices!

Velas Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Timeshare Scam. The scam starts the moment you walk through the door. The sales person will introduce them self to you and their name may be the last truthful thing you will hear from them. Our sales person was Michel De Lisi from Quebec (supposedly). Our scamming is near identical to everyone else’s postings so there isn’t a great need to go into all the sordid details. Given the similarity of the scammings by so many different sales people it serves as a testimony to the pervasiveness of this fraud throughout this company.

The 90 minute Timeshare Presentation we agreed to was a scam from the get-go and it lasted several hours. As a Canadian you expect and account for sales people exaggerating claims of their product. The Velas Vallarta sales staff do not exaggerate, they look you in the eyes and out and out lie to you. It is fraud by all definitions.

If even half of the things they tell you were true it would be a reasonable deal. This is the premise under which we bought, factoring in sales embellishments of 50%. Unfortunately for us the embellishments we had factored for were fraudulent lies.

It’s a great investment that will appreciate over time. LIE / Fraud. You can easily rent your weeks for more than your purchase price. LIE / Fraud. Your purchase comes with an Annuity that will return your entire Timeshare investment in 25 years. LIE / Fraud.

Velas Vallarta Corporate Representative Johnny Noe it seems has recently been replaced by Contract Manager Monica Dellegrave. Don’t think for one moment that this will change the sales practices of this company. From a deceitful corporation point of view why change? The scam collects millions with minimal risk of paybacks.

My wife and I have come to the resolution that our “investment” is gone forever. We would have done better if we had invested in Enron. What we wish is to get this message out as far and wide as possible so that no one else suffers the same fate as us.

DO NOT attend a Velas Vallarta Timeshare Sales scam unless you get great entertainment from hearing enormous lies. But most important is DO NOT PURCHASE a Velas Vallarta Timeshare. If you feel for any reason that you must have ownership in a Timeshare do yourself a favour and purchase it from the secondary Resale/Rental Market at a fraction of the original sale price. Better yet, rent the week you want from the secondary market for less than the yearly maintenance fee.

Spread the word to everyone you care about.

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loving pv
, MX
Nov 12, 2009 5:45 pm EST

Oh My Goodness! I suppose you would complain about any timeshare you would have bought. We have owned at Vela for 11 years and have referred alot of friends and family. Not one of us has a single complaint. We go twice a year and have exchanged a couple of times and always got our reservations at Velas and our exchange to Europe and Canada were wonderful.
I highly recomend this company! The owner Mr. Vela we have met personally and really cares about his owners.
Stop telling these lies and use your timeshare!
Loving Velas in PV

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B. Smith
,
Dec 03, 2008 2:32 pm EST

My experience was similar to what others have said. Fortunately, I was able to get my deposit back because I canceled 4 days after signing. (They tell you that you can't rescind but the contract says you have the right to cancel within 5 days of signing. I cancelled on day 4.)

The sad part is that these are Americans scamming fellow Americans. I loved Puerta Valarta but hated being harassed by timeshare salesmen and may not go back to Mexico for that reason.

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12:00 am EST

Velas Resorts Scam and lies!

We were suckered into a timeshare speech and fell for it hook, line and sinker. We had purchased a Bluegreen Vacation Club to find we could never get into any of the resorts always "booked" but could find that we could get into the resorts through another means ie: RCI. Paul Rado was our big power speaker, also went to see what we would get for our Bluegreen, came back with a good figure, promised us we would NEVER encounter "booked" and find options through other means. This was great a place we would be able to go to without a hassle! Signed on the dotted line.

Well we tried to book our time and have now been told they are can you guess it... "BOOKED" and I can now get there by means of RCI, Apple Vacations, Funjet Vacations, MLT and get this... Velas Vallarta website! HA HA! HA! Another US Citizen screwed over. We must have SUCKER on our foreheads or our brains are frozen from the cold. Our Bluegreen is still listed in our name and we are still responsible for the fees. Title was never transferred.

We have tried to settle this with Velas with no success, numerous phone calls and e-mails. Paul Rado's e-mail account is now suspended. Mr Vargas the head of Reservations that Paul Rado had referred us to can't even handle his own e-mails or phone calls, he has one of his girls do the dirty work.

I'm sure the annuity that we were told we had... the $20,000.00 is also a LIE since they wanted $2.000.00 for administrative cost.

What a shame it was a beautiful resort.

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Affordable Trips and Tours
ft worth, US
Apr 26, 2011 4:01 pm EDT

5 Apples is not 5 Star by the way. You should really use a travel agent to book your trips. She could have helped you if she was a good one. www.affordabletrips.net

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loving pv
, MX
Nov 12, 2009 5:37 pm EST

I am an owner at Velas and ALWAYS get my reservations. I bought this timeshare because in the contract the guarantees reservations! First time I have ever seen this and they for 4 years have been true to thier word.
This resort has allowed great vacations for our family every year.

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Suzanne Bernhauser
Lakeland, US
Dec 29, 2008 10:01 am EST
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The names have been changed, but the experience was much as yours was with this resort. The rental company they wanted us to use was Sierra Club Rentals. The phone number they gave us and the phone number on my credit card were different. The one on the credit card belongs to a company in California. The governor's office of California could not help me because they said it was part of Mexican time share fraud.

I have been dealing with PROFECO since April, 2008 but they believe the lies of the Velas group rather than the paper work I have sent. I even have a letter cancelling the contract, but they refuse to give me my money back.

I am going to start a writing campaign, starting with the US consulate in Mexico and the Mexican consulate in the US. Then travel companies and I'll go from there.

If there is a law suit out there, my husband and I will gladly be a part of it. I wrote to one person who said they had one, but got no response yes or no.

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12:00 am EDT

Velas Resorts Beware of this fraud!

We attended a time share presentation at Velas Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta Mexico in November 2006. We were very impressed with the property and because of the deal that our sales man was able to secure, we purchased the timeshare and left Mexico very happy. A few days after our return the nightmare began. The fraudulent sales tactics and horrific treatment that we have since endured has tarnished our view of Velas Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta and Mexico as a whole.

The facts about our “investment” were overstated, embellished and simply not true. We were told because we were purchasing a unit that had previously been foreclosed on we had to give up the 5 day cancellation rights. They can not do this. But the HUGE fraud came to us from there trade in manager Mr. Ken Waller who arranged for a broker to purchase a timeshare we owned in Minnesota. This was the only way we could afford to purchase his property. He gave us a fax from the broker confirming the deal that he had negotiated for us.

When we returned home and spoke with the broker that was purchasing our Minnesota timeshare we learned that they DID NOT send this confirmation fax to Mr. Ken Waller. This means Mr. Waller went into the back room and fraudulently drew up this fake fax for the sole purpose of getting us to sign this contract.

We sent a letter immediately off to Velas Vallarta and Mr. Waller. Mr. Waller called us and we spent 20 minutes listening to him rant and rave, telling us to get a lawyer and he then hung up on us. We received an e mail from a manager by the name of Johnny Noe which was equally unproductive and pointless.

All our letters to them have gone unanswered and we still are pursuing them for a refund of our down payment.

In closing, one has to wonder about an organization that allows there salespeople to represent them in such a fraudulent way and that resorts to illegal tactics to complete a sale. What other devious, illegal and unhealthy practices are they allowing to go on behind the scenes?

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olivoeil
Scarborough (Toronto), CA
Jan 03, 2012 6:48 pm EST

That makes a lot of sense Ms. Christison. People are lured to a presentation with a breakfast or bottle of something so therefore the timeshare company should present fraudulent contracts, fraudulent annuities and swindle them out of thousands of $$$. Does this make sense to you? Do you think ppl who agree to sit around for 90 min should be subjected to high pressure tactics, non stop harrassment while trying to relax & be SWINDLED out of thousands of $$$ because they didn't bring their lawyer to Mexico or expect to be bombarded with a 10hr BUSINESS meeting on their blasted VACATION? Hopefully you will have a similar experience and not be so quick to judge!

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laura christison
, MX
Nov 05, 2009 4:51 pm EST

All you people also go to the presentation for free everything always so don't complain

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AztecWarrior
, US
Jun 26, 2018 3:56 pm EDT

that you are forced to attend because you went there using another time share. I would rather buy our own breakfast than be forced to listen to scams for hours. You start to feel like a prisoner and the more you try to leave the more people coral around you.

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Velas Resorts Lies, scam and rip off!

The 90 minute presentation we attended turned out to be between five to six hours. Once we got down to signing the contract we were rushed through to "get us back on vacation." We were told the timeshare we were buying was previously owned and therefore we wouldn't have the right to rescind. Violation of Mexican law.

The sale of our existing timeshare was a condition of purchase at Velas Vallarta. The salesperson misled us about the guarantee to sell our existing timeshare for $60,850. We didn't get the guarantee until we were leaving after signing the contract. The guarantee was for no more than to list the property for sale for $60,850.

We talked about the RCI bonus weeks we were getting. We talked about the cost of $169 or $189 a week. Nothing was said about having to pay maintenance fees first.

We were told we were getting a $80,000 annuity. We then found later it was an "anticipated" annuity.

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golfchic
, US
Apr 16, 2019 4:34 pm EDT

I have had my contract since 2009 and have used 1 out of 12 weeks purchased. The maintenance fee has increased from $503 to $1100 in 2019, yet i see nothing in my contract that indicates they can do that for existing contracts. In order to carryover unused weeks thru Velas i have paid $169 per week. I have done this for three weeks now. This year i am donating all my weeks to my Pastor and found out he is required to attend the sales presentation. For two years now i have not received an initial invoice on time to pay my maintenance fee in january when we have the option to pay $50 and waive the maintenance fee to pass on our week, but instead a late notice was received the following month.
My question, what happens if you do not attend the sales meeting when you book a week? Secondly, it appears the $50 fee going forward to pass on your week may be cheaper than an attorney fee. What would be an estimated fee to waive future year?

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James nuzzo
, US
Jan 23, 2017 10:44 am EST

Was told I had 25 weeks that could be used anytime in any amt of weeks in any year. Now it is one week every two years...if I book as an online st time customer the charges work out the same, apples for apples, I was lied to and it cost me 10, 000.00 and 800 $ maintenance fees..Im furious and know I was duped.

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Stacy Scammed
, US
Nov 05, 2016 7:01 pm EDT

I have the same story as all of you. I was also scammed into purchasing a week at Velas Vallarta in 2001 with the promise of them taking my existing timeshare I had off my hands and Vacation Networks would rent my unit out and pay me $1, 750 for the years I would not use my timeshare so I would never have to pay maintenance fees and I would make money on the deal. As soon as I got home and found out their promises were not true I wrote and called Jonny Noe and asked for my money back and cancel the deal. He said all he would do is give me my other timeshare back. I stopped paying the maintenance fee last year when they just got way too expensive over $1000 and I was starting to lose my weeks in RCI since I was not going on vacation much anymore. I wrote Velas Vallarta and informed them I will no longer be paying for the maintenance fee and to rent or sell my remaining years like they promised. I found out this year they sent me to a collection agency. I had my attorney send Meridian Financial Services collection agency a letter asking them for proof and to purge the account from their records and remove all derogatory information they have reported in my name. Failing to comply and violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act will result in legal action against them I just found out they reported it on my credit report with Experian and it has affected my Home Equity line of credit where my bank just canceled my account. I will contact my attorney and find out how to get a class action law suite against them.

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Russ Linda Coddington Campo
, US
Dec 14, 2016 8:49 am EST

Stacy, we are interested in being involved in your class action lawsuit against Velas Vallarta. We had similar circumstances with Ken Waller and Johnny Noe since 2005. We have also been turned over to Meridian Financial Services and have been receiving calls from them for several months. If they keep calling, we would like to add them to the lawsuit too. Please contact us at Lrusscampo@triad.rr.com. Look forward to hearing from you, Russ and Linda Campo - North Carolina

Lee 250
Lee 250
, US
Mar 15, 2016 9:48 pm EDT

I can tell you what happens! I made the unfortunate decision to purchase a week at Velas Vallarta in or about 1993 or 1994. I paid off the original $10, 000 within 6 months and then paid maintenance fees for about 17 years (almost the entire length of the contract). I too was sold an annuity that was supposed to pay me back my original investment after 20 years which of course I can't track ...yes too good to be true, I know. I stopped paying the maintenance fees because they became too expensive and I couldn't afford to go on vacations anyway. A few years went by and I thought that it was over but then I found out through Credit Karma that Velas Vallarta sold my account to a collections agency. I would love to "get" these guys because I too was promised a bunch of stuff that never materialized and also told a pack of lies and now they are trying to screw up my credit too!

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Nancy Slabine
, US
Dec 16, 2015 1:29 pm EST

I am another duped victim of Johnny Noe and the Velas Vallarta scam. Unfortunately, I was duped twice. I bought my timeshare in 2002 after a lovely visit to the resort. I already had 3 time share weeks and no interest in another. But, after a high-pressure sales pitch in which Johnny offered to buy back two of my other time shares for a very good price and to help me use my time shares more effectively (through HSI rather than RCI), I fell for the pitch. Of course, I never got anything for my existing time shares. Then to add to the problem, Johnny threw in another week for just $3000, which sounded like a really good deal at the time. Especially since he promised me about $1800 a week in rental fees per year on each unit. Little did I know that the maintenance fees would climb to more than $1000 per year--$2, 000 for both units. And, they've never been rented. I am more than happy to join a class action suit with other victims. If I can't get any money back on my investment, I'd like to at least stop the annual bleeding. Does anyone know what happens if one fails to pay maintenance fees?

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love for travel ruined
, CA
Apr 28, 2015 10:55 am EDT
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My husband and I went to Puerto Vallarta to another time share that we had. We were approaced to go to a presentation. We said yes, but then the next day, decided that we didnt want to go. The guy, called our room and made us feel guilty for not going, so we went. Biggest mistake! We got suckered into another time share on the basis that the seller would help us sell our current time share. Never heard from the guy again. I emailed him letting him know that he promised to help us sell the other timeshare and he never contacted us! So we were stuck with 2 timeshares! What a nightmare! Would like to join a class action lawsuit.

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ARV Holdco
Vancouver, CA
Feb 11, 2015 1:43 pm EST
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Sorry you are going through this. Must be very stressful.
Sounds like it could be a breach of contract - I recall on ours that there was a clause about appropriate maintenance fee increases. You should check to see on your contract if there was a clause stating the $177 was for a limited time then would increase to the $800. This is US dollars too and with the Canadian dollar being so low, this is a real significant increase.
How are you paying for the maintenance fee? If it's by credit card, you could show the credit card company the contract and dispute the charge if they violated the terms.
I'm no lawyer but had success with the credit company reversing a charge that violated the terms of the contract.

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Susan Bliley
Toronto, CA
Feb 07, 2015 7:00 pm EST
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Please count me in in the class action suit. The Velas is threatening to ruin my credit with a collection agency in Canada. I am retired and on a very limited income. I cannot use the weeks. The maintenance fee went from 177 to 800 and I was promised that the fee would never increase more than the Mexican Peso. It is a scam at every single level including the agencies they recommend for reselling and renting your unit. I could go on and on about the lies and devious sales practices. If there is anything I can do please advise.

Susan

eugeniia
eugeniia
Dallas, US
Nov 19, 2014 1:44 pm EST
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Many clients have received calls from Sierra about a year after their purchase stating that they have a buyer for their Velas Vallarta property. They are told that they just need to pay for the title search and taxes into an escrow account and then they money from the buyer will be released to the seller. The seller wires the money to the escrow company, and then never hears from them again. http://www.timesharescam.com/

eugeniia
eugeniia
Dallas, US
Oct 29, 2014 3:55 pm EDT
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Claim to sell fractional ownerships instead of timeshares, but in reality they are not deeded properties, just contracts for timeshare weeks.
Salesperson claims that all travel expenses would be a tax write off against the property ownership because it is a fractional ownership.
Salesperson claims that Sierra will rent out their timeshare weeks for a profit. Sierra charges a listing fee, but then never rents the weeks, and they stop answering the phone.
Many clients have received calls from Sierra about a year after their purchase stating that they have a buyer for their Velas Vallarta property. They are told that they just need to pay for the title search and taxes into an escrow account and then they money from the buyer will be released to the seller. The seller wires the money to the escrow company, and then never hears from them again.
Offer an annuity program where clients are promised to get their full investment back after 25 years if they pay an extra 5-7% of the purchase price to Lloydshare, the third party company that organizes the annuity. http://www.timesharescam.com/

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Velas Resorts Fradulaent investment

I purchased what i thought was an investment property in velas vallarta puerto vallarta, mexico last year. The pitch was sold for investment and they knew it from the start of the sale. Everything promised has not come true. I turned the situation into profeco in mexico in january of this year explaining the situation that i was ripped off and i have not made any money from the investment and when i spoke to the salesman he informed me that he did the pitch he was suppose to according to the managment of the resort and profeco states that if it is all in writing they will take action but these people do not put everything in writing when they are selling it and many of the things promised were not true as i found out later and i spent almost $60,000 for a delux villa suite or 3 bedroom unit which was to generate x dollars of income over the life of the program and this is totally been a lie and they want close to $1100 a year fees for maintenance which was ok when the return on investment would be well above that according to them. I wrote a letter to the resort mr. Johnny noe who is in charge and a man named ramon who was the manager and i believe still is. I have requested cancellation because of fradulent material and lies and i have not heard anything as to what the results were by the resort or profeco in mexico city. I need to have action against this resort before time elapses much monger and no one is doing anything. When the property was purchased it was investment only as i stated to the salesman allan. I would like this put out on timeshare scams websites so other people are not sucked in to these traps particularly this resort which is known in the area of puerto vallarta as ripping consumers off. Any help in getting this out there would be appreciated and if you have any avenues for me i would appreciate it very much.

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Lynn Knudson
,
Dec 19, 2006 5:23 pm EST

Looking for anyone who has gotten there money back when they canceled after the 5 day graced period. Also anyone who was told that there current timeshare that they owned was being "traded in" or purchased. Any one who knows Ken Waller or heard of resales and rentals.

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