Dorgal

Tell us your stories about being scammed by mexican timeshares - just curious how many victims are out there. Anyone with experience with Grand Mayan in Playa Del Carmen or in Puerto Vallarta?

RobertSDF

Cannot tell you about Grand Mayan--hope someone else can help. I owned for many years at the Royal Resorts (Royal Mayan,Royal Islander) in Cancun for many years and these are first class ethical operations. I only sold because can no longer tolerate Cancun.

Dee3

We own at the Royal Sands of the Royal Resorts and I concur with RobertSDF (we do that alot Robert!) regarding the Royal Resorts timeshares. They are a high class, no pressure needed, quality company. We are very happy with our "purchase". No regrets. Regarding the other, someone with whom I work purchased at the Grand Mayan in the Riviera Maya, have gone back several times, and they absolutely love it. Recently they exchanged for the resort on the Pacific side of Mexico and they came back equally enthused. I agree there is potential for scams and nightmares as you say. Be informed, make thoughful not impulsive decisions. Timesharing is not for everybody.

wow

To RobertSDF: I am thinking of purchasing in Cancun or Mayan Riviera (weeks 51 & 52)...what do you mean when you say "I only sold b/c can no longer tolerate Cancun"??? Partying? What time of year were you there?
Do you think Grand Mayan(Mayan Resorts) in Mayan Riviera wld be a better choice than Royal Resorts (Royal Sands, Royal Mayan, Royal Islander, Royal Caribbean)???
Comments from anyone else??

Lyndie

Why purchase a time share?

We've done the maths and cannot see a financial or any other benefit in this type of investment.

In 1997, Cancun was on the way out as a premier beach destination. I hate to think what it is like now.

wow

Hello, Lyndie! Good question! I guess I am just tired of renting....every year we go through the same thing & sometimes I luck out & sometimes (like this year for March Break...March 12-19/05!!!) I just cannot find a 2BR condo. So, I am thinking: If I buy, all I have to do is book my week or weeks in advance....call the property & say "ok, I want weeks 51 & 52 for 2006." Done! If I decide not to use it, I will rent it out. However, one of the things I have to consider is: escalating maintenance costs for condo timeshares. Some are outrageous!

Timothy

I have owned a 2 week timeshare in the Sheraton Buganvillas in Puerto Vallarta since '96. We are most happy with it and have used it frequently for exchange as well as going there knowing we have a gold crown resort to go to each year if we choose to do so. Keeping in mind that timeshares are not good investments, I do not think you should even think of owning one unless you do travel each year. They are not easy to rent, even though they are offered as good rental properties.They do have other costs involved that many people don't consider until too late. Not only is there a maintainence fee (which does esculate in some places more than in others depending on exactly where you do purchase), but there are fees involved in joining an exchange cluRCI), and actual fees for the exchange itself (varying on whether you desire to exchange for a US location or anything out of the US.) If your sole purpose is to return to the timshare you own, your fees then would then be only the maintainence. That being said, I would recomend purchasing only a Gold Crown or 5***** in prime season ownership(red), if you are intending to ever exchange it for travel. If you do not, you will have difficulty exchanging it! Also, if you do decide to purchase, do ask if there are any repossessions available for purchase; after you get their lowest price for purchasing exactly what you want! These properties are available for those asking(they are actually repossessions from properties for which people did not meet financial responsibilities.) They usually range around 50% off and offer all the benefits as any other purchase. The more demanding you are in what you actually want; the more you will get! Good Luck!

TC

I own a month in Cozumel and have for 12 years. A one-bedroom, ocean front with full kitchen, dining, living, king bed, dressing room, bath and balcony with full maid service, restaurants, dive shop, and spa only costs me $100 per night. I've done the math, and can't come up with a better deal. We love the resort and the area.

lvitaly

I think that people get caught up in the moment when they are on vacation. I too own at Sheraton Buganvilias but would never, ever have payed for what they are asking for at the resort.I dont care how how good it sounds for a free breakfast and whatever else they may offer you, they will hold you hostage for hours trying to wear you down. It's best to say "NO" from the get go. I got a chuckle out of people in the pool talking about the timeshare they just purchased there.Impulsive decisions as far as i am concerned.I am proud to say i purchased my one bedroom ( 14 years left on the lease) for $450.00.
I just purchased a two bedroom there for $250.00 with 10 years left on the lease.My scheduled weeks are not convienient for me so i pay $59.00 for an internal trade fee.I come out less than $75.00 a day to stay at a four star Gold Crown Resort for the one bedroom and less than $90.00 for my two bedroom.I will use both this year and rent them out next year for just my maintance fees.

wow

Thanks, everybody for your comments. Anybody else??

Stewbear

Hardly a Mexican Scam. TS swindlers are World wide.

AlW70

Mexico is still considered a third world country, and they rely heavily on tourism and timeshare sales for the health of their economy, therefore, The salespeople in Mexico use high-pressured sales tactics to to ensure that their sales occur on a one-day only basis so that the client does not have time to properly research the company. They are often successful because the clients are on vacation, have let their normal guard down, and do not have time to make an informed decision. One would think that the fraudulent sales practices would inhibit the resort’s ability to sell because it would tarnish their reputation, however, most timeshare consumers do not plan in advance to buy a timeshare. By the time that most clients find out that they have been scammed, they are outside of their 5 day cancellation period, and are not sure how to approach cancelling a timeshare in a foreign country. I suggest you to read this article about timeshare ownership in Mexico:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/15...are-ownership/

cabron

Mexico is still considered a third world country,
Hardlyt, it's in a better financial position than the USA, right now, higher GNP and less debt.