Complaint Review: Mayan Resorts Desarrollo Marian Vallarta Grupo Mayan

My partner and I arrived at the Grand Mayan in the Riviera Maya on Feb 9th, 2008 on an RCI exchange and attended a timeshare sales presentation on the 12th. We had a wonderful two day thus far at that time, and decided to see what a timeshare cost in at the Mayan Palace. We met our sales representative, and actually enjoyed talking with him. He showed us how owning a timeshare at Mayan Palace was actually good financial vehicle for vacationing, and how through a "renting" program, the timeshare can pay for itself. I purchased. Since returning to New York, information has come to my attention that confirms that I have been lied to, misled and defrauded.

First and foremost, we were told that we would lose our money if we cancelled. This is illegal. In verabtim, the sales manager, told us that that we would "lose our deposit if we cancelled the contract. So don't cancel." He said this only after he had taken my credit and charged it for the deposit of of our timeshare. He blatantly lied to our faces. Mexican law requires fully refundable cancellation within 5 days. The sales rep will tell you that you will lose your deposit just so that you won't think to ever cancel. This is lie number 1.

Lie number 2. We were told by our sales rep that there is a rental program in place to rent out the weeks that we do not use for the dollar amout of $700 per week per unit. Specifically, it was told to us that as soon as we decide to rent our weeks out, we can call an alleged broker and expect to receive a check in the mail in as little as 60 days. They were emphatic that this is an ideal system for one to have "one week pay for the other."

In a total blatant lie, we were even told that the resort/developer does not mind paying $700 per week back to the timeshare owner because that would allow more visitors to come to the Mayan Resorts, and so, bring more members to the Mayan Resorts. Upon hearing this, it was my understanding that there is a rental program affliliated with the resort. These were lies and just pure fraud.

After 4 hours, we were then asked to initial an abridged version of the contract, and many forms. Some of which I may or may not have. Then rushed through the signing of the contract while being served alcohol. In the following days, while I had doubts, but they were quick to have answers and to be "friendly". I now know that this was all a ruse to get you past the 5 days.

We are in dispute with the down payment we put on this "purchase" in the amount of $2725. And we have contacted Profeco, the Mexican consumer group. It is my duty I feel to bring to light the scams that are going on down there. I have done extensive research and it appears Mayan Palace and Mayan resorts are some of the biggest perpetrators of timeshare fraud in Mexico. Beware of the sales presentation, they are engineered to dupe and rob you of your money. Know your rights. In Mexico, you have the right to cancel your timeshare purchase in 5 days with full refund. They will lie to you about that, just as they will lie to you about what you're getting!!!

Dave
New York, New York
U.S.A.