Whether you call it FRAUD, SCAM, LIES, DECEIVING, BAD COMPANY, HOAD or just bad luck, I would suggest everyone think twice about purchasing anything that this company has involvement with. Baia De Fiori, Property WordWide, ItalyRediscovered are all terms involved in this situation. I was interested in buying property in Italy and found information on the internet. I was contacted by one of their representatives. They explained the process and invited me to a free guided tour/viewing of the property and similar property completed by develper. First you have to pay the "Refundable Reservation Fee". I paid the reservation fee and went to the viewing of the property. i signed the contract and had 18 days from that day to cancel the contract and get back my reservation fee. I was promised a version of the contact signed by the developer and a "Bank Loan Guarantee" within a week of me signing the contact. A week passed and they didn't have either (1st lie), then i called and they said they were meeting him in a few days and would get both documents (never happened, 2nd lie).
This postponing/delaying of the signed contract and bank loan guarantee lasted longer than the 18 days from when I signed the contract. I continuously called and and email (which is documented) and kept getting the run around...Almost 5 months passed, they had my signature and my money and still could not produce either document. At this point I had done everything they asked of me as I was attempting to purchase the property. I started getting nervous and lost my patients and gave them a deadline to produce the documents or I would cancel the contract. The deadline passed and they still didn't have either documents so I contacted lawyer and cancelled the contract. I requested all my money back. At this point the developer had not signed the contract or produced the bank loan guarantee. The Refundable Reservation Fee (almost 5,000USD) was not suppose to be given to the developer until the contract was signed and the BANK LOAN GUARANTEE was purchased.
Italy Rediscovered "says" they won't give back the reservation fee to me because the 18 days had elapsed and anyways they already gave the money to the developer (documented). But the contract was officially cancelled 2 days prior so the money should never been given to the developer (possible 3rd lie). Had they told me in the beginning that there was a chance it would take 5 months to get the developer to sign the contract and get bank loan guarantee, i would have pulled my money within the first few days and cancelled the contact...but their representatives kept promising me the documents in a few days. I contacted several people at this company and no one had the same morals or ethics as myself. They didn't help, they refused to refund my reservation fee, they lied to me causing me to miss the deadline to get back my money (approx 5,000USD) and denied the promises made by their co-workers. I managed to get back some of the 1st deposit, but if you look at what I deposited vs. what they refunded, you will see refunded amount is about 2,700USD short. I asked but didn't an accurate explanation other than conversion fee...............
So here is the run-down of my experience with this company: I did everything they asked, paid my fees and deposits, signed my paperwork on dates requested, I made every attempt to make the purchase of the property. ITALY REDISCOVERED and the developer could not come to agreement on the bank loan guarantee because neither wanted to pay for the bank loan guarantee, they didn't hold their end of the deal and broke the promises they made, and could not get a contract signed and bank loan guarantee in almost 5 months (and they had all my money). Becuase of the problems between the developer and Italy Rediscovered, I am being put on the losing end of the deal......AND I LOST ALMOST 7,700USD (Someone may call it FRAUD, SCAM, DECEIVING, LIES, or Bad Company....but you make your own decision)
TexasTony
Houston,#2Author of original report
Tue, February 09, 2010
I would like to state that the post I placed on this website dated (FEBRUARY 2, 2010), was posted prior to my full understanding of all the matters and does not offer a true and accurate reflection of the events. I now have a better understanding of the situation, and I would like to update this comment listed as this website states they will not remove the comment upon my asking.