We vacationed in Cancun Mexico in Oct 04, expecting relaxation, but were high pressured into purchasing 500 days/30 years of vacation time. (First mistake)
There was an upfront cost, and a yearly $99 fee. We put a down payment on the contract, and were offered a no interest loan for the balance, which was sold/given to Monterey Financial.
After returning home, something did not seem right, so we tried to make reservations for April '05. The gave us the run around, tried to charge us more money for rooms than is in our contract, said we could not have this or that, relented on one item and came up with another reason not to make the reservation. After many days of talking to illogical people, and paying $200 more, are reservations were made.
When we arrived at the Gran Carbi Real Hotel, we were met with another sad story, and for another $5000 we can guarantee our membership, no hassels. We declined this great offer, and on our return home we proceeded to try to make reservations for Nov '05, only to find out that there is a new assessment fee, (not in our contract) that we needed to pay.
It seems that a Board of Directors (never received notice of this BOD meeting) met in January '05 and decided to charge an assessment fee: update internet site, upgrade the travel book, buy another hotel, etc. Since this was not in our contract, we refused to pay this fee, and they refused to make our reservations.
Outcome, we wrote that they were in Breach of Contract, gave them the designated days to resolve this problem, we then exercised our right under this contract and this resulted in the canceling our contract.
We notified Monterey Financial that we will not be making any more payments since PH will not make our reservations as per our contract. For six months we were being harassed by Monterey Financial with nasty calls, yelling and name calling, and threats of ruining our credit.
Bottom line, I refuse to pay for something I do not get, would you?
I Contacted a Mexican Lawyer, and he said he gets many, many, many calls a month from people with the same problem. The Department of Tourism never returned my calls or answered my mail.
I guess this SCAM is bringing too much money into Mexico, so why cut off the hand that feeds you, and stop Premier Holiday Travel.
Jay
Odenton, Maryland
U.S.A.