Grand Luxxe Experiences
My wife and I have been members of Vidanta for 20 years and love it. We started out at Puerto Vallarta in what would now be called "dinky." Our favorite is Nuevo Vallarta
We now own a Grand Luxxe Spa Tower unit, which has the distinct advantage of you can't get a unit lower than the fifth floor (there aren't any). My wife has always complained about not getting a view.
The only discouraging thing (as you all know) is the slimy excellent at what they do, sales people. I look this process as a game that I want to try to win But as someone else has already said, ask a lot of questions and reiterate back to the salesman your understanding of whatever he just said. Also on the taped "registration" process state things that you understand to be true. When you talk to the "corporate person" on the phone, they want you to answer yes or no and that's all. I also mention any important points when asked a pertinent question, as well as answering the question. For example, after the question "Have you read and understand the contract, I say 'Yes", but there are some items not clarified in the contract."
Last November (2014) we upgraded with some specific objectives in mind, made sure the salesman knew what we wanted, and signed all the papers. You have 5 days to cancel. When I got back to the room I reviewed the contract, called the sales dept. and told them we were going to cancel. The purpose of the "contract cancellation" person is to get you to not cancel. We spent several hours with her (and another "superior" she brought in). She finally lowered the price by over 20%, and added an attachment which allowed us to use our "senior" privileges with our "residential" weeks.
A few years ago Vidanta, refunded me $7,000 two years after signing a contract. I had sufficient evidence that showed some "fraud".
Earlier I read something about "butler" service. I know that with the Spa Unit (and probably some other GLs) you can set up a menu and have a chef come in (for a price) and prepare the whole thing for you.
Money is an issue for us, so I try to keep informed on all the sales tactics used, but we thoroughly enjoy the ambience, the service, the frequency of electric cart service, and the friendliness of all the staff and guests. the wooden paths, the food(we also bring a box of dry oatmeal, tuna fish, mayo and an onion with us so more than half our meals at eaten at the room with very little preparation)
If money is not an issue for you, just sit back, walk, eat, play some golf, get a marvelous massage, and enjoy one of the greatest vacations in Mexico!
Dick
