Vidanta Sales Trap - HELP!

[Chromie]

Hi everyone,

I fell into a high-pressure sales presentation yesterday and nearly signed up to become a Vidanta member - something I’ve since realised I didn’t really want.

When they wouldn’t let me take the contract away to read and told me I had five days to cancel if I didn’t like it, alarm bells started ringing. Things quickly turned sharky: what began as a $90k “opportunity” somehow dropped to $5k by the time I was trying to get out of the room.

While I was still reading the contract, someone came over with a card machine and asked for a deposit - nearly $10k. Stupidly, I paid it in the moment, still in the mindset that I was going ahead.

I went back today and told them I wasn’t interested. I hadn’t signed anything binding, there was no verification, and I wanted my deposit back. While they didn’t resist the request, the process was super shady. I was passed between five different people before someone disappeared into a back room and returned with a refund receipt.

What concerns me is:

• I wasn’t asked to insert my card or enter my PIN for the refund - is that normal?
• The card digits on the purchase and refund receipts don’t match in length [see here].
• When I asked for the name or email of someone who processed the refund, the sales rep lost their temper and brushed me off, telling me to “just speak to your bank.”
• I’ve been told varying timelines for the refund by different people: 2–3 days, 4–5, and even 15.

All of this feels incredibly sketchy. I just want my deposit back.

From what I can tell, I didn’t sign a formal agreement to become a member, and the only document I did sign appears to be a preliminary one allowing them to show me an offer - it mentions nothing about a deposit or terms around payment.

I plan to email their customer service for what it's worth and copy my lawyer.

I am currently at Vidanta for another 4 days.

@Passepartout you seem wise, what do you make of this scenario?

Thanks in advance.

 

[DRIless]

Hi everyone,

I fell into a high-pressure sales presentation yesterday and nearly signed up to become a Vidanta member - something I’ve since realised I didn’t really want.

When they wouldn’t let me take the contract away to read and told me I had five days to cancel if I didn’t like it, alarm bells started ringing. Things quickly turned sharky: what began as a $90k “opportunity” somehow dropped to $5k by the time I was trying to get out of the room.

While I was still reading the contract, someone came over with a card machine and asked for a deposit - nearly $10k. Stupidly, I paid it in the moment, still in the mindset that I was going ahead.

I went back today and told them I wasn’t interested. I hadn’t signed anything binding, there was no verification, and I wanted my deposit back. While they didn’t resist the request, the process was super shady. I was passed between five different people before someone disappeared into a back room and returned with a refund receipt.

What concerns me is:

• I wasn’t asked to insert my card or enter my PIN for the refund - is that normal?
• The card digits on the purchase and refund receipts don’t match in length [see here].
• When I asked for the name or email of someone who processed the refund, the sales rep lost their temper and brushed me off, telling me to “just speak to your bank.”
• I’ve been told varying timelines for the refund by different people: 2–3 days, 4–5, and even 15.

All of this feels incredibly sketchy. I just want my deposit back.

From what I can tell, I didn’t sign a formal agreement to become a member, and the only document I did sign appears to be a preliminary one allowing them to show me an offer - it mentions nothing about a deposit or terms around payment.

I plan to email their customer service for what it's worth and copy my lawyer.

I am currently at Vidanta for another 4 days.

@Passepartout you seem wise, what do you make of this scenario?

Thanks in advance.

Just a little light reading

My VIDANTA Nuevo Vallarta presentation story

Thursday arrival, the only plane at Immigration and Customs, had my COVID form pre-printed and filled out so jumped passed most everyone as thsese weren't available until you entered the hall for Immigration. OK, so I've muscled my way through the 'shark tank' after immigration and customs at...

tugbbs.com

I think when they said talk to your bank, they meant talk to your credit card company as you protest the charge that they have not refunded.

 

[TUGBrian]

wow, how did they manage a 10k deposit on a 5k purchase?

 

[WorldT]

Yes, this is really a strange one isn't it?
I will proceed carefully here. If you didn't sign anything, then there should be no charge and your money should be refunded. If not, you can claim fraud and the will have to prove you bought something.
If you signed an agreement to buy, then your cancellation window is 5 days.

 

[easyrider]

Hi everyone,

I fell into a high-pressure sales presentation yesterday and nearly signed up to become a Vidanta member - something I’ve since realised I didn’t really want.

When they wouldn’t let me take the contract away to read and told me I had five days to cancel if I didn’t like it, alarm bells started ringing. Things quickly turned sharky: what began as a $90k “opportunity” somehow dropped to $5k by the time I was trying to get out of the room.

While I was still reading the contract, someone came over with a card machine and asked for a deposit - nearly $10k. Stupidly, I paid it in the moment, still in the mindset that I was going ahead.

I went back today and told them I wasn’t interested. I hadn’t signed anything binding, there was no verification, and I wanted my deposit back. While they didn’t resist the request, the process was super shady. I was passed between five different people before someone disappeared into a back room and returned with a refund receipt.

What concerns me is:

• I wasn’t asked to insert my card or enter my PIN for the refund - is that normal?
• The card digits on the purchase and refund receipts don’t match in length [see here].
• When I asked for the name or email of someone who processed the refund, the sales rep lost their temper and brushed me off, telling me to “just speak to your bank.”
• I’ve been told varying timelines for the refund by different people: 2–3 days, 4–5, and even 15.

All of this feels incredibly sketchy. I just want my deposit back.

From what I can tell, I didn’t sign a formal agreement to become a member, and the only document I did sign appears to be a preliminary one allowing them to show me an offer - it mentions nothing about a deposit or terms around payment.

I plan to email their customer service for what it's worth and copy my lawyer.

I am currently at Vidanta for another 4 days.

@Passepartout you seem wise, what do you make of this scenario?

Thanks in advance.

The credit card charge was only pending so it is easy for the vendor to issue a refund. It's easier to refund a pending charge than a completed transaction. You should be able to see the charge history on your online account.

If I were you, I would look at the account online to see what is happening. If the charge wasn't dropped you might want to call the credit card company.

Bill

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

Hi @Chromie ,
Write a standard rescission letter.

You can email it .Vidanta does accept rescission by email.
You could also give it to Vidanta Member Services [Not Vida Sales] in person.
An Appointment may be required for VMS .

Vidanta is a large reputable Mexican company Vida Sales runs an effective sales organization.
Your rescission will be processed & I believe @easyrider is correct about the credit card charge.

 

[WorldT]

Hi @Chromie ,
Write a standard rescission letter.

You can email it .Vidanta does accept rescission by email.
You could also give it to Vidanta Member Services [Not Vida Sales] in person.
An Appointment may be required for VMS .

Vidanta is a large reputable Mexican company Vida Sales runs an effective sales organization.
Your rescission will be processed & I believe @easyrider is correct about the credit card charge.

In order to write a rescission letter, you need a contract number or a purchase. The OP says there was no purchase and no contract.
If there was, Vidanta usually honors rescissions sent correctly and in a timely manner.

 

[Chromie]

Thanks for the swift replies.

@TUGBrian - the deposit was based on a $50k membership, after I reversed out, the smaller package, desperate offers came out, including first class flight and cruise redemption, that were obviously not going to be what they seemed.

Thanks @WorldT, @DRIless & @T-Dot-Traveller for the comments.

@easyrider - the deposit transaction has gone through. There's three scenarios in my mind;

- The refund they processed wasn't to a valid card [it had 8 digits, not 16] and it fails to go through [very scammy scenario]
- The refund is real and they did it by having my credit card details saved [which I never gave them, I only put through a transaction for the deposit with my pin - so in that scenario it seems shady and unusual too]
- They refunded it [ideal scenario]

I've emailed a umber of Vidanta email addresses.

I'm speaking to my bank in the morning.

 

[easyrider]

I'm speaking to my bank in the morning.

That's a good idea.

Bill

 

[TUGBrian]

if it were me id fill out a rescission letter with all my full name and information, the date of your presentation, salespersons full name, everyone else who was present etc etc. and express your demand to cancel anything and everything you may have purchased during said presentation. Sign it, date it and deliver them to member services (and record the contact details of who you spoke to and or dropped them off with) along with copies kept for yourself proving you made it very clear you exercised your right to cancel within the time frame allowed. follow up with the same info in email to whatever email they list as a valid one to rescind a purchase so you have digital proof as well!

doing this will cover you should you have to dispute any charge with your credit card.

 

[dioxide45]

If you are still at the resort, you probably need to find the Member Services area. Usually not in an easy place to find. You want to avoid sales. As others have said, write up a cancellation letter and get it in to Member Services.

 

[Chromie]

Thanks @dioxide45 and @TUGBrian.

I've sent a cancellation email to member services.

I don't have access to a printer while here and within 5 days, do you recommend writing one up and having it printed at the concierge/reception, and then taking it in person to member services? How would you play it?

 

[dioxide45]

Your cancellation letter can be hand written.

 

[TUGBrian]

feel free to take a photo of it with your phone (will have date timestamp) and a photo of you delivering it to member services etc.

youd just want to have rock solid proof that you exercised your right to cancel within the time allowed because after you return to the states if they choose to contest the refund/cancellation you will be dealing with your credit card for a refund and being able to provide said proof to their dispute department will be much easier for you with all that proof and documentation!

 

[Passepartout]

I'm a little late to the party, but you've received good information. We are glad you found TUG in time to save a bundle. WE like Vidanta resorts, and it's a shame they have to use unscrupulous methods to sell them.

I hope you can enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Jim

 

[pittle]

Member Services is on the 2nd floor of the Grand Bliss. They do make reservations, but can give you information on the phone as to what you need to do.

 

[zentraveler]

Good advice from all about this. Their sales presentations the worst, pressured and most unpleasant we have ever been to. We will never do another one. I recommend others do the same.

 

[easyrider]

Good advice from all about this. Their sales presentations the worst, pressured and most unpleasant we have ever been to. We will never do another one. I recommend others do the same.

We usually skip presentations but since we are in the area for a month or better I get bored enough to attend. After the breakfast my wife will hang out for maybe 30 minutes and then it's just me messing around killing time. Some times the presenters will say something useful to me. Most of the time its all bs. The best bs I was told is I could buy pre-construction the newest program called the Space Luxxe which is a planned orbiting Grand Luxxe in space that is being developed in cooperation with the Mexican Space Program, lol. I have to give the guy kudos for staying in character while saying this.

Bill