Villa Preferred Access [Villa Group] - how do i get out (2014)

[Miket09]

Also it's party can I afford it and it's party is it worth it. It was sold as me getting points every 2 years where if I didn't want to stay in Mexico that year I could sell it back for approx $1500. Plus I was supposed to be able to take 4 vacations a year using the II site and what was deemed the 'chairmans club' to get cheap travel.

 

[DeniseM]

Thanks all for the help so far. So for II I'm hearing different things. Is this a website you can simply join for $70 a year or do you actually have to own a timeshare?

And when you say own a timeshare, do you have to pay off the balance first?

You have to own a timeshare to be a Interval International member - not pay it off. BUT - you should never buy a timeshare on credit. On the resale market you can buy nice timeshares for 0-10% of original retail. If you can't afford to pay cash on the resale market, you should not buy a timeshare.

These timeshare listed on TUG are all free or nearly free: http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=55

Does anyone have experience with booking trips through them, do they actually save you money or are the good deals only last minute horrible timing type of deals you must be lucky to stumble upon?

I'm sure that the salespeople have misrepresented Interval to you. First and foremost, Interval is an EXCHANGE company for timeshare owners. The do have rentals, but this is mostly inventory they are trying to get rid of.

The best deals on Interval are timeshare exchanges - but exchanging is not a rookie strategy. It takes some knowledge and experience, and Mexican timeshares are poor traders.

The last minute rentals on Interval are OK, but you are not going to get high season at the top resorts as a rental on Interval. The best inventory is in the exchanges, and you need to own a good exchanger to get it.

 

[Passepartout]

Mike, II is an exchange. They DO have excess inventory that they rent within 30-45 days of move-in at very low cost. Do not expect top shelf, beach front, prime season resorts/weeks. These are first and foremost, leftovers they can't unload by exchanging, like for like, or renting well in advance at retail. You do have to own- or be making payments- on a TS to join an exchange. It doesn't need to be paid off, just current.

As to why they squeeze you to buy when you first get to a resort, and keep you off the internet, it has everything to do with that 5 day rescission period. In short, you were 'marked'.

Jim

 

[oldbuyer]

Thanks all for the help so far. So for II I'm hearing different things. Is this a website you can simply join for $70 a year or do you actually have to own a timeshare? Does anyone have experience with booking trips through them, do they actually save you money or are the good deals only last minute horrible timing type of deals you must be lucky to stumble upon?

And when you say own a timeshare, do you have to pay off the balance first?

No you don't have to have it paid in full and I'm sure you received a membership as part of your sign up package.
I've belonged to II and RCI- no you do not have to own a TS to join just to make trades. Trades are not usually a good deal unless you own a real looser that no one wants to stay at in which case you trade it everytime (paying a $179-189 fee) and book something that you want to use.
ALL RCI and II members have access to the extra vacations and last calls vacations- you just pay a fee about equal to a MF for an "extra" and about 250 for a "hot/last call" week. The issue you will have if you want to go to Cabo is your home resort blocks RCI/II from showing you available inventory at other properties in Cabo (or Mazatlan)- Nice huh?
I usually only visit Cabo and find RCI has more inventory available than II. In other markets II might be better. You can go to their websites to check out the affiliated resorts each has and inquire about membership. Keep in mind you are probably already a member of one of these from your TS purchase- check your package

 

[DeniseM]

You do have to own a timeshare to join II or RCI.

I'm not sure why you say that trading is "not a good deal"? Yes, you have to know what you are doing, and have a good trader, but you can trade into great resorts. It's just that what the OP in this thread was promised by sales, is not true, and trading is not a rookie strategy.

 

[VacationForever]

For most of my trades in II and RCI, it costs me about $700 to $800 per week which I always lockoff my weeks to get the cost down, and it includes exchange fees, and I end up with trades worth $2k or more per week, if you use maintenance fees at those resorts as a gauge for value. I am not saying you will always end up with up-trades every time, but it can be that way with careful planning and flexibility as to when you want to travel.

 

[Miket09]

Can anyone recommend a good attorney, one that isn't another scam?

 

[DeniseM]

Can anyone recommend a good attorney, one that isn't another scam?

Mike -that was bad advice. You would have to hire an attorney in Mexico and go to court in Mexico - don't do it!

 

[ilene13]

We have owned timeshares in Mexico for about 25 years. In the early years if we did not use one of our weeks or we rented out the lock off portion we were able to recoup a lot of our MF. Unfortunately MF have gone up and there is a glut of timeshares in Mexico. I rented a lock off out for $550 for this coming spring--I used to get $800. It is what it is!

 

[easyrider]

The problem with this statement, is that the sales person told them they could rent their timeshare for big bucks, to cover their maintenance fees, and that is a flat out lie. That's how Villa Group convinces people that they "can afford it."

I own a two bedroom unit with UVC and have rented it for $1,800 in the past. The mf is under $700.

If you are so sure they are Legit, then tell me how they back up their 100% success guarantee to "take your timeshare off your hands."

I would think that a business like this, an attorney that specializes in real estate and more specifically timeshares, would screen their clients.

What do they do with deeds that the resort won't take back, and have negative resale value?

It could very well be that after the screening process the attorney would either see a way to proceed or tell the client why the job is too problematic.

Why do you assume that they are taking any and all clients ? Certainly a new contract is a hard sell if there is a large amount owing on it.

The attorneys at the timeshare exit team are A- with the WA BBB. The minus is because they are not paying members of the BBB.

http://www.bbb.org/western-washingt...d-hein-and-associates-in-lynnwood-wa-22783129

These guys are also highly rated and endorsed by many radio talk celebrities including Dave Ramsey.

I do agree with you that this route could be more costly than a do it yourself approach but if it ended up costing even half the amount spent it might be worth it to some one.

Not you or me at this time of course, as we know better.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

Mike -that was bad advice. You would have to hire an attorney in Mexico and go to court in Mexico - don't do it!

So your advice is basically just suck it up because it is a Mexican developer ? Not bad advice considering that it is a great resort system.

BUT............

UVC is a large resort system that has affiliations in Las Vegas and San Diego and because of this they are not insulated from lawsuits from the USA.


Bill

 

[DeniseM]

So your advice is basically just suck it up because it is a Mexican developer ? Not bad advice considering that it is a great resort system.

Certainly not - I would never buy anything from Villa Group.

1. I would continue to hold their feet to the fire in this thread - Villa Group hates that, and as I already posted above, in the past, when people raised a stink on TUG, Villa group has sometimes cancelled their contract, to stop the bad publicity.

2. I would also contact Villa Group directly and let them know that I was raising hell on TUG, and tell them I want my contract cancelled, and I would be very persistent: [can someone please provide the correct email address]

3. I'd also make a complaint to Profeco [800-468-8722], the Mexican Consumer Agency, and I would push hard with them, because nothing will happen if you don't.

email: xtranjeros@profeco.gob.mx .

Website: http://www.profeco.gob.mx/english.htm

What I would not do, is go to another shady company, to get myself out of my shady timeshare purchase.

 

[Passepartout]

Denise, good advice about keeping shouting from the rooftops, but is Villa Group's or (UVC) blog address the same as Mayan/Vidanta's? That's what you posted.

I also agree that opening a file with PROFECO wouldn't hurt.

Jim

 

[DeniseM]

Denise, good advice about keeping shouting from the rooftops, but is Villa Group's blog address the same as Mayan/Vidanta's? That's what you posted.

I also agree that opening a file with PROFECO wouldn't hurt.

Jim

I'm not sure - I got it from another thread - let me double check that.

 

[Passepartout]

True that their sales tactics are popped from the same mold, but painting them with the same brush might confuse the OP more than he already is.

 

[Miket09]

Can someone send the villa group email and how I can contact profeco from the US? The Villa Group is giving me the run around and the sales agent is being abusive

 

[DeniseM]

Can someone send the villa group email and how I can contact profeco from the US? The Villa Group is giving me the run around and the sales agent is being abusive

Sorry about that, the link I posted didn't work - here is the phone number for Profeco: 800-468-8722

email: xtranjeros@profeco.gob.mx .

Website: http://www.profeco.gob.mx/english.htm

Just so you know, the sales person cannot, and will not help you get out of this - you actually want to stay away from him.

 

[easyrider]

UVC International
Servicing Company
www.MyUVCI.com
P.O. Box 96058
Las Vegas, NV 89193

Toll Free 1-800-852-47551-800-852-4755
Direct (619) 683-7440(619) 683-7440
Fax (619) 209-5920

ResortCom International
Developer / Sales /
Loan and Maintenance Fee Payments www.Resortcom.com

P.O. Box 96058
Las Vegas, NV 89193

Toll Free 1-800-366-22961-800-366-2296
Direct (619) 683-7440(619) 683-7440

Web site www.Resortcom.com
Email ClubMail@MyUVCI.com

_________________________________________________________

Denise, exactly how is Villa Group or the timeshare exit team "shady" ? I have attended at least a dozen UVC presentations and can honestly say that everyone I spoke with was very upfront and honest about their product.

The timeshare exit team is A- with the BBB. I sent Brandon a message to see what they actually do. Im thinking he might feel the adjectives you use to describe their business somewhat offensive.

I have also attended Marriott , Hilton and other presentations for timeshares that cost $50K to over $100K instead of a $12K - $20K buy in. These salespeople do understand their product and people do find value in them. It is not trickery that many people still buy timeshares.

My point is that Mike has bought a product that has value and his objections are more of a buyers remorse than an objection to the product. I do understand Mikes predicament and at this point would say that Mike should start learning how to use his points as I doubt he will get anywhere with this unless he can prove UVC duped him. I doubt that Mike could get his contract cancelled by just complaining on the internet or contacting profeco without proof of an impropriety. He would have to meet certain objective criteria. Subjective interpretations of what a person thinks they understand isn't considered proof of anything except ignorance, imo.

That is why there are attorneys.

Bill

 

[Miket09]

Bill - yes I'm a complete idiot for succumbing to the pressure and not fully grasping what I was getting myself into, I will admit that. But now that I look back there were countless lies and misrepresentations from our salesmen. There was no way to cancel (found out too late about tugs and the 5 day law) our 1200 points could be cashed in for $1500 if we didn't want to come to Mexico again, the promise of cheap vacations with II(which he kept calling the chairmans club) that were readily available any time of the year except holidays, the 'the contract lady will take all day if you ask questions comments'. Looking back I realize I was so stupid but While I may have made the dumbest decision of mylife I don't know how john Lindsey can even look himself in a mirror. He completely BS'd us and we fell for every single tactic in the book. I can't stop beating myself up over this. I wish I had found an Internet cafe and this site while I was in the cancelation period. Now I have burdened my family and my 2 young children due to this scam. And yes it's a scam when you don't get what you're promised. the fact that I can't even give away this timeshare if I wanted to says all I need to know about what I just purchased. And then when we call and plead to make some kind of a deal he says 'were a big corporation, Im a business man and if you don't pay the rest we will ruin you'. Actual words he told us on the phone. The villa group is scum. I pray others don't feel the same pain I'm feeling right now

 

[DeniseM]

Bill - I have explained very clearly why I believe they are offering a Viking Ship scheme. If it's not clear to you yet, then you apparently don't want to hear what I'm saying.

This is my last post to you on this subject, because at this point, you are just playing the troll by defending the tactics of the Villa Group, and defending a company that guarantees that they can get rid of all timeshares.

 

[easyrider]

Don't beat yourself up Mike. Like you, most of us have bought a timeshare from the developer and then found sites like tug. Then we learned from the experiences of the other tuggers on how to use our timeshares. For me its now an addiction.

I have never heard of the chairman's club but perhaps you actually are referring to the residence club. These are the the perks for the residence club.

http://www.myuvc.com/files/Elite Residence Club Benefits After Feb 13 2011.pdf

As you can see the perks are many. At some of the UVCI resorts there is an area reserved for your membership at the pools and restaurants. It is the best product offered in one of the nicest resort systems in Mexico. You will have the ability to travel to any of the resorts without doing an exchange and will get the better units which will be of any size that you have points for. Im guessing UVCI comped your account some points or extra vacations which can be used for vacations or for rentals.

UVCI likely comped you 3 years of membership to Interval International. This is your trading platform but since one of the UVCI resorts is affiliated with RCI you can also join RCI if you wanted to. The benefit of these exchange companies are the extra vacations that can be purchased for very little. You can learn more about these exchange companies on the forums.

You also have the ability to book developer time at UVCI to extend vacations. Your cost on this should be less than my cost as your membership is at the highest level.

Here are some of the resort links and in the Mexico forum Bob , aka beach.bar.bob, has alot of info on your point system. He is always in a penthouse.

http://www.myuvc.com/Default.aspx?p=DynamicModule&PageId=241692&ssid=89676&vnf=1

http://www.villagroupresorts.com/


Its just odd that these guys at UVCI are delibertly being rude or offensive. They have always been pretty good with our group.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

Bill - I have explained very clearly why I believe they are offering a Viking Ship scheme. If it's not clear to you yet, then you apparently don't want to hear what I'm saying.

This is my last post to you on this subject, because at this point, you are just playing the troll by defending the tactics of the Villa Group, and defending a company that guarantees that they can get rid of all timeshares.

Yes, I do understand your position very well but you offer no proof to back up your statements.

You feel that UVCI is selling their product in a deceptive manner. You really wouldn't know as you have never been to a UVCI presentation. While my thoughts on UVCI are somewhat subjective to my personal experiences with the sales team your thoughts on UVCI have been a culmination of internet complaints of sales to people with buyers remorse.

I know very little about the timeshare exit team except that one of the owners is a linked in connection that is connected to other very reputable attorneys and real estate brokers. Also that they are listed with the BBB as A-.

So this makes me a troll ? No, I don't think so.

Bill

 

[Blingo]

I consider myself an intelligent person but I made the dumbest mistake of my life in signing up for this timeshare scam. The promises of future cheap vacations as part of this "charimans club" which doesn't even seem to exist led me to signing away my hard earned money. I have since returned from vacation and have read all about this interval international and how horrible of a company it is. We were also told we would get 4 vacation weeks a year through this discounted vacation program. I'm now seeing that this interval international only lets you trade points you have earned, which we only get bi annually. I also found out too late about the 5 day cancellation policy. I've put down 3000 already on my credit card as a deposit and I owe another 9500. I've pretty much come to peace with the fact that my 3000 is gone. Is there anything I can do to make this a 3k mistake instead of a 12k mistake? if I cancel the credit card we used to sign up will the Villa Group find other ways to get the money out of me? will they bring lawsuits against me? do I have any options? please help me

I'm a recent member of the Villa Group, and can't pay my mortgage or maintenance fees any more. I'm wondering if anyone on here has gone through the ringer with Villa regarding non-payment? I have not paid in 3 months and now they are threatening me with collections and legal action. They are a Las Vegas, NV company in the US, so I would be dealing with a US company? I'm not really concerned about hits on my credit report, I'm more concerned with actual legal action, and being forced to pay balances as well as collection fees. Anyone been through this before?

They won't let me "surrender" my membership unless it is paid off in full, and I'm not able to pay $14,000 to payoff. I've been told by attorneys that they have a good chance of getting me out of my contract because of the following:
1. They served alcohol during the sales process
2. They went over the 90 Minute limit (4 Hrs) wearing me down
3. They didn't mention the $530 maintenance fees until the paperwork was shown

I know there are differences between dealing with Creditors (Villa Group) and Collections Agencies. Does anyone know at what point they turn over the account to collectors? I hear it is pretty easy to get collectors off your back once you are turned over to them.

Any suggestions on how I should proceed?
Thanks!

 

[LannyPC]

They won't let me "surrender" my membership unless it is paid off in full, and I'm not able to pay $14,000 to payoff. I've been told by attorneys that they have a good chance of getting me out of my contract because of the following:
1. They served alcohol during the sales process
2. They went over the 90 Minute limit (4 Hrs) wearing me down
3. They didn't mention the $530 maintenance fees until the paperwork was shown

This is a big no-no we usually tell people here on TUG. Do not go seeking the services of some of these attorneys or Get out of your timeshare outfits. Here is the problem with your above-mentioned situation. These attorneys might be able to get you out of your contract based on those points but you have to be able to prove them. What concrete proof do you have? It will likely come down to a matter of He said, She said. That's why there are written contracts and why what is written in these contracts usually prevails over what was said in the presentation.

There is another thread in this Mexico forum as to what could happen if you just default and not pay another penny in mortgage or MFs. While the picture is not that pretty, it's certainly better than paying another $14,000.