Viva club membership

[Woodsey83]

Hi guys, unfortunately had a feeling I’d been scammed with a Viva points membership and after doing some research it looks like I may have, was told all the high pressure sales chat and if we signed up today we would get 4 weeks free vacation to take when we like and they would upgrade us to VIP and black bands for more be if it’s while we are still here, which both swayed us to signing up.
We usually vacation with the kids over Christmas and school summer holidays but after reading the small print we can’t book over Xmas, new year or Easter or gold season and the black band be if it’s are not valid in the small print due to us making our initial booking via a tour operator, so the only be if it is that we don’t have to pay in the a la carte restaurant, which we don’t anyway .

After reading more and more tonight about Wyndham I want to cancel and forget about the whole thing, they have taken a down payment on my credit card who I have spoken to and they say I need to go back and ask for a refund but given the sales tactics I can see that’s not going to be straightforward.

I literally signed up 10 hours ago and have another week here at the resort , my question is has anyone been in this situation and managed to get it cancelled, if so how did you go about it?

Thank you for any help I’m so glad I came across this site sooner rather than later

 

[lotus921v]

Hi guys, unfortunately had a feeling I’d been scammed with a Viva points membership and after doing some research it looks like I may have, was told all the high pressure sales chat and if we signed up today we would get 4 weeks free vacation to take when we like and they would upgrade us to VIP and black bands for more be if it’s while we are still here, which both swayed us to signing up.
We usually vacation with the kids over Christmas and school summer holidays but after reading the small print we can’t book over Xmas, new year or Easter or gold season and the black band be if it’s are not valid in the small print due to us making our initial booking via a tour operator, so the only be if it is that we don’t have to pay in the a la carte restaurant, which we don’t anyway .

After reading more and more tonight about Wyndham I want to cancel and forget about the whole thing, they have taken a down payment on my credit card who I have spoken to and they say I need to go back and ask for a refund but given the sales tactics I can see that’s not going to be straightforward.

I literally signed up 10 hours ago and have another week here at the resort , my question is has anyone been in this situation and managed to get it cancelled, if so how did you go about it?

Thank you for any help I’m so glad I came across this site sooner rather than later

Follow the instructions on your contract precisely to rescind. If it’s via mail, make sure you send it certified return receipt for proof.

Get out now while you can!

 

[Sandi Bo]

Hi guys, unfortunately had a feeling I’d been scammed with a Viva points membership and after doing some research it looks like I may have, was told all the high pressure sales chat and if we signed up today we would get 4 weeks free vacation to take when we like and they would upgrade us to VIP and black bands for more be if it’s while we are still here, which both swayed us to signing up.
We usually vacation with the kids over Christmas and school summer holidays but after reading the small print we can’t book over Xmas, new year or Easter or gold season and the black band be if it’s are not valid in the small print due to us making our initial booking via a tour operator, so the only be if it is that we don’t have to pay in the a la carte restaurant, which we don’t anyway .

After reading more and more tonight about Wyndham I want to cancel and forget about the whole thing, they have taken a down payment on my credit card who I have spoken to and they say I need to go back and ask for a refund but given the sales tactics I can see that’s not going to be straightforward.

I literally signed up 10 hours ago and have another week here at the resort , my question is has anyone been in this situation and managed to get it cancelled, if so how did you go about it?

Thank you for any help I’m so glad I came across this site sooner rather than later

I have never heard of Viva (but I haven't been to a presentation in several years now).

See the sticky at the top of this forum, too.

Sticky - HELP! How can I cancel/rescind my recent Wyndham timeshare purchase

How To Rescind Your Recent Wyndham Timeshare purchase This post is designed to be a quick guide on how to rescind your timeshare purchase from Wyndham. If you are not purchasing from Wyndham, or want a more in-depth guide please refer to this TUG advice article...

tugbbs.com

 

[Woodsey83]

So Iv emailed in to both the contacts I was given on the contract for membership management, had no acknowledgment so I decided to call back at the office, they say I have to wait till the boss is back in 3 days time and refused to give me any other details to email in too or the bosses email.
Also they have no cancellation policy it’s not possible they say and there is no cooling off period as we are bound to Panama law, I explained what we was sold is not what it says in the small print and again told them I want to cancel but they gave it the hard sell explaining many more options.

I’m feeling kind of stuck here, Iv contacted master card who they took the deposit with and explained it’s been miss sold but they say the money has to clear in there account before I have any options to dispute.

I guess I may have to suck it up

 

[55plus]

Cancel the credit card immediately. It may not have been processed.

 

[Woodsey83]

I

Cancel the credit card immediately. It may not have been processed.

tried this, contacted my card company and they said I can’t only dispute it once funds have cleared either way

 

[Cyrus24]

I

tried this, contacted my card company and they said I can’t only dispute it once funds have cleared either way

When and Where did you buy? I'm not familiar with Club Viva, and I may not be alone. Recission timeline varies from state to state, country to country. Also, did you find the recission information in the contract? It's important that you find that and that you follow the instructions to the letter. See the link posted above by Sandi Bo. Many of us have bought and then had regrets with Wyndham. Undoing takes a short bit of time, but, if you follow the directions in a very timely manner, you can undo the purchase. Hopefully the Viva points purchase follow a recission process similar to that with Wyndham.

 

[55plus]

From what I can is it's a travel/vacation booking sight. I was able to book the Bahamas without having to be a member of or an owner. I got all the way through it. I didn't complete the transaction. I don't see why someone should have to pay for something that appears to be free.

https://vivaresorts.com/club-viva/?gclid=CjwKCAiA-8SdBhBGEiwAWdgtcKMXj7odm1oiUQCmvBD-C2NkOIxyqTpZrpJPM0JK_IHml33V8vwxcBoCyE8QAvD_BwE

 

[paxsarah]

If anything, it looks to be affiliated with Wyndham Hotels, not Club Wyndham/T+L.

 

[Woodsey83]

When and Where did you buy? I'm not familiar with Club Viva, and I may not be alone. Recission timeline varies from state to state, country to country. Also, did you find the recission information in the contract? It's important that you find that and that you follow the instructions to the letter. See the link posted above by Sandi Bo. Many of us have bought and then had regrets with Wyndham. Undoing takes a short bit of time, but, if you follow the directions in a very timely manner, you can undo the purchase. Hopefully the Viva points purchase follow a recission process similar to that with Wyndham.

I bought it at the hotel in Dominican Republic’s, they have told me there is no cancellation policy and they are bound by Panama law, and it can not be cancelled. They even said the only way it could be cancelled is if I died, I’m from the U.K. btw


It’s a points system and you use points against your stays at hotels across the Caribbean or any RCI Hotel only paying for the all inc fee on top. They gave us 4 weeks free holiday to take which they said can be used at anytime across the year but when I read the small print that was true, apart from Xmas, new year, Easter and school summer weeks!!

 

[Cyrus24]

Sales people lie. Go back to your purchase contract. I can't imagine there not being an escape clause. But, this is not Wyndham and not in the US, so who knows. Good Luck.

 

[55plus]

CANCEL the credit. Tell them you lost it and don't need it anymore so you want it cancelled and close your account. Hopefully the charge hasn't cleared.

 

[HitchHiker71]

Here's a link to the Wyndham Viva Club member site benefits list: https://vivaresorts.club/benefits/

It's a legitimate vacation club focused on all-inclusive Wyndham vacation resorts (there aren't that many at this time - this is something Wyndham is trying to grow over time). That said, I'm sure the sales reps lie through their teeth and often set false expectations as to what you're actually buying into - just like any other timeshare or vacation club oriented sales pitches do. Since this is separate from the Club Wyndham timeshare system - as others have already said - read the contract and see what if any options are available for rescission and follow the rescission instructions to the letter.

 

[55plus]

I inquired with Club Viva about the program. This was their response:
____________________________

Good Morning

Thank you for your interest in our membership. The benefits we offer include the details below

Personalized check in and check out
Early Check in and Late check out (subject to availability)
Exclusive VIP areas for members only
Exclusive VIP Bar
VIP seating areas in all buffet restaurants
Privileged reservation access to a la carte restaurants
In Room Beach Towels
Upgraded bathroom Amenities
Exclusive Accommodations
Wi-Fi included
Mini Bar filled and replenish daily
Safety Box
Members discounts in shops, excursions, spa and car rentals on property.

Our memberships consist of a system of points starting from 5000 points per year to more than 100,000 annual points. Points cover your accommodation and the member only pay the all inclusive by hotel and seasonal with a preferential member discount rate

Our memberships are personalized. We try to adjust them as much as possible to the needs of the client for this reason they are not generic.

Memberships range start from 5000 dollars to 30000 dollars depending on the plan you make. They also range from 15 years to 30 years

If it is your interest I would like to direct you with our sales staff

Please let me know

 

[tschwa2]

I bought it at the hotel in Dominican Republic’s, they have told me there is no cancellation policy and they are bound by Panama law, and it can not be cancelled. They even said the only way it could be cancelled is if I died, I’m from the U.K. btw


It’s a points system and you use points against your stays at hotels across the Caribbean or any RCI Hotel only paying for the all inc fee on top. They gave us 4 weeks free holiday to take which they said can be used at anytime across the year but when I read the small print that was true, apart from Xmas, new year, Easter and school summer weeks!!

Not all countries have laws obligating rescission for timeshares or vacation clubs. I would still mail something (registered with proof of mailing)ASAP and likely they will tell you rescission is not possible. You can attempt to dispute the charges on your card for fraud. This would work better if you have proof because you did sign something that includes the small print about how the club works. This is one of the reasons to never sign something without reading the contract in its entirety (and walking away if they won't let you) especially in a foreign country. If neither the rescission or the dispute work then cancel your credit card after the down payment and walk away and ignore the bills they send. Your deposit will be gone and you won't get it back. Alternatively keep paying and try to learn the system and get as much out of it as you can.

 

[rys_88]

Hi guys, unfortunately had a feeling I’d been scammed with a Viva points membership and after doing some research it looks like I may have, was told all the high pressure sales chat and if we signed up today we would get 4 weeks free vacation to take when we like and they would upgrade us to VIP and black bands for more be if it’s while we are still here, which both swayed us to signing up.
We usually vacation with the kids over Christmas and school summer holidays but after reading the small print we can’t book over Xmas, new year or Easter or gold season and the black band be if it’s are not valid in the small print due to us making our initial booking via a tour operator, so the only be if it is that we don’t have to pay in the a la carte restaurant, which we don’t anyway .

After reading more and more tonight about Wyndham I want to cancel and forget about the whole thing, they have taken a down payment on my credit card who I have spoken to and they say I need to go back and ask for a refund but given the sales tactics I can see that’s not going to be straightforward.

I literally signed up 10 hours ago and have another week here at the resort , my question is has anyone been in this situation and managed to get it cancelled, if so how did you go about it?

Thank you for any help I’m so glad I came across this site sooner rather than later

Hello, were you able to cancel your membership? If so can you let me know the process! please! Currently in a similar situation with Viva Wyndham Maya.

 

[tschwa2]

Hello, were you able to cancel your membership? If so can you let me know the process! please! Currently in a similar situation with Viva Wyndham Maya.

Viva wyndham Maya (assuming this is mexico) has a rescission period. It's 5 days. The OP purchased in DR. Did you just buy? If so then you are in luck. If you are beyond 5 days then you are out of luck.

 

[rys_88]

Viva wyndham Maya (assuming this is mexico) has a rescission period. It's 5 days. The OP purchased in DR. Did you just buy? If so then you are in luck. If you are beyond 5 days then you are out of luck.

Thank you for the response. Its been a few months. Since day one I’ve been contacting them about canceling & they mentioned my account was in hold from paying & to email them my reason for canceling & that there had to be a 3 month waiting period in case I decide not to cancel…should i just not pay? Can this affect my credit? Or can i go into collections? Sorry im new with all this

 

[tschwa2]

The law doesn't say they have to orally tell you about your rescission ability or how to exercise it. It just has to be included in your contract. It is just a fact that developers will try to mislead you about rescission and get you to miss your opportunity to exercise your right in writing as is required by the law. You did not rescind in writing within 5 days so that option is not available to you. The fact that you contacted them about cancelling and were mislead does not affect the missed deadline.

So your options at this point are to pay or to default on your contract. Not paying can affect your credit but most reports are that Mexican purchases will not effect your US credit. I think they can if they have offices in the US and pursue that line but conventional practice is that they don't. Same with collections. No guarantees but in all likelihood you won't face collections or have your credit affected. You probably should expect some threatening letters and/or phone calls if you decide to default or you might not even get that.