What did my parents buy? Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes

[Caboreno]

Picture of Contract

My parents just came back from a wedding in Cabo Mexico. While they were getting a car rental, they were promised deals on whale watching and a free breakfast. They ended up at a timeshare presentation instead. They were not staying at a resort; they were staying at an Airbnb.

The specific resort they were brought to was called Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes. The presenter said multiple times it was not a timeshare but the prices they first presented were very similar to what they know of timeshare prices. After saying no to the original $13,000 offer they were brought to a backroom where they apparently negotiated a different deal.

They only just told us about this, and I think we are past the cancellation period. I have read this multiple times, but I am not familiar with the language used but I know that timeshares are usually bad. Is a travel club different than a timeshare? My parents don't seem concerned, but they don't make much income at all, so I feel that anything added is a burden. Were they scammed?

 

[DRIless]

Picture of Contract

My parents just came back from a wedding in Cabo Mexico. While they were getting a car rental, they were promised deals on whale watching and a free breakfast. They ended up at a timeshare presentation instead. They were not staying at a resort; they were staying at an Airbnb.

The specific resort they were brought to was called Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes. The presenter said multiple times it was not a timeshare but the prices they first presented were very similar to what they know of timeshare prices. After saying no to the original $13,000 offer they were brought to a backroom where they apparently negotiated a different deal.

They only just told us about this, and I think we are past the cancellation period. I have read this multiple times, but I am not familiar with the language used but I know that timeshares are usually bad. Is a travel club different than a timeshare? My parents don't seem concerned, but they don't make much income at all, so I feel that anything added is a burden. Were they scammed?

If the sharks don't catch you at the airport with their transportation scams they get you at the car rental site, and of course if you're at a timeshare they get you there or the grocery store. "The Travel Club" looks like it give you access to wonderful Bonus weeks and a travel agency. It's not a timeshare so recession laws don't necessarily apply although they've given five days to cancel in their document. Looks like they've lost $1150 Deposit with a Balance due in two months of $1150 that doesn't even add up to the price of $2350 ! Walk away, and yes, a travel club is different than a timeshare, what ones like this provide is the leftovers of the unused timeshare week world.

 

[Patri]

Why are they not concerned?

 

[WorldT]

Your parents have two choices:
1. Walk away as already mentioned. Don't make the second payment and if they already provided a credit card information, then cancel the card and block any future charges (important to specify block all future charges on the new card).
2. Pay the balance to find out if they will be able to get the "deals" that was offered. I wouldn't count on it.

The initial payment is gone. Forget about it.

 

[easyrider]

They only just told us about this, and I think we are past the cancellation period.

They may be well past the 5 day Rescission period but if they used their credit card they might be able to get the payment back as they have 60 to 120 days depending on what credit card was used to dispute the charge. This doesn't cancel the membership but it does remove the credit card financing which in a way means you can no longer use the membership which in a roundabout way means it's canceled.

Bill

How Long Do You Have to Dispute a Credit Card Charge? - NerdWallet

If you found a mistake on your credit card bill or weren't happy with the product, you have 60 days to dispute the charge. Here's how to get your money back.

www.nerdwallet.com

 

[tananth]

Be careful with trying to cancel a Mexican timeshare contract by disputing with your credit card. A US couple who disputed over $100K in credit card charges with a Mexican timeshare company (when the timeshare company failed to honor 75 bonus weeks they were entitled to according to their contract) were arrested in Mexico recently, the next time they went on vacation there. Disputing a credit card charge that was authorized by the cardholder, is often a criminal offense in Mexico (even if the US credit card company allowed the charge back). Arrested in Mexico for timeshare purchase chargeback.

Even in USA, a credit card charge back does not relieve you of the obligation to pay (if the charge was, in fact, valid), but in USA being sued in civil court by the merchant is usually the only risk.

 

[WorldT]

They may be well past the 5 day Rescission period but if they used their credit card they might be able to get the payment back as they have 60 to 120 days depending on what credit card was used to dispute the charge. This doesn't cancel the membership but it does remove the credit card financing which in a way means you can no longer use the membership which in a roundabout way means it's canceled.

Bill

How Long Do You Have to Dispute a Credit Card Charge? - NerdWallet

If you found a mistake on your credit card bill or weren't happy with the product, you have 60 days to dispute the charge. Here's how to get your money back.

www.nerdwallet.com

I am not sure what the basis for the credit card dispute will be. Could you share any ideas?

 

[Caboreno]

Why are they not concerned?

They think they got a good deal because it's so much lower than the initial offering. They don't travel much so they don't encounter things like this often.

 

[Caboreno]

Thank you for the advice everyone! Canceling the card they used would probably be the best option but they told me that they used 2 separate cards to pay for it. (Not much money as I mentioned earlier) They don't seem to want to do that because of the history on that credit card and how much it would hurt their overall score.

After showing them the forum they decided to pay the rest of it off for now and if the company starts trying to charge them extra, they will cancel the cards.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Thank you for the advice everyone! Canceling the card they used would probably be the best option but they told me that they used 2 separate cards to pay for it. (Not much money as I mentioned earlier) They don't seem to want to do that because of the history on that credit card and how much it would hurt their overall score.

After showing them the forum they decided to pay the rest of it off for now and if the company starts trying to charge them extra, they will cancel the cards.

So put more good money after bad? That makes zero sense if they have no plans to use it. They will be charged annual maintenance fees so they would be cancelling the cards at that time. Why wait and lose more money especially if they do not have it?

Find out if they are still in rescission period - they only have a few days to cancel.

That was a very expensive breakfast and whale watch tour!

 

[DRIless]

So put more good money after bad? That makes zero sense if they have no plans to use it. They will be charged annual maintenance fees so they would be cancelling the cards at that time. Why wait and lose more money especially if they do not have it?

Find out if they are still in rescission period - they only have a few days to cancel.

If you read the document in the first post which was included by the OP and interpreted the date
(The date 05/02/2025 in Mexico is February 5, 2025. In Mexico, the date format typically follows the day/month/year structure.)
you'd know that they are past the recession of 5 days specified in their contract. There is no annual MF.
Picture of Contract
Luckily, we're not talking big money here, yes the total is not pocket change. Maybe they're flexible enough to make the year or two they pay for work for them? Maybe, but at the starting at $399/week pricing it's probably just a white label site that provides RCI Extra Vacations that they or their son may already have access to or could get access through all the many different RCI portals?

 

[CalGalTraveler]

@DRIless What date? I do not see it. Here is the original post.

My parents just came back from a wedding in Cabo Mexico. While they were getting a car rental, they were promised deals on whale watching and a free breakfast. They ended up at a timeshare presentation instead. They were not staying at a resort; they were staying at an Airbnb.

The specific resort they were brought to was called Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes. The presenter said multiple times it was not a timeshare but the prices they first presented were very similar to what they know of timeshare prices. After saying no to the original $13,000 offer they were brought to a backroom where they apparently negotiated a different deal.

They only just told us about this, and I think we are past the cancellation period. I have read this multiple times, but I am not familiar with the language used but I know that timeshares are usually bad. Is a travel club different than a timeshare? My parents don't seem concerned, but they don't make much income at all, so I feel that anything added is a burden. Were they scammed?

 

[DRIless]

@DRIless What date? I do not see it. Here is the original post.

Picture of Contract
OP provided a link that you're not seeing or showing.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Cannot open. It is not rendering on my system...

 

[DRIless]

Cannot open. It is not rendering on my system...

Good for you to know ! Maybe use another browser or adjust the one you're using so you can get all the info.

 

[PamMo]

@Caboreno, it looks like your parents bought a somewhat expensive one year “membership” to RCI, Interval, SFX, DEX, or some other exchange company. They should have other paperwork that tells them how to book a vacation using their membership. What’s the website they’d use to see what resorts are available? If you can find that out, we might be better able to inform you about what they bought. Right now, we’re all just speculating.

The paper shows they can get a heavily discounted ($399/wk) suite in Playa Grande in the next twelve months. BUT, they’ll have to go on another timeshare presentation. Large American timeshare systems offer “deals” like this to get another crack at selling an expensive contract, so it’s not all that unusual.

If they plan to take several vacations next year, and they can use it to book discounted vacations for family members, maybe they think there’s value in it. We all wear rose-colored glasses when we’re on vacation, not wanting it to end.

I think it’s wonderful that you’re looking out for your parents!

 

[WorldT]

Thank you for the advice everyone! Canceling the card they used would probably be the best option but they told me that they used 2 separate cards to pay for it. (Not much money as I mentioned earlier) They don't seem to want to do that because of the history on that credit card and how much it would hurt their overall score.

After showing them the forum they decided to pay the rest of it off for now and if the company starts trying to charge them extra, they will cancel the cards.

Not necessarily saying they should put more money into this arrangement ( I wouldn't ) but if they do decide to pay the remaining, they might want to set up an account and see what kind of deals are available and if they can be booked for family and friends.

 

[easyrider]

I am not sure what the basis for the credit card dispute will be. Could you share any ideas?

It would fall under fraud protection. Timeshare fraud is rampant in Mexico and visa knows this.

Bill

 

[easyrider]

Be careful with trying to cancel a Mexican timeshare contract by disputing with your credit card. A US couple who disputed over $100K in credit card charges with a Mexican timeshare company (when the timeshare company failed to honor 75 bonus weeks they were entitled to according to their contract) were arrested in Mexico recently, the next time they went on vacation there. Disputing a credit card charge that was authorized by the cardholder, is often a criminal offense in Mexico (even if the US credit card company allowed the charge back). Arrested in Mexico for timeshare purchase chargeback.

Even in USA, a credit card charge back does not relieve you of the obligation to pay (if the charge was, in fact, valid), but in USA being sued in civil court by the merchant is usually the only risk.

Committing fraud on a resort by not paying for items sold at that resort such as food, entertainment or the hotel bill is the same as shoplifting. You can be attested in pretty much all countries for doing this. This is considered a crime.

Disputing a right to use membership contract for misrepresentation is different because it is a civil , not criminal. It has to be decided in court. In Mexico, if the civil suit is awarded to the resort, the resort can get a judgement that is enforcable in Mexico. They can't have do anything to a person in the USA. I doubt they can do much in Mexico either as the debtor probably doesn't have anything in Mexico to garnish.

Bill

 

[WorldT]

It would fall under fraud protection. Timeshare fraud is rampant in Mexico and visa knows this.

Bill

Not trying to hijack this thread but what exactly is the fraud in this case? The OP parents can not claim they have not received what the paid for because the have not activated their account (full payment is required).
OP didn't make any claims that what they bought didn't match what the parents were told.
Simply paying more for a product compared to what others paid for it isn't exactly fraud.

 

[Caboreno]

@Caboreno, it looks like your parents bought a somewhat expensive one year “membership” to RCI, Interval, SFX, DEX, or some other exchange company. They should have other paperwork that tells them how to book a vacation using their membership. What’s the website they’d use to see what resorts are available? If you can find that out, we might be better able to inform you about what they bought. Right now, we’re all just speculating.

The paper shows they can get a heavily discounted ($399/wk) suite in Playa Grande in the next twelve months. BUT, they’ll have to go on another timeshare presentation. Large American timeshare systems offer “deals” like this to get another crack at selling an expensive contract, so it’s not all that unusual.

If they plan to take several vacations next year, and they can use it to book discounted vacations for family members, maybe they think there’s value in it. We all wear rose-colored glasses when we’re on vacation, not wanting it to end.

I think it’s wonderful that you’re looking out for your parents!

Thank you so much for this post! When I asked my parents for more information they recognized the name Interval from their original presentation! However, they did not receive any other paperwork other than the voucher for the 1 week stay.

From what they explained, they were not interested in staying in the same hotel each year but did want to travel with family. That is why we usually book Airbnbs since there are a lot of us. They were told that the $399 is the price for the studio and every tier up they will pay another $200 for the week. So a 2 bedroom would only cost $999 for the week. They realize now that they don't have that written on the contract so the company does not have to honor that. But that is reason why they thought they got a great deal. The pictures they showed of the room they toured were gorgeous so I can see why they were excited.

They do travel a lot for funerals and weddings because my mom is a very good hairdresser. She flys in early for events and does everyone's hair and that usually ends up paying for the trip for them. I think they were hoping to save some hotel costs in areas they travel to frequently like New York.

After letting them know that they mainly paid for the membership to the Interval service you mentioned we understand a lot more, thanks to everyone's help, what they bought. There is really nothing we can do at this point as far as I can see. It's sad to see so much money down the drain that they could have contributed to their retirement but overall we are much more relieved that they didn't buy something far more expensive.

Once they pay it off hopefully they see some benefits but if not, it was a pricey but not life ending mistake.

Thank you again for the help everyone. I've showed this thread to all of my family so they know not to buy anything similar.

 

[PamMo]

@Caboreno, I wouldn't expect any great benefits from this "Travel Club" they purchased. There MIGHT be some resort offerings that are good deals, but plan on a lot of effort, research, flexibility, and luck to find somewhere they/you want to go, when you want to go. It looks like they can purchase three vacations a year. If they decide to make the final payment, the best strategy will be to search early and often for a vacation, and/or take advantage of last minute deals. Good luck!

Sadly, I think this was mostly just a last ditch effort by their salesman to extract some money (his commission) from your parents.

I love a surprise happy ending, though, so please drop back in here and let us know if it works for them.

 

[easyrider]

Thank you for the advice everyone! Canceling the card they used would probably be the best option but they told me that they used 2 separate cards to pay for it. (Not much money as I mentioned earlier) They don't seem to want to do that because of the history on that credit card and how much it would hurt their overall score.

After showing them the forum they decided to pay the rest of it off for now and if the company starts trying to charge them extra, they will cancel the cards.

Dispute the charges. They sold a worthless travel club membership instead of the Solamar. That's a bait and switch type fraud.

Bill

 

[DRIless]

Dispute the charges. They sold a worthless travel club membership instead of the Solamar. That's a bait and switch type fraud.

Bill

I disagree, it's an EXIT PROGRAM, most all the time timeshare programs have something similar. It is not a bait and switch. They came in for a presentation, they didn't want the timeshare that they were presented and offered. They were subsequently offered a travel club.

 

[easyrider]

I disagree, it's an EXIT PROGRAM, most all the time timeshare programs have something similar. It is not a bait and switch. They came in for a presentation, they didn't want the timeshare that they were presented and offered. They were subsequently offered a travel club.

This is what VISA says is bait and switch fraud. In this case, the op went to a Grand Solmar presentation and didn't buy Grand Solmar and was offered a less desirable product at a lower cost because it seemed to have value similar to the original product. While many timeshare presentations in the USA do the same thing with offers of vacation memberships, Mexican timeshare presentations often include deceptions that are considered fraud in the USA. It isn't up to either of us to decide. It's up to VISA and they often charge back the down payment. The resort relies on being part of the VISA credit membership and has no choice but to abide by VISA's decision.

Bill

Visa fraud schemes, including those resembling "bait and switch" tactics, involve deceptive practices that lure customers with promises, then deliver a different, often less desirable, outcome, potentially impacting consumers and the financial ecosystem.

• 
  
• Examples of bait and switch tactics:
  • Promising a low price for a product or service, but then switching to a higher-priced alternative when the customer arrives.
    
    
  • Advertising a product with certain features, but then offering a less desirable version with those features unavailable.