| Occidental Allegro Vacation |
| Occidental Allegro Vacation Club blantently dishonest and hostile scam artists Ft. Lauderdale, Florida |
| 7th of Nov, 2010 by User416638 |
| We had the misfortune of getting sucked into a "90 minute" presentation for the Allegro Vacation Club while in Playa del Carmen. We had purchased discounted tickets for Xcaret and this was a part of the deal. After breakfast and the tour of the very nice resort the salesman, sat us down and went over multiple plans which while interesting, since my wife and I like to travel, we not financially feasible. They had our licenses and credit cards and we could not leave and the salesman and his wife, the sales manager, kept presenting different plans over 2+ hours. Finally there was one, a 3 year "test drive" that actually sounded good as it contained aspects that worked for us, so we agreed after confirming multiple times that the aspects of the plan we needed were in it (primarily 24 hour booking since we fly stand-by). After we received the materials we learned we had been the victim of a bait and switch and what we had been given was unfeasible for us. We had to book 14 days out and pay up to 48 hours out with no refund for cancellations! We returned 2 days later to cancel and get a refund. The salesman refused and kept saying that what he told us trumped the contract and language of the certificates! He then started swearing at us and threatening us. We were then ushered into an office and the woman posing as an attorney pretended to be powerless. She then summoned the sales manager who denied ever meeting with us the previous day and saying we were lying about what her husband had told us! We offered to forfeit our deposit to get out and were told we were stuck and had no legal rights because the company was headquartered in the Dominican Republic (it isn't)....unless we agreed to a 50 year contract. We had to leave due too our flight departing before we could get anything resolved. Upon return to the US we learned that Mexican law does not perfect contracts of this sort for 5 days, giving people like us the opportunity to cancel without penalty! The company is counting on people not knowing their rights and then being stuck. My wife and I sent numerous emails to addresses we found, sent requests to cancel through the website and called the membership service number - nobody answered! We have filed complaints with the BBB and the Mexican Consumer Protection Agency. Beware - these people are excellent salespeople who will wear you down and create an offer based on what you say during the presentation, then screw you. Also, the date on the contract was wrong, probably to prevent a challenge of the 5 day window to cancel. Fortunately we caught that and made the changes to our copy of the contract. They are dishonest, sleazy people! |
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I would like to say the first report above, just helped us out of our contract. we had a very similar experience. They would not allow us to cancel. they threatened to ruin our credit rating. They threatened to garnish wages and or put liens on our property if we did not pay.
Do not back down from these characters. Their own laws states, no matter even if you sign waivers that the contract is like not even a contract for 5 business days. Therefore, you have the right to basically remove your name as if it did not happen. AND, if you have been lied to, coerced, threatened, etc etc, File a complaint even if it is within a year. Contact the Federal Consumer Protection Agency even by email, They have the authority to check into these matters and you will surprised how quickly they will change their minds. Every person in Mexico that deals with the public has a licence, and it is up for review, i believe it is monthly. They can't legally do this work without it. USE that avenue as well. These guys are making a good living compared to vendors. They will buckle.
Thanks and i hope this helps someone. |
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Hi,
It is very unfortunate that you found the plan unfeasible. The test drive membership actually has a pretty good value since it allows you to enjoy absolutely all the benefits of the club at significantly smaller price. Remember, you are not buying a room but an access to a better style of vacationing and personalized service.
Having said this, we would like to apology for the attitude of the salesman who attended you, that kind of action is absolutely unacceptable and not tolerated in the club. It is also the main reason why none of the persons you identified, are no longer in the company.
Finally, I would like to clarify certain facts you've mixed up in your review:
In accordance with the contract rules, bookings should be well in advance. We have a pretty wide booking window for our members (up to a year in advance) because we handle our own room inventory which is independent from the hotel as well as certain service facilities. Operational wise, things need to be setup properly and well programmed so our requirements are a bit different. As far as planning, most people plan their vacations at least 2 or 3 months ahead. 14 days before traveling you should know if the trip is on. We advise all members not to take risks. Though, regular and lifetime members have more flexibility on this as they are fully committed with the club but a test drive member should be more careful. If it eventually happens it's unfair to blame it on the club.
Second, since this is a test drive membership, payments at arrival are not allowed so you need make the payment as to secure your stay. We protect ourselves against no-shows as I explained above, there are costs associated with operation and setting up your stay even though you cannot see them.
Our headquarters are located in the Dominican Republic, where we currently have our Customer Service department, direct telephone lines (also toll free) in more than 15 counties supporting 6 languages, 8 hours a day (9AM-6PM ET).
We are terribly sorry that things didn't work with you, and we would love if ever get a chance to make it up. We always take care of our people. Their feedback is a challenge and the main reason behind our improvement. Our goal is to become better every day, as a company the club always stands up. That's what we believe in and what we stand for.
If by any chance you read this and would like to share with us you complete story, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected].
Kind Regards,
Steffi Dipp
Marketing Officer
Occidental Vacation Club |
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Hi,
It is very unfortunate that you found the plan unfeasible. The test drive membership actually has a pretty good value since it allows you to enjoy absolutely all the benefits of the club at significantly smaller price. Remember, you are not buying a room but an access to a better style of vacationing and personalized service.
Having said this, we would like to apology for the attitude of the salesman who attended you, that kind of action is absolutely unacceptable and not tolerated in the club. It is also the main reason why none of the persons you identified, are no longer in the company.
Finally, I would like to clarify certain facts you've mixed up in your review:
In accordance with the contract rules, bookings should be well in advance. We have a pretty wide booking window for our members (up to a year in advance) because we handle our own room inventory which is independent from the hotel as well as certain service facilities. Operational wise, things need to be setup properly and well programmed so our requirements are a bit different. As far as planning, most people plan their vacations at least 2 or 3 months ahead. 14 days before traveling you should know if the trip is on. We advise all members not to take risks. Though, regular and lifetime members have more flexibility on this as they are fully committed with the club but a test drive member should be more careful. If it eventually happens it's unfair to blame it on the club.
Second, since this is a test drive membership, payments at arrival are not allowed so you need make the payment as to secure your stay. We protect ourselves against no-shows as I explained above, there are costs associated with operation and setting up your stay even though you cannot see them.
Our headquarters are located in the Dominican Republic, where we currently have our Customer Service department, direct telephone lines (also toll free) in more than 15 counties supporting 6 languages, 8 hours a day (9AM-6PM ET).
We are terribly sorry that things didn't work with you, and we would love if ever get a chance to make it up. We always take care of our people. Their feedback is a challenge and the main reason behind our improvement. Our goal is to become better every day, as a company the club always stands up. That's what we believe in and what we stand for.
If by any chance you read this and would like to share with us you complete story, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected].
Kind Regards,
Steffi Dipp
Marketing Officer
Occidental Vacation Club |
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It seems like this is a very common problem in Mexico. My wife & i bought into a Royal Elite Timeshare in Playa del Carmen. We stayed in sandos caracol resort & signed contract for royal elite. we've found out in the last few months that availiablity of resorts that we require are very limited (sales person shown us extensive range of hotels). flight deals are no better than booking myself. we enquired to stay lanzarote sandos dec 2012 the ai rate is in total $1900 for the week. i feel that this is going to be costly in the long run, not the ideal deal that was sold to us. This is a forum with more complaints about this company:
http://www.timesharescam.com/timeshare-complaints-resorts-black-list/6-royal-elite-sandos-timeshare-complaints/
I'm in the process of calling the BBB and PROFECO and seeing what they can do. Possibly the attorney General also!! |
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