My husband and I have been timeshare owners for 35 years. We have traveled throughout Europe, Australia and America, exchanging into the most wonderful resorts. In 2012 and 2013 we vacationed in Los Cabos, Mexico. Once again, we stayed at wonderful resorts. During the past 35 years, we have only had one negative timeshare-related experience and that was a timeshare presentation at The Grand Mayan!!
Our story was strikingly similar to others: The tour, the sales presentation, the abuse by a manager, the move into the next room to be soothed with “we don’t work for the developer. Would you like to make a complaint about the manager?” I didn’t. “Here. Sign this complaint form”. Then the salesman promised to pay our timeshare maintenance fees for the next 10 years if we purchased a package for $2500. Unfortunately, we believed him.
I emailed: [email protected]. Of course, nothing changed. All I feel I can do now is to contact our home resort and our exchange companies. I will do all I can to protect others from a costly Grand Mayan mistake! The comprehensive email I am will to send to my home resort, at the time of posting this report, concludes with the advice:
""If you do attend a Grand Mayan presentation:
Take your own car. You must not be reliant on transport provided by the resort or party responsible for your attendance. You need to be able to leave when you choose. Take a third adult witness to the presentation. Take comprehensive notes, during the presentation & while you continue to deal with the company, including names, dates and times, as we have done. Do not hand over any cash, or authorize use of a credit card until you have reached the end of the “presentation” and are free to leave. (Tourists feel unable to leave a Grand Mayan presentation, because they have made a part payment for activity vouchers before attending the presentation. Grand Mayan/Vida Vacation staff will hold those vouchers until they choose to release them.)
You may be offered a package with Worldwide Leisure Direct. (Although they have connections with Grand Mayan, they may be a reputable company.) Be wary of offers to help you “trade-in” your timeshare and, of course, you never need to sign anything at the time of presentation!!
Unfortunately, some sales staff do lie about what they are able to offer and about Mexican law in relation to cancelling a contract. Take copies of contracts back to your hotel and seek legal advice, if necessary, before you sign.
If you are at all uncertain about any purchase you have made, cancel your contract in writing and send by certified mail, within the time frame permitted by Mexican law. Email and fax, too, if possible.
Timeshare owners: Please contact your home resort and your exchange companies and inform them of your experience with Grand Mayan/Vida Vacations.
Grand Mayan/Vida Vacations Reviews
My husband and I have been timeshare owners for 35 years. We have traveled throughout Europe, Australia and America, exchanging into the most wonderful resorts. In 2012 and 2013 we vacationed in Los Cabos, Mexico. Once again, we stayed at wonderful resorts. During the past 35 years, we have only had one negative timeshare-related experience and that was a timeshare presentation at The Grand Mayan!!
Our story was strikingly similar to others: The tour, the sales presentation, the abuse by a manager, the move into the next room to be soothed with “we don’t work for the developer. Would you like to make a complaint about the manager?” I didn’t. “Here. Sign this complaint form”. Then the salesman promised to pay our timeshare maintenance fees for the next 10 years if we purchased a package for $2500. Unfortunately, we believed him.
I emailed: [email protected]. Of course, nothing changed. All I feel I can do now is to contact our home resort and our exchange companies. I will do all I can to protect others from a costly Grand Mayan mistake! The comprehensive email I am will to send to my home resort, at the time of posting this report, concludes with the advice:
""If you do attend a Grand Mayan presentation:
Take your own car. You must not be reliant on transport provided by the resort or party responsible for your attendance. You need to be able to leave when you choose. Take a third adult witness to the presentation. Take comprehensive notes, during the presentation & while you continue to deal with the company, including names, dates and times, as we have done. Do not hand over any cash, or authorize use of a credit card until you have reached the end of the “presentation” and are free to leave. (Tourists feel unable to leave a Grand Mayan presentation, because they have made a part payment for activity vouchers before attending the presentation. Grand Mayan/Vida Vacation staff will hold those vouchers until they choose to release them.)
You may be offered a package with Worldwide Leisure Direct. (Although they have connections with Grand Mayan, they may be a reputable company.) Be wary of offers to help you “trade-in” your timeshare and, of course, you never need to sign anything at the time of presentation!!
Unfortunately, some sales staff do lie about what they are able to offer and about Mexican law in relation to cancelling a contract. Take copies of contracts back to your hotel and seek legal advice, if necessary, before you sign.
If you are at all uncertain about any purchase you have made, cancel your contract in writing and send by certified mail, within the time frame permitted by Mexican law. Email and fax, too, if possible.
Timeshare owners: Please contact your home resort and your exchange companies and inform them of your experience with Grand Mayan/Vida Vacations.