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   Mexican Timeshare Alert

Despite the wide array of reputable timeshare sources in Mexico, there are a number of companies who are allegedly engaging in suspicious sales activities. According to an alert posted on The Timeshare Beat, timeshare-hopefuls should be wary of the Vacation Network, Inc and its many avatars – The Vacation Network Advertising Corporation, Global Resort Services, VNAC and etc. These identities are essentially multiple storefronts for the same sales pair – Peter Dunne and Laurie Peck. Additionally, consumers have been advised against business with eCondomania, Vincent Kahn's company.

Complaints have been filed against these companies for perpetrating a common swindle: the consumer buys a timeshare with the understanding that the money collected from renting it out will not only cover the cost of maintenance and membership fees but also provide a handsome profit. Documents guaranteeing prospective tenants are drawn up, faxed, and then mysteriously misplaced. After the thousand-plus costs are covered by the buyer the company never contacts them again; and, naturally, they find renting out the property an impossible gesture, let alone profitable.

Another common element to such shady sales is the promise of cheaper rates if the standard 5-day cancellation period is waived. Regardless of what documents the buyer signs, this 5-day waiting period is always in effect by law. According to the Web site http://www.mexicolaw.com:

There exists a five (5) day period of cancellation, during which the contract does not become perfected, for sales that are described as "at domicile, mediate or indirect". This indicates those sales that are proposed or carried out, outside the local or establishment of the provider, including the rental of chattels and the rendering of services. This also applies to the selling of timeshare rights.

This 5 day right of cancellation is not waivable (the buyer cannot give it up) and even if the buyer is convinced to sign a document to give it up (waive the right) that waiver is not valid and the buyer still have (sic) the 5 day right.

http://www.mexicolaw.com/LawInfo24.htm#Cancellation

Protect yourself against predatory sales by knowing the realities of the market, no matter how inviting the timeshare appears. One anonymous source commented on the seductive nature of the sales pitch: "All that is needed is a cellular phone and Peter Dunn on the other line in Florida, promising the Customer lots of rental income to cover costs, due to the high demand of whichever resort is currently using the service!"

If you think you have become a victim of timeshare fraud in Mexico, there are a number of helpful resources.

To file a formal complaint with Mexico's consumer protection department (Profeco) - which has a whole governmental section for lodging, timeshare and transportation complaints, you can go to http://www.profeco.gob.mx. Under the heading at the top that says "Consumidores" you will see a link that says "Atencion al Extranjero" ["Attention to Foreigner"]. Click here for relevant information.

Or contact them at the following phone numbers: (+52) 55 5211-1723 or (+52) 55 56256633, or e-mail extranjeros@profeco.gob.mx.

You can also…

File a complaint with http://www.econsumer.gov , a joint effort of 13 countries to address cross-border fraud.
Make a formal complaint to your credit card company
Make a formal complaint to your State Attorney General's office
Make a formal complaint to the State Attorney General in the USA where the timeshare company has offices.