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The good, the bad, and the ugly - discover what customers are saying about Royal Elite

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11:08 pm EDT
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Royal Elite scammed by Royal Elite

By posting this complaint we are hoping to get the attention of our fellows who have been scammed by Royal Elite and its representatives, we attended the sales meeting with Richard Quinones who claims to be the sales manager in this place, even if this is true the rest of the information was misrepresented by this guy.

We started to deep-dive into the contract clauses and our big surprise was that we found the following discrepancies between what was stated to versus what was in the contract:

-we did not get 4 SANDOS weeks as sold to us during the arrangement and according to what Richard Quinones assured
-we were not told we had 5 business days to cancel the contract with no penalization
-we were told we shall get an ALL INCLUSIVE deal in the quoted price but the contract does not state that and we have to pay for the same as everyone
-we were told that this purchase can be seen as an INVESTMENT, assured by Richard Quinones, in the sense we will be making profits and we will be able to sell and rent our weeks with ease through their brokers
-our experience at the front desk during our stay was painful and irritating at best, the front desk folks are unwilling to answer any questions effectively, this statement was even agreed by Richard Quinones and salesmen, they were innumerable complaints from members at the resort and the front desk personnel refused to handle issues properly because all members were complaining about getting different rooms to what they were promised and sold by the salespeople.

To finalize this is not an investment and do not buy for vacationing because you can get better deals on the web, do not fall into his lies or if you see him or receive an invitation from any person to attend the vacation program meeting (timeshare program) just refuse the invitation you receive, we would assure you that even the person who invites you to this meeting is lying.

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Brittany Smith
Hayward, US
Dec 17, 2013 12:14 pm EST

I know how you feel, and it seems like this is a common problen in Mexico. I purchased a travel program through Sandos Playacar at Royal Elite Timeshare Resort in Playa del Carmen last March and I requested to cancel within the 5 day grace period but they still have not refunded my down payment of over $9000 US dollars. I have been in touch with people there and they say they are working the process but it takes time. It has now been almost 5 months and I am losing faith they will ever pay me back. This is another forum with more complaints about this company:

http://www.timesharescam.com/timeshare-complaints-resorts-black-list/6-royal-elite-sandos-timeshare-complaints/

I believe we should do something about it, as I understand Mexican regulations forbid the offering of gifts, free vacation certificates or any other promotion strategies without informing the consumer the specific purpose of the offer. I want to complaint with PROFECO about this, and get my money back

Web Relations
Web Relations
, MX
Dec 27, 2011 10:18 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Dear Royal Elite Vacation Club Members,

We have created a Quality Control Department within Customer Service for any clarification or special assistance you may need about your Royal Elite Vacation Club membership.

We also recommend you to visit our website for information and News about your membership www.royalelite.com such as New Royal Elite Units, New Water Park and Kids Club and a Members Only Beach Club at Sandos Caracol, New Resort Sandos San Blas at Canary Islands, etc...

Please feel free to contact us:

Quality Control Department
• E-mail Address:
customerservice10@royalelite.com, customerservice11@royalelite.com, customerservice12@royalelite.com
* From Mexico: [protected]
* From Canadá/Usa: [protected]
* From everywhere: [protected] Ext. 3208, 3207, 3213

Reservations Department
* E-mail Address: reservas@royalelite.com
* From Mexico: [protected]
* From Canadá/Usa: [protected] Ext. 3203, 3204, 3205
* From everywhere: [protected] Ext. 3203, 3204, 3205

Customer Service Department
* E-mail Address: customerservice@royalelite.com
* From Mexico: [protected]
* From Canadá/Usa: [protected]
* From everywhere: [protected] Ext. 3200

Finance Department
* E-mail address: finanzas@royalelite.com
* From Mexico: [protected] Ext. 4248 / 4278
* From Canadá/Usa: [protected] Ext. 4248 / 4278
* From everywhere: [protected] Ext.3240

Sincerely,

Erick Ferrari
Customer Service Manager
Royal Elite Sandos Hotels
Tel: [protected] Ext 3200
Desde Mexico: [protected]
From USA/CAN: [protected]
customerservice1@royalelite.com
www.royalelite.com
www.sandos.com

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spudspazz
, CA
Aug 26, 2011 4:16 pm EDT

Hi,

I am going thourhg the asme bunch of lies today. I only paid a $1000 deposit because I was leary. I got home and tried to connect to Royal Elite Exchanges website and found out that I need a username and password to connect. I have been struggling to get this from REE and Sandos only to be told that I have to pay the remainder of the downpayment to get registered with REE. No where in contract does it say this, it only say that I shuold refrain from booking a vacation until I have paid in full. I have no issues with this at all however, I will not pay another cent until I can see what I paid for! I have heard that it is a nightmare to reserve with REE. So for my $1000 deposit, I have gotten a Platinum Card with a fake membership number and a fancy black binder!
I iwll fight this to the end and let you know ho wit goes from here on in.

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7:44 pm EST
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Dear Royal Elite Members, My name is Diana Davila, Customer Service Manager of Royal Elite Sandos Hotels. There are some members that purchased their memberships before Sandos Hotels took over Royal Elite in October 2009 that are using this website. I believe they may not be aware of the many improvements that we have done in the company in order to...

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1:41 pm EDT
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Royal Elite SCAMMED

They are absolute scammers! Be aware! Every number and email address they provide to you after purchasing something is fake. There is NO way to get into contact with these cowards after they completely RIP you off. Disgraceful company.

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Brad304
, US
Mar 19, 2013 12:22 pm EDT

We purchased a Royal Elite timeshare with Sandos Caracol for a studio unit. One year later when we attempted to book the unit we were sold, we were told that unit does not actually exist at that resort. We can go to the "Superior" room, or pay extra weeks to be upgraded, IF they can accomodate us at the time. They are deceitful. Beware! This is a forum with more angry royal elite timeshare owners:

http://www.timesharescam.com/timeshare-complaints-resorts-black-list/6-royal-elite-sandos-timeshare-complaints/

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Trish mogensen
Weeping Water, US
Nov 09, 2011 8:54 pm EST
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My husband & I were scammed by these crooks . We gave a down payment of $3, 600.00 but the next day had second thoughts & told them we wanted to cancel, this is within the 4 days you have to change your mind . But the sales rep. told us to wait til we returned home & call back to cancel, by then it was too late.
Angry & Frustrated

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6:37 pm EDT
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Recently on our visit to paradise in mexico, our first visit anywhere outside of canada and us, we attended a, what was supposed to be a brief 90 minutes, presentation on a royal elite membership, it turned into hours... We were convinced, or more like coerced, into making the purchase. The following day we requested some additional information that had...

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8:32 pm EDT
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Royal Elite Fake Vacation Certificate

I vacationed at the Sandos Playacar last year and attended one of the time share tours, I did not purchase but I was given a vacation certificate for a free 1 week (8 days, 7 nights) for touring the hotel. The certificate says to just call [protected] or go on line at [protected]@royalelite.com.mx but it says the page does not exist. Has this happened to anyone else? Any advise?

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james22
, AU
Sep 24, 2015 12:14 pm EDT
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The Royal Elite Vacation Club in Sandos management was recently changed in 2013 because of complaints about timeshare scams and misrepresentation based upon the fact that sales representatives didn’t have any guidelines and could embellish the product to push the sell. This led to complaints, the owners of Sandos quickly realized what was happening and restructured everything in terms of staffing and now its nothing but positive feedback from fellow members.

Check out their reviews on Facebook there are literally zero complaints about Royal Elite Vacation Club after 2013 since the change of management.

I have been a member since 2013 and have no complaints whatsover I couldn´t be happier I think that the above complaints are no longer relevant as they are referring to the old management and by extension old business practises and product.

Rick297
Rick297
Tempe, US
Mar 07, 2013 12:11 pm EST

Royal Elite is known for being one of the most fraudulent timeshare companies in Mexico: Salesperson claims that the all-inclusive fee is per couple, but in reality it is per person per night. Clients can often book the vacation cheaper online without using their timeshare, than with booking their timeshare and paying the maintenance fees and all-inclusive fees, being that said, you definitely don't wanna end up with a Royal Elite Timeshare. Here is a forum with more angry Royal Elite Timeshare owners:

http://www.timesharescam.com/timeshare-complaints-resorts-black-list/6-royal-elite-sandos-timeshare-complaints/

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PG Girl
Poplar Grove, US
Jun 29, 2010 8:19 am EDT

My husband and I bought a timeshare from Royal Elite at Sandos Playacar in 2008. The location is gorgeous and the resort does have nice accommodations, but if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. We paid $22, 000 USD for 1 Elite Week and 3 Sandos Weeks per year; they are "floating" weeks that we can use whenever we want. The initial investment does not include our annual maintenance fee of $499, nor does it include our all inclusive fees per person or transportation from the airport.

For 2 adults, with the maintenance fee, all inclusive rates, and round trip tickets, the total for our trip every year is approximately $2400 for 7 days. I guarantee if you check Expedia, Book It, Priceline, etc., you can get a better deal with alot less aggravation than having to deal with the obvious lack of customer service that is present at this resort.

The wait staff is pleasant, but the customer service representatives that are employed by Royal Elite (who are on site at Sandos) seem to be unable to effectively accommodate your requests in a timely manner. For most people, requests realistically should be fulfilled within a few hours; Royal Elite apparently feels that whenever they get around to it is good enough.

While signing our contract, we were promised top shelf liquor for our bar in our room. We arrived on Sat. 6/5, and on Wed. 6/9 (2 days before we were leaving) our request was fulfilled. This was after speaking with 4 people every day, and my husband had to stearnly explain to the Royal Elite how disappointed we were in the their apparent lack of understanding to the importance of follow through. Last year when we vacationed at Sandos, the same exact thing happened.

We were promised free round trip transportation to and from the airport to the resort; when we made our reservations last year, we were told that because the mafia runs the transportation companies Sandos would not be able to accommodate our request. We pay $120/round trip to and from the airport to the resort every year.

The reservation process is aggravating as well. It will take at least 2 weeks and 5 emails to receive a response back from anyone at Sandos regarding reservation requests. They never seem to have any trouble responding right away when I contact them to arrange to pay my maintenance fee every year. And they don't send out an invoice for the maintenance fee; it's up to you to remember, and if you don't pay it then you can't make a reservation until you do.

If you buy, make sure all your requests are IN WRITING. The sales rep who walked us around and convinced us to buy is no longer there (big shocker), and because many of the things he promised us as "part of the Royal Elite family" were not true, and we have no recourse or way of proving these things were said or promised to us.

The Royal Elite Select Club is nice - it's air conditioned, has great snacks (fresh fruit, sandwiches, sushi, etc.) and top shelf liquor - but if you book through the resort you can upgrade and are able to utilize the Select Club without being an owner. There is a private pool and private seating area for Royal Elite members as well, but these areas again are available to anyone who pays a little more.

I would not recommend purchasing any timeshare property, especially in today's competitive economy. There are fantastic deals available online that don't lock you into a vacation spot for the next 25 years.

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jeffmia
Glendale, US
Oct 24, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

i'm still waiting for a response from Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in playa del carmen mexico concernimg the fact they were facilitators for what is looking like a scam that may be buisness as usual for the hotel. I got a feeling they may never respond to me hoping i'll just fade away. Stay tuned.

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jeffmia
Glendale, US
Oct 22, 2009 11:41 pm EDT

yes it happened to us and were pissed. We were given a fake certificate

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jeffmia
Glendale, US
Oct 22, 2009 11:40 pm EDT

yes it happened to us also, and im piised!

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