Complaint Rating:

I have had trouble with an affiliated organization to the Mayan Palace known as the Great Vacations Club (GVC). This is the final step before you are out of the slimy high pressure timeshare sales presentation. It comes off as a survey to ensure you were treated right but moves to another sales pitch, one I was foolish to sign.

I signed the contract November 28, 2006. I canceled by telephone (calling the GVC Texas Customer Service office) November 30, 2006, well within the five day cancellation period allowed by Article 56 of Mexican Consumer Protection Law. I even have documentation confirming their receipt of my cancellation and refund request. However, Great Vacations Club / Mayan Palace never gave me a refund.

I am considering a lawyer in the US as well as a lawyer in Mexico to recover my $5,999 US. Although the contract states "an active membership may be canceled at any time but the membership fee is non refundable." the grounds for my lawsuit is that cancellation took place within the 5 day period allowed by law and that the membership should never have been activated.

I am also contacting Profeco, Mexico's Consumer Protection Department to get their help in making Great Vacations Club live up to the law. They are violating Consumer Protection Statutes in Mexico (Artile 56 of Consumer Protection law), Texas where their office billed my credit card (Texas Business and Commerce Code Ann. Sec 39.001) and California where I reside (California B&P 11024).

Here is where you come in...

NO ONE SHOULD EVER DO BUSINESS WITH THE GREAT VACATION CLUB, MAYAN PALACE (OR OTHER MAYAN RESORTS), OR VENTAS RIVIERA MAYA! DO NOT GO TO THEIR TIMESHARE PRESENTATIONS NO MATTER WHAT GIFTS THEY GIVE YOU. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD TO ALL FRIENDS & FAMILY THAT LIKE TO VACATION IN WARM WEATHER PLACES. TELL THEM TO STAY AWAY FROM MAYAN PALACE AND GREAT VACATIONS CLUB!!!

I will broadcast this message across many websites, and other media as I continue other means to get them to refund my money as required by law.

Dan Altenburg
San Diego, CA