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Have had a very similar experience and want desperately to get back over $11000.00 we have already paid into the company that we are apparently unable to go anywhere thru. HELP! Any suggestions, anybody get a resolution to this problem? Any way to get money back? We have stopped payments and have had the same response-NONE- to our many complaints and left messages-NONE! Only someone calling asking why we had not sent our payment, when I alreeady warned several people that until I had a call back to address my concerns I would not be paying another penny. Nothing!
Carrie-
The post has been removed by the request of the author.
DON'T EVER BUY A TIMESHARE FROM EL CID. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE SO, GET OUT QUICK. DO WHATEVER IT TAKES AND NEVER LOOK BACK. OUR SALESPERSON WAS FRANK FALLON AND HE TOO IS FULL OF LIES, LIES, LIES...AREN'T THEY ALL? WE DIDN'T GET MONEY BACK BUT WE HIRED AN ATTORNEY AND WERE RELINQUISHED OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE TIMESHARE AND MAINTENANCE. GET OUT! DON'T DO IT! GET OUT!@
Johnny Montalbo aka John Monte is operating with his "crew" in Puerto Vallarta MX, selling memberships in World Luxury Destinations a supposed "concierge travel service" affiliated with luxury resorts. The magnet resort they were using was Miramar Resort and Spa and now they are touting the Grand Venetian. They operate out of a restaurant called Mangos downtown. We thought we were looking at a full ownership condo but when we said we weren't interested in purchasing it they shifted to offering the WLD membership which would provide fractional access to 8 weeks at the Grand Venetian with no maintenance fee. When we still resisted they said they could sell our three timeshares to pay for the membership. Everything was guaranteed and could be cancelled at any time. bottom line...big scam. They charged our credit card with $35K and even though i discovered the scam four days later and called the credit card company, Citicard wouldn't honor the dispute and the Mexican authorities have been no help.
I am the ex girlfriend of Johnny Montalbo's son John. I met Johnny only twice but I heard all the stories from his son. Everything from how he abused and cheated on his wife to abusing his own son. But the apple didn't fall far from the tree because John abused me too. And his older sister Jessica showed signs of violent behavior herself. John even told me she tried to [censored] because her parents were divorcing. I guess Johnny cares about his clients just as much as his own family. The were so used to their luxurious life they didn't know what a job was. He still comes into the united states.
Troy was correct about Johnny, John or Juan Carlos Montalbo. Although he is incorrect about the rest of the family. The only scammers are John, Mario and Anna Saenz Montalbo. These three travel to and from Mexico to San Antonio and use the scam monies to fund their luxury lifestyle. So Buyer beware! If you run into any of these three, walk away!
I suggest we get at least 10 people with similar complaints and sue them in federal court. This is a clear example of fraud, rendering the contract void and in many cases they need to refund every dollar because I believe there are enough similarly situated complainants that we can show intent to defraud from the outset.
I suggest we flood their servvicing company with phone calls. They had the nerve to offer me a setlement of $4204, half of what I supposedly owe to get more of nothing.. The number for Resortcom International is
[protected]...blow up their lines
Agree 100 percent. DO NOT TRUST MONTALBO FAMILY. Something needs to be done to jail that whole family of Montalbo. His name is Juan Carlos Montalbo (Mexican heritage not Philippine) and he goes by many aliases like Johnny etc. He and his family have no regard for what damage they do to others. It is a fact that they did a lot of damage to families in the following US cities in Texas: Austin, San Marcos, New Braunfels, San Antonio and surrounding communities. This does not include the other states he has had similar scams in: Godsboro, North Carolina (and surrounding cities); N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (and surrounding cities); and Dover, Delaware. He has used his business associate's and family and friends' names and account numbers to cover his scams, then he leaves town and them holding the bag of responsibility. It would not be a bad idea to contact the FBI who I hear has been following him for some time. Provide them with as much information as possible. They will pick him up when her comes back to the US and probably seize his assets and pay back some of the damages.
I understand how you feel!
First, I tried to get my down payment back without success. I spent hundreds of dollars in calls to the customer service of the resort. I contacted the PROFECO, the consulate and again without success!
And then I contacted a mexico law firm, they canceled my contract and in 3 weeks they got my down payment!
Contact them: info@gonzalezgonzalezlawfirm.com
Something needs to be done to stop this ###s.
Gonzalez firm did nothing for me so nancy do not expect to get a response. You're probably lucky if you don't receive one and you will even save a few bucks. As for el cid, I am still trying to find something to do to get my money back. Maybe looking through here will help.
The salesmans name is Jhonni Mantago not Johnny Montalbo, i got stung by him and that Rui guy as well but Jhonni is a filipino looking guy not american.
i know what you are going through, contact gonzalez & gonzalez they can help you, the link is www.GonzalezGonzalezLawFirm.com, they can evaluate your case for free, they can give you some advice!
My family and I went on a cruise to Mexico last summer. After one of our excursions was cancelled, we were offered the 'free' food, use of pool, etc. for a 90 minute pitch. Having been unable to vacation as a family in a 'normal' capacity due to my disabled son (who passed away nearly 3 years before our trip...this was our first vacation without him) we were elated at the prospect of more vacations...and free! Upon arriving home and looking on the REAL internet site, we discovered this must be a scam. Stopped payments immediately.
Now, I have a $15, 000.00 collection account on my credit report from these theif liars!
Any help with getting this removed and getting our down payment back would be appreciated!
Thank you,
P.Engle
my story is just like all of yours. i just learned today that american express is standing by el cid!
HELP! i haven't had any response from gonzales gonzales law firm. thank you... anyone! nancy
I would like for us victims of El Cid, to post contact names, agencies etc. of those who were able to be of some assistance with our problems. I hope we are not out there alone to fend for ourselves against these guys! Ernesto
the e-mail address of one of them is rgoon@elcid.com.mx
We have been robbed too. there is no other expression for it. we paid 4000.-- us$ and will not pay another penny even if I have to relocate or do whatever it takes so they won't find me. after the 5 day period is up it seems there is little we can do. My credit card company would have reversed the charges if I could have shown to them that I cancelled within the 5 days. depending how much of an annoyance you can be for them some people appear to have been succesful to cancel but then they are not allowed to talk about it anymore. So I have no idea if they lost their original deposit in full or got some back. any ideas?
Also had a terrible experience with this resort a couple of weeks ago. You can find my story at [redacted]s- /URL removed/
Does anybody know how to get hold of this company through e-mail?