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CB Travel and Vacations Review of Paradise Village
Paradise Village

Paradise Village review: Deceitful Sales Practices 4

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2:27 pm EDT
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We attended the vacation club presentation at Paradise Village Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, we brought with us our children.

Many employees commented on how wonderful the resort is for children and how Mexico in general is a very family friendly place. The first part of the presentation was an extensive tour of the resort with somebody named Ignacio, nickname “Nacho”, talked about how he maintains contact with many vacation club members and how he makes sure everything is perfect for them when they come to visit the resort. He assured us numerous times that the best part about the membership is that we would have the ability to stay at other amazing resorts, and he “did not want to see us” back at Paradise Village for at least several years.

We were then taken back to the cafeteria where we were given breakfast while the salesman, Ricardo Salcido, talked to us. After hearing the price of the membership (something like $36, 000 for 9, 600 points), we told Ricardo, the salesperson, that we could not justify the cost of the Paradise Vacation Club membership, based only on use of Paradise Village Beach Resort. Ricardo emphasized many reasons why this membership was a great value including big discounts on five star resorts and other benefits.

Ricardo then asked us, "What is your dream vacation?” We told him that we wanted to take our four children to Disneyworld in Orlando. Ricardo then brought out a book (we later found out this was the Interval International catalog) which showed hundreds, possibly thousands, of resorts where we could stay using our Paradise Vacation Club membership. He asked us again, "Where else would you like to go?" We said that we live in California and would like to spend more time skiing in Lake Tahoe in the winter and were interested in the beach resorts in Southern California for the summer. Once again, Ricardo flipped to the pages that showed numerous resorts in Tahoe and Southern California.

We asked Ricardo many questions about the exchange process. We asked if it is difficult to exchange. He said "Absolutely not! It is easy!" We asked him to explain how the exchange process works. We asked "Why these other resorts would let us stay there? Does there have to be a person from the resort where we want to go that wants to exchange? What if no one from that resort is exchanging?" He said "NO! It doesn't work like that." We asked “what incentive do the other resorts have to let us stay there?" He indicated that it was like advertising for the other resorts. He said that the resorts would let us use our points there because they are hoping that we will then buy a membership there too. This was a lengthy discussion because much of the value of this membership for us was the ability to go to other resorts with our children. We explained that in the United States it is difficult to travel with four children.

Ricardo assured us that all resorts available for exchange could accommodate our family and that we would often get MORE on an exchange because Paradise Village is so elite compared to other resorts, that our points could actually be worth more on exchange translating to a bigger unit or more benefits.

We then said that the membership was attractive to us but the price was three times what we had expected. At this point, Ricardo brought over his “manager”. An American named Brett Maddox. We talked to Brett at length, including a lot of questions about the financial soundness of the company. We explained that our family had recently suffered severe financial losses in the United States because of what was happening with the U.S. economy and stock market. Brett assured us that the company was sound and debt free. We expressed concern about purchasing a membership in a Mexican company which would leave us little recourse if we had a problem. Brett pointed out that the Vacation Club was a California company.

We were also offered a certificate which would give us a one time additional week at any exchange resort for a two bedroom unit. When we went to sign our papers, this certificate was not included. We had to ask for it. We did not receive the certificate in 15 days. I called Danielle at Paradise Vacation Club in January to ask for the certificate. I called again in February. We were waiting to receive this certificate in order to book our first vacation. Finally in early February, we received the certificate.

As soon as we received the certificate, we tried to book a vacation in Disneyworld. We were informed by Interval International that Disney no longer exchanges with Interval. I said, "Disney is in your book." I was told that Disney had cancelled their contract with Interval.

Next, we attempted to book a summer vacation in a Southern California resort, "Marriott Newport Coast Villas" because it is driving distance to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. When I contacted Interval International, I was told that there is nothing available at that resort until October. Nothing during the summer. I asked, "Are you telling me that there is no vacancy at this resort until October?" She indicated that there would be nothing available until someone from that resort put up their points for exchange. She offered to put in a request for three different weeks in June. I asked her to go ahead and do this, and I asked what the chances are that we will get one of these weeks. She said, "I really couldn't say. It could happen." I then asked her to look for any other resorts in the area; anything driving distance from Disneyland. She found that there were no resorts available on the entire coast of Southern California for the entire summer.

We now suspect that they purposely did not give us the certificate on the day we purchased the membership because if we had tried to use it immediately, we would have learned that they had lied to us about how Interval International works and would have cancelled our membership.

SUMMARY
In summary, we were duped into buying a membership that is not usable for us, this process took many hours. We started with a family breakfast, it went through lunch and into the mid-afternoon. The salespeople at Paradise Village misrepresented the benefits of the membership and now claim that they are not responsible for their own misrepresentations. Further, Paradise Vacation Club, a California corporation, claims that it is not responsible for the misrepresentations of its sales agent, Paradise Village.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

4 comments
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Lynette MP
, US
Apr 08, 2021 10:22 am EDT

I have been an owner at PVC for nearly 18 years. I LOVE Paradise Village. The STAFF alone is worth going there! The grounds are immaculately kept and the food is fantastic! As far as smell's mentioned in the original complaint, you have to in mind, some rooms have wicker furniture. Depending on the time of year, especially the hotter/summer months, the humidity will make wicker furniture sweat and smell. That is just a fact and the staff will do EVERY THING to rectify ANY problem. The resort, itself is beautiful. I agree, the sales presentations can be a bit overwhelming to anyone who has never experienced that style of sale's pitch... but, YOU COULD ALWAYS SAY NO. If you have ever bought a new or used car from a dealership, it really isn't that different. I get it, though, buyers remorse and all, but YOU should have graciously declined and finished out your vacation in peace.

To those posting their negative experiences. I am sorry your experience was unsatisfactory.
Personally, becoming a member / owner at Paradise Village has been one of the GREATEST VACATION investments I have ever made! I LOOK forward to getting away from the "Rat Race" in America and spending a week in Paradise! I LOVE spending hours on the CLEAN, white beaches, drinking Pina Colada's and eating the BEST sushi on the Planet, in one of the MOST beautiful and secured resorts MEXICO! The list of amenities and activities available, through out the year, is far too long to post here, but truly, Paradise Village IS an amazing Resort. I am ABSOLUTELY satisfied with my investment and look forward to each moment of pure enjoyment, yet to come!

I pray you all have amazing experiences in your futures!

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Steve1998
, US
Nov 04, 2017 9:33 am EDT

In late October 2017 we also went to a timeshare presentation at Paradise Village. Everything the customer above stated which occurred in 2009 is still accurate. Timeshare presentation goes From 9:15 AM to after 1 PM. Lots of representations are made but little details are given in writing. We declined the timeshare option because of cost and concerns about lack of availability. One week for a two bedroom two bath at Paradise Village cost over $50, 000 for 12480 points. Very pricey

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RcYa
, US
May 22, 2017 9:16 pm EDT

We were scammed by Paradise Village too! I HIGHLY WARN anyone who is considering signing any contract with them! The fact that they can lie to your face and not care that you are being completely duped is dispicable, DO NOT TRUST THIS HEARTLESS COMPANY!
My parents were tricked into buying something called Advantage Program, they are now paying 100 dollars a month for the next 5 years for NOTHING! We've tried calling and using the so called services but they are a scam! If we stop paying Paradise Village will take away my parents timeshare (that they've already finished paying for) no one has been able to give me answers, we just get the run around when we call. Money down the drain! My parents are having financial hardship and they have no option to cancel this scam of a program.. Please be warned, stay FAR AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!

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pvc
, MX
Aug 20, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

There was no misrepresentation of our product or its benefits and usage, all of which were extensively discussed and understood at the time of purchase.

One of the complaints was concerning the usage of the Interval International exchange program. During the signing process of the membership the client initialled that they understood that all promotions thru the exchange company are subject to the guidelines set forth by the Interval International and subject to their rules and regulations. In reviewing this clients membership records with the Paradise Vacation Club, we find that the Club was able to locate three vacation options through Interval International on the clients behalf which included July 6-13, 2009 at Marriott Grand Vista in Orlando, Florida, October 18-25, 2009 at Marriott Newport Coast, California or November 14-21, 2009 at Ridge Tahoe. When the reservation office spoke with them, they stated that Interval International had offered them travel options as well.

Paradise Vacation Club stands ready to assist all members with their vacation club membership benefits available to them as a member of Paradise Vacation Club