The contracts usually don't even mention the Mexican law's five day cancellation policy, which is similar to the US "Cooling off period." Instead they will put in a clause to mislead Americans, saying that there is no reconsideration period. This is to delay any action so that they will believe there is no chance to get out of the contract, once they become aware of all the other misrepresentations. You are right, that there needs to be ways to tell people before. If that can't be done posting web sites that make people aware that they are not alone can alert others to act as soon as possible. Unfortunately, most of the victims Royal Holiday release when they prove they have been scammed are put under gag orders, and they are forced to take down the web sites. Squeaky Wheel has a policy that if the dispute is resolved the complaint is removed, or after a year it just expires and goes away. It would be nice if the posters would update the sites as they learn more. The user boards are great once a person is aware they need help. MSN, Yahoo, even postings on AOL user groups give the best steps to use to recover money. Once you realize that MasterCard has actually taken money back for the company even though it is in a foreign country hope comes back. PROFECO, though slow, has helped hundreds of Americans, and Canadians, as well as even Mexicans get the money back. I agree, the American government has to take action where they can and that is with the American travel agencies, and other companies making money from this, even the airlines who are transporting victims. If information warning tourists of what the presentations really are was given out, there would be less time fixing this later. Don't give up, you are not alone, the Internet is full of many people who can encourage you. Also, if you have already been through this, help others. Squeaky Wheel is only $5.00 for a year, and you can share things that will help someone. These complaint forums also are ways to let others know what to do. There will always be new members to this vacationless club.
Oops, above I had a typo, Mastercard has taken money back FROM Royal Holiday. I accidentally typed for the company. Sorry. People have gotten money back through credit card disputes. American Express seems to be the worst though.
I found something similar. I compared the rates this company had, with the other online companies, and it was such a good deal. BookIt's prices were at least half of what the others charged. Then there were BookIt agents at the resort. Their office was in the same room as the Royal Holiday office. If they aren't working together on this, then Pigs are flying.
Credit card companies have to be aware of the Royal Holiday scam. Look at all the complaints. I have seen cases in the Royal Holiday yahoo complaint group where credit card companies have taken the money back for clients, but it looks like they had to argue with them.
Look in search engines for Royal Holiday fraud, Royal Holiday Complaints, and you will find many places to get information on how to get out of this if you fell for the presentation and have a contract.
Good Luck
Thank you for the great list. The PROFECO page had an explanation of the Mexican law for five days to cancel. I liked seeing that.
Thanks.
This man works for Real Del Mar, BAJA. He has been the manager of the sales office and development for a number of years. He tells customers what they want to hear, without any regard of Mexican law. He should be charged with fraud, and for all the ways he does not follow the real estate code. Avoid doing business with Real Del Mar, Bajs, Coldwell Bank in any part of Mexico, Frisas Construction, Pedro Corona-- a TJ businessman and investor, who is also Jose's father. All of these have not followed basic procedures necessary for good business practices, resulting in many problems for their clients. There are many good people you can do business with in Baja, but these are not going to keep their word. You can NOT trust them. They hurt the reputation of Mexico, Mexican real estate, and Mexicans in general. Other Mexican business people should ostrisize them because of the harm they are doing to their ability to do business. Oh, and this is not only with Americans, they have not treated Mexicans fair either. Most of the home buyers in Real Del Mar are from Mexico, and they have been treated as badly as Americans.
We have had similar problems with Frisas construction, through Real Del Mar Baja, and Jose Luis Corona is the manager and does not follow the law. He is a liar and I now understand that he is trying to get his own business started and wants to leave Real Del Mar. His father Pedro got caught up in a bad business deal because his son is incompetent. This has led many others to suffer. Real Del Mar needs to clean up their act. I find it interesting that this is now making it to the Internet, so people who research before buying will be warned about all involved. Frisas construction had a good reputation but not doing soil compression tests before subdividing and selling lots shows they have forgotten to do the basics, so there is now something fundamentally wrong with that company. I warn others not to do business with a company that is this sloppy, and will not fix the problem and get people the houses they were promised.
Alvaro Fuentes Higuera
I know of others who have had similar problems with Real Del Mar, Jose Luis Corona, and Coldwell Bank Baja. My advice is go somewhere else to avoid a long and nasty fight. Jose Luis Corona says that in Mexico there is a saying that a bad deal is better than a good fight. Now isn't he clever. He likes to insult his victims of scams and fraud by implying you are being screwed and should be happy about it.
Please look for complaints about Frisas Construction, Real Del Mar, Jose Luis Corona, and Mexican real estate. Frisas has bragged about building cities in Mexico for over fifty years. They are using their long past reputation to dupe people into buying contracts on homes they can not deliver, then force them to negotiate for accepting inferior lotes. Their practice is hurting Baja. People are now seeing this in the news, and on the Internet and hesitating to purchase properties and timeshares in Mexico without hiring attorneys. I understand the U.S. State Department warns visitors to Mexico against buying property without taking a lot of time, research and hiring a Mexican Attorney, but that is only because companies like Frisas Grupo have not kept their word. They do bait and switch and offer inferior replacements. They have agreements with Coldwell Banker Mexico to bring them clients. Watch out for them too.
