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- Has anyone purchased from Vallart...
Has anyone purchased from Vallart Gardens?
Hello, I just got my tm with them and everything was great, we had an amaiozng new years eve, now that I read all this I don´t know what to say...
I´m sure this is true, but they seem to be different now. I had a great time, and I can´t wait to go back.
Jerry L.
I am so happy you were satisfied with your stay in Vallarta Gardens Jerry1243. When you purchased your timeshare with them, they probably didn't promise you anything such as market your weeks or sell your old timeshare. VGs promised us many things but didnt adhere to their promise. They stole a lot of money from many of their customers. There is a very small percentage of owners that are satisfied with VGs. They ripped us off and will continue to do that. But again, I am truly happy with you experience with them. I hope they never steal from you in the future.
Lily C.
Hello everyone... I see that some people got scam and other not... And one mentions that the problem was what they promises, so did you got your weeks then??.. I got my ts with my sister and we had a great time, we had no problem, we didn´t try to rent it or anything like that, we just use it that´s it... We had a great time, can´t wait to go back this year.
Rene J.
Hello there.. Well I the same as Rene, I got my TS I didn´t try to rent it or anything, I think the problem here it may be with the rental company not with Vallarta Gardens or soemthing like that, I don´t know, I just can tell you I had an amazing time.... Can´t wait to go back this summer, I love Mexico and I love La Cruz, it´s just so beautiful, nice people, great little bars, great live music, it´s just fun 24x7...
renej12 wrote:Hello everyone... I see that some people got scam and other not... And one mentions that the problem was what they promises, so did you got your weeks then??.. I got my ts with my sister and we had a great time, we had no problem, we didn´t try to rent it or anything like that, we just use it that´s it... We had a great time, can´t wait to go back this year.
Rueben D.
We have the same problem with Puerto Bahia. Mercury or MPM has resurfaced in 2014 as Timely Travel (TT) supposedly located in South Dakota. Not true. I did not sign with this bogus company but did with Puerto Bahia and our downpayment is in dispute with the credit card which was cancelled to prevent more unauthorized charges. Phil Williams at TT lied when they said they could "liquidate" our current timeshare ownership without any involvement from us. Our salesman, J. Forney does not answer our questions about TT.
sharon131 wrote:We did not purchase at Vallarta Gardens, but we did purchase down road at Puerto Bahia. We had the very same experience with the. Our salesman was Todd Dehn and he promised that we would have a great sum of money from two properties in a Equity Exchange and that through Mercury Property Management of St. Louis we would get 8 weeks of rental for 7 years at $2600.00 per week.........NONE OF IT IS TRUE. They charged one credit card without permission. We contacted the salesman and said we wanted to cancel that very evening. We went back out to the office. They would not let us in. I called the salesman that evening at his home. He told us to meet him at the XXOX next to our hotel. We told him we wanted to cancel and had the cancellation letter in our hands. They picked us up, drove us out to Puerto Bahia..... and would not let us go into the office. Instead they took us to their sales office and gave us a "what they called" better deal. The increased our rental weeks to 10 weeks per year for 7years with no up front rental fees. All the time telling us this would pay of the payments on the 2 bedroom Esmoralda model that we purchased. They told us we would go through Mercury Property Management in St. Louis.... we sent all the proper paperwork. Was assigned an agent and was told that it would only take 60-120 days because of the large sum of money. I noticed on the letterhead (and after I googled it) that their address was a vacant lot. And they did not belong to the BBB. I called our Salesmand and our agent. They said the printer had made a mistake on the printing and BBB was too expensive to belong to. My agent was told me specifically that our transactions would be complete in 60-120 days because they were in perfect order. He also became very rude when I wanted it in writing and told me not to call that the transaction would be complete between June-August of 2013. The last week of August I called Mercury and they told me that my agent didn't work there any more, the second call they told me that he had been promoted, but on April 26, 2012 he pulled all the contracts and they were non-existent. I asked for Customer Service and was told they didn't have a telephone number only email. After several email I did receive a confirmation that the contracts were non-existent and we would receive no money. I believe that Mercury and Platinum are call centers and don't really even exist.
Ramon H.
So, I am here to report that I used one of my platinum weeks since first purchasing my timeshare at Vallarta Gardens last year. I rented a 5 bedroom villa and it was beautiful. The staff was very pleasant and quick to handle any issues. I did receive free transport to and from the airport, but there was no 24 hour chauffeur service as mentioned at purchase, and in the sales brochure. They did give us rides in the golf cart up to the main road so we could catch a bus - not as convenient, but workable. Also discovered that you can NOT walk to Bucerias along the beach, though you can get to La Cruz via the beach. They are currently converting the larger villas into 2 and 3 bedroom units, so if you purchased one of those, you can use your time with no issue. However, if like me, you purchased at pre-construction studio, you are out of luck unless you want to upgrade and buy a two bedroom or upgrade and pay the HOA fees for a two bedroom. My unit was supposed to be ready in August of 2014 - now they say sometime in 2016. So, unless I can get people to go with me and I can use the two bedroom, I will not be staying here. Timeshare people are less than helpful with these issues, other than to suggest you upgrade. I know nothing about the marketing, but you should never buy a timeshare in hopes that renting it will pay for it - that is an iffy proposition at best. You buy because you plan to use it - which is what I did. Unfortunately right now I can't use it without upgrading and paying more than I need or want to. Overall I enjoyed the vacation and was glad that I was able to use the upgrade for this particular trip.
Deborah R.
Last edited by deborahr258 on Mar 13, 2014 01:25 PM
So. let me update my previous posting. While I was at the resort, I talked to them about my options since I don't want a two bedroom and the studios are years away from being built. They told me to come back next year and execute the buy back outlined in my contract. Today I tried to get information from them as to what needed to be done, and out of the blue they come back with a copy of a worksheet out lining their buying back three of my weeks for five years and claiming that I have RENTED these in advance and so therefore am not eligble for the buy back. There is NOTHING in the contract that stipulates such a thing. I knew they would come up with some scam to get out of it. Funny that I talked to Jesus, Ian and Mary in person, and not one of them mentioned anything about this. Well, next step is the Mexican authorities and my bank. This IS indeed one big scam, unless you purchased a unit that is already built.
Deborah R.
I have copies of my contract - which very specifically states the studio unit will be available for use in August of 2014. It also specifically says you will buy back the unit in two years - guaranteed. You have not held up to either of these. And now you are threatening me with legal action because I dare to speak the truth??? I tried to have a reasonable and friendly conversation with everyone on the timeshare team when I was at the resort last week - you led me to believe that everything was fine and for me to come back and sell back to you next year. Now you are coming up with excuses as to why I don't qualify?? You couldn't have brought that up in the numerous conversations we had in person?? Just in case you are blind, I am not the only person that is upset with your resort and their selling tactics.
Deborah R.
We also were promised that our 2BR island units would be available as of August 2014. I called to book them for January 2015 and they said that they are not available yet. I inquired further and they haven;t even broke ground. They offered a 3BR unit far away from the beach at a higher maintenance fee. I just want what we were sold.
Annie H.
Swiss Alliance company, they did the same thing to me, but I said since you provided me with NOTHING I want a refund and they gave me a refund, it's only like $1200, but it's something. You should contact your credit card too, cancel it immediately and tell them you are afraid that this company will keep charging your card without authorization. You can go to Profecco but I'm not sure they can do much since it's after 5 days, and I have felt sick since last May when I was scammed too. I'm so sorry you had to go thru this, but I will NEVER purchase property again in a foreign country, and I'm sure if we all pulled together we might make these property management companies in the US get into a lot of trouble. there is a FB page that is just for Vallarta Gardens Scammed people if you want to join in. Even if it's just to vent at least there are a lot of people there and in the future even if it costs me $100 I will pay for data plan in Mexico or wherever I go and I will check things out thoroughly before I decide to do anything I'm not 1000% comfortable about. Take care.
Lisa A.
Here's the deal - if you purchased a unit that is already built, you can indeed go use the property. There is no 24/7 car service - though they did pay for the taxi to and from the airport after I pushed them. If you bought a unit that has not been built, then you are out of luck. There has been no building so far, though they are making the large villas into 2 and 3 bedroom units. But they will not be building the studio units until 2014 - not wait, in Nov they said 2015 - no wait, in March of this year they said 2016. So you can pay for a bigger, more expensive unit and stay at the resort, but you can not use what you actually purchased. And they act like you should be grateful that you can upgrade. If I wanted a 2 bedroom I would have bought that. I bought a studio because that is what I wanted and could afford.
Deborah R.
We have spent 1 month in P V in Nov.Dec 2012.We wore invited to a presentation to Vallarta Gardens.Itt was a beutifull place. After many hours of listening and saying NO, we fanely purchased Explore your world program. The short version is ; for the next 30 years we can get 10 weeks of Holliday at the value of $800 each. All we need to do is contact Tps Atlanta and request our weeks In January of 2013 we asked for 5 weeks.We understood itt will take 90 to 180 days. 6 monts latter they said "we have 4 weeks , stiil need 1 more to go".OK we are waithing and waithing ,still waithing .Tps atlanta not answerig any of my e-mails anymore. Has anyone purchased the same program, and actually gott their weeks?
Vera F.
Just spent a week with what we bought 2 bedroom rooftop Reef 15 months ago. Absolutely fabulous and exceeded expectations. Yes, they just have the one and another was opening this weekend. The 5 villa by the beach was being turned into a 2 bed and 3 bedroom. You CAN walk to Bucerias, just rocky 1/4 mile, we did it 3 times, both ways. Takes around 40 min, walked to La Cruz by beach and highway, less than 10 min. Transportation to/from airport. Yes, they still dont have transportation AS PROMISED to other locations, but we used local buses. Outstanding villa. Yes, to complaints about marketing, etc. We will believe it when we see it. The administrative end of this company was a mess at the beginning. And we fell for Swiss Alliance, guess we need to wait 25 yrs to see if that works. However we purchased to use and couldn't be more pleased with the unit and how we were treated. For those of you that purchased studio, l bedroom, I understand you being upset. Work has not started on them. They do now have a website and facebook page. They did promise more than they could deliver in a timely manner, but workers were there everyday so action is going on.
Glynis M.
I agree with most of what you said. I tried walking to Bucerias - ran into breaker wall right around the corner from the property - you would have to wade out into the water to walk by it, so not sure how you did it. But yes, if you bought a property that is already built, at least you can use and enjoy it. I bought a studio, and I was supposed to be able to use and enjoy it this year - last time I spoke with them they were saying 2016. So until then, I either have to pay three times as much HOA for a unit much bigger than I need or I have to stay someplace else. And of course they are not honoring the buyback promised two years after purchase, so as of right now, I've paid for nothing. Which is a shame, because I too bought because I actually intended to use it.
Deborah R.
Maybe we were there at a different time of year, tide. We didn't have to go into the water to get to Bucerias, yes lots of rocks for 5 min but it was manageable for us with good shoes and we did do both ways more than once. I totally understand your frustration and having to pay HOA for a much bigger unit. Can't believe they aren't honoring the buyback promise!! You certainly aren't being treated right on that. For those of you that bought less than a 2 bedroom, I don't think you will see anything in 2014. They are concentrating on the 2 bedroom reefs right now. We were at least happy to see "some" construction going on. We are going there again next year so I will post again with what I see when we are there. We did find out they had fired 2/3 of the staff from 2012 so hopefully some "admin" changes will be on the positive front so folks may want to try again to deal with management on your issues. But I know that doesn't help for units that were promised to be built and aren't there yet. I do hope everything does get built though because it is a beautiful property and we were treated very well there and love the location. They do have a facebook and website now and are posting some pics etc. I did find out they are planning to move the spa/gym to the front of the property and build another restaurant. The studios/l bedrooms are still being planned on the beach front area. I'll post again if I find out any other news. In hindsight, we also agree buying pre construction was not the smartest thing we've ever done, and were relieved to see a unit built that we purchased. And it did exceed our expectations. Ironically, we weren 't even offered studio or l bedroom when we bought in Dec 2012 or may have gone that route.
Glynis M.