vacation club scams

[Lex87]

On our last trip to Cabo (Santa Maria to be precise, Cabo was overpriced) everyone was selling timeshares, and it was like sharks in a feeding frenzy. At one point while my BF was wandering around alone I used a timeshare pusher to guide me around the local grocery store and translate things so I could find unsalted butter and other particulars. I'd say that's the best use for timeshare salespeople. ;)

[saltydog]

I posted the original complaint about this company. We endended paying a little over 3000$ to them from our credit card. They are a scam. All this took place a year ago. They sent this very impressive brochere about all the discounts at hotels. When I booked on line with a hotel in New York The rate way was much lower than the rate offered by Global Travel. We had to cancel our credit card but we continue to get phone calls from them dayly about the amount we owed we them. We have not given them another dollar. They contune call almost every day. We have caller ID so we do not answerer when they call.We feel we have lost $3000 to this scam. This is a lot of money as we are retired and live on our pensions alone.

[Morgan]

What are you actually planning for..?

[hawaii94]

...BUYERS BEWARE OF GLOBEQUEST OFFERED AT CASA DORADA IN CABO SAN LUCAS MEXICO. YOU GET A PIECE OF PAPER THAT SAYS YOU CAN BOOK 7 NIGHTS AT CASA DORADA EACH YEAR FOR ABOUT $1000 PLUS THE ANNUAL CLUB FEE OF $150. FOR THIS SO-CALLED "EXCLUSIVE PRIVLEDGE," YOU WILL PAY BETWEEN $14,000 TO $25,000. Some folks seem to think it's a good deal. It's hard for me to believe it's a good deal for anyone but if it works for them - SUPER. We've been duped for the last time by dishonest despicable sales people.

We were definitely scammed at Casa Dorada when we visited Cabo San Lucas in March 2010 - Without a doubt the most unethical business practices we've ever encountered. They served strong alcoholic beverages for 4 hours while repeatedly trying to rope us into something we knew we didn't want. We said NO over and over and over and yet somehow by the time we left there, we were signed up for what they referred to as a "Free Look." We were told we could use their pool and facilities while on vacation and if at the end of the week, we still did not want to purchase anything, NO PROBLEM. Of course they neglected to mention the $3000 charge they ran to our credit card. The so-called FREE LOOK documents said nothing about having the RIGHT TO CANCEL. It was really just their way of stealing our money. For $15,000 plus giving them one of our timeshare weeks, we would have "the right" to stay at their resort each year for about $970 plus the annual dues of $150. (Those prices were subject to change and were not guaranteed for any amount of time) Think about it.
Instead we flew from Chicago to Cabo, stayed in a very nice ALL INCLUSIVE Resort on the Beach, where the food was outstanding, the views breathtaking, the staff was friendly, the accommodations were beautiful , and the nightly entertainment was very enjoyable. WE LOVED IT! It didn't cost an arm and a leg and we weren't scammed by lying, scheming, manipulating, deceptive, phony employees.

It took two months to get things straightened out when we got home. We sent a complaint to the Florida Better Business Bureau. That should have been our first clue that something wasn't quite right. We were supposedly purchasing the rights to use something in Mexico but the business address was FLORIDA. I can assure you we will never waste another minute of our vacation time to go to presentations anywhere. They want to rope you into buying something you don't need and don't want by using every deceptive business practice known to man.

[golfer11]

vacation scam???i recently booked and paid for our 1st trip and recieved our confirmation.we got involved from my wifes parents who have owned a timeshare for over 10yrs with dreams resort,they recommended globequest because they too phurchased it and have traveled twice on that progam.do they inflate prices to show discounts ,,of course!ever bought a car?house?been lied to by a real estate person,lawyer?i have.when your out in the world try to be a little aware.
my research told me they have thousands of timeshare members but only a few unsatisfied people i see here.if you have buyers remorse please try not to poison others because you`re not happy cancel or get on with it.globequest is fairly new try to work out your doubts first with them,,and if they help you it sure would be refreshing to see your retracction here!

[mlancaster]

Hi everyone, new member here. We just got back from Cabo. It was beautiful there. We purchased a 2 bedroom timeshare. We got 6 weeks, 3 home +3 international. A free 7 day stay at a resort in Cancun, with a free $700 credit voucher towards maintenance fees and a free week of breakfast at Casa Dorada. We paid 11,300 with 2200 down. From what I have been reading it sounds like we have a great deal! I'm not sure where I see the scam.

I'm a little worried about the maintenance fees, they sold us believing that the fees were reasonable. I saw a fee for a week stay at Dorada was a $1000 but that was over New Years. I was told that was a high rate.

For someone who has been in the program for awhile, do you find the fees reasonable?

For those stating this is a scam, can you tell me why?

Thanks for your time.

[BlackEyes]

That's why I closely watch the vacation clubs that I join. I must admit that I had been scammed before, so I am now very careful on this one.

[qrjtyut]

Great info on vacation club scams...can someone please help...Is buying a timeshare a good investment? If I decide to buy a timeshare, should I buy "new" from the developer or "used" as a resale?

[Ruby]

Buying a timeshare is an investment in quality vacations and an investment in yourself, and not for resale for profit. See, what happens is that most people who buy a timeshare usually get disappointed as they are unaware that the resale market of most timeshares isn't great.

Regarding your other question, buying from a previous owner will probably cost less than buying direct from the developer, though no matter what you do, I suggest researching your decision before you buy to secure the best deal for you.

[hitchmaker]

1. don't get a timeshare that offers too many incentives

2. Most legit timeshares offer you a free hotel for a couple of nights. Avoid timeshares offering a free car, boat or a luxury vacation.

3. Avoid going to a presentation as they involve very high-pressure sales tactics.

4. Any timeshare that tells that to claim their expensive free gift boat you need to attend a presentation is a SCAM.

Other scams include having to pay an 'administration fee' for a holiday, or having the company 'go out of business' after they take your deposit so, you really need to be on your guard so you won't become a victim.