Mexico consumer protection agency
PROFECO
Av. José Vasconcelos No. 208
Piso 6
Col. Condesa
Mexico D.F. C.P. 06140.
(+52) 55 5211-1723 (phone)
(+52) 55 5211-2052 (fax)
extranjeros@profeco.gob.mx
www.profeco.gob.mx/consumidor/denuncias1.asp
Get Out Now
Most timeshare resorts will refund a member if it means stopping lots of bad publicity and a nasty lawsuit that will make public, their dirty little secrets.
They don't want you to know this, and will make you sign a "gag" agreement not to disclose any settlement. And they will sue you if you break the agreement.
I have helped owners get out of their contracts using the Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing clause. I also will list your timeshare for sale for NO Money up front. You pay a 6% commission when it sells and you have the money in your hands. If you wish to just get rid of the timeshare and give it away, I charge nothing. No tricks, no scams. Email me at notimeshare@gmail.com
This is why we are so successful, we research every aspect of the resort, from business dealings to background checks on salespeople. We find the information that will get you, your money back.
They don't want you to know this, and will make you sign a "gag" agreement not to disclose any settlement. And they will sue you if you break the agreement.
I have helped owners get out of their contracts using the Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing clause. I also will list your timeshare for sale for NO Money up front. You pay a 6% commission when it sells and you have the money in your hands. If you wish to just get rid of the timeshare and give it away, I charge nothing. No tricks, no scams. Email me at notimeshare@gmail.com
This is why we are so successful, we research every aspect of the resort, from business dealings to background checks on salespeople. We find the information that will get you, your money back.
Timeshare Relief, Inc
Montpelier, VT (July 3, 2010) — Timeshare Relief, Inc., a Torrance, California, company, will offer over $91,000 in consumer refunds and pay $50,000 to the State of Vermont to settle claims that it violated Vermont law in three different ways in arranging for the repurchase of timeshares. Commenting on the settlement, the second of its kind in the past eight months, Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell again warned out-of-state companies offering a financial benefit to Vermonters not to violate the State’s consumer laws, or “they will find that doing so is an expensive proposition.”
On eight occasions between 2007 and 2010, representatives of Timeshare Relief came to Burlington to solicit consumers to transfer ownership of their unused timeshares and thus relieve the owners of timeshare maintenance fees, taxes and other costs. The company advertised these meetings with a mailing that invited Vermonters to find out about the “Guaranteed Timeshare Relief Solution.” A number of consumers who met with Timeshare Relief understood the invitation to mean that the company would offer to pay them for their timeshares; in fact, they had to pay several hundred to several thousand dollars to transfer ownership of their timeshares. The Attorney General considered this to be a deceptive trade practice.
In addition, many of the consumers were also given a “Financial Benefits Worksheet” that indicated that they might be eligible for a tax deduction as an offset against their payment to Timeshare Relief, when in fact such a deduction is available only in those rare cases where the primary reason for buying the timeshare was for investment. The Attorney General also claimed this to be a deceptive trade practice.
In addition, through June 2008, Timeshare Relief did not comply with the requirement of Vermont law that whenever goods or services are sold at a transient location like a hotel, the buyer must be given specified notice of his or her right to cancel the transaction.
Under the settlement, Timeshare Relief will:
SOURCE: Office of the Attorney General of Vermont
On eight occasions between 2007 and 2010, representatives of Timeshare Relief came to Burlington to solicit consumers to transfer ownership of their unused timeshares and thus relieve the owners of timeshare maintenance fees, taxes and other costs. The company advertised these meetings with a mailing that invited Vermonters to find out about the “Guaranteed Timeshare Relief Solution.” A number of consumers who met with Timeshare Relief understood the invitation to mean that the company would offer to pay them for their timeshares; in fact, they had to pay several hundred to several thousand dollars to transfer ownership of their timeshares. The Attorney General considered this to be a deceptive trade practice.
In addition, many of the consumers were also given a “Financial Benefits Worksheet” that indicated that they might be eligible for a tax deduction as an offset against their payment to Timeshare Relief, when in fact such a deduction is available only in those rare cases where the primary reason for buying the timeshare was for investment. The Attorney General also claimed this to be a deceptive trade practice.
In addition, through June 2008, Timeshare Relief did not comply with the requirement of Vermont law that whenever goods or services are sold at a transient location like a hotel, the buyer must be given specified notice of his or her right to cancel the transaction.
Under the settlement, Timeshare Relief will:
- Offer those 28 of its customers who did not receive proper notice of their right to cancel an opportunity to cancel the transaction within ten business days and get all of their money back. Letters to this effect will be sent out in the next month, and Timeshare Relief will pay up to $84,000 under this provision.
- Send to another 28 customers a check in the amount of $250 to compensate them for the time and money they spent traveling to attend the company’s presentation.
- Pay the State of Vermont $50,000 in civil penalties and costs.
SOURCE: Office of the Attorney General of Vermont
Before Buying that Timeshare
- Take your time. Treat a timeshare purchase like the purchase of a home or any other significant commitment. Don’t let high pressure sales tactics and long presentations force you into a hasty decision.
- Do your research. Check the market and the value of the vacation property before you buy and investigate the seller, the developer and the management company. Ask for references and contact current owners to verify their satisfaction with the property.
- Know the cancellation period.. Consumers must notify the seller in writing via certified mail or return receipt mail.
- Recognize that timeshares can be difficult to resell. Buy a timeshare only if you plan to use it. It is an option for future vacations, not an investment.
- Consider extra costs. Most timeshares require consumers to pay annual assessment fees, maintenance fees and taxes, closing and broker commissions, and finance charges. Some fees can rise dramatically in the future so it’s important to ask if there is a cap on future fees.
- Beware of scams. If you are offered a prize as an incentive to attend a timeshare presentation, ask for details and watch out for hidden conditions and fine print. Keep in mind that the value of promotional gifts may be low in comparison to the fees and charges associated with a timeshare purchase. Any ‘free’ travel or vacations you are offered may have blackout dates and other restrictions.
- Read everything before you sign. Carefully review contracts and all other paperwork before you sign anything, and get all special promises about discounts, waived fees or other promotions in writing.
PA Attorney General Reaches Agreement with Bluegreen
Florida-based timeshare company will pay refunds, cancel improper contracts and change business practices
HARRISBURG, PA (June 3, 2010) — The Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection has reached a settlement with Florida-based BlueGreen Corporation that addresses complaints about the company’s alleged use of deceptive “contests,” misleading sales presentations and improper contracts in the marketing and sale of timeshare vacation packages in Pennsylvania.
Attorney General Tom Corbett says the agreement, known as a Consent Decree, resolves a consumer protection lawsuit filed in October 2008 against BlueGreen Corporation, BlueGreen Resorts, BlueGreen Vacations Unlimited, Inc. and Great Vacations Destinations, Inc., all of Boca Raton, Florida. BlueGreen contacted consumers by phone and through kiosks at shopping malls, fairs, and festivals throughout Pennsylvania, along with the use of sales facilities in Hershey and King of Prussia.
“As a major part of this settlement, BlueGreen has agreed to cancel contracts and pay refunds to consumers who have filed valid complaints about their timeshare purchases,” Corbett said. “Those complaints include consumers who were unable to use their timeshare, false promises about when or where consumers could travel and situations where timeshare purchasers did not receive extra services or discounts that were promised during the sales presentation.”
Corbett noted that the settlement applies to complaints by Pennsylvania timeshare purchasers that have already been filed with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, along with any new complaints filed within the next 30 days. Also, BlueGreen has agreed to turn over all complaints involving Pennsylvania residents that were filed directly with the company.
Additionally, Corbett said the Attorney General’s Office is reviewing complaints filed with other state agencies, such as the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission, along with other consumer protection agencies, including the Florida Attorney General’s Office, where BlueGreen is headquartered, as well as the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau offices in Pennsylvania and Florida.
“Many of the complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Office involve consumers who spent between $20,000 and $40,000 on vacation packages they were unable to use,” Corbett said. “This part of the settlement could result in more than $1 million in refunds to consumers, depending on the total number of additional complaints we receive over the next 30 days.”
Corbett said the settlement also includes payments for consumers who were promised various “free gifts,” including airline tickets, hotel accommodations, gas cards and other valuable prizes.
“For most consumers, the promise of a ‘free gift’ or ‘valuable prize’ turned out to be nothing more than vouchers or coupons which required other expensive purchases before they could be used, or were limited by massive “fine print” restrictions,” Corbett said. “As part of this agreement, BlueGreen is paying $125,000, which will be used to compensate people who were deceived about “free” prizes – so consumers who filed valid complaints will get a check for the value of the item they were promised.”
Finally, Corbett said the settlement includes a special reward for each consumer who filed a complaint about BlueGreen’s use of telemarketing sales calls that violated Pennsylvania’s “Do Not Call” law.
Corbett explained that under the provisions of the state’s Do Not Call law, consumers can receive up to $100 when they file a complaint that results in a lawsuit or fines against a company charged with telemarketing violations. A total of 29 people filed Do Not Call complaints about improper BlueGreen calls and each of those consumers will be receiving a check for $100.
“This is a substantial settlement for Pennsylvania, in terms of the money it returns to consumers who were victims of deceptive sales, along with the protection it offers future timeshare buyers,” Corbett said. “BlueGreen has agreed to change its businesses practices to eliminate future confusion about consumer rights involving timeshare purchases, to stop using misleading advertisements about free gifts or prizes and to make certain that any future telemarketing calls fully comply with our Do Not Call law.”
Corbett said consumers who have not yet filed complaints about being unable to use their BlueGreen timeshare or customers who were deceived about “free gifts” and prizes have until June 24, 2010 to contact the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Consumers who have already filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office, either before or after the initial lawsuit was filed in October 2008, do not need to take any further action to have their claims considered as part of this settlement.
Consumers with complaints can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline, at 1-800-441-2555, or submit an online complaint using the Attorney General’s website, at www.attorneygeneral.gov (Click on the “Complaints” button on the front page of the website and select the “Consumer Complaint Form”).
The Consent Decree was filed in Commonwealth Court by Senior Deputy Attorney General David Sumner.
SOURCE: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
HARRISBURG, PA (June 3, 2010) — The Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection has reached a settlement with Florida-based BlueGreen Corporation that addresses complaints about the company’s alleged use of deceptive “contests,” misleading sales presentations and improper contracts in the marketing and sale of timeshare vacation packages in Pennsylvania.
Attorney General Tom Corbett says the agreement, known as a Consent Decree, resolves a consumer protection lawsuit filed in October 2008 against BlueGreen Corporation, BlueGreen Resorts, BlueGreen Vacations Unlimited, Inc. and Great Vacations Destinations, Inc., all of Boca Raton, Florida. BlueGreen contacted consumers by phone and through kiosks at shopping malls, fairs, and festivals throughout Pennsylvania, along with the use of sales facilities in Hershey and King of Prussia.
“As a major part of this settlement, BlueGreen has agreed to cancel contracts and pay refunds to consumers who have filed valid complaints about their timeshare purchases,” Corbett said. “Those complaints include consumers who were unable to use their timeshare, false promises about when or where consumers could travel and situations where timeshare purchasers did not receive extra services or discounts that were promised during the sales presentation.”
Corbett noted that the settlement applies to complaints by Pennsylvania timeshare purchasers that have already been filed with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, along with any new complaints filed within the next 30 days. Also, BlueGreen has agreed to turn over all complaints involving Pennsylvania residents that were filed directly with the company.
Additionally, Corbett said the Attorney General’s Office is reviewing complaints filed with other state agencies, such as the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission, along with other consumer protection agencies, including the Florida Attorney General’s Office, where BlueGreen is headquartered, as well as the Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau offices in Pennsylvania and Florida.
“Many of the complaints filed with the Attorney General’s Office involve consumers who spent between $20,000 and $40,000 on vacation packages they were unable to use,” Corbett said. “This part of the settlement could result in more than $1 million in refunds to consumers, depending on the total number of additional complaints we receive over the next 30 days.”
Corbett said the settlement also includes payments for consumers who were promised various “free gifts,” including airline tickets, hotel accommodations, gas cards and other valuable prizes.
“For most consumers, the promise of a ‘free gift’ or ‘valuable prize’ turned out to be nothing more than vouchers or coupons which required other expensive purchases before they could be used, or were limited by massive “fine print” restrictions,” Corbett said. “As part of this agreement, BlueGreen is paying $125,000, which will be used to compensate people who were deceived about “free” prizes – so consumers who filed valid complaints will get a check for the value of the item they were promised.”
Finally, Corbett said the settlement includes a special reward for each consumer who filed a complaint about BlueGreen’s use of telemarketing sales calls that violated Pennsylvania’s “Do Not Call” law.
Corbett explained that under the provisions of the state’s Do Not Call law, consumers can receive up to $100 when they file a complaint that results in a lawsuit or fines against a company charged with telemarketing violations. A total of 29 people filed Do Not Call complaints about improper BlueGreen calls and each of those consumers will be receiving a check for $100.
“This is a substantial settlement for Pennsylvania, in terms of the money it returns to consumers who were victims of deceptive sales, along with the protection it offers future timeshare buyers,” Corbett said. “BlueGreen has agreed to change its businesses practices to eliminate future confusion about consumer rights involving timeshare purchases, to stop using misleading advertisements about free gifts or prizes and to make certain that any future telemarketing calls fully comply with our Do Not Call law.”
Corbett said consumers who have not yet filed complaints about being unable to use their BlueGreen timeshare or customers who were deceived about “free gifts” and prizes have until June 24, 2010 to contact the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. Consumers who have already filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office, either before or after the initial lawsuit was filed in October 2008, do not need to take any further action to have their claims considered as part of this settlement.
Consumers with complaints can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline, at 1-800-441-2555, or submit an online complaint using the Attorney General’s website, at www.attorneygeneral.gov (Click on the “Complaints” button on the front page of the website and select the “Consumer Complaint Form”).
The Consent Decree was filed in Commonwealth Court by Senior Deputy Attorney General David Sumner.
SOURCE: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
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