Comments on: El Cid Vacation Club in Mexico http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico Places in the world NOT to visit Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:27:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Michael Fraze http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico#comment-1066 Michael Fraze Sun, 23 May 2010 19:41:38 +0000 http://dontgothere.org/?p=388#comment-1066 Help. My wife and I were scammed in Mazatlan in 2008. We paid thousands down on an El Cid VC 'membership' and financed $14,000 more. Now we cannot even GIVE IT BACK, letting them keep our down payment and loan payments already made (over $10,000)! We are selling our membership on the secondary market at less than 25% of what we paid for it and no one seems to want it. Has anyone ever talked them into just taking the money already paid and letting the 'membership' revert back to them? I have contacted agencies and attorneys who advertise success at this but I am terrified of getting scammed AGAIN. It is true, it costs more to use El Cid VC than to book your own vacation (when you add up the total cost). Help! Help. My wife and I were scammed in Mazatlan in 2008. We paid thousands down on an El Cid VC ‘membership’ and financed $14,000 more. Now we cannot even GIVE IT BACK, letting them keep our down payment and loan payments already made (over $10,000)! We are selling our membership on the secondary market at less than 25% of what we paid for it and no one seems to want it. Has anyone ever talked them into just taking the money already paid and letting the ‘membership’ revert back to them? I have contacted agencies and attorneys who advertise success at this but I am terrified of getting scammed AGAIN. It is true, it costs more to use El Cid VC than to book your own vacation (when you add up the total cost). Help!

]]> By: Bill Maxwell http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico#comment-1021 Bill Maxwell Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:10:26 +0000 http://dontgothere.org/?p=388#comment-1021 My issues with El Cid Vacations Club have been satisfactorily resolved. My issues with El Cid Vacations Club have been satisfactorily resolved.

]]> By: Wanda http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico#comment-1018 Wanda Sat, 24 Apr 2010 04:37:34 +0000 http://dontgothere.org/?p=388#comment-1018 Hi In November/09 I purchased a Trial membership for $1500 US, has anyone purchased a Trial membership and have had problems? I called today to book a vacation in Feb/11 and they are supposed to call me tomorrow so we will see what happens. I don't think we will have any problems because they want to get us back and try to get us to purchase a timeshare but let me know if you have purchased a trial and have had any problems. Hi

In November/09 I purchased a Trial membership for $1500 US, has anyone purchased a Trial membership and have had problems? I called today to book a vacation in Feb/11 and they are supposed to call me tomorrow so we will see what happens. I don’t think we will have any problems because they want to get us back and try to get us to purchase a timeshare but let me know if you have purchased a trial and have had any problems.

]]> By: Debbie http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico#comment-1017 Debbie Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:33:53 +0000 http://dontgothere.org/?p=388#comment-1017 They told us the resort belonged or owned by one of the largest companies that own century 21, many big hotels the list goes on. Not sure what it is, something like Wyndham. If anyone know let me know. They told us the resort belonged or owned by one of the largest companies that own century 21, many big hotels the list goes on. Not sure what it is, something like Wyndham. If anyone know let me know.

]]> By: Sara http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico#comment-1016 Sara Wed, 21 Apr 2010 23:12:00 +0000 http://dontgothere.org/?p=388#comment-1016 March 2010 Has anyone bought a trial pkg? We did for two vacations. We were told we get points, enough for a two bedroom suite. Does anyone know where to look to find or see your points. (had on the computer when they were selling)Made a payment down with monthly payments for a year. They didn't get us with the long term one we just couldn't afford that one. March 2010

Has anyone bought a trial pkg? We did for two vacations. We were told we get points, enough for a two bedroom suite. Does anyone know where to look to find or see your points. (had on the computer when they were selling)Made a payment down with monthly payments for a year. They didn’t get us with the long term one we just couldn’t afford that one.

]]> By: Dr George http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico#comment-1014 Dr George Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:00:27 +0000 http://dontgothere.org/?p=388#comment-1014 Yes, it's true. The bad and the good. El Cid is out to make a buck like every other business. They do marketing at the cruise stops in Mexico. So does RCI. We were 'held captive' by RCI in Playa del Carmen for 3 hours and a dinner, but said no to them. We were in no position to afford any of their packages at that time and still can't take more than a week's vacation per year. We had them down from $60,000 to $5,000 by the time we said our good-byes. I don't remember what we would have received for that. It was a huge waste of our vacation time. Several years later we cruised the Mexican Riviera and were tricked into losing more than half of our stop in Mazatlan with El Cid sales people. This time we could afford their 3rd offer and took it before seeing any warnings on websites like this one. We suckered for it. I say that because it hasn't turned out to be what was promised to us. We were told we had enough points (154,000) to vacation either 2 weeks a year for two people or one week with air fare. No! It's really one week with extra points to roll to the next year. It definitely falls short. So, what is good about it? The good remarks are true, too. We had time to use just one of the bonus certificates we were awarded for signing up. We went to Hever, England for a week and it was fantastic! We have found that the points work well for properties only. The ones we've tried have been lovely. Points aren't worth more than a few dollars on airfare or tickets because there are limits on the percentage of the price with partners that can be purchased by points. So, we are trying to make the best of it like Maggie. The resorts are lovely. The people are good to us. Each vacation costs the price of air, food, and fun. Is it a deal? I don't think so--not compared to package deals online. Does it get us to go? Yes. Since we went to England on the certificate, we rolled our points for that year ($30 more) into the next and had enough points to get two 4-occupant suites in Cozumel and take our married children for a week. We have points left over and plan to either roll them to next year or borrow on next years to go again this year. (But members can only move points one year either way.) Not all bad. I'm glad some of you have been able to get out of your contracts. We never tried but thought about it. It must be hard to work with another country which has less consumer protection than we have in the USA. This fact alone should have been a red flag to us, but wasn't. I appreciate the comments on this site and take hope in what "From Canada" says. We want to use some of the RCI properties and expand our options. Yes, it’s true. The bad and the good. El Cid is out to make a buck like every other business. They do marketing at the cruise stops in Mexico. So does RCI. We were ‘held captive’ by RCI in Playa del Carmen for 3 hours and a dinner, but said no to them. We were in no position to afford any of their packages at that time and still can’t take more than a week’s vacation per year. We had them down from $60,000 to $5,000 by the time we said our good-byes. I don’t remember what we would have received for that. It was a huge waste of our vacation time.

Several years later we cruised the Mexican Riviera and were tricked into losing more than half of our stop in Mazatlan with El Cid sales people. This time we could afford their 3rd offer and took it before seeing any warnings on websites like this one. We suckered for it. I say that because it hasn’t turned out to be what was promised to us. We were told we had enough points (154,000) to vacation either 2 weeks a year for two people or one week with air fare. No! It’s really one week with extra points to roll to the next year. It definitely falls short. So, what is good about it?

The good remarks are true, too. We had time to use just one of the bonus certificates we were awarded for signing up. We went to Hever, England for a week and it was fantastic! We have found that the points work well for properties only. The ones we’ve tried have been lovely. Points aren’t worth more than a few dollars on airfare or tickets because there are limits on the percentage of the price with partners that can be purchased by points. So, we are trying to make the best of it like Maggie.

The resorts are lovely. The people are good to us. Each vacation costs the price of air, food, and fun. Is it a deal? I don’t think so–not compared to package deals online. Does it get us to go? Yes. Since we went to England on the certificate, we rolled our points for that year ($30 more) into the next and had enough points to get two 4-occupant suites in Cozumel and take our married children for a week. We have points left over and plan to either roll them to next year or borrow on next years to go again this year. (But members can only move points one year either way.) Not all bad.

I’m glad some of you have been able to get out of your contracts. We never tried but thought about it. It must be hard to work with another country which has less consumer protection than we have in the USA. This fact alone should have been a red flag to us, but wasn’t.

I appreciate the comments on this site and take hope in what “From Canada” says. We want to use some of the RCI properties and expand our options.

]]> By: Dr George http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico#comment-1013 Dr George Thu, 15 Apr 2010 04:51:33 +0000 http://dontgothere.org/?p=388#comment-1013 Yes, it's true. The bad and the good. El Cid is out to make a buck like every other business. They do marketing at the cruise stops in Mexico. So does RCI. We were 'held captive' by RCI in Playa del Carmen for 3 hours and a dinner, but said no to them. We were in no position to afford any of their packages at that time and still can't take more than a week's vacation per year. We had them down from $60,000 to $5,000 by the time we said our good-byes. I don't remember what we would have received for that. It was a huge waste of our vacation time. Several years later we cruised the Mexican Riviera and were tricked into losing more than half of our stop in Mazatlan with sales people. This time we could afford their 3rd offer and took it before seeing any warnings on websites like this one. We suckered for it. I say that because it hasn't turned out to be what was promised to us. We were told we had enough points ($154,000) to vacation either 2 weeks a year for two people or one week with air fare. No! It's really one week with extra points to roll to the next year. It definitely falls short. So, what is good about it? The good remarks are true, too. We had time to use just one of the bonus certificates we were awarded for signing up. We went to Hever, England for a week and it was fantastic! We have found that the points work well for properties only. The ones we've tried have been lovely. Points aren't worth more than a few dollars on airfare or tickets because there are limits on the percentage of the price with partners that can be purchased by points. So, we are trying to make the best of it like Maggie. The resorts are lovely. The people are good to us. Each vacation costs the price of air, food, and fun. Is it a deal? I don't think so--not compared to package deals online. Does it get us to go? Yes. Since we went to England on the certificate, we rolled our points for that year ($30 more) into the next and had enough points to get two 4-occupant suites in Cozumel and take our married children for a week. We have points left over and plan to either roll them to next year or borrow on next years to go again this year. (But members can only move points one year either way.) Not all bad. I'm glad some of you have been able to get out of your contracts. We never tried but thought about it. It must be hard to work with another country which has less consumer protection than we have in the USA. This fact alone should have been a red flag to us, but wasn't. I appreciate the comments on this site and take hope in what "From Canada" says. We want to use some of the RCI properties and expand our options. Yes, it’s true. The bad and the good. El Cid is out to make a buck like every other business. They do marketing at the cruise stops in Mexico. So does RCI. We were ‘held captive’ by RCI in Playa del Carmen for 3 hours and a dinner, but said no to them. We were in no position to afford any of their packages at that time and still can’t take more than a week’s vacation per year. We had them down from $60,000 to $5,000 by the time we said our good-byes. I don’t remember what we would have received for that. It was a huge waste of our vacation time.

Several years later we cruised the Mexican Riviera and were tricked into losing more than half of our stop in Mazatlan with sales people. This time we could afford their 3rd offer and took it before seeing any warnings on websites like this one. We suckered for it. I say that because it hasn’t turned out to be what was promised to us. We were told we had enough points ($154,000) to vacation either 2 weeks a year for two people or one week with air fare. No! It’s really one week with extra points to roll to the next year. It definitely falls short. So, what is good about it?

The good remarks are true, too. We had time to use just one of the bonus certificates we were awarded for signing up. We went to Hever, England for a week and it was fantastic! We have found that the points work well for properties only. The ones we’ve tried have been lovely. Points aren’t worth more than a few dollars on airfare or tickets because there are limits on the percentage of the price with partners that can be purchased by points. So, we are trying to make the best of it like Maggie.

The resorts are lovely. The people are good to us. Each vacation costs the price of air, food, and fun. Is it a deal? I don’t think so–not compared to package deals online. Does it get us to go? Yes. Since we went to England on the certificate, we rolled our points for that year ($30 more) into the next and had enough points to get two 4-occupant suites in Cozumel and take our married children for a week. We have points left over and plan to either roll them to next year or borrow on next years to go again this year. (But members can only move points one year either way.) Not all bad.

I’m glad some of you have been able to get out of your contracts. We never tried but thought about it. It must be hard to work with another country which has less consumer protection than we have in the USA. This fact alone should have been a red flag to us, but wasn’t.

I appreciate the comments on this site and take hope in what “From Canada” says. We want to use some of the RCI properties and expand our options.

]]> By: Tom from Canada http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico#comment-1006 Tom from Canada Sun, 28 Mar 2010 16:00:55 +0000 http://dontgothere.org/?p=388#comment-1006 Just say NO, NO, NO. We stayed at the El Cid in Puerto Morelos just this March. Upon our arrival we were met by our meet and greet guy who was there to explain the hotel amenities which was very helpful. After about ten minutes of that, he moved into the great discounted deals for excursions he could get for us if we attended a 90 minute presentation. This little first meeting is normal at most resorts which is the first pitch at trying to sell you a time share er ah a vacation club membership. We just use them to get a crash course where everything is at the resort to get the most out of our money. He more or less told us we would be going - we told him that no we weren't - well he didn't like it and tried even harder to get us to go. Well, we don't want a time share and never will so we just flatly said no thanks and walked away. You see they take advantage of polite tourists who are scared to say no or are trying to save a few bucks. When we walked away we then got a "well it is so unfortunate that you are so closed minded" comment from him. Well, we just laughed. As a side note, this resort every morning just before 9 am from their vacation club sales room would play very loud Survivor's song Eye of the Tiger and all the sales people would standup and clap and cheer to the music. Sometimes they'd forget to close the door for this and we were able to see this for ourselves first hand - SLIMEY!! Of course a staff member who saw the doors open would quickly run over and close the door. I feel bad for those who got caught up in this. Hind sight is twenty twenty but please just say NO! It is easy and yes they may insult you or yell but who cares really. According to their motto song, you are nothing more than a challenge or fight to conquer. Just say NO, NO, NO.
We stayed at the El Cid in Puerto Morelos just this March. Upon our arrival we were met by our meet and greet guy who was there to explain the hotel amenities which was very helpful. After about ten minutes of that, he moved into the great discounted deals for excursions he could get for us if we attended a 90 minute presentation. This little first meeting is normal at most resorts which is the first pitch at trying to sell you a time share er ah a vacation club membership. We just use them to get a crash course where everything is at the resort to get the most out of our money. He more or less told us we would be going - we told him that no we weren’t - well he didn’t like it and tried even harder to get us to go. Well, we don’t want a time share and never will so we just flatly said no thanks and walked away. You see they take advantage of polite tourists who are scared to say no or are trying to save a few bucks. When we walked away we then got a “well it is so unfortunate that you are so closed minded” comment from him. Well, we just laughed. As a side note, this resort every morning just before 9 am from their vacation club sales room would play very loud Survivor’s song Eye of the Tiger and all the sales people would standup and clap and cheer to the music. Sometimes they’d forget to close the door for this and we were able to see this for ourselves first hand - SLIMEY!! Of course a staff member who saw the doors open would quickly run over and close the door. I feel bad for those who got caught up in this. Hind sight is twenty twenty but please just say NO! It is easy and yes they may insult you or yell but who cares really. According to their motto song, you are nothing more than a challenge or fight to conquer.

]]> By: Andy Smillie http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico#comment-1005 Andy Smillie Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:17:06 +0000 http://dontgothere.org/?p=388#comment-1005 […] <a href="http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico" rel="nofollow">http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico</a> - Don’t Go There! » Blog Archive » El Cid Vacation Club in Mexico... The Mark IX Condominium at Breckenridge islocated 3/4 Mile from Main Street, with an hourly Summit Stage stop at the end of the driveway. read more at http://www.westweeks.com/ [...] […] http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico - Don’t Go There! » Blog Archive » El Cid Vacation Club in Mexico… The Mark IX Condominium at Breckenridge islocated 3/4 Mile from Main Street, with an hourly Summit Stage stop at the end of the driveway. read more at http://www.westweeks.com/ [...]

]]> By: Rick Dillion http://dontgothere.org/el-cid-vacation-club-in-mexico#comment-996 Rick Dillion Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:44:42 +0000 http://dontgothere.org/?p=388#comment-996 We had the same experience with El Cid-and Crise Line . We purchased a membership a few years ago. We exchanged points for Hawaii the first year but RCI had no record of it. It cost a plenty. We went back to El Cid the next year and spent 1 cold week- no heat. They gave us a wrist band which identified us as a target for the sales staff (again) Talked to us and we bought another vacation week for $5000. We decided to cancel the addtional membership within the 3 day period. I took a written cancellation letter to Fernando Alonso and handed it to him personally. I had to ask for a copy. He brought it to me. I asked for his signature which I could tell by his expression that he was angry although polite. El Cide was nothing more than a hotel- I could not see any benefits of being a member during our stay. Now that should have been the end of it. Fernando Alonso stated that they did not make the credit card charges-several weeks later CitiBank sided with us and refunded our deposit. Fernando Alonso called and apologized (the signed paper I sent to Citibank was the clincher). Fernando Alonso then offered to sell the addtional week for 1/2 as much which we politely declined. We still have the membership for the one week and its a bear to use it. We had the same experience with El Cid-and Crise Line . We purchased a membership a few years ago. We exchanged points for Hawaii the first year but RCI had no record of it. It cost a plenty. We went back to El Cid the next year and spent 1 cold week- no heat. They gave us a wrist band which identified us as a target for the sales staff (again) Talked to us and we bought another vacation week for $5000. We decided to cancel the addtional membership within the 3 day period. I took a written cancellation letter to Fernando Alonso and handed it to him personally. I had to ask for a copy. He brought it to me. I asked for his signature which I could tell by his expression that he was angry although polite. El Cide was nothing more than a hotel- I could not see any benefits of being a member during our stay. Now that should have been the end of it. Fernando Alonso stated that they did not make the credit card charges-several weeks later CitiBank sided with us and refunded our deposit. Fernando Alonso called and apologized (the signed paper I sent to Citibank was the clincher). Fernando Alonso then offered to sell the addtional week for 1/2 as much which we politely declined. We still have the membership for the one week and its a bear to use it.

]]>