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When it comes to scams, companies established in countries with fewer government regulations and more corruption are more likely to commit fraud and being able to get away with it.
But know the details of why it is easier to scam vacationers in Mexico out of their money than in the US.
Timeshares in Mexico have a bad reputation for scamming innocent vacationers into purchasing a fraudulent timeshare contract.
In this article, we discover why more timeshare scams happen in Mexico and the Caribbean than in the US or Canada and what timeshare victims can do to resolve their timeshare problem.
Timeshare Scams in Mexico 1
Mexico is still considered a Third World country, and they rely heavily on tourism and timeshare sales for the health of their economy.
With their beautiful beaches and lush surroundings, it should be easy to sell timeshares based on the inherent qualities of the resort and the destination; however, many timeshare companies in Mexico use fraudulent sales tactics to boost their sales even more.
Their rental and resale promises seem too good to be true, and they induce clients that wouldn’t normally purchase, to take the plunge and invest thousands of dollars.
Timeshare Scams in Mexico 2
The government in Mexico has very lenient regulations for timeshare companies that do not cover the regulation of sales practices.
If a tourist falls victim to a timeshare scam in Mexico, the government agencies are not very effective in helping to resolve the problem, because the loss of the income from timeshare would result in less employment and wealth within Mexico.
Timeshare Scams in Mexico 3
The salespeople in Mexico use high-pressured sales tactics to ensure that their sales occur on a one-day-only basis so that the client does not have time to properly research the company.
They are often successful because the clients are on vacation, have let their normal guard down, and do not have time to make an informed decision.
One would think that the fraudulent sales practices would inhibit the resort’s ability to sell because it would tarnish their reputation; however, most timeshare consumers do not plan in advance to buy a timeshare.
By the time that most clients find out that they have been scammed, they are outside their 5-day cancellation period, and are not sure how to approach canceling a timeshare in a foreign country.
Timeshare Scams in Mexico 4
Most victims of timeshare scams in Mexico do not speak Spanish, so the process of canceling a timeshare in Mexico is very daunting, as they cannot communicate effectively with the resort or government agencies.
The timeshare scam companies are very aware of this fact, and often use it to their advantage to frustrate complaining clients by not offering English-speaking staff.
Many timeshare scam victims feel helpless at this point, and give up, but our staff at Mexican Timeshare Solutions can advocate for clients who cannot contact or communicate with the resort.
Timeshare Scams in Mexico 5
Another difference is that timeshares in the US and Canada are more highly regulated to abide by federal laws than timeshares in Mexico.
There are also important organizations, such as ARDA, the American Resort Development Association, that act as a marketing tool for resorts but also provide consumer protection measures by not endorsing companies that are involved in situations of fraud.
In addition, the Better Business Bureau in the US and Canada serves as an open forum for clients to rate and review the reputation of the timeshare company they plan to purchase.
The clients that buy in the US and Canada are typically citizens of those countries, and are aware of their legal rights and the correct avenues to deal with situations of fraud.
All of these factors help to limit the number of scams that occur in the US and Canada, and facilitate the cancellation process if the client has been defrauded.
Timeshare Scams in Mexico 6
Unfortunately, if US and Canadian citizens have previously owned timeshares in their own country, and have had successful experiences with those timeshares, they are more susceptible to being scammed by a timeshare company in Mexico.
As they have already purchased from a salesperson who accurately outlined their timeshare details, they place more trust in the fact that what the Mexican timeshare salespeople promise is true.
This can put them in a potentially vulnerable position if they encounter a Mexican timeshare salesperson who lies in order to increase their sales.
With any financial investment of this magnitude, whether it is in the US, Canada, or Mexico, it is important not to take the salesperson’s word at face value.
All consumers must take the time to research the timeshare company, and check with current timeshare owners to see if it is a reputable company to invest in for their vacation needs.
All one-day offers sold under high-pressure circumstances should be avoided, or rejected, as this is a prime indicator that the organization is a scam.
If you have purchased a timeshare in Mexico, and feel that you were not given what you were promised, contact us at Mexican Timeshare Solutions for help.
Our professional staff works hard on your behalf to ensure that justice is sought and obtained.
The best part is that, as the client, you do not have to deal with the frustration of being ignored by the resort, or having extremely difficult communications problems.
We handle all the details to ensure that your Mexican timeshare contract is cancelled properly so that you have no further obligations to the resort.
To receive more information about timeshare scams in Mexico and how to cancel your timeshare, send us a WhatsApp message at +52 333 239 6589, fill out our contact form, or call us at +1 714 277 3662.
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My wife and I went to Puerto Vallarta Mexico last weekend for a few days and as soon as we landed and finished immigration we got to a room full of people selling timeshares. This was inside the terminal. As soon as we cleared immigration we were hoarded by a bunch of people inside the terminal asking for cabs and we said no thank you. There were a lot of people offering margaritas which we declined. Then there were a couple of people who were like we will call your car rental company and pulled us to the desk(They all had airport badges). They asked what the company are we renting the car from and I told them who I was renting from and they directed me to a guy at a counter. All this while I was thinking these are officials. So while we were waiting, they asked us where we were staying and gave us a map of the place, recommeded things that we should see, and also bought up a place very close to our hotel saying this is a place you should check out. He said this is a new place and we are doing this for advertisement so if you like the place you can recommend it to your friends. This should have raised flags for us. The guy went into details about different excursions and then asked if we were interested in a hotel tour that included a free massage+ second massage at half cost + a free excursion for two. We had to put down a holding deposit of $80 ($40 refundable when we showed up and $40 for the second massage). At that time I realized the guy will be selling us a timeshare when he gave us the receipt which stated no obligation or purchase required. They also had the general questions such as married, carrying ids, major credit cards, both employed. I had already given the guy the money and I was too tired to argue and get the money back (1 connection + 5 AM start got over me). So I was like what the hell I will just go to the timeshare thing and firmly keep saying no. We were scheduled for a tour the next morning where the guy was supposed to meet us outside our hotel. In the night about 9:30 the same guy called our hotel and asked my wife if everything was ok and how are we liking the place and stuff. That freaked her out and she said we are not going. He called us the next morning also when we were scheduled to meet him and we didnt pick up.
I know I am out the $80 but was wondering if there is any way to get back to them. I know it is a lesson learned but this is not something that someone has to go through. They wasted 1 hour of my time at the airport and called the same evening at the hotel room. I paid cash for to the guy and have a receipt. Should I just reach out to the place selling the timeshare? Any creative ideas? Icing on the cake would be they would refund my money!
Another scam I saw in Cancun, not the Gran Caribe Real resort but I did see this at the Oasis Cancun and the Grand, as well as any resort that has the word, "Palace" in it.
Couples or families with children are the target. They first question they ask you is if you are married. And, if you are on your honeymoon. Either or, they will mold their scam to you, and they are very friendly about it, they say, if you are married but not on your honeymoon, something like, "How many years you been married?! Oh it's time for another honeymoon! How about we give you some free breakfast at so and so resort as an excursion and 2 one hour massages for free and you can use the spa?" And then you will be escorted to the place where they will ask you for your credit card just to know that you are you. This isn't true! Be careful! Show them your passport instead and you will see it's not good enough of an identity for them! Imagine! This is basically timeshare!
The post is spot on. a year ago we purchased in los cabos and stupidly signed away our initial deposit. after we figured out that we wanted to cancel we contacted profeco for help. they did help us, i will add it was a small challenge to get the documents to them and all that , but they sincerely offered assistance. the resort was making it hard for us to cancel saying that we would lose our deposit since we signed a paper saying such. in the end when we challenged this signed paper, saying that it was not legal, profeco did agree but said that they could not make the resort pay us back. long story short….we never got our money back! the whole process was making me sick to my stomach and i decided to just let it go and walk away. profeco can help with cancellation but they cannot get your money back if the resort does not want to give it back.
Timeshares in Mexico have had a bad reputation since the beggining of times Vacationers should be cautious.
I never did understand a time share! If I want to vacation there, it is much cheaper to just go and get a hotel. No long term contract and expense obligation.
I would never buy one. They don’t seem like a good investment at all.
Timeshare is not an easy thing to enter. It also makes noise when it comes to legality. There are people who are dissatisfied with these. To those who are in timeshare but don't want to have it now, cancel it now as early as you can. There are companies that offers timeshare cancelling.
In my mind it doesn't make sense. It is not an investment and it ties you down to yet another payment which may or may not make money. In fact it is not a cost effective way of vacationing. Why not have teh freedom of going whereever you want and not tied to your vacation investment?
las regulaciones y la corrupcion creo que influyen mucho, que lastima!
there are poor regulations, it's so easy to get scammed in mexico unfortunately :(
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