Word is getting out that Royal Holiday timeshare is fraudulent operation

Victims of the Royal Holiday Club timeshare operation are fighting back with websites and news stories publicizing the fraudulent practices of this business. In addition, a major television newsmagazine is gathering stories of victims for a possible segment on their show. It also goes by the name Premier Royal Holiday.

Groups with names like "RoyallyScammed", Royal_Holiday_scam, and Royal-HolidaySucks, have all been started by victims of the company that targets travelers on vacation to get them to sign illegal contracts and relieve them of thousands of dollars. RH has sales agents primarily in Cancun and Cozumel, but also in the Bahamas and other Caribbean locations.

They have joined to share their stories, tips on how to help new victims get refunds, and press for changes that will put Royal Holiday out of business. So far, their one small victory has been to get Royal Holiday to stop listing Hyatt, Marriott and a host of other big hotel chains as 'affiliates' on their website (although RH still makes this claim in their printed material).

Other changes they would like to see are the credit card companies refusing to process incoming charges from this fraudulent company, or at least immediate process chargebacks on the basis of a fraudulent transaction (rather than a mere contract dispute).

How does this happen to supposedly intelligent adults?

"They're so slick. They have this veneer of respectability because they have a huge office off the main lobby of the hotel," said one victim on the RH scam site. RHC does not actually own any of the resorts in their slick, thick catalog. They claim at least part ownership; in fact they nervily claimed in a letter of Dec. 2004 that they had just acquired the "Park Royal Los Cabos", and also that they had added a "strategic alliance" with Mexicana Airlines so as to offer its members special packages.

In fact, the sales reps for RHC make up anything to get a sale. They offer fictional air packages/discounts/flyer miles; they offer fictional golf packages; and lately they reportedly offer fictional annuities!

Mike, the head of the Yahoo group, Royal Holiday scam, has summed up all the company's angles very succinctly.

"The key points that I believe should be emphasized are (especially #13): 1) They hound you in the lobbies of reputable hotels (so the hotel is complicit) to give you the presentation so forcefully that it ruins your vacation. 2) They often serve drinks and offer amenities and spend hours at the presentation to get you to join. 3) They offer selling your timeshare at inflated prices to pay for your membership – They gave me a certificate for $14,500 from Century 21 which was bogus. 4) They promised that my 15,000 points would get me a two bed oceanfront suite which they showed us – another lie and typical scam tactic. 5) They said that Royal Holiday was an exclusive club and as such was all inclusive – another lie and typical scam tactic. 6) They claim that Royal Holiday has part ownership of most of their resorts - another lie and typical scam tactic to give them credibility; in fact, they rent out blocks of rooms at deeply discounted rates which translate to very poor service for those rooms. 7) I charged the down payment to my credit card for $3087.50 (and have the voucher) but when I got my bill they changed the amount to $3875.50 another tactic reported by several members here. 8) They say that you can cancel with 10, 30, (45 days in my case) but do not honor your requests to cancel and delay you until your options run out - another common problem. 9) They charge you credit card at will without authorization unless you report your card stolen - another tactic reported by several members here. 10) They charge you ridiculous fees at the first sign of a hurricane repair property they don't even own. 11) Their service is terrible if you actually do try to use them – they charge you so many fees that the cost of the vacation is almost always greater than what you would pay if you simply booked it through an online agency such as Travelocity. 12) Once you realize that they are a scam and decide to stop paying, they call you incessantly at home, make threats and get very belligerent – lying all the time again to delay any compensatory action on your part. 13) Credit card companies seldom honor fraud complaints and seldom refund your money – VISA or MC should remove Royal Holiday as an authorized vendor. MAKE THIS POINT LOUD AND CLEAR!!!! 14) They report you to American based collections agencies (Monterey and Concord Servicing) with whom they have million dollar contracts with Royal Holiday to collect charged off debts – accounts that are over 90 days and given up for lost. These collections agencies are aggressive and abrasive, violate the fair trade and debt collection laws, and have been known to file complaints against a couple of our member's credit report. 15) Most often relief is only attained after a long hard stressful battle with them through the PROFECO – the Mexican consumer protection agency."

Another victim, Diane Sgro of Connecticut, said it is partially the government's inability to hold timeshare developers to their contracts that has compelled her to dissuade all of her friends from investing in Bahamian timeshares. "We got Hoovered," Sgro said. "I tell every-body...(The Bahamas is) just not worth it. As much as they put out that there are laws, there's nothing there."

Charles, the founder of the online group Royally Scammed, was also a victim. "My wife and I got scammed when we went to Cancun, Mexico. We never owned a timeshare but everything they told us sounded good. We travel quite a lot and thought it was a reasonable deal. The problem is that Royal Holiday will lie to anyone just so they purchase the membership. Almost everything they tell you about the membership is a lie. I can't believe they continue to scam people." His site is at www.royallyscammed.com

KING5 television news ran an excellent story last fall on the problems with the RH contracts.

KING 5 had University of Washington law professor Kate O'Neill look at [one victim's] contract. [reporter]: "Would you sign that deal?" Kate O'Neill: "I hope not." O'Neill points to several clauses in the contract that all prospective timeshare owners should look for. Here's one: If the [victims] want to sue Royal Holiday, they'll have to make a long trip. "The purchase and sale agreement says the governing law will be the law of the state of Mexico City," O'Neill said. The contract also has customers sign a merger clause. "They are very dangerous clauses for consumers to sign," O'Neill said. The merger clause basically means verbal agreements can't be added to the contract. Though the salesman told the [victims] they could sell time back to the club, there are no rules for that in the contract. So they are out. "I doubt my typical first-year law student would understand what this means until after I teach them contract law," O'Neill said.

The full story can be accessed online here at http://www.king5.com/business/stories/NW_101707INV_timeshare_KS.1789c8d63.html

Victims of the Royal Holiday scam are encouraged to join any of the groups to share information and fight back. They give email or web addresses of the appropriate governmental and private consumer offices where you might get your refunds or make changes to business laws inre dealing with foreign companies. Some members of the Yahoo group have had success listing their story with the Squeaky Wheel.

The FTC is reportedly interested in complaints; one rep said that "if they get enough complaints from people they can stop them from operating, it has to be a group tho, not just 1 or 2 individuals."...I'm sure the info is out there already, but if for some chance not it is 1-877-382-4357, or www.ftc.gov/credit.

Another victim who was successful in getting a full refund says, "go here to write the Mexican Administration for Tourism: http://www.sectur.gob.mx/wb2/secturing/sect_8509_mailbox. As you can see, if you are persistent, you too can get all money returned and out of the contract. Do what she did, and you too will have good luck. Mexico does not have class action suits, and since these agreements were signed in Mexico, you can not file a class action suit. What you can do, is use the power of the Internet, be heard, share your story, and as others join in we are more powerful than a class action suit."

Major hotel chains, credit card companies, and travel agencies all seem complicit by at least turning a blind eye to slick scams operating in their midst. It would help if the government travel warnings from the State Department, etc. were more explicit about fraud. Only the Florida Attorney General's official warning is more explicit, although its office is little help after the fact. You can read their warning here: http://myfloridalegal.com/newsrel.nsf/newsreleases/22334FF77D6CFA10852573170044A67A: "Beware Foreign Timeshare Investments" and from the Florida consumer affairs office at ConsumerAffairs.com at http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/07/fl_timeshares.html.

Knowledge is power, but few travelers think to check online before signing any contracts while on vacation.

=================================================
AMENDED TO ADD:

I have come across a suggested template for a letter to the credit collection agency used by Royal Holiday (RMI). It cites specific consumer law or regulation, and should be very effective. It should be worded something like this:

Account Number: (insert your account number here)




Dear Sir or Madam:



This will serve as your legal notice pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 805, to cease and desist all further communication with me in regard to the above referenced debt or debts. You are hereby instructed to cease collection efforts immediately or face legal sanctions under applicable Federal and State law.



If you fail to heed this notice, I will have grounds to file a formal complaint against you with the Federal Trade Commission who is responsible for the enforcement of the FDCPA and with the Attorney General's office. 



I have decided that I will not work with your collection agency or any other collection agency under any circumstances. I am disputing the charge with the original creditor. By sending this letter, it is my intention to stop all phone calls and collection activity from this day forward. 



I also reserve the right to file suit against you for any future violations of this law. I may utilize telephone recording devices to document any telephone conversations that we may have in the future if you fail to comply with this cease and desist letter. You are also notified that should any adverse information be placed against my credit reports as a result of this notice, that appropriate action will be taken. 



I intend to keep a log of any contacts you make with me after you receive this letter. In addition, you may not contact me at my place of employment as my employer forbids such communication. Please give this very important matter the utmost attention.

Sincerely,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And then do it! Keep a note pad by the phone to make a note of any phone calls that come from a collection agency after sending this letter. You will need to note the exact date and time, and brief summary of what was said. Good Luck!

9 Votes
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{"commentId":1422225,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

One link failed to show up correctly above -- let me try it again.

Good luck to all the victims who are fighting back and banding together. The internet is a great tool in their efforts to warn others before being scammed, altho as I point out, people just do not think of checking out a company on the web while they are in a carefree, vacation state of mind.

{"commentId":1422225,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

3 votes

#1 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:42 PM EST

{"commentId":1425211,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

This is an informative and helpful article.

{"commentId":1425211,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

3 votes

#2 - Fri Feb 1, 2008 9:33 AM EST

{"commentId":1426663,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Thank you Shaun. These groups exist not only to try to get refunds for themselves, but to help prevent further victimization of travelers.
Please pass on to anyone who travels regularly, especially out of the country. Companies that are outside the US do not conform to any consumer protection laws, and redress is much more difficult.

{"commentId":1426663,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

4 votes

#3 - Fri Feb 1, 2008 4:14 PM EST

{"commentId":1426675,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

I will pass it on.

{"commentId":1426675,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

3 votes

#3.1 - Fri Feb 1, 2008 4:18 PM EST

{"commentId":1433077,"authorDomain":"O-K"}

O-K

Thanks for this information. I will let others know.

{"commentId":1433077,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"O-K"}

2 votes

#4 - Mon Feb 4, 2008 12:58 AM EST

{"commentId":1435150,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Thanks both of you.
I'd like to get it linked to some of the consumer or scam-warning sites, too.
What really gets me is that all the travel sites never tell you about all the shifty operators in the travel biz. They just tell you about beaches and resorts and airfare -- not a thing to wake people up so that they go there with their eyes open!

{"commentId":1435150,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

2 votes

#5 - Mon Feb 4, 2008 4:11 PM EST

{"commentId":1435223,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

ShaunV

What really gets me is that all the travel sites never tell you about all the shifty operators in the travel biz.

Your article will likely help alert some.

{"commentId":1435223,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

2 votes

#5.1 - Mon Feb 4, 2008 4:34 PM EST

{"commentId":1558587,"authorDomain":"ericgoe"}

Harley-249912

Add another horror story to the list. We fell scam to Scott Glidden a born again christian? at Los Tules selling Royal Vacations. He lied to us on numerous issues would not accept a letter to return documents to get out of contract. Then in so many word I was told if I valued my life that I would go through with the deal. I have a nervous condition and was trying to research a club in which I could vacataion. But after that statement I went into having panic attacks and just wanted out of the country no matter what for the safety of me and my wife. We were at los tules on March 3, 08 in which we signed the papers and went back on 4th to get out. I will be sending a letter monday to their office requesting out but expect no action. I only pray that no one should have to go through what we did on a vacation. I will keep you all posted on my work and if you can help me or I can help you my email is ericgoe@yahoo.com God bless

{"commentId":1558587,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"ericgoe"}

2 votes

#6 - Sun Mar 9, 2008 3:23 PM EDT

{"commentId":1559899,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Hi, Eric,
Stop panicking.
I do not know where Los Tules is (I just looked this up and it appears to be in Mexico -- good), but if it is outside of US you can ignore any threats to send a collection agency after you, because they have no such right to enforce payment.
You have sixty days from date of contract to file dispute with credit card company (if that is how you paid) -- and please dispute it on basis of fraud, not just a contract dispute.
IN Mexico, you have five days to give notice to cancel a contract, and if they did not TELL you that in so many words, that is illegal. That gives you another basis for disputing the charges.
They probably also told you a bunch of other lies on top of that.

I see that there is a complaint on Squeaky Wheel about Royal Vacations. Print that out and make copies. Enclose one copy with formal complaint to credit card company, as proof that this is a fraudulent company. Link is: http://www.thesqueakywheel.com/complaints/2007/SEP/complaint17794.cfm

{"commentId":1559899,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

2 votes

#6.1 - Sun Mar 9, 2008 11:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":1615506,"authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

Excerpt from:

I'll give you the short version - It's now 2008, I have yet to successfully book a vacation, I have nothing proving that I have that annuity (which an actual employee has documented doesn't exist anyway - ), I have a yearly maintenance fee that I was told would never go up, it's now over $100 more then what it started at ($360/yr), I have useless email addresses and phone numbers to a company that I can only speculate even exists - unless you want to hear what they can't do or won't do for you, I have an unfulfilled request to receive the property directory (requested from day one because they were out at the presentation (how convenient)), I have an contract that I didn't know existed until just recently, one of the pages being the actual cancellation terms that I never received (very convenient) while I was there, I have huge regret ever going to the Bahamas, but more importantly to the presentation they offered (which by the way is more of like a salesman sitting on your lap, not a true presentation). I have been lied, deceived, and denied the reimbursement of all the funds I have put into it (15k to date), even though their own contact states that if you don't receive all of the paperwork in the beginning, you're contract is null and void (and this includes not receiving the operating rules of the club, which I have not had until just recently). Don't fall for it, don't even bother going to their presentation, no matter how much they sweeten the deal (free tequila/drinks, free room upgrades, free travel, free food, free anything, because as we all know, nothing in life is free and you'll find out soon enough if you get involved with a scam like this one. There's a reason why they deny you access to the internet to research the company or time to think about it. If you want more documented accounts of U.S. and Canadian citizens having this very same problem, feel free to read our daily updates at . I guarantee that I'm not alone and what I am saying is real and you will find very little help from the "company" to resolve your issues. The only way to make this issue known is to broadcast it to as many people as possible and that's exactly what I want to do here. Don't take my word for it, read the newsgroups and the media reports.

{"commentId":1615506,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

2 votes

#7 - Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":1615658,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Thanks for that. There have been several reports I've read where they treat you to alcoholic drinks for as long as it takes -- along with the full spread buffet meals.
At least we know where some of the money goes to!
Now, who are you? And where is that excerpt FROM exactly? Do you also have a website for your gripe with the Royal Holiday people, too?

{"commentId":1615658,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

1 vote

#7.1 - Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:08 PM EDT

{"commentId":1631004,"authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

Sorry about that, (I cant post html weblinks in here)

so goto thesqueakywheel dot com and search for "royal holiday", no quotes
mine is the link that it titled Royal Holiday Lies and Scams.

I don't have my own website, but I can tell you where you could find as much information as you would like about the many people who have been victimized by this company. It's a yahoo groups forum that is ran by the "Mike" that was listed in the original story - groups dot yahoo dot com forward slash group forward slash Royal_Holiday_scam

With a quick, free, registration, you could read what others have gone through as well. I have been a victim for 7 years of their quick words and cunning deception. Like i said, just when you feel like you're getting a great deal, you'll find out just how great it isn't. 7 years....and not one vacation taken through them, not 1 single dollar back, not 1 single registration accepted. I've finally had enough and it's time to take some action.

I've written the "official spokesperson" directly and received a letter back with the denial of anything that i listed above and a denial of the cancellation and refund. So...off into the wonderful world of the internet I go to inform as many innocent people i can so that they don't go through what we all have gone through.

Oh...one more thing. Keep an eye open for 20/20 segment, we've donated a lot of real and truthful information to that cause as well. We're on the edge of our seats just waiting for that to broadcast.

: )

{"commentId":1631004,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

3 votes

#8 - Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:20 PM EDT

{"commentId":1632661,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Thanks very much for that info, altho I know it must hurt to admit such an expensive mistake. I was very surprised to see how many and varied Yahoo groups there are -- and active, too!!
But yay for the little guys getting together to share information, because that is how to pressure these companies into doing the right thing. I'll have to check around with the ABC site and see if there is any way to get notified ahead of the broadcast. And if YOU find out, please stop back in and let us know. This should be good.
I had a letter from Royal Holiday passed on to me from a victim -- I will make a separate posting of that.

{"commentId":1632661,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

1 vote

#8.1 - Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:28 AM EDT

{"commentId":5783941,"authorDomain":"rosca200978"}

rocio villegas

Hi there

I work for law firm in Mexico City, and I had the experience of more than a 100 cancellation from this company. most of my cases are from mexicans with the same problems as you guys feel free to contact me it might be helpfull

{"commentId":5783941,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"rosca200978"}

1 vote

#8.2 - Fri Mar 6, 2009 2:37 PM EST

{"commentId":1648674,"authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

Just an fyi -

I sent an email to a ton of friends and coworkers about my complaint page and it's already been hit over 8000 times. I told official spokesperson of RHC that i knew a lot of people and that he would not want me to inform them of the happenings...

Well, there ya go...proof that when i have my head set on something, it will get done. It's only a matter of time and i have the patience to make the rounds!

for anyone who missed it, here's how you get to it...

goto thesqueakywheel dot com and search for "royal holiday", no quotes
mine is the link that it titled Royal Holiday Lies and Scams. (Its the 4th one down)

Still can't post links in here.

: )

{"commentId":1648674,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

2 votes

#9 - Wed Apr 2, 2008 4:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":1648835,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Another detail has come out about making a formal complaint thru your bank or credit card company. Ask them to assist you in accordance with FEDERAL REGULATION E. Often the bank will say they can do nothing for you, that you have waited too long, etc.
The bank failed to assist you properly -- and gave you an inadequate answer. Tell the bank that this charge was unauthorized and point out the many complaints listed against the company on RipoffReport or SqueakyWheel, etc. Tell them nicely that you were advised to report the bank to the Banking Commission in your state if they failed to assist you correctly. Keep asking for FEDERAL REGULATION E form. The bank can and must reverse fraudulent charges. Ask to speak to supervisor or branch manager if you get nowhere.
The bank can fax this dispute form to you. There is no cutoff for fraud situations.
I am told that credit card issues can have up to six months to dispute a charge -- this is very different from the 60 days that I was told earlier, so please keep after your credit card company. The CC company might review it but refuse to reverse charges -- in that case tell them that you will be filing a report.

{"commentId":1648835,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

2 votes

#10 - Wed Apr 2, 2008 4:55 PM EDT

{"commentId":1651205,"authorDomain":"lzsolluna"}

Laura Zarate

Another story, we were scammed in Puerto Vallarta Los Tules, I've sent a number of letters to different agencies & BBB's inlcuding PROFECO, Bank of America- etc.--- no one has been able to help us yet.
they made promises and guarantees that thay never intende to keep.... the produced a gurantee of purchase for our existing timeshare, since we made it clear that would be the only way we could acquire theirs...... we even paid closing costs & property taxes to Mexico

Is their anything else I can do??
please advise

{"commentId":1651205,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"lzsolluna"}

1 vote

#11 - Thu Apr 3, 2008 11:09 AM EDT

{"commentId":1655056,"authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

You guys wont believe this....
Read this story that "Scott" just posted about some recent dealings with Royal Holiday club in Punta Cana....

Direct quote from the Yahoo Groups Forum -

"My first experience with RH was in Punta Cana (Mar16/06).Purchased a
Silver Mem.& at the time it seemed like a great deal until you get all
their real contract rules. We had to wait 2 years (Dec/07) & travel in
low season to stay at the Park Royal in Cancun. No free shuttle
service from the airport, better deals if we traveled on our own not
using RH, etc etc. We were approached by a rep(Pique) & we voiced our
disappointment in the total RH experience. He assured us that if we
upgraded to Gold+ status all our problems would disappear. We decided
that the upgrade was not for us when suddenly a new rep
(Nigel/Bernardo) stepped in and started to tell us about all the extra
perks that came with a Gold+ Membership. Here comes all the lies. He
first said that all our money would be put in Guaranteed Bank Annuity
for a term of 30 years. Next he said we would annually for the next
five years receive a dividend of 13.08% (equated to $6516.46 USD) It
seemed reasonable rate of return considering how big a company RH is.
He said something about a "Rent Sure" program where they would buy
back our unused points (still cannot find that program). After I
arrived home, I go on the internet to check out this so called bank
called Granthix( called multiple times no answer & emailed no reply)
& find out it is actually an investment company who may or may not
have your money at the end of 30 years & they would not be submitting
me any dividends annually. I called & left messages with
Nigel/Bernardo voicing my concerns but with no replies so I emailed
him Jan12/08 with still no reply.
At this point I decided to wild card "complaints Royal Holiday" & much
to my surprise there are many of us in the SAME BOAT. I have sent
copies of the contracts /emails etc. to Mariana Olvera @ Profeco,
phoned the Legal Dept. of the Ministry of Tourism, contacted Mike
Barbiero, Esquire 215-735-2166 & joined this website. I reported my
Credit Card lost & believe it or not heard from RH (Mar26/08) looking
for an installment. After spending 3-4 hours on the phone with Henry
explaining my reasons for not giving them any more money & trying just
to get my Silver Status reinstated (since I had not used the Gold+
yet) he just kept on saying "you signed a contract". He finally
offered me a 10000 point bonus to give the installment & said he would
call back tomorrow. He called back 2 days later & asked me what I
wanted & I said "my silver status back" & he said my membership is
being sent to a collection agency. I do not understand why they would
not reinstate my old membership & let me deal with all the crap but
now, after this threat, I want totally out. Any info I can find out I
will gladly pass on & if anyone has any info to bury this scam please
let me know how I can help. I think I should start by contacting local
travel agents about this company. Scott "

I knew Royal Holiday was still up to their old tricks.....

Just keeping innocent folks informed...

Joe Marquez

{"commentId":1655056,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

2 votes

#12 - Fri Apr 4, 2008 10:57 AM EDT

{"commentId":1655152,"authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

By the way, just for reference...that was posted to yahoo groups by Scott at Tue Apr 1, 2008 6:25 pm...

I don't want anyone to think i'm digging up old news or anything like that.

: )

Joe

{"commentId":1655152,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

2 votes

#13 - Fri Apr 4, 2008 11:18 AM EDT

{"commentId":1657182,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Hi, notgoingtoputupwithrh,
Thanks for checking in and letting us know the latest scammeroo with Royal Holiday.
The newest wrinkle (and by newest I mean within the past year or so) Royal Holiday has been sucking in more victims with this fake annuity gimmick. No one can find out who or what this Granthix is, altho some have actually managed to get some kind of certificate after many requests. Make that demands. (This is what I have gleaned after reading months of posts on the Yahoo group.)

So, dear travelers, while you may not be interested in any kind of timeshare or travel club 'benefits', put your fingers in your ears if the sales rep starts yapping about how your money will go into an annuity and the interest or dividends from which will pay for the cost of the Royal Holiday membership. Not gonna happen. If it sounds too good to be true and a RHC rep is saying it, it is too good to be true.

{"commentId":1657182,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

2 votes

#14 - Fri Apr 4, 2008 8:21 PM EDT

{"commentId":1665658,"authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

Wow...

Browsing through the web today and I found a few more folks that were scammed in the Bahamas like i was. I was on the ripoff dot com website and did a search for Royal Holiday - nothing, but with Royal Holiday Club, that's when i ran across these folks. I guess it's my turn to add to the mix...

Minnie,

A few years ago, i might have been satisfied with just the annuity certificate, but after reading a posting from an ex-employee, I am going to pass on that and continue to push for the cancellation and the partial refund of my cash.

I will never feel like Royal Holiday practices good business nor do they care for their consumers who have tried to be friendly and tried to use their services. They're bottom line is fed by those who have been scammed for 10-15k dollars for the useless point category and they won't let up until enough people have exposed them for what it really is.

Joe Marquez

{"commentId":1665658,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

2 votes

#15 - Mon Apr 7, 2008 5:56 PM EDT

{"commentId":1666156,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

By ripoff dot com website -- Do you mean RipoffReport.com??

And this report by an ex-employee -- I did not see that tho I did not make a search today. Do you happen to have a link to that? It sounds REALLY interesting!!!

Thanks for checking in -- and good luck with your refund demands. It takes dedication but people are getting refunds if they keep contacting the list of employees and consumer agencies and press given at these websites.

{"commentId":1666156,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

1 vote

#15.1 - Mon Apr 7, 2008 9:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":1688027,"authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

Hello, yes, I meant the ripoffreport.com website. Sorry for the typo...

Oh, by the way, anyone that missed the 20/20 episode, here's a digital version of it...

http: // www.youtube.com /watch?v=DAUDBwx5rAI

omit the spaces and it will come up...this was a glorious weekend!

How it was documented was how things went down in the Bahamas too and I would bet that others that went through it will testify of the same treatment. What was supposed to be a 90 minute presentation, turned into a 5 hour, frustrating waste of a day. We're getting closer, I'll elaborate more on this later...

Thank you : )

Joe

{"commentId":1688027,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

2 votes

#16 - Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:58 PM EDT

{"commentId":1688359,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Thank you! Yes, the ABC program ran on April 11 -- sorry I did not hear about it in advance, otherwise I would have put up a note about it.
GLAD that it is available on the internet, and thanks again.

{"commentId":1688359,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

1 vote

#17 - Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:50 PM EDT

{"commentId":1731627,"authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

At this time, I am stating that my complaint with Royal Holiday club has been resolved.

If able, I would like to request my postings to be deleted...

If not able to delete, then my final post is:

ALL complaints made by me against RHC are hereby resolved via an agreement made between the company and myself.

Thank you

Joe

{"commentId":1731627,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"notgoingtoputupwithrh"}

1 vote

#18 - Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:45 PM EDT

{"commentId":4847111,"authorDomain":"unbelieve01"}

Enraged-819395

I am not sure if this site is still active, but if it is-please help! We recently bought a "membership" with RHC and got screwed- like many others. We have only paid the installation fee, and we want out. No one will call us back, make it right, etc. What are our options??

{"commentId":4847111,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"unbelieve01"}

1 vote

#19 - Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:11 PM EST

{"commentId":4950236,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Yeah, if you bought in Mexico, you have a week to send a notification to the RHC offices that you are reconsidering and cancelling the contract. DO NOT SEND THEM ANY MORE MONEY. Call up your credit card company if you used them to pay a deposit on the contract, and tell them that the company is fraudulent and you want the charge reversed.

Collect as much info as you can to back up the claim that the company is fraudulent and send it in to cc company with the form they will send you investigating the charge.

Good luck. Join the Yahoo group for people scammed by RHC.

{"commentId":4950236,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

1 vote

#19.1 - Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:59 PM EST

{"commentId":4917985,"authorDomain":"fbellini"}

FrankX

My wife and I were tapped by Royal Holiday off Cable Beach at the Sheraton in Nassau, Bahamas Jan 16 by RHC. Offered a free lunch (it was pretty poor) and a gift certificate (snorkel dive, which was great) we were sucked in to what was described as a 90 minute (really 2 1/2 hour) presentation of a pressured sales pitch.

The clues were clear, although they took a while to develop -- the tour was magnificent: but when they began to talk details, to try to personalize the pitch, it sounded "too good to be true". This takes a while to play out because the important numbers are not presented until the end.

The other clues have to do with the price and the product, both of which are moving targets. As we indicated our need to "do our own independent research" on RHC the price of our product was lowered and ite scope improved several times. We were subject to speaking with 5 different sales people in the course of the last half hour.

When we finally were allowed to graciously extricate ourselves by dealing with a very sad man who let us go, the scam became clear.

A little Internet research revealed both 60-Minutes and 20-20 programs and a Better Business Bureau rating of "F" for RHC, as well as a wide range of scamming stories.

{"commentId":4917985,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"fbellini"}

1 vote

#20 - Wed Jan 21, 2009 4:18 AM EST

{"commentId":4950263,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

You are SOOO lucky, Frank to get out of their tentacles with your pocketbook intact. They will make up anything to get you to sign their contract.

{"commentId":4950263,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

#20.1 - Thu Jan 22, 2009 5:01 PM EST

{"commentId":5120842,"authorDomain":"debbie1012"}

Debbie H-854598

Stay away from this fraudulant company at all costs!! We were scammed out of $21,127.00

Profeco is on the case.

{"commentId":5120842,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"debbie1012"}

1 vote

#21 - Sun Feb 1, 2009 9:36 PM EST

{"commentId":5123116,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Ouch, that was a huge hit. Good luck with Profeco -- altho from what I hear they can only help if the loss occurred less than one year ago. If I am wrong please write back and tell me what the deal is there.

{"commentId":5123116,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

#21.1 - Mon Feb 2, 2009 1:54 AM EST

{"commentId":5180726,"authorDomain":"agjc31"}

I am sorry to say but I got victimized by Royal Hellday and I've been trying to cancel/terminate my membership/contract. I contacted BBB from Arizona (since this is where their collection agency is located) and Florida. I even contacted the attorney general from Florida (if you guys complain to him maybe he will hear us out and investigate Royal Hellday since they have an office there as well). PROFECO (I have not heard anything from them). I was mis-informed or should I say the verbal agreement that I agreed upon was different from the contract that I signed. I just found this out when I receive the bill and astound to find out that I have to pay more, way more that what we have talked about so I called them up, sent those emails and even did the registered mail to cancel my membership but to no avail. Then they call me as if they don't even know that I was trying to cancel my membership and asked for the money so I told them that I want out and they threaten me that they will ruin my credit history, report me to the collection agency.

If anyone has other option on how to get out of the contract/membership please email me or post it here.

Any help will be appreciated.

{"commentId":5180726,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"agjc31"}

2 votes

#22 - Wed Feb 4, 2009 5:37 PM EST

{"commentId":5182403,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Royal Hellday -- that's a good one. Arrgghh, am so sorry they gotcha too.

Anyway, if you have not already contacted your credit card company (if you used that for your down payment), do it right away and say you are contesting the charge on the grounds of FRAUD. Print out a bunch of stuff from online about what a fraudulent company this is to help back up that claim. Enclose it with the form they will send you re explaining why you are contesting the charge.

ALSO join the Yahoo group online and get their emails; search thru their postings and bulletins re how to fight them. I see you have already done some of the work, but look anyway for more. Post a complaint on Squeaky Wheel and give an email address of someone as high up as you can find on the Royal Holiday employee/exec chart. The contract you signed should have the full names of the people who signed off on the contract with you -- you will have to search thru the whole thing to find that. Try using the email address format for those names and contact them, and/or use them in any complaints you file anywhere.

That's about it for now. The credit card companies can nullify the down payment; I think the deadline is 2 months from the date you paid but I could be wrong. Florida has zip as far as consumer help, and the co. just has a PO Box in Florida, right? So forget them. I hear that complaining to AZ just gets you bounced to the Florida address -- one big runaround.

You did not say in what country you scammed -- Mexico or other Caribbean nation? Profeco handles sales made in Mexico -- and I read on the Yahoo group page that you get three tries at getting the company to negotiate a deal of some kind.

Mexican law as stated in the article says you have 5 working days to cancel the contract -- so that means you have to send a certified written cancellation. RHC never acknowledges receipt of phone requests to cancel. If you did that, good.

DO NOT SEND THEM ANY MORE MONEY!!!!!!!! They cannot do anything to you no matter how much they threaten because they are a Mexican/foreign company.

{"commentId":5182403,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

1 vote

#22.1 - Wed Feb 4, 2009 6:49 PM EST

{"commentId":5193353,"authorDomain":"agjc31"}

actually the one in AZ is where their collection agency (third party) located. I just got a letter from them informing me that they will not go after me with any charges for now till i settle the dispute with Royal Hellday (which is a relief). we were in Cancun and it was wonderful in there and now i am having second thought on going back there or any mexican resort. and yestrerday i receive an email and a voicemail from them asking me why i have not paid my balance so iam guessing they are ignoring my phone calls, emails and the mail that i sent them asking them to terminate my contract.

{"commentId":5193353,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"agjc31"}

2 votes

#22.2 - Thu Feb 5, 2009 11:43 AM EST

{"commentId":5210156,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Good news about the letter! -- altho it seems that internal communications has not passed on the info to the other depts. That seems to happen a lot. Just send or fax or email a copy of the letter you received, to the dunning branch, and hope that shuts them up.

{"commentId":5210156,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

#22.3 - Fri Feb 6, 2009 2:09 AM EST

{"commentId":5222471,"authorDomain":"agjc31"}

hey, i tried to join th club in yahoo but the moderator does not seems to like me joining the group, i sent them the complain letter i sent to PROFECO and tried to explain my case but seems like i am not getting in, do you know if there is somewhere else i can go to get more input on how to beat royal holiday?

{"commentId":5222471,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"agjc31"}

1 vote

#22.4 - Fri Feb 6, 2009 3:31 PM EST

{"commentId":5227148,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

You have to give the club moderator time to check you out before letting you into the group. They are very concerned about RHC people trying to get inside the group to find out their identities and intimidate them or whatever.

{"commentId":5227148,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

#22.5 - Fri Feb 6, 2009 7:06 PM EST

{"commentId":5306801,"authorDomain":"agjc31"}

This is getting ridiculous now, I have been harass by emails and phone calls threatening me about collection agency even though I was informed that the agency will not do anything if the dispute has not been resolved. Is there any other way to do? Can they really have the way to make me pay my balance?

{"commentId":5306801,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"agjc31"}

2 votes

#22.6 - Wed Feb 11, 2009 11:33 AM EST

{"commentId":5323296,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

No, they cannot force you to pay this bill -- the company is not based in the US, so their laws have no force here. You could see a lawyer who fights collection agencies, because there are rules about what hours etc they can call you. The collection agency can be sued for damages if they break the rules.

{"commentId":5323296,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

1 vote

#22.7 - Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:42 AM EST

{"commentId":5323374,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

And Al, if you can make comments without bringing an ugly mess of coding, we'd appreciate it. :)

{"commentId":5323374,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

#23 - Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:48 AM EST

{"commentId":5328921,"authorDomain":"agjc31"}

Sorry about the mess, i just click on replay and post and it came out that way. Anyways, if i don't pay them would they(the collection agency) or can they report that to credit history as a deliquent account? Or should i say that can it ruinn my credit history?

{"commentId":5328921,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"agjc31"}

1 vote

#23.1 - Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:03 AM EST

{"commentId":5340848,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

I think that they are just blowing smoke. But at any rate, (first, assuming that you check your credit report fairly regularly -- once or twice a year) you can just dispute any remark in your credit report about this by adding in some material about what a fraud this company is. Truth is a defense.

{"commentId":5340848,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

#23.2 - Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:27 PM EST

{"commentId":5342713,"authorDomain":"agjc31"}

You have been very helpful and i thank you for that, I just wish there is more that i can do so that i can finally get my contract cancel. I also think the group in yahoo will make me a member of the group, i'm not sure what else i can do so i can prove that i a victim as well and i just want some help bcoz this situation is driving me insane.

{"commentId":5342713,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"agjc31"}

1 vote

#23.3 - Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:03 PM EST

{"commentId":5344345,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

I understand -- just hang loose, join the yahoo group, contact the credit card company if you used them for the down payment or whatever, contact the Mexican consumer agency Profeco. You have done your part for now -- Profeco is kinda slow but you get three whacks at it (if it takes that long) to try to get your money back. If you start the process promptly, like within a couple months of the purchase, that seems to be the most likely to get a prompt cancellation. But others have gotten money back too so just hang in there. Go rent a movie or something, also the library probably has DVDs too. And Valentine's Day is coming up so try to think of something nice to do for that day.

{"commentId":5344345,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

1 vote

#23.4 - Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:31 PM EST

{"commentId":5412659,"authorDomain":"jiansun50"}

Jane Davis

They are liars and Robbers. What can we do to stop them or to crash them. We have to gather together to fight back. The hotel top sales man salary is $200K. --Wrong !

I am learning from you and I will tell more peoples about all time share business are liars.

Tips which their sales man told me:

1. You can cancel your credit card number and stop the payment, as you have over paid and you have a right to stop the payment which you disagree. One of my lawyer told me: simply enough to stop the payment. They can not attack outr credit at all.

2. One gentleman told me he complained on this web site and he gathered more than 50 peoples, then the company returned the money to ask them be quiet.

3. Please write letter to and your credit card company and to attack RoyalHoliday's credit.

4. If you just bought recently or last three months, you can withdraw your money from your credit card company.

ps: We should stay together and fight, and I do not think Goverment should allow this business - they are liar and robber.

{"commentId":5412659,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"jiansun50"}

1 vote

#24 - Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:45 AM EST

{"commentId":5422979,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Thanks, Jane, for corroborating what some of us have been saying about the Credit Card companies (cancelling your charge), and about the timeshare companies.

{"commentId":5422979,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

1 vote

#24.1 - Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:56 PM EST

{"commentId":11451180,"authorDomain":"shellymariano"}

Shelly Mariano

I bought my membership years ago, so theres no getting my money back from charging back on a credit card. It wasnt until we started dealing with them that we realized what rip off artists there are. Since then, I am divorced and it is just me. I'm having to pay this "maintenance fee of $465 a year and fees if I did book a vacations. It wasnt such a bad deal when I was married and it was the three of us. But now its just me paying for everything. I dont want it anymore, I want out of it. I think the yearly maintainence fees are a scam and then to have to pay extra to go all exlusive is another way of getting members money. And every time I talk to someone there, I get a different story. I'm at the point of just letting them sic their collection agency on me, after my divorice, my credit is already shot.

I JUST WANT TO GET OUT OF THIS CONTRACT....CAN SOMEONE HELP ME

Shelly

{"commentId":11451180,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"shellymariano"}

1 vote

#24.2 - Wed Dec 30, 2009 3:19 AM EST

{"commentId":11543156,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

Dear Shelly --

Just stop paying the annual maintenance fees. Just stop, they cannot harm you. So what if they try to ding your credit report. What you do is you write to the credit reporting agency and explain what crooks they are and what a fraudulent company this is (possibly adding a link or something to the 20/20 report about them) and generally speaking they will remove the item from your report.

Just STOP sending them any money. You can try going through Profeco, the Mexican consumer agency, to get a full or partial refund, but that is a drawn-out process.

I feel for you, Shelly, after going through a divorce you really do not need the grief from these crooks at Royal Holiday. Hang tough.

-- Minnie

{"commentId":11543156,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}

#24.3 - Mon Jan 4, 2010 11:51 PM EST

{"commentId":5784265,"authorDomain":"rosca200978"}

rocio villegas

I´m in México City, in regard of your experience with this company.
I represent a law firm in Mexico City, and have the experience of more than a 100 contract cancellations with royal holiday.
I know all the different contracts, rules & regulations and all the defferent programs they sale.
if you´re interested please contact me
rosca200978@yahoo.com.mx

{"commentId":5784265,"threadId":"211922","contentId":"1269118","authorDomain":"rosca200978"}

#25 - Fri Mar 6, 2009 2:50 PM EST

{"commentId":5791884,"authorDomain":"MinnieApolis"}