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Re: Vida Vacations & Grand Mayan lies (by Linda T.):

We were talked out of our fears in the first few days after signing by the salesman, and tried to rescind after 6 business days. Since Mexico does not count Good Friday as holiday, they calked it 6 business days. We gave up trying to get a refund or negotiating a lower price after 2 months. We have disputed our down payment with our credit card. I am putting what we have learned from that experience in hopes of helping others.

- WARNING. VIDANTA (VIVDA VACATIONS -TIMESHARE) - If you have bought from Vidanta, and it is still less than 5 business days since you signed, read this NOW. - Fraudulent sales tactics deceive you into believing you have bought a good product. The resort is beautiful, so, if you only want to visit a Vidanta resort using your Right To Use timeshare contract, enjoy it. But remember you spent $20,000 or higher up front, and still have to pay your usage fee plus exchange fee just to use a week at Vidanta. Plus the extra usage fee every 10 years for maintenance. When you add that up and compare to trades or ads on the internet, you would do better to rent from another source when you want to go there, unless you want to go to a Vidanta resort every year for 20 years to get the value.

- If you also want to use Vidanta to trade elsewhere, that is where the costs get out of sight.

- WHAT WE WERE TOLD BY THE SALESMAN VERSUS REALITY

- We were told that usage fees would rise a minimal amount, and that some have even been lowered. - REALITY The contract says usage fees may rise by as much as 5% per year. Customer Service later told us that fees will rise approximately 2.8-4.8% per year.

- We were told that we would be able to get 2 weeks for 1 deposit of our Vidanta week when trading. When we questioned if we really could get two weeks for one, we were assured that this is true, and we might even get 3 weeks for 1. - REALITY - The company gives you Gold level for life and upgrades you to Diamond level with SFX exchange company for the first year only. You CANNOT GET A SECOND WEEK at all unless you are at the diamond level. SO 2 WEEKS FOR ONE deposit only works the first year unless you pay to join Diamond. In April 2019, the Diamond level costs you $698 for a two year membership. You can get a 10 year Diamond membership for a lot cheaper, but it is still an extra up front cost. - Also, SFX charges $149 for the first of the two weeks. For second week, the charge is between $169 (for booking a studio less than 30 days ahead) and $899 ( for booking a 2-3 bedroom at least 90 days ahead). SFX recommends that you book at least 9 months ahead if want to be sure to get the place you want, and the longer ahead you book, the higher the price. - Generally, trading at the Gold level is very limited and expensive compared to Diamond level. - Google SFX reviews on RedWeek for more information.

- The salesman told us that we could get a multi-year membership for Vida Lifestyles for between $29-39 per year - REALITY - As of April 2019 the contract states that the membership is $798 for 2 years. Gold membership is free for the first 2 years. Then, to avoid paying $798 , you have to buy a multi year membership or a lifetime membership for a LARGE up front fee plus annual fee of at least $49.

- The salesman told us that we could sell our timeshare back to Vidanta in 10 years for $65% of the value that they put on it when we bought it, which was much higher than the what we paid for it. Too good to be true? Yup! - REALITY - They will only buy your timeshare for 65% of the value if you buy another full ownership product from them . And your trade-in value cannot be worth more than 20% of the new product.

- For more information, google Vidanta reviews. If you feel you have been scammed, get advice through TUG at tugbbs.com and Facebook group called VIDA Vacation SCAMS. You can find them by searching Facebook and they will answer your questions individually through messenger.