T-Dot-Traveller
TUG Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2015
- Messages
- 4,645
- Reaction score
- 3,592
- Points
- 348
- Location
- Canada
- Resorts Owned
-
Mayan Palace Regency
Taranova
Dear Michele88,
Mikenk is giving good advice . Let go of the anger .
and yes - Vidanta owners generally have a poolside " presentation " story ( or two ) to tell .
And - you will likely love the resorts - daily maid & towel service & great staff , big pools etc (** see my addition at bottom )
Vidanta is non AI ( all inclusive ) and has good onsite restaurants .
This gives you more choice .
Buy some groceries & save money / eat on site / or go off resort to other restaurants .
***********
Step one is determining -can you afford the contract.
( if not - they may let you out if you forfeit the deposit - I really do not know / since posters simply say they "came to an agreement and are removing their post and comments )
IF you own it / then : how to resolve details & best use it .
I would add - Vidanta Member Services I believe works primarily Monday- Friday .
That gives a day or so to determine what your goal is in contacting them .
IMO - goal (1)- politely ask them to explain some contract details you do not understand .
You seem to have a pay on use only addendum or feature
You mention (8) a $850 USD due no later than Feb 28 2020
( note: all Vidanta contracts are in USD as far as I am aware, this includes Mexican National Contracts )
Ask them - does this mean- I am required to pay:
$ 850- for the 2018 use year ( plus $ 50 upon booking a week)
$ 850 - for the 2019 use year ( plus $ 50 upon booking a week )
$850 - for the 2020 use year ( due Feb 20 2020 ) ( plus $ 50 upon booking a week )
and then all future year use is pay on use only ( ie no go / no pay )
( FYI - my 2006 contract required a mandatory MF for the first 5 years and then it became pay on use only )
The above is my "interpretation " of your posted information - have Member Services explain it on the phone and then ask if they can email you
the information .
< understand - that the initial purchase price can best be looked at as a partial prepayment towards xx weeks of future vacations .
so any year you choose not to use you are forfeiting the pre-payment but saving the annual MF >
It is a very good addendum / feature that Vidanta has used
in ( many) contracts at all brand levels since they introduced it in 2006 . Very few other TS have this feature .
The money initially spent is spent -but no mandatory annual MF is required if " life events" cause you not to be able to use .
*******
ARP - 6 months - ( same as in my contract) - generally Vidanta contracts allow using this years "use year" to book into the following year
as long as booked before year end . This is important for snowbird use .
ie -Aug. 1 2016 - I can book Feb 2017 and charge to a credit card-( using my 2016 use year ) is how it works . (Confirm with Member Services that your contract works the same way- and if so- call reservations Aug 1 2017 to book a 2018 winter vacation .)
*******
Season red - red season is defined (in my contract ) as all weeks except Christmas , New Years and the (2) weeks on either side of Easter Sunday ( which floats)
These 4 weeks are big Mexican National Holiday weeks and are sold as Elite week contracts for a lot more money .
*******
SFX is an exchange company (similar to RCI or Intervals International ) Diamond is the "pay " level in SFX , (gold level SFX is free )google to see the difference
Vida SFX weeks are pay on use only "bonus" weeks only usable via SFX to exchange to non Vidanta properties . (I believe you can contact SFX by phone for more info )
Privilege Weeks are weeks usable at Vidanta resorts ( I am unclear on the details .I believe they may not have the same ARP as your primary ownership week etc. Perhaps Member Services can better explain <(Home) Privilege Weeks >- these weeks may be similar to what was called Vacation Fare Weeks in "old" contracts - a bonus week that is always pay on use only - but is only bookable 45 days ahead in Feb & March . (so generally non snowbird season usable )
Ambassador certificates are good value for the user . Vidanta offers them in the hopes that the user of them can be convinced to buy .
10 sounds like the number I heard poolside last year from an owner who upgraded .
*******
unit size - Suite 1BR (1 bedroom )1 BA ( 1 bathroom ) 04 Cap ( ?? ) KIT ( Kitchen or partial Kitchen ? )
6 people is possible in a one bedroom Mayan Palace suite - the bedroom sleeps 2 ( generally a king size bed ) the living room has (2) wood frame sofas with a one piece slab foam seat cushions that turn into single beds by removing the back cushions ( much more comfortable than fold out sofa sleepers ) . Their are also 2 trundle beds that slide out from under the sofas.
These trundle beds are really best for children . RCI lists it as sleeps 5 . As long as Member Services says 6 is OK in an email - it is your family sharing the space . We have been there a couple of times for an Easter Holiday week ( a few years ago when Vidanta sent a promo e-mail - allowing red week owners to book an Easter Week ) and the norm those weeks is probably 6 in a one bedroom suite . ( grandparent in their 50's , married son & daughter in law & a couple of young children ) It is a lot like May 24 / Victoria Day Weekend at a Canadian family cottage .
** Reservations for additional Entertainment Collection Weeks may be requested .... ( ask Member Services - how many per year and what MF per week - etc etc )
this is a benefit that is new to me .
Since you are the first TUG post listing the brand " Entertainment Collection " please find out and /or list any other details .It would appear it is a Mayan Palace or Bliss range MF with
some (possible) additional benefits . Ask Member Services - what benefits ?? (perhaps : discounted access to Cirque RM & Cirque NV & Theme Park when opened ?? ) and how does it differ from Bliss or Mayan Palace (the one bedroom suite MP & Bliss are the same square footage with different furnishings / decor )
FYI - Vidanta has used golf discounts as a carrot to get folks to buy - so entertainment access to Cirque du Soleil and the theme park at better pricing would make carrot sense .
Vidanta has - of recent years added some "brands" that are less ' building" specific. This allows more reservations flexibility since their 7 property locations vary in building brands and number of units per brand .
THE COLLECTION - Sea Garden , Mayan Palace , Bliss - ( no ARP was listed according to a fall 2015 TUG poster who eventually rescinded )
THE GRAND COLLECTION - Grand Mayan , Grand Bliss
CASCADES - ( pre -build / will be inside the Nuevo Vallarta Cirque Theme Park opening in 2018 )
KINGDOM OF THE SUN - ( pre-build / will be inside the N. Vallarta Cirque Theme Park opening in 2018)
FYI - a Jan 2017 Tug post said display models of Kingdom & Cascades are now open on the 9th floor of the Grand Bliss Nuevo Vallarta .
TUG Member / Grand Luxxe owner Mikenk posted that it appeared that the suite sizes for Kingdom and Cascades will be similar to a Mayan Palace sq. footage.
this makes sense - a significant target market for the theme park is Mexican National / Summer usage . Guadalajara with a metro area of 5 million +
will be under a 5 hour drive when the under construction toll road is completed .
*****
Mikenk has posted in other threads about having Member Services add an addendum to his contract:
that - after the initial 10 year term - one of your 100 year weeks takes on all the benefits and privileges
of the initial 10 year /1 week per year week
You may wish to read other TUG thread / posts to clarify this information .
I hope this helps.
*****
added - I re-read your info on Equity Value / trade in .
As I understand it - sales gave you a " credit / price reduction of $ 1897 ( smoke and mirrors) towards a "trade in " . You them "owe" $ 1897 to an outside transfer company who is calling for " their " money .
IMO - here is my suggestion - Get Vidanta Member Services to put in writing that money due is $ xxx ( balance due since you gave a deposit ) whether or not the " trade in " is transferred out of your name .
( Vidanta does not care about your trade in - but get it in writing )
Then tell the transfer company - you do not plan to pay them to transfer AND they do not have to do the transfer. Mostly they want the money which is why they are calling daily . If you are worried about your paperwork and signature offer to send them $ 100 Canadian cashiers cheque for mailing of your paperwork and another $ 100 Canadian when you receive it . Be Honourable if it is mailed to you .
Either keep the trade in or give it away on TUG if it has no resale value . This will likely cost less than $1897 even if you pay transfer cost and next years MF - and you will have better control of the process .
************
** VIDANTA DAILY MAID SERVICE AND DAILY TOWELS -this is done at every Vidanta brand level by very hardworking Vidanta staff . PLEASE TIP THEM . Generally one person will do all the days (except (her) day(s) off - we give about $ 5 per day / $35 USD . We find out her name and usually give it the day before check out . I also try very hard to tip the " day off " person as I assume they may be a newer hire and are getting moved daily so less tips as not every guest notices . I will try to go up from the pool midday just to give a tip (propina )to the fill in person .
There is a thread started Feb 1 in the TUG Wyndham forum :
" No mid week cleaning unless you are Gold or Plat. ? "
At Vidanta it is done DAILY for everyone staying - from SEA GARDEN to GRAND LUXXE .
I am not saying this alone will " remove the sting" but at least if you paid developer price you are getting full service .
.
Mikenk is giving good advice . Let go of the anger .
and yes - Vidanta owners generally have a poolside " presentation " story ( or two ) to tell .
And - you will likely love the resorts - daily maid & towel service & great staff , big pools etc (** see my addition at bottom )
Vidanta is non AI ( all inclusive ) and has good onsite restaurants .
This gives you more choice .
Buy some groceries & save money / eat on site / or go off resort to other restaurants .
***********
Step one is determining -can you afford the contract.
( if not - they may let you out if you forfeit the deposit - I really do not know / since posters simply say they "came to an agreement and are removing their post and comments )
IF you own it / then : how to resolve details & best use it .
I would add - Vidanta Member Services I believe works primarily Monday- Friday .
That gives a day or so to determine what your goal is in contacting them .
IMO - goal (1)- politely ask them to explain some contract details you do not understand .
You seem to have a pay on use only addendum or feature
You mention (8) a $850 USD due no later than Feb 28 2020
( note: all Vidanta contracts are in USD as far as I am aware, this includes Mexican National Contracts )
Ask them - does this mean- I am required to pay:
$ 850- for the 2018 use year ( plus $ 50 upon booking a week)
$ 850 - for the 2019 use year ( plus $ 50 upon booking a week )
$850 - for the 2020 use year ( due Feb 20 2020 ) ( plus $ 50 upon booking a week )
and then all future year use is pay on use only ( ie no go / no pay )
( FYI - my 2006 contract required a mandatory MF for the first 5 years and then it became pay on use only )
The above is my "interpretation " of your posted information - have Member Services explain it on the phone and then ask if they can email you
the information .
< understand - that the initial purchase price can best be looked at as a partial prepayment towards xx weeks of future vacations .
so any year you choose not to use you are forfeiting the pre-payment but saving the annual MF >
It is a very good addendum / feature that Vidanta has used
in ( many) contracts at all brand levels since they introduced it in 2006 . Very few other TS have this feature .
The money initially spent is spent -but no mandatory annual MF is required if " life events" cause you not to be able to use .
*******
ARP - 6 months - ( same as in my contract) - generally Vidanta contracts allow using this years "use year" to book into the following year
as long as booked before year end . This is important for snowbird use .
ie -Aug. 1 2016 - I can book Feb 2017 and charge to a credit card-( using my 2016 use year ) is how it works . (Confirm with Member Services that your contract works the same way- and if so- call reservations Aug 1 2017 to book a 2018 winter vacation .)
*******
Season red - red season is defined (in my contract ) as all weeks except Christmas , New Years and the (2) weeks on either side of Easter Sunday ( which floats)
These 4 weeks are big Mexican National Holiday weeks and are sold as Elite week contracts for a lot more money .
*******
SFX is an exchange company (similar to RCI or Intervals International ) Diamond is the "pay " level in SFX , (gold level SFX is free )google to see the difference
Vida SFX weeks are pay on use only "bonus" weeks only usable via SFX to exchange to non Vidanta properties . (I believe you can contact SFX by phone for more info )
Privilege Weeks are weeks usable at Vidanta resorts ( I am unclear on the details .I believe they may not have the same ARP as your primary ownership week etc. Perhaps Member Services can better explain <(Home) Privilege Weeks >- these weeks may be similar to what was called Vacation Fare Weeks in "old" contracts - a bonus week that is always pay on use only - but is only bookable 45 days ahead in Feb & March . (so generally non snowbird season usable )
Ambassador certificates are good value for the user . Vidanta offers them in the hopes that the user of them can be convinced to buy .
10 sounds like the number I heard poolside last year from an owner who upgraded .
*******
unit size - Suite 1BR (1 bedroom )1 BA ( 1 bathroom ) 04 Cap ( ?? ) KIT ( Kitchen or partial Kitchen ? )
6 people is possible in a one bedroom Mayan Palace suite - the bedroom sleeps 2 ( generally a king size bed ) the living room has (2) wood frame sofas with a one piece slab foam seat cushions that turn into single beds by removing the back cushions ( much more comfortable than fold out sofa sleepers ) . Their are also 2 trundle beds that slide out from under the sofas.
These trundle beds are really best for children . RCI lists it as sleeps 5 . As long as Member Services says 6 is OK in an email - it is your family sharing the space . We have been there a couple of times for an Easter Holiday week ( a few years ago when Vidanta sent a promo e-mail - allowing red week owners to book an Easter Week ) and the norm those weeks is probably 6 in a one bedroom suite . ( grandparent in their 50's , married son & daughter in law & a couple of young children ) It is a lot like May 24 / Victoria Day Weekend at a Canadian family cottage .
** Reservations for additional Entertainment Collection Weeks may be requested .... ( ask Member Services - how many per year and what MF per week - etc etc )
this is a benefit that is new to me .
Since you are the first TUG post listing the brand " Entertainment Collection " please find out and /or list any other details .It would appear it is a Mayan Palace or Bliss range MF with
some (possible) additional benefits . Ask Member Services - what benefits ?? (perhaps : discounted access to Cirque RM & Cirque NV & Theme Park when opened ?? ) and how does it differ from Bliss or Mayan Palace (the one bedroom suite MP & Bliss are the same square footage with different furnishings / decor )
FYI - Vidanta has used golf discounts as a carrot to get folks to buy - so entertainment access to Cirque du Soleil and the theme park at better pricing would make carrot sense .
Vidanta has - of recent years added some "brands" that are less ' building" specific. This allows more reservations flexibility since their 7 property locations vary in building brands and number of units per brand .
THE COLLECTION - Sea Garden , Mayan Palace , Bliss - ( no ARP was listed according to a fall 2015 TUG poster who eventually rescinded )
THE GRAND COLLECTION - Grand Mayan , Grand Bliss
CASCADES - ( pre -build / will be inside the Nuevo Vallarta Cirque Theme Park opening in 2018 )
KINGDOM OF THE SUN - ( pre-build / will be inside the N. Vallarta Cirque Theme Park opening in 2018)
FYI - a Jan 2017 Tug post said display models of Kingdom & Cascades are now open on the 9th floor of the Grand Bliss Nuevo Vallarta .
TUG Member / Grand Luxxe owner Mikenk posted that it appeared that the suite sizes for Kingdom and Cascades will be similar to a Mayan Palace sq. footage.
this makes sense - a significant target market for the theme park is Mexican National / Summer usage . Guadalajara with a metro area of 5 million +
will be under a 5 hour drive when the under construction toll road is completed .
*****
Mikenk has posted in other threads about having Member Services add an addendum to his contract:
that - after the initial 10 year term - one of your 100 year weeks takes on all the benefits and privileges
of the initial 10 year /1 week per year week
You may wish to read other TUG thread / posts to clarify this information .
I hope this helps.
*****
added - I re-read your info on Equity Value / trade in .
As I understand it - sales gave you a " credit / price reduction of $ 1897 ( smoke and mirrors) towards a "trade in " . You them "owe" $ 1897 to an outside transfer company who is calling for " their " money .
IMO - here is my suggestion - Get Vidanta Member Services to put in writing that money due is $ xxx ( balance due since you gave a deposit ) whether or not the " trade in " is transferred out of your name .
( Vidanta does not care about your trade in - but get it in writing )
Then tell the transfer company - you do not plan to pay them to transfer AND they do not have to do the transfer. Mostly they want the money which is why they are calling daily . If you are worried about your paperwork and signature offer to send them $ 100 Canadian cashiers cheque for mailing of your paperwork and another $ 100 Canadian when you receive it . Be Honourable if it is mailed to you .
Either keep the trade in or give it away on TUG if it has no resale value . This will likely cost less than $1897 even if you pay transfer cost and next years MF - and you will have better control of the process .
************
** VIDANTA DAILY MAID SERVICE AND DAILY TOWELS -this is done at every Vidanta brand level by very hardworking Vidanta staff . PLEASE TIP THEM . Generally one person will do all the days (except (her) day(s) off - we give about $ 5 per day / $35 USD . We find out her name and usually give it the day before check out . I also try very hard to tip the " day off " person as I assume they may be a newer hire and are getting moved daily so less tips as not every guest notices . I will try to go up from the pool midday just to give a tip (propina )to the fill in person .
There is a thread started Feb 1 in the TUG Wyndham forum :
" No mid week cleaning unless you are Gold or Plat. ? "
At Vidanta it is done DAILY for everyone staying - from SEA GARDEN to GRAND LUXXE .
I am not saying this alone will " remove the sting" but at least if you paid developer price you are getting full service .
.
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