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How to Protect Yourself When Buying a Mexico Timeshare

Learn how to protect yourself if you are considering buying a Mexico timeshare.

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There are many issues you should consider if you are thinking of buying a timeshare in Mexico. For starters, even though Mexican law protects timeshare purchasers by providing a right to cancel a timeshare contract, it may be difficult to enforce this right. Additionally, timeshare scams abound in Mexico and you should take steps to avoid becoming a victim.

Read on to learn more about your rights if you purchase a timeshare in Mexico and find out about common Mexico timeshare scams and tips on how to avoid them. (Learn more about issues to consider if you're buying a timeshare in a foreign country.)

Understanding Mexican Timeshares

In Mexico, foreigners are restricted from owning land within 50 kilometers of the coast or 100 kilometers of an international border. Since the majority of timeshares are in beach resorts (in places such as Mazatlan, Los Cabos, Cancun, Cozumel, and Puerto Vallarta), this means that in most cases when you buy a timeshare in Mexico you are only purchasing a right to use the timeshare, rather than an interest in the real estate. (This is different than in the United States where there are two types of timeshare interests -- deeded and right-to-use. Learn more about the different types of timeshare interests in the U.S.)

Generally, with Mexican timeshares you will receive the right to use one or more units for a specific number of weeks, during a certain number of years. You will have to pay an initial purchase price and periodic maintenance fees, which are likely to go up each year.

Mexican Law May Change

There is a measure currently pending in the Mexican legislature to lift the restrictions on foreign ownership of property along its coasts and borders. If the law passes, deeded timeshares could increasingly become available to foreigners in Mexico. However, as of now, most timeshares are of the right-to-use variety.

Right to Cancel a Timeshare Purchase in Mexico

If you purchase a timeshare in Mexico, U.S. laws do not apply to the transaction. So, even if your home state strictly regulates timeshare sales, those state laws do not apply to you when you purchase a timeshare in Mexico. (Learn more about the timeshare laws in your state.) Instead, you'll be subject to Mexican law.

By law, in Mexico you have five business days to cancel a timeshare contract after you have signed it. The sooner you act, the better.

The right to cancel cannot be waived. If you try to cancel, the timeshare salespeople may tell you that you waived this right when you signed the contract. This is not true. Mexican law stipulates that purchasers are legally entitled to cancel a timeshare contract without penalty.

How to Cancel a Timeshare Contract in Mexico

To cancel the contract, notify the developer in writing. It is also a good idea to send notification by email, as well as in person, if possible. Be sure to:

follow the instructions provided in the contract on how to canceldeliver the cancellation within the rescission time period, andkeep proof of the delivery of the cancellation notice (such as receipts, video/audio tapes of your attempt to cancel, etc.) (See Nolo's article on how to cancel a timeshare contract for more information on how to rescind a timeshare purchase.)

Refunds

The timeshare developer must refund of all the money you have paid, without any cancelling penalties, within 15 business days. Often though, timeshare developers in Mexico are very reluctant to give you a refund. If the developer stalls or refuses to give you a refund, you can file a formal complaint against the company with PROFECO.

What is PROFECO?

The Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor (Office of the Federal Prosecutor for the Consumer), known as PROFECO, is the consumer protection agency designed to protect consumers against abuses or fraud by companies operating in Mexico. If you are having a dispute with a timeshare developer in Mexico, you may contact "PROFECO" by email at extranjeros@profeco.gob.mx or by telephone to file a formal complaint.

Go to PROFECO's webpage at www.profeco.gob.mx (Spanish) or www.profeco.gob.mx/english.htm (English) to find more information and current telephone numbers for PROFECO. (Click on the link for "Take Your Time When Buying a Timeshare" for more information about timeshares in Mexico.)

Tips for Avoiding Timeshare Scams in Mexico

Timeshare developers often hire aggressive salespeople and thousands of foreigners have fallen for the tricky sales tactics used by numerous timeshare companies in Mexico. If you are thinking of attending a timeshare presentation or purchasing a timeshare in Mexico, it's important to learn about how to avoid becoming the victim of a timeshare scam.

Be Wary of Free Gifts With No Strings Attached

If someone approaches you during your vacation and invites you to a free breakfast or a free stay at a resort, beware. He or she is probably intending to sell you a timeshare. Mexican law prohibits timeshare salespeople from offering gifts, free vacation certificates, or any other promotion strategies without informing the consumer of the specific purpose of the offer, but this doesn't stop salespeople from using this tactic.

Do Not Purchase a Timeshare Based on the Brochure

If the salesperson only shows you a brochure of the timeshare property, but not the property itself, run away from the deal. There is very likely some problem with the resort. It is probably a dump or maybe it hasn't even been built yet. You need to visit the resort and the developer's office before you even considering purchasing a timeshare.

Don't Sign Anything at the Meeting

Do not sign a contract when you first meet with a timeshare salesperson. Take the documents with you when you leave the meeting so you can spend some time reading the fine print. You may want to review the contract and documents with an attorney.

Certainly don't sign any documents that are only in Spanish. Even if you are fluent in the language, you may not understand all the legal terminology. If the timeshare salesperson has provided you with a "translation" of the contract, it may not be correct or accurate, so get it translated elsewhere.

Do Your Homework

Before you purchase a timeshare at a particular resort, run a Google search to find out more about the company that you're dealing with. Timeshare owners who have previously been scammed often post their experiences and warnings about scammers online.

You can also check for complaints about the resort developer at any PROFECO office.

Get Any Promises in Writing

If certain promises were made during the sales presentation, make sure those promises are covered in the contract.

Mexico Timeshare Foreclosures

Since most timeshares in Mexico are right-to-use, if you default on payments you won't face a foreclosure. However, the resort could report the delinquency to credit agencies, sue you for the past-due amounts, or turn the debt over to a collection agency.

If you're having difficulty making your timeshare payments or just want to be relieved of your timeshare obligation, see Nolo's article Options to Avoid a Timeshare Foreclosure to learn about different ways to dispose of a timeshare.

Hiring an Attorney

If you are thinking of purchasing a timeshare in Mexico (or have already done so) it is highly recommended that you hire competent Mexican legal counsel who can advise you of your rights and responsibilities in the transaction.

by: Amy Loftsgordon, Contributing Editor