Rio Management Martin Stockl Scammed Us Out of Additional Monies in, Internet

I was part of a group of 6 arriving in Rio de Janeiro on a late flight. From the beginning Rio Management poorly handled our check-in and had us all wait, outside on the sidewalk with all our luggage for over 20 minutes until someone arrived to let us in.  Once inside the check-in was rushed as Renato kept repeating to us that he had other guests waiting and he had to collect our cash balance and leave to attend to them because they had a child. 

As we acquainted ourselves with the property (Condo # MS-SAFER-134-PH) we soon realized 1 AC was leaking, one toilet seat was not installed, the ironing board was broken and there was only 1 TV in the entire 3 BR condo despite the advertised "flatscreen in every room".  Furthermore the linens were inadequate, only 1 towel per guest was provided and the unit had not been properly cleaned.

To add insult to injury two days into our vacation the cops were called to the apartment over a noise complaint - one that was handled when we quickly turned off the iPod dock we were playing which could not have possibly caused that much sound.  Especially since we were in the PH and had no neighbors on our floor.  

Fast forward to the next day when Martin Stockl ambushed us on the sidewalk as we returned from a day at the beach.  He chided us for having been out all day (we were on vacation!), casually mentioned that he had waited for us inside our condo for 4 hours, and that as a result of the cops having been called to our apt on the noise complaint that a fine would be levied and we would have to pay it within 24 hrs.  

Martin went on to add very menacingly that Americans were not liked in Brazil, that the building he had rented us the condo in was "not guest friendly", that police in Brazil were not there to protect us and that we'd have to address paying this fine (of which he could not yet quote us a figure on) within 24 hrs or risk coming back to find all our belongings removed and locked out of the property.  

Furthermore he added that if we failed to pay the fine we would not be able to get through customs and go home. He was very flustered and impatient when questioned by members of my group about the particulars of the fine, did not want to hear that we were not having a "party" and rushed off because he had a two-year old at home (who cares!).

Next day Martin comes by, informs us the fine is the equivalent of $1,619.00 (US) yet cannot provide documentation of a fine.  However he does stress it must be paid right away.  Being in a strange land and unaware of the laws and not wanting to risk not being able to get out of the country we each pony up our share of the fine.  

Martin then leaves with our cash, saying once it's paid and processed he will provide us with copies of the complaint and fine documentation.  Needless to say this ruined our vacation.  Now we are not only poorer in the pocket but paranoid that anyone can get into our apartment at any time.

The day of our check-out Martin was 1/2 late.  And when one of the members of my group questioned him about the fine and the documentation he casually mentions that he had not yet paid it!  We had 24 hrs to pony up $1619.00 but he was still holding on to our money.  We were basically scammed and threatened out of our money by Martin Stockl and Rio Management over playing an iPod.  And conveniently they pulled this stunt early in the vacation - 2 days in - before we had a chance to spend any of it.  Stupid they are not.

Stay away from Rio Management.  I don't recommend using them AT ALL.