Krystal International Vacation Club, KIVC Vacation Club Scam Quintana Roo Cancun, Mexico

My wife and I went to the Krystal for a promotional offer, associated with a vacation club membership. We both have friends who have been associated with timeshares, and knew that we could enjoy the right one, if it came along. We were given a free breakfast, which was followed by the sales presentation. The salesman was Lee Stepp, who apparently does not work there any longer. He was polite and very likeable. He offered us 25 weeks of a 2 room suite, accomodating 6 people. The price was far too high for us(I can't recall how much). He then left us, went upstairs and returned with a recently acquired, partial package.

This one offered 13 weeks of the same 2 bedroom suite. He also included 25 weeks of time that we could use at the 3 Krystal Hotels. The price for this was just under $16,000. With this, we were to have 40% off all airfare and a few other additional offers.

The most alluring thing was to come. He told us that this club can also offer members the option of making an investment out of the weeks. We could offer weeks of our membership to an outside broker to rent. The kicker, the rental was guaranteed. Guaranteed, I asked? He said, absolutely. I asked how this could be true. He explained that the Krystal is located very close to the convention center and we rent those out at a premium dollar amount. If we offered our weeks for rental, prior to the end of March, we would receive a check for $14,000. This alone nearly covered the enire puchase price, leaving only $757 per two years, for maintenance. After discussing the rental for some time longer, we agreed to purchase, with the help of a 90 day, no interest credit card from Bank of America(how ironic).

About 2 months later we contacted the Rental Broker to get additional information. It was at this time that we were informed that the rental was not guaranteed in any way. We were also told that he had no record of us, despite speakin with us on the phone the day of the purchase. He required $590 in order to post our weeks for rental.

I contacted the Krystal rep. and asked about the promise of guaranteed rental. She denied ever making the promise and pointed out that we had signed a contract that stated they do not guarantee rental. I looked at the contract many times and was perfectly aware of that fact, however also remember the conversation we had when signing the document. She said this had to be on the contract, because Krystal does not handle rental, therefore cannot guarantee it.

I have been in contact with them many more times, but have not been able to get them to cancel my membership and issue a refund. I have sent letters to a number of media companies and will continue to do so, in order to inform the public and tell my story. Please avoid this hotel and everything they represent. There are so many great hotels in Cancun, just stay away from this one.

Ryan p
Lynnwood, Washington
U.S.A.