Belaire Golf Resort and Spa In Puerto Vallarta

[aliikai2 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close aliikai2]

for those of you that haven't been following this oy, they have chosen to close the thread again, which was this last shills purpose as this post has cost them many sales and caused many to rescind their purchases. So, I am going to start it over here, in a less moderated environment.

1st, I will paste in the oy threads for back round reading.

Belaire Golf Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

Belaire Golf Resort & Spa - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

Belaire Construction - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

Belaire Golf Resort and Spa - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

Then please feel free to post any comments here regarding the project.

Greg

[aliikai2 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close aliikai2]

OK

We toured this resort in November 2007 and found their offering on no annual fees, the quick turn around sale within 2 to 5 years for 2 to 3 times what we paid, the free golf carts for each owner along with the Yacht and private chefs, it was all so over the top that it couldn't be done, especially not for free, with no annual fees

Here is a paste with the main players names,



BBS Reg. Date: Mar 3, 08
Location: Clovis CA
Posts: 9

My Belaire Experience--Part II.a Overview
Overview

While vacationing in Puerto Vallarta the week of June 10, 2007, we were approached by a representative of Belaire Vacation Club about previewing their property under construction in the PV Marina area. At the time, with retirement nearing, we were looking for ways to increase the number of vacations we would be able to take and this project sounded interesting as it was being marketed as a Private Residence Club rather than as a timeshare.

At the time of our visit, the property was in pre-construction with the only finished building being a beautiful welcome and sales center that also contained two incredibly attractive model suites. The sales staff was very persuasive and, via incentives, offered us an opportunity to become a Platinum member that we found difficult to refuse. For us, the major selling point was that we would be able to trade our weeks at Belaire (an ultimate total of 400 weeks) on The Registry Collection, a well known exchange service for private residence clubs.

A contract/purchase agreement (EXHIBIT I) was signed that, via amendment, allowed us to rescind within 10 days of signing. We spent almost every remaining days of our vacation getting additional questions answered and were given numerous additional assurances and incentives to encourage us to remain in the contract.

My major question was how I could be sure that the project would be built in a timely manner since I knew that our vacation trade weeks would be worthless unless/until Belaire had something to offer in exchange. This was particularly important to us as I was 64 (will be 65 in a few days) at the time and my wife was also nearing retirement from her teaching position. We knew that we would likely have limited years to enjoy anything that we purchased. This question was answered by the Belaire representative (Israel Curi Ocampo) providing us with a “Certification of Completion Bond” (EXHIBIT II) which guaranteed the completion of the resort no later than December 31, 2008. As a result, we ultimately decided to go through with the purchase.

The beginning purchase price was $98,300.00 which was significantly reduced to $46,300.00 via the trade in of two existing timeshares we already owned, plus their purchasing back four weeks of Belaire use for 2008. (EXHIBIT III).

The purchase required a 20% down payment which came to $9260.00. This was charged to the Chase/Mileage Plus credit card ending in ____. An additional charge of $1500.00 was made to the same card for “closing costs”. (EXHIBIT IV). The remaining balance became due and payable within 60 days. At that time, should we wish to finance the balance, we were guaranteed 7% per annum financing with a 5 year term.

When we ultimately told the Belaire representative that we wished to avail ourselves of the 7% financing option, we were asked for a credit card number that they could charge monthly for the payment. The first payment of $733.44 was taken from my Chase/Mileage Plus credit card ending in ____ on August 27, 2007. (EXHIBIT V). Five additional payments in the same amount ($733.44) have been charged to my other Chase/Mileage Plus credit card ending in ____ beginning on September 26, 2007 (EXHIBIT VI), and continuing monthly through the present.

I have been uncomfortable with this purchase for some months for various reasons. These reasons include:
• I have been unable to get information regarding the trading of our weeks which we were supposed to be able to begin doing in early 2008.
• I had some friends while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta in August, 07, visit the site to report on construction progress or lack thereof. They observed very little going on.
• The apparent departure from the project of every employee that I had any significant contact with.
• The discovery that the project has been significantly delayed (if not permanently delayed) by their inability to find sufficient bedrock under the parcel to anchor the piers supporting the towers.
• The failure of project director/CEO Jonathan Tomasello to return my recent telephone calls or respond to my recent emails.

As a result, we have put all Belaire Vacation Club related charges to date on the two Chase/Mileage Plus credit cards into dispute. It may be that this entire project is an elaborate scheme to extract funds (via credit card charges) from trusting visitors to Puerto Vallarta. Or, it may be that though they initially had good intentions to deliver a wonderful product to their members, those intentions have been (at least temporarily) thwarted by their failure to find stable bedrock to build on. Either way, we feel that we were induced to contract for services that are not (and may not ever be) being delivered in the promised time frame, and that we should receive a full refund of our credit card charges.

(The following is a more detailed explanation of the entire purchase process, both during our week in Puerto Vallarta and since we purchased.)

Individuals Involved in our Purchase at Bellaire Vacation Club

• Adam Przyborowski. Sales person who made the initial presentation. I do not believe he is with the project any longer.
• Israel Curi Ocampo. Title on card is Verification Loan Officer Manager. (see Exhibit VII). He was involved in the initial purchase agreement document signing. We spent several hours in his office over the next seven days getting additional answers to our questions and he arranged for several additional concessions to keep us from rescinding the contract. He was also the person to whom I directed my initial email questions related to trading our weeks in 2008. He seemed to mysteriously disappear from the radar in later 2007. When I recently asked for him when calling the main Belaire telephone number, I was told by “Carla” that he was no longer with the project.
• Dorota Antoszkiewicz. At the time of purchase, Dorota appeared to be Israel Curi Ocampo’s assistant. When he needed something typed or changed, he would give it to her. She was the person who contacted us when it became time to either pay for the purchase in full or avail ourselves of the 5 year-7% financing option. In her email response to me on 8-26-07, she identified herself as “Verification Loan Officer Manager”. She apparently took Isreal Curi Ocampo’s position. When I recently asked for her when calling the main Belaire telephone number, I was told by “Carla” that she was no longer with the project.
• Antonio (Tony) Copella. Title on card is International Relations. (see EXHIBIT VII). Mr. Copella claims to originally be from Las Vegas where he claims his family has long term involvement in the gaming industry including management contracts at the Rio and others. On the day of the initial signing of the purchase agreement (6-12-07) we were told that Mr. Copella was in Las Vegas with his cousin playing in a golf tournament. We met him the following day. Visually, he was the person in charge at the sales center. All the employees seemed to defer to him including Israel Curi Ocampo. Mr. Copella was recently unavailable when I attempted to reach him. “Carla” said he was “with a customer”.
• Nico Bonanto. Also has the title of International Relations on his card. (EXHIBIT VII) Also claimed to be from Las Vegas. He was represented as Tony Copella’s cousin; seemed to be Mr. Copella’s right hand man. I do not know if he is still at Bellaire.
• Marcos Vazquez. His card title was “Real Estate Broker”. (see EXHIBIT VII). He was presented to us as the one who would be our “personal concierge” at Belaire. We were to contact him ahead of any visit and he would have everything that we needed arranged for. We were also to contact him if we needed to do any trading of our weeks into other properties. It is my belief that he is no longer with the Belaire project.
• Jonathan James Tomasello. Mr. Tomasello’s signature shows up on some of the loan documents with title’s like “Project Director” and “Director”. His title on one email (EXHIBIT VIII) is “CEO”. I have never met or spoken with Mr. Tomasello. He has not responded to my recent email requesting the termination of our contract and the refund of all monies tendered to date. When I recently tried to reach him via telephone, I was told by “Carla” at Belaire that he was in Mexico City and would return my call. I have yet to hear back from him.
• xxxxxxx. Mr. xxxxxx is a fellow Belaire member from Atlanta, GA, who I met the week we were visiting the property. He is a general contractor currently invested in Mexican real estate projects. I have stayed in touch with Mr. xxxxxx since he often visits Puerto Vallarta and is in contact with others close to the Belaire project. One of his emails is attached as an exhibit in which he estimates that Belaire will not be built, at best, before the end of 2009.
• Elizabeth Hawrylkiewicz. Ms. Hawrylkiewicz works for The Registry Collection, the best know trading company for Private Residence Clubs. The Registry Collection toll free number is 800-548-2300. She has confirmed that Belaire Golf Resort and Spa is not a member of TRC and that other Belaire members like myself have been calling them regarding the trading of their Belaire weeks. She indicated that we would not be able to trade our Belaire weeks until Belaire becomes a member of TRC, supplies them with a list of Belaire members, and has an inventory to trade.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

I am sure you are aware the thread has been reopened. allikai2 thanks for all your great posts!!

[baddealinmexico Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close baddealinmexico]

run, don't walk

I have to agree with above posts- run, don't walk away from Bel Aire. I don't need to restate what many have said here and the reasons why it looks like a scam at worst, speculative risky venture at best, so will focus on how to get out.

If you're already in, call PROFECO immediately to help you get out. They have English speaking reps and know all about Belaire. Thank god for this TugBBS blog, which was the impetus for us to cancel our contract. Thank you to the person who wrote about PROFECO being able to help as well, because honestly, as much as I’ve traveled and lived in Latin America, I would never have thought the government would be able to help in a situation like this, what with all the red tape and bureaucracy in Mexico. PROFECO was AMAZING, and helped us get all our money back, and we are truly in their debt. I can’t say enough positive things about both the local PROFECO office in Manzanillo where we went in person, and the national office with whom we talked several times on the phone.

I don’t remember reading the status on any posts, but currently there is NO PROFECO office in Puerto Vallarta. We were told by the national office that they are trying to set up one next year. The PROFECO website had exactly what we needed:www.profeco.gob.mx/english, and clic on "take your time when buying a timeshare." It gives you the toll-free phone number to call and speak to an english speaking representative. fyi: The PROFECO office in Manzanillo was wonderful and helpful, however, they didn't have any english speakers there, though if my husband and I weren't fluent in Spanish, I'm sure we would have figured something out, someone to translate for us.

It is extremely important that you cancel within 5 business days, since as per Mexican law, you are guaranteed a full refund without penalties. I did read in another blog that PROFECO helped someone out of a contract who was past the 5 days, but they didn't give specifics, so I can't speak to that. Luckily, we started researching BelAire right after we signed, so were within the 5 days. When we called BelAire to cancel our contract from the Manzanillo PROFECO office, the BelAire rep tried to get us to agree to let them keep the $2000 closing costs, and the Profeco Licensiado helping us told the guy, no way, under 'such and such' law they don't have a right to that. We ended up agreeing to letting BelAire keep a couple hundred dollars for 'their trouble', but it was actually on advice of the Profeco agent, that we may want to make a deal or else we may have to fight it in court.

Regarding Bel Aire, although we felt how shady this when we went in there, somehow we got convinced to buy in. It was as if we were drugged or something (definitely mentally drugged). I remember saying to my husband at one point while we were in the middle of everything, “I just feel totally beaten down.” Can you imagine saying that, and still going through with a deal? He obviously was beaten down as well, because we went through with it. We are intelligent people who have traveled the world and know how to stand up for ourselves and speak our minds. However, we have never had an experience like this before—we had not experienced high-pressure, manipulating sales techniques, and it totally caught us unawares. It was truly a humbling and personally shame-producing experience. So shameful that I've been unable to write on the blog about it for months.

One important point: according to PROFECO, it is ILLEGAL for a Mexican contract to stipulate that you agree to waive the right to cancel, which is what our contract stated which we signed. They used the tactic of "we're buying these weeks from you right now, so that means you can't cancel your contract". However, this doesn't hold ANY weight in law.

Let me say clearly, that YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO CANCEL YOUR CONTRACT (within 5 business days), NO MATTER WHAT RIGHTS YOU SIGN AWAY! And the BelAire people know that. they didn't even contest that point because they know that it isn't legal. (fyi: under mexican law, contractor/Bel Aire has 15 business days to return your money, which in our case, they refunded our credit card on the last day of this period).

I do wish the best for all of you/us, affected by this company. I hope I and many others are wrong, and that it all turns out to be a positive venture. blessings.

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

Happy to hear it worked out for you.....Blessings as you say to all in this venture!

[EMARDEL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close EMARDEL]

We bought at belaire with a "guaranteed" buy back in 2 yrs. Well that never happened. At the end of 2 yrs they said they had not sold enough to generate money for the buy back "at this time". The place is still not completed. Yesterday i got a call from someone who claims they bought belaire and are going to make the buy back good. Catch is they want 10% of what we paid upfront they call it some kind of mexican fee and after we wire the "money --american dollars" to them they will process a cashier check to us. It sounded way to good to be true.???/

[bezerk Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close bezerk]

We bought at belaire with a "guaranteed" buy back in 2 yrs. Well that never happened. At the end of 2 yrs they said they had not sold enough to generate money for the buy back "at this time". The place is still not completed. Yesterday i got a call from someone who claims they bought belaire and are going to make the buy back good. Catch is they want 10% of what we paid upfront they call it some kind of mexican fee and after we wire the "money --american dollars" to them they will process a cashier check to us. It sounded way to good to be true.???/

???? It sounded way to good to be true.??????? You know what they say about that statement......

[bc444 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bc444]

Carlo

I am sorry to tell you, you are involved in a major scam. Yes, they, the leader and his crew, are originally from Vegas and I think if you use just a little imagination, you will realize who they are. Some if not all of there names have been changed. For your own good, stay away from this project. If you are already involved, I wish you good luck.

[bc444 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bc444]

in the know

Antonio is the leader/god father. Johnathan is his son. Nico is his cousin.
Some of the other names you mentioned are his captains. He is American/Italian
Mafia and he is a sociopath, most likely a psychopath. Although he can be powerfully charming and convincing if it benefits him, he has no conscience, no morals, no principles, and is capable of most anything. All carry concealed weapons (and for good reason!) and body guards abound.

My advice is to stay away from the Belaire. If you knew the history and actions of these individuals, you would realize you are into something horrible. I know them better than most and if you knew what they have done to people and their money, you would be shocked.

10s of millions have been made and there will be nothing to show for it for the poor people who have invested and trusted in him.