Scammed in Bali?

[Cynicor]

Someone I know has gotten into trouble in Bali. They have paid a deposit with Royal Resorts and are looking to get out of it as they'd committed to some sort of "absolutely-not-a-timeshare" arrangement that would cost them $16000 AUD. I had only 1% left on my battery so told them to get out of it immediately as it was guaranteed to be dodgy in some way.


They called again today and were told there is no cooling off period. She also told me that they say it's not a scam!!

 

[Mwenenzi]

This ?: Welcome to Royal Resorts | Royal Resorts | Bali Holiday Ownership

Every Royal Resort is exclusive to holiday club members only. Membership is based on a Fractional Ownership model run by Royal Holiday Club and Royalty Gold programmes, based on a mission statement that aims to enable members to enjoy holiday accommodations of an exemplary quality in some of the world’s most popular holiday destinations – at a fraction of the price one would normally pay on a nightly basis

 

[Cynicor]

Think that's it. Also, can someone change the name of the thread to "Help" rather than "Helo" please?

 

[moa999]

So what did they 'think' they have committed to?
Have they signed anything?

 

[Simo]

Sounds like a scam.

But I think you would have to review what they actually get for their 16K.

The other thing that can make this difficult is the fact that it is in a Foreign Country and they have different laws than ours which can mean that you have no basic knowledge of statuary rights.

 

[The Rok]

Have your folks asked you to help them to get out of it or is this just your gut reaction?

Their website looks pretty legit and they seem to have a good range of properties world wide!

 

[ksthommo]

Used to be a huge problem in Bali
with foreigners (Brits & Aussies) pushing timeshare for this company.

Lucky envelopes were the enticement and then come
along to the presentation.

Hopefully theres a way out for your
parents.

 

[Cynicor]

So the parents realsied they were buying a weeks worth of holiday a year for 10 years, I just don't think they'd managed to think properly about it. They claim they were under pressure and 20%off today only etc. I would never have thought my parents would be so stupid enough to sign up to this, so please warn your parents of timeshare and related deals even if you don't think they would do it.

While I don't doubt the company is legit and the folks will get the 1 week each year, I have strong doubts that the properties are worth it and there will be other catches. They have paid $3000 and have another instalment coming up at some point soon.

There's a website that claims some sort of mandatory cooling off period under international law (it's actually the 3rd or so link when you google the company, which heightens my concerns), so for now they have emailed that and I will ask them to call Amex again to terminate further withdrawals.

 

[Cynicor]

Further to this- the parents were refunded their money after they quoted the international law and told the company they would remove their negative press from the internet.

Edit- apparently not a real law...

They called my parents today and said that there was still a post on a website about their situation. I have asked them to tell the company that any posts on here are my own and represent my own opions and views for their value for money. They can contact me by message on this website if they have issue with what has been posted, or request admin take it down if they consider it defamatory in some way.

 

[ozmille]

Further to this- the parents were refunded their money after they quoted the international law and told the company they would remove their negative press from the internet.

For reference and google posterity, I believe this may be the law referenced. I am not a lawyer but do recommend getting one if you run into similar trouble and are denied a cooling off period. I do not know if it exists or is even valid in this case.

"International Law, Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16, Chapter 1, Sub chapter D, Part 429.1- Rule concerning cooling off period for sales made ... at certain other locations - sections b) through g). "... be accorded a unilateral right to rescind, without penalty, their agreement to purchase goods or services.""

They called my parents today and said that there was still a post on a Qantas website about their situation. I have asked them to tell the company that any posts on here are my own and represent my own opions and views for their value for money. They can contact me by message on this website if they have issue with what has been posted, or request admin take it down if they consider it defamatory in some way.

Good outcome for your parents!

 

[yohy?!]

that's a good result - "absolutely-not-a-time-share" gave me a chuckle

 

[moa999]

Well done for your parents.

I also note this page is still up:
Royal Bali Resort scam cooling off period information

As a law degree holder,albeit not practicing I am somewhat surprised at the law quoted.

I can find no other references to it on the web.
The "Federal" term is generally a US term in laws, eg. Commonwealth in Australia
There are generally very few International laws, there are treaties and the like, but generally they need to be enacted by each jurisdiction.
There are very fe

 

[oz_mark]

Well done for your parents.

I also note this page is still up:
Royal Bali Resort scam cooling off period information

As a law degree holder,albeit not practicing I am somewhat surprised at the law quoted.

I can find no other references to it on the web.
The "Federal" term is generally a US term in laws, eg. Commonwealth in Australia
There are generally very few International laws, there are treaties and the like, but generally they need to be enacted by each jurisdiction.
There are very fe

As best as I can tell, it is a US law dealing with door to door sales (PART 429—RULE CONCERNING COOLING-OFF PERIOD FOR SALES MADE AT HOMES OR AT CERTAIN OTHER LOCATIONS :: PART 429--RULE CONCERNING COOLING-OFF PERIOD FOR SALES MADE AT HOMES OR AT CERTAIN OTHER LOCATIONS :: CHAPTER I--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION :: Ti)

Quite how it came to be quoted as international law is unknown.

 

[Cynicor]

As best as I can tell, it is a US law dealing with door to door sales (PART 429—RULE CONCERNING COOLING-OFF PERIOD FOR SALES MADE AT HOMES OR AT CERTAIN OTHER LOCATIONS :: PART 429--RULE CONCERNING COOLING-OFF PERIOD FOR SALES MADE AT HOMES OR AT CERTAIN OTHER LOCATIONS :: CHAPTER I--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION :: Ti)

Quite how it came to be quoted as international law is unknown.

Odd. How amusing. Not sure if that's what they sent, that just came up from todays googling of "royal resorts scam". Anyway, to appease the folks I will have the first post edited.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Good outcome, don't let it happen again!