I got my money back!

What a day! I got my money back from the timeshare friggers!

CIBC Visa had reassured me several times that I had done everything I had to do, and they would get my money back for me via a "dispute". I was, in fact, reassured by that. But, I also wanted to make as much trouble as possible for the timeshare jerks, without getting into more trouble myself, of course! Also, I figured it would be nice to get this settled while I'm still here and able to take care of it in person.

So today I went to the Canadian Consulate here to file a report, and see what whey could do. They were nice. They took copies of my documents, and asked me to fill in a short form to record my request for help. They called Profeco, the Mexican consumer protection agency, and got them to agree to accelerate my case. (A few days ago, I emailed Profeco to follow up and ask Profeco to force the timeshare people to reimburse me. Profeco has a process for this, but its long.) I took the Canadian Consulate form to Profeco.

Then, based on the advice of the Canadian Consulate, I went back to the timeshare place to ask for my money in person. The nice lady said be nice but firm.

At the timeshare place, I started nicely. I told them they must have forgotten to reimburse me and I was there to remind them. They were somewhat receptive, but told me that Maria, the lady with the "power" to issue the reimbursement, was on the phone. I could see that she was and waited outside of her office, in an office area away from the sales room and other potential buyers.

When Maria was done on the phone she went out to the sales room. I didn't like that. I followed and stood near a door in the sales room, near an exit just in case.... Maria's assistant came and told me I couldn't wait there, I had to wait in the office. Yeah right, hide the angry customer. I agreed to go back into the office area. But after about 10 minutes, I told the assistant I was unhappy about waiting. She gave me a BS story about needing a week to give me the refund and needed to get permission from Mexico City. She also subtly threatened to make me wait all day.

I was pissed and went right back to the sales room with the assistant running after me. This time I stood my ground. I even went to the table where Maria was talking to the clients and told her I had been patient but wanted my money back, now. My heart was pounding!!

When Maria was done with the clients, we went back to the office. I was even more nervous there because I was away from the public. I could picture them calling security guards and physically taking me out. Then she frigging left to go to the bathroom. I was sure she wasn't coming back and had decided to leave if she didn't return very soon.

Amazingly, she came back and they started to process my refund!!!! I have the receipts but I'll only truly believe it when I see the refund on my VISA statment. Also, I'm thinking about cancelling that VISA when I get home just in case the timeshare folks have more tricks they wanna play. I feel very happy, but kindof on guard.

Photos: Some beautiful fabrics for making colourful wedding dresses (they often wear coloured dresses for weddings here, not just white); they sell all sorts of sewing machines - modern ones and old foot operated singers! A neat sculpture made of sand on the beach. The doorway to the Vaca Grill.