Scams are on the rise. One Aimfair member contacted me to ask about this offer and said he gets 3 calls a day - at least. Another receives more. Both alerted me to this "offer":

Vidanta Refunds

Mediation & Litigation Sofía Camarena C.

March 2023

We hope this email finds you well. Due to an overwhelmingly positive response, we’ve added another telephone line where you may reach us with any and all doubts or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 888-726-5606 to verify if you are eligible for a claim.

If you lost money to a scammer, trying to resell your Vidanta time-share, between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022, and you have not yet submitted a claim, you still have time to request to get your money back.

How do I file a claim?

That's how the email starts. Eye catching right? Several people asked about this email stating we all qualify for a refund.

The offer is from:
MediationsScamArena.com
Dates 70 days old
Created on 2023-01-10
Expires on 2024-01-10
Updated on 2023-01-10

Mediation & Litigation
Sofía Camarena C.
claims at mediationsscamarena.com
888-503-8645

Well, check this out:

https://mediationssc.com
MEDIATIONS
Welcome to Sofia Camarena C. Mediation and Litigation Our Story Get to Know Us M&L SC was founded in 2016 with the purpose of mediating and litigating international cases. We prioritize cost-effective representation and results. We specialize in problem solving.

https://mediationssc.com › about-us
About Us - MEDIATIONS
Sofia has been a litigator for 27 years, and she has tried or arbitrated over 25 cases in Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Florida, and the District of Columbia. Sofia has been retained for matters in 20 states and the District of Columbia due to her nationally recognized knowledge of property insurance. Contact Us

mediationssc.com
Dates 74 days old
Created on 2023-01-06
Expires on 2025-01-06
Updated on 2023-01-06

Here is another look alike:

https://mediacionesintsc.com › about-us
About Us - Mediacionesintsc.com
Sofia has been a litigator for 27 years, and she has tried or arbitrated over 25 cases in Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, Florida, and the District of Columbia. Sofia has been retained for matters in 20 states and the District of Columbia due to her nationally recognized knowledge of property insurance. Contact us

https://mediacionesintsc.com
Home mediacionesintsc.com
Welcome to Sofia Camarena C. Mediation and Litigation Our Story Get to Know Us M&L SC was founded in 2016 with the purpose of mediating and litigating international cases. We prioritize cost-effective representation and results. We specialize in problem solving.

https://mediacionesintsc.com
Home mediacionesintsc.com
Get to Know Us M&L SC was founded in 2016 with the purpose of mediating and litigating international cases. We prioritize cost-effective representation and results.

https://mediacionesintsc.com
Dates 138 days old
Created on 2022-11-03
Expires on 2023-11-03
Updated on 2023-01-03

You get the idea. Scammers are entrepreneurs! They get exposure and hook us with tempting bait - REFUND.

Nearly all of us have wished we had not spent as much money as we have. But none of want to get drawn into another scheme that will take even more money from us. No, these are not legitimate. Do your self a favor - enjoy your vacation and have fun at the facilities you can access.

An interesting exchange on Facebook caught my eye this morning. The author and initiator of the comment started with the following:

Facebook Author: I know most only post when they have a complaint. We spent the week between Christmas and New Years in a GL Villa at RM. Being a platinum member someone was waiting for us at the airport and had a van waiting for my party of 6. When we checked in we were greeted by 2 Platinum Concierges. While checking in of course someone from the sales off was there. My husband told them they can keep their 10% that we were not going to any updates this trip. Even though we had rain for 3 days we had a wonderful time. (It was a lot warmer then the east coast). When ever any of the staff saw our wristbands we got priority on the shuttles. At Joya one of our concierges met us after the show and had a private shuttle take us back to our building. The What’s App was really easy to communicate with one of our 5 concierges. We will be back at the Estates in NV in the spring. Just wanted to say that Vidanta isn’t all bad!!

The author is an Estates owner. She called herself an Estates Platinum Member.

The responses to her statement were interesting. There appears to be a difference in member treatment between Riviera Maya and Nuevo Vallarta.

Facebook Responder #1: We, too, had the royal treatment at RM. When the onsite private shuttle arrived, people looked at us with the “who are those people” look on their faces.

Facebook Responder #2: We have never received any special treatment as a platinum member. Just saying!

Facebook Author: We are platinum estates members. Don’t know if that makes a difference. Our bands were black and said Estates on it.

Facebook Responder #2: Estate owners also!

Facebook Author: I guess we either got lucky or they changed. But if you are in RM ask for Karinna.

Facebook Responder #3: At RM they do treat platinum quite differently than NV.

Facebook Responder #2: We only go to NV, so it sounds like that is the problem!

Facebook Responder #4: That is definitely the reason- we no longer go to NV because we are treated with top priority in RM!

Well, what do you think? Are Vidanta members treated better at Vidanta Riviera Maya? Or, is it the fact that the Estates pod is not open yet, so management wants to make Estates owners feel privileged while they wait?

It is an interesting question. Hotel management in Nuevo Vallarta apparently changed the rules governing the use of the Estates Exclusive Area at the beach. Even though the area may be empty, Estates owners who are not staying at the Estates no longer can use the Estates seating and pool area. This is a change from past practice. What do you think?

In our second article about valuing timeshare interests, we need to understand the financial implications of valuing a timeshare contract. It is complex. And the lack of comparable information makes valuing a timeshare contract as much a statement of what a buyer and seller are willing to settle on a price as anything else.

There are a few different methods that can be used to determine the financial value of a timeshare interest. The method used will depend on the specific circumstances of the timeshare and the purpose for which the valuation is being performed. Here are a few potential methods that might be used to value a timeshare interest:

1. Market analysis: This method involves comparing the timeshare interest to similar properties that have recently sold in the area to determine a rough estimate of its value. This can be useful if you are considering selling your timeshare and want to get a sense of what it might be worth.
   
   
2. Cost approach: This method involves estimating the cost to replace the timeshare interest with a similar property, and then subtracting an estimate of the property's physical depreciation. This method can be useful if you are trying to determine the value of a timeshare for insurance purposes.
   
   
3. Income approach: This method involves estimating the value of a timeshare interest based on the income it is expected to generate. This can be useful if you are considering buying a timeshare and want to determine whether it is a good investment.
   
   
4. Comparable sales: This method involves comparing the timeshare interest to similar properties that have recently sold in the area to determine a rough estimate of its value. This can be useful if you are considering selling your timeshare and want to get a sense of what it might be worth.

Again, valuing a timeshare interest can be complex, and the value can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors such as location, size, and amenities. A real estate professional would be helpful if the contract is a deeded contract. A financial advisor may help with a more precise financial valuation process. A person with considerable experience with the type of contract being considered is also a valuable source of information.

All too often, owners are proud of the facilities their contracts allow families to use, which then highlights the way to get the highest value from timeshare contracts: use the benefits to the fullest extent possible. The value is limitless!