Bad news - From the main CdA Forum

I think parador properties wants to sell resales.....from Polaris World.

I called PW Customer Services this morning.  PW are saying that they are unaware of this "Parador email" and asked me to send a copy to them.  I do not have the email, so perhaps someone who does, could forward to PW Customer Services and ask them to confirm the situation?

Very sketchy answers from PW saying that "Condado is progressing very well and we will keep building".  I asked when the Golf Suites would be built - the answer "They cannot say for sure as there is legal issues, etc regarding the building to sort prior to commencement".

I am waiting for someone else at PW to contact me (someone who I have spoken to regularly and is very helpful) and will see what information I can get out of him.

Anyone else spoken to Customer Services?

David

Hi David

It could be possible that Parador Properties just want to concentrate on selling resales from PW.  Went on their website and there wasn't anything promoting Polaris World (unless I was on the wrong website)

Hi David,

I had a similar conversation with PW CS (I believe her name was Pepa) in that the project is progressing but no decision on a start date for GS. 

According to my Spanish solicitor, the building licence has expired and by law they are obliged to refund our money.  In practice this doesn't happen, and it could take years and a lot of money to chase them through the courts. This could be the legal issues you refer to.  If things don't progress then I don't know what to do.  One option would be to consider one of the unsold properties, but firstly I didn't sign up for this, and secondly I'm not sure I'd be at all happy with the additional expense of a property I wasn't satisfied with.

My solicitor has an appointment with PW on 1st July, so I will report back on any progress.

keeve

Hi Keeve,

I think the next few weeks involve considering our options and then maybe taking group action (maybe using Maria De Castro, a Spanish lawyer, who posts on this site frequently) with a view to getting our deposits back.  If like minded people come together as one we should be stronger.

If you read the general spain forum there are threads which speak about people getting refunds, etc.

I will consider what options PW give us with regard to other properties, but at the moment I am leaning towards getting my money out.  Be interesting to see whether PW offer properties at resale prices.

I think the legal issues PW were referring to are requirement for building licenses and approval from Spanish authorities to build (she mentioned legal issues in the context of starting to build the Golf Suites).

I will update with any news when I get it.

David

I have spoken to my regular contact at PW Customer Services.  The update is as follows:

1.  PW are aware of the emails Parador have sent out, however, were keen to point out that these were not true. 

2.  PW Board of Directors met yesterday and took the decision to set up a "Golf Suites Team" which will be responsible for contacting all Golf Suite owners and updating them on the plans for this phase.

3.  My contact said that what he has overheard in relation to the Golf Suites is very interesting, however, he wasn't at liberty to divulge this information to me as this was the role of the newly formed GS Team.  I asked whether he could give me any indication of the future plans, but again he was reluctant to tell me, although he said that I would not lose any money and that the plans are "good".  He did mention that the plans have/are changing (I am not sure whether he meant the Master Plan i.e. the layout of Condado or whether he was referring to the timing of the contruction work).

4.  I enquired as to whether the option to pull my money out of the investment was available.   Customer Services are unable to deal with this as it relates to the contract and is therefore a legal issue.  Such issues are put through to the PW legal department.

He finished by saying that someone would be in contact shortly and would be able to give me all the information I need in relation to the next steps.

Take from the above what you will.  It remains unclear to me.  Hopefully the forthcoming phone call will give some clarity.

Any others with updates?

David

Following David's latest post my glass has gone from half empty to half full.  It will be very interesting to see what happens - at least the future looks a little more encouraging than a few days ago when we had no information.

I haven't been contacted directly by PW for 2 years since the reservation payment.......  I live in hope.

keeve

I chased PW for a response and got the following email from a dfferent person (who I assume is part of this Golf Suite communication team):

"You have, recently, contacted our Customer Service concerning your property Golf Suites. Unfortunately, we are told that at this time that specific sector is subject to some delays, amount of time which I cannot precise for the time being. For some customers, given the actual circumstances with not little problems with banks, mortgages and crisis, the said delay fits quite well in their plans. Others, of course, are more in a hurry for different reasons. If this is your case, we offer a wide range of Key ready apartments in Condado, Terrazas de la Torre and Mar Menor 2 or, if your interest is for a short period of time, we have also quite a lot of apartments in Terrazas to be finished by the end of the year.

Getting annoyed now.  Too vague for my liking.  I have sent a sizeable email back asking a number of questions and will post response when received.

David

A bit of an update:

I have been given an email address (bankguarantees@polarisworld.com) as contact for all matters bank guarantees.  I suggest if other Golf Suite owners are having difficulty obtaining these then send an email.  We need to put pressure on PW to obtain these.

In addition, apparently Polaris World are investigating options regarding other properties for Golf Suite owners.  To quote:

Again, I will update once I have chased for an update.

David

I don't know how far you have got with the content of this thread, one thing I do know is PW clearly has no idea what is going on with Golf Suites!  I visited the PW head office in Spain at the end of 2009 and they weren't interested in the slightest in giving me a refund.  In Feb 2010 I instructed my solicitor to commence legal proceedings (up front payment of 3000 euros).  Within less than four months I have received my deposits back in full and have received money towards legal fees as an out of court settlement!  PW knew they had no chance of winning the court case and cut their own losses.

I'm no legal expert but this experience has shown me that if you don't start legal proceedings you can forget about getting your money back, People wanting their money back need to instigate legal action.  I didn't have bank guarantees for the full amount either.

I know how frustrating it is i've been there so if I can offer any advice about how I went about it or people want details of the solicitor (who I might add was excellent and would definitely recommend) then feel free to drop me an email I'll be only too glad to help!

Dave