Brian Taylor
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
The other aspect under new contracts terms is how long do Anfi have to decide if they wish to buy the week? – is this open ended, or does Anfi have to exercise its right within say one or two weeks – otherwise this could cause delay for the seller and perhaps lose a buyer. There must have to be some end date for Anfi to exercise its right otherwise a sale to a buyer could proceed and then Anfi could intervene to buy part way through.
Brian
Interesting – one thing to tell Anfi the buyer info as part of the 700 Euro transfer fee when a member sells, quite another to have to tell Anfi upfront when they have option to buy at that price.
Wonder where that sits under the EU GDPR as to disclosing buyer information unless the buyer gives explicit consent?Also a wise seller might just give a relative or friends name as the buyer to test if Anfi will buy. Set a high price and see what happens!
Sounds as if this means, that if a sale doesn’t go through, Anfi will need info on each offer the seller receives and is looking to pursue.
This might further reduce resale prices over the reductions Anfi’s tactics have already caused, yet allow them to buy up good apartments at bargain prices!!
Brian
Good luck Robert. In recent Which report mentioned looking very carefully at Ryanair and baggage charges which seem to catch people out as have had 3 changes in last year, and recently reduced hand luggage
Take it not worth flying to Manchester or Gatwick for a cheaper fight out
Brian
Hi Wolfgang
Interesting but how is price for the week the owner is selling determined if Anfi have right of first refusal?
Regards, Brian
Makes you wonder why anyone would sign a replacement contract!
Brian
very good points and reasons to be careful of any contract changes!!
Looking forwards we need to be careful, collectively, if Anfi ever try to retrospectively add in these terms to existing contracts!
Brian
Hi Wolfgang
That’s very interesting, thanks for alerting us – I thought on claims some courts had not awarded refund of maintenance fee – so does this only apply if court does award the maintenance fee? The costs are far in excess of maintenance fees and totally unreasonable by comparison to actual hotel rates which include B&B normally – how can they claim 435 euros per night for room only!!!! (you did mean per night?)Are there rates for other room sizes e.g. 2 bed etc?
Also if members are looking to add names to contracts are Anfi adding these terms into the revised contracts? If so members need to be very careful.
Brian
Also to add that Which have just published update on European airline surveys. Guess what? – Norwegian is one of top rated airlines. Easyjet is middling (Pam & I found them quite efficient, though hand baggage check policy is hassle as you have to stuff all your things in the one case).
Ryanair dropped off scale at bottom as worst rated airline & amazingly 70% of respondents would never consider booking with Ryanair – though their management do not seem to get the message & think all is well!!Brian
Update on above ref BA
I booked BA for this January, many months back, before Easyjet or Norwegian released dates – somewhat gutted to see, even today, that it would be cheaper for me to book Norwegian going out this Saturday for a week than what it cost with BA for an advance booking.
Right now you can book a return with Norwegian 5th – 12th January for £155 return per person – the return element is only £53 – with hold luggage, seat and 10kg hand luggage. Flights gets there early evening and coming back arrives late evening. I could live with that!!And to rub it in the BA flight is from Heathrow, and the parking there is a lot more than Gatwick. BA also only fly Saturdays to my thoughts of an extended 10 day stay cannot happen. And Pam’s lounge Priority Pass does not work at T5 Heathrow. Next time Gatwick and Norwegian or Easyjet (our October Easyjet flight was pretty good, no complaint)
Brian
I’ve read on Facebook recently of someone querying that when they asked for names to be updated they have been given by Anfi a much longer document than their original contract. Sounds similar to Diane and Steve’s experience posted above.
In Anfi’s request it seemed to be simply updating names as per extract below – if you are in the process of updating your contract names, please take care and Roger has offered above to sense check if there has been an error in the contract documents involved. The text below does not refer to updating contract terms just names.————————
In the Customer Services Department we are at present updating the database of Club members, and we are aware that over the years personal circumstances may change that affect the title holders of the certificates, and that members may wish to add or remove names, or require other revisions to the certificates.The 31st January 2019 is the date we have set as our objective to update the title holders of the certificates in the database, and to help us to meet this deadline, changes will be completed at no cost whatsoever to you, our members.
———————————
We’ll be sending out the details for the AGM on 9th March very early in January. The hotel is near Cirencester as a change from the Ettington Chase, though still in central England and easy access from nearby motorways, and an amazing venue.
As with previous AGM’s we will have an informal evening meal option for members on Friday the 8th March. We’ll also provide a (free) buffet lunch on the 9th before the AGM, and you’ll have the option for a dinner in the evening with entertainment if you stay on.
The hotel is offering a discounted rate for the Friday as a DB&B rate and for Saturday B&B, and there are also other hotels in the area that offer a variety of rates. All details will be sent out shortly.I, and your Committee, look forward to seeing as many members as possible there.
Regards, Brian
If you haven’t paid your 2019 maintenance fees yet, today (this evening!) is last day to be included in the prize draw Anfi has publicised.
The due date for fees is 31st January as per invoices. You can pay online at anfi.com in members area, or also on the new-ish Anfi App which I haven’t tried for payment yet – do let us know if anyone has used the app to pay!
Probably more pertinent to £ cost is the timing of what you think the exchange rate will be over coming weeks, and before/after the Brexit deal vote in parliament mid-January. There are some links above this post to items members have suggested in previous years as best value cards for paying fees.I found a MasterCard website that gives you the current day rate for currency bought on MasterCard – you just need to choose Euro to £ (Great British Pound) – currently showing 1 EUR = 0.906051 GBP which is 1.1037 Euros to the £. This rate is what Post Office card uses for non-sterling currency payments and I believe other branded Mastercards too.
https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/consumers/get-support/convert-currency.htmlIf same as last year Anfi will give you choice to pay in £ or Euros.
And off topic but on moneysavingexpert, they show you places where you can buy Euros or other currency, based on your location. Didn’t vary too much for me, so am picking up Euros at Heathrow when I travel next week.
https://travelmoney.moneysavingexpert.com/holiday-money/Regards, Brian
Please see latest info on the 2019 AGM, which will be held on 9th March, on this link – we will publish and email full details early January.
Isn’t one of the problems that the replacement fund has not really kept up with expected outgoings and whilst unfortunate that the last few years had not contributed enough into replacement, an increase over next few years is needed to address this and balance out the money needed to replace and renew the items in apartments.
Be interested to know how much of the overall cost increase is in the replacement fund. Ideally the increase would be broken down into each main area of cost so we can see why the figure is 3.4%
Brian
Hi Chris
Thanks for your feedback. My own view on adding children is that if your children want to take on Anfi long term & if you are getting on in years, then adding them now is a good idea, as if the owner dies then transfer is a bit of a hassle if the child is not on ownership certificate. But, I believe you are right that people listed are jointly (and severally) liable for fees – not really a problem with Anfi currently as they take weeks back, but if that “policy” changed then that could be problem. Less so if the children want to keep weeks at Anfi.
Currently if you added children and didn’t pay then the children would be jointly liable – at least that’s my view. I’ve asked my colleagues on committee for comments.If children not interested long term I wouldn’t add them.
But you ought to consider adding spouse if not currently on certificate. Pam and I have weeks where I’m the owner on some and Pam is on others, so joint ownership listing is better for us. Anfi’s offer is really good for this situation & saves on fees for adding owner.Regarding the letter about law firms I had the same letter when out in October. CLA are one to be cautious about. We have over a 100 members claiming via JLCA with an arrangement the Club agreed with JLCA for fees etc. But as with any deal look carefully at fees.
What I’ve not seen is anyone who has contacted Customer Services and had any good outcome, though perhaps that might be something different now.If you wanted to resell you can do so, children added are part of the contract, though you’d sell and that would be end of obligation. Selling fixed weeks is pretty easy. Floating are worth very little due to Anfi’s changes in booking availability, though Anfi ought to offer underlying week after recent court cases. Points would revert to underlying week, we believe!
Hope that helps
Brian
I should have posted a link to the published 2017 accounts before now – please see the accounts and treasurer report on this link
Brian
Hi Bob
It may vary between airports and season – we flew out in October with Easyjet from Gatwick and left just before 3p.m., arriving before 7.30p.m. and into Anfi before 9.
Easyjet in some months/days do an early flight from Gatwick leaving about 7a.m., early start but you do get into Anfi for early afternoon so gain an half day & eveningWe came back with Thomas Cook on a Monday flight leaving mid afternoon, cost a bit more but a good to get back early evening.
In January we are flying with BA from Heathrow, and the flight times are early afternoon out and back. Cost looked good at first but when I added it all up it does cost a fair bit more than Easyjet.
We’ve also used Norwegian quite a few times, though last time I looked was quite late into Gran Canaria. I really like Norwegian though they have been very late in last year or so publishing some flight schedules.
What times are you seeing with Easyjet?
Regards, Brian
Hi Peter
Anfi have an item on their website in the members area under News, though a few items down the list – it just says to call Customer Services & I’ve copied the news item below. They have the same item on the Anfi app. There do not appear to be any forms to fill in though perhaps they send them when you call them.
Be interested to know how you get on as Pam & I are intending to update our contracts into joint names.
Kind regards, Brian
NB For our members who prefer a different language version, Anfi have published the same item in several languages – all on the Anfi website and app.
————————————IMPORTANT INFORMATION
(EN) Dear Anfi Member,
In the Customer Services Department we are at present updating the database of Club members, and we are aware that over the years personal circumstances may change that affect the title holders of the certificates, and that members may wish to add or remove names, or require other revisions to the certificates.
The 31st January 2019 is the date we have set as our objective to update the title holders of the certificates in the database, and to help us to meet this deadline, changes will be completed at no cost whatsoever to you, our members.
Please call in to our Customer Services department, open from Monday to Friday 08.00 to 17.00 hours; or by calling us on: (34) 928 15 29 90 (press option 1), or by emailing us at: customerservice@anfi.es and inform us of the changes you wish to make.
All the Anfi clubs wish to thank you for your continued trust in us and we look forward to seeing you and your families for many holidays to come!
Kind regards,
María Hidalgo,
Manager Customer Services Department
—————————————————
Anfi have just published a letter in the members area of anfi.com regarding the “rumours” about Anfi becoming a hotel or resort – the information below is in line with the information we have already posted above:-
—————————————————-
Anfi del Mar, 29th November 2018
Dear Members,
We are aware of some rumours circulating that state that Anfi will become a hotel or an all-inclusive resort. The General Management would like to reiterate that this is simply NOT true and that Anfi is, and will remain a timeshare resort. The legal structure of Anfi and its Clubs means that they are protected and cannot be converted to any other form of hotel accommodation.Some of our Members have contacted us enquiring about special offers regarding Anfi Sales unsold inventory. These specifically targeted campaigns have been common practice for many years, both in Anfi, and in the timeshare industry in general. The only objective is to use the non-booked weeks to attract new potential owners to our Anfi family through a lead generation programme to experience Anfi’s product with a view to their purchasing timeshare weeks.
We wish to highlight that none of your rights or services to which Anfi is committed to provide have been or will be restricted in the future. Anfi shall continue to offer the same top quality services that you have enjoyed to date, guaranteeing your stay each year and working hard to protect your interests. Your membership is highly valued and we will do our utmost to ensure that you and your family will continue to enjoy safe and unforgettable holidays in the coming years.
On a final note, we would like to thank you once again for your loyalty over the years, and remind you that we are here to help and to answer any questions you might have. Please contact the Customer Service department by telephone at (+34) 928 152 990 or by email at customerservice@anfi.es if you require any assistance at all.
Thank you.
Kind Regards,
Jose Luis Trujillo
General Manager
Anfi Group
—————————————————————————
Hi David
The most popular months are Oct – Feb which are very popular with Scandinavians and some British and German owners. There are contracts that allow booking 18 months upfront hence the shortage of weeks.
It is very frustrating that Anfi can’t tell you what is available and you have to keep asking for a specific week. Or try emailing with a list of weeks!Pam & I have resale floating at Monte and find around May is an easier month to get. Or around the spring excluding school holidays. Though oddly when we called earlier this year we got a January week, so maybe worth calling and just keep asking for different weeks.
We also have points at Gran Anfi which are direct purchase from Anfi so we book via vacation club & this sometimes seems to get us time that isn’t available via our resale Monte week.
As you may well know, in your “home” resort you can book 12 months ahead, but in the other resorts you can access them 10 months ahead – at least as far as I know, but check with customer services. If you can do this you might get a week at Beach, Monte or Puerto.
Regards, Brian
Barbara
I’ve put a couple of links below that might be of use if you are considering the contract legal positionPro’s and Con’s of making a claim – as updated March 2018
text of email that Anfi sent out earlier this year warning of cold call “lawyers”
we published a guide for members back 2016 on options to dispose of a timeshare contract, should this be relevant – via this link
As David has explained in his follow on email, the weeks are held in trust. If you have points or floating weeks, then following the court cases Anfi have assigned underlying weeks against these types of ownership, though only provide this information on request as far as we know.
Regards, Brian
Hi Barbara
I’ve copied your questions below and answered as best as I can. There are various posts on different threads/topics about the items you raised. Really useful questions from you for anyone just looking at this from scratch:-
What safeguards do we have, if any, when Lopesan have full control of Anfi?
– the overall ownership of Anfi will change but the company i.e. Anfi, still stays the same.Are our existing contracts legally binding on either side?
– the contracts are as they are now. Some of the court judgements mean that some contracts will need amendment.Is it true that Anfi /Lopesan want to replace existing contracts with ‘water tight” contracts.
– Anfi are replacing some contracts as a result of recent legal judgementsI have had a discussion (cold caller) with a legal company professing to be able to claim back all of my original investment plus maintenance costs over the years. Obviously at a cost, % not confirmed but looking around 25%, or more for a no-sale no fee.
– please very careful if you talk to cold callers. CLA appear to have have obtained phone numbers of various owners. Anfi UK have an arrangement with JLCA for legal claims. Please see the claims Forum section. Latest court decisions have not allowed claims for maintenance costs, this also means your claim for legal fees will not be successful as unless the claim is 100% successful the legal fees are not awarded under Spanish law.A letter placed inside the apartment suggested that even if legal action were to be successful, owners would have to pay Anfi for all the weeks they have occupied the unit.
– recent court decisions have said that awards are adjusted to reduce by the amount of time that owners have had at AnfiIf so, what about the holidays taken elsewhere paid for by the points system?
– not sure we’ve had cases to confirm this, but expect that the amount of any award will be reduced in same way as other weeks taken i.e. if you have had benefit from the weeks in each yearBrian
Pam & I didn’t have time to fit in Vivaldi’s on our last visit. By Pireta did you mean Cueva Pirata? – which we did visit and has a wood burning grill which you can see the chef cooking at from most tables – though it does close around May for family holidays, so may not fit with your weeks.
Which wood burning restaurant in Bahia Feliz did you use?
Brian
We went twice on our last visit to Anfi and were not disappointed. Really good service and great food. Lovely steaks and fish, nothing disappointed us.
Definitely up there with Palm Garden and Montsemar. On our second visit Pam & I had the steak for 2 that we’d seen others have on our first visit. Very good, photo below.
Do book ahead as all tables were reserved when we were there.
Brian
