BajaNomad

Hacienda del Sol follow up

JESSE - 7-7-2009 at 03:23 PM

I just got a call from the head of the Local Red Cross. She was very worried and in our conversation, she made some things very clear.

1.-Third parties CANNOT ask for donations for the Red Cross.

2.-Any donation given to the Red Cross, has to be made directly to their Mexico city central account with the words "La Paz BCS" added. If the donation is not directly made to their account, it has to be given to an official volunteer ONLY in times when there is a campaign.

3.- Third parties CANNOT use the Red Cross name in order to promote, seek, or advertise their businesses.

4.-It is illegal to have collection boxes in Hotel rooms, these can only be used by volunteers on the street, with official Red Cross ID and Uniforms, DURING an official campaign.


It is clear the La Paz Red Cross is worried about this, and for a company that seems to claim they are well known by the local Red Cross, and show pictures and documents claiming they are trusted volunteers. Well, the La Paz Red Cross officially know very little about them, and certaintly are not volunteers.

The $100,00 donation claimed in the newspaper was never made to the Red Cross, it was made to the Hospital Salvatierra. They told me they have no way of knowing if the equipment donated was for $100,000 or any amount, since they did not get it. In short, these people are knowingly or unknowingly doing a lot of things that are considered illegal by the rules of the Red Cross and Hacienda.

Lets see what the national Red Cross has to say.

Great research! Thanks for the update!

longlegsinlapaz - 7-7-2009 at 03:41 PM

BajaNuts - 7-7-2009 at 04:31 PM

Thanks for the update,

might have a pic for you.

Does it make any difference that they are not a nightly HOTEL, but "long-term" rental with 1 week minimum? Either way, they are not official volunteers in uniform.

bajajudy - 7-7-2009 at 05:07 PM

The Nomad posse on patrol!

Osprey - 7-7-2009 at 06:42 PM

Is that a hooray or a boo?

bajajudy - 7-7-2009 at 08:43 PM

Seahawk
Both

DianaT - 7-7-2009 at 10:13 PM

Interesting story---the follow-up should be even more interesting.

BajaNomad - 7-8-2009 at 01:56 PM

For reference purposes, the original thread:

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=39752

Not to doubt your information but

Dave - 7-8-2009 at 02:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE

2.-Any donation given to the Red Cross, has to be made directly to their Mexico city central account with the words "La Paz BCS" added. If the donation is not directly made to their account, it has to be given to an official volunteer ONLY in times when there is a campaign.



If one were to walk in with cash...

Think they'd refuse? ;D

comitan - 7-8-2009 at 02:39 PM

I know you can walk into their office and make a donation and if its a large donation you get a big round sticker for your windshield.

Chollero - 7-12-2009 at 12:28 PM

Someone pointed out to me, that there is a real bashing going on about the Hacienda del Sol in Comitan. It looks like people have nothing else to do but just picking on someone / something.
My wife and I are coming for several years to the Hacienda and even so some people prefer to be just a hotel room number, the personal attention of the owners is really appreciated by us.
We also where there when the Lady (don't know if we are allowed to mention her name here) claimed that her bra was snapped. Why doesn't she claimed she was raped. This would be even more effective.
We talked with her every day and also with her sis who came later with a baby and she never ever mentioned something like that had happened.
Her attitude changed, when she ask at leaving if she could book ahead for her next time, my wife and I was standing right there and she was told nicely, that there wouldn't be anymore vacancy for her. So, figure.
We had a look at the place after they left. We really can't understand how people can live that way.
We have now a house in El Centenario and thanks to Eberhard and Renate, who by the way is a voluntary at the Red Cross, we bought a nice place. Of course they don't charge us for doing the paper work, helping us to find everything and only ask us to give a small donation direct to the charities they are supporting, which we did.
When ever we used the internet there, we where ask to put 10 Pesos in a little box which was designed as a donation box for the Red Cross. It was set up on honor base, so we easily could "forget" to pay, but we didn't of course. We really don't see that there is anything wrong at collecting and donating any money to the the charities.
About the beaches in Comitan we go there almost every day.
It is simple to go to Google Earth and have a look. It is a lovely sandy beach at the south side with 15 Palapas as shade.
The beach close to the Hacienda has little sand left after the hurricane, but still has sand but is shallow on low tide.
I just checked the web site and no, the beaches are NOT doctored up, they are as shown at the pictures.
Also, we have not put a report on the Trip Advisor yet, but we might do it. Find something negative with that too!!
Anybody has a question, contact us direct in El Centenario.
We hope this bashing will end soon.
GET A LIFE

Bajahowodd - 7-12-2009 at 12:57 PM

Nice post Eberhard. It seems to me that with so many folks debating the veracity of the Tripadvisor reviews, there is one, not necessarily ethical thing to do. Y'all just go to Tripadvisor and post phoney bad reviews. You could blow this place out of the top spot quickly. (but that would be wrong). Or maybe no more wrong than all the phoney great reviews. I agree with Jesse that there is no logical reason for this place to be top rated in all of the La Paz area. OK. I've taken the reviews on that site with a grain of salt for many years. Sometimes, it's a gut feeling, but I can attest that I've had some very good experiences at places that have had some very scathing reviews. Tripadvisor was IMHO, a more valuable resource in its early days. Now, it's more of a marketing tool for its owner Expedia.

oxxo - 7-12-2009 at 01:18 PM

:lol: AAAAAAACH! Foiled again. Anyone for some Schnapps und die underware?

JESSE - 7-12-2009 at 01:18 PM

IT IS ILLEGAL TO PUT RED CROSS DONATION BOXES THERE.
IT IS ILLEGAL FOR THIRD PARTIES TO ASK FOR DONATIONS FOR THE RED CROSS.
IT IS ILLEGAL TO ADVERTISE USING THE RED CROSS NAME.

This is not my opinion, its the opinion of the Mexico City Central Office Red Cross and their book of regulations and laws. I suggest you clean up your act and stop trying to block the sun with your finger, Mexicans can tolerate a lot of corruption, but this Red Cross deal can potentially create a tidalwave of anger if the community finds out.

La Paz has changed, its not a little city anymore. You have just admited (yet again) that something illegal is-was being done there. You have two choices, try to futily defend an illegal act that you just admited to everybody and find yourself explaining to several Federal Agencies. Or do the right thing, fix the problems.

It is up to you wich of the two roads you take.


:fire:

JESSE - 7-12-2009 at 01:48 PM

I see Hacienda del Sol did some changes to their website. Deleted the Paypal button asking for Red Cross donations, deleted the part where they ask for checks. Deleted the telephone numbers to the local Red Cross. Deleted the tax deductible claims. And deleted the part where they ask for equipment donations.

Good thing we all made copies

:biggrin:

BajaNuts - 7-12-2009 at 02:07 PM

I don't even have to check my travel diary to remember who was there-

-our party
-the couple from the mainland
-the couple from nevada
-the other couple from Washington
-the guy who lives there semi-full time
-the couple from Germany
-the lady moving to L Paz


Hmmmm------
not including trailers (noone was in the trailers or if there was, we did not meet or socialize with them), there are 7 units available, and if my math is correct, every unit is accounted for......except the only other couple living there......

So, Chollero, which one are you? Just say which couple you are/where you are from. I'll know who you are, no need for names as I have everyone's names and emails.

[Edited on 7-12-2009 by BajaNuts]

Bajahowodd - 7-12-2009 at 02:09 PM

And, it doesn't change the fact that there's a very creepy guy running a tourist business. Anyone have the foggiest idea how many free e-mail addresses people can obtain? Tripadvisor does not filter for ISP addresses. So, I wonder how many of those wonderful reviews eminated from the same PC?

[Edited on 7-12-2009 by Bajahowodd]

Chollero - 7-12-2009 at 02:17 PM

I'm just at The Hacienda to talk about all this bashing.
Anybody interested and it looks like there are many of you, are welcome to go there and check all the papers and donation slips.
What is this with you people? If someone tries to help and do good, it always will be changed negative. Is this so hard to understand that someone like to do good and help where ever is needed?
14 month ago, the Red Cross needed special accus for the X ray machine, value over $ 4 Thousand Dollar plus $ 500 Dollar shipping.
Donated by the Hacienda without even demanding a write off receipt.
The big donation for more than $ 100 Thousand Dollar was not for free. In small parts it came form a Hospital, but the majority was on the wish list and was bought.
It was given to the Red Cross for the "first pick" and then to distribute to the most needing facilities.
Last year there was an offer of Surplus hospital beds in Montana. Instead of $ 6Thousand + Dollar each, they where sold for only $ 1,800 Dollar.
Flying to Montana, renting a truck came to over $ 2,500 Dollar too.
Just a few month ago, Dale Grahn, a US Marine veteran was stuck here in La Paz. He had health problems, the friend cleaned him out and he had no money at all. He was put up and cared for at the Hacienda, the family in San Francisco where contacted, but they did not have any money to get him home.
The Hacienda bought the flight ticket and drove him to Cabo, where Alaska Airline refused to let him aboard due to his health. He was put up in a hospital and after a few more days the very reluctant embassy took over and send him home with the ticket bought from the Hacienda money. Dale had cost the Hacienda way over $ 1 Thousand Dollar.
Right now, they found out that the Red Cross is in need of a portable defibrillator for the ambulances. There is one ordered already and will be in La Paz in the next days. Check on the web how expensive it is.
So, there are another several thousand Dollar.
Of course, it will be donated to the Red Cross probably next week.
Eberhard and Renate have no children, they are close to 70 years old, have a nice pension and don't need money. Just helping makes them happy.
They also helped several Mexicans who wanted to form their own business. Lending money without interest helped a lot. And yes, they are allowed to do it. You can check their acta constitutiva, just in case someone like to bash there too.
Only last week, Polanco who runs the little Modelorama store in Comitan had beaten up his wife Alicia who came to Renate and Eberhard for help.
Eberhard even safed the life of Polanco about 9 month ago when he was drowning. Lat week he gave him a sucker punch through the open car window and promised never give the money he lend back for helping his wife Alicia.
If anyone is interested to see that the Hacienda is helping a lot the Casa Cuna, an orphanage on Forjadores, just go there and ask for Seņora Gloria.
El Centenario has a Caritas organization. If you don't mind, talk with Maria.
Ever visited the Old Folks Home? You should! May be some day one of you bashers have to live there some day. Find out how the Hacienda supports there too. From all the organizations there are Reconocimientos por valioso apoyo economico, receipts for donations who are never where used to write off from the taxes and thank you letters.
If any of you like to check them, just go to the Hacienda.
And here is more great stuff to b-tch about.
If any of you red the newspaper from June 30, you will learn and see a picture that the Hacienda is deeply involved in the EMASAC, A.C. an organization for education, health, legal help, public service security and handicapped people. Right now there is the project of setting up a school and daycare center for handicapped children in La Paz.
On Saturday the 18th of July is a fund raiser party at the Hacienda, starting at 16:00 and ending at 22:00 hrs.
Yes, for you people who like to look for something to complain, there is a permit for it and for the people who still have some gray cells left, they can
Contact the Hacienda. They can use every hand they can get.
Of course, Eberhard and Renate will make a huge profit and stash it all in their own pocket.
I will be there too and if anyone like to talk to me, just look for Earl.
Now keep bashing!!

JESSE - 7-12-2009 at 02:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Chollero
I'm just at The Hacienda to talk about all this bashing.
Anybody interested and it looks like there are many of you, are welcome to go there and check all the papers and donation slips.
What is this with you people? If someone tries to help and do good, it always will be changed negative. Is this so hard to understand that someone like to do good and help where ever is needed?
14 month ago, the Red Cross needed special accus for the X ray machine, value over $ 4 Thousand Dollar plus $ 500 Dollar shipping.
Donated by the Hacienda without even demanding a write off receipt.
The big donation for more than $ 100 Thousand Dollar was not for free. In small parts it came form a Hospital, but the majority was on the wish list and was bought.
It was given to the Red Cross for the "first pick" and then to distribute to the most needing facilities.
Last year there was an offer of Surplus hospital beds in Montana. Instead of $ 6Thousand + Dollar each, they where sold for only $ 1,800 Dollar.
Flying to Montana, renting a truck came to over $ 2,500 Dollar too.
Just a few month ago, Dale Grahn, a US Marine veteran was stuck here in La Paz. He had health problems, the friend cleaned him out and he had no money at all. He was put up and cared for at the Hacienda, the family in San Francisco where contacted, but they did not have any money to get him home.
The Hacienda bought the flight ticket and drove him to Cabo, where Alaska Airline refused to let him aboard due to his health. He was put up in a hospital and after a few more days the very reluctant embassy took over and send him home with the ticket bought from the Hacienda money. Dale had cost the Hacienda way over $ 1 Thousand Dollar.
Right now, they found out that the Red Cross is in need of a portable defibrillator for the ambulances. There is one ordered already and will be in La Paz in the next days. Check on the web how expensive it is.
So, there are another several thousand Dollar.
Of course, it will be donated to the Red Cross probably next week.
Eberhard and Renate have no children, they are close to 70 years old, have a nice pension and don't need money. Just helping makes them happy.
They also helped several Mexicans who wanted to form their own business. Lending money without interest helped a lot. And yes, they are allowed to do it. You can check their acta constitutiva, just in case someone like to bash there too.
Only last week, Polanco who runs the little Modelorama store in Comitan had beaten up his wife Alicia who came to Renate and Eberhard for help.
Eberhard even safed the life of Polanco about 9 month ago when he was drowning. Lat week he gave him a sucker punch through the open car window and promised never give the money he lend back for helping his wife Alicia.
If anyone is interested to see that the Hacienda is helping a lot the Casa Cuna, an orphanage on Forjadores, just go there and ask for Seņora Gloria.
El Centenario has a Caritas organization. If you don't mind, talk with Maria.
Ever visited the Old Folks Home? You should! May be some day one of you bashers have to live there some day. Find out how the Hacienda supports there too. From all the organizations there are Reconocimientos por valioso apoyo economico, receipts for donations who are never where used to write off from the taxes and thank you letters.
If any of you like to check them, just go to the Hacienda.
And here is more great stuff to b-tch about.
If any of you red the newspaper from June 30, you will learn and see a picture that the Hacienda is deeply involved in the EMASAC, A.C. an organization for education, health, legal help, public service security and handicapped people. Right now there is the project of setting up a school and daycare center for handicapped children in La Paz.
On Saturday the 18th of July is a fund raiser party at the Hacienda, starting at 16:00 and ending at 22:00 hrs.
Yes, for you people who like to look for something to complain, there is a permit for it and for the people who still have some gray cells left, they can
Contact the Hacienda. They can use every hand they can get.
Of course, Eberhard and Renate will make a huge profit and stash it all in their own pocket.
I will be there too and if anyone like to talk to me, just look for Earl.
Now keep bashing!!


I donīt think you understand. The La Paz Red Cross claims not to know much about you. The National Red Cross says your doing something illegal. You can sit down and writte tons of stories and things. But that will only get you deeper into the mud.

My suggestion to you. Stop thinking this is business as usual. La Paz has changed. Fix the problems with your operation (changing your website as you already have, is a good 1st), and run your business. I have no interest in messing with a manīs business or income. But the Red Cross is an institution that you have to respect because it affects me and my family.

arrowhead - 7-12-2009 at 02:42 PM

I sense another cluster flop is forming in the Sea of Cortez.

JESSE - 7-12-2009 at 02:49 PM

Quote:

On Saturday the 18th of July is a fund raiser party at the Hacienda, starting at 16:00 and ending at 22:00 hrs.


Why donīt you tell your fundraising guests about your solicitation of funds via checks and paypal. Placing boxes of donations in the rooms. And making a website using the Red Cross as a means to advertise your business. And then provide them a copy of the Red Cross Manual?

That would be a lot of fun.

BajaNuts - 7-12-2009 at 04:50 PM

from H d S's website... cabanas...


"Nice comfortable Cabanas, the perfect place for two for a great vacation. It is a nice cozy place, only a few steps to the swimming pool and to the Palapa with the BBQ. Walk about 100 yd to the beach and collect all the clams for dinner."

BajaNuts - 7-12-2009 at 05:07 PM

Earl....is that you?

The wife jus called me in to read this post and I gotta say i waxs suprised at the change in attitude from when we were there. but hey, man, us union brothers gotta stick together, so if we are wrong about the charity aspect, i'd love to hear about it. Won't change my mind about what he did to the others tho.

So did you seel the unit you owned at Eberhard's? sorry i lost the phone number you gave us whe we left but if you post your phone number or email, i'll call you. seriouslly!
john (sparky)

edit to say-Hi Earl, send phone number by u2u, A~

[Edited on 7-13-2009 by BajaNuts]

Bajahowodd - 7-12-2009 at 05:40 PM

So long as the authorities are aware of the alleged scam, maybe we should let some time pass here. I realize that Jesse has a vested interest in this matter, because he proudly displays a Tripadvisor plaque citing his wonderful restaurant as #1. To then see this shameless charlatan (Eberhard)have his "hotel" enjoy equal status as #1 in lodging, certainly diminishes Jesse's rating. I still think that "vigilantes" can topple this creepy guys hold on #1.

JESSE - 7-12-2009 at 06:00 PM

Just so everyone knows, i decided one week ago, to drop the Tripadvisor rating from my wall. I no longer care for their ratings based on this and other listings wich i have clearly pointed out to them. Seems they didnīt take it very well that i pointed out that one of the top five restaurants in Cabo is a less than clean Taco place. And two other of the top five is actually the same place wich opens in the morning with one name, and changes names on evenings. Non of wich are anywhere near the top five.

I think bajahowodd is right. I think at least from my perspective that things are very clear.