Ripped Off by 1800SkyRide

ComplaintsScams1800SkyRide

Complaint

0
Nat M.
Country: United States
1800SkyRide is a telemarketing fraud. They sell trips and sporting events that do not exist. The company operates under different names:

1800Skyride
Adventure Skydiving Center
Adventure Sports
Luxergy
IGO Vincent
Spagoda
Tandora
Granter Media
Thrill Planet
Soaring Sports
Hot Air Balloon Team

The address of the company:
2593 Kennesaw Due West Rd Ste 300
Kennesaw, Ga 30144


They refuse to give refunds to customers, there are hundreds of unresolved complaints with BBB. Stay away from this company. When a customer wants a refund because most of the time they were sold something that did not exist or was given false information on locations, they refuse to give it and offer a different activity which again is either a fraud or hundreds of miles away from the client.

I've launched complaints with BBB, FTC, and The Attorney General. If you are reading this because you paid this company money and want it back, send your complaint to the above places as well. I hope we can beat this company if we do it together.

Comments

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  • 0
    Linda
    | 1 reply
    We just got ripped off also. Went for a flying lesson that didn't exist and, after 3 hours, were sent home with nothing. The flying club said they are in no way affiliated with Thrill Planet. How do I get my money back???
    • 0
      MAGGIE replies to Linda
      Call your credit card company and tell them to charge back the costs and file a fraud report
  • 0
    Reply To Linda's Post
    | 1 reply
    Some consumers have reported receiving refunds by calling the customer service line for the company (1-800-372-1254)and requesting the refund.  Check the company's Terms & Conditions page.  There may be information there which will help you.  Please report back with information regarding how the company handles your request.
  • 0
    Update
    | 1 reply
    This post appears to have been written by a competitor for the company discussed in this thread, and the opinion presented here appears to be biased as such.

    The supplemental complaint provided along with this competitor's opinion seems to be factual and exists as presented, however the competitor has not offered the most current information regarding this complaint.

    The allegations in this complaint would seem to have originated during the company's previous period of poor customer service that corresponds to the time period when the BBB reported a large number of unanswered and unresolved complaints that have since been answered and resolved.

    The company's effort to improve their record with the BBB was successful, and it would appear that they have also been successful in resolving this matter with the State of Georgia.

    The new pattern presented by the company would seem to be one that demonstrates a desire and commitment to resolving issues.
    • 0
      Another Update replies to Update
      This was posted back in 2008, so I thought I better update this further. It seems in their effort to improve service to their customers, they have replaced their practice of scheduling fraudulant reservations and providing unredeemable gift certificates to just making it impossible to get in touch with anyone to make a resevation. After weeks of trying to reach someone at different times of the day to make a reservation, it appears that they have made it impossilbe to actually receive the service you purchase. When I called to redeem my fully paid for gift certificate, I was immediately put on hold each time. I waited about 15 minutes each time before a rep would answer. I would tell her that I wanted to redeem a gift certificate. The rep would ask for the purchaser's name and then put me on hold for another 20 minutes or so before the phone would just hang up. I never would hear from another rep again, my phone would just disconnect. This happened several times.

      I have looked at other places on the web, and it is odd that there are absolutely no positive testemonials to report on this company. They are obviously fraudulant and any attempt to fix their practices have only been to not go so far as actually scheduling an fraudulant appointment for you. They don't even let you get that far. They just take your money and say "see you later". I have filed with the BBB and requested a refund. This place is a joke. When I called their 1-800 customer service number (800-372-1254) I was put on hold each time until the phone hung up as well.
  • 0
    Not falling for it
    You are pretty good at dismissing obvious facts, i'll give you that. Have you ever considered politics. The fact is that in all the researching I've done about this site and the amalgam of affiliates, I have not found a SINGLE CUSTOMER who received ANYTHING for their money. EVER. You'd think ONE of these complaints all over the web would have someone, who after a long draining process, finally got into the air, onto the water, etc. Bt nope, not a one, ever. Actually one of the better scams I've run into, because who would think the law would allow them to continue? You'd think there is some arm of the law somewhere that could go over to Georgia and throw some cuffs on someone. Or just smack 'em around a little. But amazingly it keeps working, although less and less because all it takes is a simple google to figure out the deal.

    Still gotta give them credit for a very successful scam.
  • 0
    Response
    It is true that people tend to be most vocal when they are unhappy.  So, if the extent of your research has been on complaint boards it is likely that you would not have encountered the customers who have been satisfied by this company.  The company's policies regarding customer privacy have prevented them from offering information to the public regarding the details for the extensive list of satisfied customers, so it is not surprising that you have not been privy to that information.

    Since the company is now demonstrating a desire to resolve issues, any efforts to discourage attempts at resolution and promote animosity between the parties would seem to be as much of a disservice to the customer as to the company itself.
  • 0
    OUTRAGED
    Whoever is defending this compnay is an ignorant prick. I have been trying for the last 6 months to book my hot air balloon ride; ever since THEY cancelled it 5 months ago citing no reason at all. They provided absolutely no reason for the cancellation. They will NOT answer the 1800 number. I refuse to let this company scam more people Enivitably they will go down. This is not only on their conscience now. It is ridiculous and very very sad. They owe a lot of people a lot of money.
  • 0
    Response to OUTRAGED
    There have been other customer complaints regarding cancellations, and it is my understanding that cancellations are quite common in the balloon industry.  I am not sure why the company would not have offered you an explanation regarding your cancellation, but it is possible that the third party vendor who they had you scheduled with did not offer the company an explanation that they could pass along to you.

    If you have not been successful reaching them using the customer service number (1-800-372-1254), you might try sending the company a written complaint.  The company has proven to be very responsive to written complaints since they began their campaign to improve their record and create better customer service.

    I am not certain who you claim is owed a lot of money, but the evidence would seem to demonstrate that the company takes responsibility for their actions and fulfills all obligations when brought to their attention.  If you have specifics regarding this claim, I am certain the company would welcome this information.

    I hope that you will meet with success in your efforts to resolve the matter with this company, and that you will ultimately have the opportunity to enjoy your balloon ride.  Please let us know the outcome.
  • 0
    Karney
    These guys stole my wallet while I was on a rafting trip and they told me that they had it but would not give it back. Don't buy from them.
  • 0
    Reply to Karney
    Did you notify 1800Skyride that your wallet was stolen during your trip?  If the service provider they referred you to for your rafting trip is dishonest, it is important that you let 1800Skyride know.  I hope you get your wallet back!
  • 0
    Omar
    Anyone posting anything FAVORABLE about this company is either employed or associated with them. No question.

    I've been through one of the worst and most ridiculous experiences ever with this comapny.

    I was told a full $800 refund had been sent. When it never arrived, I was told to "check the mailbox or ask the postman."

    When given my reason for canceling (unsafe dropzone practices as related by two independent skydivers), Dick Chowder, customer service "representative" blamed me for not contacting an independent safety organization to verify the DZ safety record. The independent safety organization he suggested? Created and operated by the shady owners of 1800Skyride.

    I could go on and on, but there's no point.

    If you defend this organization, you work for this organization.
  • 0
    Reply to Omar
    | 1 reply
    This is a complaint board, it is unlikely that you will find anything FAVORABLE about this company here.  You may find some factual information that conflicts with your opinion regarding this company, but that does not necessarily mean the information would be considered FAVORABLE, nor does it invalidate the information.

    Recent customers have reported that refunds issued by 1800Skyride were sent using a method that offered a tracking number, so it sounds as though your situation may have occurred prior to the implementation of this company policy.

    I am unfamiliar with a safety organization that is owned or operated by 1800Skyride, and have never heard any other customer complaints that suggest the company represents themselves as an authority on the safety practices of the independently owned operations for which they book reservations. It sounds as though your two independent skydiver friends have familiarized you with the skydiving industry, and have offered you information that may have been unavailable to 1800Skyride.  It is possible that your skydiver friends may also be able to recommend an organization to you that routinely records skydiving safety statistics and monitors safety within the industry.  An unbiased report from an agency such as this, would be very useful to someone considering a first time skydive.
  • 0
    Omar
    1. I realize that this is a complaint board. If you READ what I WROTE you would see the following: "Anyone posting anything FAVORABLE about this company is either employed or associated with them."

    2. Which recent customers? Names and email addresses, please.

    3. I got the name wrong in my previous post. Dick CHowder should be corrected to Dick CRowder. Mr. Crowder referred me to the "National Skydiving Association." Read the following:

    'National Skydiving Association
    The National Skydiving Association was an organization that Roger Nelson, DZO of Skydive Chicago, tried to form several years ago. He later dropped the idea.

    Today, the name National Skydiving Association is used on SkydivingInfo.com and SkydivingInformation.com. These websites list DZs that they have supposedly 'approved' or 'certified'. In reality, they have just linked to major DZs. There is no certification process.

    SkydivingInformation.com also 'borrowed' the web layout from PilotShack.com

    If you see something similar to "Adventure Skydiving Mississippi offers the most advanced training methods available by NSA certified instructors." on any website, it means nothing.

    You can contact DZs directly and ask them if the know about NSA. I did that. Here are a few of the replies.

    "To the best of my knowledge, it was a guy that was going to start an organization to refer prospective students. I don't even remember signing up, if I did." - Buzz Fink, Skydive San Diego

    "By god, I don't know either. If you find out I'd like to know." - Joe Weber, Skydive Oregon

    skydivinginformation.com is registered to:
    Quattrocchi, Cary (SKYDIVINGINFORMATION-DOM)
    P.O. Box 440383
    Kennesaw, GA 30160
    US
    Administrative Contact:
    Quattrocchi, Cary (CUAXJETFII) Cary1@SkydiveCenter.com
    Atlanta SC Inc.
    P.O. Box 440383
    Kennesaw, GA 30160
    US
    770-684-3483 123 123 1234

    In the US, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) is the only organization recognized by the FAA to certify skydiving instructors.'

    The original page is here: http://makeithappen.com/jumps/review/nsa.html

    Any questions about that? I mean, what would be suspicious about the independent organization named by the customer service representative being found only on a website owned by the customer service representative's employer?  

    Again, I'll stand by my last statement in my previous post:
    If you defend this organization, you work for this organization.
  • 0
    Reply to Omar
    I did READ what you WROTE, and found it to contain much of the same baseless rhetoric that is so common on these complaint boards.  I have seen the same items quoted multiple times, and it is often obvious that the person offering the quotes is simply parroting what someone else has written, and has not even bothered to verify the information or validate the original source.

    It would appear that most of the information you are offering is outdated, however you do seem to know more of the intimate gossip regarding the industry than most first time skydivers would typically find.  The author of the website you cite as the source for your information is also rumored to be under a gag order of some sort as a result of litigation resulting from her careless online remarks regarding this company.

    It is also interesting that you are requesting names and email addresses for customers (which would constitute a breech of confidentiality according to the company's policies), yet have not provided your own full name and email address on this forum so that your situation can be verified.  Although, I am not questioning the authenticity of your stated situation, I am questioning your credibility since you seem to be quoting from outdated information that includes the speculation and opinions of others.

    As I stated before, I am unaware of any other customer complaints that suggest the company represents themselves as an authority on the safety practices of the independently owned operations for which they book reservations.  The websites you provided to substantiate your claim do not seem to do this, and furthermore appear to be unrelated to the company discussed in this thread.

    It is certainly your right to stand by your position, and I respect this, however just because it is your opinion (or the opinion of someone you quote) does not necessarily mean it is a fact.
  • 0
    Omar
    Names and addresses? Rhetorical.

    In what way is the information I'm offering outdated?

    You said: 'I have seen the same items quoted multiple times, and it is often obvious that the person offering the quotes is simply parroting what someone else has written, and has not even bothered to verify the information or validate the original source.' You also say 'Although, I am not questioning the authenticity of your stated situation, I am questioning your credibility since you seem to be quoting from outdated information that includes the speculation and opinions of others.'

    The information is verified and validated as of today. You can read it here: http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/results.jsp?domain=skydivinginformation.com

    The domain http://skydivinginformation.com/ is registered to Quattrocchi. The "National Skydiving Association" is the only thing appearing on that domain and it was the organization that Crowder specifically mentioned to verify safety of DZs.

    You said: 'As I stated before, I am unaware of any other customer complaints that suggest the company represents themselves as an authority on the safety practices of the independently owned operations for which they book reservations.  The websites you provided to substantiate your claim do not seem to do this, and furthermore appear to be unrelated to the company discussed in this thread.'

    I never said that company represents themselves as an authority on safety practices. What I’m saying is that these people set up a phony front to give an air of legitimacy to a shady operation. You conveniently ignore this fact in your response.

    Simply put (for you): skydivinginformation.com + National Skydiving Association + 1800SKYRIDE = Quattrocchi(shady).

    Wait a minute! I've been here before. Useless roundabout conversations with a customer service rep that worked for a shady company. I thought you sounded familiar! How long have you been on SKYRIDE's payroll?

    Say what you like, anonymous employee. I got my money back and this house of smoke and mirrors will one day collapse and drag Quattrocchi down with it. Enjoy your paycheck.
  • 0
    Reply to Omar
    The domain http://skydivinginformation.com/ appears to list a number of skydiving operations across the nation, but does not seem to make any ascertains regarding the safety of those operations.  It does mention that prospective students should make certain the location they choose follows all FAA safety requirements and guidelines, but does not offer any recommendations as to how a student should do this.  The site does not appear to be a phony front, but instead seems to be a list of operations throughout the country. The site even offers links to many reputable skydive centers, and would appear to provide prospective customers with several location choices for a first skydive.  I am not sure why the former employee would have suggested a website that provides links to what might be considered competitor websites, but I am sure his motives were quite sinister.  ;-)

    I’m glad you got your money back.  Hopefully you will continue skydiving and enjoy many years in the sport.  Blue Skies!
  • 0
    Omar
    Funny, I never knew he was a former employee. You have very good insider information. Probably comes from being on the SKYRIDE payroll.

    Please, go pound those blue skies up your ass.
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