The Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs files lawsuit against on-line provider of extreme outdoor adventures

The defendants maintain more than 900 web sites including www.1800SkyRide.com, www.ThrillPlanet.com, www.SoaringSports.com and www.ascskydiving.com, through which they book appointments and sell gift certificates for extreme outdoor adventures such as sky diving, hot air ballooning, race car driving and river at locations throughout the country.

Numerous consumers complained that the company failed to provide gift certificates or services to consumers after receiving full payment.  Other consumers claimed that the gift certificates the company provided were unredeemable – either because the booking requests were never forwarded to the facility or because reservations were made without verifying the centers had those time slots available.

According to consumer complaints, the company also misrepresented its physical presence, claiming to have a network of more than 600 locations nationwide; however, consumers who were assured that their appointments were conveniently located allege that they ended up paying for gift certificates only to later discover that the location of their appointment was many miles away, sometimes not even in the same state as they were led to believe.  Additional allegations against the company are that it falsely represented that their facilities and some of their instructors were certified, affiliated, or approved by the U.S. Parachute Association and that it falsely stated that reservationists were available 24 hours a day.

“The evidence of unfair and deceptive acts by this company is staggering,” declares Administrator Joe Doyle.  “The Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs has made a very strong case for the Attorney General, and we are confident that justice will be done.  We will continue to protect the public from companies whose business models rely on misleading consumers and using the Internet to hide the true nature of whom they are, where they are and what they do.”

The Administrator is seeking a permanent injunction restraining the defendants from future violations of the law, restitution for affected consumers, civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation, and recovery of fees and costs for this lawsuit.

For more information, contact the Governor’s Office of Consumer Affairs.

Complaint for Injunctive Relief