Russell's Balloon Adventures

[Dave]

Anyone know what happened to Marc D. Russell from Russell's Balloon Adventures formerly at 3933 Smith Kramer in Hartville? He owes me a balloon ride.

[Rick Yant]

Dave wrote:

Anyone know what happened to Marc D. Russell from Russell's Balloon Adventures formerly at 3933 Smith Kramer in Hartville? He owes me a balloon ride.

My Dad pre-paid 6 Rides have you heard anything yet?
my email: [e-mail]

[Amy Ciesielczyk]

I called him in the spring of 2007. He answered and said he was in Florida for the beginning of the summer and would return to Ohio in August 2007. I tried calling him again at the end of July and the phone number was no longer good. If anyone has a good phone number or knows how to contact him, please e-mail me at [e-mail]

[Rae]

I also purchased two flights from Marc Russell in March of 2006. It was a birthday gift for my father. He called Marc in June 2006 to schedule and Marc said he was all booked up, that he was going to California and to call back in the spring after April 2007. My Father called again on 5/8/07 and Marc said he didn't have his schedule and to call back after 6:00 pm. He called back and Marc then said he is down in Florida and will not be back. He said if he is not back , they'll reimburse the money. Marc said to call back after July 1, 2007. Fearing we were "had" I call marc on 5/14/07 and spoke directly to him and retold the story. He essentially called me a liar and said he would not return my money because it is past the expiration date. There was no expiration date on the flyer and even if there was he was the one who kept delaying and telling us to call back. He said I should have called back more times. Finally he said to call back in July to see if he was still flying. Of course, I called back today 7/31/07 and the number was disconnected. I encourage anyone who reads this to provide any additional information and report this person to the BBB and a fraud agency.

[Dave]

Go to the BBB - link http://search.canton.bbb.org/nis2/newsearch2c...

Search for him
I am waiting for Ohio Attorney General to contact me back - this has got to be a crime with all this money added up. My certificate said good for 2 years - signed by Amy Best - anyone seen/ heard of her?

[Denise Smith]

ok so I seem to be yet another victim of this fraud. I received a birthday gift of a balloon ride for 2. Tried to schedule it and was put off twice.Tried to call today 8-2-07 to get a new date and the balloon company cant be reached. Hmmmmm

[Scammed]

YOU HAVE TO FILE COMPLAINTS SO THESE ADD UP

[Mike - Tampa]

Scammed wrote:

YOU HAVE TO FILE COMPLAINTS SO THESE ADD UP

I bought my wife the gift of a balloon ride for two, now he's nowhere to be found in Aug 07, Tampa.

Please help if you know his wherabouts.
Thanks, Mike in Tampa

[Dave]

Mike - you bought the tickets in Tampa? Check for him in Cape Coral. People search on internet shows that he may be there - I think his mother's name is Bettye Russell an ex-Ohio Lawyer there too - she may be listed -
Please let us all know and file with Florida state attorney general.

[Mrs G]

Our son bought 3 baloon rides for 3 sets of parents Christmas 2004(good for 2 yrs.) None of us has been able to use them. Last year, I contacted the Hartville Chamber of Commerce in the Fall of 2006, and they said he had been in jail, and sold his house. He had been seen about town. I was given a cell # and contacted Marc, he said he was going to Florida for the winter and would be back this summer and would honor all gift certificates regardless of dates. However, that number is no longer working. Yesterday, 8/20/2007, I called the Chamber again, and the man I talked to, Paul Tarr, is no longer president. I spoke to a woman, didn't catch her name, who said she was the new president. I told her the situation, and she took my name and phone #, but never called me back. I am going to stay on it because I know the kids spent a lot of money on this. I will be happy to share any info that I can find. The man is a crook as far as I am concerned.

[Dave]

Mrs G
Indeed a thief
Please file with Ohio Attorney General
https://agcares.ag.state.oh.us/public/landing...
"File a Complaint"
and BBB
http://www.cantonbbb.org/
You will get no help - they cannot locate him either - but you will have written record

Here is current report on him
http://search.canton.bbb.org/nis2/newsearch2c...

I ahve been in touch with a national hot air balloon organization and club in Florida - they are on the look out for him for us also...

[Dave]

Does anyone know if our dear Marc was a lawyer?

and his mother too? Bettye Russell

They are showing up in Cape Coral FL people search

[Susan]

I have also filed complaints against this crook.
I hope you all realize we will never get a penny of our money returned.
What a joke this all is... no one can even find him to prosecute him !

[Dave]

Confirmed by another Balloon Company in Tampa - he was there but not seen for months. Look for his flight North for the winter?

[Dave]

More from another legitimate Balloon Company "Sorry to hear that. I would suggest also contacting the BBB. In Florida, He came to visit over the holidays and undercut all that fly here. We do not want bad publicity, so we are all pitching in to take care of those that he left behind. Good luck with your search."
Now victims in other states.
What's it going to take?

[Dave]

Hey, has anyone filed a police report on this guy?

I wonder if FBI can be involved? The total of these claims have probably approached $5000 or more. Isn't tha a felony? He has fled out-of-state, who handles those kind of things?- just an idea.

[Mrs G]

I am working with someone in the media to help find this crook. I have been looking for 2 years and I think the next few months may prove to be interesting. I will share info when it becomes available. Wish me luck!!! I would love for this to benefit all of us. Take care!

[Dave]

Go get him Mrs. G!
I contacted a TV station in the Tampa area via internet to alert them to his antics and add to the search. I also contacted Channel 5 Cleveland too in July.

[Roger - Lakewood Ohio]

We purchased 2 rides from him at Cleveland's I-X Center at the auto show on February 24, 2006. We scheduled a flight but it was cancelled due to weather. We could not get re-scheduled and can not get our money back. His address of 1876 Ledgewood Blvd., Suite B-10, Massillon, Ohio 44646 is now bogus. After reading these reports I now realize he is a crook, charming, but a crook. If anyone has any success in tracking down his where abouts I will gladly join the posse. Thanks!

[Roger - Lakewood Ohio]

PS - My e-mail is [e-mail]