Russell's Balloon Adventures

[Laura]

I have had the same experience, bought my ballooning package a few years ago and tried SEVERAL seasons to get the balloon ride, the only time he would actually schedule it was the first time, and even though the weather was perfect, when I called that morning just to MAKE SURE we were still on before driving out to Hartville, OH he acted like I woke him up and he had no intention of doing the ride at all. Since then, it has been the same run around, not answering or returning calls, saying he is booked etc. I REALLY want to do the balloon ride, and now that I've spent so much money on this package, there is no way I'm going to fork over another few hundred to a different operator. It's disappointing because I thought this was going to be one of my best experiences.

[Scammed]

Home for the holidays Marc?- I hope you choke

[Rae]

I called the Cleveland FBI and submitted my documentation including a copy of the forum threads. The person I spoke to was very nice and told me they would see what they could do. This Marc guy, if he was truely a lawyer, probably knows just enough to play it below the radar and keep moving on without getting caught. I hope with everyone coming together this guy will eventually get what he deserves.

[Dave]

Rae - thanks - hadn't thought of them. I have heard nothing from the Ohio Attorney General after a few emails to them. Marc is showing up in Florida in white page searches in Cape Coral. He also been plying his "trade" there - I have made contact with many balloon companies in the Tampa area. They confirm his scam continues. Maybe the FBI can reach out and yank him out of the sky. They have a longer arm.

[Greg-Shelby OH]

Our 2 rides were to be in 11/2002. I couldn't begin to tell you how many times we scheduled and were put off from 2002-2006. Wind, weather, temperature etc. The guy never used the sick grandma excuse so I guess that is in his favor.

[JoAnn]

Susan wrote:

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 !

He is a lawyer, but has not practiced in years.

[Dave]

Has anyone seen Marc?