Great American Balloon Company Rip-off did not deliver service & stole customer's money Hemet California

I would appreciate any help you could give me getting my money back from a dishonest company. I booked a hot air balloon flight with the Great American Balloon Company for November 29, 2002 for five people costing $607.50 total. I was required to make full payment in advance. The flight was a birthday gift for my sister and father who where visiting for Thanksgiving. The night before the flight, the COMPANY cancelled the balloon ride. The company now refuses to refund the $607.50 that I paid in advance for this service. They told me that I could substitute another flight at a later date, but my family does not live locally so another date is not possible, and who knows if they would actually keep the next reservation.

The Company is claiming that they do not have to refund my money, and that if rescheduling for another date is not possible then I must simply forfeit the full amount. This cant be legal? You shouldnt be able to advertise a service, collect money from customers for the service, then cancel the service and expect to keep the customers money. This is no different from the many reported cases of internet fraud where they promise a product, take the customers money and do not deliver. In fact it is the very definition of Fraud!

The disclaimer that they made me sign, as well as the information they relayed to me over the phone at the time of reservations, said full flight fare is forfeited without recourse for NO SHOWS and customer changes within seven days of the flight. At no time did they say that if the company itself cancels the flight all money is forfeited. I never would have booked if they said this! This Company apparently feels that they have the right to cancel service at will and keep all customer payments. I want my money back, but the company is being very adamant and very rude. I feel like Ive been taken for a ride all right, just not the one I paid for!

Martha
San Diego, California
U.S.A.