Tri State Super Shuttle Ripoff Extortion for higher fees Bullhead City Arizona

On 11/05/2004 at approximately 0930 I made a telephone reservation with TRI STATE SUPER SHUTTLE 1518 Alta Vista Road Bullhead City, AZ 86442. The reservation was to take me from my hotel in Laughlin Nevada to The McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, approximately 125 miles. I was told to wait outside my hotel (River Palms hotel) in Laughlin, NV between 1015 and 1030am.

At approximately 1100 I called Tri State but was told she was too busy and would take my number and call me back. Approximately 5 minutes later a bell-man from the hotel called on my behalf and relayed the following message. The operator at tri state said there was a driver error (He forgot to pick me up.) and the shuttle was half way to Vegas and would not come back for me. I immediately called Tri State and spoke to the operator. She informed me that due to driver error I was left behind. She then informed me they could send a van for just me but would charge me $220.00 instead of the $36.00 fee as per my reservation. She also told me this was the only option as the shuttles for the rest of the day were full.

I informed her that I had already checked out of my hotel room and changed my flight plans based on our agreed reservations. She stated other than the $220.00 Option there was nothing she could do. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was transferred to a male employee.

I explained the situation to the gentleman and he stated that since I didn't make a reservation 72 hours in advance he was not obligated to honor my reservation, and my only option was to pay the $220.00 and he would send a van for me. I reminded him that I was stuck due to an error made by his employee. He told me the driver would be receiving a reprimand for forgetting me. I told him I am only interested in getting a ride to the airport to make my flight. He went on to say since I didn't pay in advance he didn't owe me anything. I asked the man his name and he stated "I am tired of talking to you and am going to hang up on you now." I again asked his name and he hung up on me.

I called back and asked the operator to connect me with the gentleman I was just speaking with and she did. The man answered the phone "Leo which is how I got his name. I asked Leo for the company's state license. Leo stated "I told you I was not going to speak to you anymore." and hung up on me a second time.

I was left 125 miles from the airport and had to reschedule my flight at a cost of fifty dollars. I also had to pay an extra $200.00 for a ride to the airport. (Not to tri-state.) I believe they were attempting to extort me for a higher fee. I don't know if this is a common practice but they sure had there lines ready and refused to make good their admitted mistake. I was not treated with respect in fact their behavior was absolutely rude.

I plan on filing this complaint to the licensing authority of Nevada and Arizona as well as the following agencies. Rip-Off report.com, better business bureau, River Palms Hotel & Casino as well as the local law enforcement agencies in Bullhead city AZ, Laughlin NV and the Nevada Office of the Attorney General. I will also send a copy of this to Tri State.

Dennis
Galt, California
U.S.A.