Complaint Review: Expensive Hobby Ranch - Prairie de Rocher Illinois
- Expensive Hobby Ranch 1350 Carr Rd Prairie de Rocher, Illinois United States of America
- Phone: 618-615-6349
- Web:
- Category: Horse Breeders / trainers
Expensive Hobby Ranch Rick and Debra Ratcliff Expensive Hobbies Ranch plagorized Pure Pleasure Transport's website and intercepted a trip ticket request from Travelling Horse. Prairie de Rocher, Illinois
*General Comment: You should pay back the money
*General Comment: You Still Don't get IT!
*Author of original report: keep trying to clean up daddy mess
*General Comment: Bribes?!?
*Author of original report: more rotton apples!
*General Comment: Rip off Reject
*Author of original report: still wronged and ripped off in Missouri
*UPDATE EX-employee responds: Pure Pleasure Horse Transport
*Consumer Comment: Simple solution, Pay back her money.
*Author of original report: still claiming to be the "client"
*Consumer Comment: Would def. ship with Rick again
*Consumer Comment: Transport Complete
*Consumer Comment: Transport Complete
*Author of original report: defending someone and you haven't even done business with them yet? hummmmmm?
*Consumer Comment: Client NOT Posing as wife
*General Comment: The Rest of the Story !
*Author of original report: Posted by owner's wife posing as a client....more deception
*Consumer Comment: Horse Transport
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On 21May 10 I posted a trip ticket on www.travellinghorse.com. I promptly received a phone call from Rick Ratcliff with a bid to transport my mule from TX to MO. I asked for references. His wife, Debra Ratcliff sent me another companies website that had glowing references. I was impressed and sent a deposit via Paypal to secure my stall. After seeing that none of the links of his "website" worked, I googled Pure Plesure Transport myself and it was not owned by Rick Ratcliff. He cut and paste all of the company's info on a bogus site he used as his own. The real company knew nothing about this scam and were very supportive and concerned.
After confirming Rick Ratcliff's scam with Marshell W. real owner of Pure Pleasure Transport, I immediatley cancelled the booking and demanded my deposit back. Mr Ratcliff said it was already in his tank, as he is operating on shoestrings and fumes. He has stolen my deposit of $103.00 and is running a scam. I am more concerned what may have happened if he picked up my show mule and I never saw her again? Do not use this company or Rick and Debra Ratcliff.
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 06/02/2010 11:47 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/expensive-hobby-ranch/prairie-de-rocher-illinois-62277/expensive-hobby-ranch-rick-and-debra-ratcliff-expensive-hobbies-ranch-plagorized-pure-plea-609565. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
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#18 General Comment
You should pay back the money
AUTHOR: Butler - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, March 20, 2012
It is very apparent that this exchange is losing focus on the essential facts in this matter.
Fact, the owner of Pure Pleasure Transport has already exposed your, Mr. Rick Radcliff hijacking his clients by the use of a copied website and diverted those clients to a false website of your creation. Mr. Ratcliff was a lease employee to Pure Pleasure Horse Transport, for 5 years until his termination because he was exposed diverting Pure Pleasures clients away.
Fact number 2, in displaying information from someone elses website and attributing it as your own IS internet fraud according to the 1998 Telecommunications Act. Using a cell phone and faxing information back and forth based on a fraudulent transaction is also wire fraud, another felony.
Mrs Canfield is within her rights to demand ethical conduct from a service provider Mr. Ratcliff, who, so far can provide nothing factual to contradict the shady nature his actions. Only the issue of no refunds on deposits is pushed as the reason for not returning the money. These facts are self evident and are not in dispute.
There are really two victims in this drawn out tale. Mr. Ratcliff, by the facts presented and your own entries, you are a dishonorable man. It is stealing to present yourself as something you are not and receive funds for it, just as if you stolen tools or fuel from Pure Pleasures vehicles or took $103 from Mrs Canfields wallet when she received no service and was wary with dealing with someone who would cheat the company who sent them business. Her complaints are justified and with merit.
Shame on you, pay the money back.

#17 General Comment
You Still Don't get IT!
AUTHOR: ReputableFixer - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
He's not my Daddy he's my father and also go back to school because you have horrible grammar and spelling. Depsit? Really? Also it was never a scam. This is the last comment I'm going to add because i don't want to hear from the likes of you again. Like I said he said as clear as a glass of water, "There will be no refunds on deposits". My mother had nothing to do with any of his horse hauling. If you haven't read those other rebuttals you should. There is more positive than negative about my dad. He is a good hauler and always will be. You made the mistake of giving him a deposit. If you didn't want to do the trip then you should have done more of your "research". I asked him last night and he said he never said anything about mailing you a check. What was said was "There will be no refunds on deposits". Almost all of the people he has hauled for wold vouch for him, you are pretty much the only one with a problem. Also if he is running a scam what exactly is he doing to Scam people. Yeah he took your money because you gave it to him. He has done nothing wrong to people, you have just misinterpreted his business. Seriously, you have more issues than National Geographic. So just drop it, you are not getting the deposit, you are not going to ruin his reputation, and you are not going to talk about this anymore. Good Day. :)

#16 Author of original report
keep trying to clean up daddy mess
AUTHOR: Canfield - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, January 10, 2012
I understand you are his kid and trying to clean up his mess, but I paid a depsit of $103.00 to what I throught was a reputable hauler- only come to know he was using someone elses website to get his business. Do you really think any decent horseperson would ship their horse with someone running a scam? Of course I cancelled my trip and asked for my deposit back. Rick said it was spent already, and lied saying he would mail a check. Two years later, still no check. Your daddy commited wire fraud and runs a scam with the help of your mom - deal with the truth.

#15 General Comment
Bribes?!?
AUTHOR: ReputableFixer - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Monday, January 09, 2012
They are not bribes, I'm not bribing anyone and neither were my dad's customers. The lady in CA really liked my dad and I and We even helped her out on her little farm. I got to feed and entertain her cute baby goats and help my dad train the horses, I started talking about a trip to six flags and she asked if I'd been to Disneyland. I said no, she was suprised. So that night she asked my dad if she could take me to Disneyland, both my dad and I were like "WHAT!". It was completely her idea. So before you make false accusations get your facts straight and check up on your so called research lady. My dad is a good man and a good father. Also, he didn't steal your $103.00, it's a deposit, he stated as clear as day, no refunds on a deposit. There a lot more promoting rebuttal for rick than bad ones so you lose. I also do not think I'm a rotton apple if i go to a Lutheran school, God doesn't make rotten people, people make rotton decisions, like you.

#14 Author of original report
more rotton apples!
AUTHOR: Canfield - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, January 07, 2012
Well is easier to see now how the nasty little apples don't fall far from the tree. Another generation of unprofessional Ratcliff haulers, watch out horsepeople!
FYI, there were no "bribes" accepted here- is that all you have? If your dad wants to resolve this, he can repay me back the $103.00 deposit he stole from me- period. Rick Ratcliff used another haulers website, and cut and paste his own name and contact info into it. By NO MEANS was he using it as a "reference."

#13 General Comment
Rip off Reject
AUTHOR: ReputableFixer - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Friday, January 06, 2012
Ok I don't remember the name of the person who posted this rip off but I can asure you that it is fake to the fullest extent of the word. I am Rick's son and my mother told me about this rip off and I wanted to see what a load of junk it was. Trying to ruin reputations for no reason is no fun or fair. He is a good horse haller and I would know because I have gone on many of his trips. Like one in California, the customer's name was Lora and she was so pleased of what a good job he did that she let him stay a whole 5 days at her house! She was rich so it didnt seem like a big deal to her. She even asked my dad if she could do him a favor in return and take mre to Disneyland! (Since I had never been there) Also a trip to South Dakota he took me through Yellowstone in Wyoming and the lady gave him a $200 tip! My dad has top of the line equipment, horses, feed, prices, and attitude. He is polite and nice to the customer. He aims to please. Also he did not lie and say it was his website, he was giving you a reference you idiot, He was W. Marshalls partner until a disagreement and they split. So quit taking bribes from Mr Marshall and get a life. He also transports every horse on time. So eat on that!

#12 Author of original report
still wronged and ripped off in Missouri
AUTHOR: Canfield - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, June 24, 2010
When people misrepresent themselves across state lines to get your money, it's called wire fraud. When they take you money under these false pretenses, it's called a crime.The BBB and Attorney General also agree.
Why didn't he use Expensive Hobby Ranch for a reference, instead of someone elses website, then send me HIS contract-? Do you think I would let someone like this haul a show mule for me with the chance I would never receive it? Under the circumstances, I canceled the trip before I never saw that mule again. He informed me he could not return my money, as he already put it in the gas tank.He said he would send a check, and he never did. Someone operating on shoe strings is desperate , but stealing my money also makes him a crook. If he wanted to fill his loads, he should use his own website as Marshall had no knowledge of this. This is why he should have done the right thing and returned my money. Life is not about chances, it's about choices and he made the wrong one without making it right.

#11 UPDATE EX-employee responds
Pure Pleasure Horse Transport
AUTHOR: Bill - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, June 24, 2010
I am a former employee of PPH Transport and Marshall W. While Marshall proceeds to bash Rick in this story, I will give you all some background. When I showed up at Pure Pleasure my first day, Marshall asked if I could trim 3 horses for him. I am a farrier. I said sure, I did it on the house, free, friends you know. He loaded me out that afternoon on my first trip. He paid me but shorted me $180. I asked why, his response was, "Well you're a new guy so I'm keeping the extra money." You're welcome for trimmimg your horses.
Later into my employement, I was hauling to somewhere, I unloaded the horses for a rest. He chewed me out for that. "Those horses don't need a rest". I said I didn't care what he thought, I was unloading everyday. He bragged to me that he would go coast to coast non-stop! The horses were fine.
The end of the road for me and Pure Pleasure Horse Transport, was when I hauled a load of horses from MO. to Florida for one of his customers. (8 or 9 horses) I helped them catch the horses,(3 hrs, Mustangs) set up thier pens at the other end paid $1340 to repair my trailer from the Mustang Stallion and never got paid. After sueing them and arguing with Marshall, he told me "F--- You". Exact words. He doesn't owe anything to me. Marshall got his deposit so he was happy. His crew drives nothing but Stock trailers. Maybe one has an enclosed trailer. He doesn't stop, self admitted and will never return a deposit even if it his fault. Self admitted by him.
Rick, used his own pictures, his own letters of praise from customers he hauled for. He never passed himself off as PPH. I have been booking loads for Rick and passing contacts on to him. The last and most important point, Marshall at PPH knew he was booking his own horses because PPH couldn't keep him loaded. Marshall said he understood. No fraud, no "Tortable" offense as the "Ranchlady" says, I'm not sure that's in any law book I've studied, Rick drove to within 25 miles of her house to load her Mule and then she cancelled. He did his part, he showed up.. I would bet that had the first words from your mouth not been, I'm suing you, I'm demanding, you have committed fraud, etc. He probably would have been happy to refund your money.
Marshall will no doubt respond, but ya'll keep in mind that he agreed to keep Rick on with the understanding that he hauls all loads booked with PPH. If they don't have any, he can book his own.

#10 Consumer Comment
Simple solution, Pay back her money.
AUTHOR: Butler - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Thursday, June 10, 2010
This a kind of humorous to read this exchange between people about someone being wronged and someone thinking it is OK to defend someone who has provided a good service. I is very evident that if you are misrepresenting yourself to obtain business from anothers efforts (established business and website) regardless if you provide good service, someone might be upset at finding out you are not who you say you are. There becomes an element of mistrust and wanting their money back is a natural reaction. If you further agree to pay back the money and then do not, you are then compounding the bad experience and deserve all of the questioning about your legitimacy, shame and ridicule you are getting.
Pay the woman back. It is not your money when you misrepresent yourself. A quick check on the internet finds this "Expensive Hobby Ranch" has moved their website, very suspicious activity at the least if you have a legitimate company with satisfied clients. This is what scam companies do. Also, it would be easy to contact the owner of this Pure Pleasure Transport" and ask him if this Mr. Ratcliff works for or had worked for him and what were the circumstances on how he is no longer working for Pure Pleasure. That maybe an independent gage of how legitimate Expensive Hobby Ranch transportation services are. Also, there is an element of criminal activity. Misrepresenting yourself as to an affiliation and taking money for services for the another company and doing it across state lines is a violation of both state and federal statutes. Even the attempt to do this kind of activity is a felony. I think you should cut your losses and pay the women her money before you argue your point into a legal entanglement that may involve state and federal prosecution. Just my opinion. Butler.

#9 Author of original report
still claiming to be the "client"
AUTHOR: Canfield - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Monday, June 07, 2010
Bogus, completely bogus.
No sane person seeks out a horse hauler,(even a "cheap" one- finds them on ripoffreport.com and takes a chance and uses them anyway. Nice try Debra, I guess yoiu have to grasp whatever straw you can to save your tranished reputation. Best of luck.
PS. Where is my refund of $103.00 you stole??? I guessing we also have you to thank for voting for "change" too, huh?

#8 Consumer Comment
Would def. ship with Rick again
AUTHOR: JC - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Monday, June 07, 2010
I just received my horse (4yr old stallion ) yesterday in EXCELLENT condition. happy, healthy with alot of room to move around. His trailer and truck were impressive and he was a really good person. He kept in contact with me every day and ALWAYS answered his phone. I am a worried horse mom and he assured me my horse was doing well. As soon as we unloaded he set right into his stall rolled, ate some hay and relaxed. He was a very happy horse and I am a very happy client. my horse arrived earlier then expected which made me even happier. I would def. recommend Rick to anyone and everyone and will be sure to call him again if ever I need a horse shipped again !! There will always be someone out there to talk crap and try and run someone down no matter where you go, he is a great guy and he took excellent care of my horse. If anyone needs to speak to me to be reassured feel free to email me
JC
- California -

#7 Consumer Comment
Transport Complete
AUTHOR: Blessed - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, June 06, 2010
I just wanted to leave my consumer comment for Rick of Expensivehobby.
I received my horse last night and I was VERY pleased with Ricks service. I was very impressed with his rig, WOW, one of the best I've seen. He stayed in constant communication with me the whole time and arrived earlier than we expected. He let me know how my horse was and the ease of him loading and unloading the whole time. I would highly recommend Rick for horse transportation. I have had quite a few companies transport my horses and have been very pleased with them all. Rick is one of the best as I could tell he loves horses and he treated our horse like his own.
I am just here to post my experience with Rick, not to argue with Ms Canfield. I don't need to defend Rick or myself. I'm not going to stoop to that level of bickering or name calling, as that was unnecessary, "moron?" REALLY? Sounds like one classy lady!
Rick if you ever read this, please don't let this persons gripe get to
you. There is always a disgruntled person everywhere you go. You can't
please everybody all the time. Some people are just unhappy people and
just happen take it out on everyone else. I found attacking a persons character only reflects bad on you. Maybe it was a blessing this
transport didn't work out you. Keep being positive and friendly with your customers and they will keep coming back and spread the word. That will out weigh the complaints of a few. Thank you for your service! We pray for increase on your business!
Blessed in NM

#6 Consumer Comment
Transport Complete
AUTHOR: Blessed - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, June 06, 2010
I just wanted to leave my consumer comment for Rick of Expensivehobby.
I received my horse last night and I was VERY pleased with Ricks service. I was very impressed with his rig, WOW, one of the best I've seen. He stayed in constant communication with me the whole time and arrived earlier than we expected. He let me know how my horse was and the ease of him loading and unloading the whole time. I would highly recommend Rick for horse transportation. I have had quite a few companies transport my horses and have been very pleased with them all. Rick is one of the best as I could tell he loves horses and he treated our horse like his own.
I am just here to post my experience with Rick, not to argue with Ms Canfield. I don't need to defend Rick or myself. I'm not going to stoop to that level of bickering or name calling, as that was unnecessary, "moron?" REALLY? Sounds like one classy lady!
Rick if you ever read this, please don't let this persons gripe get to
you. There is always a disgruntled person everywhere you go. You can't
please everybody all the time. Some people are just unhappy people and
just happen take it out on everyone else. I found attacking a persons character only reflects bad on you. Maybe it was a blessing this
transport didn't work out you. Keep being positive and friendly with your customers and they will keep coming back and spread the word. That will out weigh the complaints of a few. Thank you for your service! We pray for increase on your business!
Blessed in NM

#5 Author of original report
defending someone and you haven't even done business with them yet? hummmmmm?
AUTHOR: Canfield - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, June 05, 2010
Funny how you were looking to check Rick Ratcliff out and the only "reference" you could find on him was at www.ripoffreport.com That should tell you something.
So what do you think of a man that "steals" a booking from a company that pays for the advertising, maintains a website, insurance as well as a having a steller reputaion in the horse community-that has put food on his table for 5 years? It's deceptive and greedy in the name of money- so yes I have EVERY reason to believe he could have took off with my show mule.
He also ripped me off for my deposit- wake up! Besides, people like you looking for a "cheap" haul instead of finding a reputable company with insurance and references get what you deserve in the long run- as you say; what goes around comes right back to you.
The only thing you were right about is withholding your name as you did so people do not know which moron posted that.

#4 Consumer Comment
Client NOT Posing as wife
AUTHOR: Blessed - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, June 05, 2010
WOW! WOW! WOW!
What an accusation! Me posing as Debra? I have never even spoke with Debra. I am a client who lives in NM not Rick's wife. I always do research on people before I buy from them or use their services. This is how I found this.
I was referred to Rick to haul my horse by a the guy I bought my horse from. He just happened to know that at the time he was working for Pure Pleasure Transport. I contacted PPT twice trying to locate Rick. I was then told Rick no longer worked for PPT for reasons he didn't want to go in to.. Marshall you should remember me. I didn't choose PPT as I got many other lower bids from reputable transporters as well. So I was looking for something in that lower price range who was coming sooner.
I am sure most of those glowing references were for Rick if he was hauling for 5 years. The reviews are mainly going to be for the hauler and not the owner as they are the one with hands on their animal. The transporter is the one dealing with the buyer the whole time, not the owner.
Seriously? I don't know Rick at all but I seriously doubt he would have ran off with your mule. You are trying to put unnecessary fear into people! I think you are being a bit dramatic. If so, then why would Marshall have kept him employed that long? That 5 years should say something! He had to have been trustworthy. Your words are awfully strong accusing a person of a scam. I don't believe he is running a scam. Marshall didn't let him go by complaints of the customers, or stealing peoples animals. He let him go for trying to fill the trailer from what Marshall says.
I don't think this accusation deserves to be on this Ripoffreport. I have seen a lot of bad things that have been done to people and I surely don't think this is one. I have seen flat out bad things.
So far, I see your judgment is way off, I do know your accusation against me is WRONG!
I am smart enough to know that how you treat others, WILL come back to you good, bad or indifferent.
I will post again when I receive my horse to let you know how it went.
CLIENT in NM

#3 General Comment
The Rest of the Story !
AUTHOR: m_watchinski - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Friday, June 04, 2010
Let me set everyone straight about this report .. Rick Ratcliff was a lease employee to Pure Pleasure Horse Transport, for the past 5 years.. Never once did I think I would be lied to and stabbed in the back by him, but here is the rest of the story.... I get an email from MS Canfield, telling me that Rick had bid her request for horse transport, thru her requested post on "Traveling Horse" and had used MY WEBSITE referrals to promote himself, claiming he was PPHT, and then sent Ms Canfield a contract from his own ranch.. ( Expensive Hobby Ranch ) This is out and out Fraud ! Rick had no idea that Ms Canfield was one of our previous customers.. When she recieved a contract from Expensive Hobby Ranch instead of PPHT's contract, she immediately contacted me .... Rick's lease with PPHT stated that there are no horses, mules hauled that are not contracted thru PPHT ... PPHT has an impecible reputation for the past 9 years of business.. I , as the owner of PPHT, will not be lied to or decieved by my lease employees, and it was call for immediate dismissal and nulification of Rick Ratcliffs lease with PPHT .. I'm sure he is still transporting horses, and I am also sure he is not operating legally, under the DOT regulations..Just for the record..." RICK RATCLIFF" does is not in any way affiliated with " Pure Pleasure Horse Transport, LLC " and any further misrepresentation by Rick Ratcliff, will be dealt with accordingly.
Marshall Watchinski -owner / Pure Pleasure Horse Transport, LLC

#2 Author of original report
Posted by owner's wife posing as a client....more deception
AUTHOR: Canfield - (U.S.A.)
SUBMITTED: Friday, June 04, 2010
I know this is Debra, not a client. Rick was FIRED by Marshall for using his website as his own (plagorizing) and not going through the owner to book trips to get out of paying his $100.00 referral fee. Instead, he intercepted trip tickets through TravelingHorse.com, posing as Pure Pleasure Horse Transport, not a worker,for which Marshall is a paid memeber, not Rick. Rick's bogus webiste he created has links that do not work, and and unknown e-mail. Then, Rick STOLE customers from Marshall. Rick would have NEVER had me as a cleint without Pure Pleasure Horse Transport glowing client list, something you must steal and make up.This is unethical, Debra.
And you STOLE my deposit of $103.00 which I still have not received back yet.Rick and Debra Ratcliff are professional scammers, let the horse community beware, as posted on multiple blogs and posts through the net. I have full documentation of the events if anyone would lioke to see them for a "reference."

#1 Consumer Comment
Horse Transport
AUTHOR: Blessed - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Friday, June 04, 2010
Did you happen to know that Rick worked for Marshall until last week?
Rick is hauling a horse for me right now. Rick didn't pull a random site to use, He used the name Pure Pleasure Transport as he was working for them at the time.
So far I have been very pleased with him, especially his communication. He called me when he picked up the horse and called me again today letting me know how my horse was doing and where they were. This way we can get a better idea of his arrival.
I will post back here when my horse arrives to let you know how things went.


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