Tue, Aug 06, 2013
Company Assets Are Being Liquidated
Flying in a hot air balloon is an experience that has made its way onto many people's "bucket list." But a growing number of ballooning hopefuls in Wisconsin are finding there's now a hole in their bucket as a ride operator doing business as "A Great American Balloon Company" has filed for bankruptcy leaving their dreams of flight deflated.
In a follow up to an investigative report aired earlier, Madison, Wisconsin TV Station WISC revealed on Thursday (August 1, 2013) a list of names of grounded customers who had prepaid for their balloon ride (at a cost of about $200 each) only to have their flights delayed and rescheduled many times over - some for as long as two years. The list was 4 pages long!
Theirs was not the first such report. Another Madison station WKOW aired a similar investigative effort back in November of 2009. That report cited several examples of customers who were repeatedly canceled ostensibly because the weather was not suitable even though other balloon ride operators were flying on those days. One Wisconsin ride operator, who spoke to ANN on condition of anonymity, said the company had been engaging in the practice of selling ride certificates and refusing to honor them "for years."
The Madison Isthmus newspaper also reported in November 2009 on its website, "the daily page.com" of one man who was allegedly told by the company that he might have to go to the ride company's Arizona outlet in order to "get his flight in."
The company, A Great American Balloon Company, reportedly provided balloon rides in Chicago and Plainfield, IL; Lake Geneva and Madison, WI; Las Vegas, NV and Phoenix, AZ. The company's website, "www.wedofly.com" carries a simple statement dated July 29, 2013 saying, "After 28 years of service, A Great American Balloon Company is out of business. We want to thank you for your past business and tell you how much we enjoyed having you as a customer. All inquiries should be directed to Moglia Advisors, the Assignee for the benefit of creditors."
Station WISC contacted the bankruptcy trustee in Illinois and was told that customers are being sent forms to fill out in hopes of a potential refund. When the station contacted the balloon company the person answering the phone said they were a temporary employee and were able only to read a script that included the statement that the company's assets were being liquidated.
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