Guest #1 January 3, 2004 This is a front for an operation based in Atlanta, GA called "1-800-SKYRIDE". I played whuffo initially, to try to find out what they were about. The phone operator I spoke to was very evasive with simple questions: Oper: "After you make a reservation and pay, we contact a dropzone to schedule an appointment." Me: "Which Dropzone?" Oper: "I don't have that information in front of me." Oper: "We have personal relationships with over 400 dropzones, and several in Washington State." Me: "Can you name some?" Oper: "I don't know their names, but I can give you the voicemail of somebody who does." There is a caption on this site which says "Skydive Seattle - you owe it to yourself to skydive with the professionals." Odd that they couldn't name any. Draw your own conclusions. In the meantime, I'm going to find out which dropzones are involved. BTW - Please look at their photos page to see if there are any copyrighted images. mh"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stacy 0 #2 January 3, 2004 there was a big thread about this, a ctually several in different forums. search for skyride in here and you'll get others info too. they've made lots of mirror sites and there are many negative feelings about the skyride *scams.* I know cross keys was dealing with a fake site under hte name of "skydive philadelphia." __ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #3 January 3, 2004 Yes, I saw the Skyride stuff a while back too, and that there was a lot of heartburn about it, but I thought it was limited to the Southeast. I understand negative feelings - I was chock full of them when I came across this by accident today whilst searching MSN.com after creating an e-Group for Seattle Skydivers, Inc. there. My gut feelings are pretty harsh (e.g., it galls me that this operation 2500 miles away can lawfully represent themselves as a local operation [heh - I'm thinking of asking them where the "Hat & Boots" went, to see if they really are local ]), but I've got my reporter hat on now, and I'm going to examine this objectively. My first question is "Is this a scam, or is this legitimate?" If this is legitimate, then who are these people doing business with? How can they offer a tandem for $149? I thought only Bill Dause sold tandems below $200... Looks like this operation has been around for a while: WHOIS information for skydiveseattle.com: [whois.enom.com] Registration Service Provided By: RegisterFly.com Contact: support@RegisterFlysupport.com Visit: http://www.RegisterFly.com Domain name: skydiveseattle.com Registrant Contact: CASC, Inc. CASC Inc. (Earl@skydivechattanooga.com) 770-684-6909 Fax: none PO Box 440383 Kennesaw, GA 30160 US Administrative Contact: CASC, Inc. CASC Inc. (Earl@skydivechattanooga.com) 770-684-6909 Fax: none PO Box 440383 Kennesaw, GA 30160 US Technical Contact: CASC, Inc. CASC Inc. (Earl@skydivechattanooga.com) 770-684-6909 Fax: none PO Box 440383 Kennesaw, GA 30160 US Billing Contact: CASC, Inc. CASC Inc. (Earl@skydivechattanooga.com) 770-684-6909 Fax: none PO Box 440383 Kennesaw, GA 30160 US Status: registrar-lock Name Servers: dns1.name-services.com dns2.name-services.com dns3.name-services.com dns4.name-services.com dns5.name-services.com Creation date: 19 Apr 2003 00:00:00 Expiration date: 19 Apr 2004 00:00:00 ----------------- My only hope is that DZs won't associate themselves with this operation and thus legitimize it. If it is a scam (that is, if they take money and give absolutely nothing of value in return), then it's time to get the Feds involved. mh"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #4 January 3, 2004 They sell tandems for 149, then tack on "Port Fees" and "Big plane fees" and everything else and the eventual price ends up being more then someone would have paid just to go to the DZ and buy a tandem. The DZ gets their cut out of it but not full price and SkyScam takes their cut out of it also. Lots of DZ's do under $200 Tandems, and a few Cessna DZ's do under or at $150. But thats getting pretty rare nowdays. Cary and his cronnies have over 200 domains regirstered to them by now. One for every state and one for every major city, some minor cities too now days. Google search for skydive and all the sponsored links are bought by Cary.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #5 January 3, 2004 QuoteThe DZ gets their cut out of it Which DZs? I can't speak for the Farringtons, but the Harveys like to keep all the chips to themselves. So they're nailing people with hidden charges? Do you have any proof of this? mh"The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #6 January 3, 2004 Ask around to what DZ's accept Skyride certificates. I know my DZ refuses to deal with them but other DZ's in my area accept any money sent their way. It pisses me off when DZ's will put up with advertizing and scams like this to get 3 or 4 more tandems out of it a month. Contact Jan Meyers the USPA Director for info on this scam operation. The USPA has recieved complaints but won't do anything about it since they pay their GM fee for the 2 actual DZ's they run.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbo 0 #7 January 3, 2004 QuoteThe USPA has recieved complaints but won't do anything about it since they pay their GM fee for the 2 actual DZ's they run. Why should they do anything about it? I don't like the practice, but I don' think that there's anything illegal about it. The company has contracted with various DZs to bring them business that they might not have had otherwise. The company isn't making skydiving more dangerous, nor is it making skydiving more difficult to find. As a matter of fact, they seem to be promoting the sport. I don't understand what paying GM dues has to do with running a marketing business. What do you suggest the USPA do about this? - Jim"Like" - The modern day comma Good bye, my friends. You are missed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #8 January 4, 2004 Here's another variation. When I contacted them, I also played 'dumb'. Was lead to believe that the organization 'owns' over 400 dropzones across the US. Gave them a locale where I was at in CO (don't live there anymore, but anyhow) and they gave me two locations in CO. Asked if there were any other DZs in CO at all, they said no. (note: there are 4 DZs in CO, 1 currently closed for the winter and also up for sale) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tunaplanet 0 #9 January 4, 2004 It's a scam. Avoid it. Forty-two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #10 January 4, 2004 Those pics they show for 'SeattleSkydivers'...didn't look like any of them were shot in this state at all. -And who in Washington skysurfs?? (Not that no one does, I've never met anyone and I'm just wondering. Kinda like showing pictures of beautiful scenery to promote tourism, only the scenery is from somewhere else...~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
