I bought a special on Groupon ($159) in March, 2011 from Alpha helicopters for my husband's birthday surprise. I called in April to schedule for JUNE and ended upgrading with a guy named Clayton. I added the weekend, more time and a sunset tour. This cost me an additional $170.69 on my AmEx. As the time got closer I couldn't reach anyone to confirm. I tried phone calls everyday, and even sent an e-mail". I was about to drive to hanger after Opa Locka personal informed me that ALPHA helicopters did not exsist there!!! The women even got into a gold cart and went to their 'address' for me!
I made one last attempt at a call before driving there and someone named Mark picked up/. I told him I was calling to confirmation my husbands birthday surprise as I wanted it to run smoothly?. I also mentioned to Mark about them not being in OPA Locka airport". He gave some spiel about them just "using' it for tours.. He then informed me that they were getting around to calling about having to cancel my tour due to "maintenance" and over booking/. He gave me a hard time regarding both rescheduling and refunds|. Mark told me he had no other phone numbers to give me and I had to write an e-mail if I wanted to do either'. I told him I never had a response to my first e-mail and wanted a different number than the one I already had. NOTHING. The guy was a compete incompetent. Strangely I had an e-mail later that day saying I could resched or refund. I asked for refund for the $170.69 and i would get the credit from Groupon (which I did but would have preferred a refund there). No response, nothing. I had to find another tour company in Pompano last minute for another weekend. I have sent e-mails with no response except for one saying that the accountant had been out sick and would contact me later that day. That was over a week ago and I have since sent e-mails and a couple VM to no avail. NO REFUND HAS BEEN GIVEN TO DATE! I am starting legal action if my AmEx is not refunded by end of the week. I do hope you take heed as this is one of the worst experiences I have ever had with a company! If you already have an existing tour scheduled I wish you luck and that you are able to have a different experience.
Sincerely,
AN-Miami 1283bdc
I made one last attempt at a call before driving there and someone named Mark picked up/. I told him I was calling to confirmation my husbands birthday surprise as I wanted it to run smoothly?. I also mentioned to Mark about them not being in OPA Locka airport". He gave some spiel about them just "using' it for tours.. He then informed me that they were getting around to calling about having to cancel my tour due to "maintenance" and over booking/. He gave me a hard time regarding both rescheduling and refunds|. Mark told me he had no other phone numbers to give me and I had to write an e-mail if I wanted to do either'. I told him I never had a response to my first e-mail and wanted a different number than the one I already had. NOTHING. The guy was a compete incompetent. Strangely I had an e-mail later that day saying I could resched or refund. I asked for refund for the $170.69 and i would get the credit from Groupon (which I did but would have preferred a refund there). No response, nothing. I had to find another tour company in Pompano last minute for another weekend. I have sent e-mails with no response except for one saying that the accountant had been out sick and would contact me later that day. That was over a week ago and I have since sent e-mails and a couple VM to no avail. NO REFUND HAS BEEN GIVEN TO DATE! I am starting legal action if my AmEx is not refunded by end of the week. I do hope you take heed as this is one of the worst experiences I have ever had with a company! If you already have an existing tour scheduled I wish you luck and that you are able to have a different experience.
Sincerely,
AN-Miami 1283bdc
 Comments (10) |
| 1. Written by Tom on April 11, 2012 from as, akershus, NO Without creating too much trouble for the people in the business unless I am actually correct. It looks like the same guy is now running Sarasota Helicopter Tours, the uniforms are the same, and it looks like it might be Dwayne(the owner of Alpha-Helicopters) who's flying(From their facebook page). If anyone is still having problems getting their money back, I might still have his old personal cellphone number, so just post something here, and I'll provide it for you. |
| 2. Written by anonymous on March 18, 2012 from tampa, florida, US Guys, Alpha Helicopters is no longer in buisiness. The owner Dwayne closed up shop without refunding all that money. Also, his pilots got screwed too. Apparently he does this with all of his companies. Keeps them open for just under 2 years then shuts them down for some tax purpose. He owes his pilots money and a lot of consumers. He put those flights on Groupon then closed down before they could redeem. He's a piece of work. And Mark (mentioned above) is his brother. |
| 3. Written by Jenny on January 25, 2012 from magnolia, delaware, US The same thing happened to me! I have been calling Alpha Helicopters at 941-870-0600 and never could book my flight ever, and never received a call back since May 3, 2011. |
| 4. Written by AN-Miami on October 25, 2011 from miami, florida, US Hi SJ, I had to go through their web-site. It was an awful experience. Bright side is after weeks of diligent e-mails I was FINALLY refunded. Good luck! |
| 5. Written by SJ on October 25, 2011 from miami, florida, US I am having a similar problem with Alpha Helicopters. I have had my refund from Groupon but can't get hold of Alpha Helicopters. The email addresses and phone numbers they gave me no longer work. Please can you tell me what telephone number you have for them so that I can try and get my $143 back. |
| 6. Written by Andrew on September 1, 2011 from san diego, california, US I too bought the Groupon and thought I would have lots of time to use it but now I see the problems that others have mentioned and fear that I've lost my money. I also noticed that the website for Alpha Helicopters is no longer available which concerns me as well. |
| 7. Written by Jack on July 28, 2011 from tampa, florida, US I am having the same problem trying to book a flight in Tampa. I got 1 call back and said my my groupon was good til April. So I decided to wait another 2 months. Now I send emails and call. They say they will call back in 24hrs. Still waiting. Now my kids will be in school and I will be lucky to find time or have to pay another $25 if we fly on the weekend. I want to add a 3rd person and more time. |
| 8. Written by Evo-Lux.com Founder on July 8, 2011 from boca raton, florida, US I'm so sorry to hear about your horrible experience, but I'm glad you were able to connect with Coast-to-Coast! This is why hiring reputable operators with proven track records goes a lot further than participating in some cheap marketing campaign on groupon or a related site. I have created Evo-Lux.com to handle the booking and dispatching of helicopter tours and excursion experiences in South Florida with a select group of operators that have the customer's best interest in mind. Please dial 1 855 4 EVOLUX and ask for Ray next time you'd like to book a heli-tour or excursion in south Florida! |
| 9. Written by AN-Miami on June 24, 2011 from miami, florida, US Hey guys, Just an update to my above post. Alpha has issued a refund of $170.69 to my AmEx, FINALLY. I suppose now I can chalk this up under AWFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE and leave it at that. |
| 10. Written by Mike on June 24, 2011 from miami, florida, US I just read you article and could not believe all the trouble "Alpha Helicopters" is still putting you through. If possible please give me a call at 786.250.7523. I represent the helicopter industry in South Florida and would like to know more about what happened. Cheers Mike |
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