Capitol Wine Tours

Review: I contracted with Oasis Group, LLC (d/b/a Capitol Wine tours) to provide: (1) limousine service for a memorial service at Arlington National Cemetery on 9/6/2013; and, (2) limousine and accompanied wine tour service on 9/7/2013 for visiting family members. The total contract sum was $1,379.00 for both days of service.

The driver provided for the 9/6 service, [redacted], was unfamiliar with the route between suburban Maryland and Arlington National Cemetery. It was necessary for me to provide him with driving instructions; moreover, the provided vehicle had front and side damage and inadequate passenger compartment air conditioning. On [redacted]'s return route from the cemetery, he became lost and unnecessarily detoured a group of elderly family members in a hot vehicle.

I exchanged email communications with "[redacted]" at Capitol Wine Tours, later on 9/6, advising him of the performance shortcomings. I was ensured that the limousine air conditioning would be checked and that all planned events for 9/7 could be satisfactorily executed. On 9/7, driver [redacted] again timely appeared, ready to transport 7 family members. He was not knowledgeable as to the tour itinerary, nor was the limousine's air conditioning suitably repaired. [redacted] advised that while the air conditioning had, indeed been checked; the air conditioning compressor was out of commission and required replacement. My family members elected to not participate in the tour and [redacted] was released.

In subsequent discussions with the company, it was agreed - in writing - that Capitol Tours would provide a cash refund in the sum of $779 - the value of the Saturday services. On/about 11 September, I received an in-store credit (not check) for the sum of $779. In follow-on email communications, the Company stated that in was not their policy to issue cash refunds, nothwithstanding their written commitment to do so. In the contract with Capitol Tours, there is no express writing relating to the company's refund policy.

In a writing on 13 September, I specifically rejected and repudiated the company's in-store credit offer.Desired Settlement: $779 cash, certified check or U.S. Postal Service money order.

Review: I reserved a 50 person bus through this company to tour several Virginia wineries. The company agreed to make arrangements for the bus, as well as to plan an intinerary and make reservations for tastings at three wineries. The morning of the tour (July 20, 2013), I received an email stating that the 50 person bus was not available, but that a 35 person bus would be provided. The confirmed guest number was 33, which the company was made aware of and acknowledged in their July 20 email. I stated that a 35 person bus would be acceptable but I expected a refund of the difference in price.Upon arrival, it was clear the bus had only 29 seats and the bus driver was not aware of the itinerary. Clearly, this was a safety hazard, and the company failed to organize the itinerary as they had promised. The driver also informed us that the 50 person bus would not have been able to fit through the small, winding roads, and the company should have been aware of that. I attempted to call the company without success. I also emailed. I eventually received a response stating that they would provide a $500 voucher for future services, but would not provide a refund.I paid for the service in full by check prior to the date of the tour, totaling $2,250. The company preauthorized my credit card for "incidentals," such as overtime or destruction to the bus. The total preauthorization was $985, which I am concerned will not be returned and anticipate disputing.I suspect that this company, which was operating in its communications with me under the name "Capitol Wine Tours," is operated by the same individuals that operated "[redacted]," and "[redacted]," which is currently being sued by the Commonwealth in [redacted] County Circuit Court. My checks were made out to "[redacted]." Since the issue arose, the company has not answered my calls or returned emails.Desired Settlement: At minimum, I would like a refund of the difference in price between the 50 person bus ($2250) and the 30 person bus ($1720) of $530.

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates that the business has not responded to you directly. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

At this time, I have not been contacted by Capitol Wine Tours regarding complaint ID [redacted].

Regards,

Review: I bought a [redacted] for Capitol WIne Tours for $449. It was advertised as an all-inclusive, 5-hour winery tour for 10 people to visit three pre-selected wineries in Northern Virginia. I contacted Capitol Wine Tours in July and scheduled our tour for Saturday, September 28, 2013. My group is from New Jersey and not familiar with the region and the wineries Capitol Wine Tours selected were 45 minutes apart from one another. We spent over 3 of the 5 hours in the van and were only able to visit 2 of the 3 wineries that were advertised. Even though I purchased a [redacted] and signed a reservation form with Capitol Wine Tours under the assumption that they would be providing the transportation, as advertised in the [redacted]. As in a standard limo agreement, Capitol Wine Tours had me provide them with a credit card to keep on file in case of overtime fees or incidentals to the vehicle- their vehicle- they were supposed to provide according to the [redacted] as well as the reservation agreement I filled out. However, Capitol Wine Tours brought in a third-party vendor, [redacted], and charged me an authorized fee to my [redacted] card in the amount of $584.60 two days before the scheduled wine tour was to take place. I did not authorize this transaction nor was I aware of it until I checked my online bank account the day before the tour (9/27/13; charge was filed the previous day, 9/26/13). I have since emailed Capitol Wine Tours twice and left a voicemail with the number they provided me on the reservation form, but have received no response regarding the unauthorized transaction by [redacted].

I have filed a fraud complaint with my bank and am trying to get in contact with [redacted] to find out why I was charged for their services and who authorized the transaction using my credit card without my knowledge or consent.Desired Settlement: I would like Capitol Wine Tours to pay me the $584.60 I was fraudulently charged. The company misrepresented their deal on [redacted] by falsely advertising their service as all-inclusive transportation service. They failed to properly organize a tour that would be able to visit three wineries in the allotted time provided, and brought in a third-party limo service and had me pay for their services to take us on the tour instead of using their own vehicle as stated in their contract agreement.

Review: I paid $550 to schedule a wine tour which I was lead to believe covered the total price of the tour. Later I was billed $780 for the van after the fact. ,All they did was send me a list of three wineries. Neither I nor the van driver was given addresses, times for our wine tasting at each winery, etc. I did not know how to contact the driver ahead of time, and the van price was way above another price we had checked. I did not learn that price until after the charge. we had to call each winery, find the address, navigate ourselves, and generally did our own tour. We had to pay for the wine tasting, tip the driver, and pay for the van. Their website is misleading. We learned after the fact that the wineries and limo companies are well aware of the fraudulent nature of the way they do business. The name on the check I wrote was [redacted] Group, LLC. The website is www.[redacted].com. Heir name now shows Capitol Wine Tours.That website should be taken down and investigated. While our loss of money is not huge, we do not want others to be tricked as we were.Desired Settlement: I want a refund of the $550 we paid for bad service. I want their business investigated and closed. I want their website taken down.

Review: I booked a limo wine tour through this company and paid for the limo services through a [redacted]. Three days prior to the tour, my credit card was billed an additional $595, and following the tour, I was billed $127 by the limo company. I have called Capitol Wine Tours and have sent numerous emails, but have not received the funds and it's been over a week since I've heard back from the business.Desired Settlement: Return of $722