A bunch of blarney: Shoppers asking the place their funds is right after Henrico-primarily based Irish tour firm goes darkish

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — It was meant to be the journey of a life time to Ireland. Castles, new music, the eco-friendly landscape and a lot more were all part of the offer. Sad to say, now it looks like the Henrico-dependent tour company that promoted the excursion went less than and buyers are left inquiring, “Where’s my revenue?”

Fifty percent a dozen consumers like Jo and Terry Dougherty contacted 8Information concerned because their abroad excursion to the Emerald Isle was almost nothing but a bunch of blarney.

“We obtained all enthusiastic about it,” Joe Dougherty said.

The Chesterfield pair poured over publications and movies in planning for what was supposed to be a dream excursion to Ireland to celebrate their 50th marriage anniversary.

“That was intended to be the lodge that we are heading to be remaining at,” Terry reported, pointing to a binder filled with their journey ideas.

Wild West Irish Tours dependent in Henrico promised a mattress and breakfast, transportation, meals and a tour information on a seven-day Irish journey by the very best of the wild west.

“I can’t fully grasp where the money went. Was it just a rip-off?” Joe Dougherty questioned.

“We experienced met Wild West Irish tours at the Celtic competition,” Terry claimed.

The owner, Michael Waugh, certain the pair a unique and personal Highland’s Irish knowledge as the Doughertys traced their ancestry.

“He experienced a large booth at the Celtic competition and he experienced handouts and information and facts and playing cards,” Terry said.

The Doughertys booked their trip to Eire for September 2020. Nonetheless, COVID canceled that prepare.

“He gave us the opportunity to get a refund or just guide it for the upcoming 12 months,” Terry claimed.

So, the pair rebooked their $5,000 vacation for this September. This spring the Doughertys begun reaching back out to Michael so they could rebook their flights and prepare for the tumble vacation.

“I got back again in touch with Michael, sent him a few of emails and asked what was likely on,” Terry defined.

But all of a sudden, Waugh had disappeared.

“I attempted contacting him in the telephone quantities, a number of emails to a number of distinctive addresses and never ever got a reaction back,” Joe explained.

Currently, the Wild West Irish Excursions website is down. The firm has absent tranquil on social media, its telephone variety is no more time in company and the handle shown for the small business just bought.

“I suppose our revenue is misplaced,” Terry instructed 8Information.

Janet Woulfe and Maureen Dahnke in Missouri are wanting to know if the Wild West Irish Tour they booked was practically nothing but an Irish Fantasy.

“We actually sense like we’ve been taken benefit of,” Woulfe mentioned.

The two ladies are component of a group of 4 friends organizing to journey jointly.

“We all adore Eire, we experienced been before,” Woulfe mentioned.

The team claims they were informed they could reschedule their 2020 trips, which Woulfe explained have been about $3,500 a piece.

They ended up meant to consider off in June.

“We attempted March, April, May and we could not make make contact with,” Woulfe said.

Dahnke had no luck both.

“I never know how quite a few voicemail messages I’ve remaining,” she explained.

June has arrive and long gone and no vacation and there’s been or term from Waugh.

“We’re out all of our revenue and we nevertheless really do not have a excursion,” Woulfe reported.

Reserving confirmation papers for an Irish trip that never arrived to fruition.

8Information tracked Waugh down and spoke with the proprietor several occasions. He declined our requests for an job interview but around the telephone and instructed us Wild West Irish Excursions was a casualty of the pandemic. Still, considering the fact that the outings hardly ever took off, customers are confused by this. They say they paid for a assistance they never received.

“I simply cannot understand where by the cash went. Was it just a rip-off?” Terry asked.

8Information questioned Waugh about the income. He mentioned all the things hit him at at the time.

“I am just not effectively,” he reported.

Waugh instructed 8News it was the pandemic blended with a most cancers analysis and a messy divorce.

“Everything was all in 1 pot,” he mentioned. “The decide said that was neighborhood home.”

When asked if Waugh would be in a position to spend the prospects again he reported he was “going to make each and every work.”

“I have missing anything and I do not have my wellbeing,” he said. “I don’t have a dwelling, I’m homeless.”

Consumers continue to really do not realize why he did not access out to them.

“He could have gotten in contact with us,” Joe mentioned. “But no response of any variety, I feel is very irresponsible.”

Woulfe echoes the sentiment.

“It just isn’t right,” she mentioned.

Terry has taken action and explained he has filed a civil match in Henrico County. The Dahnkes submitted a criticism with the Missouri and Virginia Attorney General’s Offices.

“I would really like to go back again to Ireland prior to I am far too aged to take pleasure in it,” she mentioned.

Joe explained this practical experience has tainted her desires of touring to Eire.

“Now I just really feel so upset and it is kind of taken the enjoyment out of trying to go to Ireland,” she stated.

Waugh insists he was not striving to scam anybody.

“I am a serious truthful male,” he claimed.

So what can you do to safeguard yourself from a scenario like this? Do your study.

8Information checked with the State Corporation Commission and they had no report of Waugh on file. The small business was registered to his wife and hasn’t been active considering that 2015. That is a pink flag.

You can look at that by likely to the SCC web site, click on on existing organizations less than the small business tab and then go to the “clerk’s info system” to glimpse up the business enterprise. Not all organizations are incorporated but they do need to have a small business license to operate. Check with the locality the business is situated in for a license.
Pay back with a credit score card for travel.

The Missouri team was in a position to dispute the charge for their airline tickets. Nonetheless, absolutely everyone we spoke to was advised the demand for their tour was way too outdated to argue. They had booked their 2020 excursions again in 2019.

The Virginia Lawyer General’s Business has 4 open up complaints about the tour corporation and they persuade any individual else possessing an situation to reach out. You can do that online listed here.