Maloney's Guide Service

FAOL Community Sound Off
1

Hey guys,

I want to pass along a warning about Maloney’s Guide Service of Prescott, Arizona.

My father and I, along with two other guys, returned this week from a King salmon fishing trip in Beluga, AK. The trip was booked with Will Maloney after numerous telephone conversations about what to expect on the trip including accommodations, food, tackle, gear, fish cleaning, etc. We were told we would be staying in one of five cabins surrounding the Alaska Bear Lodge, which had all the amenities of home (satellite TV, internet, telephone, cell phone service, laundry facilities, etc.) We could fly fish or use spinning tackle and all of the meals would be prepared for us. Once we were satisfied with what to expect, we paid our fees and made our plans.

Fast forward about six months. On the day we head out, Will Maloney sends an email (after he knows we have left) that he will not be able to meet us upon our arrival, but hopes to catch up after a few days. Some guy named Rob (no last name) will meet us at the air field. The next morning (the day he knows we are flying) he sends another email to inform us that one of our flight times has changed. This guy has out cell phone numbers but decides to send emails instead. I guess he thinks we carry a computer with us on vacation. Good thing my mom checks the email and gives us a call both times.

We are still able to get to where we need to be on time with all of our gear and meet up with Rob at the Beluga airstrip. We find out from the airline service that Rob’s last name is Freeman (quick note that Rob Freeman is a good guy). After we get out gear loaded in the vehicle, we head for the lodge and get ready to settle in for a meal and a drink after a long day of travel.

To make a long story short, we roll up to an A-frame shack with an outdoor toilet and a shower that is pretty much “open air”. Instead of two to a cabin (the ones that are supposed to be surrounding the lodge) all four of us are on bunks with old sleeping bags. Oh, and if we want to eat, we better fire up the stove and gook it ourselves because there is no one there to do it for us.

Now don’t get me wrong, down at my hunting club, this place would be top notch, but that is not what we were sold on, nor what we paid for. We paid for a Hilton and got Motel 6 (maybe Motel 5). One more thing, the river was supposed to be a 5 minute walk, not a 15 minute drive.

We later find out from Rob, that Will Maloney had booked our trip with him about 5 days before we arrived. Will told Rob that he was ill and would not be able to make it. He also paid Rob about 25% of what we paid him. The two guys with us were supposed to fish the year previous, bit Will had to cancel because “his dad was sick”. Sounds like to me someone get sick every time he has to meet his obligations.

The reason I am writing this is because I don’t want anyone else to get scammed by this guy. Here is his info:

Maloney’s Guide Service
Will Maloney
710 Pauley Drive
Prescott Arizona 86303
Phone: 928-778-6469
Fax: 928-445-3714
E-mail: maloneys@cableone.net
http://www.alaska-fishing-charter.com/

2

I took at look at his website - which really doesn’t give much information, but from what you said, I would sure look into
filing a claim in Small Claims court in Prescott AZ. You might also consider filing a complaint with the Prosecuting Attorney for that county. If any of the transaction was done by US Mail, the US Postal Inspector should be contacted, this was fraud. You don’t have to be stuck for your money on this one. Since four of you were involved, it shouldn’t be a big deal to prove your claims.

3

well that just sucks

4

We have emails with specific info and he recently changed his website also, all of which can be resurected. Right now we are waiting to talk to our attorney about it. And yes, payment was made through the USPS so we may have an option there.

Thanks,
Barber2678

5

I am glad it looks like you could collect some money from this guy. Thanks for telling us your experience.
Doug

6

I hope you get your money back plus punitive damages. Let’s hope the word gets out and this scum is forced to go out of business.

7

Ummm…

"State of Alaska Business License Back to Top

All businesses and individuals that provide sport fishing guide services are required to have a state license to conduct business. The business license is good for 2 years, the year the license is granted and the following year. These can be obtained at through the Alaska Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development.

Alaska Dept. of Commerce and Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing
Business License Section"

…and I just searched their ENTIRE database of business licenses on-line and got ZERO hits that even looked close. Looks to me like they don’t have a legitimate business in Alaska at all. So you might want to contact the state of Alaska’s AG and Fish and Game folks as well. They take this stuff VERY seriously up there. Now, in effect, he passed himself off as a guide service but provided you with really crappy booking agent services. So he might not have broken the law regarding operating without the proper licenses and permits. I don’t know. I do know that a booking agent doesn’t need a guide license up there. But it’s not clear whether he eventually showed up for your trip or not. BUT…his website still indicates that Mr. Maloney will be guiding clients himself. And advertising as a GUIDE and then acting only as a booking agent is a classic bait-n-switch. This smells pretty fishy…pun intended.

8

I have contacted Alaska F&G but they have not returned my call. He even charged Alaska taxes!

I know this is going to be a long process, before everything is all over. I just wish I could sit down and have a little “chat” with him.

Thanks for all the comments!

Barber2678

9

And there are no state taxes in Alaska! Some burroughs will have them but not many. I am sorry you got scammed by someone from outside pretending to be a guide up here. I do hope you come back again and have a good experience.

10

I know sitka alaska has sales tax

11

I’m not sure about fishing guides, but I know that there are strict rules about bear guides. You just can’t go up and say, “I’m a bear guide, here’s my card.” Some of the rules are being an apprentice with licensed guide. I doubt fishing guides require that, but you definitely have a case to settle.

Good luck, and keep us informed.

12

As I have stated before, this is sure to be a long process and I will pass on updates as I have them.

Thanks again,
Barber2678

13

Just had to put my comment in on this one… Will Maloney is back again it seems. He was run out of town by a few of us but it seems he thinks all of the people he has stole from will forget about him…Wrong. Now that I know he is around I’ll make sure to let everyone in AK know to steer clear. He has quite a reputation for doing exactly what he did to you and to other vendors / guides in AK. In fact, he has half the town of Ninilchik after him right now (plumbers, realtors, oil company, etc.). TO ALL THAT READ THIS STAY CLEAR OF THIS GUY HE IS A CROOK!!! I hope you can get a criminal case against him because that is what he needs.

Luckily Rob was able to salvage some of your trip. He is a great guy and is a very knowledgeable guide.

14

Interesting thread … you gotta love the Internet for getting this imfo out to the public. Unfortunately, there’ll always be people who don’t discover this until it’s too late, and rascals like this fellow will keep operating.

I went to the fellow’s website … lots of enthusiastic BS and some ominously-dead links … and one funny bit of typo irony … there’s a link that’s titled “Read What Our Guest (sic) Say”

At least there’s one virtual reality fisherman who’s happy!!

Actually, the three (obviously fictional) endorsements from Slim, John (Doe, I assume) and Ken are kinda funny.

Why not bug (pun intended) him with some long e-mail queries/interactions, and then eventually mention the aforementioned SNAFU?

Or is that too juvenile? I’m a very immature 57.

Ron