Failed Tour Company to pay up

A Rego Park-based tour bus company that went out of business - leaving more than 1,000 customers holding the bag - will pay up, according to state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
In an announcement on Monday, December 1, Cuomo and city Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz announced that Biss Tours has agreed to make $350,000 in refunds.
“This settlement shows that companies cannot leave their customers in the dust and expect to get away with it in New York State,” Cuomo said, adding, “My office will continue to hold companies accountable for the promises they make to their customers.”
The guided tour operator went belly-up last August - then cancelled and recalled over 2,000 prepaid tour reservations without notice.
From an office at 62-85 Woodhaven Boulevard, Biss coordinated North American bus excursions for consumers in the New York City area. They chartered private, third-party buses for the tours.
In late August 2007, Biss stopped making advance payments to their bus provider. The provider cut off its supply of tour buses. After 41 years and with scores of faithful customers, Biss failed, leaving some stranded in mid-trip.
The settlement was the result of a joint effort by the Attorney General’s office and the City’s Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). It was spurred by more than 100 complaints filed with DCA and 50 complaints filed with the Attorney General’s office and the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York (BBB).
“These hard-working New Yorkers who saved and paid for vacations deserve their money back and we’re pleased to have been able to get it for them,” Mintz said.
The Attorney General’s office and DCA have identified affected consumers and are working through the BBB to distribute the refunds, according to Cuomo.
He said that the exact amount of restitution will be determined after affected consumers make claims for refunds.
Some customers have already received restitution from their credit card company, traveler’s insurance, or a similar source, he pointed out.
“The BBB is pleased with the outcome of this matter and is happy to work with the DCA and the Attorney General to help consumers regain what they lost,” said Claire Rosenzweig, President and CEO of the BBB in Metropolitan New York. “This action goes a long way towards rebuilding consumer confidence and trust in business,” she added.
Customers of Biss Tours who have questions about refunds can call the BBB at a phone line dedicated to the Biss Restitution Fund at 212-358-2857.