Craig Riley, President of Chinook Cove Lodge USA, Inc. operates his business in Sutherlin, OR, however, the lodge itself is located off Vancouver Island, BC. In February, 2007 we attended a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation National Convention in Reno, NV where Craig Riley had a booth selling fishing trips to Chinook Cove Lodge. We placed a $600 deposit on our trip and the couple with us did the same. Total amount Craig Riley received was $1,200 from the two of us.
My husband and I booked a trip, along with another couple, for August, 2007. Craig Riley had an unfortunate situation happen and was unable to open the lodge that particular fishing season. In our emails and phone calls with Craig Riley, we indicated we understood his circumstances, wanted to still fish and re-booked for the following 2009 season. Craig Riley kept our deposits and confirmed we were on the booking for our week of fishing.
As time grew closer to confirming our trip to Chinook Cove Lodge, my husband communicated through several emails with Craig Riley, as did our friends who were joining us on the trip. We received word from Craig Riley that he was still having difficulty and would not be opening up his lodge for the second year in a row for the 2008 season.
My husband and I, as well as the other couple that paid a deposit to Craig Riley, booked another trip at a different lodge for 2009. We then began to communicate with Craig Riley through emails and phone calls that we would like our deposit refunded in the amount of $1,200 for the two couple booking. Craig Riley indicated he would refund the deposits upon his return from Florida.
We did not receive a refund from Craig Riley after several follow-up emails and phone calls. Every time my husband talked or had a responding email from Craig Riley, Craig Riley was very polite and assured us he was putting a refund in the mail. The other couple had several phone conversations with Craig Riley and were told the same, that their refund was being mailed.
After several weeks and still no refund of our deposit, Craig Riley was reached by phone and was told that we were traveling through Sutherlin, OR and would stop by and pick up the refund deposit. Craig Riley indicated that that wouldn't be necessary as he had just dropped the refund check in the mail.
Well, it has been almost three months since the refund checks were "supposedly" dropped in the mail. Now Craig Riley, President of Chinook Cove Lodge will not return phone calls, no voice mail access, and his website has been shutdown. Craig Riley's email address still receives emails, however, Craig Riley still refuses to return any emails or phone calls.
Craig Riley booked several individuals/couples for fishing trips at that RMEF National Convention. I know he was collecting thousands in deposits, because when we were looking for an opening for the 2007 season, he was almost filled to capacity and we had to take a week later in the season.
I am very disappointed with Chinook Cove Lodge and Craig Riley, President. He has fraudulently kept our deposits, not just ours, but a lot of others as well. I now consider this operation to be a scam!