Green Orange Villas and 'Dr.' Roger Colby...7/26/08


We had used this guy before and although the rental was not as nice as advertised, it was relatively well priced. This time we had a horrific time dealing with Roger Colby. We made arrangements to rent a 4-bedroom villa for 32 days at the price of $3000.00 which we paid by check. He was very attentive while collecting our money, but did not return any of our emails in the days leading to our arrival. The night before we were to arrive he sent us an apologetic letter saying that he would have to cancel our reservation due to problems with the maintenance of the villas. He mentioned that we would get a refund. However, he would not answer his phone (never does), nor his emails, so we had no way of getting our refund.

After several days (post our arrival date), he sent us an email stating that his company would be closed for 30 days and he would not be answering the phone nor emails. We decided to get a Sheriff to go to the address were we had sent the check (i.e. his house) and try and get our money. The Sheriff commented that he had been to Mr Colby's house before with a similar complaint! Mr. Colby told us that he was sorry, but that he did not have our money and he asked us to come back 4 days later.

At this time I asked Mr. Colby why he had to close for 30 days in the middle of July and he told me that it was their slow season. I remembered that an earlier email Mr Colby had sent asked us to over-night the Check because it was their peak season and he wanted to be sure we could reserve our Villa. I almost lost it! I had a few choice words for him at that time. Four days later we went back for our check which subsequently bounced (NSF). We are pursing legal means to get our money back and hopefully put this theif/crook/low-life in as much legal trouble as possible. Since he bounced the check this is now consided a criminal issue not just civil and I will be writing the DA to report this in addition to the BBB.

I.ramos
katy, Texas
U.S.A.