Attorney general sues Christian County travel business

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster yesterday filed suit against a Christian County travel business, alleging its owner took money from consumers without providing them promised vacations to Branson.

Between Dec. 1, 2009, and Jan. 3, 2011, the suit alleges Andrew Callison, who operated the now-defunct Mr. Nice Guy's Vacations Corp., took money upfront - ranging from $99 to $839 - from at least 35 consumers for Branson vacation packages, but did not provide the services, according to a news release.

Koster said Callison told his customers they would have a year or longer to redeem the trips, which they were told would include lodging and entertainment passes. When consumers tried to contact Callison and Mr. Nice Guy's, there was no answer at the provided number and customers did not receive the trips or refunds, according to the suit.

“Mr. Nice Guy’s Vacations took the hard-earned money of Missourians who were seeking a few days of vacation,” Koster said in the release. “My office will continue to work to protect consumers and to pursue individuals like Mr. Callison when they fail to provide services as promised.”

Through the suit, Koster is pursuing restitution for the affected consumers, as well as civil penalties and court costs. He also seeks to prohibit Callison from doing business in Missouri, the release said.

Koster said he urges consumers who have done business with Mr. Nice Guy's to contact his consumer protection hotline at (800) 392-8222.