ComplaintsforSkipperbuds of Illinois,Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  08/20/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  I wanted to buy a 2024 ****** EX Sport. I was on ******** and saw an advertisement about that very thing. I input my information and asked for information. Next morning a lady by the name of ************************* had called and left a message and sent me an email answering my questions regarding the advantages of the ****** over a Seadoo Spark. After some back and forth we agreed on model and price. She sent me wire instructions for the money transfer. Unfortunately, I didn't stop an ask myself to stop and think about this all or nothing arrangement. But based on Skipperbuds reputation I let that go and sent the money. For the next five days ************************* kept me posted on how things were going. The installed speaker system with amplifier, and depth finder. The day of arrival I couldn't wait to get the ski. That day was Monday July 29th, 2024. At 7 PM a driver by the name of *** was supposed to arrive and deliver my ski. Unfortunately that never happened. Next morning the phone no longer worked and the email account had been deleted or taken down. But regardless I wasn't able to send an email. I don't understand why this occurred nor do I understand how I'm just out of luck. No money and no jetski. It's an abomination to conduct business this way. I'm retired and live on my pension and Social Security. I don't have ******* to waste. I need my money back or my 2024 jetski. But one or the other needs to occur

  Business response

  08/26/2024

  Dear *** or Madam,
  I have been asked to respond to your letter regarding the Better Business Bureau complaint (ID *********. At the onset, it is important to note that the complainant, *********************, filed a similar action with the North Carolina ********** of ************************************* to which I recently responded.

  Unfortunately,we believe ************ was the victim of a fraudulent operation. ************ was under the impression he was dealing directly with SkipperBuds of Illinois.However, he was communicating through a fake website with the domain name skipperbudsusa.comthat is not associated in any way with SkipperBuds of Illinois. Moreover,there is no person by the name of ************************* that is employed by SkipperBuds of Illinois.
  

  By way of background, SkipperBuds of Illinois is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MarineMax,Inc. (NYSE: HZO). MarineMax was recently awarded the domain name marinemaxusa.com after it filed a Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) Complaint with the ***************************************** In late July 2024, we became aware of the website skipperbudsusa.com which similarly used the disputed domain name to set up a website that we characterize as an apparent effort to lure website visitors to submit their personal information in order to request a consultation with a boating specialist and presumably purchase a boat, or a personal watercraft in the instance of Mr. Lake. MarineMax and SkipperBuds of Illinois contend that the purported operations of the skipperbudsusa.com website are bogus. The website displayed product images from SkipperBuds legitimate website skipperbuds.com. We were in the process of initiating a second UDRP Complaint for the skipperbudsusa.com domain when it was suddenly taken down by the bad actors. For your consideration, Ive attached the award from WIPO for the marinemaxusa.com domain.
  

  While we are truly sympathetic to Mr. ***** loss, neither SkipperBuds of Illinois nor MarineMax is responsible for it. However, we remain committed to assist your agency and any other law enforcement agency with their continued investigations to bring justice for Mr. Lake. Should you have any question or would like to discuss this matter in more detail, please feel free to contact me directly at ********************************.
  

  Sincerely,
  ***********************, General Counsel
  MarineMax,Inc.
  

  
  

  Customer response

  08/26/2024

   
  Complaint: 22158187
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I am out $10k. I felt I was dealing with Skipper buds. I find extremely difficult to understand how a business that has far more money than I do can just turn their back on me, and claim that it's not their issue is disrespectful. They could offer a huge discount on a ****** EX  sport. Or perhaps they have a used one that they could just offer me as a consolation to my loss of $10k. I'm retired, 62 and I doubt I'll ever have the opportunity to purchase a PWC. Because of age and financial concerns, this obviously isn't their issue but as a business they hold some accountability. After all it's their reputation that caused me to get scammed. I just strongly believe they can find away to offer some sort of compensation to help a customer who felt he was dealing with them. I've heard of other companies doing similar things. Certainly, I don't expect a check for $10k but a used ski that's been serviced and in good shape would be far better than just being told not our problem. It's just good business to help someone rather than just casting them out. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

• Initial Complaint

  08/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Starting in November 2023, Skipper Buds, talked me into storing my boat there, so it could be a winter project for the new mechanic. The hoses, clamps and plugs needed to be reattached. They never did have a mechanic work on it, and when the boat was picked up in April 2024, nothing had been done. I would never have left it there, unless the project would have been worked on. I paid $1,246.00 for the winter storage. I spoke with both *********************** and ******************* several times and e-mails were sent about a partial refund. I even spoke with them explaining my frustration, and felt they were taking advantage of a recently widowed boat owner, who knows very little about cruiser boats. I have copies of the emails, but don't know how to attached them to this complaint. I can either bring them to your office or mail them to you.

• Initial Complaint

  06/11/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  We purchased a brand new, $78,000 usd, boat from Skipper Buds in ******* IL in January of 2023 and have had nothing but problems with getting them to complete the warranty repair work. Their lack of a Quality check process from the manufacturer has resulted in our list of over 30 repairs! We have had to bring the boat back several times to try and get everything on the boat and trailer repaired. The lack of customer service response and urgency is unacceptable and the worst we have ever seen. The first time we brought our boat in for warranty work they forgot they had it after it being on their property for several months. My husband phoned to see what the progress was and was told they haven't looked at it yet and forgot it was there. We have had our boat in for warranty repair time more than we have had it on the water. We phone to check on the status constantly and are told we will receive a call the next day and never receive a call. We have communicated with ********, ******, and ******* and keep getting pushed off and no resolution. They still have our boat and trailer and we were now told that the part for the trailer is on its way but they can't confirm an exact date. We want this business to take accountability and provide the proper customer service required for a consumer that has spent a large amount of money with their business. This business is horrible!!

• Initial Complaint

  07/14/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I attempted to purchase a boat on 7/1/2023, paid a $1000 deposit, but was not approved for the financing from Skipperbuds on 7/7/2023. I emailed the salesperson ***** on 7/8/2023 asking that she relay a message to ***************** in the ****************** to please refund the $1000 as deposits are fully refundable we were told. ***** contacted us so we left a message with **** on 7/10/2023 to please refund the $1000. and again, no response. On 7/13/2023 I spoke to **** asking when I would be refunded the $1000 and she stated that "she would have to contact corporate regarding the refund because it was paid through their website". No communication whatsoever and it is now 7/14/2023.

  Business response

  07/17/2023

  This email is to inform you that the refund in question has been processed per the customer request. Additionally, we had been in contact with the complainant prior to the filing of the complaint

• Initial Complaint

  05/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  We have been loyal customers of Skipper Buds for almost 8 years. In the last two years, the service had declined tremendously and we have had nothing but problems with the service department. In October of 2021 we requested a variety of services for our pontoon boat, which is typically addressed during the off season. Our point of contact was and remains *************************. During this time we were also receiving winter storage bills. We reached out to **** via email and phone in October 2022, November 2022, January 2023, February 2023 for a status on the work requested. It wasn't until March 24, 2023 when we finally heard from him. We meet with him in person to review the outstanding work from 2021 and 2022. He assured us all would be done by May 1, 2023. He also assured us he would be better at communicating with **, which has not been the case. For our troubles, we were offered a $1500 credit, which we accepted, to be applied to our final bill on or about May 1, 2023. To date, the credit has not been applied. We have also been charged late fees for not paying the final bill. Furthermore, we reached out to **** on May 8 and 11 notifying him of the bill errors, and to also let him know our boat is missing items and a recently installed item isn't working properly. He has made no attempt to contact us via email or phone. It is not unlike **** to go weeks or even months without responding to communication. We have been patient and tried to be understanding during this time, however, we have reached the point of frustration due to the total lack and disregard of customer service. We do not feel as though we have truly been valued as loyal customers, or that **** has any respect for us. We want all late fees removed, the credit applied, our outstanding items returned and repaired, and to not be ignored.

• Initial Complaint

  06/06/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  We store our pontoon boat at Skipper Bud's and on Saturday, June 4, 2022, our car was towed while we were cleaning our pontoon. We did not notice until we were leaving and couldn't find our car. Yes, we failed to attach our parking pass (that was IN the car) to our car's rear view mirror but we strongly feel that someone from ************* called the towing company (Best Towing LLC, **** *****************, *********, **) to have our car towed. Are ************* employees getting some sort of kick back from the towing company when they call to have cars towed??? We really don't think that with the price of gas/diesel nowadays that Best Towing LLC, which is located 13 miles away from Skipper Bud's, was patrolling the lot looking for cars sans a parking pass since the weather was very poor for boating, there were no special events on that day, the restaurant (**************, an outdoor-only venue) didn't have a lot of customers and parking for both the restaurant and the marina were extremely ample. Also, where we were parked is typically where boat owners who are working on their boats park, not restaurant customers. Again, we admit that while the parking pass was IN our car and was not displayed properly, we strongly believe that if someone hadn't called the towing company to have our car towed, that we wouldn't be out of $38.75 for a cab to take us to Best Towing to retrieve our car and $365 to get our car out of impound. There was no reason to call. Where we parked, there were only two other cars and those people were working on their boats as well. The employees who were there saw us working on our boat yet they couldn't just simply ask if the car was ours ??? We pay nearly $3000 each season to store our boat with Skipper Bud's and you'd think they could keep a track of each owners' car/plate number just like they do with everyone's boats. We would appreciate help from BBB to work with Skipper Bud's to meet us halfway on the funds we are out.

  Business response

  06/15/2022

   

  Dear Ms. ********************************************************************************************* style="color: rgb(192, 0, 0);">We are very sorry to hear you were towed. As you know we work very hard to insure our customers (you included) have ample parking. In order to do this we do have a towing company that monitors our lots for parking passes. We do not call them, they are simply monitoring as they are able. Without the ability to see your parking permit, they did not have a way to know you were allowed there. With this said, we do feel bad that a valued customer was towed and would like to offer you a fuel credit of $100.00 for the troubles. Please bring this note in next time you are there and they will credit you.

   

  Sincerely,

   

  *********************

   

  Customer response

  06/18/2022

   
  Complaint: 17324357
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  

  While I appreciate the $100 fuel credit, I don't need gas in my boat.  I, again, request that Skipper Bud's ********* repay half the costs that I am out because someone at this Skipper Bud's location called the towing company to have our car towed when it was in a spot that's no where near the restaurant, the weather was horrible and you cannot tell me that the towing company is patrolling Skipper Bud's lot when the towing company is 26 miles round-trip out of the way with diesel prices the way they currently are.  The reason I can positively write this is that one of THEIR OWN employees admitted that yes, Skipper Bud's calls towing companies to have cars towed.  

  If I'm such a valuable customer, then Skipper Bud's would cover half the cost of what I'm out from the cab ride to the towing facility (13 miles away) and the cost of the impound fee.  Both are included in my complaint.  If Skipper Bud's ******** would like to come up to Skipper Bud's *********, I'd be happy to show where cars were and where cars weren't on the day we were towed so that they can see for themselves how empty the entire lot was and exactly where we parked - where boat OWNERS park.  It's just a shame that we pay over $2,600 to keep our boat at Skipper Bud's and then get slapped by having our car towed.

  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  05/26/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Purchased a boat from ******************** 8/28/21. At the time of inspection it was noted that one of the brand new cushions had a scratch on it and one of the bow cushions was missing. These items were to be ordered for us and mailed directly to us under warranty. I have called and left messages for ****** in service, latest was 5/16/22, as well as, emailed multiple times and cannot get the company to contact me regarding these warranty items. We also have a small hole in the fiberglass that is to be repaired by Skipper Buds ********************, but we have yet to hear back on getting this done either, last email from *********************** was 2/16/22. I emailed him regarding status 4/13/22 without response. We were told that it had to be done by dealer we purchased boat from, but it does not seem that they will be living up to the Bayliner warranty and we are unable to go anywhere else.

• Initial Complaint

  05/19/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I purchased a **** Sea Ray 320 Sundancer. I have a few problems, and researched Sea Ray's parts manual for my year, make, and model boat.I found the item, however, Sea Ray changes the manufactures part number to one of their own. The description in Sea Ray's parts manual is: Rochester Adjustable Fuel Sending Unit 11-25-10.25. Sea Ray's part#: *******. I can't find the part anywhere, and decided to call Rochester themselves. They asked me what the part number is to get me the right one. I gave them Sea Ray's part number, and they said they have no idea what that is. They need Rochester's part number.There is no way to contact Sea Ray other than filling out a form on line. Well, I filled it out at least 5 times, and sent them individually over the past 6-8 days. To this date, I haven't received not one reply. I need my part, Sea Ray doesn't answer any request no matter how many times/days I send them one, and Rochester stated without their part number nothing they can do. They themselves asked/informed me to contact Sea Ray to obtain the correct part number. I was told by a few ********************** of Sea Ray) that unless I was looking to buy a boat, there's a good chance I won't hear back from Sea Ray.I need to obtain the correct part number, and Sea Ray is holding me at bay by refusing to answer/reply to my request. There's nothing else I can do.

• Initial Complaint

  10/30/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Bought a new Sylvan pontoon boat from skipper buds in ****** **. Went to pick it up and the trailer it was on was a single axle. I paid for a dual axle. They ordered me the correct trailer and told me to use the single until the dual came in. Left with the pontoon, got 3 miles down the rd and the Bimini top fell off to the side of boat. The pivot bolts and centering post were left out. They gave me the parts and I fixed it myself. Kept going back about the trailer and 3 different people gave me 3 different lies about what was going on with the trailer, anything from its not here yet to its here but not put together. 4 mos later and I got the trailer I paid for. When I bought the boat I bought it with the ski rope tower. I know that skipper buds are the ones that installed it because when I looked at the boat the pieces of it were laying out and the technician was installing it. I live on a lake so the boat was in the water all summer. I pulled it out for the winter and was cleaning it up and noticed a huge scrape on the side of the motor. It took me a little while to figure out how it got there and noticed that if the outboard motor is lifted all the way up it hits the nuts of the bolts that hold the tower halfs together. The bolts have rounded heads and if the bolts would have been installed with the nuts outboard instead of inboard the motor would never have scraped the cover on the nuts. I took pictures and went back to skipper buds with the complaint and they said they would see about getting the motor cover warranted. Ive been going back a couple times a week for the past 3 weeks trying to find out what is going on with my cover and they just keep giving me the same run around that I got with the trailer. I dont know whos s**** up this was, wrong installation, wrong ski tower, whatever but I do know it wasnt my fault. I realize that my $50,000.00 purchase is small potatoes to them but I believe I have the right to be treated the same as any one else.

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