Need to file a complaint?
BBB is here to help. We'll guide you through the process.
Complaint Details
Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. See details.
Initial Complaint
02/29/2024
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
On May 13, 2023 I placed order # ********** totaling $124.73 for lawn mower parts from SLE Equipment, aka Southern Beautification.On May 16, 2023 SLE Equipment promptly refunded $15.54 through PayPal for one item of the order that was no longer available.Four months then passed, with no parts being shipped and no contact from SLE Equipment, so on September 18, 2023 I contacted them via their website to ask about the order's status.On September 22, 2023 SLE Equipment replied telling me they were still waiting for the back-ordered transmission with an ETA of December 5, 2023.SLE Equipment also offered to ship the other items not back-ordered.I told him that without the transmission, the other parts would be of no use to me so I would wait for the transmission to arrive.As of December 5, 2023 the transmission was still back-ordered with an ETA of February 12, 2024.As of February 15, 2024 the transmission was still back-ordered with an ETA of April 29, 2024.After being extraordinarily patient, waiting 9 MONTHS for a transmission that was obviously never going to arrive, I gave up and replied with a request to cancel the whole order and refund the remaining $109.19.He replied "If you want to cancel the entire order, there will be a 20% restocking fee deducted from the refund for the parts we already received from the manufacturer, per our policies."Just wanting to get this over with, I agreed to the ridiculous "restocking fee" for items that were never shipped to me. There is nothing to be "restocked".On February 26, 2024 I received a check in the mail from SLE Equipment for $50.85!That amounts to a "restocking fee" of over 53%!Of course I'm not accepting this.If it is even legal to charge a 20% restocking fee for goods that were NEVER SHIPPED, then I will pay it, but then I am still owed an additional $36.50.If the restocking fee is not legal, then I am still owed an additional $58.34.
Business response
03/05/2024
Customer is owed the additional ***** we wil be sending a check out for the refund in the morningCustomer response
03/12/2024
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
Sincerely,
*************************Initial Complaint
02/23/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
Southern Beautification **** is a drop shipping shell company. I bought a power washer from them, and tried to cancel on the same day. I found it in stock at a local dealer closer to my house. They charged my paypal account immediately on a Saturday. I tried to call, but it was after hours and no message service. I sent an email and got no response. On Monday i called and they said it was already drop shipped and gave me a tracking number. I called the shipper and told them to send it back i canceled the order. They told me it was still on the dock and they would take care of it. I messaged SLE several times before i got a response and they told me i would be charged for shipping and a 20% restock fee. I explained to them, i bought it from another company and it was not delivered. They would not work with me, and two weeks went by, i filed a paypal claim against "Southern Beautification ****". after a few day, i was asked by paypal if i would accept a partial refund, and i said "NO". After giving paypal all the documentation, My full amount was refunded to my account within 1 business day. SLE equiptment has poor communication skills, and do not return emails or calls. It took several calls to get someone on the line. This was a very unpleasant experience i had with SLE Equiptment drop shipper.Business response
03/06/2023
Good morning **************,
At the time that you placed the order, the pressure washer was in stock with the manufacturer, we didn't receive a notification from your side the same day, but two days after. At that time, the unit was being prepared to be shipped from the manufacturer to you, as we mentioned in past emails, that for this brand we dropship directly from the manufacturer. As our shipping policy says, that once the item has been shipped, a 20% restocking fee will be charged for the return. You placed the order on 02/09 and emailed us until 02/11, but it was too late as the manufacturer shipped the unit on 02/10.
As you mentioned, PayPal already refunded you the full amount. We do apologize for this situation.Customer response
03/06/2023
Complaint: 19450478
I am rejecting this response because: You still do not know how customer service works. Furthermore, the only way you settled with me is because you forced to do so by Paypal. You need to updated you communication systems and actually take care of your customers. I will no longer being doing business with SLE Equiptment, or any other name you do business under.
Sincerely,
*******************Customer response
03/07/2023
SLE has not apologized for poor customer service.Initial Complaint
02/14/2023
- Complaint Type:
- Delivery Issues
- Status:
- Answered
We purchased an echo 99988801209-18 inch chainsaw case and hat and oil value pack with it. We received the case but nothing else. We called the company and they said they would check it out and call us back. We heard nothing. I called again today about it and got the run around from a man named *******. He tried to blame it on the manufacturer.Order #********** Tracking # ************Business response
02/16/2023
Hello i have looked into your issue it seems the part number you received should have had the oil and hat included like you stated. We are currently out of these and waiting on them to come in we will promptly send this out as soon as we receive more from the manufacturer It should be within the next **** days.Initial Complaint
10/14/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Delivery Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
On 8/24/22 I ordered online a kit to allow me to mount a grass cutting blade on my ******* string trimmer. I received an order confirmation by email the same day. My credit card was charged. The order number provided by them is **********. I received no shipping confirmation or any other information on the status of the order in the days and weeks following. Finally, in mid-September I was able to contact by phone a service representative. He told me the order would ship on October 7, so I should have received it by now. I called yesterday and today but the extension I was directed to call did not answer.Business response
10/19/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/10/17) */ Customer was notified after he placed his order this item was on backorder for quite a while. As per his request the order has been cancelled and refunded in full Consumer Response /* (450, 7, 2022/10/18) */ It appears that Southern Lawn Equipment has issued a refund in this matter. Thank you.Initial Complaint
09/20/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
I ordered a Weed eater that showed to be in stock. After not recovering confirmation email I called SLE to ask status of shipping. They told me the item was not in stock and no ETA on shipping. They offered an alternative item that I turned down. I asked for a refund. They agreed to the refund but I never received it. Called back several times and was sent to voicemail mail. My order number is **********. I want a full refund.Business response
09/28/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/09/21) */ Attached is the refund the customer requested. I apologize for the delay.Initial Complaint
08/24/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
On August 8, I ordered a riding mower, ********* z246 with the ****** Bagger. The included bagger wasn't available at the time. I called customer service and altered my order, and was told I would be reimbursed the price of the bagger. Described at the time as $468.00. I have not received this payment, nor have my attempts to contact SLE has been responded to. My order number is **********.Business response
08/29/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/08/25) */ Contact Name and Title: **** **** Contact Phone: XXX-XXX-XXXX Contact Email: ****@sleequipment.com Customer statement of canceling the bagger is correct and a refund of 448.84 was done on 8/24/22. I have the refund attached. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/08/25) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)Initial Complaint
08/22/2022
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Resolved
I am a small single person lawn business and found the trailer i wanted on their website i paid in full on a sunday 8/7/2022 to the sum on 3900.00 without any warning of porential delays on the website i received a call on 8/8/2022 first thing in the morning advising me that the trailer is 8 to 12 weeks out and and to be made at the factory and was asked if i wanted to cancel the order I said yes i then found a trailer 2hrs closer to me so i put a deposit on it because it was avaliable then i received a phone call 2 hrs after the first call telling me it could be there tomorrow i said i wasnt interested since i had already made a deposit on another was told my money would be refunded 3 to 5 business days later it has now been 10 business days and no credit to my account i have talked to 3 people on the phone with no results and the person in charge of canceled orders I have left 2 voicemails with no return calls i have now lost my deposit on the other trailer and don't have resources to by 2 trailers at the same time not askimg for anything other than the return of the money paid will not deal with this company again it is now 8/22/2022Business response
08/25/2022
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/08/22) */ After looking into the situation the customer is owed a refund in full this has been done as of today 8/22/22. Consumer Response /* (2000, 7, 2022/08/23) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) Thank you to the BBB for the resolve it is a sad day when you have to resort to these means to get a business to do the right thing by its customersInitial Complaint
09/04/2021
- Complaint Type:
- Product Issues
- Status:
- Answered
ordered a trailer in Oct 2020 and was informed of the 4-5 months wait. Paid deposit and the first week of June, our trailer was finally available. WE drove 9 hours each way to pick up our 16" goose neck dump trailer. Upon getting it home, it did not work correctly so we called to discuss the potential remedies. It would not go up to dump. WE then discovered upon taking it to a local fab shop that there were numerous items of defect on the trailer, items not lined up properly, items not square on trailer and that it had rubbed the tires. The safety kick stand that holds up the bed doesn't even line up properly. We were told to get ahold of the manufacturer to fix the issues. The manufacturer offered $400 to fix the items. Unfortunately the welds are shotty, the frame isn't square, hidges were mailed out to be replaced, doors don't line up and the floor is not only not seamless, it is also half the thickness it should be. Not even sure the hydraulics could life the bed at capacityBusiness response
09/23/2021
Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2021/09/13) */ We apologize you are having an issue the trailer was inspected and ****** up at SLE Equipment the trailer does have a manufacturers warranty through the manufacturer TRISTAR ********* After reviewing this complaint I have spoken to the manufacturer, He claims to have sent you new door hinges and reimbursed you for a local shop installing them. If there is still a defect he is willing to credit you 500.00 for transport expenses to the factory and he will fix the issues while you wait. Again all warranty's are through the manufacturer ******* ********* We ill be happy to help arrange anything that will help this situation but ultimately cannot speak on their behalf.
Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩
BBB Business Profiles may not be reproduced for sales or promotional purposes.
BBB Business Profiles are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. BBB asks third parties who publish complaints, reviews and/or responses on this website to affirm that the information provided is accurate. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles.
When considering complaint information, please take into account the company's size and volume of transactions, and understand that the nature of complaints and a firm's responses to them are often more important than the number of complaints.
BBB Business Profiles generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Business Profiles are subject to change at any time. If you choose to do business with this business, please let the business know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Business Profile.
As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. Businesses are under no obligation to seek BBB accreditation, and some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought BBB accreditation.
Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating
Contact Information
Want a quote from this business?
Get a QuoteCustomer Complaints Summary
21 total complaints in the last 3 years.
6 complaints closed in the last 12 months.