Complaint Review: Carefree Boat Club Largo/Tarpon/Tierre Verde Fl

Purchased Boat Club membership  for $1500 in March 2013 AT Carefree Boat Club, Largo. They promised locations in Tarpon and Tierre Verde & have nationwide recicprocity.   Just 28 days later,  a severe medical diagnosis requires two surgeries & risked my ability to boat in the future.  I requested refund.  Marty Melton, President, denied that but offered to  keep the $1500,  'freeze' the account, charge $480 penalty (% of the year's obligation of monthly dues)  & o resume the membership  if /when I was ever ready/able to do so.    ALL THIS IS IN WRITING.

March 2014 my health improved & I requested to 'thaw' membership. It took a month for Mr. Melton to respond & claim the file was closed & membership "terminated due to lack of communication."  To reinstate he keeps the $1500 and the $480 penalty plus the $250 dues paid  2/2013 ---and requires another $2500 new membership fee!     Several documented communications occurred beetween myself and him or his staff during this period which negates this cause for termination, which is not even stipulated anywhere.

 Mr. Melton hasn't responded since his last contact on April 6, 2014 even though documents were provided to him, disproving his claim. NOTE: the contract states that any disputes would be arbitrated through the Commercial American Arbitration Association which I understand costs $500 initiate. Mr. Melton has reneged on his agreement & shows ill-will.  I escalated this to the Carefree Corporate General Manager Mr. Bonnema, with all the supporting documentations, who refuses to do anything, claiming each location is independently owned.  Do you want to  do business with people like this?

Sherry - 61 years of age, and her responsible co-boater in  Clearwater Florida