Robert Christopher Yacht Sales RCYS Boat deposit not fully returned Stamford, Connecticut
Be very careful about purchasing a boat brokered by RCYS. If you decide to not buy the boat after paying the deposit due to an unfavorable marine survey, be prepared for a protracted ordeal for obtaining a refund.
Do NOT wire the required 10% deposit as per their request (as I did). If you really feel compelled to buy a boat from RCYS, use a credit card instead as this will give you a bit more leverage.
Despite promises by Robert Milano, the CEO, it took months of repeated e-mail requests to obtain only $2000 of a $4350 deposit. A letter to Mr. Milano by the BoatUS Consumer Protection Bureau on my behalf (as a member of BoatUS) yielded an additional $400. After 8 months I am still owed $1950.
RCYS has the appearances of a questionable operation or a business in serious financial trouble. You can never, ever get anyone to answer the phone, and they do not return calls. Their address is a mail drop off location, not an actual office.
Industry professional organization YBAA (Yacht Brokers Association of America) does not show RCYS to be a member, nor do any of the sales staff show as being listed as being a Certified Professional Yacht Broker on the CPYB website.
A person reviewing brokered boats for sale in YACHTWORLD should look carefully at who the listing broker is and seriously consider looking elsewhere (as I eventually did) if the boat is listed with Robert Christopher Yacht Sales.
If you are a person selling a boat, think twice aboat who you are using for your broker. Use a reputable dealer or you might find yourself involved in a broker caused dispute (and who needs that type of grief).