Complaint Review: Eddie Merchant - Cedar Rapids Iowa

In February, 2014, I began thinking of moving permanently from Michigan to Florida.  I contacted Eddie Merchant to obtain a quote to ferry my plane from Michigan to Florida.  The following provides verbatim passages from the various emails from me and from Eddie:

2/22 from JG:  Can you tell me what the charge would be to ferry my plane from Kalamazoo (KAZO) to St. Augustine (KSGJ)?

2/22 from EM:   Could maybe in done in 2 days or 3,I will charge you 1000.00 plus minimal expensives.

5/9 from JG:  Please provide a quote and provide info/Pitts experience for the pilot that will be doing the ferrying.

5/9 from EM:  I charge 500.00 per day plus expenses.We will keep the costs as low as possible,while having the care of your aircraft in mind.  … 

I always offer a money back guarantee,if you don't like what we do,don't pay me !  I have never had a unsatisfied customer. 

5/10 from JG:  On 2/22, you said the following: "I will charge you $1000 + minimal expenses.  We would like your business.”  Can you help me understand what has changed.

5/10 from EM:  Ok;thats what I will do.

5/12 from EM:   I will have the info you need in a day or two,have calls in to my Pilots and deciding on who to schedule for this trip.

5/13 from JG:    I would like to have it moved on or after June 1.

5/15 from EM:    Just waiting for calls back with regard to schedules.No problem,it just takes a while,will get back to you ASAP.

5/16 from EM:    The Pilot for this trip will be ,Mr. Xxxx Xxxxxxx.  …  You can provide the funds in the form of a money order or bank draft or ? These days in Iowa, personal checks are a pain.

5/19 from EM:  Here is the pilot info. you need.  …  If you can send the deposit ASAP,the schedule is set.

5/19 from JG:  I will send a $500 money order tomorrow.

5/20 from JG:  Can you tell me how this will work.

5/21 from EM:  I will have answers to your Questions tomorrow.I am really busy now.

5/26 from JG:  Can you tell me how this will work.

5/26 from EM:    I will,Going to be out of pocket for a day on half.Have a call into Xxxx,so I can answer your questions.

6/2 from EM:    Xxxx is really busy as of late.I am going to find another Pilot,for your flight.Will get back to you,ASAP.

6/2 from JG:   I am not comfortable with what is happening.  Please stop and send my $500 back.  

6/2 from EM:  Do you know how much TIME ,I have in this deal,and your going to cancel??????REALLY.NO!!!!!

6/22 from JG:  Are you going to send my $500 deposit back?

6/22 from EM:  I did a lot of footwork,phone calls and my TIME spent on helping you out,Then you decide you don't want our services.

If I divide my time spent on helping you into 500.00,it's less than min. wage!!!!! I am so sick of you guys wasting my time and energy 

and then cancelling at the last moment. I will send your $ back with a bill for over 500.00.for my Time.Fair enough!!! 

Every services in this country is getting sick of this type of behavior.

The following is what I learned from this experience:

• Eddie gave me a low price at the beginning and then he tried to increase it.

• Eddie would commit to provide me with info by a certain date but he would not provide it.

• On two occasions, I asked for specifics as to how the ferry process worked but Eddie never responded.

• Eddie stated that he always offered a money back guarantee and that he has never had an unsatisfied customer.  

• It appears that neither statement is true.

So, what is my recommendation?  Be very careful in dealing with Eddie Merchant.  If you must, I strongly recommend that you do not give him any money up front.