Complaint Review: Seminole Boat Sales - Largo Florida

Seminole Boat Sales, Inc. in Largo, FL the perfect example of Caveat Emptor or Buyer Beware. Unfortunately, Seller Beware also applies with this business.

We are the owners of nice bow rider boat, and had listed it for sale with a boat association. Seminole Boat Sales, Inc. of Largo, FL obtained our contact information from this association and approached us about allowing them to consign sell our boat. They assured us that they have never taken more than 60 days to sell a boat. We set our minimum net amount, and Seminole Boat Sales would retain the difference of what they sold the boat for. We also paid a monthly advertising fee and a monthly cleaning fee to Seminole Boat Sales, Inc.

Nine months later, the boat remained for sale with very little activity. We decided that we would like to take our boat out for a weekend, as we had close friends coming to town. Please keep in mind, we remain the titled owners of the craft, make the monthly payment on the craft, as well as insure the craft.

Upon contacting Seminole Boat Sales on Friday morning, June 6, 2008, advising that we would be taking our boat out for the weekend, the business proceeded to ensue in some very unprofessional behavior. First, Seminole Boat Sales staff (Charlie) advised that we would have to pay a $500 contract termination fee. We did not intend to terminate the contract, just to use our boat for a weekend with friends. Seminole Boat Sales contract language reads, This agreement shall be for a minimum term of 60 days commencing on the date hereof______ and thereafter until 30 days following the date of written notice of cancellation of this agreement. If said boat is removed from SBSI before end of this agreement a fee of $500.00 will apply.

We attempted to partner with Seminole Boat Sales, and advised we did not intend to terminate the agreement, even though it was not successful at this point, we just wanted to use our property for the weekend. This infuriated Charlie who immediately went on the defensive, and began throwing his limited contract language out repeatedly versus professionally attempting to work with his customer. We advised we would be picking up our boat by end of day for our weekend outing.

Upon arriving at Seminole Boat Sales, we were treated again very poorly. Charlie had conveniently left for the day, but his associate Bryce was present. Bryce started the conversation by informing us that an interested party from Holland has magically appeared coincidently, and that he understands that we want to use our boat for the weekend, and said, How will you be paying the fee, cash or credit card? Needless to say, we were confused, disappointed and frustrated. Paying the fee would cancel the agreement, which we never advised we were interested in doing. The contract language does not stipulate anything regarding personal use for a day.

At this point, we were also very skeptical of providing these professionals with any kind of credit card number. Previously, we had provided our credit card number to them for the monthly fees, and coincidently, fraudulent gas charges in Florida of $100 each spread apart by exactly one week presented on our card. The credit card was cancelled, and the creditor is researching the charges. This, coupled with their behavior to this point, made us extremely uncomfortable providing them with a credit card. We are also not in the habit of carrying around $500 in cash.

Remind you, we had had approximately 4 conversations with Charlie and Bryce earlier in the day, and at no point had they advised that this fee, which we were challenging, had specific methods of payment that would be acceptable. The contract language also does not support the assumption that the fee needs to be paid at the time of picking up our own property.

At this point, we were not comfortable with Seminole Boat Sales having any kind of access to our boat, as their contract language also states that they are not responsible for any damage to the boat, including any negligence by them. Begrudgingly, we agreed to pay the fee, which would terminate the entire agreement immediately. We did, however, advise that they should either invoice us, as they do with their monthly fees, or we could provide them with a check. Again, their contract language does not support immediate payment or method of payment. Bryce responded, Well, we wouldn't be in this position if you wouldn't have talked to Charlie earlier the way you did. Needless to say, we were astounded. This business, and I use the word very loosely, believed they could change up the rules dependent on how they felt and how nice you were to Charlie.

When I mentioned that I can't imagine they think it is acceptable to treat customers this way, and of course this would be reported to the Better Business Bureau, Bryce responded, You have to be careful living here in Florida doing stuff like that. Not sure if that was a threat, but this was reported to the police as well.

These folks were now holding our property without permission, and had no intention of working with us, their customer. We had no option at this point but to call the police. As soon as we advised we were going to contact the police for assistance, Bryce said, Then get off our property, you are now trespassing. Remind you, our boat still remains on their property.

The Largo Police arrived very promptly, and one of the officers actually advised that he was just called out to Seminole Boat Sales the prior week for a very similar scenario. The police reviewed the contract and agreed that the language does not support what Seminole Boat Sales was attempting to do, but that unfortunately, this is a civil matter, and we would have to pursue it via the courts. They also advised that Bryce was not being cooperative.

At this point, we just wanted our $35,000 boat away from these folks. We paid the fee via a credit card, and requested that the police monitor Bryce pulling out our boat. We can not speak highly enough of the Largo Police department. They were very patient and attempted to reason with Bryce and Seminole Boat Sales, and were kind enough to share with us that this was not their first visit to Seminole Boat Sales.

Everyone, please strongly consider your other options, both boat buyers and boat sellers, before doing business with these folks. There are many, many more honest, reputable businesses out there to partner with.

Deener

Land O Lakes, Florida

U.S.A.