- Report: #887680
Complaint Review: Freedom Boat Club
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| Freedom Boat Club
Naples, Florida United States of America |
|
Freedom Boat Club Freedom Boat Club Naples, Florida Deceptive, Naples, Florida
*REBUTTAL Owner of company: Membership Options
*Consumer Comment: I did not continue my membership...
*REBUTTAL Owner of company: Improvements at FBC
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I joined Freedom Boat Club of Sarasota 11 years ago (2001). I loved it. Pay your 5 year fee, take a boat and pay for the gas, easy. The boats were nice, people were friendly, everything was good.
I moved to Naples, Florida and was able to use my membership there.
I even coughed up over $5,000 exra to become a LIFETIME member. What did that get me? NOTHIN!
As the years passed the quality of the boats deteriorated. Freedom kept promising they were bringing really nice boats from other areas. Not so.
Last year I had enough. I quit them and they didn't even ask why.
Their computerized reservation system allows members to reserve a boat months in advance then not show up. (tying up the boats)
Keep in mind, the more cancellations they have, the more the boats sit without wear and tear. Good for THEM.
If the boat does not go out for the day it is best for Freedom.
I could not get a decent boat even though I tried 2-3 weeks in advance.
Freedom was advertising like crazy for new members and old members could not get a boat.
They only alot 12 boats per location. Most of them are now crappy, beat up boats.
It got to the point where I would have been embarrassed to have guests or business associates join me. The boats were in horrible condition. Dirty, mechanically unsound and beat up. Radios never work, mold, dirt, antennas broken, bimini tops ripped etc.
When I made numerous calls to the home office I got promises and lies.
Do not join this bunch. They are interested in your membership money and to heck with the "boating experience".
I moved to Naples, Florida and was able to use my membership there.
I even coughed up over $5,000 exra to become a LIFETIME member. What did that get me? NOTHIN!
As the years passed the quality of the boats deteriorated. Freedom kept promising they were bringing really nice boats from other areas. Not so.
Last year I had enough. I quit them and they didn't even ask why.
Their computerized reservation system allows members to reserve a boat months in advance then not show up. (tying up the boats)
Keep in mind, the more cancellations they have, the more the boats sit without wear and tear. Good for THEM.
If the boat does not go out for the day it is best for Freedom.
I could not get a decent boat even though I tried 2-3 weeks in advance.
Freedom was advertising like crazy for new members and old members could not get a boat.
They only alot 12 boats per location. Most of them are now crappy, beat up boats.
It got to the point where I would have been embarrassed to have guests or business associates join me. The boats were in horrible condition. Dirty, mechanically unsound and beat up. Radios never work, mold, dirt, antennas broken, bimini tops ripped etc.
When I made numerous calls to the home office I got promises and lies.
Do not join this bunch. They are interested in your membership money and to heck with the "boating experience".
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 05/24/2012 01:53 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/Freedom-Boat-Club/Naples-Florida-34108/Freedom-Boat-Club-Freedom-Boat-Club-Naples-Florida-Deceptive-Naples-Florida-887680. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
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Search Tips#1 REBUTTAL Owner of company
Membership Options
AUTHOR: FreedomBoatClub - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Tuesday, February 19, 2013
I apologize for your experience. I would like to discuss this situation in more detail. Please call me at your earliest convenience to discuss your membership options. I can be reached at 941-451-8756 X302.
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What's this? #2 Consumer Comment
I did not continue my membership...
AUTHOR: Fifi - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Sunday, February 17, 2013
I absolutely LOVED FBC. I was a member for 3 years (bought someone's 5 year membership so FBC made even more money). It was wonderful to show up and get a boat any time (in the summer...season months were very difficult). The boats were nice and we had a great time. But then the boats became old and dingy. They broke down often but thankfully I knew how to do little things to the engine to get her running again as the boat guys showed me. The radios and speakers never worked, sometimes there were no anchors or the anchors were way too light and little to keep the boats anchored for the light currents in the bays.
But I dealt with that. I never complained...until...I did the reciprocal use in Miami. WOw, those boats are horrid compared to Naples! My friend was hurt by the bimini pole flying off and hitting her in the head and the staff never apologized or even asked how she was afterward. I wanted an apology, nothing more, and MR. DALEY (the Prez of FBC at the time) called me and berated me, called me fat, argued with me, belittled me, insulted me over and over and never once was kind or apologetic to the fact that my friend was hurt!!!! I quit the club that day as that moron was in charge of so many FBC locations.
I was elated to hear he IS GONE!!!! but no one has ever contacted me to get me back :( I would love to come back if that heathen is gone. I could have easily sued FBC for what happened, but that was never my intention. I wanted to know that me, as a member, meant something as did my company that were boating with me. It was such a horrible experience with him. I can't even begin to go into what this "man" went on to say to me. He was bitter, hateful and condescending. WOw, I'm relieving it as I type this.
I would really consider coming back as I really liked the crew at the Naples location and it looks like there are new boats at the marina (I drove by the other day). I hope the new owner cares about his members and their friends and family. I know of 2 people that left due to Daley and 3 more that did NOT take a membership due to what I went through in Miami and the aftermath of it.
I do miss FBC.
But I dealt with that. I never complained...until...I did the reciprocal use in Miami. WOw, those boats are horrid compared to Naples! My friend was hurt by the bimini pole flying off and hitting her in the head and the staff never apologized or even asked how she was afterward. I wanted an apology, nothing more, and MR. DALEY (the Prez of FBC at the time) called me and berated me, called me fat, argued with me, belittled me, insulted me over and over and never once was kind or apologetic to the fact that my friend was hurt!!!! I quit the club that day as that moron was in charge of so many FBC locations.
I was elated to hear he IS GONE!!!! but no one has ever contacted me to get me back :( I would love to come back if that heathen is gone. I could have easily sued FBC for what happened, but that was never my intention. I wanted to know that me, as a member, meant something as did my company that were boating with me. It was such a horrible experience with him. I can't even begin to go into what this "man" went on to say to me. He was bitter, hateful and condescending. WOw, I'm relieving it as I type this.
I would really consider coming back as I really liked the crew at the Naples location and it looks like there are new boats at the marina (I drove by the other day). I hope the new owner cares about his members and their friends and family. I know of 2 people that left due to Daley and 3 more that did NOT take a membership due to what I went through in Miami and the aftermath of it.
I do miss FBC.
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What's this? #3 REBUTTAL Owner of company
Improvements at FBC
AUTHOR: FreedomBoatClub - (United States of America)
SUBMITTED: Saturday, May 26, 2012
As the new owner of FBC (March 2011) I would like to apoligize if we have not met your membership expectations. I would also like to apoligize that we did not speak when you decided to cancel your membership. Last summer, I began personally calling any member that cancelled their membership. I would invite you to call me at (941) 451-8756 to discuss your membership experience.
Since March of 2011 I have purchased and taken delivery of 75 new boats, 11 of which are in the Naples location. Additionally, I have 43 boats ordered that will be delivered between June and September 2012, 5 of which will be located in Naples. That will bring our fleet size in Naples up to 25 boats.
In March this year we also unveiled our new online reservation system with several new features that our old system did not have. One major improvement was a tracking mechanism that notifies the office when a member does not show up for, or cancel their reservation in a timely manner. Members who do not cancel timely or simply don't show are being charged a penalty fee and we hope this acts as a deterent for those members. Our program works very well when our members follow the rules and regulations established to ensure all members have equal access. Nothing would make me happier than to know that every boat we have is being used and every member that wants a boat on a specific day is out enjoying the water.
Our goal has been, and always will be to provide a hassle free alternative to boat ownership. While we are not perfect, we will continue to improve and I hope you will give me an opprtunity to prove that to you.
Since March of 2011 I have purchased and taken delivery of 75 new boats, 11 of which are in the Naples location. Additionally, I have 43 boats ordered that will be delivered between June and September 2012, 5 of which will be located in Naples. That will bring our fleet size in Naples up to 25 boats.
In March this year we also unveiled our new online reservation system with several new features that our old system did not have. One major improvement was a tracking mechanism that notifies the office when a member does not show up for, or cancel their reservation in a timely manner. Members who do not cancel timely or simply don't show are being charged a penalty fee and we hope this acts as a deterent for those members. Our program works very well when our members follow the rules and regulations established to ensure all members have equal access. Nothing would make me happier than to know that every boat we have is being used and every member that wants a boat on a specific day is out enjoying the water.
Our goal has been, and always will be to provide a hassle free alternative to boat ownership. While we are not perfect, we will continue to improve and I hope you will give me an opprtunity to prove that to you.
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