Factory Direct Marine & RV Fraudulent Inducement, Misrepresentation, Breach of Contract Panama City Beach Florida

In March of 2018 I contacted FACTORY DIRECT MARINE & RV in Panama City, FL about a 2001 Chaparral 280 Signature on their site and Boat Trader (which is still on the site).   The boat showed a MSRP of $52,890.  I made an offer and executed a Buyer Order on the boat, to find out that the boat was not in Panama City but in Ridgeland, SC.  Part of my offer ($30,000) included delivery of the boat to NW FL, TT&L, reimbursement of a marine survey, etc.   I asked Factory Direct to bring the boat down so that I could view the vessel and have a marine survey completed.   They told me that I would have to go to their Ridgeland store but told me that they would assist with the airfare and my expenses.  Prior to going I spoke with Jeff (the GM) and Jim (the Sales Rep) in detail about the boat.  Both said they had personally seen and been on the boat and it was in “good” condition.  Based on that representation we agreed that I would pay for my airfare if they would pay for the marine survey.  The rest of the store is a night mare. 

I hired a professional marine survey company to meet me in Ridgeland.  Not only were there serious mechanical issues, there was body damage, etc.   The marine survey stated that the boat was worth $20,000.   In good faith I provided a copy of the survey to Factory Direct (since they agreed to pay for the survey).  I asked that they repair all items listed all of the issues listed on the vessel and I would move forward.  That where things stalled and could not get a straight answer.  At that point I requested my $2500 deposit back and the reimbursement for the survey.   It took them two weeks to return the deposit after many phone calls and emails.   As of this review, I’ve sent several emails to Jeff (the GM) demanding the reimbursement of the survey feel with no response.   As a result, I am filing a law suit against the company for fraudulent inducement, misrepresentation and breach of contract.   This will allow me to recoup the $750 I paid for the survey, my $800 airline ticket and my time (a full day) I spent off work to travel and see this horrible vessel.

All I can say is what PT Barnum said, “Buyer Beware”.