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Business Profile

Boating Club

Freedom Boat Club, LLC

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

Find BBB Accredited Businesses in Boating Club.

Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Freedom Boat Club, LLC's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Freedom Boat Club, LLC has 129 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 42 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 19 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/25/2023

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Two years ago, my wife and I went on a sales cruise with Freedom Boat Club. We told them we have no interest in joining if our dog could not be included. Our dog was included on the intro cruise, and we were told they welcome dogs, and always would as long as they are well behaved. This was important to us as one cannot just cancel and join another boat club due to a hefty initiation fee of around $6000.Yesterday with no warning we got an email stating that dogs are no longer allowed due to some members allowing their dogs to jump on other people or not cleaning up after them. We interact with at least two Fbc staff members every time we boat and no one has ever complained about our dog to us. They interact and play with her like they quite enjoy her.My first choice for resolution would be that Fbc rescind this reactionary policy and either just target those members whose dogs are creating an issue Or grandfather us in. Second choice, we have found another boat club that says they would welcome all Freedom Boat Club members and our dogs but we have to pay an initiation fee. So our second choice is if they will not rescind the policy that they refund us our initial initiation fee, and this fall and ******* monthly boating feet, as we only stayed in the club so that we could boat this summer and they have dropped this new policy just in time for summer boating. Also we purchase an additional annual insurance policy through them that we would like prorated and refunded. im having trouble uploading them, but I have multiple screenshots of Freedom Boat Clubs policy stating dogs are welcome, and photos used in their ads of dogs on the boat promoting FBC. I am not sure if this is something the BBB can help with or if I need to pursue this on other avenues.Thank you,*********************** FBC corporate is ****** **. Co. ************ ******************************

      Business Response

      Date: 05/30/2023

      Hello ****. After connecting with our local franchisee in *********, we understand a policy change was made that requests no dogs be present on the docks. We understand that you are still free to boat with your dog, but they must be picked up and dropped off at an alternative location. We understand this change will require some additional planning, but this policy is important to maintaining a strong partnership between the local Freedom Boat Club franchisee and the marinas in which they operate out of. Thank you.  

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/22/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      Freedom boat club ******* - charged me a 10 000$ initiation fee and offered me 2x6 months non consecutive pauses 3 years ago. I have been in good standing with them until one month ago, when they said that this franchise is out of business, and instead of 6 standing reservations, can now only offer me 4 and will not honour the 6 month pauses. They told me to take it up with FBC ******* but that the club is now owned by Corporate FBC and their employee who sold me this plan, wasnt allowed to do so and that it isnt their responsibility. Its a classic bait and switch campaign and a scam. People should know about this and I would like my initiation fee back or for them to honour my agreement if I am to stay

      Business Response

      Date: 05/23/2023

      Thank you for connecting with us. Due to certain circumstances, the previous owner of Freedom Boat Club of *******, a franchise location, closed his club and ceased all operations, including cancelling all previous memberships.  Freedom Boat Club Corporate Leadership then opened and started an entirely new club, under a new entity and with new leadership called Freedom Boat Club of ***************.  The new Club neither acquired, nor received any assets and/or liabilities of the now closed Club.  All prior members of the closed club were invited to join the new club by starting a new membership with no entry fees under Freedom corporates current membership structure. If youd like a refund related to membership with your previous (now closed club), you will need to inquire from the previous owner.  Again, we are happy to welcome you as a member to the newly opened Freedom Boat Club of *************** with no entry fee. Thank you.    

      Customer Answer

      Date: 05/24/2023

       
      Complaint: 20081268

      I am rejecting this response because:

      Freedom Boat Club Corporate allowed Freedom Boat club ******* to employ a vice president that appeared in media and made *************** of this franchise representing the general entity and make sales that were false and unsanctioned. Other members have reported the entry fees to be different depending on the person and how much they could be sold for, and the agreement that I have with FBC calls for a minimum boat use that this now new club is not honouring. This is called bait and switch and Ive been told to try and get my money back. This is completely unfair as I took a chance on FBC as one of its first members in ******* for 3 years now, paid 10 000$ in initiation fee and have even had a meeting with the owner of the club 1 month before this bankruptcy saying that he is honouring our agreement. FBC corporate is essentially not taking any responsibility for their brand name to be used in the misleading of consumers and thats what I want to be resolved immediately. I want my plan honoured or my intitiation fee reimbursed

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:05/19/2023

      Type:Billing Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I have signed up for the Freedom Boat Club in 2021 based on the offers and agreements that were made to me by one of their development officers. This was to be the ability to use a credit card for payment without charge, along with a fixed fee of $212.93 per month (including all taxes). In 2022, I was notified by Freedom Boat Club that they were making a unilateral change to no longer accept credit cards without an associated fee of an additional 5% (costs went from $212.93 to $223,63. Recently I was notified of another unilateral change to increase the cost of my membership to $253.63 which represents unilateral increases to my membership of 19%. When I asked for a copy of my contract to verify the legality and my version of the agreement - I have been met with no responses via email or by phone. Then recently, I also received a charge for their "optional" Peace of Mind Deductible Buy Down Plan without prior notice or responses.

      Business Response

      Date: 05/19/2023

      Due to inflationary pressure, we have raised our monthly membership fee. Peace of Mind was included for free for your first year. This plan is listed in the included contract that you signed but can be opted out of. Please contact *********************************** to do so.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 05/19/2023

       
      Complaint: 20078100

      While I appreciate you providing the document that I have been waiting for, for now upwards of 10-days.  I do see that my sales representative had misguided me.  I was told at the time of signup, that I had two options - larger upfront cost, with lower monthly payment - no down payment/membership fee and larger monthly payments - either way my monthly cost would not be modified for the 2-year period.  Obviously, that's not the case as I am reviewing the contract.  Also, I was still informed that I would be able to pay with a credit card without additional costs, which is no longer the case.  While I can appreciate that we're all under inflationary pressure - I would ask that my rate stays the same due to the increased unilateral changes that are not addressed period in the documentation.  It does not give you the right to change or define payment methods that I had already contracted with FBC within.  Nor does it specify my right to have the ability to not pay merchant processing costs.  Between what I feel is a deceptive trade act, while I did sign the attached document outlining the 1-year price lock; your representative was not forthcoming and gave me incorrect information regarding the plans available.

      Sincerely,

      *****************************

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/25/2023

      Type:Product Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I have been a member for 2 months with Freedom Boat Club. I Initially decided to try out the boat club in hopes it would be something fun for my family to do. After trying out the boat life for 2 months, my wife and I decided this just wasnt for **. I explained this to **** and the rest of the team who have contacted **. We were told Freedom Boat Club will not give ** back the 6k entry fee we had to pay. I was told Unfortunately, we do not offer a prorated refund of our entry fee, unless under extenuating circumstances such as a death of a member.Meaningif a member or members husband or wife die, he or she can get a refund on their entry fee during their time with Freedom Boat Club, but someone who was honest about their experience and who has only been a member for 2 months does not get a refund at all???? Am I not understanding how that is fair across the board. I understand Freedom Boat Club has policies to follow, but I dont understand why Freedom Boat Club thinks its ok to keep 6k from a member that has only been there for 2 months. I just cant seem to understand how a business or franchise thinks thats ok. I dont know if its because a commission has been paid out or if there are other reasons, but this is not ok. This seems like Freedom Boat Club is being very selective with their members and not being fair across the board. Im not trying to be a pain, but this is not a way to keep members/customers or gain new members/customers. Im hoping this issue can be resolved

      Business Response

      Date: 05/02/2023

      Hello ****************. Per the contract you reviewed and signed to verify agreement, under point #3 Entry Fee found on the first page of the contract, the entry fee may not be refunded at any time under any circumstance. We do hope that you will consider rejoining the club and exploring the local waterways that make Southwest ******* a great place to live. We would be happy to reverse your cancelation request and reinstate your membership if completed during your 60-day cancellation period. Thank you.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 05/03/2023

       
      Complaint: 19976840

      I am rejecting this response because:

      HERE IS THE ***** FROM YOUR STAFF THAT STATES YOU DO GIVE REFUNDS UNDER extenuating circumstances. Meaning if someone dies. SEE ATTACHED PICTURE. So you can be a member and if you die, you will probably get a refund, but if your only a member for 2 months and youre honest about the experience, you dont get a refund??? How is that ok? Like I saidFREEDOM BOAT CLUB SEEMS TO BE VERY SELECTIVE WITH THEIR MEMBERS.

      Respectfully,

      ***************************

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/06/2023

      Type:Order Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I am a current Freedom Boat Club member in *****, *******. My wife *************************** is also on the account. I was told when I started my membership that my son could replace me as a member when he turned 21, which has been the plan all along since I get seasick easily and never go boating. Well, my son turned 21 last week so I called FBC today to make the switch. Unfortunately I was told that FBC now has a new policy that prevents the switch to my son (apparently there is new ownership). Classless. Absolutely classless.I have requested a membership cancellation due to this. It is flat out unfair and unethical to change this policy mid game, especially after receiving assurances during the recruiting process. Furthermore, It makes zero business sense to lose a customer over a simple family member substitution.******************************* Global Membership ID: ********** Club Membership ID: ****** ******************************************************************************* ************

      Customer Answer

      Date: 04/13/2023

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      Dear BBB,

       

      I Have come to a satisfactory resolution with the company that I filed a complaint against.  I am ready to close my BBB complaint (#********)

       

      Sincerely,

      *********************

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:02/10/2023

      Type:Order Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      The membership experience has been incredibly frustrating and nothing like I was led to believe it would be upon originally signing up. The ability to reserve any location in the Tampa Bay network for the desired craft / time allowed is incredibly limited and inconvenient. I have not been able to take advantage of the membership benefits for months now, and I am paying for something that Im completely unable to utilize. Ive been completely unable to use any of the reciprocal reservations regardless of how far in advance I attempt to book. ** told that Im not able to book a reservation due to the fact Tampa is a franchise and not a corporate club. I'm not provided the Dockmasters numbers or any information to any other club location when requested. I have been able to use this membership as it was intended. I have attempted to book reciprocal reservations numerous times in ***** and in the *************** months in advance for the days that I'm allowed. Every time I attempt to reserve an available craft, the system directs me to contact the Dockmaster. At which point I call the number provided and it routes me to the main helpline and the staff there wont give me any information to the club location I'm trying to book. The reason is because Tampa is not part of the corporate club and is on it's own separate franchise network. The club membership experience feels very much like a bait and switch as I have not been able to utilize the benefits that I'm paying for. I'm looking for a solution as to how Freedom can rectify the lack of availability within Tampa and also solve for the fact I'm not able to book reciprocal reservations. The terms have also recently changed regarding the reservation system and availability has become even more restricted than the original membership I signed up for. Overall, the product that I'm paying for on a monthly basis does not provide any value and is a complete departure from what I was sold when I signed up.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/27/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Answered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      We joined freedom boat club of Tampa Bay in the fall of 2019. The first 6 months to a year it was fine and then they began changing their rules and availability. There have been numerous attempts to cut member benefits and availability of boats. It has now degraded to the point where you need to book a boat roughly 2 months in advance for a weekend reservation. Which we still were able to deal with. But now just this week the company announced that you would only be able to have one weekend reservation at a time. Meaning I cant book other reservations until my ONE weekend reservation had been used. This means Ill get to use a boat one weekend day in June, one in August and one in October. Like most we work during the week and weekday reservations arent a thing we can use most of the time. When they sold us the membership they said we can book 4 rolling reservations any day at any time except at night. It was their selling point and hence their name Freedom Boat Club. There is no freedom in this club anymore. I dont see the value in paying thousands of dollars to join a boat club and pay 350$/month to use a boat 3-4 days a year. We are better off to just rent a boat. In my opinion this club oversold their memberships to such an extreme level they arent able to deliver the service they sold me. In my opinion Freedom boat club and turned in ripoff boat club.

      Business Response

      Date: 02/10/2023

      ******************,

      I see you put your membership on hold last November 15th. Prior to that point, I notice that you had 15 reservations in 2022; seven of which were in July. Hopefully, you have seen the latest weekend policy update. Now that you are permitted to reserve up to four weekend segments out of your six rolling reservations, perhaps you will feel comfortable coming off hold in time for spring or summer. Please feel free to email me at ************************************** or our Membership Experience team at ************************************ if you would care to discuss your account or have any other concerns.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 02/10/2023

       
      Complaint: 18939451

      I am rejecting this response because:

      A. When I make my reservations during the year and how many reservations I make is completely irrelevant to the issue at hand. On a side note the respondent didnt mention all my reservations were used on weekends and it didnt include reservations cancelled due to bad weather.  A truly odd and disingenuous response.

      B. I have been paying for 6 rolling reservations to use at any time; including weekends.  FBC switched to only being able to use 2 rolling reservations for weekends.  After massive membership pushback FBC has now allowed 4 out of 6 reservations to be used on weekends since my initial complaint.  This is still unacceptable, because it takes months to book a decent boat.

      C. FBC has been selling multiple different types of memberships at various prices.  As a result, I am now paying significantly more money for 4 weekend reservations than other members.  

      D. I paid a hefty buy in fee when I joined this club.  Otherwise Id just leave.  Im not finding it acceptable to leave the club and forfeit my buy in fee because FBC keeps changing the rules.  


      E.  When I bought into FBC I was explicitly told by the salesperson there was a 10:1 member to boat ratio with availability 7 days a week.  I highly doubt there is a 10:1 member to boat ratio.  I base this on the fact it takes months to book a decent boat.  But I cannot prove this.  

      F. Perhaps FBC can go on record and tell the public and prospective buyers what the member to boat ratio is?  Not including all the kayaks or non motorized vessels.  

      Sincerely,

      ***************************

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/27/2023

      Type:Customer Service Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      My wife and I had been thinking about joining the Freedom Boat Club of ************ for the better part of a year and in December they were running a year end special so we joined. We were so excited because we sold our boat a while back and have been missing the water. We were scheduled for training a couple weekends later and received a phone call the morning of cancelling the training. Mind you, we cannot use the club benefits until training was complete. After not receiving a call back for a few days to reschedule, I called and was told there weren't any captains available for training and I would receive a call back, which I never received. I sent an email to several employees of the club requesting a full cancellation before things got out of hand and before I got really aggravated and a bad taste for the company. A couple days later I spoke with the office manager to check on the cancellation, she said she had to get with the owner and call me back. Still a week later, no contact. I called two days later and was told the owner would be calling me and here we are, another two days later, still no phone call. If we are having this much trouble just trying to get started with the membership, I cannot imagine the hassle and frustration we would have using the club. I just want a full cancellation.

      Business Response

      Date: 02/16/2023

      Dear BBB, 

      This is an unfortunate situation of miscommunication. 

      The member's training was canceled because our training captain's father passed away the night before the training. This was communicated to the member and multiple attempts to reschedule the training were made. 

      After less than two weeks, the new member requested the refund. We went through our process of communication and our companies protocols for verifying our policies and a refund was issued to the member for the appropriate amount. While the contract and agreement explained that all payments were fully non-refundable, our business did issue a full reimbursement, less minimal expenses that had occurred. 

      This issue was resolved to the customers satisfaction. 

      *************************, 

       

      Customer Answer

      Date: 02/16/2023

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

      Sincerely,

      ***********************

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/26/2023

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      The company changed the reservation agreement and is no longer honoring the original agreement. It effectively reduces the ability to make reservations in half.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 02/09/2023

       
      Better Business Bureau:

      The company has reversed their policy. They have resolved the issue.

      Sincerely,

      ***************************

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:11/22/2022

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Resolved
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I signed up for Freedom Boat Club during Covid. I spoke to multiple Freedom Boat Club locations and was sold on the ability to pay a lifetime membership fee once, but the ability to stop at a club (the monthly member dues) and pick up at the same or a different club at a later date without needing to pay the onetime lifetime membership of several thousand dollars again. When I inquired to exercise this, my local boat club told me I would need to pay the one time lifetime membership fee to start back up. I feel deceived by the club. Similarly, when I joined I was told my boat club in Ventura would be opening in ******************** and my membership would work there. Several years later still no boats for use in ********************. Again, I felt deceived by the boat club. When I explained these issues to the club they said it was tough. I relied on what I was told by multiple Freedom Boat Clubs and also the sales team in marketing that my membership included soon to be available boats in ********************. I am requesting the ability to stop my monthly payments, but the ability to start up again in the future and not need to pay the one time lifetime membership fee again or a refund of my one time membership fee.

      Customer Answer

      Date: 01/26/2023

      Yes.  This has been addressed. 

    Freedom Boat Club, LLC is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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