Complaints

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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/19/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 emailed before the event to ask how much drinks would cost on the boat. ***** informed me that beer and wine would be $9 and cocktails would be $11 (see photo). However, upon boarding the boat, beer and wine were $12 and cocktails were $16 (see menu). He is claiming to have made an error in providing old info. I'm incredulous to believe it was just an error. Regardless, I'm shocked a business owner wouldn't issue a refund after providing the wrong information to a customer. Email the manager at ******************************** Refund for my ticket ($26), my girlfriend's ticket ($26), and our drinks ($35).I also want them to change their no-refund policy, as Trip Advisor shows that I am not the only dissatisfied customer seeking compensatory retribution.Finally, I believe they should be required to post their drink prices on their website and state explicitly that drinks are not free, as their current practice is to implydue to lack of information that drinks are free. NOTE. This is Chicago Party Boats. This is not ************************ or any other boating company listed within the BBB repositoryI'm not sure how, but they have a very under-the-radar business that has no address, no accessible phone number, and an email only accessible after contacting help through Eventbrite. Please contact *********************** directly.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/19/2024

  Dear BBB,  
  
  This customer purchased two tickets from us for about $26 each.  Customer emailed us asking for drink prices and we sent them the email template that we send out anytime that we get this question that shows that Margaritas are $11.  Please note we are the Event Organizer and do not own the venue/boat and thus are not the business that sells the Margaritas at issue.  
  
  The customer then went on the cruise and found out that Margaritas were $16, not $11.  We were unaware that our template response was not up to date and have now updated it for future use.  This was a simple mistake. As per the customer's request, we have refunded the customer the difference including tip ($12).  We do not feel that a full refund for tickets and drinks is required as the customer has been made whole to all of their expectations and incurred no other actual monetary damages beyond the $12 extra he paid for the Margaritas. On top of that refunded amount, we also offered the customer 2 free tickets to their choice of 4 of our upcoming events.
  
  The customer also claims that we are practicing deceptive business practices.  There is nowhere on our website where it says that drinks are included in the ticket price. Whenever a customer asks how much drinks are on the boat or if drinks are included in the ticket price, we let them know the drink pricing without hesitation.  It is also important to note that this customer knew that drinks were not included in his two tickets that he purchased and went on the boat ready to pay for his drinks, so his claim seems a bit unfair.
  
  We feel strongly that we have gone above and beyond to correct our mistake and feel strongly that we are not practicing any deceptive business practices.  No business in their right mind would try to be deceptive for what amounts to $12; especially when that $12 is not even for a product we sell.
  
  Attached is our email communication with this customer for review.
  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/22/2024

   
  Complaint: 22008054
  

  As the manager/owner is aware, I am not satisfied with this response, and it does not resolve my complaint.

  As the Chicago Party Boat's response correctly states, I "incurred no other actual monetary damages beyond the $12." Yet, monetary damage is not the only type of damage. I am seeking a refund because my expectation going on to the boat was that drinks would be one price, only to find they were a different more expensive price. This 1. was confusing for those with which I shared the information and 2. made for a very disappointing boat ride. Part of the reason I was excited about the boat ride was because I was told the drinks would be cheapI assessed this value in the decision to buy my ticket. As such, when I discovered I would be on this boat for 3 hours with more expensive drinks than promised, I was quite disappointed. 

  YesI did buy a drink on the boat after seeing the price. My plan going into the event was to buy drinks. I was deceivedintentionally or notinto getting on this boat, and subsequently paid the price. If anything, the managers could argue that I should indeed pay the full price of the drinks, because I saw the advertised cost on the menu and still purchased it; if we are using that logic, I should then not be paying for the boat ticket because I was told an erroneous price of the drinks beforehand that me to buy the boat tickets. 

  Consider a similar example: I buy a ticket for Amusement Park A instead of a competitors because this park advertises really cheap food deals. I find out that they lied or were wrong and the food was actually comparable to Amusement Park B's prices. Yet, I'm already in the park and have my ticket to stay for three hours. Of course, I have to stay, buy food, and hope to seek a refund later.

  NoI am not saying they ever deceived by actively lying to me or other customers (although it's possible). I am moreso saying that they are deceiving through omission. Many of my friends who were on the boat believed the drinks would be free. As stated in their response to the BBB, they do in fact not state anywhere that drinks will be free. However, they do not state anywhere that drinks cost moneynot even in their frequently asked questions on their Eventbrite page, where tickets are purchased. 

  To this end, I am requesting at least the refund of the 2 $26 tickets I purchased and that the Chicago Party Boat advertise the price of their drinks on their website or Eventbrite page. What Chicago Party Boats seems to not understand is that part of the reason I bought this ticket is because of the prices, which was wrong. So, they should fix my situation with a refund and edit their advertising to clarify exactly what their drinks cost. 

  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************

  Business Response

  Date: 07/24/2024

  We will provide the customer with a full refund for the two tickets in exchange for customers agreement to close and consider this matter resolved to his satisfaction. 

  Please note we cannot list liquor prices on our website for a variety of reasons and cannot change our advertising because this customer wants us to. We provided the list as a courtesy to this customer directly even though we do not serve the liquor or own the boat.  Unfortunately a mistake was made by an employee in our customer service.  Furthermore, nothing on our website indicates the drinks are included or free and it is industry standard that an explicit statement, such as "drinks included", would be indicated in the advertising.  Our advertising is dictated by our management and legal counsel and if this customer will not consider this resolved then unfortunately there is nothing further we can do and the refund we offered herein in full resolution of this matter will not be provided

  Customer Answer

  Date: 07/24/2024

   
  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.

  I will accept your refund. I do seriously appreciate your willingness to accomodate the consumer in this instance, and I hope that going forward you will be more ready to negotiate with customer complaints and those seeking refunds. 

  Sincerely,
  
  ***********************