Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Skipperbuds of Illinois,Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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Skipperbuds of Illinois,Inc. has 11 locations, listed below.

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• 

  Skipperbuds of Illinois,Inc.

  215 Northpoint Drive Winthrop Harbor, IL 60096-1351

• 

  Skipperbuds of Illinois,Inc.

  1351 Egg Harbor Ln Oshkosh, WI 54904-7703

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  Skipperbuds of Illinois,Inc.

  133 N Madison Ave Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235-3415

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  Skipperbuds of Illinois,Inc.

  31535 N Us Highway 12 Volo, IL 60073-9773

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  Skipperbuds of Illinois,Inc.

  12800 Lakeshore Dr Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158-5306

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:02/03/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  My complaint involves the sale of boat with Skipper Bud's as the selling broker, storage and service provider.I bought my boat from Skipper Bud's (Antioch) and used them for service and winter storage. Every year I requested general maintenance and upkeep. Once I decided to sell and use their brokerage services, i signed their agreement which involved a minimum $2,000 brokerage fee (spring 2024).The sales *** suggested the boat to sell for $16-18,000. I asked we start at $16,000 for a better chance to sell. As the spring and summer progressed I received no proactive communication for the sales ***. I reached her to drop the price as the boat was not selling and clearly overpriced. Finally a buyer offer $7,000 in the fall but the sale fell through when they came to see the boat and the trim wouldn't function (Skipper Bud's claimed it was due to a dead battery).This January another buyer offered the same price but lowered after inspection revealed much ***airs needed to the boat which I was unaware of. I agreed to sell the boat at $4,750 rather than spend the money to ***air myself and lose a sale.After lousy advice, no support or service from the sales *** I am still being forced to pay $2,000 brokerage fee (42% of my sale price). If i was given better advice on pricing and service maintained the boat as I expected, I would not have most so much money.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/20/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  UnresolvedMore 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 wanted to buy a 2024 ****** EX Sport. I was on ******** and saw an advertisement about that very thing. I input my information and asked for information. Next morning a lady by the name of ************************* had called and left a message and sent me an email answering my questions regarding the advantages of the ****** over a Seadoo Spark. After some back and forth we agreed on model and price. She sent me wire instructions for the money transfer. Unfortunately, I didn't stop an ask myself to stop and think about this all or nothing arrangement. But based on Skipperbuds reputation I let that go and sent the money. For the next five days ************************* kept me posted on how things were going. The installed speaker system with amplifier, and depth finder. The day of arrival I couldn't wait to get the ski. That day was Monday July 29th, 2024. At 7 PM a driver by the name of *** was supposed to arrive and deliver my ski. Unfortunately that never happened. Next morning the phone no longer worked and the email account had been deleted or taken down. But regardless I wasn't able to send an email. I don't understand why this occurred nor do I understand how I'm just out of luck. No money and no jetski. It's an abomination to conduct business this way. I'm retired and live on my pension and Social Security. I don't have ******* to waste. I need my money back or my 2024 jetski. But one or the other needs to occur

  Business Response

  Date: 08/26/2024

  Dear *** or Madam,
  I have been asked to respond to your letter regarding the Better Business Bureau complaint (ID *********. At the onset, it is important to note that the complainant, *********************, filed a similar action with the North Carolina ********** of ************************************* to which I recently responded.

  Unfortunately,we believe ************ was the victim of a fraudulent operation. ************ was under the impression he was dealing directly with SkipperBuds of Illinois.However, he was communicating through a fake website with the domain name skipperbudsusa.comthat is not associated in any way with SkipperBuds of Illinois. Moreover,there is no person by the name of ************************* that is employed by SkipperBuds of Illinois.
  

  By way of background, SkipperBuds of Illinois is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MarineMax,Inc. (NYSE: HZO). MarineMax was recently awarded the domain name marinemaxusa.com after it filed a Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP) Complaint with the ***************************************** In late July 2024, we became aware of the website skipperbudsusa.com which similarly used the disputed domain name to set up a website that we characterize as an apparent effort to lure website visitors to submit their personal information in order to request a consultation with a boating specialist and presumably purchase a boat, or a personal watercraft in the instance of Mr. Lake. MarineMax and SkipperBuds of Illinois contend that the purported operations of the skipperbudsusa.com website are bogus. The website displayed product images from SkipperBuds legitimate website skipperbuds.com. We were in the process of initiating a second UDRP Complaint for the skipperbudsusa.com domain when it was suddenly taken down by the bad actors. For your consideration, Ive attached the award from WIPO for the marinemaxusa.com domain.
  

  While we are truly sympathetic to Mr. ***** loss, neither SkipperBuds of Illinois nor MarineMax is responsible for it. However, we remain committed to assist your agency and any other law enforcement agency with their continued investigations to bring justice for Mr. Lake. Should you have any question or would like to discuss this matter in more detail, please feel free to contact me directly at ********************************.
  

  Sincerely,
  ***********************, General Counsel
  MarineMax,Inc.
  

  
  

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/26/2024

   
  Complaint: 22158187
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I am out $10k. I felt I was dealing with Skipper buds. I find extremely difficult to understand how a business that has far more money than I do can just turn their back on me, and claim that it's not their issue is disrespectful. They could offer a huge discount on a ****** EX  sport. Or perhaps they have a used one that they could just offer me as a consolation to my loss of $10k. I'm retired, 62 and I doubt I'll ever have the opportunity to purchase a PWC. Because of age and financial concerns, this obviously isn't their issue but as a business they hold some accountability. After all it's their reputation that caused me to get scammed. I just strongly believe they can find away to offer some sort of compensation to help a customer who felt he was dealing with them. I've heard of other companies doing similar things. Certainly, I don't expect a check for $10k but a used ski that's been serviced and in good shape would be far better than just being told not our problem. It's just good business to help someone rather than just casting them out. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/05/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  Starting in November 2023, Skipper Buds, talked me into storing my boat there, so it could be a winter project for the new mechanic. The hoses, clamps and plugs needed to be reattached. They never did have a mechanic work on it, and when the boat was picked up in April 2024, nothing had been done. I would never have left it there, unless the project would have been worked on. I paid $1,246.00 for the winter storage. I spoke with both *********************** and ******************* several times and e-mails were sent about a partial refund. I even spoke with them explaining my frustration, and felt they were taking advantage of a recently widowed boat owner, who knows very little about cruiser boats. I have copies of the emails, but don't know how to attached them to this complaint. I can either bring them to your office or mail them to you.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/11/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  We purchased a brand new, $78,000 usd, boat from Skipper Buds in ******* IL in January of 2023 and have had nothing but problems with getting them to complete the warranty repair work. Their lack of a Quality check process from the manufacturer has resulted in our list of over 30 repairs! We have had to bring the boat back several times to try and get everything on the boat and trailer repaired. The lack of customer service response and urgency is unacceptable and the worst we have ever seen. The first time we brought our boat in for warranty work they forgot they had it after it being on their property for several months. My husband phoned to see what the progress was and was told they haven't looked at it yet and forgot it was there. We have had our boat in for warranty repair time more than we have had it on the water. We phone to check on the status constantly and are told we will receive a call the next day and never receive a call. We have communicated with ********, ******, and ******* and keep getting pushed off and no resolution. They still have our boat and trailer and we were now told that the part for the trailer is on its way but they can't confirm an exact date. We want this business to take accountability and provide the proper customer service required for a consumer that has spent a large amount of money with their business. This business is horrible!!

• Initial Complaint

  Date:07/14/2023

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore 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 attempted to purchase a boat on 7/1/2023, paid a $1000 deposit, but was not approved for the financing from Skipperbuds on 7/7/2023. I emailed the salesperson ***** on 7/8/2023 asking that she relay a message to ***************** in the ****************** to please refund the $1000 as deposits are fully refundable we were told. ***** contacted us so we left a message with **** on 7/10/2023 to please refund the $1000. and again, no response. On 7/13/2023 I spoke to **** asking when I would be refunded the $1000 and she stated that "she would have to contact corporate regarding the refund because it was paid through their website". No communication whatsoever and it is now 7/14/2023.

  Business Response

  Date: 07/17/2023

  This email is to inform you that the refund in question has been processed per the customer request. Additionally, we had been in contact with the complainant prior to the filing of the complaint

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/18/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  We have been loyal customers of Skipper Buds for almost 8 years. In the last two years, the service had declined tremendously and we have had nothing but problems with the service department. In October of 2021 we requested a variety of services for our pontoon boat, which is typically addressed during the off season. Our point of contact was and remains *************************. During this time we were also receiving winter storage bills. We reached out to **** via email and phone in October 2022, November 2022, January 2023, February 2023 for a status on the work requested. It wasn't until March 24, 2023 when we finally heard from him. We meet with him in person to review the outstanding work from 2021 and 2022. He assured us all would be done by May 1, 2023. He also assured us he would be better at communicating with **, which has not been the case. For our troubles, we were offered a $1500 credit, which we accepted, to be applied to our final bill on or about May 1, 2023. To date, the credit has not been applied. We have also been charged late fees for not paying the final bill. Furthermore, we reached out to **** on May 8 and 11 notifying him of the bill errors, and to also let him know our boat is missing items and a recently installed item isn't working properly. He has made no attempt to contact us via email or phone. It is not unlike **** to go weeks or even months without responding to communication. We have been patient and tried to be understanding during this time, however, we have reached the point of frustration due to the total lack and disregard of customer service. We do not feel as though we have truly been valued as loyal customers, or that **** has any respect for us. We want all late fees removed, the credit applied, our outstanding items returned and repaired, and to not be ignored.