Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/15/2023

  Type:Order 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.

  On 7/22/22, I took my Tritoon to Am. Equip. to get a new siding/insert installed. I met with Darleen (the owner's mother/employee) to write up a work order and leave a deposit. The initial quote was $2500. While there, Darleen asked what else I may need done. As noted on her work order, they agreed to install new gauges including a gas, tach, speed, depth finder, new stereo/speakers, and captains chair. (I ordered the chair) I wrote a deposit for $1200. On 8/23/22, I picked up the boat, paid an additional $3,711 and while driving across the lake noticed the fuel gauge was flipping back and forth and the stereo was cutting out. I called Darleen while on the lake, and was told they would get it back in to fix. (Cell phone records show my 8 min. call) I was concerned because the lake drawn down was approaching. I continued to call but there was no urgency to complete the job. When the lake levels rose in March, I began calling again, but was told I'd have to get my own trailer to get in and other excuses. On May 2, her son and owner Rob, was scheduled to come to my dock to try and fix issues, but he never showed up or called. I asked for the itemized bill, but was told they didn't have it. I was also told by Darleen that they did not do electrical work, although it was on her initial work order and mentioned on their facebook page. My boat was unusable as now the navigation lights were not working (they were before), and I had no working depth finder. I asked a male friend to go see Rob to try to find a resolution. Rob was irritated and told him to take the boat to **** ****** and he would pick up the bill. Rob is now offering to pay a "portion" of the electrical work but says he "put the new gauges in" as promised, but didn't say they would work. Oxford's definition of installing is "to fix equipment into a position so that it can be used." I am now forced to pay double labor. They should have notified me they were unable to perform the electrical work at the start.

  Business Response

  Date: 08/22/2023

  Here is a Copy of ***** ******* Invoice of what was done on her boat. Also copies of bill we paid from **** ****** on what they thought we should cover to make things right.

  Rod said if you have any more question please give him a call

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

  Customer Answer

  Date: 08/25/2023

  
  
  Complaint: ********
  
  
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 

   

  I am rejecting this response because:  After multiple attempts to get a detailed invoice from Am Equip, it was finally produced per your request.  The invoice appears to be fraud. 1) taxes at the bottom of the receipt are $140.00.  At 7% tax rate on $4,911.00, this number is suspicious and appears to make the receipt match my payments after the fact. Reporting incorrect taxes is fraud.  2) No labor is included on the receipt.  3) I did not order or approve "new bimini top and boot" for $1200. The bimini "cover" and "boot" are easily zipped into place, and these 2 items on Amazon are less than $200. The bill for $1,200.00 appears to suggest a full bimini top replacement which would include new aluminum railings. Pictures (attached) and confirmed by **** **** and his technician show no new railings. **** agreed this is a false charge. (fraud)

  
  

  **** **** could not find any payment made by Am Equip. as stated in the response to the BBB.  **** also agreed all the electrical items that they had to fix to complete the job should be paid for by Am Equip and not double billed to me. After speaking at length with **** ****, I am now aware that **** ******, General Manager of **** ******, and *** ********** are very close friends. This is a conflict of interest for a fair resolution.

  I attempted to set up a meeting at **** ****** for today, Friday 8/26/23, but the meeting was never confirmed by ***x as promised. I have agreed to pay the portion of work done that was discovered on my engine once **** received my boat. I do NOT agree to pay for any of the Am Equip issues that Rob agreed to pay when telling me to "take the boat to **** and he would pick up the full ticket."  These items include: 1) items I did not request or approve (bimini top for $1200 which should be refunded minus the $200 of canvas top supplies  2) electrical issues that never worked, yet were paid for upon picking up the boat last August. 3) additional damage caused by their poor electrical work (melting of fuse box which could have resulted in personal injury if **** had not discovered and repaired.)

  
  

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

  ###-###-####

  **************@gmail.com

  
  

  
  

  Attachments: 

  1) Invoice from American Equipment (appears fraudulent per taxes and parts not installed, but charged)

  2) Initial work order showing I did not request a bimini top

  3) Image of my boat at **** ****** now. Old bimini railings. (agreed by **** **** and technician that this is not new as quoted for $1200 on Am Equip invoice)

  4) Image of navy cloth cover which I did not request, but is only $200 on Amazon, so I will accept as I have already paid to Am Equip.) I request the $1,000 refunded since they did NOT install a new bimini. Only 2 pieces of cloth. 

  5) Image of notes taken when I first spoke with Darleen to get on a waiting list for the boat siding. Note: I wrote that no bimini top is needed. 

  
  

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