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:02/26/2024

  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.

  *February 2023, I put down $20,000 (personal check #**** from ************************ on a new duck boat, *************** (order #****). *August 22nd, they told me the motor was weeks from delivery.*September 23rd, ********* duck season opened.*September 28th, they told me the motor was still weeks from delivery, and after the motor arrived, they would then start building the boat. Canceled my order and requested a full refund, told I would get a full refund.*November 8th, told I would get a refund.*December 12th, mailed a letter demanding payment by the end of December, or I would retain a Lawyer. *December 28th, told I would get a full refund by the end of January, 2024.*It is now February 24th, 2024 and I have not heard anything.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/20/2024

  Hello,

  I apologize for my delay in getting back to you.  
  
  
  We have had nothing but the best of intentions with *********************** to build him an amazing custom Gale Marine boat package.  I am so sorry to him that this has taken significantly longer than I had projected to return his deposit.  Our past attempts did not work out for many reasons to reimburse him 100% of his down payment that we received in the mail on March 6, 2023 and I deposited on the same day.  We had used his deposit to purchase the material and parts needed for his build, which had a lead time of 6 months from when we received his deposit.  
  
  
  We are not an assembly line boat manufacturer and are not always able to immediately use or sell the materials and parts we purchase, despite out best efforts, for a boat build when a customer cancels it so close to completion.  We will be taking a 100% loss on the labor and materials purchased for *************************** boat build.  On September 28, 2023, the motor manufacturer communicated to us that unfortunately *************************** motor was delayed due to equipment maintenance at their facility.  **** was informed that we can build our mud boats quickly, usually 1-1/2 - 2 weeks to completion but he was not satisfied with this and canceled his order.  When we receive notification that the motor is being built, which we have found time and time again that at this point we build the boat because it will be ready when the motor arrives.  I should have been a better communicator about the mud boat build process here at Gale Marine.  Every customer is important to us, we build relationships with them.  There are some things that are unavoidable and unpredictable in operating a business.
  
  
  Our plan of action is to refund him the $20,000 within the next 3 weeks.  We will issue a Cashier's Check for this amount and send it Certified Mail with signature so that we both know it is received.  
  
  
  This is the address that I will be sending it to unless he communicates otherwise:
  
  
  ***********************
  *******************************;
  ******, ** 53963
  
  
  
  My apologies,
  
  
  *********************
  Gale Marine
  ************