Unfortunately, I have to agree with the fellow from Miramar. The Fort Lauderdale/Miami franchisee of Freedom Boat Club is a bad egg. I don't understand why the folks up in Cincinatti (513) 561.4635) don';t rein in this operator.
Their latest thing (in addition to all that Miramar wrote which is all true and well written) is that their latest credit card release (which is required) states:
"All charges are non-refundable, non-dispustable and final" and "Per transaction, there will be a $75.00 adminsitrative fee for all credit card disputes and declined credit cards. A $75.00 late fee is assessed to each unpaid invoice per month"
Which really means too bad for you - if we screw up (which they did twice last year and I had corrected - under the old terms) too bad for you. Their explantation is that they are charged $75 by the bank. Having spent an hour talking with various banks and VISA, I find that this is another example of FBC BS - the bank charges them about $20 - and FBC deserves to be charges it, not $75
As Miramar more elegantly stated - the boats are poorly maintained, not well cleaned, not available on the weekends unless you reserve 5-6 weeks in advance - and then it is only a half day. Plus you better get back before the fuel dock closes - or they will screw you badly on the fuel charges - which are based on engine hours at wide open throttle!
I thought even with all the disadvantages, that this would be a reasonable deal as I mostly would like to use the boats on the weekdays. However with the latest terminology of the CC agreement - they leave you open to any charges with no legal recourse.
McDonalds is successful for many reasons. Keeping the franchissees on the up and up is one of them. Why Freedom Boat Club does not keep their franchissees in line is beyond me. Every complaint is a black mark on the whole system, and ultimately weakens the franchise as a whole. Good concept - poor execution. Fort Lauderdale/Miami is one of the worst.
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