Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  06/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  September 2021 I began working with Michael E***** (owner) to plan a beach party. I planned to use his company for rentals for 40 chairs, umbrellas, cabanas, and coolers for an event May 28 2022. I paid in full in January 2022, per his policy. On May 25, we spoke on the phone when he said he doesn't think we are a good fit to work with him. I later found out that a permit was needed to have an event this size and was never obtained. He was extremely rude and degrading on the phone. I moved forward the next day with canceling the reservation after calling the city and learning he never obtained the permit needed to have our event and feeling uncomfortable with the way he spoke to me. He refunded only 75% per his cancellation policy. However, I believe he owes me the remaining 25% because he was never planning on fulfilling the paid for service since he did not obtain the necessary permit.

  Business response

  06/22/2022

  Business Response /* (1000, 5, 2022/06/18) */ The customer inquired about renting beach chairs for a gathering she was planning. We made good faith efforts to assist her for several months. The customer agreed to the terms stated clearly on the website,including the cancellation policy, and booked the rental items. The customer arrived to town several days ahead of her beach day and attempted to secure the same items from another vendor. Mistakenly assuming they would be able to offer the equipment, the customer broadsided us with a late night phone call demanding a cancellation at the last moment. We requested a conversation in the morning so she could decompress. I offered that she may struggle to find service elsewhere at such late notice and that we had worked very hard for her for many months and that everything was in place for them to enjoy a day on the beach. She did not tell me she attempted to use the service of another company at that time but demanded we cancel. I did as requested and refunded the order while deducting the cancellation fee stated in her agreement and wished her well. Consumer Response /* (3000, 8, 2022/06/21) */ (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) This vendor (Folly Beach Chair Company) is fraudulent and had no plans to complete the service that I paid for. I am certain of this because I found out that a permit through the city of Folly Beach is required in order to host an event of our size (greater than 25 people). I called the city hall and Michael never applied for a permit. Therefore, it would have been illegal to have my event. This business is fraudulent. Business Response /* (4000, 10, 2022/06/21) */ This company rents beach chairs we do not plan events and as such, we are not required to pull permits.This person attempted to subvert the contract at what they believed was a less expensive vendor and then cancel our service. This backfired as the other vendor did not want to deal with her aggressive and demeaning attitude and told her she needed a permit. I have no requirement to pull a permit to rent chairs. She would have had a great time as hundreds of others did with us that day.

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