Caveat emptor, dear reader. Be aware.
With the contract signed and accepted by all parties five months ago, the charter fee paid in full, airline tickets bought, SCUBA plans confirmed, provisions ordered for delivery, and fully packed my wife, daughter, and I were excited to leave for BVI in five days.
We had chartered a Bavaria 46 Vision with Horizon BVI for spring break, over Easter week, and looked forward to boarding on Saturday.
Horizon BVI Manager Henry called yesterday, "I'm afraid I have some bad news. Because you slandered Horizon on "BeneteauOwners.com", my Directors have cancelled your contract.
There is a broker who has secured a boat through another company but at an additional $2,000.00 cost to you."
What slander, Henry, I asked? Did he mean my post on this discussion board in August, 2013 where I gave an account of our harrowing FUBAR 10 day charter of a Jeanneau 50 DS through the Grenadines with Horizon Grenada, in July that year?
Did he mean the 13 page post-charter report of nearly 60 deficiencies (ranging from small to critical) which rendered Horizon's boat un-seaworthy during the trip, imperiling the lives of my family?
I sent that report to Horizon in August, 2013. I explicitly said I was concerned for your company's liability exposure and risk management as well as for the safety of future crew and property associated with Horizon Grenada charters.
I clearly identified myself to Horizon 5 months ago. I gave them a second chance. They executed the contract within two days and even honored a 10% return discount coupon. There was not a question about my instructor status or about my 50 year global sailing history and experience.
All was well until Horizon Yacht Charters chose to initiate a small minded, punitive, and retaliatory decision called "failure to perform".
Henry said the action was covered by a "failure to deliver" clause but that's not in the contract. The boat owner was paid 90 days ago. The boat is in its slip and will remain there next week.
Life goes on, live and learn. There will certainly be no consideration of Horizon Yacht Charters in our future.
Take your chances, dear reader, and best of luck. I don't think this experience reflects the overall standards of professionalism of the charter industry in '15.
I certainly hope not.
Incidentally the charter company of my 2016 Tahiti charter didn't blink when I told them about 2013 out of True Blue Bay. Maybe they had heard it all before.
With the contract signed and accepted by all parties five months ago, the charter fee paid in full, airline tickets bought, SCUBA plans confirmed, provisions ordered for delivery, and fully packed my wife, daughter, and I were excited to leave for BVI in five days.
We had chartered a Bavaria 46 Vision with Horizon BVI for spring break, over Easter week, and looked forward to boarding on Saturday.
Horizon BVI Manager Henry called yesterday, "I'm afraid I have some bad news. Because you slandered Horizon on "BeneteauOwners.com", my Directors have cancelled your contract.
There is a broker who has secured a boat through another company but at an additional $2,000.00 cost to you."
What slander, Henry, I asked? Did he mean my post on this discussion board in August, 2013 where I gave an account of our harrowing FUBAR 10 day charter of a Jeanneau 50 DS through the Grenadines with Horizon Grenada, in July that year?
Did he mean the 13 page post-charter report of nearly 60 deficiencies (ranging from small to critical) which rendered Horizon's boat un-seaworthy during the trip, imperiling the lives of my family?
I sent that report to Horizon in August, 2013. I explicitly said I was concerned for your company's liability exposure and risk management as well as for the safety of future crew and property associated with Horizon Grenada charters.
I clearly identified myself to Horizon 5 months ago. I gave them a second chance. They executed the contract within two days and even honored a 10% return discount coupon. There was not a question about my instructor status or about my 50 year global sailing history and experience.
All was well until Horizon Yacht Charters chose to initiate a small minded, punitive, and retaliatory decision called "failure to perform".
Henry said the action was covered by a "failure to deliver" clause but that's not in the contract. The boat owner was paid 90 days ago. The boat is in its slip and will remain there next week.
Life goes on, live and learn. There will certainly be no consideration of Horizon Yacht Charters in our future.
Take your chances, dear reader, and best of luck. I don't think this experience reflects the overall standards of professionalism of the charter industry in '15.
I certainly hope not.
Incidentally the charter company of my 2016 Tahiti charter didn't blink when I told them about 2013 out of True Blue Bay. Maybe they had heard it all before.