Contacted Dave Michalak from Boat Butler to purchase a lift for my new boat. After sever phone calls, and a week’s worth of time going back and forth, we settled on a deal. Dave Michalak’s deal was specifically base on a cash only price. To put that into perspective, we are talking about a $12,200 lift, including setup and delivery. On Friday 5/14/21 I called Dave and put down a $2,000 non-fundable deposit with my credit card. Dave told me to sign the quote he emailed me and send it back. I was out of town at the time but told Dave I would sign the paperwork first thing Monday, which I did.
When discussing with Dave about scheduling the install I specifically told Dave I would like him to stop by the house before the install so we could go over things. I wanted to insure we were all on the same page, as I would be at work the day of the install. I asked Dave if he could stop by on Saturday 5/22/21 for about a 20-minute meeting. He told me Saturday was not an option but said he would stop by Tuesday 5/18/21 at 6:00 to touch base. Dave did stop by Tuesday and we discussed the install as planned. We both agreed to wait for the new boat to be delivered in order to ensure the install was done properly.
Here’s where it gets very odd. Looking back on things, I remember Dave constantly asking me for cash. I thought this was odd for two reasons. First, he was so extremely blatant about asking for cash all the time. However, I chalked it up to him trying to close the deal. Second, I gave him my credit card number to secure the deal. Even though the entire deal was all based on cash, I wanted him to feel comfortable. If something were to happen on my end and the deal didn’t go through, he was still guaranteed the $2,000 non-refundable deposit. Makes me wonder why cash was so important…
With that said, going back to our Tuesday meeting. After discussing the install and were walking backup to the house. Dave looks over at me and says, “You got any cash?”. I replied, “Dave, I feel like we are friends now, but I’ve had trouble in the past with people. I’d like to hold on to my cash until I have something to show for it. You have my credit card number for the deposit and guarantee.” He didn’t really push the issued and seemed to understand. We stood in the driveway and talk for a few more minutes. Dave ends with “just text me 2 days before the boat gets here.
Its not a big deal to get the barge down here” and drives away. Two hours later I get this text from Dave, not a phone call, a text. The text says. “After reviewing the job this evening, I’m going to have to pass on this sale/work”. I immediately tried calling him a few times, but got no answer. I then responded back to his text to see what the issues was? I still to this day haven’t gotten a response or reason why? On that note, Dave did the install on my neighbors lift and stores his boat over the winter. My neighbors lift and my new lift would have been about 35 yards apart. Based off this, I have no idea what the issues could have been?
Dave Michalak/Boat Butler is a company that has done all kinds of work on this lake. They are very familiar with the lake, the lake bottom, and people who live there. Why would my situation be any different from my neighbors, or anyone else on the lake? Again, I was offered no explanation and Dave will not answer my calls texts. Now here we are a week and a half before memorial weekend with a boat coming and no lift. The unethical way Boat Butler does business is absolutely astonishing. Buyer beware!
Boat Butler, LLC. Reviews
Contacted Dave Michalak from Boat Butler to purchase a lift for my new boat. After sever phone calls, and a week’s worth of time going back and forth, we settled on a deal. Dave Michalak’s deal was specifically base on a cash only price. To put that into perspective, we are talking about a $12,200 lift, including setup and delivery. On Friday 5/14/21 I called Dave and put down a $2,000 non-fundable deposit with my credit card. Dave told me to sign the quote he emailed me and send it back. I was out of town at the time but told Dave I would sign the paperwork first thing Monday, which I did.
When discussing with Dave about scheduling the install I specifically told Dave I would like him to stop by the house before the install so we could go over things. I wanted to insure we were all on the same page, as I would be at work the day of the install. I asked Dave if he could stop by on Saturday 5/22/21 for about a 20-minute meeting. He told me Saturday was not an option but said he would stop by Tuesday 5/18/21 at 6:00 to touch base. Dave did stop by Tuesday and we discussed the install as planned. We both agreed to wait for the new boat to be delivered in order to ensure the install was done properly.
Here’s where it gets very odd. Looking back on things, I remember Dave constantly asking me for cash. I thought this was odd for two reasons. First, he was so extremely blatant about asking for cash all the time. However, I chalked it up to him trying to close the deal. Second, I gave him my credit card number to secure the deal. Even though the entire deal was all based on cash, I wanted him to feel comfortable. If something were to happen on my end and the deal didn’t go through, he was still guaranteed the $2,000 non-refundable deposit. Makes me wonder why cash was so important…
With that said, going back to our Tuesday meeting. After discussing the install and were walking backup to the house. Dave looks over at me and says, “You got any cash?”. I replied, “Dave, I feel like we are friends now, but I’ve had trouble in the past with people. I’d like to hold on to my cash until I have something to show for it. You have my credit card number for the deposit and guarantee.” He didn’t really push the issued and seemed to understand. We stood in the driveway and talk for a few more minutes. Dave ends with “just text me 2 days before the boat gets here.
Its not a big deal to get the barge down here” and drives away. Two hours later I get this text from Dave, not a phone call, a text. The text says. “After reviewing the job this evening, I’m going to have to pass on this sale/work”. I immediately tried calling him a few times, but got no answer. I then responded back to his text to see what the issues was? I still to this day haven’t gotten a response or reason why? On that note, Dave did the install on my neighbors lift and stores his boat over the winter. My neighbors lift and my new lift would have been about 35 yards apart. Based off this, I have no idea what the issues could have been?
Dave Michalak/Boat Butler is a company that has done all kinds of work on this lake. They are very familiar with the lake, the lake bottom, and people who live there. Why would my situation be any different from my neighbors, or anyone else on the lake? Again, I was offered no explanation and Dave will not answer my calls texts. Now here we are a week and a half before memorial weekend with a boat coming and no lift. The unethical way Boat Butler does business is absolutely astonishing. Buyer beware!