Cooling off period

[czubka]

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? Florida
We went to a boat show yesterday at the S. Florida fairgrounds and got convinced into "buying" a boat. We were promised by 2 different salesmen that we would not have to pay anything until we took delivery. They did take our credit card information and said they would hold $2,000 on it to 'hold' the boat. Today we decided on a different boat and when we call the dealer (Marine Connection) in Lake Worth to cancel, theg got very nasty with us. They said they already ran the card and will not issue us a refund. they told us that the cooling off period did not apply to boats and any money we put down (under false pretenses) was theirs to keep. We did not take possession of anything! We thought that there would be the standard 3 day cooling off period and the salesman actually told us we had until we picked it up! But today they change thier tune. Our credit card company can not begin the dispute process until we actually recieve the paper statement. Please Help! We thought this was a reputable company. We really loved the boat and even had second thoughts about changing our mind but after the way they treated us I would NEVER want to do business with them! What is the law regarding this and what recourse do we have? Thanks so much, Charlene

 

[djohnson]

What does the contract you signed say, and what does it say about the 2000.00 hold? Is it earnest money?

 

[czubka]

The front page of the contract does not say anything and the back page that we have we initially thought was blank but now when we look at it closer in light there are words on it but completely unreadable. The print is very tiny and very faint. They did not even point out to us that there was a back page that we should be reviewing. The whole thing was very dishonest and sleazy. Talk about "Used Car Salesman", I am thinking New boat salesman must be worse!. Thanks for your interest and reponse.
Charlene

 

[You Are Guilty]

Unless it's written into the contract you signed (and I'd guess it isn't in yours), there is no "cooling off period". You probably should start reading the things you sign in the future, especially since I bet the last one you didn't just cost you $2,000.