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May 2024 by Briana Harvilla
I was expecting to have a great experience, but that is not what I was met with. One bad apple can ruin a business’ reputation, and that’s exactly what happened. This past Saturday, I called what I thought was the Kayak Shack. This was my mistake as I’d been researching the day before, and I kept going back to the kayak shack. When I decided to call that morning, I must’ve clicked the wrong tab on my internet browser as I was looking up multiple. When I called, I asked if they had any rental reservations open. The lady told me that their reservation spots were booked, but they had 9am folks that were likely returning at 12 so I can go there at 12, and they should be able to send me out on the water. I told her I’d be there 12-12:30. Now remember, this mistake was mine. I was never speaking with the kayak shack as I thought. When I arrived @ the kayak shack, I was met with the parking attendant that told me “if you need parking, I can find you a spot, but it’s $30.” That’s where the business initially lost me. I’ve rented kayaks many times, and I’ve never had to pay them to park in their lot while I go out on the kayaks that I am paying them to rent. That’s like going to a restaurant, and you get charged to park in their lot. Anyway, onto what brought on this review as I never do this. I went looking down the street looking for some free parking then realized I should go back to stop in to let them know I’m there, but I need to check for free parking first. I went back to the attendant and waited while she was taking care of other customers. When she came over, I told her what was said when I called earlier so I wanted to check in before continuing to look for parking. She said that they stop docking at 12. I told her that I told the lady I’d be there 12-12:30. I still wasn’t aware at this point that I talked to the wrong company. I was confused. I told her I talked to someone before I drove up which took over an hour. I don’t fault her or them for any of this. This was my mistake, and I’m only mentioning it for full detail. She grabbed her walkie & said she’d ask them so she says, “I have a Briana here. She said that she called & said she’d be here around 12-12:30.” In the nastiest nearly yelling voice, Kristin responded with “OH NO SHE ABSOLUTELY DID NOT, I WOULDVE REMEMBERED THAT!” “NO SHE DID NOT. ID KNOW IF THERE WAS A LATE DOCK!” Shock instantly took over the parking attendants face, and she apologized and hurried to turn down the walkie as this lady would’ve kept snapping. She said that she is sorry, and she has no control over it. I said, “woah, y’all are definitely getting a bad review. I cannot believe she just spoke like that knowing a customer is right there with you.” I’ve never encountered this behavior towards a customer. As I drove away, she yelled to call me back and said we will send you out. She apologized kindly, and SHE TOLD ME that she has no control over that woman & make sure I get the woman’s name (Kristin) for the review & the owner will see it. What does that tell you about Kristin? That parking attendant KNEW how wrong the woman was for talking that way, and clearly knew this woman had a bad attitude. When I went to the dock, she sure didn’t try to turn the experience around. She greeted me with a nasty grin, told me to sign the paper, and then proceeded to “correct me”. The problem here is that you DO NOT treat customers this way. I didn’t give her good reason too. My mistake didn’t warrant this. If I was nasty then okay, treat me how I treat you. That wasn’t the case here. She was just as nasty when I got over to her. Her every word to me was hostile, and I wasn’t even attempting to argue her. I tried showing her the numbers. She nearly yelled at me. It was so bad that when the parking attendant originally yelled out to me to come back, my son didn’t want to go anymore because he was afraid of the lady on the other end of that walkie. That is how nasty she was. My son was afraid she might hurt us. That’s how hostile the experience was. The guys that pulled us out after were
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May 2024 by nickie polk
We have rented kayaks from this place many times just my husband and I and also many times bringing a few friends. never once had a problem until this past weekend my niece who was joining us had a family emergency (her father was in a car accident) and she wasn’t able to make it to meet us after we tried to wait for her (we live almost 2 hours away) I called to let them know we were running late and didn’t need my nieces kayak anymore. I called a few times with now answer a finally When the lady answered she was VERY rude! I have never been spoken to in this manner before by a company I was providing business to ($200 in boats for the day and $$$ in the past) she proceeded to y’all “your freaking killing me”! Then aggressively asking me who my reservation was under… (I go by 2 names) an told her both not knowing what name I put it under when I reserved 2 weeks prior. She started yelling telling me I didn’t reserve through them and that I have the wrong place but I new I didn’t as I have them stored in my phone since the first time we ever went an rented through them! She want giving me a chance to even think…. She was yelling saying “I need to get it together and give her the right freaking name bla bla bla. The customer service I received this weekend has made me decide to just purchase my own kayaks an launch elsewhere for the same amount we keep pouring into them…. I’m mind blown!!! an looking at past reviews I’m not the only one that’s been spoken to in this manner when dealing with this place!Response to response…. I gave both names and continued to get yelled at I never gave the reason to why as it was not anyone’s business I just said we had someone not coming bc an emergency. I have photos with ur sign a kayaks so I know I have the right place… This smart response represents the customer service I received.
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May 2024 by Towlie
Best place ever! The price is fair and everyone there is amazing.
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May 2024 by elizabeth white
We rented two double kayaks. They were clean and seaworthy, though two of our paddlers' drip rings were loose and annoying. Restrooms were clean (even the portable). The launching site was very nice since it was elevated and dry (meaning no boats floating away while you try to get on). The staff were very friendly and helpful. Go early. The river was overcrowded by noon on the Friday we went.
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May 2024 by Sonya Curry
The employees were very nice and helped us load and unload all belonging. A very smooth experience for someone who was scared to go Kayaking:)
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May 2024 by Charice Dalton
Really enjoyed our time on the River. Very accommodating with our requests. Will definitely be back.
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May 2024 by Emma Matott
Had a great time kayaking on the river, and thank you to all the staff that made the experience unforgettable!
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May 2024 by Lori Jackson
What a fun place!! The staff was knowledgeable and funny. The kayaks kept in good shape. Cute gift shop as well. We paddled up and saw manatees and tons of fish. Highly recommend. It’s the only kayak company directly on the main river.
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May 2024 by Morgan Matott
Amazing experience with nice workers:)
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May 2024 by Savannah Lovelace
Don’t come here if you don’t carry cash and wanna be overcharged, kayak 45 plus 10% so 49.50 also got 3 sodas for 2 dollars each which is stated on the little mini fridge. plus 2.4 merchant fee she had mentioned, and tax. Does not come out to 66 dollars, lady was extremely rude when I asked her to explain where 66 dollars comes from, said she’s been doing this for years but clearly doesn’t know basic math. Will be disputing with my bank with the overcharge since I couldn’t rectify it while at the shack. Also attached the receipts, my friends kayak with the 10% and my kayak with 10% and 3 sodas, I literally paid 16 dollars for 3 canned sodas. the fees aren’t adding up.
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May 2024 by Jillmon S
The rental location was conveniently situated, with ample parking available. The staff was friendly and courteous. However, upon being informed of the $90 fee for two single kayaks, we were asked if we would be paying by cash or card. We opted to pay by card, but unfortunately, I failed to notice the additional 11% credit card processing fee at the counter. Only later did I realize that I was charged $100.24. I find it disappointing that this extra charge was not disclosed to us. We would have paid with cash if we had known this.
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May 2024 by Laura Watson
Truly a nice place...convenient and well equiped with a cute little gift shop. Owner and staff are pleasant and helpful. Shout out to Bentley...he's the real MVP!
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May 2024 by Guy Vandunk
This place is a true hidden gem. The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable about the river. They have a cute little gift shop too. The river is beautiful and so relaxing
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May 2024 by Linda Hafner
The staff was very helpful - great people and had the most amazing time. I’ll be back ! Economical and so much fun !!
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May 2024 by Linda Veronneau
Top notch service ! Great people ! Very informative about the river and surroundings ! Highly recommend!! 10 stars ! ⭐️
