My husband and I purchased from Kitson in February 2013 on a 'special' incentive that was published to us from an employee who happens to be a family member. The special was such that for $1100 and free shipping we would receive one CUSTOM board and a FREE demo board, but we had to complete the transaction on that day. Because we had already been considering purchasing a board, we took the bait. This was a phone transaction and all order and shipping confirmation was exchanged via email. They do not have a store front but the transaction was not driven through their website.
We received delivery for the demo board in about 2 weeks along with paddles that we also purchased. In March I received the run around. In April I officially cancelled my order in writing and demanded a refund. I was accidentally copied on an email that Mike, the owner, sent to his technician stating that I "deserved zero service" and that I could "cancel the order or wait." The website offers the option of purchasing EPS foam blanks but when I requested my custom board order to be changed to blanks he described this as "extorting" because he knew that I would send these to my cousin, his former employee, to build my board.
In July I received unexpected correspondance from a (suspected) new employee and was told that he would follow up on my refund but then of course that never happened. In August, Mike wrote to me stating that my refund had to be issued by my credit card company. I called my bank and coincidentally the CSR who helped me file a claim against Kitson was the victim of the same exact issue for this exact company. Fortunately for this person his cousin who is an attorney sent a letter to Kitson and he received a full refund plus 20% more "for his trouble" and a coupon to order a board.
It is now September 3rd and after a complaint filed with the Washington BBB, and numerous emails to Kitson we still have not received the refund we demanded.
I can not afford to fly to Washington to pursue a small claims suit but I definitely want this company to be reprimanded and I want my money back.
I have all the email correspondence as proof that Mike Kitson is a crook!
Avoid this company at all cost. Mike Kitson is nothing more than a crook trying to make a quick buck. He knows nothing about his product. He takes your money than does not fulfill the order. He is eager to talk to you if you are wanting to buy a board but after that, he will cease all contact with you and avoid your calls. Went by his new factory the other day and to no surprise, he has been evicted from the premises. Do not fall victim to his scam. Shop elsewhere.
Ordered board in Sept, with promise of added graphics, which would take 2 wks longer to finish.
2 wks came & went, called, difficult to touch base with owner as he would never return phone calls. Promised it would be done in just 2 more weeks. This went on for several more times. Promises, no delivery.
Asked him in Nov. when he finally answered phone, to cancel my order, & credit my account. 2 months went by, & that didn't happen. Got credit card company involved. He never answered their inquiries.
I was lucky, I used my credit card. Would never recommend doing business with this guy again, no matter what he sells. Bet he doesn't back up his warranties!
After speaking to Mike Kitson and being assured this was the best new board on the market I decided to take the plunge. My wife actually ordered the board for me a few days later (1 month prior to my birthday) and was assured that it would get to me in time to be my gift. They charged her credit card immediately, however, never delivered as promised. After two months passed with still no board or communication, my wife started leaving messages and sending emails with no response. Finally, she left a message with no name saying she was interested in buying a board. Not surprisingly, they returned her call with the promise of new business, and at that point she was told that the board she ordered (over 60 days ago) had not yet been built and they could not give her an estimate for delivery. With that information she decided to cancel the order. Over the course of the next month we never received any credit to our account and there was no additional communication. At that point I sent Mike Kitson (Owner) an email indicating that I was going to spread the word on SUP forums that his company was not to be trusted if he did not rectify the situation. I received an email from Mike saying how the company had hit some local rugulatory snags in getting the business going and that it was frustrating because his company was effectively revolutionizing the world with their technology. He never acknowleged my order, appologized or agreed to refund my money...nothing. Luckily for me I paid with American Express and shortly after my communication with Mike Amex informed me that they were able to intervene and get my refund.
Now I am reading that others who received their boards have said the quaility was terrible and that they began to delaminate after a few uses. I have also read that local board builders consider this company a joke. So much for all the hype about the most advanced board shapes and construction quality on the market. Mike Kitson is nothing but a Snake Oil salesman. I dodged a bullet on this one...avoid this company at all costs.
Kitson Boards, Inc. Reviews
My husband and I purchased from Kitson in February 2013 on a 'special' incentive that was published to us from an employee who happens to be a family member. The special was such that for $1100 and free shipping we would receive one CUSTOM board and a FREE demo board, but we had to complete the transaction on that day. Because we had already been considering purchasing a board, we took the bait. This was a phone transaction and all order and shipping confirmation was exchanged via email. They do not have a store front but the transaction was not driven through their website.
We received delivery for the demo board in about 2 weeks along with paddles that we also purchased. In March I received the run around. In April I officially cancelled my order in writing and demanded a refund. I was accidentally copied on an email that Mike, the owner, sent to his technician stating that I "deserved zero service" and that I could "cancel the order or wait." The website offers the option of purchasing EPS foam blanks but when I requested my custom board order to be changed to blanks he described this as "extorting" because he knew that I would send these to my cousin, his former employee, to build my board.
In July I received unexpected correspondance from a (suspected) new employee and was told that he would follow up on my refund but then of course that never happened. In August, Mike wrote to me stating that my refund had to be issued by my credit card company. I called my bank and coincidentally the CSR who helped me file a claim against Kitson was the victim of the same exact issue for this exact company. Fortunately for this person his cousin who is an attorney sent a letter to Kitson and he received a full refund plus 20% more "for his trouble" and a coupon to order a board.
It is now September 3rd and after a complaint filed with the Washington BBB, and numerous emails to Kitson we still have not received the refund we demanded.
I can not afford to fly to Washington to pursue a small claims suit but I definitely want this company to be reprimanded and I want my money back.
I have all the email correspondence as proof that Mike Kitson is a crook!
Kitson boards nothing less than crooks
Avoid this company at all cost. Mike Kitson is nothing more than a crook trying to make a quick buck. He knows nothing about his product. He takes your money than does not fulfill the order. He is eager to talk to you if you are wanting to buy a board but after that, he will cease all contact with you and avoid your calls. Went by his new factory the other day and to no surprise, he has been evicted from the premises. Do not fall victim to his scam. Shop elsewhere.
Ordered board in Sept, with promise of added graphics, which would take 2 wks longer to finish.
2 wks came & went, called, difficult to touch base with owner as he would never return phone calls. Promised it would be done in just 2 more weeks. This went on for several more times. Promises, no delivery.
Asked him in Nov. when he finally answered phone, to cancel my order, & credit my account. 2 months went by, & that didn't happen. Got credit card company involved. He never answered their inquiries.
I was lucky, I used my credit card. Would never recommend doing business with this guy again, no matter what he sells. Bet he doesn't back up his warranties!
After speaking to Mike Kitson and being assured this was the best new board on the market I decided to take the plunge. My wife actually ordered the board for me a few days later (1 month prior to my birthday) and was assured that it would get to me in time to be my gift. They charged her credit card immediately, however, never delivered as promised. After two months passed with still no board or communication, my wife started leaving messages and sending emails with no response. Finally, she left a message with no name saying she was interested in buying a board. Not surprisingly, they returned her call with the promise of new business, and at that point she was told that the board she ordered (over 60 days ago) had not yet been built and they could not give her an estimate for delivery. With that information she decided to cancel the order. Over the course of the next month we never received any credit to our account and there was no additional communication. At that point I sent Mike Kitson (Owner) an email indicating that I was going to spread the word on SUP forums that his company was not to be trusted if he did not rectify the situation. I received an email from Mike saying how the company had hit some local rugulatory snags in getting the business going and that it was frustrating because his company was effectively revolutionizing the world with their technology. He never acknowleged my order, appologized or agreed to refund my money...nothing. Luckily for me I paid with American Express and shortly after my communication with Mike Amex informed me that they were able to intervene and get my refund.
Now I am reading that others who received their boards have said the quaility was terrible and that they began to delaminate after a few uses. I have also read that local board builders consider this company a joke. So much for all the hype about the most advanced board shapes and construction quality on the market. Mike Kitson is nothing but a Snake Oil salesman. I dodged a bullet on this one...avoid this company at all costs.