News Summary
The Florida Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Premier Outdoor USA and Outdoor Dreams Company for fraudulent practices, including failing to deliver hot tubs and swim spas. This lawsuit comes after multiple customer complaints and aims to secure restitution and civil penalties. The Attorney General seeks $394,000 in restitution for affected consumers and an additional $330,000 in penalties for unfair trade practices. With growing consumer dissatisfaction, officials emphasize the importance of accountability in the home improvement sector.
Florida – The state Attorney General has initiated a lawsuit against Premier Outdoor USA, Outdoor Dreams Company, and owner Shaun Jackrel, citing fraudulent business practices. The legal action, filed on July 23 in Duval County, stems from evidence uncovered by investigative reporting that began in April 2024.
The lawsuit alleges that the companies, which operated within Florida and several other states including Georgia, Arizona, Tennessee, and Virginia, misled customers by advertising and selling hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, and swim spas but subsequently failed to deliver the goods or delivered defective products. In numerous cases, customers reported that their outdoor installations were abandoned after payments were processed, leaving them with damaged or incomplete installations.
According to the complaint, a total of 30 consumers are reported to have been affected by these deceptive practices. The allegations detail a range of issues, from customers receiving broken items to entire orders never being fulfilled. Additionally, some customers experienced incorrect measurements leading to improperly sized products that were never corrected by the companies. Requests for refunds made within the stipulated timeframe also reportedly went unaddressed.
The Florida Attorney General is seeking $394,000 in restitution for affected customers, along with an additional $330,000 in civil penalties due to violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The Attorney General holds Shaun Jackrel personally accountable for overseeing the operations and approving the misleading sales tactics that led to the allegations.
In a move to protect consumers, the Attorney General is requesting the court to permanently prohibit Jackrel and his companies from selling or advertising hot tubs, swim spas, or outdoor kitchens in Florida. The state asserts that the fraudulent actions have caused significant harm to the public and warns of potential ongoing issues if the court does not intervene.
Adding to the scrutiny surrounding Premier Outdoor USA, Jacksonville Councilman Rory Diamond has filed a class action lawsuit against the company, citing a multitude of complaints from customers. The local Attorney’s Office has received at least 39 complaints against the business, which is presently operating under the name Outdoor Dream Company.
Consumers involved in the class action lawsuit have reported severe issues, including exorbitant fees paid for products that were never delivered. The legal actions highlight numerous serious complaints against the original company and underline ongoing calls for accountability and enhanced consumer protection measures.
The President of the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Florida has noted a marked increase in consumer dissatisfaction over the past five years, leading to urgent and necessary changes in regulatory practices. As investigations continue and further reports emerge, consumers are urged to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before engaging with businesses operating within the home improvement sector.
This lawsuit is a significant reminder for Florida residents to be vigilant when making major purchases, especially from companies with a multi-state presence. By holding companies accountable for fraudulent practices, state officials aim to instill greater consumer confidence in the marketplace and encourage ethical business practices.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- First Coast News: Florida AG files lawsuit against Jacksonville business owner
- News4Jax: Jacksonville councilman says outdoor kitchen company defrauded customers
- First Coast News: Law firm reaches $16 million settlement in Blount Island ship fire
- Click Orlando: Volusia company sold defective hot tubs on Facebook
- News4Jax: Florida pool contractor gives up licenses after complaints
- Wikipedia: Consumer protection
- Google Search: Florida business fraud
- Google Scholar: Florida Deceptive Trade Practices
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- Google News: Florida lawsuit business fraud
