JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Ask Anthony team has received more complaints against a Jacksonville company accused of bad business practices.
Last week, Anthony Austin spoke with two military families in St. Johns County who thought they were getting the outdoor kitchens of their dreams, but they say it all turned into a nightmare after paying thousands of dollars to Premier Outdoor USA on Philips Highway in Jacksonville.
The company disputes these claims and blames the customers and manufacturer.
Patricia Wells and Jason White's issues with Premier Outdoor USA resonated with many First Coast News viewers. After their story aired on the 6 p.m. newscast, the emails started pouring in and more than 80 comments were made under this story on the First Coast News Facebook page.
This email from Cass says:
"I am in Palm Coast and was alerted to your story on Premier Outdoor. I have been waiting 8 months to get mine resolved...have spent over $15,000 for this outdoor kitchen."
Christine wrote:
"I saw your piece about Premier Outdoor USA and they are not alone. I purchased a kitchen in May 2023....I do not have a working kitchen. I did ask multiple times for them to refund my money."
Bill said:
"I purchased a swim spa from them in February of last year and fought with them until October before giving up."
Bill said he didn't notice until after our story aired that his receipt for his $36,000 swim spa was for a vehicle purchase. Anthony Austin noticed the same issue with Jason White's outdoor kitchen receipt. It appears the company used a template for a car deal.
A lot of customers emailed the Ask Anthony team asking if Premier Outdoor USA had changed its name. Shaun Jackrel, who is listed as the operation director and chief financial officer for Premier Outdoor USA, is in a video on Facebook promoting a company called "Outdoor Dreams Company."
According to state documents filed in February, Outdoor Dreams Company has the same address as Premier Outdoor USA. Jackrel is listed as Vice President of Outdoor Dreams Company.
The Ask Anthony team emailed Jackrel's attorneys for comment about customer complaints, along with questions about Outdoor Dream Company.
Response about Outdoor Dream Company:
"Premier Outdoor USA LLC and Outdoor Dreams Company are separate entities as evidenced by the separate Articles of Organization filed on behalf of each entity, with the State of Florida. Outdoor Dreams Company is not an alter ego of Premier Outdoor USA LLC."
Response to customer complaints:
"Premier Outdoor has a claims process on the website and it is monitored daily. Premier Outdoor carries many national brands and not all claims are through Premier Outdoor. Previously, Premier Outdoor has ceased carrying some national brands that did not meet the level of warranty response required by Premier Outdoor. Premier Outdoor strives to work with brands that support our customers. Premier Outdoor has even gone to far to honor warranty claims that were not their responsibly when certain brands, outside of Premier Outdoors’s control, failed to properly honor their respective warranties. Premier Outdoor has had very few warranties claims or complaints on products manufactured by Premier Outdoor. The company recommends any customers in possession of defective parts contact Premier Outdoor or take advantage of the manufacturer’s warranties."