"I was a bit skepticle about ordering a custom scooter online. But I was pleasantly surprised. There were a lot of reviews on here so I wasn't holding my breath, but my son had to have a custom scooter. It actually arrived within about 2 weeks, what the website said. maybe they hired someone new or something."
"NO STARS!!! I am so sad! My sons saved their money and ordered such cool scooters! We have not received anything. I will call my credit card company in the morning. How sad that this website makes ordering a scooter such a fun thing and then NEVER sends it.
Bad Karma."
"*** STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY - THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY, NOT SHIP WHAT YOU ORDER, AND TAKE THEIR SWEET TIME AT SHIPPING!!! AND FORGET ABOUT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!! *** I just found my BBB complaint regarding this company from December 2010. I decided maybe I should get something out there to protect other kids/parents from going through the same agony I did in working with this schyster=Gary Schuetz. (I am sure he just uses his son as a front to make money.)
Anyway, low and behold, I have discovered I am not the only one that has suffered financially and left with a disappointed kid after working with this poor excuse of a company. (In my situation, I was stupid enough to order twice - got disgraceful service both times, but 10X more so the second time.)
Here is the complaint I filed with the BBB: (I had limited space, so I needed to abbreviate a whole lot. Also, I copied this complaint and sent it to Kota Scooter. They sent me a snippy response, basically saying they sent me exactly what I ordered, BTW - I took pictures of it coming out of box I was so furiuos! Gary also said they had tried to call me several times....NOT! I have the cell phone records to prove it. They called me only once and left a message saying they sent what I ordered. I tried to call back for days! Only got a machine.)
Summer 2010: Ordered stock scooter w/upgrades. Kota kept parts replaced w/upgrades, rec’d no credit. Told when ordered would deliver by bday. Took 6 weeks to get scooter, missed bday by 3 weeks. I forgave. (Dumb me.)
Christmas 2010: Ordered scooter parts SO SON COULD BUILD IT ON Xmas morning. Order approx.=$430. Ordered quality parts so they would last-Kota Sports chose to substitute parts I ordered w/inferior ones w/out discussing changes w/me. Ordered Cane Creek headset=$43.45 & Kota installed basic District headset=$19.99. Kota kept diff=$23.46. Ordered $55 HD Dominator Fork, rec’d basic unreinforced fork (from a $39 Razor scooter). Box-8 wheel bearings @ $19.95 ordered, only 4 were rec’d. Kota kept rest=$10. Ordered but didn’t get can of bearing lube spray for $9.95. Total =$98.41 Shipping: Was son’s entire Christmas. I’m a divorced mom, this year kids went to their dad’s the evening of 12/24. So, Santa came day early to my house=kids still believe. Remembering shipping probs w/bday scooter, checked w/Kota 12/06 & 08: PARTS in stock, would ship to arrive by 12/23, & NOT assembled=no prob. Orders placed those days. (2 separate orders.)
Didn’t arrive ‘til 12/28. Was ASSEMBLED! No Christmas. Orders shipped 1 box. PROB= Kota kept 1st order’s shipg fee of $13.14, no credit. Order not delivered as promised, no effort to expedite to ensure delivery by 12/23. Total shipping: $63.14. Tried to contact, no luck. Sent email outlining everything here, w/refund request of $161.55 for shipping/missing/substituted parts.
Resolution Sought: I want a refund $161.55 of the total order of approximately $430 for missing and substituted parts, and shipping fees. Quite frankly, I'd like to return the whole darn order and go somewhere else, but my son has been waiting to get his Christmas present, so I will gladly cut my losses, take what is due and shop elsewhere in the future.
Date Problem Started: 12/28/2010
Date of Transaction: 12/8/2010
Amount in Dispute: $161.55
Invoice Number: 4843 & 4794
Complaint Type: Selling Practices
** ended up going to a local store that carries Lucky Scooter parts and got another fork which ended up costing me an additional $70. (more money I really didn't have.)"
"Been waiting 8 months for my order, no returning of e-mails, can't call through, paypal don't care that they allow people to be ripped off through their company, don't buy from this chap and his father should be spanked for not teaching his son values like honesty."
"I am sooooo sorry that I did not read the reviews here before doing business with Kota Scooters. Everything said here is true. First they will give you an order confirmation and a shipping # right off the bat but the shipping # won't work so then they tell you it will take 3 weeks before they ship. Then after a month they will tell you they are about to ship and will ask you for your kids name so they can 'trick out' his scooter (for your inconvenience). And then the scooter will still never come and your emails and phone calls will fall on deaf ears. And then when you call to cancel, they will tell you that they had JUST shipped the scooter but they are now recalling it and boy did your kid miss out on a great scooter however they still cannot produce any kind of shipping #.
It is ALL lies and manipulation.
I think they just try to string you along so it is harder for you to do a chargeback to your credit card.
This was a really bad experience for my kid so if anyone is reading this, PLEASE do not subject your child to the disappointment that awaits from dealing with this company. There are way better companies to deal with which are faster, cheaper, and legit."
"Yes, buyers beware!!!! My experience has been the same as the others--no merchandise, no response to phone calls or emails. I have instructed Visa to get my money back."
"Buyer BEWARE of Kota Scooters!!!! This company is a pathetic excuse for a business. They'll gladly take your money but try to get your product and you're out of luck!
I placed an order on Feb. 10, 2011 and here it is April 15 and NOTHING!! I don't have the scooter, I can't get a refund because I can't get hold of anyone there, and unfortunately I used a debit card so I can't dispute this.
They DO NOT return calls or e-mails. They ignore you and that's why I'm writing this today. NO business should be allowed to practice this way. It's deplorable and completely unacceptable!
Bottom line: DON'T ORDER FROM KOTA SCOOTERS!! THEY'LL RIP YOU OFF!!
"
"Kota scooters is the worst company on the planet bar none!!! they lie, they don't return calls or emails, there message box is almost always full, I thankfully paid for my parts with my credit card so I got my money back by disputing it though my credit card company. BUYER BEWARE OF KOTA SCOOTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
"Well I ordered a scooter from my son on Dec 10th, 2010. I am still waiting for the scooter. They have not returned my call, now I have beencalling and their messages box is full. I have paid 177 dolars including shipping and have gotten nothing so far. Please if you are ordering something from them, think about it hard, cause I think I just got rip off, or so it seems that way!"
"i ordered my blunt aos deck on december 26th 2010 and got my deck with fedex on the 14th of january. do not buy with this company i had to call several times just for the owner to ship my deck."
"Well let me start out by saying im writing this review on behalf of everyone i know who has ever ordered from them.
First of all, this company is run by a 14 year old kid, the only reason it is where it is right now is because he is a pro scooter rider. Every person i know who has ordered from him has had problems. To this day there are people who have ordered in November who still haven't received their parts. If you order from this company you will have problems. As far as communication goes he will reply to one out of every ten emails and lie to you, saying he will ship the next day. He will blame it on fedex or give excuses saying that he gets a bunch of orders. He will not issue a refund willingly either. If you are looking for a place to buy scooter parts search around a bit more, ask in some scooter forums, or look in some scooter blogs, but do not order from kotascooters.com"