News Summary
Owners of Revive Spas and More in Volusia County, Florida, have been permanently banned from operating in the state due to numerous consumer complaints. With 33 reported grievances about malfunctioning hot tubs, the Plackers face a lawsuit for deceptive practices. They owe over $471,000 in penalties and have a private Facebook group formed for their victims. This troubling saga highlights the importance of consumer awareness when purchasing hot tubs, especially from questionable listings.
Volusia County Business Owners Banned Over Hot Tub Scandal
In a stunning turn of events, the owners of Revive Spas and More, a hot tub business based in Volusia County, Florida, have been permanently banned from operating any business in the state. The announcement comes after a slew of consumer complaints highlighting troubling practices that left many customers feeling swindled. Say goodbye to those hot tub dreams, folks!
The Complaint Count Rises
The Florida Attorney General’s Office received a staggering 33 complaints to date regarding Revive Spas, a company that prided itself on selling used and refurbished hot tubs through Facebook Marketplace. Customers reported receiving inoperable, malfunctioning, or leaking hot tubs, leading many to wonder how the Plackers could sleep at night. Many alleged that the hot tubs, which were advertised as “like new,” arrived looking like they had seen better days with damage, leaks, rotted frames, and rusted parts.
Legal Trouble Brewing
A lawsuit emerged in September 2024 against Dylan and Chelsie Placker, the owners, who were accused of behaving in ways that violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. What’s more, reports surfaced that the Plackers would require customers to remove negative online reviews as a precondition for receiving any partial refunds. Now that is a red flag!
A Pricey Lesson
As a result of these shady dealings, the Plackers have been ordered to pay an eye-watering total of $471,095 in civil penalties, litigation costs, and consumer relief. Sounds harsh, right? They claimed they couldn’t afford to pay the full amount upfront, so they will cough up $10,850 by year’s end, with the remaining balance suspended. Customers who felt wronged by their hot tub investments won’t have to wait long, as the funds from this payment will be disproportionately distributed to those impacted.
Scam Alert!
The Attorney General, James Uthmeier, indicated that the Plackers’ actions were not just bad business, but a full-blown scam that caused real financial harm through deceptive practices. But this isn’t the first time the Plackers have run into trouble. Before doing business in Florida, they had already been barred from selling hot tubs in Oklahoma and owed a substantial $33,260 in restitution to customers in their previous home state. Guess they decided to switch it up, but it seems their bad habits followed them!
Community Response
Short-lived Dream
Revive Spas and More operated just shy of two years, from March 4, 2022, until January 31, 2024. Throughout that time, consumers noted that many of the hot tubs were older than advertised, and tracking down the Plackers for resolution often felt like trying to catch smoke with bare hands. A significant number of customers ended up putting more money into their “like new” hot tubs, just to make them functional.
What’s Next?
As things stand, there are ongoing concerns regarding the Plackers’ financial disclosures and whether they can live up to their promises regarding consumer relief. It certainly is a mess, and many in the community are left with a bitter taste in their mouths over this entire ordeal.
So, if you’re in the market for a hot tub, it’s probably best to steer clear of any questionable listings and do your research. Better safe than soaking in a leaky tub!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Click Orlando
- CW34
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- News Journal Online
- Wikipedia: Consumer fraud
- Google Search: Hot tub scandal Florida
- Google Scholar: Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Consumer protection
- Google News: Revive Spas Florida
