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Balboa Capital

Balboa Capital review: beware of scam! 25

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1:17 am EDT
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Do not lease anything from this company! We bought a business in 2006 and decided to add a piece of equipment which was priced at $12, 000 in january 2009. We had an offer letter from balboa capital and decided to give them a try. Bradford j. Williams was the account executive and everything was relatively easy and sounded great. He told us on multiple occasions that our equipment would be a 3 year lease with a $1 buyout option at the end of the term for which we agreed to. When he sent over the contracts he marked where to initial and sign, looking back now of course to just get it done without us looking at the fine print. We are 90 days away from our lease end and account manager michelle who is extremely rude, sent our buyout amount: $12, 126.46! Upon speaking to michelle her answer was simple, it doesnt matter what bradford told you, you signed the contract. So now we have the option to return the equipment (That we still need and thought we'd paid for) , or pay that amount. Who in their right mind would pay '$35, 000 for a $12, 000 piece of equipment? We already are considering legal options due to their past history. Just go to www.Bbb.com and see for yourself there's tons of stories identical to ours. Or go over to http://articles. Latimes.com/2009/nov/21/local/la-me-churches21-2009nov21 and read all about how they scammed churches!

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Balboa Capital
Balboa Capital
Costa Mesa, CA, US
Oct 27, 2011 1:06 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Balboa Capital has attempted to contact Mr. Michael Stockton at his place of business, but we have been unsuccessful as it appears his company is no longer under his ownership. We have also made repeated attempts to contact him at the alternate phone numbers he provided us. At Balboa Capital, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and always reach out to our customers when needed, but unfortunately we are having a difficult time connecting with Mr. Stockton.

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fattyyanyan
US
Jan 12, 2017 10:14 am EST

You PRIDE yourself on scamming your customers. Youve been doing an EXCELLENT job for that. For scamming customers? I give you a million stars for that

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Jack C
Columbus, US
Nov 09, 2011 11:53 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I wouild have to agree with Mr. Stockton, I am at the end of a lease and am finding the same situation with Balboa. Instead of a $1 buyout, they seam to think I owe them $16K for a years rental and another $16K to buyout the equipment. They also started the lease with first and last payments in advance, then charged me a late fee on the first payment stating that the 2 months advance was for the end of the lease. We should form a coalition and and file a c lass action suit. Anyone interested, e-mail me at ohtrailer@aol.com

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Mad En
US
Jan 11, 2013 2:55 pm EST

Always read before you sign! Especially with leases, this is so common. It is the lessee's (Your) responsibility to make sure they know what they're agreeing to. I don't feel sorry for mr. Stockton, but i'm sure he won't make that mistake again! Read before you sign.

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DisgustedBalboaCustomer
Haverhill, US
Feb 11, 2013 6:23 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Balboa Capital has royally screwed the small biz guy w/o their deceptive leases. I'm a contractor in MA and I leased a used JLG Lift for $14, 500 in March 2009 for 5yrs w/ Balboa via Financial Pacific. I made the final payment last month. I contacted Balboa today to get my buyout I requested at the start of the lease for $101. However, I received a bill from them today for $550 due in 5 days w/ no explanation. I assumed it was the wrong buy out amount, so I contacted them and they claim they own my equipment and are now extending my lease another year @ $550/ mo or we can buy it out for FMV or we can pay to have it shipped back to them ! I already paid over $26K in lease w/ interest and now I'm going to re-buy or return my equipment?! I was told today they sent a letter to me back in July and I never responded and was my fault if I didn't understand my lease. I NEVER received any letter from them and this is NOT the lease terms that I agreed to - they baited me with one term and had me sign another. I had multiple problems from the beginning with the lack of communication and disclosure from Balboa and now I see it wasn't just me. If anyone is doing a class action suit, please contact me.

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RobinW.
Orem, US
Mar 26, 2013 5:36 pm EDT

This company has been calling me every day since I requested information. I requested that they send the information to my email as I use my phones for work all day and would rather not speak in person until I have reviewed what they have to offer. I have a lawyer and always send all info for anything that I will have to sign. They did not like this they would rather harass me on my phone. I answered the phone several times when they called and since I am busy at work I simply said "not interested, thank you" then hung up they called back several times and I did the same thing. Then they called from a private number because they knew I would at least pick up and speak with them. Which I did and then they said "are you interested now?" Just to be a smart ###. I went off on them because I am a busy person and can't be bothered with childish games like calling someone from a private number to harass them. What jerks you guys are and I hope you realize that I have told every small business owner in Provo and Orem that I work with never to use or contact you worthless people.

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storagelady
El Cajon, US
Apr 01, 2013 7:36 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

i am newly with them and am finding out they are trying to charge us for security camera equipment that we already owned before they were brought in, equipment we never received from them and thousands for labor that was never done. And to top it off they are charging us $55 extra a month for property ins... we are a storage facility (of course we have damn good ins), it is none of their business what our ins is nor is it their business to provide ins for us when i did not ask them for it. they said it is because i need to provide proof of ins to them...WHY? why do they need my ins?

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RCP Group
US
Apr 11, 2013 4:58 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This company clearly employs deceptive/fraudulent end of lease practices to gouge unsuspecting lessees at end of term. My company has had two such experiences with this company, most recently regarding a lease for a one year software license which was financed as part of a settlement for a previous lease in which Balboa claimed we did not provide termination notice within the "at least 180 days before but not more that 270 days prior" to the termination. We issued our termination notice 60 days prior to the end of lease date. They demanded a payoff amount in excess of 15k on an expired software lease. This, despite a software addendum in the lease that specifically excludes software from any residual interest. I am seriously considering initiation of a class action suit with a reputable contingent fee law firm. I you are interested in joining this effort, please submit a response.

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Terry Maciel
Irvine, US
Apr 13, 2013 10:53 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I had the same experience. Leased some computer equipment with a dollar buyout. When contracts came i signed but neglected to notice the lack of the dollar buyout. The lease actually said fair market value. I called Greg F. the account exec and he agreed to change to a buyout so that I could get my 100percent write off. After sending me a letter which changed the terms, he refused to sign the document and will not return my phone calls. My attorney is in the process of investigating them.

These guys are the worst! Thieves and underhanded deception.. I would advise people NOT to use Balboa Capital as there are many more fair and honest leasing companies out there..

When my lease is up, I will have them come pick up the outdated junk computer equipment.. I was lucky that I atleast got a letter of intent although Greg refused to actually sign it.. Great business to send me a letter that I wanted, then not sign it, and refuse to return my phone calls... AVOID BALBOA CAPITAL PEOPLE!

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Dizzy Dean 100
bosie, US
Apr 13, 2013 11:14 am EDT

I like it when so many stupid people lease without reading everything. The only reason people lease is their credit is bad from not paying their debts.

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Derek T.
Irvine, US
Jun 03, 2013 6:55 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Balboa Capital has been in business since 1988 and strives to provide the best service possible. We place our customers first and pride ourselves on being recognized as a nationwide leader in the equipment financing industry.

We have many Balboa Capital reviews provided by some of our highly satisfied customers, which can be viewed at the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BalboaCapital

Please contact our Customer Service Department at [protected] and we will be more than happy to address any questions or concerns.

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Wtfazngangterbiotch
Raleigh, US
Jun 18, 2013 11:59 am EDT

Derek . T what the fcuk is wrong with you ! After reading all of this bad comments about the bolboa ripoff people and complaints about how they scam people into their contract and rip them off and you the only one that comment good things about this poop ### company BOLBOA Capital Co. You must be one of their members scam tons of innocent people that are naive and in need of helps such a LOSER.!

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JusJulz
Kihei, US
Aug 09, 2013 3:53 pm EDT

They constantly call after requesting to be removed from their call list. I'm going to report them to the FCC.

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The Carpet Man
US
Sep 16, 2013 9:52 pm EDT

They called me today trying to sell me on their service. It sounded very simple and painless but I knew their had to be a catch and that I would find it here. really glad I found this thread first. I do not need to lease anything yet however they made it sound so good that it almost made me want to run out and get some new equipment. Sorry to hear all of you got screwed but thank for posting and saving others like me.

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Brooklyn 2
Brooklyn, US
Sep 30, 2013 11:22 am EDT

Balboa Capital fails to send the bill via e-mail (they don't send paper bills) then it is our fault that the bill is not paid, they add late fee and expect the bill to be paid overnight. At one point they started to take money directly from our company account without authorization, when I confronted them, and asked for the copy of the paper that authorizes them to take money from the account, they never did provide me with anything.
Balboa Capital has bad customer service, they are liars, they don't care for their customers I have a feeling they don't want to be in business for a long time.

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DisgustedwithBalboa
Melbourne, US
Oct 02, 2014 7:38 am EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Not only is balboa capital the worst ever leasing company, but they are all rude, belligerent and liars. They use the '180 day letter of intent' to screw customers over. I have never had to send in a letter of intent 180 days before the lease expires. This company needs to be shut down! Loan sharking at its best. Do yourself a favor and be smart-do not use this leasing company!

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Don't sign!
Hartland, US
Mar 05, 2015 2:51 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This a company of sharks with a huge turnaround in employees because it gets to the point where they can't look in the mirror. The people that stick around are the ones who enjoy screwing you. Read and understand every word of the lease or better yet, just stay the hell away.

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Greg Fiorrinai
US
Nov 18, 2015 9:48 am EST

Run, don't walk away from these guys. Worst leasing company ever. Terrible service
My atty said hes never seen such a bad lease.

Never will do business again with them.

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Don't sign!
Hartland, US
Nov 18, 2015 1:28 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I trusted them and signed without reading the fine print... so, it was my fault. I was completely lied to, but because I signed, it's going to cost me 15k - the biggest financial mistake of my life. I can't help but feel that something should be done about this company. Check your lease because mine states if I do not send them written notice - stating that I do not want to renew my lease - 1 year before the end of the 4 year term - it will automatically renew for another year. Apparently this company has a big turnaround rate with employees because most people can no longer look at themselves in the mirror. The ones that stick around and continue with this companies scam simply don't care. READ THE CONTRACT or better yet, just stay away.

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Bologna1
US
Jan 20, 2016 5:53 pm EST
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

So do you always just sign financial documents without actually reading them? Don't blame the sales rep for doing their job, blame yourself for being lazy and not taking the two minutes that it would have taken to actually read the document. These reviews are a joke, obviously the many people who have had a positive experience with the company wouldn't be writing these reviews on this website, only those who think they were manipulated because they chose not to read the contract that legally binds them.

They are rated A+ by the BBB, you would think that the BB would have a better understanding than a few local business owners...just saying.

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Woodnshop
US
Mar 11, 2016 3:53 pm EST

Now if you do not accept e-bills they charge you 5.00 for each invoice mailed
They also try to make you pay for non insurance this will be the third time i have had my insurance company send out the paperwork
This place was a big mistake
Bruce denslow
The wood & shop inc
Missouri

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TurboGPX
US
Jun 07, 2016 11:07 am EDT

Balboa is terrible.
1. Watch every word their contract says.
2. In our contract, we have to give written notice between 270 days to 180 days, or they will rob you for another year, which is pure profit to them
3. Don't expect them to give you back the 2 months deposit you paid them up front.
4. At the end of the lease, they don't want the worthless equipment back. Each time you block them with your bank, they will take money from your account with different subsidiary's name (BCC Funding VII, VIII, Pawnee Leasing Corporation, Financial Pacific Leasing, etc)
5. They have lost lawsuits a number of times for their bad business practices:
Mass Fax Class Action Case against Balboa Capital: http://beforeitsnews.com/business/2012/02/mass-fax-class-action-case-against-balboa-capital-1736282.html
California Attorney General suit names Balboa Capital Corp. and United Leasing Associates of America Ltd. : http://www.lessors.com/news11-Q1/allnews-110301d.html
Equipment Co. To Pay Up To $3.3M To Settle Fax Spam Suit: http://www.law360.com/articles/490509/equipment-co-to-pay-up-to-3-3m-to-settle-fax-spam-suit

6. Comments on:
FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/BalboaCapitalCorp/reviews/
Yelp: http://www.yelp.com/biz/balboa-capital-irvine
Google: https://www.google.com/search?q=balboa+capital&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#lrd=0x80dcde92f8e588af:0x60c393b797686b92, 1, ,
BBB: http://www.bbb.org/sdoc/business-reviews/loans-small-business/balboa-capital-corporation-in-irvine-ca-13126386/customer-reviews

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RippedOff!!!!!
US
Jul 26, 2017 1:27 pm EDT
Verified customer This complaint was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

DO NOT use Balboa - if you do, you are a fool.

My business learned the hard, way. We paid a three-year lease monthly, on time, every time. At contract end, they charged a $479 "termination fee".

I called customer service:

"What is this $479 fee?"
"It's a fee we charge all of our customers at the end of the contract"
"Why?"
"We just do"
"You can't do that"
"Yeah, it's in the contract, where it says you agree to pay all taxes and fees"
"But the contract doesn't say anything about a termination fee"
"Well, we charge everyone that fee"

...aaaaaaand there ya go. What next, spend hours and thousands to sue a company in another state over $479?

DO NOT use Balboa - if you do, you are a fool.

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Wanda Hutton (Weight Room OKC)
US
Oct 17, 2017 1:55 pm EDT

Biggest scam artist in the history of scam artist. We did a lease with Balboa and at the end of the lease we were looking at purchasing some new equipment. I called them and was told that my buyout price on the previous equipment would roll in to the new lease. After several weeks of negotiations and 3 different sales people, we finally signed the lease and purchased the new equipment, our last sales person was fired and now they are trying to collect for both the old and the new on 2 different leases. We have ALL of our paperwork in order, hired an attorney and are fixing to go to battle with these crooks!

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Donnt
US
Oct 26, 2017 5:11 pm EDT

If you are ready to be the slave for this BC company than just sign the contract, but if you read the fine print you will see that use your credit card to buy still many time cheaper than the lease it with them
I am just another victem of them sign with out reading word to word in there contract.

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    575 Anton Boulevard, 12th Floor, Costa Mesa, California, 92626, United States
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