Description

This is the review I posted to his Google business profile, which he has deleted 2 times now due to negative reviews. The business is still operational and he is trying to hide the evidence of his past clients. See below: It looks like Brad deleted his google page and started this one fresh to hide the bad reviews, so let me repost my experience here once again. I share this as a last resort after months of delays, broken promises, and no resolution. I understand the challenges of running a small business, which is why I gave Brad, the owner of Going Coastal Marine Electronics, every opportunity to make things right. Unfortunately, what followed was a consistent pattern of delay, lies, and zero work being completed. This was a project I had long dreamed about, something I hoped to enjoy with my young family. Instead, it turned into one of the most disheartening and frustrating experiences I’ve ever had. In March 2025, I hired Brad to restore my 1998 Mako 221. The scope included a transom replacement, new fuel tank, full rewire, gel coat touch-ups, Garmin electronics and trolling motor on a Sea Swivel bracket, lithium battery, jack plate, and acrylic dash panel. He quoted a two-month turnaround. I paid roughly $15,000 up front with $10,000 to be paid upon completion. Brad marketed himself as a “Mako expert” in Facebook groups, and although his business had no website or reviews at the time, his presence gave me confidence. On March 2, I dropped off the boat and paid a deposit. Brad claimed parts, including Garmin electronics, coosa board, and jack plate, were already ordered and due to arrive within days. Later that month, I paid again to cover the trolling motor setup. A final payment was scheduled for project completion. Weeks passed with no meaningful updates. Brad missed deadline after deadline, citing a rotating list of excuses; covid, family medical emergencies, employee theft, and client payment issues. Despite multiple requests, he never provided receipts, order confirmations, or photos to prove that parts were ordered or that work had begun. Despite this he told me over and over work was being completed and the boat would be done in a couple weeks. Clearly not true. On May 20, over 11 weeks in, I visited the shop unannounced with my brother. The boat was not there, and none of the parts were visible. Brad looked visibly caught off guard. He told us the trolling motor was installed and the boat was “ready for the next steps.” When we said we planned to take the boat back, he claimed it was stored at another location and made a quick phone call. About 30 minutes later, the boat arrived… The boat was untouched. It was in worse condition than when I dropped it off. Brad admitted no work had been done and walked back his earlier claims about installed parts. He could not produce the trolling motor, lithium battery, or Sea Swivel bracket, all of which he had previously said were installed and on-site. We removed the boat that day. As of August 6, over five months after hiring him, I received no parts, no refund, and no further communication from Brad, despite his promise to deliver the missing items within two weeks of our visit. He has ignored follow-up messages and has made no effort to resolve the situation. It seems he assumed I would forget about the $15,000 I paid, despite having received absolutely nothing in return. Since then, I’ve learned I’m not alone. Other customers have shared similar experiences: large deposits, no progress, constant excuses, and broken promises. While Brad may have completed smaller electronics jobs, there appears to be a pattern of taking on full restoration projects without delivering. When I hired him, there were no online reviews. That has changed. Negative reviews now appear on Google and Facebook describing nearly identical experiences. When I brought this up before pulling the boat, Brad dismissed them as “scorned customers” or “drama,” and claimed he had to “fire bad clients.” I now believe those reviews were accurate—and I urge others to read them carefully. Had we not pulled the boat, I’m certain we would’ve been asked for final payment for work that was never going to happen. I was able to recoup my money through my bank after disputing the charges as FRAUD given he accepted payment with no apparent intent to deliver based-off my experience with him. I was very fortunate to receive a refund through my Bank, otherwise I would be out $15,000. What’s funny is that Brad tried to invoice me for the last $10,000 the day before I recovered my boat… Please proceed with extreme caution if you are considering using this shop for any reason at all. Before Brad deleted his old google page, his reviews were filled with ones like mine. The shop had a 2.5 star rating and going down. While I may be the first review here, please google this company and you’ll see the negative news associated with Brad and this shop.