What is the Bench Craft Company Lawsuit?

The Bench Craft Company lawsuit is a class-action lawsuit that was filed against the Bench Craft Company in 2018 by a group of golf course owners and operators. The lawsuit alleges that Bench Craft engaged in deceptive marketing practices and unfair business practices.

Specifically, the lawsuit alleges that Bench Craft:

• Misrepresented the potential audience for its advertising, leading businesses to invest based on inflated projections.
• Used high-pressure sales tactics and deceptive contracts to lock businesses into long-term contracts.
• Failed to deliver on its promises to provide businesses with advertising and marketing services.
• Charged businesses for services that they did not receive or did not need.

The Bench Craft Company has denied all of the allegations in the lawsuit. However, the lawsuit is still ongoing and could have significant implications for the company and for the golf industry as a whole.

Background

The Bench Craft Company is a golf course advertising company that provides free scorecards, tee signs, yardage books, and ball washers to golf courses in exchange for advertising space. The company was founded in 1982 and has grown to become one of the largest golf course advertising companies in the United States.

In recent years, however, the Bench Craft Company has been the subject of increasing scrutiny from golf course owners and operators. Many businesses have complained that the company has misrepresented its services and that it has used high-pressure sales tactics to lock businesses into long-term contracts.

Allegations in the Lawsuit

The class-action lawsuit against the Bench Craft Company alleges that the company engaged in a variety of deceptive and unfair business practices. Some of the specific allegations in the lawsuit include:

• Misrepresentation of potential audience: The lawsuit alleges that Bench Craft misrepresented the potential audience for its advertising. The company allegedly claimed that its advertising would reach a large number of golfers, but the actual audience was much smaller. This allegedly led businesses to invest in Bench Craft’s advertising based on inflated projections.
• High-pressure sales tactics: The lawsuit also alleges that Bench Craft used high-pressure sales tactics to lock businesses into long-term contracts. The company’s sales representatives allegedly pressured businesses to sign contracts without giving them enough time to read and understand the terms of the contract. The contracts were also allegedly complex and difficult to understand, making it difficult for businesses to understand their obligations.
• Failure to deliver on promises: The lawsuit also alleges that Bench Craft failed to deliver on its promises to provide businesses with advertising and marketing services. The company allegedly failed to provide businesses with the promised number of scorecards, tee signs, yardage books, and ball washers. The company also allegedly failed to provide businesses with the promised level of customer service.
• Charges for services not received: The lawsuit also alleges that Bench Craft charged businesses for services that they did not receive or did not need. For example, the company allegedly charged businesses for advertising space that was never used. The company also allegedly charged businesses for services that were not included in the original contract.

Impact of the Lawsuit

The Bench Craft Company lawsuit is still ongoing, but it could have significant implications for the company and for the golf industry as a whole. If the lawsuit is successful, Bench Craft could be forced to pay millions of dollars in damages to golf course owners and operators. The lawsuit could also lead to changes in the way that golf course advertising companies operate.

What Golf Course Owners and Operators Can Do

If you are a golf course owner or operator, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself from deceptive and unfair business practices by golf course advertising companies:

• Do your research: Before signing a contract with any golf course advertising company, be sure to do your research. Read reviews from other businesses and check the company’s track record.
• Get everything in writing: Make sure that all of the terms of your contract are in writing. This will help you to protect yourself if the company fails to deliver on its promises.
• Beware of high-pressure sales tactics: If a sales representative is pressuring you to sign a contract, be wary. Take your time to read and understand the terms of the contract before signing it.
• Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something in the contract. The sales representative should be able to answer your questions clearly and concisely.

If you believe that you have been the victim of deceptive or unfair business practices by a golf course advertising company, you should contact an attorney to discuss your legal options.

Let’s wrap up

The Bench Craft Company lawsuit is a significant case that could have far-reaching implications for the golf industry. If the lawsuit is successful, it could lead to changes in the way that golf course advertising companies operate. It could also send a message to other businesses that deceptive and unfair business practices will not be tolerated.

Golf course owners and operators should be aware of the allegations in the lawsuit and take steps to protect themselves from similar tactics. By doing their research, getting everything in writing, being wary of high-pressure sales tactics, and asking questions, golf course owners and operators can minimize their risk of being defrauded.

If you believe that you have been the victim of deceptive or unfair business practices by a golf course advertising company, you should contact an attorney to discuss your legal options. You may be entitled to damages.