Saco River Canoe & Kayak

I had the worst customer service experience I have ever had with this company, I strongly suggest going with any of the other fine companies in Saco that I had the pleasure to work with (and no I'm not affiliated with any of them)



I was doing an overnight trip and realized that the trip that they were sending me on was 5 hours of paddling over 2 days, upon asking if they had longer trips they recommended that I take the 20 mile trip or 10 hour trip. They marked my map with the takeout point and camping on the beginning of the lower half. I was instructed with 4 staff members standing there that it would be a $3 gas surcharge to take out at the lower point and it was completely up to me which takeout point we wanted to use. I continued to tell them we would in fact do the 20 mile trip and take out at the lower point.



Keep in mind I spent years as a kayak guide on a much more intense river then the Saco and I have paddled rivers all over the country through deserts, steep mountain creeks etc. I am VERY experienced and pay attention to my put in and take out points and have never had a problem ANYWHERE!



After a wonderful trip I called for a pickup, when the man arrived he started to berate me stating that I had really messed up and I should have payed attention and that they would never tell anyone they could use the takeout that I did?! This man ruined what was a great trip. I have never had a business talk to me like that in my life. Meanwhile I have a map that was marked with highlighter on the takeout that I used and camping just up above, why would they have marked that if I was never supposed to use that takeout?



They then proceeded to tell me that the pickup would be an additional $20 instead of the $3 I was told at the desk, I can afford 20 but was pissed about the discrepancy. I was also told nobody would ever tell me that either and I have no clue what I am talking about, even though mind you there were 4 employees standing there as I was told this. After I complained the $20 charge then turned into that it was because I was 15 minutes late to the pickup, they couldn't even decide why I owed $20, it changed from minute to minute. They threatened to not give me a ride back, to which I replied that I would call the police, it was all and all a horrible experience.



Also when I asked if I could speak to the lady who had clearly stated everything that I was saying she obviously wasn't available.



Save yourself from having a terrible company ruin what could be an amazing trip! Go anywhere else! I told them I would not post this review if they wanted to refund my $17 and they told me that they don't care at all and they have been there for 40 years and will be there anyways. This company has no idea what the concept of customer service is or any idea about putting people out on rivers with coherent instructions! If the river was any more intense then the Saco it would literally be dangerous to go out with them.