Best & worst boat dealer service and or boat rigging service

[ifish4eyes]

Lets hear about your boat dealer servicing and rigging experinces, the good ones and the bad one. Please explain why you liked or disliked the service. So others will have an idea what dealers have good or bad service.

[knockoff64]

I bought my boat from McMachen Marine in Trenton, I got a great deal and a couple freebee's. But it went downhill from there.

The trailer was part of the deal, but was not available at the time of sale. No problem I can wait a week, but that turned to 2 weeks, and after 3, I called Eagle trailer in Wyandotte, who was building the trailer. Or should I say was supposed to build the trailer, only they didn't have an order for it! :mad: After several calls and threats to McMachen my trailer was ready, 1 month after the sale.

100 hour check comes along, 2 days turned to 2 weeks, that's all I can say about that.

I was promised a set of zip in side curtains, 3 years later I still don't have them. I've given up on that idea.:confused:

Chapparal has since pulled McMachen's dealership and given it to Wonderland Marine West. I ordered the zip in side curtains from them 1 year ago and still haven't seen them.:confused:

I think I'll try a tarp shop!!!

[Chad]

I bought my boat from Leader's Marine in Kalamazoo in 1997. Had no problems and got good service on my 50 hour check up. Boat runs fine, so I haven't had a need to go back since.
Chad.

[outdooralex]

I've bought three boats from Lake Orion Marina, and the people there are great to deal with. I have had a couple of service things that had to be done and never had a problem. :) I keep my boat stored at K&M Boats in Redford, this also a great place. They do all the winterizing and summerizing and never had a problem. People there are really great. Been storing there since '94. :) One place I will never deal with again is Humbug Marina in Gibralter. Took my boat there for 20 hour check up and had nothing but problems. They had my boat for a week and a half when they told me two days. They charged me more than what they quoted me. I did not have a pleasant experience with the people. :mad:

[ifish4eyes]

When I was shopping for a boat motor, I went to Camp n Cruise in Marne, Mi. I was quoted a price $800 more than there closest competitor and $1200 more than I paid. :confused: Then they told me something I thought was not normal. When I checked into it later. I was right they were just trying to rip me off. :mad:

I purchased my Lund from Sportfishermen in Muskegon, Mi. I was satisfied with the pricing also with the three motors I purchased over the years, which will get an "A".:) I 'll give there service a grade of a "B-". Because of some minor things. one time they didn't vacuum up the mess the made in the boat. Another time did not reconnect the battery. . On rigging I'm going to say grade of a "C+" had some wires that clearly should have been solider, that ruined a fishing trip, some loose nut & bolts. Did not mount steering wheel back on straight after new motor purchase. Plus there was something else I can't recall. :( But yet through it all they were still willing to try to make it right to satisfy there customer but it was the hassle in the first place.

[Erik]

Yes it sucks when you get stuck dealing with someone that only wants your money. Thats why I don't talk to salesmen! I shop, and talk to friends and when I make up my mind what I want, then I go and find a salesman to do the paper work. If a salesman bothers me while I'm shoping I leave and go somewhere else, or come back later when they are gone! I don't care for salesmen:) Especially the ones that try to put their arm around you and call you tiger or sport. God I hate that!!!!!!!
I will say I have had good experiances with Thayer marine in Jackson, and gateway marine in Tawas. I won't bother mentioning the ones that I have not had good experiances with:mad:

[walleyechaser]

Common Eric, you know how sales works. At most dealerships, the saleperson would get ripped a new A@$&*%@ if they didn't approach you but most will leave you alone if you politely ask them to do so.
As for salespeople pawing over you, I'd be POed as well.
Salespeople often know about unadvertised specials on closeouts or last years models for example so they can be useful in that regard.
The salespeople to watch out for are the ones that sell all HYPE. That's usually because they have no product knowledge and they're the ones most likely to disappear when you have a problem later.

[walleyechaser]

I don't like it when individuals use the forums for promoting another website so I won't either.
However, if you're considering purchasing a new boat or motor,
take a few minutes to read an article I wrote a few years ago on this issue.
You can get to the article by typing www.angelfire.com/mi/walleyechaser/BOATMYSTERY.html
What you do on my website after that is up to you but at least I'm not advertising it or cut and pasting the article here.