Rant about dealer

[mytoyzfishing]

A little miffed at a dealer (not on SML). So I went by to pick up my Ranger from the dealer that I was using to sell it on consignment. Got there Saturday morning right when they opened. Told the sales guy (never seen him before) that I was there to pick up my boat. He simply asked which one, of which I told him the 2003 red ranger. His response was OK, unlocked the gate told where they parked it and walked away. Never asked me who I was or verified it was my boat in any way. So I drive through the gate to my boat and low and behold the carpet was soaking wet, mildewed, had a couple small tears in the carpet and seats that were not there when I dropped it off and full of leaves. When I dropped it off they assured me it would stay covered, I even provided the cover, but evidently the cover was never moved from where I put it in the boat. When I got the boat home and opened all the compartments, the rear compartment that house's the all the batteries, charger, and pumps, it was full of water. After draining the water and letting it dry out I plugged in the on board charger and the bank that charges my cranking battery was flashing fault/no connection. After checking a couple of things come to find out the cranking battery is completely shot, which was just fine before I dropped it off. Needless to say they will never get my business or recommend them again. Sorry had to rant a min

[Gotcha]

!!! Know the service really well! I live 4 miles from it!! When they sell inboard/outboards. And don't work on inboard/outboards. They don't need my business!

[bigjon]

That bites! They didn't have a nice center console sitting there did they? I might need to go pick "my" boat up!

[hotdog]

That bites! They didn't have a nice center console sitting there did they? I might need to go pick "my" boat up!

That's the same thing I was thinking Bigjon.

[mytoyzfishing]

Had to give an update on this. So I got the time to go take my dad fishing the other weekend, first time haveing the boat back since picking it back up from the dealer. Anyways get out on the water to catch bait, and the tank pumps wouldnt cut on, great. So i filled with water by hand (bucket) and once it was light out I started playing around trying to figure out why, I had 7 blown fuses in the panel luckly I had enough on the boat to replace what I critically needed. Now only 1 of the 2 pumps works. the other wont cut on I called up the dealer the next business day and asked to talk to the owner/manager and they refused. Wouldnt even tell me their name. Instead was put on with a sales guy. Explained to him all the problems I now had with the boat since I picked it up. Was told he would call me back. Calls me back with the owner on the phone and now they claim it was covered the whole time they had it, BS, all these problems are from sitting out uncovered. Tried to tell me the cracks in the seat upholstery are from the heat under the cover. Really after only being there a couple of months? and they were in perfect condition when i dropped it off. Then proceeded to tell me to bring by for them to look at and would fix it, but would charge me to fix it. Forget it, pay them to fix something they screwed up? I'll be filing a BBB report for sure.

[flathead1802]

I had a really bad experience with a "marine mechanic" when I went to get a charter/plotter, compass, and a radio installed. It wasn't as bad as this mess but still frustrating. It took 4 times as long as they said it would so I spent 1/2 of my vacation without my boat. The battery was completely dead and had to be charged at the marina before launching. They never ordered the compass. Before I left I asked them to order the compass and a couple gauges. They said it would be overnighted. It's been almost 4 months and i still haven't heard from them. I will never have work done there again. With that said, I am looking for a good trust worthy mechanic to keep my Mercury saltwater running good. If anyone would like to recommend a good one, please PM me. I live in Roanoke so it would be nice to find one near here, but I'm willing to travel get good service.

[wishforfish]

Don't be bashful Mytoyz, while it sounds like some know who you are talking about I don't and I don't want to use these guys not knowing any better. What does the name rhyme with and are they south/southest/northwest/etc. from the lake? How far?

[mytoyzfishing]

They are located in Martinsville and claim to be the largest bass boat dealer on the east coast. As an [glow=red,2,300]Angler[/glow] i would not [glow=red,2,300]choice[/glow] to go there any more. See what I did there, said it withou actually saying it

I have had 3 different bad experiences there starting after I signed the paperwork on the purchase of the boat. Customer service was horible all times I delt with them. I could spend a day going on about my distaste for their shop but I will spare you the ear ach.

[wishforfish]

Thanks! I almost bought a boat from them 6-7 years ago? Glad it didn't work out...

[hillbilly]

Well, given all you've described happened, if you have restrained from doing/saying anything you regret - you're a better man than me.

[striperjohn]

Tell you you what Mytoys, I think we'd be doing other people a good service by mentioning all these bad dealers and mechanics, etc. They won't sue you simply because you have the facts on your side. If more people got on this site and blasted problems they've had around the lake and the state many of these bad places would be run out of business and the good dependable folks would stay in business. Just saying. A BBB report helps but a comment on this site gets picked up on most search engine sites.
Cheers,
John

[striperseeker]

I agree with striperjohn. If we can just keep one of these horrid experiences from happening by telling each other about them, it is well worth it. Likewise we should tell each other about the places where we have had good experiences.

[2 oars & a trash can]

Mar 3, 2013 10:32:25 GMT -5 striperseeker said:

Likewise we should tell each other about the places where we have had good experiences.

I had a decent BBQ sandwich and coffee at Moosies yesterday

[mytoyzfishing]

asleep - My wife and I love going to Moosies. Every time my folks come down my dad asks "hey can we go to Bullwinkles for dinner?" lol. Its especially fun in the summer when they have the bands playing.

Striperjon - your right. I dont like to let things go sometimes especially if it could save someone else the irratation. I had thought about filing a BBB report and should have. When I went on the BBB site it had one negative review on there but for some reason it would not let you read what was said. It would only let you read the one good review. I just dont like doing business with a place that has done me wrong more than once. I understand things happen, no big deal. But when you go about it in a negative and condesending way multapile times, then I start to get heart ach over it.

[Gator]

I know this thread is old but I feel like I should share my experience. Tried to buy a used boat from the mentioned dealer this summer. Worked out a sell price after a few days of negotiating. I wanted to pay cash and of coarse they wanted to finance for thier kick back. Needless to say, they called me and left me a voice mail to tell me that they could no longer make the deal. Said that the persons financing that traded the boat had fallen through for their new boat. BS. He had that boat for at least 3 weeks. How does financing fall through after 3 weeks? I can make one call and have the financing secured in minutes. Don't pee down my back and tell me it is raining.