Crestliner Customer Service

[ssaamm]

Hello, I've got the open water itch like everyone else. Unfortunately,my boat is in Little Falls at the Crestliner factory having some work done. Has anyone else had difficulty getting ahold of the staff there? When I was scheduling the work, I left countless messages with no reply. I finally talked to a person and got somewhere. I don't like to badger people and would rather not. There is no open water to fish, but I need to get my new electronics in and other stuff. I don't think I am being unreasonable to check on the status. It's been over a month and that's the length of time they thought it would be. Shoud I be patient or be the sqeaky wheel? Thanks for any words of wisdom.

[swampbuck]

sent you a pm check it

[aanderud]

Probably would have taken less time to call them than to type this question up on the Forum. As long as you're not rude on the phone, calling to check on customer service issues shouldn't be viewed as 'badgering', especially when they are currently in possession of your hard-earned property.

[cere19]

You're not alone, we dropped off my dads boat last fall at the dealer we bought it from. It went up to get warranty work done no big deal because we were done for the season. Well it went up there a little later than planned and it seemed like no one really knew what was up with it. Finally we got word from the dealer it was done and they were shrink wrapping it up at Crestliner for free and gonna store it up there being we had a couple feet of snow. My dad made plans to get it back the last week of March and they were gonna bring it down when they brought the boats down for the sportshow. Me and my dad talked to the sales guy on sat and they didn't know so we went with them to the Crestliner booth and the guy wasn't there that would know if it came down. Hopefully we get it back this week cause we are looking at adding rod holders and interior lights but my dad doesn't want to get them until we have the boat back. We always have just talked with the dealer and not with anybody at Crestliner but seems like we have similar service. Love the boat but I got the open water itch as well.

[ssaamm]

If it was that easy, I wouldn't have posted the question. I have been friendly on the phone and when leaving messages. I almost shed a tear when I dropped my boat off. Just want to know how she is holding up.

[fishwater]

Hope you guys get your boats soon. Don't hesitate to call, I regret being passive about my boat. I assumed my dealer would take care of it. Now, I'm in a panic. I scheduled my boat last May to go back to Ranger for warranty work this winter, dropped it off at the dealer in November after I completely de-rigged it myself. I took off the kicker, trolling motors and every bit of electronics - essentially only left the rails and main motor on the boat.

I even offered to drive it down to Flippin myself; my dealer said it wouldn't be necessary and they do it all the time. I had an inkling the worst might happen considering the bankruptcy and need to turn a profit and sell as many boats as possible. I stopped in New Years for some bait on the way to a buddy's cabin in WI, boat was still sitting out back. Well, after ice fishing was over for me I called up to the dealer a little over a week ago - come to find out Ranger finally picked it up in late March and they don't know anything else.

Nobody has been able to give me an answer on when I'll see my boat, finally started putting serious calls directly into Ranger in the last week. I'm not happy, been loosing some sleep. I've got a good 2+ days of re-rigging and the only thing I've heard is they are busy and it's not likely I'll get it in May.

[yaggie]

Just curious. What work needs to be done on these boats for warranty work?

[LMITOUT]

If it's anything like my buddy's experience with Skeeter, they put boats that need to be sent to the factory on the trucks that deliver new boats to the dealer. Drop off new boats, pick up warranty boats. Naturally very few, if any, new boats are delivered in the dead of winter so there is no truck to go back on until early spring. They basically told him his boat would not ship to the factory until around March. Luckily they ended up doing the service without sending it in and he didnt have to sit on pins and needles wondering if he'd get it back in time for open water.

[Matt C]

I am as well wondering why the maker and not a dealer? If it needs to go back to the factory...your talking hull issues?

Is there a recall on certain models/year?

[cere19]

No it's not a hull issue on my dad's crestliner. We got it last summer after ordering it and when I was out in it fishing I noticed that the carpet on the side wall had been glued on accident to the side of the livewell in back. So it was attached to the wall on the back side and where it met the livewell it was glued on the front side. When the boat flexed the front metal edge of the livewell put a nice couple inch slit into the side carpet. This was after only being out of the factory for two months. Thats why it went back to Crestliner because the whole interior had to be gutted to fix the side carpet I'm guessing. Like I said it was accidently glued wrong and tore the carpet. Crestliner said right away they would fix it the only thing that has bothered me is the fact that no one really has an answer which is frustrating.

[ssaamm]

Finally got through to Crestliner customer service voice mail. A nice lady named Suzie was very helpful even tho this was not her particular area. My boat is back. What they repaired seems to have been done well. I do think that I will need to bring it back in the Fall to fix some spots that are about ready to break down fairly soon. A little confused by why these areas weren't addressed. At this point just happy to have it back. I will probably just pay to have it done to completion next time. Interesting experience overall. Sam

[1750FH]

talked to mike at crestliner cust. service great guy got things settled right away. maybe it was the move from littlefalls to newyork mills or the down sizing then getting swamped with new boats,shouldnt be an excuse though,hope you have a better experience next time if you need it.

[1750FH]

who your dealer?

[Northlander]

I would call them a hundred times a day until I could get someone to telk me when I would have my boat back. Its not badgering. They know people want their boats now that there is open water to fish.

[FM_Mike]

ALL boat company's have some dealers that may not be the best at given times. And yes I may be a little biased because I have had Crestliner boats for the last 15 years. Just got my new one in March and have contacted Crestliner 5 times in that las month and have always been taken care of. They had just moved and had gone through there first inventory at the new facility a few weeks ago so that may explain a bit of the slowness issue.

Mike

[ssaamm]

My dealer was from Nisswa and no longer in the boat business. Again, the work done was fine, and the timetable a bit longer than I would have liked. Not returning the few calls I made was frustrating.

[ANYFISH2]

I am as well wondering why the maker and not a dealer? If it needs to go back to the factory...your talking hull issues?

Is there a recall on certain models/year?

I can't talk for these guy's or Crestliner, but I work for Larson boats. One reason factories want warranty boats back at the factory is that ALOT of dealers charge $150+/hr to do the work. Thats compared to factory workers $40-$50(All inclusive cost/wage/benefits/ect...). I have seen a warranty claim from a dealer for a torn stich in a cushion, he fixed it for 2x the cost of us making it! He also buffet out a rub mark in the gelcoat caused by loading/unloading at the cost of $125, for a 4"x6" rub! Times are tough for dealers too, they got to make money somehow!