outboard motor warranty

[Big Walleye 58]

I'm sure that I'm not the first to experience this problem but has anyone else had a problem that you bought an outboard motor or anything at all out of your local area, and you can't seem to get any satisfaction locally when you do have a problem with that item ? More specifically,a warranty repair from a dealer that sells and services the same brand .Yes I understand that the dealer is not happy that you didn't buy from him etc. I get that.I guess what really peeves me is the first question out of their mouth is where did you buy the motor ? Does it really matter ? as long as they are a manufacturers sales and service center for that particular brand . I suppose that I am now paying the price for my initial $1200 savings on the boat package and not buying locally .I'm just frustrated by the whole experience .

[Ufatz]

The short answer is....Yes....you are going to pay-one way or another-for not buying it where you now want it repaired. This is NOT supposed to be the way it works but it does.I'm sure this fella will do the warranty work on your motor because he will be paid by the manufacturer when he does it.And if he wants to remain as a dealer he WILL do it. The catch is: when will he do it and with what enthusiam. You are paying the same price all of us pay in todays world where the customer is no longer King; but instead is treated as an annoyance. The real tragedy is that it is not going to get any better. Notice the sort of indifferent and ignorant service you generally find at any retail outlet today? Get used to it! Too bad. If you find a GOOD place, stay with them and spread the word.

[Big Walleye 58]

I hear ya ! What ever happened to treat people the way you would like to be teated ? Thanks for your input

[PerchJerker]

I have run into trouble with warranty work in that situation also.

[Whoaru99]

One of the issues is that not every dime a dealer has into a warranty repair is necessarily reimbursed by the company.

So, the dealer is out of pocket for those expenses or tries to charge you for them. When it's warranty, people don't expect to pay. So, rather than have that battle, the dealer reluctantly chooses to eat those non-covered expenses. If he didn't sell you the boat, motor, or whatever, then he is eating into the margins of products he did sell. On top of that, this dealer knows the dealer you bought it from is hanging on to every penny and not having to deal with the problem.

[Big Walleye 58]

Any other comments ??

[marine_man]

Everyone's pretty much on the mark here, unfortunately.

The reasoning I've heard / seen the most is that the dealer will repair your motor, but they're going to make sure all the customers that bought from them are taken care of first, since there's a higher chance they'll come back to the same dealer to buy their next boat.

Again, it shouldn't be that way, but that's the way it is pretty much everywhere.

marine_man