heart breaker

[mulletwalleyes]

I know all you Lund guys will say I told you so, but I went to take delivery of my new Lowe FM175 S tonight. It was not a good experience. First, the trolling motor was an MG not an MK - not a deal breaker, but the exact trolling motor model number was discussed at length becasue I really wanted MK's maxximizer technology for longer run time with a 12 v system - I'm not sure about MG's digital gaurdian technology. I then noticed that the transom save wasn't really doing a lot of good when the bottom of my motor was only six inches off the ground. They were able to adjust that after much debate. I then got in the boat and noticed that the two anchormates had only five feet of rope on them. Who puts five feet of rope on an anchor? The salesman said that they didn't come with rope and he didn't know how many ft I wanted. I told him that he had my cell number. OK - finally get to the water to do the test drive. The demonstration guy flooded the 2-stroke 90. He was able to get it started after waiting. We were now at 5:45 PM for a 5:00 PM appt. I arrived a at 4:30 to do the paper work but hung up inspecting every detail after seeing the botched the trolling moter. Anyway, we head out on the lake. I'm thinking I just want to see this baby run and I'll feel better. It popped up on plane awesome with 4 in the boat. Then it happened. There was a continous warning tone from the control box. The demo guy said he prob tried to trim it up too far. We started again. same thing. we started again. same thing. We then went in and it's back at the marina I guess. I said I had enough bull dump for one night and I got in my truck and left. I already put down a deposit. I really do like the boat, but the service has been horrible. I'm not sure what to do.

[Scott K]

Im sure these people are good people, but I wouldnt take it if your not happy with it, you can walk now, Im sure you would be able to get your deposit back, or atleast most of it. Or maybe they would be willing to do what it takes to make you a happy customer, any real dealership would!

[PerchJerker]

Sorry about your luck. It sounds like the dealership, not the boat.

It's up to you if you want to try to get your deposit back and go elsewhere, or if you want to give them a chance to fix it. At a minimum I'd get the sales manager, general manager, owner etc. on the phone and give them an earful. I'd probably also give them a chance to make it right, it sounds like it's the boat you want and it sounds like it's almost ready to go.

Whatever is going on with the motor is probably a simple fix and is why they come with warranties. I'd be a little concerned about some of the things like 5 ft of anchor rope, the transom saver not being right, the b.s. answer about the motor being trimmed up too far, etc. - just not indicative of good, careful service.

Good luck and I hope you get it worked out.

[iffwalleyes]

I agree with Perch on this the motor will be taken care of but the dealer sounds like it was his first boat he sold. Good luck with what ever you decide. Some dealers are good and some aren't.

[caseymcq]

If you said you wanted a Minnkota on the boat and the salesman agreed to that you should be getting the Minnkota. Was it written on the invoice?

[lowe06]

Got a Lowe FM 165 and had the same problems.

the baot was in the shop more than it was in the water.

Service Manager tried his best to get me going.

Boat is great, but some shop just care about getting the boats out and not the SERVICE. Good Luck

[marine_man]

If your trolling motor was documented on the work order / purchase order don't leave until you get what you paid for. The 5ft of rope on the anchor winch is a little bit unnerving - to me it's a blatant attempt at ripping you off or hoping you won't notice until you get home.

In regard to the buzzer going off - I'm sure it's something they can resolve, but either the guy who went for a test drive with you didn't know the first thing about motors (very rarely will a alarm go off for over trimming - it would almost have to be a overheat buzzer which is highly unlikely) or he was just trying to cover and hope you wouldn't catch it.

If it's a 2 stroke maybe when the boat was planing out (and if they didn't fill your oil injection tank - be sure to check that) it was the float getting stuck thinking your out of oil.

If your happy with the boat and motor itself I would work through the issues with the dealer and possibaly find a different dealer to work with from here on out.

Good Luck!

marine_man

[Black_Bay]

I bet the genius' in the service department didn't add oil to the reservoir.

[eyepatrol]

I agree that this sounds like more dealer issues than boat issues. As everyone stated, the motor issue should be able to be resolved.

HOWEVER! I've been in your position before with some similar problems (although my list of problems was much longer than yours). And I might be the "lone wolf" in this thread, but from my experience, I would not get a boat through whatever dealer this is (you don't need to say either). There are already mistakes or cover-ups from the dealer being made, and I personally would doubt it will get better. If they don't have the right attitude from the get-go, they won't have it after you walk out the door with the boat. In fact, it may even be worse (speculating here).

I've "been there, done that" and I know "Hutchbucks" who is a member of this great site has "been there, done that" too. It's a terrible experience to be drug through and really puts a sour taste in your mouth.

So, that's my suggestion/advice/$.02. I'm sure you'll be happy with that type of boat, but if I were you, I'd try and get my deposit back and look to another Lowe's dealer to get what you want.

My apologies for sounding so negative....just brings back bad memories when I see things like this.

[Ufatz]

DEMAND your deposit back and take a hike. They misled you about the electric motor. Nobody but a fool thinkgs 5' of line on an anchor winch is proper. You do NOT want to do business with these people. Give them 5-days to return your deposit or you will take further action through the consumer protection section of the Attorny General's office. Simple.

[Valv]

I agree with Ufatz, get your money back and run, seriously.

[mulletwalleyes]

thanks for everyone's thoughts. As an update - the dealer did not call me yesterday and provide an update on the boat. I am going to call them today and simply layout what I need to make it right. If they cannot comply then I will take my business elsewhere.

[dkf]

What you described is a classic case of a poor dealer. My family and I have been using the same boat dealer for over 25 years. The rigging and service at the dealer I use is top notch. Once you find a good dealer stick with them.

I wouldn't pursue purchase of the boat any farther and get your deposit back immediatly.

Make sure that Lowe hears about this dealers carelessness. What you described would have really pi$$ed me off if I was in your situation.

Good Luck

[marine_man]

Quote:

---

I am going to call them today and simply layout what I need to make it right. If they cannot comply then I will take my business elsewhere.

---

Sounds like a good plan to me...

marine_man

[lawdog]

How did this turn out???

There is no way I'd be buying from this clown/crook/whatever...

[mulletwalleyes]

I went ack and dealt directly with the sales manager, laid out what needed to happen, and picked up the baot on Saturday. Even put it in the water - without a dock - not fun. It ran great. Tried to add a pic, but not sure how.

[image]C:\Documents and Settings\hzhxsx\Desktop\511360507206_0_BG.jpg[/image]

[mulletwalleyes]

[image]file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/hzhxsx/Desktop/511360507206_0_BG.jpg[/image]

[mulletwalleyes]

I must be a little slow! How do I add a pic?

[lawdog]

It needs to be hosted on an image server HSOforum before you can post it here.

Glad they took care of your concerns.

[marine_man]

You need to host it on a HSOforum.

Follow the instructions on how to post pictures in this thread: How to post Pictures

If you can't figure it out send them to me and I'll get them posted.

marine_man

[mulletwalleyes]

I just sent to your yahoo e-mail. I could not figure out how to do it.

[marine_man]

Here's your picture:

Looks like a nice rig!

marine_man