chaparral will not back warranty

[lakeman69]

has anyone else had trouble with chaparral
I have a 2007 234 that
after 4 months and less than 20 hours the seats are splitting on the back sides along the plywood. after months of dealing with them they have come back with normal wear and my problem.
they are not going to replace them.
this is just many problems with this boat from the day i picked it up.
I bought it in gulf shores so my local dealer in pickwick tennessee has refused to do the warranty work. and told me he didnot wont the boat in his building.
Chaparral says they cannot make him do the work.
I know of a man who bought a 2007 signature had so much problems that after he went to the CEO they dealt him a new 2008. But he had to sign a form he could not talk about it after the deal was done. This 2007 was just put back into used stock for sale at the dealer.

 

[QC]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

Hey lakeman, welcome aboard. I have moved this to Boat Topics as you will get more activity here and Dockside is primarily about non-boat stuff . . . Please all, let's keep this from becoming a bash fest . . .

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

Oh boy! Here we go again, Does anyone here remember the saga of "Boat listing to port" by Suds?

That had a happy ending, but what rigmarole she/he went through.
Good Luck.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

This is not a new problem with company's that claim that they have a nationwide warranty fot the product they sell.

Examples: i bought a Windstar ford van in 1995 in NY, and needed warranty work done after i moved to NJ.

No dealer in NJ would touch it. They all said the same thing bring it back to where you bought it.

I had to get a lawyer involved and filed suit and then they wound up doing the work and paying my lawyers fees, and filing fees i too had to sign a paper i wouldn't reveal in public the facts. But Ford may have fixed that problem i don't know, cause i'll never buy a new Ford again.

And i have a very good friend that bought a new Cris Craft at the factory and the first time he took it out the whole cabin had 2 feet of water in it, they shipped it back and forth like 3 times never fixed it cause it kept getting water in it, he finally got his money after a lawsuit and they paid his lawyers fees also that took years also.

Now Dodge they will fix it anywhere, no matter where you buy it, had that problem and found out.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

My only new boat buying experience came in 1986, and the only problem that rig had was fixed by the selling dealer, who went out of business two years later. All the rest of my boats have been used, so I cannot personally identify with the OP's problem. It seems that it is posted often here, to get a good dealer and establish a good rapport with them. This is an example of why that is so true today. It may not matter in some cases as we see more manufacturers shutter their doors and sell of their inventories.
Sorry to hear of your plight. It seems as tho the boat dealers operate in a little different world than the automotive stealerships.....
It's a shame, as Chapparal and Robalo have good names for themselves and have been under the same ownership since the mid 60's...

 

[haskindm]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

This is a good example of why it is so important to develop a relationship with a good dealer. The right dealer can make a world of difference. Who is more likely to get results from a manufacturer? The boat owner that often only buys one boat from a manufacturer in a lifetime, or the dealer that buys dozens or hundreds of boats per year? A good dealer can be much more important than the few dollars you may save when shopping ONLY based on price. Unfortunately good dealers are getting hard to find... Spend at least as much time and effort deciding on the dealer as you do deciding on the boat.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

Does the warranty specifically note what is and is not covered?

Is this a bow to stern warranty or does it only apply the hull and structure?

There may be a specific clause that states that the seats and upholstery are not covered.

 

[SuperDaddy]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

"New Boat Warranty".......add it to the list of things I'll never have to worry about.

 

[dlngr]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

"New Boat Warranty".......add it to the list of things I'll never have to worry about.

I was thinking the same thing! Also the depreciation I'll never worry about!

 

[azlakes]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

This 2007 was just put back into used stock for sale at the dealer.

...hiya lakeman,

your boat may have been put on a used lot but if you were the very first person to register it , it is as new and should carry all warranties as new. if your not the first owner "bow to stearn warranty" may have lapsed or not be transferable.. but what did Chappral say they would do for you? Everyone has a boss so keep moving it up the chain and press for results or answers.

good luck

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

has anyone else had trouble with chaparral
I have a 2007 234 that
after 4 months and less than 20 hours the seats are splitting on the back sides along the plywood. after months of dealing with them they have come back with normal wear and my problem.
they are not going to replace them.
this is just many problems with this boat from the day i picked it up.
I bought it in gulf shores so my local dealer in pickwick tennessee has refused to do the warranty work. and told me he didnot wont the boat in his building.
Chaparral says they cannot make him do the work.
I know of a man who bought a 2007 signature had so much problems that after he went to the CEO they dealt him a new 2008. But he had to sign a form he could not talk about it after the deal was done. This 2007 was just put back into used stock for sale at the dealer.

lakeman,
Have you gone to the company owned Chaparral Members forum and posted this question? They monitor the boards and can respond to your issue. Concerning one of your issues their seats DO NOT HAVE any plywood in them. So you bought it as a USED boat? If you did not transfer the warranty you are SOL. and it does not cover your seat issue. Transfer of ownership has to occur within 30 days of purchase and $500 for boats under 24 feet. It's detailed in your owners manual, and if you don't have that it can be downloaded at the owners forum.

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

I've only bought 2 brand new boats in my lifetime. One was an Edgwater that I had a problem with the headliner in the cabin... I had to trailer the boat to the factory in Florida to have it fixed.... although this was the only issue I ever had with it and it was otherwise a very good boat, I'll never buy another product from them... a 1200 mile round trip on my dime to have a factory defect repaired under warranty was unbelievable.

The other is the Caracal that I own now. I bought this boat from the manufacturer in Florida.... drove to the plant to pick it up (it was worth it) I had one problem with it about a month after buying it and they sent a crew from the factory to my house to fix it....

That was customer service!

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

The other is the Caracal that I own now. I bought this boat from the manufacturer in Florida.... drove to the plant to pick it up (it was worth it) I had one problem with it about a month after buying it and they sent a crew from the factory to my house to fix it....

That was customer service!

Yeah, it sure was! I'm also glad you mentioned here, because they deserve to get the "good press" for that kind of responsiveness. Its nice to know that there are still manufacturers out there that stand behind what they build to "the Nth degree!"

 

[lakeman69]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

I may not have made my self clear this is a brand new boat had 0 hours on it. And the seats are made on plywood.
This afternoon i called for the CEO OF CHAPARRAL and a gentleman right under him called me back. They are having me shipe the seats back to them so he can see the problem and replace them for me.
And he will be talking to the gentleman who made the call of not replacing them.
The phone and a upset voice still will get you places.
The seats were only about the 10th item that was wrong with the boat.
The biggest problem I think it was very close if not the last 234 made before the new model came out it was made in may 2007.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

if you had paid attention to the HIN on the boat, you would have known it was built in 2007. it is still a new boat. looks like you have had your say against Chaparral, and they are taking care of your problem.

we have allowed you to have your say, and only one side of the story.
we do not allow bashing of individuals or companies on our forums. it looks like you will have a happy ending.

 

[QC]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

Sounds like a good result lakeman! Good to hear. I generally like Chaparral and they have done a reasonably good job of trying to match SeaRay and Cobalt quality. Especially good to see a positive response in what is a terrible economic situation for boat builders. Indicates some financial strength to me which is comforting.

 

[jkust]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

Glad to hear it worked out but If your Chap has plywood seats you may have bigger problems. Chaps have been praised for years for using no plywood in their seats when others still did. The overall construction of their seats is a highpoint. Chaps are fantastic quality boats and I hope all of your problems will all be addressed.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

I may not have made my self clear this is a brand new boat had 0 hours on it. And the seats are made on plywood.
This afternoon i called for the CEO OF CHAPARRAL and a gentleman right under him called me back. They are having me shipe the seats back to them so he can see the problem and replace them for me.
And he will be talking to the gentleman who made the call of not replacing them.
The phone and a upset voice still will get you places.
The seats were only about the 10th item that was wrong with the boat.
The biggest problem I think it was very close if not the last 234 made before the new model came out it was made in may 2007.

Purely a suggestion here, prior to shipping anything back i would load the boat up and take it to 2-3 different repair shops..Vinly repair..get a bid and have them diagnose in writing what you are experiencing along with bids to repair the defect.

In doing so you have written appraisal's by outside proffesional's and the damage done. Give the same gentleman a call and fax him the results. It would be prudent on the factory's part to accept there finding's and then make a decision on the proper course of action.
If at that point they still want the seats sent back to them let them know you are not a professional at this type of thing and would like the uphosltry repair shop to dismount and remount all of the seating at the company' expense. This is not at all unreasonalbe to request and in doing so if you encounter any issue's down the road....you have a well documented history for your states consumer protection division...MFG's all though in tough times still have to adhere to there stated terms and conditions of the warranty's

I have done as much with Wellcraft, they went way out of there way for me in addressing a similar issue..as soon as they knew the whats and why's i was taken of..And i will never foreget that service and will shamlessly plug that comapny in any open boating forum..it just does not get any better than there customer service..

 

[chiefalen]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

It seems the guy who told you first no should have said yes.

Happens, but they did do the right thing in the end, company in my book would be a company to do business with in the future.

This is by the way, is a great way to get, and keep customers, and this day and age a company that wants to stay in business, better take care of their customers.

Word of mouth works well both ways, loose a customer and you loose 10, keep a customer you make 10.

Hope it works out for you.

 

[superpop]

Re: chaparral will not back warranty

I would not push it with this company. Sounds like they are willing to fix the seats. Now taking it to a shop and asking them to dismount seats and have Chap pay for this as well is pushing it in my book. If you turn this into a major hassle for them they may just say forget it and tell you to pound sand. Not saying they will but I would take what they have offered gladly and pop the seats off and on myself.