Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

[JOEMANSLOWE]

2007 FM-175 w/ 115-hp Optimax.
After 3 new paint jobs (bad primer from factory) each winter back to the factory, Cabelas found a 6" long tear in the middle of my hull. Lowe factory picked it up and brought back to factory (again) to investigate. They gutted the boat and wanted to "patch it".
After many phone calls w/ customer service, they agreed to replace the entire hull w/ new. They jumped thru hoops to get me back on the water. With the paint issues behind me (which is B.S. for a new boat), I love this boat.
KUDOS TO LOWE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

wait, what? pics of this tear? From the welds? Or was it just the surface of the alum?

Did you not notice you were getting water in?

 

[JOEMANSLOWE]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

I noticed the water after a couple of starts and taking a long time to plane out with the bow up in the air. Put the bilge on and thought "wow WTF?".
The tear was not from a weld and was not from hitting anything. That's why I wouldn't accept a patch (even though the hull has a lifetime warranty).

 

[fox2to1]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

I sure hope they still rock. Yesterday I discovered a crack right near the bottom of the hull in my 2008 FM185 that I have had for a little under 2 years. It was new when I got it. That crack has now spread. The last 2 times we were out we started taking on water. But the first time we were in pretty rough water with 5' rollers and figured that's why we were taking on water. But yesterday we were out in fairly calm water and were taking on water so that bilge pump was running continuously. When we took the boat out of the water (before we pulled the drain plug) we noticed water coming from under the boat. On closer inspection we saw the crack and you could actually push on the crack and water would squirt out. The thing was still dripping in my driveway this morning! I called Cabelas (where I bought it) and am on my way in with it now. I don't want a patch either as we go out on Great Lakes sometimes as much as 20-25 miles out. The hull has been compromised and I don't trust a patch to hold. We shall see what happens.

 

[fox2to1]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

They do rock - and Cabelas carries a big club. Lowe wanted to take my boat now but I told them they would have to wait until after Fall walleye fishing. I put a silicone patch on it and it held water today but won't be good unless I redo it. However, Lowe is going to replace the boat. could take 6 weeks or 6 months they said.

 

[JOEMANSLOWE]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

Lyle Hagen is the customer service rep. for Lowe (lhagen@lowe.com).
Cabelas did their due diligence when my crack was discovered, but trust me, I had to speak directly to Lyle (on a few occasions) to get the hull replaced.
They also told me it would be 6-8 weeks before my new hull would be finished, but I told them to find one on a Cabelas floor and swap out my motor, electr, etc.....
Keep me posted.

 

[fox2to1]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

Through Cabelas they put me in touch with Lyle at Lowes. So Sunday night I was off and delivered my boat to Lowe in Lebanon, MO. My BIL lives a short way from there. Talking to Lyle he seemed to indicate that the boat would be replaced, that the damage is too extensive (did I mention I found yet another crack on the hull). I said good as I was not going to accept any patch/repair. But he said ultimately it is not his decision what to do but glad to hear that he may have more influence than what he was saying. CHA I would suspect.

Also, since my boat is a 2008 model, my current engine, trolling motor mount, etc., will not fit on the newer models as they have reconfigured how the engines mount. So I will probably be getting new engine as well.

So we shall see what happens next. They did not give me any time frame for getting back to me or for the replacement, but I wouldn't be using it now anyhow.

Will let you know how it works out.

 

[fox2to1]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

Heard from Lyle today. They are replacing the boat. I told him I really wanted to keep my current motor as I now have all the "bugs" worked out of it. So they will remount both my motors (I also have a 9HP kicker), all the electrical and mount for my trolling motor, and other stuff. Since the transom on the new boats sits higher they are going to extend the prop shafts on both motors at their cost as well. The plant will be closing in 2 weeks for the holiday so nothing will happen probably until after the first of the year as they have to build a whole new boat.

He also told me that Lake Erie is really hard on these boats as the hulls are welded rather than riveted and is much more rigid when hitting the swells. They believe that's the reason for all the stress cracks they are seeing.

 

[JOEMANSLOWE]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

Wow, I would've rather the new motor set-up on a newly designed transom. Anytime you mess with the shaft length or prop replacements for your motor it will have an impact on the performance (hole shot, planing, and top speed). Obviously, make sure they test her out before giving back to you. I wasn't aware of any changes in the design, but then again my 2007 was replaced with a 2010 hull. You're obviously getting a 2011 hull replacement. Keep me posted as to their decision. What HP & engine????

 

[LTUSN]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

I have a 2002 SD220 which developed stress cracks on the port side last year, I had them repaired and now another one has appeared along with one of the original cracks, cracking again. I contacted Lyle from above and his suggestion was there is something loose causing a domino effect and could cause more issues and I should be contacting my insurance company. I inquired about the life time hull warranty and I was told that the 2002 was prorated for 10 years, for the original owner. So be warned, if your not the original owner, contacting the manufacture for help could be futile. The Dealer was worthless, as far as they were concern, they had your money.

 

[JOEMANSLOWE]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

Hey fox2to1,
Haven't seen any recent posts and was wondering how Lowe took care of you.
Let me know. Here's some pics of my new boat with my accessories re-installed.

 

[LTUSN]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

Timing is everything
I just picked my boat up on 2/20, and they took care of allot of items at a very reasonable price. They found a leak in my power steering, which I didn't know I had, and they fixed that also.
Overall I was extremely happy with their customer service.
The only thing I am still concerned about is the tears, which we had welded. They inspected them and said they looked good to them.
Its one of those things that will haunt me for the rest of my life

Had the Seats redone at a local shop, replacing the speakers and wires when the weather warms up.
The rear "Changin Room" deck n the SD220's get allot of abuse from swimmers bringin water on board, so I am in the procees of replacing it. Lowe game me a piece of scrap carpet and board, now all i need is the new T-Nuts for the back of the board.

I salute, Lyle, Kenny, and Roy with Lowe Boats. Outrstanding Customer Service.....

 

[shiftychevy]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

Have you heard of any of then newer hulls (2010-too present) with these stress cracks?
Thanks guys.

 

[LTUSN]

Re: Lowe customer service ROCKS!!!!

My Master Chief has a 2004 SD224 and we inspected his a couple of weeks ago, and there was nothing showing