Small Bass Pro Rant

[mad4sax]

Just a small rant from a hopefully soon new pontoon owner. (I have owned a "V boat" in the past)
Trying to get information from Bass Pro both in person and by email is not an easy task.

Wanted to see 18 foot, 20 Foot and 22 foot to decide what size I want. I believe a 20 foot party barge with a 60 HP is what I want. They had a 20 foot but was in the back waiting for a part so I couldn't see it because they couldn't sell it until the part came in. I explained I was only sizing and wasn't going to buy it. Still wouldn't show me. Had no info booklets for me. Told me they had a mistake in them so they could not hand them out. Every question I had he tried to look up on the Sun Tracker web page but his computer was "running slow". I had the page opened on my phone and have that info already.

By email asked what was a 20 foot with a 60hp on a tandem axle approximate tongue weight. Also the electrical connection on that trailer. Could not get an answer to either question. :mad-new:

Bass Pro basically told me to come back at the end of January beginning of February at the in store boat show and I could get all my questions answered. :facepalm:

Now is this anyway to start off?? I am going to spend 26-28K on a pontoon boat I would think a few simple questions could be answered.

End of small rant .....

I am hopeful as this process of buying and owning continues this forum can help me out much better than the professionals at Bass Pro.

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

There is independent tracker dealers.
if you seriously want a tracker toon id find one in your area.

 

[WIMUSKY]

I agree with ercoa, find a regular boat dealer. Basspro, Gander Mtn etc sell boats, but are not experts by any means........ What about followup if you bought from said places and you had issues down the road? I would find a dealer...... The reason they wanted you to wait for the boat show is because that's when the reps for each manufacturer will be there with all the answers ...

 

[mad4sax]

I thought of that. Bass Pro is about 35 - 40 minutes away from me. The next closest independent Tracker dealer is about 1 hour and 45 minutes away.

 

[GA_Boater]

The reason you aren't getting answers is because they get hundreds of dreamer emails. Put your face in front a salesman if you want answers. You want to spend, show them you mean it. It's also a good way to look at their maintenance facility.

 

[ahicks]

I can answer the tongue weight question I think. It's whatever you want it, determined by where the boat is located on the trailer (front/rear). That location is determined by the bow stop, normally adjustable on any trailer I've dealt with. Set it for a couple hundred pounds and you should be fine. Regarding wire connector, 99.9% are the 4 wire flat - unless you equip the trailer with brakes. Whatever it comes with, if it doesn't suit your purposes, it's just a few minutes to change.

Oh, and I get where you are coming from. As soon as a salesman picks up a brochure, or moves for their computer, I explain that I can read quite well. Thank you very much, and walk away.

 

[mad4sax]

The reason you aren't getting answers is because they get hundreds of dreamer emails. Put your face in front a salesman if you want answers. You want to spend, show them you mean it. It's also a good way to look at their maintenance facility.

I was at the Bass Pro near me. Filled out a contact information card for them. That is when they told me to come back in 5 to 6 months.

 

[mad4sax]

Just got an email for Sun Tracker "SUN TRACKER Relationship Survey" is what it is. This will be fun to take. :lol:

 

[GA_Boater]

I was at the Bass Pro near me. Filled out a contact information card for them. That is when they told me to come back in 5 to 6 months.

What? They don't want your money, so why chase them?

 

[lncoop]

Just curious. You seem set on a Suntracker. Any particular reason?

 

[mad4sax]

Why am I not surprised? Filled out my customer satisfaction survey. When submitting I get this:
"Page Error
Oops, it appears you have discovered a bug in our survey - our apologies for this inconvenience.
Please try again by pressing the "Back" button on your browser and re-submitting your response.

To help us fix the problem for you and other survey participants:

Please call 1-888-525-5026 (and select option 2)
-OR-
click here to send us a brief e-mail describing what you did prior to receiving this message."

 

[1983 ercoa 21']

Did you write the names of the ones that told you to come back in a few months names down ?

 

[mad4sax]

Just curious. You seem set on a Suntracker. Any particular reason?

Not 100% sure why but I have been shopping around online and just liked the Sun Tracker best. And I really liked the ones I walked around on at Bass Pro.

 

[lmuss53]

I would call the store during regular business hours and ask to speak to the general manager. I would give him the 30 second version of what you posted here, I bet he can find someone to show you a boat properly and answer all your questions.

 

[littlerayray]

Big box stores only truly care about revenue I doubt that bps will even take you out on a maiden voyage on a shake down run if they do I would be very surprised when I bought my boat through a marina they took me out on a shake down run showed me how to dock tie a cleat and all the features as well as some small tid bit knowledge a true boater would pass on like which side of a narrow chanel is safe

 

[Old Screwball]

WOW! We bough our 18' Party Barge at BasPro in Las Vegas. They had 4 or 5 boats on the show floor, and the sales lady (that's right LADY) knew everything about the boat. They were a couple of hundred cheaper than the two indy dealers we tried, and gave us a couple of hundred more for our trade in.

Tongue weigh is under 200 pounds, and the trailer plug is a 4 flat. Advice, option the biggest engine allowable, you will get tired of going slow quickly.

 

[Jeep Man]

Well, mad4sax, I have a Sun Tracker, with a 60 hp, and a tandem trailer. While I am happy with my boat, and I didn't buy it new (but nearly), knowing what I know now, there are better boats for the same money. The boat is underpowered with the 60. If I had it to do over, it would be a 90 or 115. A single axle trailer will do but just barely. Stick with the tandem and consider it having brakes. It's borderline so better to be safe than sorry. Finally, I would not buy from Bass Pro. I have been there asking questions in the past and did not find them knowledgeable or enthusiastic. Others that I know that have purchased from BP were not recommending them and have found service lacking. If you do want a Sun Tracker, buy from a smaller dealer. The service will be better

 

[mad4sax]

Follow up to my Bass Pro rant.
Went across town to a marina and bought a Bennington last week. Much better customer service and actually knew answers about the boats they sell.

 

[fish till ya bleed]

A little help with tongue weight. Tongue weight should be a minimum of 10% of the gross trailer weight if not you will not like the way it pulls and it can put the tow vehicle and trailer into a uncontrollable sway condition that can cause injury and or death. Just a little information to consider.

 

[jwdavis28]

If you are anywhere near Missouri I would HIGHLY recommend Pro Choice Marine. Luke is the owner and that's who you deal with. Much better pricing than Bass Pro had and the service is outstanding! High volume dealership with tons of inventory. The Saturday I bought my boat there it was the 11th they delivered that day.