Re: Stringer Pushing through bottom of Boat?
I think he was way to nice.
On the one hand, those of you who said that these things take time due to a company not wanting to just give up $30k are right.
However, there is no reason a decent survey, paid for by the company, couldn't be completed within a few days of reporting the problem.
At the point when they company refused to do that, I'd hire my own surveyior, and then send a copy of the results with a nicely written yet straight to the point letter (such as the one he did write) ON AN ATTOURNEYS LETTERHEAD to every address I could come up with,
such as the Gen. mangerer of the local store, General manager of the nearest 5 other stores, the home office, the manufacturer, etc...
This letter would have stipulations as well (consult said attourny about what is legal to demand in your state -- at this point you don't care what the warrenty says anymore, most states have laws that imply more then the warrenty its self does). At a minamum, I would have demanded the following in said letter:
1. A specific, reasonable date by which the boat must be repaired and returned.
2. That the boat must be returned in a "like new" condition. (Honestly, you paid the better part of a years salery for this boat sarge, you don't let any other enemy beat you, why this one?).
3. That after a reasonable grace period, the company be required to re-imburse you for your loss of use, firgured at the current credit index percentage or "prime rate" (that's how they figure the interest rate for credit cards) times what you paid for the boat, compounded monthly. (In otherwords, appx. 10 % APR right now, so since they "borrowed" your boat for 6 months, they owe you appx 5% of the $24,000 you paid for it or appx. $1200)
4. That anything less then set forth above will result in a lawsuit (consult lawer for type, details, etc...) that will cost them much more then your simple demands above.
Upon receiving the boat shoddally repaired as you did, I'd say another survey, BEFORE YOU ACCEPTED DELIVERY would be in order. But then, I wouldn't have accepted delivery unitl I inspected it myself, AND, upon finding the problems noted by myself and the survey, I'd have refused delivery due to not yet being complete.
At that point, the same letter, with an addition to it stating the crappy repair was unaaceptable and a new timeline (to include interest from the day they tried to return it to you). Also anything missing would be included in such letter.
One thing you will learn in the military (especially as a Sergeant and above) is that it is possible to play hardball while still being polite and understanding -- but at the same time, said hardball has to be followed up by heavy handed action if it is going to be effective.
I honestly think you have been way more than fair, got ripped off, and just stood there and took it like a private.
On the other hand, at least they seem to have made good on the hull, albeit that it took way too long.
All that said, I do not have any desire to bash BPS, however, the CS I have recieved in the boating department of 3 different locations now has been quite poor. It seems that if you are not interested in a brand new boat, then they are not interested in you.
I once went in to their service manager and asked if they could order me some replacement clips (the small metal hooks mounted on the gunwales) for my bimini top -- I got the dear in the headlights response for about 2 minutes and then he pointed over to the accesories area of the store (where they sell tires and jacks and lights and bumpers and batteries and such) and said I think they have some over there.
Do they really not have simple high fail hardware on hand or at least a catalog to order it from!?
The store did turn out to have some bimini hardware -- but not the fittings I was looking for. The sales person over there did spend a good 30 min looking for them though -- to include both computer and paper BPS catalogs.
I do have to say, though, that the BPS customer service in the other parts of the store has been excellant, in all 3 stores -- just not the new boat section.
I also have to say that although I have nothing against tracker (besides the ridiculous situation described in this thread), I am not impressed with thier boats.
For pro's, they are pretty.
They really do look good and they have great dock appeal (like curb appeal for a house).
For con's, I have rented several tracker boats (I hate renting) because I am currently repairing mine -- rotten stringers and transom.
First, I have yet to rent one (keep in mind that I have even lucked out and been the 2nd person ever to rent one of them) where the engine/transmission control worked right. I hate slamming a boat into gear because the shifter doesn't work right (maybe I'm babied by my electric shift?)
Second, they feel cheap to me.
Third, they usually seem underpowered. Probably not an issue with the I/O's though.
Well, sorry for such a long post but I thought I should put in my 2 cents!
in 89 i bought a new Bass Tracker Pro 17ft alum bass boat didn't pay any where near $20 but slightly over $10
