Boat Warranty Deductible Fee

[JPope]

Was at the local boat dealer to buy 2 spark plugs for my little boat to get ready for the opener. Saw a sign explaining that all warranty work had a $50 deductible PER ITEM (no grouping together). Curious so asked about this, and they said it was to cover their shop insurance fee.



As this dealer deals mainly with high end Rangers, Lunds, and big pontoon boats, This deductible fee seemed to be questionable to me for warranty work and the dollars spent on these boats.



Have any of you guys run into this? and would you agree with it?



Was also surprised at the spark plug cost, $5. 95 each, but it has been a while, so maybe that is the going rate, and these are not out of the ordinary plugs?

 

[TORQUE THIS]

I would call the BBB...

 

[JLEONARD]

spark plug cost, $5. 95 each,

When I had a gas powered boat I used to buy anything I could thru auto parts stores. They may not stock the marine spark plugs but they can get them in a day or so... . and you don't pay the "marine" add on fee.

The deductable fee you describe sounds like a rip-off to me... . sounds like a "training" fee for marine mechanincs who can't do their job very well.

Personally I'd shop elsewhere.

Jay

 

[JPope]

You guys confirmed my personal opinions on this including the spark plug cost, but was most curious about the deductible warranty fee.

Guess I know how they are paying for their new building that went up last fall. Luckily there is a lot of competition in boat sales, and glad I didn't buy my boat there when I bought it 5 years ago.

Am always amazed at some of the things that go on in the sales business now.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

If it were me and I owned one of those boats I would call the manufacturer and see what they think of it. I'm betting they'd be pretty ticked and might have a few words for that dealer.

 

[midlife crisis]

Typically, a dealer has a "Posted" shop rate, and another "Warranty" that is set by the manufacturer. Some guidelines the Man. may use are the dealers training (has his techs been to school?), his having all the required specialty tools(?), do they have a good parts selection on hand, (or just maintanence items). Simple things like signage on the buildings or trucks, or if they even offer road service are considered. If their warranty rate with the Man. is so much lower than their posted rate, and they are trying to recover from the customer. . my . 02 is you dont want them working on your boat. . . The flip side to this coin is 1 Man. I know of actually pays their servicing dealers anywhere from 100-120% of their Posted rate, again depending on his meeting certain criteria. NOW, you have a dealer that doesnt care where you bought it, will fix it right the first time, (for fear of losing that perk), always has steady work because of other dealers like you mention, and most importantly for customers, they will literally drop what they are doing to fix your boat. Whats it mean really? Find out these things BEFORE you buy- good luck-