Really not happy with Tracker Marine - update 5/27/10

[bassnleo]

Some of you may remember my thread about my Tracker Grizzly. Just over 1 month ago I discovered that the aluminum ribs welded into the boat had all cracked. The welds holding the front deck to the hull also cracked.

I was instructed to gut the boat and take it back to the dealer which I did within a week. It's been sitting there since about the second week of March.

This week I finally got kinda fed up and started inquiring what the heck is going on. The tech I'm in touch with at the dealer has been pretty good with me, I'm sure he's at Tracker's mercy. He's spoken to Tracker, e-mailed pics of the damage.

Today I got word that Tracker now wants the boat back at the plant to inspect it and determine if it is repairable or it needs replaced.

How long will this take? I'm without a small boat for our tournaments on hp restricted lakes which are common in this area. Tournament season is underway. To make matters worse, I've been looking for a specific jet outboard for the boat and I've finally found one. Problem is I have no boat to put it on.

I've about hit my wits end with Tracker.

The saga continues.

[done]

Call them directly if you can. That is total BS. You buy a boat to be able to use it. You buy a fishing boat to use it especially during the BEST darn bass time of the year.

Remind them of the importance of word of mouth and that you are keeping a log of your experience with them on these boards. They are doing nothing but making sure they have fewer customers.

I would also lean on the boat dealer. He can lean on his Tracker rep as well so get some stuff flowing uphill to tracker that way.

It may do nothing but give you a chance to vent but it may help if they got some decent folks somewhere in the company.

[Jig Man]

If they are going to bring that puppy all the way back here to the plant in Lebanon, MO, you are going to be without a boat for a very long time.

Unfortunately, your warranty doesn't mention time not or the water.  If just says repair or replace.

[bassnleo]

It is coming to MO.........

I will be calling Tracker directly.

More to follow.....

[SoFl-native]

Get a contact at Tracker who actually has some influence on your situation and ride them like its your job. Call everyday, twice a day, then again. Keep a list of who you talk to and what is said. Write down promised finish dates and all details. That is the only way to play the corporate game.

good luck.

[b.Lee]

Get a contact at Tracker who actually has some influence on your situation and ride them like its your job. Call everyday, twice a day, then again. Keep a list of who you talk to and what is said. Write down promised finish dates and all details. That is the only way to play the corporate game.

good luck.

So very true. I used to do that with my cellphone company. I had two call 4 times a day until they got fed up with it.

[bassnleo]

I agree with calling, possibly as much as is necessary..........but........don't ya think it may get to a point where Tracker says "To hell with this guy, pain in our $%*, we'll sit on this repair and watch 'em suffer"?

I'm just afraid of reaching that point.

I'm actually looking for another boat. If I find one I'm buying it. When this ordeal ends, new boat or repair, I'm selling it.

I just can't go much longer without a aluminum boat.

[done]

I would not see them doing that.

Be sure to mention to them this thread and how many threads we have in this section about first time boat buyers looking for suggestions. May help persuade them a bit.

[morts10]

Call corperate headquarters. Several years ago bought a new firearm from a major manufacturer. Purchase was made in september for season to start in april of following year. Firearm was defective and dealer could get nowhere. March of that year I had enough. > Called headquarters and after 20 minutes had worked my way to a vice president. Told story and explained that I was a subscriber to numerous magazines in which his company advertised. That I was a member of several firearms related organizations and worked in a retail business that sold firearms and related products. Explained that I had letters (pre-internet) written and in stamped envelopes sitting on my desk telling my story. Gave him 2 weeks to fix problem or all would be mailed to the organizations and magazines to which I was affiliated. Also said I would be filing a complaint with Better Business Bureau in state where corporate headquarters was located. In one week had new firearm with letter from workers at plant detailing extra features and finish they had put on firearm to make up for trouble.

These days of the internet and the current economy you may have even more clout. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

mort

[shootermcbob]

Call corporate and keep going up the ladder until you get what you need. Remind whomever you are talking to that you can easily reach well over ten thousand people on just ONE website, many of whom are already following this thread to see how they end up treating you. I would suggest wording it something like..."I would hope that you would do the right thing and take care of this problem, but if not I am prepared to share this story with several thousand of my fishing friends on the websites I visit. Many are already aware of the situation and are monitoring it to see how it is concluded".

My sincere hope for you is that get far enough up the ladder and reach someone who truly understands customer service and personally handles this for you.

Good luck. 

[Stasher1]

Call corporate and keep going up the ladder until you get what you need. Remind whomever you are talking to that you can easily reach well over ten thousand people on just ONE website, many of whom are already following this thread to see how they end up treating you. I would suggest wording it something like..."I would hope that you would do the right thing and take care of this problem, but if not I am prepared to share this story with several thousand of my fishing friends on the websites I visit. Many are already aware of the situation and are monitoring it to see how it is concluded".

My sincere hope for you is that get far enough up the ladder and reach someone who truly understands customer service and personally handles this for you.

Good luck.

ALWAYS deal with a member of management if you have a problem. The advice I was given years ago was "Never accept a NO from someone who lacks the authority to give you a YES."

[shootermcbob]

Stasher1, I couldn't agree more. However, in my personal experience most people just accept what the person they are dealing with tells them. Most people are not willing to keep fighting until they get what they want. I am not in any way saying Uncle Leo is like this. I do not know him. I have witnessed personally car dealers, insurance companies, retail stores, etc give folks a raw deal, and they just accept it. There is always another person to to share your unhappiness with, right up to and including Jonny Morris himself.

[Stasher1]

Everybody has a boss, and typically the higher you go in the complaint process, the less they want to be bothered. In my experience, they'll do what it takes to get you out of their hair so they can move on to more important issues. 

[junebugmn]

I have a buddy that has a 2005 pro-17 or something, well it developed a leak a weld broke, he sent it back to a local tracker dealer, they ended up sending it to missouri and they "fixed" it and on top gave him a new tracker travel cover to boot! BUT! Who ever said welded hull's won't leak :-? Took hm 4 month's to get his boat back, but he sent it during winter, Junebugman

[bassnleo]

Update...........

Boat still sits at the dealer. Has been there since March 13th. The only thing accomplished to this point is Tracker deciding they want it back in Lebanon Mo and one form being faxed to the dealer, then to me, back to the dealer, then to Tracker which they received a few days ago.

Was told today that Tracker gives a 2 week window for pick up and once they have the boat back at the plant they "like" to turn the things around in 7 days.

So......2 weeks would be May 9th, add seven days-May 16th, lord knows how long to fix/replace and ship it back...another 2-3 weeks or more?

I'm looking at probably late May or early June-best case scenerio. 2-3 total months (possibly more) without a boat.

This is just plain nuts.

I may sell this piece of crap when it comes back, even if they give me a new one.

I will never buy another Tracker product again.

[Javelin200]

This is just plain nuts.

I may sell this piece of crap when it comes back, even if they give me a new one.

I will never buy another Tracker product again.

Don't blame ya there. That'd be my next move.

[=Matt 5.0=]

I see a G3 in your future.

[burleytog]

I see a G3 in your future.

If I ever buy another boat, it will be a G3, Triton or Xpress aluminum.

[Dan:]

I see a G3 in your future.

If I ever buy another boat, it will be a G3, Triton or Xpress aluminum.

No Lowe?

[burleytog]

I see a G3 in your future.

If I ever buy another boat, it will be a G3, Triton or Xpress aluminum.

No Lowe?

I don't like the layout of the Lowe boats.

[Dan:]

gotcha. I'm just trying to collect opinions on aluminum boats so I can do some goal-setting.

[Glenn Abuelhaj]

Call Springfield, MO and ask for Johhny Morris, the founding father of Bass Pro Shops and Tracker Marine. He will personally take care of you to your satifaction.

Remember, ask for Johnny!

[=Matt 5.0=]

gotcha. I'm just trying to collect opinions on aluminum boats so I can do some goal-setting.

It's hard to beat the old standby G3 1236.

[bassnleo]

I'm looking at a Polar Kraft 1680MV and will more than likely go with that boat.

If I could find a Lowe 1652VT, I'd jump on that. The newer Lowe's aren't the same as past models.

I'm with Burly, I don't like the layout of the new models.

[Dan:]

what part don't you like?