Broken Minn Kota Charger, What Would You Do

[Polarkraft05]

I have a Minn kota 460-D charger, and it quit working after about 1 year

it is still less than 3 years old ( minn kota's warranty is 3 years)

problem is i bought it used (less than a year old when i got it)

also i dont have the receipt which you are supposed to send in with it

and i modified the output cables because they were too short.

all of these void the warranty

i emailed minn kota and they said to send it in, they didn't really say much more or if they would replace it or not.

Im afraid if I pay the shipping, and send it to them, they are going to call and say they cant do anything for me given my circumstances of breaking the warranty, then i will have to pay them who knows how much for them to send it back to me.

i would like it back as i believe 1 or two of the banks still work, but it wont be worth paying shipping both ways, plus whatever other fees they charge me. (states this in the warranty that i pay all fees involved if they dont replace it)

any opinions? anyone been through something similar?

it is a very expensive charger, and other than lengthening the output cables there is no reason it should have quit working so soon.

[Hound_dog]

Call them and talk to them instead of email. Tell them everything up front and see what they say. They are a reputable company and I would think they would stand behind it. Lots of chargers power cords get modified to adapt to the on-board plug in system. I don't see this as being an issue.

[Polarkraft05]

im afraid calling them and blatantly telling them, i am breaking their warranty in several ways, and admitting i am fully aware of this, and then asking them to honor their warranty will only give them the option of saying no. I dont see how they could say yes after i admit i am in the wrong. Im hoping by sending it in, with a paper stating what is wrong with it, will be easier for them to not say no.

And it is the charging leads, not just the power cord that i altered.

they sell longer charger lead cords, but they are extremely overpriced.

[weezy109]

Well they are obviously gonna see what you did when you send it in and they aren't gonna change their minds just for the fact that it is there. Save yourself some cash and come clean. If they don't say yes on the phone they won't fix it when you send it in.

[Way2slow]

Usually, most companies will try to work with you. If they can repair it, they will at minimal cost. If they can't repair it, a lot of times they will offer you a replacement at a very discounted price.

Most of them realize the power of todays internet and try to make any dealings you have with them or their products as pleasant as possible. Granted, their are still some companies that haven't gotten the message or so large they don't seem to care, and there are some people you couldn't please even if they sent a full refund, a new unit and a technician to install the new one. If it was me, I would box it up and send it in if I didn't think I could fix it myself.

[Fishes in trees]

I'm with Way2Slow on this one. Call them up, explain the situation, box it up and send it in. More than likely, they will work with you. I'd get ready to spend some money on a discounted, upgraded unit, from Minn Kota. I don't know much about on board chargers, but I'd bet they are easier to replace than they are to fix.

[Polarkraft05]

well im taking your guys advise (partially) i boxed it up and sent it to them, should be there next week.

I didn't call them as i feel blatantly telling them i am in the wrong, then expecting them to be nice to me is not going to happen. I did enclose a note stating the problem with it, and i dont have a receipt. also explained to them how i lengthened the cables. I also stated i would like them to either replace, give me credit towards a new one, or lastly send the broken one back to me, because two of the banks still work.

Im hoping at a minimum i will be able to get a 3 bank charger for free, since the 460-D is so high dollar, and receipt or not it should not quit working in that short amount of time.

[Phoenixowner]

I have a MK 330D and only 9 months old. The 3rd bank kept giving me green and red lights, called the Customer service in Minnesota. He said, send it in. I sent it in and 1 week later had it back with a note. There was nothing we could find wrong with it, but here's another brand new one anyways ....then had random tips on how to not let your batteries get to 0 volts so the charger runs properly. Bottom line, TALK to a rep, screw the online emails. They'll take care of ya!

[urp]

I had a Minnkota trolling motor that I bought at a yard sale. It had a bent propeller shaft. Minnkota sent me one gratis.

[urp]

That was shaft including arrnature.

[Polarkraft05]

well sounds like you guys had good luck hopefully ill have the same. i should hear from them this week

[Polarkraft05]

Sorry to keep bringing this to the top, but i feel like i should keep you guys updated on the situation, mainly to provide feedback for the company (MInn Kota)

I received an email today, stating they had received my charger, and they would replace it, just needed a address to send it to as i forgot to include it.

needless to say i am very pleased with minn kota, and as long as the package gets to me safely i will be a very happy customer of theirs.

I give them an A+ in customer service.

[Way2slow]

Congrat's! Like we said, many of todays companies know the power of the internet and will do things in the way of customer service that was unheard of 10 - 15 years ago. I'm glad to hear you are dealing with one of the good ones. I've run a number of their trolling motors but luckly, I've never had to check out their customer service.