Marinemax Rogers, MN ??

[scottb7]

I will say this in marinemax rogers defense...i have been working with joe h there around a warranty claim for some seats, and he has gone to bat, called nautique many times and pushed on my behalf. Nautique eventually approved the claim after some bs about my not having an oem warranty, even though nautique surely took my $300 for transfer...

Since it is just a few screws and they are an hour each way I opted to switch out the seats myself...So marinemax spent a good chunk of time for me on a project that will reap them no financial reward...

I do wish they would have been able to talk nautique into sending the seats directly to me instead of them, though...

marinemax, wonder how much UPS would want to send to me????Maybe I should save a trip....

[gride]

Sorry, but I wouldn't buy a nautique from bass pro the same as I wouldn't from any other giant national shop. It's hard enough getting a good tech. It's worse when dealing with corporate bs.

[swc5150]

I tend to agree with Gride. As now a long-time Nautique, as well as other tournament ski boats, owner, I would prefer not buy from a big box store as well. Marine Maxx is my "local" (we're in WI) dealer here at home, but Watercraft Sales is our local dealer at our family lake home. I walk into WCS, and am usually met by Ryan (the owner), and we BS about boats, skiing, Packers, family, etc. I also don't have to go through the BS of being told a new 200 is $75k, then dicker back and forth to arrive at what it's supposed to cost. Granted, what it's "supposed" to cost may vary by location I guess, but we can all agree that retail is a complete joke. I just like a smaller, almost boutique-like shop, where the sales crew speaks your language and understands your needs - they know a lot about a little, versus a little about a lot (think number of brands). I had a similar relationship with Mark at Son Watersports, and was bummed when they lost CC - a big mistake on CC's part IMO. My wife and I recently stopped into MMX, and the staff was friendly and the selection was large, but it felt like researching a Mac at Best Buy versus an Apple store. Fortunately, I don't foresee a big box store being built in northern WI, so Watercraft will continue get our business.

[Casey@NautiqueMN]

MarineMax is based on a local dealership level just like every other marine dealer in the country (tracker might be the exception). We began as local dealers, in MN we were Cochran's Marine, and Dave Cochran is still an integral part of this company. The current CEO of our company ran GulfWind Marine in Clearwater and was a Nautique dealer long ago and has more passion for this product than anyone I know, (could own any boat he wants and owns a 200 Ski). Having a central headquarters allows us to stay strong in the hard financial times and offer benefits like taking delivery of a boat you buy anywhere in the country, i.e. buying a boat here in MN, taking delivery in Florida during a winter vacation and having us send it up when you are done as part of your deal.

Every customer since we have become a Nautique dealer that has bought a boat has dealt directly with me, as well as every time a customer brings any inboard in for service, if I am in the building the service team introduces them to me and they have access to my cell phone from that moment on.

I appreciate your kind words on Joe H., he works hard and cares, expecially about the Nautique product, and he will continue to get better as he has been with us for about a year now. We have now focused all our inboard work on a fully trained, certified technician. His name is Kyle Westfall and now lives to work on inboard products.

My name is Casey Smith and I run this brand for MN with help in Nisswa from Jeremy Wiczek. My cell phone is (813) 230-0946 and am available to talk whenever and help with any issues that arrise. Thank you all for caring about your boats and this industry, as we do, and we hope to see you on the water.

[Casey@NautiqueMN]

I will say this in marinemax rogers defense...i have been working with joe h there around a warranty claim for some seats, and he has gone to bat, called nautique many times and pushed on my behalf. Nautique eventually approved the claim after some bs about my not having an oem warranty, even though nautique surely took my $300 for transfer...

Since it is just a few screws and they are an hour each way I opted to switch out the seats myself...So marinemax spent a good chunk of time for me on a project that will reap them no financial reward...

I do wish they would have been able to talk nautique into sending the seats directly to me instead of them, though...

marinemax, wonder how much UPS would want to send to me????Maybe I should save a trip....

I will look this morning.

[gride]

All I can say is get your techs in shape and have someone assigned to nautique sales and maybe perception will change. Another Example, I wouldn't let bestbuy do an install on a Ferrari. Kinda the same feeling we nautique owners get. Good luck.

[swc5150]

All I can say is get your techs in shape and have someone assigned to nautique sales and maybe perception will change. Another Example, I wouldn't let bestbuy do an install on a Ferrari. Kinda the same feeling we nautique owners get. Good luck.

Also, people don't buy Ferraris at large autolplexes. CC's at big box stores just cheapens and marginalizes the brand for me.

[scottb7]

Marinemax rogers is ups'ing me the seats...So am thrilled to save a trip and grateful...

And while I understand the comments about bestbuy and ferrari...Not to say you haven't, and you can share if you have, but I have actually had phenomenal experience(s) with best buy car install guy's and would not hesitate to take any vehicle in there...if they don't think they can do it they will let you know. When I was there someone had actually comissioned them to switch from cloth to leather seats and the seat cover vendor was training them...they are good...

I personally don't think it is a small shop or big shop thing...We all have seen big or small companies that have been great or been terrible...It is all about having leaders involved and supporting team members. This does not always, but CAN happen at any size company.

[AirTool]

I personally don't think it is a small shop or big shop thing...We all have seen big or small companies that have been great or been terrible...It is all about having leaders involved and supporting team members. This does not always, but CAN happen at any size company.

Exactly.

[SkiTundra]

OP Update: Despite my harping on them on here (deserved as it might be), they have been professional in dealings this fall. Lessor folks could easily have acted like jerks and just decided to write-off an unhappy customer, Casey and Jay haven't and get a lot of credit for that. Hopefully this is a sign of a better future for Nautique in MN.