A word to the wise...

[atasty39]

<rant on>
I wanted to share a trio of interesting lessons I learned from my recent purchase of a 206 Ski from a dealer. First, if the boat you get is not EXACTLY what you ordered and paid for, do not accept delivery no matter what is promised you OR your feelings about getting the boat now! I got caught up in this and am learning a very bitter lesson. Second, no matter what is promised to remediate the situation it does not make it "factory spec" because the installer is not necessarily factory-trained, nor has the factory facitilities available. Thirdly, whatever is promised, GET IT IN WRITING!!!!! Because, as everyone else but me knows, good intentions and words mean nothing after the deal has been consumated.
<rant off>

After all that, the 206 is a sweet boat!

[Deuce]

I assume it may take a bit of writing, but I would like to hear the story....

E.J.

[AbunDiga909]

Same here, if its not to much to ask...

[99ProAir]

What was the problem, or should I say problems???

[tlb]

You wouldn't happen to live in Sacramento would you?

[ajdouglas]

I too would like to hear the rest of the story...

[AirNautique211]

Let's hear it!!!

[882001]

whats up?

[atasty39]

tlb-I do not live in Sacramento.

Sorry about keeping everyone waiting! I will make the story to the point and take responsibility for my actions. A boat was ordered with specific items to be installed at the factory prior to delivery. The boat came in without the options we specifically had ordered and a mistake the factory made (I would prefer not to get into details at this time). Please understand the boat was in no way defective, just did not come in as ordered. So after some discussion with the dealer I chose to take delivery of the boat after being assured that the end result (taking care of all the mistakes) would be the boat we ordered. How could I say no? The dealer was very accomodating and willing to do the best they could to satisfy me. I got a lot of goodies and assurances that helped convince me of the dealer's good intentions. Now to be fair, what was promised has not been done yet so I cannot say if the boat will be like it would have been had the factory done the work, but some of the small details during this waiting time have been dropped, and/or miscommunicated. I now have to wait at least 3 weeks for a critical component (to me) that is back ordered and will have to be installed at the dealership. At some still not specified date, other details will have to be installed by someone other than a factory-trained technician.

Now are these non-factory people less skilled? I have no idea! This is what is eating at me as I have to deal with waiting for parts to show up to be installed in the boat. Will these fixes last as long or be "factory" as if it had been done correctly the first time? I certainly hope so! But given that the devil is in the details, and the details are not getting taken care of I am concerned to say the least! For my own peace of mind I can see the choice I made to have the boat now rather than at some later time (after summer was over probably) was not in MY best interest. Of course, hindsight is always 20/20!!!

So what I have is a wonderful boat that is not exactly what I ordered! I hope this answers your questions. Please ask questions if I have been unclear, but I would prefer not to give details. My intention through all this is to educate, rather than point fingers and blame. I am really educating myself and have learned the incredibly valuable lessons I posted above!

Have fun and above all else, enjoy the time on the water!

[SGY]

Certainly sounds like a pickle. I would feel exaclty how you feel right now. Regarding dealer confidence, I guess it all depends what options or equipment you are talking about. A good dealer with a good service department can do just about anything the factory can do. They can install a FCT or shower or heater. No problem. A good dealer could even install a different motor, i.e. the 6.0 vs. the 5.7--if that is the problem. I would think a dealer, again if qualified, could install factory ballast or a Limited Edition dash/guage package as opposed to a Signature package. It all boils down to your confidence in the dealer. Nonetheless, I understand your problem and can sympathize. You are wondering if the boat will perform the same with dealer installed components as opposed to factory installed components. And, because you've never owned a 206 before, you have nothing to compare it to. It's the old neurotic feeling of "what am I missing". My buddy got 1/2 of his SN hull ripped off by an underwater stump with the boat only having one or two hours on it. We were worried that it would not perform the same ever again. The mechanic did a great job and the boat works great. So, I'm pretty sure your dealer will get it right.

[ag4ever]

If the options that were not installed are critical options thjat prevent you from using the boat, why did you accept it?

I would say that 90% of the options on these boats can be easily added by skilled mechanics at the dealer. Just find a good dealer, or ask thousands of questions before the holes are drilled.

Also, at this point in time I would get the dealer to give you a detailed description of what will be installed and at what time frame, so there is no "miscommunication".

[lcap]

ag4ever

Understand completely, its kind of like opening your brand new bike on christmas morning only to be told you have to wait for the handlebars.

I've been waiting 7 weeks!

[cooperwoods]

SOUNDS LIKE YOU GOT A GREAT BOAT THAT WILL BE EVEN MORE ENJOYABLE WHEN YOU GET ALL OPTIONS STRAIGHTENED OUT. I RECENTLY GOT A 2004 206 AND AM THOROUGHLY ENJOYING IT [48 HRS TO DATE]. THE UNFORTUNATE THING IS THAT YOU PROBABLY SPENT A LOT OF TIME RESEARCHING WHAT YOU WANTED, THEN SPENT A LOT OF TIME DECIDING WHAT YOU WANTED AND AFTER MAKING YOUR ORDER SPENT MORE TIME WAITING FOR DELIVERY --ONLY TO BE DISSAPPOINTED AT POINT OF SALE. THAT STINKS- ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU PAID A LOT OF $ FOR THE BOAT. IF YOU DON'T GET IMMEDIATE SATISFACTION FROM YOUR DEALER, I WOULD GO DIRECTLY TO C.C.- ESPECIALLY WITH TODAY'S INCREASED COMPETITION IN THE INBOARD MARKET, AND WITH CORRECT CRAFT TOUTING THE JD POWERS VICTORIES --YOU SHOULD EXPECT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY GET IMMEDIATE RELIEF. INCIDENTLY, MY BOAT CAME WITHOUT THE REAR LIGHT. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY SENT ME TWO. SO IF THAT'S WHAT YOU NEED, I CAN SEND YOU MINE... [HA HA -OR AS MY KDS SAY LOL]

[ag4ever]

What I said was in no way meant to de-vilify what both the dealer and CC have done. I agree if you check a box for an option, then it should be on the boat at time of delivery.

I guess the point I was trying to make is that most of the options are niceties that we want, and sure it is dissapointing to not have them when we have paid for them, but in the end they should not ruin your enjoyment of the overall boat.

Also I do feel that the dealers will do as good a job, if not better than the factory at installing the options depending on what they are. The dealer has to see you everytime anything is done, so they have an added stack in making sure they are installed correctly. The factory will never see you, and they don't have to hear you complain about an option that was installed poorly.

Lcap, in your case I would be livid. Installing the pylon is no small task, but is doable. But as pissed as you are how do you think the guy feels that got a nice hole drilled in his deck when he did not want the pylon? If I was him I would be even madder, unless I really wanted it, and just did not want to pay for it.

[lcap]

Not angry or upset...just concerned. Still am and will be for a some time. I know a little bit about physics and the Pylon is subject to enormous stress.

Cannot say enough good things about my dealer. They have refused payment for work they considered defective long after the warranty expired.

Mistakes are inevitable and my dealer resolves them better than any business I have ever dealt with!

The guy who ended up with my pylon is tickled, he wanted one--just did not want to pay for it.

I write the check Friday morning and come rain, sleet, snow or wind (any of which are possible this time of year), I will be in the water Friday evening.