Warning on purchasing parts

[jasper]

I had the distinct pleasure of learning first hand, and at a high cost of tuition, that Correct Craft dealers can charge whatever price they want to for parts. I paid over $600 for a part that later cost me $185 at a different dealer. THE SAME EXACT PART.

My keyless ignition keypad went out, and I had to have it replaced. I called my local dealer for the part since it was Correct Craft specific. They told me it would be expensive. Seeing that the boat would not start without it, and given the reputation I’d heard about this dealer, I said send it to me even though the specific price was not available while I was on the phone. I trusted the dealer given their reputation and association with Correct Craft. They charged my account for the keypad. It was $613. Now a keypad is a relatively simple part. It doesn’t cost that much to make, and even with all the middlemen in the chain, it shouldn’t cost that much after everyone takes their pound of flesh. I complained to the dealer. Their response was that I agreed to pay it (even though they did not give me the exact price, only “it’s expensive”). Yes, I did agree, but did so assuming they would not rip me off. I complained to corporate and got an apology and "everything checked out fine" response, but I knew it was still way out of line. Little did I know how out of line. Purchased a new-to-me used boat. Key pad needed replacing on the check out. Got the same keypad replaced for $185 from a different dealer. How would you feel after paying over $600? Like an f-ing fool like me I’m certain.

Lesson: If you are ordering parts you can only get through Correct Craft, call several dealers. Yes, they protect the prices on the boats geographically, and I understand that. But to allow the highway robbery on parts as they did with me is unethical and just flat wrong.

If you need parts for PCM or non-Correct Craft specific items, shop around and consider supporting the businesses that support PN. I usually support the dealers, and don’t mind paying a little extra for their service and convenience on hard to find parts, but I don’t like being taken advantage of, and I was.

I won’t mention the dealer on the forum, but if you want to know PM me.

Jasper from Alcatraz. Out!

[SkiTower]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

my surprise is CC said everything checked out...

[mndanielsncsu]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I will say that I've noticed that a couple of the CC dealers do have different pricing. Whenever I order a part, I always call atleast 2, if not 3, of the dealers just to see how the pricing compares. Most recently, I ordered a new steering cable. I called 2 dealers and found that one had the part for $230, whereas the other was at $275. I confirmed that both parts had the exact same part number. I asked the more expensive of the two why they were so much higher and they couldn't explain it. They asked who the other dealer was because "we are all CC, we should have the same prices". Not sure what's going on... I guess some try to make higher margins to survive.

[SNMike]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

That SUCKS!!!!!

Sounds like a job for Super Ron!!!

Do we have a SR sky flood light signal?!?!?

[Nautiquehunter]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

Sounds like good advice . The dealers must be hurting bad to try and make it up by overcharging. You said this was an expensive lesson . The dealer that did this will learn an expensive lesson too. Good customers are very hard to come by no one can afford to loose any. Did the dealer know you bought a different boat somewhere else?
Did you make sure the 2nd dealer didnt make a special price for you because you bought the boat from them?
If this is a clear example of ripping the people off I think you should report this dealer to us on this forum.
If this is a case of exceptional service by the 2nd dealer I think you should tell all about them.
Make sure to tell the dealer the $400 extra they made on you will be the last money they get so enjoy it.

[DavidF]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

Incredible. What are some of the additional details such as:

1. Did you use the part before discovering you were overcharged?
2. Did you try to return the part only to be told "no returns on electrical parts"?

My local Austin dealer would never treat customers like that. I trust them fully and have a great relationship with the parts manager who knows that is the only business I give them (since I buy all my boats used). I doubt they would try to take advantage of me since I have purchased several thousands dollars of parts from them.

[skiking]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

DavidF: Paul's a good man!!!! :grin:

[jasper]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

I've got to make a correction. The less expensive price was $262, not $185. Apologies. I just verified it with the invoice.

The second boat was purchased from an individual, not a dealer, so there was no most-favored-nations pricing on the keypad. The dealer with the less expensive key pad did a check-out on the boat for me before I purchased it. But I paid for the keypad, along with a few other very minor parts.

Yes, I used the part before I discovered I was over charged. I did not try to return the part because I was told electrical parts could not be returned. But it is funny, because when Correct Craft was trying to get the full story, they told me that perhaps the cheaper part was a used one. It was not.

The dealer can charge whatever they want. My purpose for the post is not to fry the dealer, though it would feel good to do so. My purpose was to let you folks know not to assume you are getting the best price just because the dealer has a good reputation. They're in business to make money. They are going to charge what they can get away with, and the keypad is a part that cannot be purchased from third party sources like most other parts. So it makes sense that the keypad would be a high margin part. Its just at some point you're pushing the limit on what's right. My case was past the limit in my opinion.

Call around. Check prices at several dealers. The dealers may want to know what other dealers are charging so if they're too low they can raise their prices. Don't assume they want to give you the lowest price they can.

[thedude]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

I had the same problem with my boat, I kept hearing the part was $600, but was glad to see it cost me $300 from the dealer I use. Still expensive, but sure beats $600.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

Some of the guys that own these boats and do not own a screwdriver don't know the difference, and may well not care, either. They just want their boats to run and not deal with it. I know a guy who just paid the Lexus dealer $300 for an oil change. "Cause it uses special oil" He tried to squawk a little, but to no avail. Said there were half a dozen people in line behind them for the same service. It is kind of up to the consumer to be vigilant and make sure they are not getting screwed. A dealer may be somewhat unethical to charge double for something like that, but there is a reason for the expression "Buyer Beware"

[DavidF]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

...and it is sites like this one that helps out us buyers. We are typically more aware than others and continue to get so, this is a good example. My rule of thumb is what am I willing to pay for a part? If the cost seems painfull, which $600 surely qualifies, then I do homework to either find out what it should or can cost but more importantly, can it be repaired and have others sucessfully done so. I bet your keypad can be repaired.

[jasper]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

I bet your keypad can be repaired.

PN member richard (in Hong Kong) I think repaired his. After seeing his post on it, I can see that perhaps it could be repaired, but those things are sealed pretty well and not made to take apart. With a sharp razor blade and patience, you could probably pull it off and clean the contacts inside, but then you've got to get a good seal on it again. It is the moisture that kills these things. The keypad a bad idea, though convenient (no keys to drop in the water or keep up with). CC should consider a price break, warranty, or some other idea on these. There are a LOT of folks having problems with them, and CC continues to put them in the boats. Using a known part prone to failure to make money for the dealers is not the way to do it.

[richard]

RE: Warning on purchasing parts

so far so good after repaire the kepad and the digital guages.

[Nautiquehunter]

Re: RE: Warning on purchasing parts

Some of the guys that own these boats and do not own a screwdriver don't know the difference, and may well not care, either. They just want their boats to run and not deal with it. I know a guy who just paid the Lexus dealer $300 for an oil change. "Cause it uses special oil" He tried to squawk a little, but to no avail. Said there were half a dozen people in line behind them for the same service. It is kind of up to the consumer to be vigilant and make sure they are not getting screwed. A dealer may be somewhat unethical to charge double for something like that, but there is a reason for the expression "Buyer Beware"

The worst thing a dealer can loose is its reputation . Shady pricing may gain them a
few hundred dollars and cost them a boat sale. I ran a small business for 12 years
I never screwed someone just because I could my customers stood by me for years and gave me a good living. If you want to run your business that way [$300 oil change] then don't blame the customers when they go elsewhere.
The customers owe the dealer NOTHING its up to the dealer to treat every customer like an honored guest in their home . When that is done the price becomes secondary unless the dealer gets greedy.

[TX-Foilhead]

RE: Re: RE: Warning on purchasing parts

DavidF, the guys at S&S aren't saints, I called them about a prop last month, they wanted $600. I got is from Delta 2 days later for $325. I will say this though S&S on 183 has always had what I needed for those times that I didn't want to wait on the UPS guy.