Why doesn't Marine Max service used Sea Ray boats?

C

cozycat

New Member
Jun 17, 2019
4
Boat Info
1993 sundancer 270
Engines
454 w bravo II
I have a tight steering problem with my 1993 270 Sundancer. It has always been hard to steer since I bought it which was 20 years ago. I've replaced power steering parts over the years but there was never any improvement. Last year I replaced the power steering pump but no change. This year I decided to take it to an authorized Sea Ray dealer and have them fix it once and for all. They said that unfortunately they only service what they sell. Is this true of all Sea Ray dealers? Why can't I get my Sea Ray serviced by an authorized Sea Ray dealer?
 
Your fix is probably the steering cable itself. A relatively easy fix for a DIY.
 
The MMax Corporate policy that they only service boats going back 20 years on core brands (brands that they sell) and 10 years on non-core brands. I have been extremely satisfied with MMax service in Minnesota they do great work and my boat always comes back clean. If your boat is over 20 years old best to find a good marine tech. The MMax tech’s are busy learning new technologies and your $$ will go further with a greasy pirate :)
 
I have not had the pleasure (nor do I hope to) to deal with Marine Max service but I can tell you the sales side sure sucks!! Especially Marine Max Long Island, bunch of lying crooks.
 
I have dealt with MM at several locations on the east coast. Always a positive experience.
 
They are begging me to come have a Lexus experience on a 20 year old boat.


Dear Cliff,

We are thrilled to announce that our marina customer lounge is now open at MarineMax Sarasota! It is a beautiful air-conditioned lounge with a large TV and entertainment area, showers, and great waterfront views. The lounge is conveniently located in the middle of the marina area to be easily accessible from all slips.

We are very excited to enhance your experience at our store. Watch our quick video tour of the new space and then stop by to see it in person!
Thank you,

Jason LeFevre
Jason.lefevre@marinemax.com
 
Keep in mind that MM has been buying up local dealers at a fast pace. The quality of service will vary by location. I can understand MM not wanting to service older boats. The cost of maintaining service manuals and parts could be substantial for the once or twice a year a 26 year old boat will come in for service. As suggested, find a good local mechanic and then develop a relationship. There are fewer qualified service options as our bearded youngsters want jobs that provide lattes and bean bag chairs for naps between "sessions."
 
370Dancer said:
They are begging me to come have a Lexus experience on a 20 year old boat.


Dear Cliff,

We are thrilled to announce that our marina customer lounge is now open at MarineMax Sarasota! It is a beautiful air-conditioned lounge with a large TV and entertainment area, showers, and great waterfront views. The lounge is conveniently located in the middle of the marina area to be easily accessible from all slips.

We are very excited to enhance your experience at our store. Watch our quick video tour of the new space and then stop by to see it in person!
Thank you,

Jason LeFevre
Jason.lefevre@marinemax.com
Click to expand...

Real close to that location, maybe a couple of hundred yards west there is a bait shop. Last place before the bridge as you are heading towards the gulf.

The bait shop has an attached shack that cooks food. Order at a window, pickup at the other window.

Very very good.
 
FootballFan said:
Real close to that location, maybe a couple of hundred yards west there is a bait shop. Last place before the bridge as you are heading towards the gulf.

The bait shop has an attached shack that cooks food. Order at a window, pickup at the other window.

Very very good.
Click to expand...
My father in law built the structure that stands today. I am native Sarasota. Mr Byrd's hamburgers are legendary from when the bait shop was a shack on the side of the old bridge. We OWNED that pinball machine.
 

Attachments

  • newpassbait.png
    newpassbait.png
    250.1 KB · Views: 260
370Dancer said:
My father in law built the structure that stands today. I am native Sarasota. Mr Byrd's hamburgers are legendary from when the bait shop was a shack on the side of the old bridge. We OWNED that pinball machine.
Click to expand...

We have been there twice in the last couple of months. Love the burgers and the ambience.
 
I can't speak for MM's policy and whether or not the policy, if there is one, is standardized from one location to another. But at this time of year, it's quite possible that they are just so busy that they do not have time to take on new clients.

But, as eluded to above, a steering cable is a steering cable is a steering cable. And there is certainly nothing out of the ordinary or special when it comes to the one in your boat. Any decent repair shop should be able to do this. But you do still run the possiblity that they either don't have time to take you on, or the wait time could be weeks.
 
Our marina's policy is that they are open to take in any boat for service. However, they do take care of those of us who bought boats from them and store them with the marina first. They have a 3 month waiting list now.....from October to March, there is no waiting list. The service writers/managers take the time to explain their policy of taking care of customer who bought and store with then first. Potential service customer who decide not to gut on the waiting list are not happy, but they understand the policy and work with it.

I think MM could probably have explained their policy a little bit better rather than upsetting potential future buyer so thoroughly that he decided to post his issue on a forum with about 50,000 potential readers.
 
The problem with not servicing boats of "non-customers" is that you never know who that next customer will be. The "non-customer" will only know how he has been treated and buy from somebody else. Eventually there will be a downturn, and you'll need those "non-customers" to stay afloat.
 
So your idea is to upset the 1500 or so customers who paid up to $3.5 Mil for their boats and who support the marina by buying services, fuel, beer, ice, etc. from them just so they can hope that the owner of a $7500 30 year old boat will someday buy a new boat ? Who do you think will buy a new boat sooner........the owner of the 30 year old boat or the the current customer who has traded in a lightly used nice late model boat every 3-4 years to get the newest thing on the water?

I've been on the owners end of this business arrangement for about 30 years and it has worked well for me. I don't wait on service, the techs are first rate and this is a first class operation.

I fully understand the reasoning behind their policy and I'd make the same decision.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,117
Messages
1,426,459
Members
61,032
Latest member
Brock340
Back
Top