MarineMax trustworthiness

El Capitan

El Capitan

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2014
3,828
Chicago IL./Vero Beach, Fl
Boat Info
1970 SRV 180 w 2.5L Mercruiser.
2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer
Engines
120HP Mercruiser
I was just about decided on ordering a new Sea Ray when I noticed the SR dealers near me are all MarineMax. So I looked up their reviews as dealer network and service quality are part of my purchase criteria and low and behold all I find are disastrous buyer experiences and quite frankly borderline fraud if one is to believe these stories.
I checked w the BBB and found consistencies in the complaints.
Is MarineMax the sole distribution channel for Sea Ray? If so I may reconsider Yamaha jet boats. They have no history of these types of complaints.


[URL]http://marinemaxfraud.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7q3k1eLl6gIVE4bICh1-6wRTEAAYASAAEgK1b_D_BwE
[/URL]

https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/clearwater/profile/marine-sales-and-service/marinemax-inc-0653-1004426/complaints
 
El Capitan said:
Here’s a court case. All the readings I find are virtually for identical complaints against MM.

https://casetext.com/case/wilson-v-marinemax-e-inc
Click to expand...

The case you cite is a can of worms. Something is really wrong when the engine ECMs show 4 times the amount of use than the owner claims. Failure to winterize and ripping his windlass off the boat twice certainly raises questions of intent.

In this case MarineMax sold him the boat but they did not sell him the warranty. He purchased the warranty from Brunswick and they used MarineMax to fulfill the warranty.

I wouldn't use this case as an indicator for MarineMax or Sea Ray.

The Judge ruled correctly in my opinion, granted the Summary Judgements basically tossing the case.
 
What little interaction I've had with Marine Max, I would be very reluctant to make a purchase from them.

YMMV
 
Hi I have done business with MMAX Minnesota for over 25 years in all departments, Sales, Service & Parts and cannot complement them anymore, Always the BEST! In the last 10 years several of their best sales people have moved to Florida and top management at MMax came from the Minnesota location.

My experience is limited to MN stores but I know the team that moved to Florida and Management that oversees that market are good people.
 
PlayDate said:
The case you cite is a can of worms. Something is really wrong when the engine ECMs show 4 times the amount of use than the owner claims. Failure to winterize and ripping his windlass off the boat twice certainly raises questions of intent.

In this case MarineMax sold him the boat but they did not sell him the warranty. He purchased the warranty from Brunswick and they used MarineMax to fulfill the warranty.

I wouldn't use this case as an indicator for MarineMax or Sea Ray.

The Judge ruled correctly in my opinion, granted the Summary Judgements basically tossing the case.
Click to expand...

I feel MM invoice wording on the back of their invoice is an affront to consumers and SR customers. The word play between "Extended Warranty" and "Service Contract" is intentional attempt at fooling unsuspecting customers. Sea Ray should be ashamed of themselves.

The writings of the myriad of complaints against MM should compel SR to find another distributor. Perhaps when buyers, like me, go elsewhere to manufacturers who actually stand by their warranty and have distributors who willingly execute manufacturer warranty vs negating them through fancy legal jargon, they'll decide to fire MM.

This is enough for me to reconsider a different manufacturer completely. At this point I have no faith in MM nor am I willing to take a risk with a new boat purchase with a company that has so many complaints and lawsuits for the same reasons....deceptive trade practices and failing to honor warranties.
 
Three Seasons said:
Hi I have done business with MMAX Minnesota for over 25 years in all departments, Sales, Service & Parts and cannot complement them anymore, Always the BEST! In the last 10 years several of their best sales people have moved to Florida and top management at MMax came from the Minnesota location.

My experience is limited to MN stores but I know the team that moved to Florida and Management that oversees that market are good people.
Click to expand...

Read the recent employee reviews on Indeed and Glassdoor. Those people are most probably gone. The turnover is constant.

If you could send me names and locations of the MM stores where these excellent people work I'd be willing to do the research on reviews for that store and post them here.
 
I have no comment on MM, but to answer one of your initial questions, there still are "independent" Sea Ray dealers out there that are not part of the MM group. I honestly do not know if there are any around you and in my position, I don't think it's prudent to recommend a place - especially since I don't have any real, first-hand experience with any of the dealers down there. But there are independents. On a different note, availability of getting warranty work done is a consideration (although engine stuff can be done at any Merc shop).
 
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I have used MM locations in different regions of the country (Texas, Florida, and North Carolina).

My experiences have been extremely positive.

Like other large companies, it comes down to the people you are dealing with.
 
I had to deal with 2 Marine Max dealerships when buying my current boat, the dealership in MD where the boat was located and the dealership through which I bought the boat here in NY. I could not be happier with the service, accommodation and overall experience. The MD dealership gave me run of the yard including guys to haul out the boat for inspection, had no issue with my setting up a surveyor to come in, gave me the keys and told me the boat was mine for the day. The NY sales staff made sure the boat got here safely, set up a captain to take me out, stored it for the winter and prepped it for the spring. Smoothest large transaction I ever made. Not all dealerships are managed the same so you should look for reviews on the particular dealership you are looking to purchase from.
 
My current boat was listed for sale through the Massachusetts Marine Max. I am local to the Brick NJ Marine Max and had purchased my first SeaRay from them so I contacted my original salesperson who now worked in the Baltimore store for help. Long story short, he traveled with me to Boston to look at the boat and set the process in motion. The MM captain from Boston helped with the sea trial and surveys, and the NJ store got the transaction secured and obtained the paperwork and documentation.
Only Marine Max could have pulled this off flawlessly.
 
El Capitan said:
Read the recent employee reviews on Indeed and Glassdoor. Those people are most probably gone. The turnover is constant.

If you could send me names and locations of the MM stores where these excellent people work I'd be willing to do the research on reviews for that store and post them here.
Click to expand...
Let's see here El Capitan - first you opened this thread to explain in detail your distaste based upon some reviews for MM then state you will probably move to Yamaha unless someone else can offer some positive experience. Then in three other posts continue to find and present selective data to further your desire to establish a distaste. Are you trying to set some sort of a Club Sea Ray position for MM or explain to those that read this that MM is sub-par as a Sea Ray dealer? It seems that is the case and if so rather disingenuous; wouldn't you agree? So it also seems you own a 1970 Sea Ray so why don't you explain your personal experience that sets the attitude regarding their business ethics? Do they service that boat or do you do business with MM otherwise? Quite honestly you begin with a question then end with offering advice..... Objectiveness, Pragmaticism, Critical Thinking or simply trying to burn something down?
I'll say this - I have worked with a couple of the MM's in our area and they are a business and operate as a business; they were very courteous and professional in the things I needed done. The local MM is also a community supporter in our area and host several on the water events which are great to attend... So, for now I'll give them a thumbs up based upon my experience. And, I don't know personally anyone that works for MM.
Tom
 
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El Capitan said:
Here’s a court case. All the readings I find are virtually for identical complaints against MM.

https://casetext.com/case/wilson-v-marinemax-e-inc
Click to expand...
Seems like there was an installation defect with the generator. Service bulletin issued. Not quite sure why Marine Max is at fault. 330 "problems" and busted up windless tells me the guy probably had no business owning a boat. Would have to be the luckiest person in the world to get two lemons from sea ray -- should be playing the lottery.

Take all online reports with a grain of salt. "Bad" experiences are over represented.
 
ttmott said:
Let's see here El Capitan - first you opened this thread to explain in detail your distaste based upon some reviews for MM then state you will probably move to Yamaha unless someone else can offer some positive experience. Then in three other posts continue to find and present selective data to further your desire to establish a distaste. Are you trying to set some sort of a Club Sea Ray position for MM or explain to those that read this that MM is sub-par as a Sea Ray dealer? It seems that is the case and if so rather disingenuous; wouldn't you agree? So it also seems you own a 1970 Sea Ray so why don't you explain your personal experience that sets the attitude regarding their business ethics? Do they service that boat or do you do business with MM otherwise? Quite honestly you begin with a question then end with offering advice..... Objectiveness, Pragmaticism, Critical Thinking or simply trying to burn something down?
I'll say this - I have worked with a couple of the MM's in our area and they are a business and operate as a business; they were very courteous and professional in the things I needed done. The local MM is also a community supporter in our area and host several on the water events which are great to attend... So, for now I'll give them a thumbs up based upon my experience. And, I don't know personally anyone that works for MM.
Tom
Click to expand...

Your bias and ignorance is not worthy of a response. You are ignored. Congrats.
 
As with anything, those with bad experiences make a lot of noise. That said, if everything at MM was bad, how would they still be in business?
 
El Capitan said:
Your bias and ignorance is not worthy of a response. You are ignored. Congrats.
Click to expand...
After having read many of your writings here over time, it's my opinion that most everything you post has moderate to strong elements of preconception, judgement, bias, and aggression, often combined with a lot of pot-stirring. As a result I discount just about everything you post as a rant with an agenda. Case in point when someone points out the seemingly strange sequence of comments about MM you "double down" and go on the attack. Go ahead and ignore me; nothing would make me more indifferent to your ramblings.

As far as MM is concerned, they are a large company that has grown by acquisition. I've heard of some problems with them as well as great experiences. I think Sea Ray made an error to tie their fortune so tightly to one main distributor but that's a separate topic. My own experience buying a new boat from Marine Max in NY (a former independent dealer) was trouble-free and straight forward. It was good enough that I stayed in touch with the sales person I used for many years and looked to buy another new Sea Ray from them.
 
We have had nothing but great experiences with MM of Ohio. We purchased 4 boats from them, whenever we had a problem they always took care of us. I could not be happier with MM.
 
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