Used Sea Ray Purchase

[Aquia185]

My SeaRay dealer was very clear to me about their service policy. As Frank said, their customers always come first, end of story. They are so busy that they seldom have time to put the techs on SR boats not purchased from them...

If you think about it, it is similiar to car dealerships. You are treated much different by a dealer with regards to service if you purchased it from them...

 

[osd9]

I posted this before on the Old site...but I'll try to summarize here......

When I bought my used 2002 380DA in 2005, it came with an extended service plan from passport. I bought the boat from SS3 in NY. I live in NJ. This purchase was pre MM buying SS3.

I had an issue with the sync guage and when I took the boat home to NJ, I called the local MM in NJ to set up an appointment to have the boat repaired under the extended passport warranty. MM, in NO UNCERTAIN TERMS, would not take my Sea Ray vessel in for repair under the extended warranty. They said that they were too busy with there regular customers, ie those that purchased boats from them.

SS3 was more than willing to take the boat in to do the repair, but the gas for the round trip would have been more than the repair.

Passport required that I take the boat back to an authorized Sea Ray dealer for the repair, and would NOT BUDGE AND INCH on that policy. MM is the ONLY authorized Sea Ray dealer in the entire state of NJ.

I contacted Sea Ray directly, and after a few months of aggravation, was able to get on the "priveledged" MM sevice list.....however, only a month or so after that, MM bought out SS3, so I was put on the list defacto after that.....

I greatly shortened this story, and the details are from memory.....your mileage may vary....but that was my real life experience with buying from one dealer and trying to get service at another.....

 

[Sadler]

Doug,

I keep my boat in Charleston. I bought it used in North Carolina from an independent broker, and I have never had problems getting it serviced at Sea Ray of Charleston. I'm pretty sure I get put behind people who bought their boats new there, but the money saved buying used, and in my case, from where I found the exact boat I wanted, more than makes up for not being at the front of the service line. It's my belief that the service department is a money maker, and they don't want to turn business away, but their priorities will always be with their retail customers. I understand this and it doesn't bother me; in fact, I'm careful not to overly pressure them on this so I don't wear out my welcome. I give Sea Ray of Charleston high marks in every regard, and I don't think you'll have a problem with them. Jason is the service manager there, and he has always given me great service.

On the other hand, I do most of my own repairs and maintenance, and I usually only go to SR for those things beyond what I can do or have the time to do. If you need SR to do all your work, I can imagine that it might be pretty frustrating to always be at the end of the service line. However, knowing you saved all that money on your boat might just make it worth the wait. :grin:

Sadler

 

[Robski97]

Here in NY Searay dealers put u on the end of there list if u didnt purchase from them...

But if its engine work u can go to any merc auth place...

U only need the dealer for SEARAY stuff.. and thats only for the first year unless u have the extended warrty which only covers u for one failure per covered ITEM ... ( anyting that fails a 2nd time is not covered ) Gotto read the real small print for that one...

Good luck

Rob

 

[DougsMDX]

Hey Sadler,

If I pull the trigger on a SR here soon, we'll have to get together then!

I like Sea Ray of Charleston too.

Larry Carson is good people .............

 

[Sadler]

Hey Sadler,

If I pull the trigger on a SR here soon, we'll have to get together then!

I like Sea Ray of Charleston too.

Larry Carson is good people .............

Sounds great Doug! PM me anytime to get together or discuss.

We're doing a CSR gathering here in Charleston April 20. If you've pulled the trigger by then, you definitely should join us. See the thread on the trip here in the Carolinas Forum:

http://www.byowneryachts.com/forums/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1432

Good luck in your search. I love shopping for boats. It's the payin' I hate! :smt043

Sadler