Your Thoughts Please on My Local MM and Extended Warranty Issues

[JRowenole]

I'm hoping to get your thoughts on the following before I start "battling" with my local MM.

I have a 2006 340 Sundancer purchased new at the end of August 2006. When we purchased this boat, I went ahead and purchased the "Passport Premier" extended warranty MM offers that cost a cool $7700.

First of all, I STILL have not received the actual paper copy of this warranty (just like other dock neighbors who also purchased boats and said warranty from this MM location).

This MM has told me that dock calls to my boat (as opposed to leaving my boat at their marina location that has no cover and you are not guaranteed the work will get done within the week you bring the boat there) are not covered under this warranty, may be covered under this warranty, are covered under this warranty, and, finally, are not covered under this warranty. On an invoice I just received, they are charging $90.00 for each dock call - my marina is about a 10 to 15 minute drive from their marina location.

In addition, one of the items I recently had them check out was a bilge stain that I noticed between my starboard batteries and my generator (this was in addition to a blower issue I had them checking out at the same time). MM told me it was an overflow stain from the battery. The recent invoice I just received from them illustrates a $90.00 charge for a new battery that they replaced - nothing was wrong with my original battery and they are charging me for this because this is not a warranty item.

About 2 weeks after by blower problem and stain issue, my windlass would not work. MM came to my dock, said the solenoid need to be replaced, ordered the part, and replaced it. Now they are saying my warranty (again the super-duper $7700 warranty I purchased 1 year ago along with my $232,000 boat) rejected this claim and I must pay them $343.00 for this!

How would you handle this?

Thanks so much.

 

[Turtlesboat]

I wouldn't pay if it were me. But I'm sure there are others here with more experience who could chime in.

 

[Sea Gull]

I usually advise against purchasing the extended service insurance. My personal experience is like yours. Most items that break are not covered. BUT, you should have been given a copy of the contract when (or even before) you purchased it.

 

[Robski97]

Im with Gull, I learned my lesson a few years ago aboutthe extended warrty. My dealer up here in NY does not charge for road serivce. There was a 50 charge per passport claim. Regardless of road serivce or if u brought it to the dealer.

Rob

 

[LtCdr. Augs]

Is your extended warranty with Brunswick? I can send you a copy of mine if you need it the details of what is or is not covered.

 

[JRowenole]

I have a "Passport Premier" warranty - I believe "Marine Innovations" has something to do with this. Not sure if it is through Brunswick.

Thank you.

 

[Bridog]

Not sure when you took delivery or where you are located but wouldn't these issues be covered under your 1 year "new boat" warranties? Did you contact SeaRay direct? I think the "Passport" warranties were bought out by Brunswick. I know there were alot of issues when they were owned by "Marine Innovations" I would think Brunswick would be better than that.

 

[Bridog]

I would also request from Marine Max a full disclosure of what is and isn't covered. You deserve that much... Do a search on Magnuson-Moss Requirements of the Magnuson-Moss Act
The Act provides that any warrantor warranting a consumer product to a consumer by means of a written warranty must disclose, fully and conspicuously, in simple and readily understood language, the terms and conditions of the warranty to the extent required by rules of the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC has enacted regulations governing the disclosure of written consumer product warranty terms and conditions on consumer products actually costing the consumer more than $15. The Rules can be found at 16 C.F.R. Part 700.

 

[Stray Cat]

Here is what I learned from an issue with an item that was just beyond the warranty period. First thing I had to do was get a cool head and approach it from rational point of view. I would schedule a meeting with both the sales and service mgrs. Don't just drop in on them, get an appointment scheduled with your agenda. Have your invoices and be prepared. Explain to the sales mgr you lack proper documentation of your extended warranty. Ask the service mgr why repairs were made with out you being consulted first.
If I hire someone to repair my stuff, I want to know why and how much it is going to cost. A quality battery that needs replaced in 1 years time will have a prorated warranty and in most instances, be replaced at no cost (excluding labor)

SR takes a hard stand on dealer request for warranty items that are just beyond the warranty period. You may want to consider a call to SR customer service to inquire about the solenoid switch, they may give you a break.

The service charges seem outrageous, but then again depending where you are located, this may be the norm...

BTW - Welcome to the forum!

 

[Robski97]

I call Searay customer serivce directly now that im out of warrty. They have been awesome. I also called the manufacture of some of the items i had issue with. They all sent replacment parts with out question. Bomar even offered new portlights if needed . Great companies.

Rob

 

[Turtlesboat]

I agree, my boat is out of warranty, not that the dealer would fix it if it was. anyway, I've had a few things fail and all were replaced for free from the makers of the items. This is after 4 years. I would bet that everything that failed is still under warranty by the companies.

 

[JRowenole]

Thank you all for your input and suggestions.

I have sent a letter to the MM Manager to begin with, outlining the details, requesting a copy of my warranty that I never received, providing them another copy of my invoices including the invoices illustrating the cost of the warrantry and the type ("top of the line") I purchased, etc. I was very courteous and professional.

The Manager called me and left a message. I returned her call, but she is on vacation this week.

I think I will wait to speak with her to see how she responds before taking the matter up with SeaRay.

And yes, ironically, this problem has come up less than 2 weeks after my 1 year anniversary of the purchase of my new boat.

 

[Robski97]

Another thing i have noticed over the years is if an item fails that still has a manufactures warrty , the dealer will still put it tru passport. ALso remember Passport covers one failure. a Guys water heater cracked from inproper winterization. ( dealership winterized the boat ) The dealer put in a passport claim . Two years later the water heater crapped out . Claim declined as it was already replaced. So u really have to stay on top of the dealer. Oh yea and get reciepts . They never issue paper work for warrty items . Make sure u get all the paper work thats due you.

Rob