New Boat

[bob wateski2]

How you all doing.



It has been a long time since I posted here. As some of you will remember, I had a problem with my tracker boat and tracker would not honor the warr. or even talk with me.



Well, low and behold, because my dealer stuck with me and put enough pressure on tracker, I have a different boat.



It took 2 1/2 years to get it taken care of but it is a done deal. My dealer built a new showroom and bought another marina and tracker wanted them to put in more boats, but they told them no, becuase they didn't honor their warr. They would take care of little problems but if it was major, then they would come up with all kind of excusses. It took this kind of pressure from my dealer to get me a different boat. The old one had a bad hull and they said it was impact damage. Even after an adjuster said it had not hit anything they would not back dowm.

Like I said, after 2 1/2 years of a lot of grief it worked out. My advice is check out you dealer before you buy a tracker and see if he will stand up for you. My dealer is American Marine, La Crosse, Wi. They stood up when it counted.

 

[Dewey Storie]

Glad to hear it ... So what did you end up with?

 

[bob wateski2]

The boat I had bought was a pro-crappie with a 50 on it.

They replaced the boat which was a 2002 with a 2005 and a new trolling mt and depth finder. I had to have the 2002 motor put on it, but the dealer took care of that at no cost to me. The motor only had about 4 hrs. on it. From the time I got the boat until now I had not run it enough to refill the oil res.



thanks.

 

[Bruce Moore]

Bob, good to see you post again. Your post has proven what most of us "old timers" have said from the beginning, The product is mass produced to target a certain market, us. The difference in a bad experience and a good one rests on the dealer's commitment to their customers. Sorry it took so long for you to get satisfaction, but I hope it was worth it. As some of the TV-18 problems surfaced in 2000 and 2001 with the transoms, I was concerned that my boat would turn into a nightmare. I was assured by "THE FISHIN' HOLE" St. Louis Mo., that they would help me in any way possible. Turned out to be a non-issue for me.

I have called Greg in the service dept there a couple of times in the past year with questions, and he has taken time to walk me through the troubleshooting procedure on the phone. Can't beat that, especially since we live in south Alabama now.

Good luck with the "new" one, and good to see ya here again.



Bruce Moore

 

[Greg Meyer]

Here's my "take"... Why...why did it take that kind of pressure from a dealer?



Nathan Long, if you read this...you need a "come to jesus" type epiphany. This story does not "help" Tracker's reputation, it confirms all of the "bad" parts of that reputation. If Tracker was "right" 2 and 1/2 years ago and it was impact damage, you should have "stuck to your guns". You caved in and admitted you were wrong... That is "evil"...



If this were an isolated incident I might have a more open mind. But, you are reading the post of a Tracker owner, a long time supporter of the product, and a now very, very "concerned" customer.



Give me one...just one... supported by logic reason why I should buy a new Tundra when all I see are horror stories of "little guys" getting a run around.



There, an open invitation or if you see it as such, an open challenge, to come here and come clean...

 

[Scott Smith]

The coming clean part will never happen Greg...at most, he'll show up and blow smoke up our A$$'S as always....

 

[Dan J.]

I'm not Nathan, but as a previous multiple Tracker products owner and employee of BPS for a decade, I can tell you we sell THOUSANDS of Tracker products a year to an overwhelmingly satisfied consumer base. Yes, as with all manufacturers, there are some problem units that arise (although the percentage is extremely low compared to the volume of sales) and I believe the dealers and Tracker as a whole do a great job of rectifying those situations. (I can't possibly remember how many issues, large or small, that I have handled personally for customers. All to a satisfactory conclusion.)



There are always three sides to a story: yours, theirs, and the truth. Anyone, (including myself) who thinks they can "armchair quarterback" a situation with only one side of a disagreement is only fooling themselves. Without naming names, I know of multiple examples that have been spread across this site alone and after hearing all sides I have been completely dumbfounded why the company would help other than going beyond the definition of great customer service. Satisfied Tracker customers are the vast silent majority of our sales.



Lastly, personally attacking an individual on a public forum is not the way to get any type of assisitance. It is however, a great way to lose respect. IMHO

 

[Greg Meyer]

First of all Dan... Bob's boat situation is very well known to me. So, here are the facts, in brief... (1) Dealer and an independent adjuster emphatically state it was not impact damage... (2) Bob's boat is "now" replaced... (3) It was 2 and 1/2 years. I have had personal correspondence with Nathan Long where he emphatically promised improved customer service... part of that correspondence between us involved this and another boat... Nathan has even posted similar staements here. So, as you said, get the whole story before you form an opinion.



Next, this is no attack... This is however a continuiong "challenge" to fulfill those past promises of "better communication" and "improved customer service". I have in the past noted where Nathan Long and others gave good service... But, this is not "High School" where 70% is passing. This is, to the affected boat buyers, very serious business. So the goal ought to be 100%.



I have long advocated that if Tracker improved their "image" they would have a much better success rate in getting repeat buyers. In business "perception" is almost as important as reality. I do not see a big shift in that perseption among the tournament fishermen I spend time with... Whatever Tracker is doing or not doing to fix that perception is not working.

 

[Dewey Storie]

Speaking from experience (my boat is at Tracker right now) a good dealer makes a big difference. Had my dealer fixed all the problems Tracker would not have my boat. This boat is a replacement boat, the first one was collapsing so they replaced it.



The replacement boat had to be sent back after several attempts by the dealer to fix water getting into the gas tank and the boat taking on water, and numerous other small items. So Tracker and I opted to have the boat sent back to them.



There were even talks with Tracker about going with another line (Fisher), but sadly none of the dealer really wanted to get involved without me kicking in another ten grand. But the dealer that was working with me on the Fisher did work with me to get Tracker to take the boat back for repair.



I want to believe that Nathan Long and the people that work under Nathan Long

 

[Dan J.]

Greg -



My previous opinion expressed neither implied nor directed the content towards Mr. Wateski's or anyone else's situation in particular. I do feel that the comment made by Mr. Smith in the post located above my original statement was obviously personal in its' intent and extremely uncalled for in a public forum.

 

[bob wateski2]

Dan,



Just to let you know, the posts are correct. I argued with tracker for a long time and up to and including a lawyer writting to them. It got no where. The whole deal was wrong from the start. I put pictures of my hull on the net and nobody could find anything that looked like impact damage. It was one person that said it and it was like the word of the man upstairs. Nobody at tracker would listen to anything. My dealer is also part of Skipperliner, which is also a boat building business and takes care of all warr. work for american marine. Nobody there could find any sign of damage. They told tracker that it came that way. Tracker then tried to say it was the dealer that damaged the boat. They would rather blame everyone else than accept the fact that the boat was bad from the start and should have been replaced years ago. It came down to a money deal. They were going to lose too much money if they did not replace the boat. American Marine sells a lot of their boats and it would have hurt the pocket book and then the higher ups at tracker would ask why. Someone in customer service would have been on the hot plate and maybe lost their job. It all comes down to money.

 

[Greg Meyer]

Dan,



A "final" comment by me... First, "Mr. Smith" is a currently service Police Officer and I am a retired one... So, I am probably inclined to side with him on "principle". However, as it happens to be... He too, had a boat, finally, replaced by Tracker. Different facts, but it also led to a great deal of belief that Tracker was dealing in bad faith with their customer. So, he probaly does have an "edge" about the issue. But, again, it was one that was "earned" by Tracker after some unbelieveable conduct. Therefore, while his comment may have a sarcastic tone...it is one brought out by poor treatment not "bad attitude"...



Sadly, it was the eventual replacement of Smitty's boat that was in some ways the beginning of what some of us here believed was a new attitude of fair and honest treatment. Then came Bob's situation and the unbelieveable response to "expert" opinion that caused me (and others) to lose faith in Tracker's "new beginning". History has a way of catching up... And, the "fool me once, shame on you...fool me twice and shame on me" concept is at work here. There is not an atmosphere of "good faith dealings" surrounding Tracker's Corporate perceived behavior.

 

[Tim Storey]

I have a 2001 Tundra sitting in my garage. Its a nice boat but I think tracker rushed it in to production with a few flaws still in it. I had it back to the Dealer far to many times and they keep chasing there tails. The problems were never resolved. I quit taking it back when they started charging me for labor and parts. I got charged for a tune up after only a few hours of run time. Thought they would have noticed the hour meter in the dash. Tune up didn't help either.



I tried writing and calling the factory but they just tell you to deal with the dealer. I came close once to getting something resolved but the guys who worked there quit, left or got fired.



Most of you guys who have been around here long enough know who they were. They even left this site. You can still find the one guy on LSCN.NET Anyone want to buy a 2001 Tundra 18WT with a 115ELPTO?

 

[Michael Snow]

Nathan Long is the person over the customer service dept at Tracker Marine, correct? A personal attack would be calling him names, etc. However, when it comes to discussing HIS department and how it is run, that's a business attack. To the best of our knowledge, Nathan IS where the buck stops. Therefore, directing the comments toward him is correct. Would you feel better if Johnny Morris were the one addressed rather than Nathan?



I've called Basscat several times about issues with my boat. EVERY, EVERY, EVERY time, I've gotten a fast response and never any run-around. They've sent me EVERY replacement part I've requested and have offered to pay for the installation as well.



Here's the kicker... I'm trying to sell my boat and one of the problems I had was steering fluid leaking. Well, I figured that one out on my own, bad o-ring... 30 cents at the hardware store and I was in business. Well, there's a small stain in the carpet that doesn't bother me, but may bother the next owner. I called Basscat and explained my situation and wanted to get confirmation that if the next owner wanted it replaced that there wouldn't be any issue. No "man, do you have the old o-ring? Sorry, sounds like you spilled it while pouring some fluid in, or maybe it's kool-aid" kinda crap. NO PROBLEM Mr. Snow, we'll replace it and send the bill to the manufacturer of the steering pump... well, I didn't know you could even do that. Well, we'll try to get reimbursement for it, but that's not "your" issue... it will be replaced free of charge.



19' boat, 200hp motor, sells for about 30k or so new fully loaded. Sounds like about the same as the Nitro 901. Based upon owning both a Nitro and a Basscat, guess where I'd spend my money first?



And this is NOT a kick in Nitro's crotch either. I'd gladly own another Nitro, but when it comes to customer service, I've talked to both companies as a customer... Basscat wins.



And no, I'm NOT pro-staff.

 

[Dan J.]

Mr. Snow -



Do you really believe that when asked to comment on a subject, then immediately bombarded with, "at most, he'll show up and blow smoke up our xxx'S as always", is not to be taken as a personal insult? I recomend if anyone does, they may wish to refrain from such venomous statements in person. There are many individuals that will respond in a very hostile manner. (I'm sure the seasoned police officers in this thread have seen much more over much less.)



"Based upon owning both a Nitro and a Basscat, guess where I'd spend my money first?" I wholeheartedly agree with your analogy on that one. To refresh my memory, your Nitro 911 was bought used (2nd or 3rd on title?) and from your numerous posts regarding it, you describe the use prior to yourself as less than nominal. Again, I agree. I'd rather have a new boat than one used/abused.



And yes, I am Pro Staff. Yet, I fail to see how that has any issue regarding my statements concerning common courtesy or communicating in a civil manner in a public forum.



With the absence of rational behavior, irrational behavior immediately takes its' place. There are other sites that seem to live on that type of rappor. (I'm sure you know of at least one.) I would prefer that we try not to lower this one to those levels.

 

[Michael Snow]

Yes, I bought the Nitro used, repo even. However, that doesn't change the fact that the wiring harness has connectors in the bilge area where they are subjected to water regularly. It doesn't change the fact that to the day I sold the boat, I'd get interesting stuff coming out of the drain, mostly fiberglass shavings. It also doesn't change the fact that Tracker customer service is combative (not that I'm not) at times.



And my "not pro staff" comment wasn't aimed at you or anyone else. I was stating that I was not on BassCat's pro staff because there are pro-staffers out there who will sweep just about anything under the rug to make their sponsor seem perfect.



So, yes, Smitty's statement that Nathan would blow smoke would seem to be his feelings on the track record of "we'll fix the customer service problems". The end result is that I don't believe Nathan has the authority to fix the problems. Fixing the problems means opening up the checkbook before the attorneys are called in. It's not his checkbook to open.

 

[Greg Meyer]

Reminds me of "Great Benefit Life" in the movie Rainmaker...



BTW... Well said Mr. Snow.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

FYI, I have a 2000 and I still get shavings, it is the nature of the chopper gun style. You are going to always lose some. I don't consider that a negative. As for the connections....well, does your cat have any in the bilge?



TOXIC