Poor Quality In Boating Industry

[Black Snow Slide]

Hi everyone. I am thinking its time to raise the quality of products we buy for our boats. I am like most of you when it comes to our boats and accessories. I don't care what it costs, I just want a good product that works. Hear is a list of items I have purchased in the past month or so that have either missing parts or simply just doesn't work as it claims.

1. Sony CDX-GT10M, Stereo was missing the wiring harness and because I had it for more then 30 days, They want me to buy the harness for $39.95 plus shipping.

2. Keel Guard, The epoxies applicator that comes with the guard was all dry up. I call there 800# and you leave a message for someone to return your call.. and no one has. They have had a week and I have left 5 messages.

3. West Marine 3' tie down straps for traveling. 2'2" when very close to fully extended does not qualify as 3'

4. Garman GPS 440sx chart plotter. Would not hold way points in memory. I sent it back to Garman and the replacement one has scratches on the screen and the housing.

5. Nautical Man Dock Lines. The breading of the loop ends is horrid and already coming apart after never being used.

I don't even need to tell people about trying to get warrantee work done on new boats.

I have about 6 other things that I purchased last year that are the same type of problems. I am sure I cant be the only person that finds more then 75% of the products we purchase to be defective with deplorable service.

Anyone know of a way we can put pressure on the industry to either sell us a decent products. Or a way we can boycott the ones that are substandard.

 

[azlakes]

Re: Poor Quality In Boating Industry

.. i hear ya and feel manafacturers must know also. have you seen warranties drop on many products to 30 - 90 days max? what happened to 1 year warranties? ya might change the product by reviewing it plus where you bought it. then post it on consumer websites. i know many items that cost over 50 bucks i'll research best i can for pitfalls.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Poor Quality In Boating Industry

I hear you loud and clear. I'm in the process of adding accessories to my new pontoon and am really angry over the poor workmanship with the electrical wiring. In an attempt to make a nice neat bundle of wires, they simply balled every loose bit of wire and tie wrapped the bundle. The entire weight of that bundle is hanging off the back of one of the gauges. The send wire is pulled off the gas gauge and this rig has not even seen the water yet. Even the "hidden" antenna for the radio was balled up with the other wires. No wonder I couldn't get any reception sitting in my driveway. Lots of loose nuts and bolts as well.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Poor Quality In Boating Industry

You have a lot of price point builders in the industry. When you go that route you usually get what you paid for and not a cent more. I would imagine that you hear of a lot fewer quality complaints from the owners of a Contender or a Buddy Davis than you would from a price point builder

The price builders put a lot of people on the water that otherwise wouldn't have been able to afford the hobby. On the other hand you end up with a lot of junk and customer complaints floating around out there.


As far as the warranties are concerned it’s a monetary issue. If you offer a warranty you have to keep that money to cover the warranty costs in reserve and can not claim any of it as revenue until the product’s warranty expires.

By offering a 1 year warranty you have all that money tied up for a year which puts a hurt on your cash flow and cash flow is everything to a business.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Poor Quality In Boating Industry

Very true -- but in the case of workmanship, it is just as easy to do it right as it is to do it wrong/sloppy.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Poor Quality In Boating Industry

Very true -- but in the case of workmanship, it is just as easy to do it right as it is to do it wrong/sloppy.

Maybe i'm just old fashioned but to me that's the difference between a hired hand and craftsmen. How many boat builders do you think actually hire craftsmen to do the work anymore?