Crazy Problem as a Boat Dealer
 

Delivered a new 353 Formula last week to a good customer who trades every year,he is 300 miles away. He calls me disappointed, boat will only run 75 GPS, he expected 85+, I explained that we ran the boat at 90 speedo with props that were difficult to get on plane,some thing must be wrong with his props from his old boat, he thinks the hull has a hook,I tell him Formula doesn't build a hull with a hook,it's a prop problem. I next day air a set of 31's,32's,33's,34's,and a set of 5 blade Hydromotives and am prepared to drive down next week if yhe props don't fix the problem. He calls today,everything is fine,86 GPS with his old props. I asked him what he did, he said he reprogrammed the GPS from knots to MPH :). Anybody that wants to get into the boat business,I have lots of stories like this that will talk you out of it.:):)

:rolleyes:
At least he's happy, Now if you can just gett all those props back.:cool:

He should have set the gps to Kph, then he would have been ecstatic.:D

:D:D:D:D

I hope he sent you a money order for the Next Day air charges along with all those props. . . :)

Hey, just be glad he admitted the mistake. He could have gotten a new set of props out of the deal!

Magic, tell me about it. I have been in the biz for many years (19) We should have our own section!

Robert:

I've got a guy who is also kind of "disappointed" that his 353 is "only" running 90 MPH! (which is about 3 or 4 MPH FASTER than I thought it would run!) Wants to know why he can't turn 35" wheels? I told him no problem, we just need another 100 HP per engine!

I hear you, though. Sometimes I wish I had stayed in my law practice!

Regards,

Tom
Total Marine

That's funny as hell!!! :D :D :D...Some people. :rolleyes:

WAHHHHH...WAHHHHH...I`ll bet ''Robert'' does`nt get to wear those neat little cardboard crowns that you guys get to wear now does he!:D :D :D

WoW! How many dealers would send you props to TRY!
Damn now that is customer service

Troutly:

Yes, it is a 525/Stellings package, but with standard lowers. The testing on our F-2 race boat showed the Sportmaster gearcases are actually about 1 to 2 mph slower than the standard cases.

We set this boat up with a pretty agressive "X" dimension, though. It is fast as hell. We have probably tried 5 or 6 different sets of props, but the guy still thinks its going to go faster!

Tom

how fast?
80 on a good day
wow, not bad, what power?
4.3l V6
a V6 .... 80?
yeah, on a good day
how does it handle
pretty good
thats amazing!

Im not so slow to that guy eh?
;)

Customer service is a no brainer. Doesn't matter it the guy spent $250000 (as he did) or $15000, it is basic Marketing 101, you do what it takes to make the customer happy. It is so simple that if most of the bankrupt dealers realized this simple concept, they would still be in business.Doesn't matter if it's boats or burgers,just make the customer happy. So simple, plus I sleep well at night.

Amen to that!

Magicfloat
 

I wish the dealers around here were like you. Good for you

Our 353/525/ Stelling boats pull the 35's but they are almost impossible to get on plane with that much pitch. Once you get it going they run 90+ GPS but are basically unusable as a pleasure boat. Lab 33's made from 32's work fine,on plane quick and bump the rev limiter a little. The handling, acceleration and midrange with the 5 blade hydromotives was awesome,but speed suffered. When Merc gets their 5-blades ready we will try them .

Awesome perspective.
It's business practice like this that a) gets noticed and b) gets the business on customers' shopping lists.

I2D