Something Strange going on @ Sonic???
 

Something very strange happened this morning. In my email was a subject title of "need Windows 98 upgrade". I opened it and then the attachment. This attachment was from
Sonic USA, Inc.
To: Leon Jose (my name is george, was Jose the sender??)
Re: Opportunity
Comments: Please call Sonic @ 954-922-5535.

So I called...... no Leon Jose or Jose Leon in the directory. The operator sent me to someone who hardly understands english, & the operator comes back on line.....(also not understanding much) Please leave your name & number, we will refer this to sales and someone will call you. ??? What the???

This is wierd!! I told them the only contact I had was with Jay. Operator said " he is no longer here"...
What's with a company that terminates a competent, knowledgable & understands english (make that American!!) and hires only fluent Spanish speaking with limited english skills??
And of course, you have to leave messages for everyone else as they will not answer the phones.
Disgusting....what a way to run a business.:rolleyes:

I'm sure Richard Hewitt can help you if he will ever return your call, well maybe, maybe not! good luck.

And now I know Sonic reads this board!!

Sonic (Linda) called me back this a.m. They now have a copy of the email & are as mystified as I am.

Who knows....Prankster??? They handled this as well as can be expected by calling me to discuss it. Linda asked me to contact her with any further questions about my old Sonic. :cool: & Good Show, Sonic!

Strange, but good to see them make good.

HEY SONIC! If you are reading this board, how about an update on the corprate restructuring going on there for your most loyal customers(us)?

Hey Sonic, I've also purchased 2 new boats from you (over $500,000) why don't you return my e-mails or phone calls. Jay would not let this happen! Thats OK I'll see you at the boat show and I'll tell you want I think!!

Damm 500K! I hope they answer your calls. Them losing even one person of your stature would be very detrimental and especially since you're an OSO member.

I just heard up here in MD that Jay was no longer with company
( Sonic ). Also that Frank, from Offshore Performance in Grasonville, Md left that company also. Any truth to the rummors ? If so whats up ?

yup its true about Jay. Don't know about Frank.

Both true.

Harry Judge is now selling the Sonic line for Offshore Performance. He called me yesterday about the inquiry I made, thru the Sonic website, about purchasing a new 45 Sonic. Didnt discuss Frank though. Harry has alway been a nice up front guy in my dealings with Offshore Performance. No problems with him.

Hello All;

Wonder where Frank went? Met him once in Offshore Performance showroom...nice guy.
I had email sent to Frank returned today by fellow named Hugh in sales..also very helpful,and eager to please.

Yes...Sonic home office is reeaaall hard to communicate with.
Thats just the labor base in S. FL. so what can you do? Make English a required course/qualification for job for one thing, and hire consultant to train.
Call about a technical question and get the gift shop girl.
Regards...
Harpoon

Hugh at offshore performance.... I've met with hugh on several different occasions over the past year to demo the 31 and 35... He's a really great guy!!! No pressure sales antic.s.. eager to get us out on demos and assure our understanding of the boats.... No follow up sales calls.... answers our emails and calls.... Haven't put a deal together with him yet, but will call him when we're ready. I was also very impressed with their service department at offshore performance..... I ran into several people that bring their boats from hundreds of miles away to have it serviced there....

Yes....I am one that had mine picked up fom NC and taken in to MD for service. They will put it back where you want it as well...States away.
Pays to take em to someone that knows.

The best people at Sonic to speak to are Marc & Linda...... just dial the option for parts and they answer. They were very helpful to me and speak English as a first lanquage!!:D

Everyone needs to get the owner of Sonic to explain what's up without Jay around. I've ordred a 2000 42' and a 2002 45' from them (Jay). Still no answer about Jay being gone. I'm done with them and going to buy a 36' Spectre!

Byron,,,What kind of answer are you looking for?? Richard is looking to take the company, which he owns by the way, to the next level. I am also sure he is busy with the day to day operstions of the company as well as getting ready for the Miami show. For christ sake did you stop using Microsoft products when they changed the CEO?

I certainly hope Richard is paying attention to the boats on the production line, increasing his dealer network, promotions, and the general busines of running HIS business. And NOT spending hours on the phone with "everyone" explaining personnell decisions.

Richard is an excellant business man, a gentle man and more importantly passionate about the boating industry and the Sonic product line.

Lastly, I am sure Richard will have time set aside at the Miami show to talk about the changes and the direction the company will be taking. It may even be evident in the display!!! Guess you'll just have to stay tuned!!

Jay's a great guy but don't you think you are jumping the gun just a bit?

Catagory5....You may be right, some people jumping to conclusions....but I have talked with Byron (we met at the Cumberland Poker Run) when he had the 45.....if I remember it had triple 575's and all the bell and whistles. Byron really carried the flag for Sonic. The boat was featured in Poker Runs America magazine and others I am sure.

Now...you say Richard is a good business man.....here is a guy (Byron) who has spent seriously big bucks with you and is out there showing everyone what your product can do and you don't call him back...........I don't know......I don't think that is good business.

Just my .02

I don't know many (if any) companys with annual sales in the $ 20 to $ 30 million dollar range that you can get the owner on the phone simply to chastize him for his personel decisions.

Just my $ .02

Steve

H2o warrior and Cat 5 I believe you're both right ,Ive Known Jay for years now and have bought 3 boats from sonic (Jay) Ive seen first hand the current Quality of the boats, is still as exceptional as it was years ago . Richard is a good person and business man and right now has alot on his plate, sometimes a business has to take a few steps back before it can take steps forward. Richard is trying to bring a new enthusiasm to Sonic which some know company-wise was missing .
Right now my 45 is being painted there and getting new interior , I have no problem in dealing with them whatsoever.
My .02:) :)

Guys, as a newbie to Sonic I don't know all the particulars, but it seems that Jay (who built my boat) had a hard time with the business end of the BOAT business.
Otherwise the company would not have been sold, it would still be his.
I don't know how many of you own businesses, but if you do then you know you cannot personally answer EVERY phone call that comes in, and if the wrong person answers the phone it can reflect badly on your company as a whole. I do agree a repeat customer should get a call in a day or two at the outside, even if it's from a PR person. I have enough trouble with 4 employees, I can't imagine a boat factory full.
Then there is the personality issue to deal with, maybe the two just did not get along, I'm not saying either guy is a bad guy, sometimes try as we might things don't go well between two people(any divorced people here?).
If I fired someone from MY (no shareholders) business and a customer called to ***** me out I'd tell them to pound sand (in a nice way of course). When they started to write the paychecks they could make the decisions.
Lets face it Sonic still builds a great boat, although they are not well known in my area, maybe with fresh blood this will change, and people will stop stop saying "oh you have a Cigarette boat" AHHHHHHHH NO it's a Sonic!
It was nice having someone who could talk to us about our older boats, but have you tried talking to any other manufacturers about thier old products? I'm not saying it's right but try talking to Harley about a 79 FXE, or Chrysler about a 68 Charger, or how about Mercury Racing about your 87 efi motors,geez there only 16 years old, Merc told me they threw away the blueprints and specs for the motors and noone could help,when it comes to old stuff you are on your own you've got to dig and ask, that's what makes it a challenge to put old things back together, and to me anyway the it makes the ride/drive that much sweeter .
No flames, just my .02
PS Blown Formula how's the rebuild coming?

I think I've been around both of these guys a whole lot last year, trust me and watch Sonic will change and I'll bet anybody it will not be for the better. you don't have to agree with me , just watch. I've had some dealings on the new 45' diesel (sea-tek) boat and I back out because of these issues. The boat was being built for me. I don't need to go into detail because I really don't want to get in the middle of this. All I can tell you I'm building another new boat now and it's not a Sonic. Be carefull and good luck with the new owner.

Yes, I have talked to Formula about my older boats. Guess what? They still have total recall of all manufacturing details of their boats, down to the smallest detail. You can still get ORTIGINAL upholstery materials & patterns made for a 12 year old Formula. Replacement parts also, wiring diagrams, everything!
I called Sonic & Jay was the ONLY record of the earlier boats.......

The rebuild is slow because I totally stripped the boat of all pumps, hydraulic, water & fuel lines, all electrical terminal blocks, indicator cables, shift cables & throttle cables, all blowers, pump (water & hydraulic), transom assembly & drive, and of course the engines. I removed over an inch & 1/2 of oil muck in engine bay. Pieces of broken starter solenoids, bolts, uts, clamps,,,,,,etc!!Stripped out some kind of sprayed in asphalt/rubber sprayed coating (like car undercoating). Cleaned & I am still refinishing the engine bay. The motor mounts were bent also & corroded so those came out and are being rebuilt also. The transom/gimbal assembly was completely stripped of all parts, inserted new threads in the bellhousing, gutted the bearings, races, bushings, etc Everything will be new. When done, this should be a great boat.
It's just that in two weeks I will have surgery on my ankle & a cast (non-weight bearing) so I will be on crutches for 2-3 months. I suspect this boat will not be done for this summer. I haven't even been able to find a reasonable 454 Mark IV block yet!! Wish me luck. & thanks for asking!!

I bought a 386 sonic last year at the miami boat show- did not know Jay-will not go into the details but the buying experience was not to exciting- bought from Jay in spite of Jay. My boat is at sonic now getting some minor fixes. Have spoke with Richard a few times - conversations alot more exciting. I have alot of confidence in sonic's future direction-

We can only wait and see.