Tracker boat service?

[WalleyeWisconsin7]

Just at the Milwaukee boat show; looking at different boats incl Tracker. Tracker dealer at the show said that if I buy a Tracker from Bass Pro in Gurnee, IL, that he can and WILL refuse to do any warranty service work on it, even ordering parts. Accd to the Milw dealer, Tracker doesn't have some claus in its dealer agreement requiring all Tracker dealers to service Tracker boats bought elsewhere. Salesman bragged of the double service lists that this dealer runs; how they made people wait 8 weeks last summer to get boats repaired that people bought used or bought elsewhere. Salesman said they tell people that come in for service point blank that, "we don't care if it is under warranty, we don't care if it's a Mercury, a Lund, or a Tracker, if you didn't buy it here, get it out of here." I like the Tracker boats, but not if you can't get service work if you buy a used one or buy from some other dealer than your local dealer. Is this the policy with Tracker or is this dealer just making threats to bully the business in?

[Fsboats]

Seems to me he is passing up a good opportunity to earn your business. I have a strong suspiscion that he is wrong about his dealer agreement though?

[Dodge1]

Click on this link:

http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=search&search_type=advanced&select_forum=6

Under "Keyword(s)" input Tracker
Under "Search which field(s)" select "Subject only"
Click on the "Search now!" box
Grab a large beverage of your choice and start reading all about Tracker service and quality

[Boz]

Why in the world would you even consider doing business with someone who claims that is there business attitude. If he is saying, hah hah hah, see how we are screwing someone, how long will it be before they are saying that about you?

Find someone who wants to do business.

[lundeepv]

Wouldn't even consider buying a rod holder from a guy like this.

[Suggestion]

I know the Tracker dealer you're talking about and it's their business policy. There are lot's of places you can buy Trackers. Go to a dealer you can trust.

[CASEY G1]

I use to own a Tracker, and when it came time to work on it, the dealer I bought it from couldnt get me in for 5 weeks, everytime. I have a dealer closer to my house that doesnt sell Trackers, but agree to work on it the same day I called them. It happened that the dealer closer to my house, that got me right in, sells Lunds. I got rid of the Tracker, and now own a Lund. I love my Lund, but most importantly, I love my dealer even more. If your dealer is great, your boating experience is so much more enjoyable.I believe most boats are great, but pick a good dealer close to you, and get what they sell.IMHO I am just lucky to have a Lund dealer within 10 miles of my house.HH

[samtrack]

I have owned 2 Tracker boats, My guess is it is the dealer that is the issue. They have always treated me right. Quick service, warranty or otherwise, friendly people. They act like they want my business. My first Tracker was bought at Bass Pro in Springfield the second from the dealer that serviced my boat in the Chicago area and that is the biggest reason I purchased the second from them.
W.Haas
:cheers:

[WellNow]

>I know the Tracker dealer you're talking about and it's their
>business policy. There are lot's of places you can buy
>Trackers. Go to a dealer you can trust.


I think I also know that dealer. If that dealer also sells Rangers and Lunds, then I am CERTAIN I know that dealer.

Take some good advice. Read the above quote from the previous post in this thread. Read it again so you don't miss anything it says. THEN FOLLOW IT!!!!

[Shovelhead]

I had a similar experience with a Lund dealer in the K.C. area, would not service a Lund if bought anywhere else than her, bought a Alumacraft LOVE it. Great Dealer treats me well.

[Terroreyes]

That's just the dealers policy, not Trackers. I went through the same thing here in Michigan. Bought a pro boat and when it came to getting a meer picture taken for warranty by the dealer I bought my first Tracker from, I got the big "Sorry, OUR customers come first". Wanted me to wait weeks to get a lowsy picture taken. Called another dealer clear across the state and they said to bring it by anytime. Now they have a customer for life. :)

A real creepy part is that the BPS sales manager kept e-mailing me for 2 weeks, telling me how I screwed up by not buying the 18' 2003 they had on the floor, even though I got a brand new 21' for less. EVERY e-mail he scarcastically reminded me that I wasn't their customer, even though I still have the the new boat I bought from them. Only after numerous of his e-mails forwarded to Tracker corporate and his boss, did the harassing e-mails stop. It took a few contacts though. Every time I'd forward his e-mail, he'd find out and the next would be even more threatening and more skitzo.

There's some real weirdos selling boats out there!!!





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[WalleyeWisconsin7]

Yes, you know the dealer. Located SW Milw suburbs.

[fishhogg]

Life is all about decisions. If you feel comfortable buying a boat from someone like that, that is your decision. From my point of view, I would take care of my buying customers first and foremost, then work on the new guys boat. And that is what I would expect from my dealer. I am in sales and I absoultely love it when my competition acts like this.

[JKitterman]

I would stay away from any dealer like that. If I take a boat in that I didn't buy there and get that terrible service. Why in the world would I EVER buy a boat from that dealer? You read on here that good service is a big factor in what boat to purchase and where to buy from.

[WellNow]

>Yes, you know the dealer. Located SW Milw suburbs.

In that case the advice you got to "find another dealer" is very, very good advice!!

[doubleheader unlogged]

I agree. Last year I was beginning my new boat search right about now. I had a very popular top of the line brand, and fully intended to buy another. I contacted the dealer I intended to work with. This is a guy my brother bought his tournament boat from, and a guy I had given exclusive privilige at no charge to display his product at the biggest local tourney in our area. I told him what I was interested in, and inquired about powering it with a Verado. He told me the Verado was a "work motor" whatever that was supposed to mean, and I didn't want one. Anyhow, I made plans to meet him at a show and finalize the deal that weekend. I went to the show with a downpayment check of $2K in my pocket so he could order the boat. At the show he said he was busy and promised to call me Monday. I was a little miffed after driving 4 hrs to the show, but by Friday with no call I was more than miffed. To make a long story as short as possible I spent the week doing some research and getting quotes, and on Friday I bought another brand boat with a Verado. So then I called to tell him and he went through the roof. Go figure.

[John K]

I bought my Lund/Merc new in 2002. After I had it about 1 month, I noticed that the edge of the bearing carrier on the lower unit on the motor was chipping off around the edge. I took it to the local Tracker dealer (not where I bought it), but because he was close and also a Mercury dealer. The service rep looked at it, and told me Mercury would not cover it. The motor was only a month old. Of course, he didn't call Merc first to check. I ended up taking it back to the dealer where I bought the boat, and it was promptly serviced, and they told me that it was very much a warranty covered part. Just another testimony of superior Tracker dealer service-NOT.

[T Dex]

Last year I bought a left over Tundra with a Verado, I had an issue after I bought it with the throttle position sensor. It turned out it was because the boat had fuel run through it the previous year, a small amount at that,considering only 0.2 hours on motor. But no Stabil, or seafoam, so the sensor stuck open a little. I took it back to my BPS Tracker dealer 2 hrs. away, when I got there they immediately hooked it up to the laptop. The problem was the guy running the laptop was a rigger and not a technician. Low and behold I was a little upset! When I met with the manager, he was "unaware" of the mixup with the tech. So, I had to leave the boat at the dealer. For my trouble, the manager personally delivered my boat to my door with no grief, or cost to me. I beleive thats pretty good service. And for those that are curious, a bottle of Quickleen and a half a tank of fuel was all that Verado needed.

[Terroreyes]

My new 2007 has to go back. :( Trailer issues. Once again D&R Sports in Kalamazoo, who I've never bought a boat from, is right there for service! :)


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[Brad1]

Many boat dealerships give priority to those who have purchased new boats from them. Most of them will still service a boat bought somewhere else, but the customer who bought the boat from the dealership ussually gets taken care of first. I can't necessarily say I blame dealerships for having that attitude. Put yourself in their shoes. It's just something you have to take into consideration when you buy from a dealership (other than your local dealership) to save money on the purchase price of the boat.

Also, this prioritization is not limited to Tracker. It is a dealership thing.

[perchjerker]

giving priority to those who bought a boat from you is one thing.

but when a dealer states

"if you didn't buy it here, get it out of here."

thats a little different in my opinion.

[Brad1]

>giving priority to those who bought a boat from you is one
>thing.
>
>but when a dealer states
>
>"if you didn't buy it here, get it out of here."
>
>thats a little different in my opinion.

I totally agree.

[John K]

The dealer that didn't sell the boat, but has someone with the same brand the dealer represents come in for service can take one of two approaches.

#1 - Since you didn't buy it here, I don't want to work on it, and if I do, it will sit until I get around to it.

or, #2 - You didn't buy it here, but I would be glad to service it. Someday, you may be in the market for another new boat, so I want you think well of my dealership, and have positive things to tell others.

[tly]

Have you ever owned a Tracker or are you just venting?

While Tracker does have a bad rep it still comes down to the dealer. No matter what the product, if the dealer is less than honest or takes short cuts all product represented by the dealer may get slammed. Your purchase agreement is with the dealer, not the manufacturer altho the mfg must also stand up and support the dealer as well.

Perhaps the problem with tracker is that it recruits bottom feeders and marginal dealers who cannot or will not make the steps necessary to keep folks happy. They maybe need to improve their selection criteria.

By the way, I have had 2 Tracker Targas, and tremendous dealer support when there has been an issue so my viewpoint may be different than yours.

[Metro49]

>Have you ever owned a Tracker or are you just venting?
>
>While Tracker does have a bad rep it still comes down to the
>dealer. No matter what the product, if the dealer is less than
>honest or takes short cuts all product represented by the
>dealer may get slammed. Your purchase agreement is with the
>dealer, not the manufacturer altho the mfg must also stand up
>and support the dealer as well.
>
>Perhaps the problem with tracker is that it recruits bottom
>feeders and marginal dealers who cannot or will not make the
>steps necessary to keep folks happy. They maybe need to
>improve their selection criteria.
>
>By the way, I have had 2 Tracker Targas, and tremendous dealer
>support when there has been an issue so my viewpoint may be
>different than yours.


TLY...

Yes, I'm sorry to say I did own a 2001, Tracker Targa 18. Piece of JUNK. It leaked from the first day I bought it, and when I tried to trade it in last year, it leaked even worse. Hull cracking problems, transom problems, live well problems, hull ribs poping, etc... I'm not going to type in all of the problems I had with it again. It would take too long, but if you did a search here on WC you can see my previous posts. Also, hundreds of other former Tracker owners have the same experience. This particular thread is just another example of how Tracker feels about their customers. Maybe it's mostly the dealer in this case, but rarely do you find positive stories about Tracker service. Sorry for sounding so negative, but if I get burned by someone (Tracker) they will have an enemy for life.

Have you noticed with your two Targas, that when you fish, the splash well is almost always underwater? Depending on what size motor you have. The boat is rear end heavy especially with a big motor (Merc 135 Opti), kicker, full fuel tank and batteries all located in the back of the boat. This will eventually rot out your transom. I'd keep a very close eye on this if I were you. The only good thing about the Targas was the bilge pump. Worked very well. Had LOTS of use with no problems. I would highly recommend those pumps to anyone.

Please don't take this personally. I'm glad you like your two Targas. Mine was just junk. Sorry.

[ToddEW]

My 04 Targa 18 walkthrough has has a 115 Merc along with a 9.9 4 stroke Mariner on it. The only time I get water in the splashwell is if I'm trolling with the waves and even then its not really an issue. I'm sorry to tell you Meto I'm another very satisfied Tracker owner. To call my boat a peice of junk is a mistake on your part. Had a issue with my pro deep v-16 which was promptly fixed by Tracker. Sorry to give an opposing view. I will say Trackers dealer network isn't as good as what it should be. Some Tracker dealers just plain old suck, but not all.

[Metro49]

>My 04 Targa 18 walkthrough has has a 115 Merc along with a
>9.9 4 stroke Mariner on it. The only time I get water in the
>splashwell is if I'm trolling with the waves and even then its
>not really an issue. I'm sorry to tell you Meto I'm another
>very satisfied Tracker owner. To call my boat a peice of junk
>is a mistake on your part. Had a issue with my pro deep v-16
>which was promptly fixed by Tracker. Sorry to give an opposing
>view. I will say Trackers dealer network isn't as good as what
>it should be. Some Tracker dealers just plain old suck, but
>not all.


Hi Todd,

Not trying to stir up bad feelings, but I just get a little emotional with the Tracker name. All I'll tell you is to watch your transom separating from the hull. The Targa splash well is frequently filled with water and that is the beginning of trouble. It's just a very poor design. The Targas are still being made the same way today. I just saw one yesterday at Bass Pro and shook my head when I saw the same design. I have posted some photos on my profile site of the damage. http://www.walleyecentral.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=113063
Take a look at the downward picture of the splashwell and see if this looks familiar to you. There is actually silicone caulk that seals the transom from the splash well. Look how far the split is. This is what Tracker had to fix when the boat was sent to back to the factory. When I sold it last year, the crack was back and the transom was rotting from all the water getting inside the wood. Take this for what it's worth, but I'm just trying to warn you and others to pay attention to this part of the boat. I haven't even mentioned the multiple cracks in the hull either.

This boat was very well cared for. It saw many days of fishing, but was never rode hard at all. I'll take every opportunity to warn whoever I can of the dangers of buying a Tracker. They take advantge of good people by selling boats that are poorly engineered and then tell them tuff %#@! when their products fall apart. Never again.

[John K]

He called his boat a piece of junk, not your boat. These type of posts are getting WAY too personal. Take a chill pill!

[ToddEW]

Anyone else have this problem? I don't remember reading any other complaints about rotting transoms on Targas. To say its a design flaw is kinda funny considering the number of Targas on the water. You say you just saw one yesterday at BPS with the same transom, however this is the second model year that Tracker has been building boats without wood in the transoms, they are all welded aluminum. I'm guessing Tracker fixed you transom problems, how was the service you got from your dealer? Keep in mind I'm not trying to start anything, however the guy did say the only good thing about Targas was the bilge pump. I'm just sticking up for what IS a great boat.

[Tuffy2]

I have been reading this thread since day one. In my opinion this is not a thread that is questioning the quality of Tracker boats, however it is a thread that is stating the quality of a dealership. I don't care what brand of boat or motor you buy, if they do not have a good supporting dealership in your area to take care of you, keep on looking.

I am speaking from personal experience. I too, bought a boat from a Lund dealer just southeast of Milwaukee. The first year I lost 8 weeks of fishing while it sat at his dealership to be repaired. Last year I lost 4 weeks while it was in being repaired for the same problems from the previous year. I called the manufacture and had them "pave the way for me" into a good dealership. It took them 1 week to solve the problems with the boat/motor. All of the problems were related to a poor set up and dealer error in repairs.

So, because of the fine service I got from the good dealer, I will buy my next Lund/Honda from him. Although he has it running so good now, I'm not sure when that will be.

If you want a good Lund/Honda/Mercury deal, drive a short ways north to Princeton Wisconsin.

[Metro49]

>Anyone else have this problem? I don't remember reading any
>other complaints about rotting transoms on Targas. To say its
>a design flaw is kinda funny considering the number of Targas
>on the water. You say you just saw one yesterday at BPS with
>the same transom, however this is the second model year that
>Tracker has been building boats without wood in the transoms,
>they are all welded aluminum. I'm guessing Tracker fixed you
>transom problems, how was the service you got from your
>dealer? Keep in mind I'm not trying to start anything, however
>the guy did say the only good thing about Targas was the bilge
>pump. I'm just sticking up for what IS a great boat.


Todd,

Did you look at the pics I referenced? If you did then I hope you can understand my sentiments toward Tracker. That was just normal driving on the boat. I had to send it to the factory for almost the whole summer. Whenever I sent it to the local dealer for a tune up or just general maintenance, the staff was really clueless about boats in general. My mechanic really scared me when he didn't even know which spark plugs to use for a Merc 135 Opti.:cookoo:

Look...I don't know what the deal is with Tracker. I'm finding that people really love them or REALLY HATE them. It appears that some peoples boats do just fine. What's going on here??? Is the problem when the boat was made? Is it due to which day of the week the boat was made? Is it due to who touched the boat at the factory? Is it a design flaw? Is it a management problem at the factory? Is it due to an inconsistentcy of the quality of sheet aluminum? Is it just rotten luck on HUNDREDS of peoples part? Is Tracker cursed? You get the idea I'm sure. The fact of the matter is that many people here on WC and around the whole country have had severe problems with their boats and when they try to get them fixed, the service is also very inconsistent. If you ever go to trade in your Tracker, watch the look on your dealers face when you tell him you have a Tracker Targa to trade in. It ain't a pretty picture.

Todd, I really hope your boat continues to meet all of your needs for years to come. I honestly do. I'm just sharing my experience with others. The Tracker saga in a very sad story for lots of people. Sorry if I offended you. Not my intention.

[John K]

Just out of curiousity (boredom?), I went to google.com and wrote in 'Tracker boat problems'. Wow! Don't think for one minute that only those who frequest WC have serious problems with their Trackers.
The problems seem to be widespread.

[Metro49]

>Just out of curiousity (boredom?), I went to google.com and
>wrote in 'Tracker boat problems'. Wow! Don't think for one
>minute that only those who frequest WC have serious problems
>with their Trackers.
>The problems seem to be widespread.


Amen to that. So it's not just my bad luck is it? :thanks2:

[ToddEW]

How many complaints did you find when you googled? Mine must not be working right.

[Metro49]

>How many complaints did you find when you googled? Mine must
>not be working right.



Just a few Google comments on Tracker Boats. "Fish The Finest"

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/boats/tracker.html
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.outdoors.fishing/browse_thread/thread/3da294e5b5043f7f/b2caca772c8cf524?lnk=st&q=&rnum=4&hl=en#b2caca772c8cf524
http://my.boatus.com/consumer/defectivecongress.asp

[ToddEW]

This is informative reading, can you find me more?

[Jimmy Jig]

After all the complants on WC and all the other horror stories on other forums I cann't understand why anyone would buy a Tracker Boat! I understand that they are cheaper, but so what.