Looking for best Ranger dealer!!!

[walleyes133]

I'm going to buy a new Ranger 620. I have a boat to trade in and was wondering where everyone has had the best luck on getting the best prices. I'm am looking for the best Ranger dealer out there or where everyone has had the best luck. Thanks for you help.

[Wardog]

Buy local if you want service later.. It can be a pain to drive back to that dealer for service you might not be saving much in the long run.. I've down that road..

[Jim Ordway]

If you are in the Milwaukee area, I recommend you do your homework and shop around and then go to M&W and work your best deal.
Take care,

[GMC Jon]

MW Marine has a great sales department but try to get ahold of the parts or service department on the phone. I called 8 times to get a part for my Honda motor and everytime I got put on hold. After holding for a least 10 minutes each time I would hang up and call again, only to be put on hold again. The guy that answered told me he had customers at the counter so I guess if you want a part or service you have to go there. The calls I made were over a week period and when I finally got to talk to someone he could not find my part and asked me to call back. I chose to go to another dealer and had no problems. I am glad I don't have a $40,000 boat from them!!!!!!!!!!!

[pwrfshn]

T-Mac is a Ranger dealer and also frquents the site often.

He is very helpful and I would highly reccomend at least talking to him to get some pointers. He has heard and knows of many dealers around the country.

He is a long drive from me, but my next boat will come from him or someone like him. Not the best price MAYBE, but defintiely high degree of knowledge and understanding with what we are looking for.

Good luck,

[Jim Ordway]

I agree that the hold button seems worn out in the parts dept as of late. When I pick up my boat in a couple of days, I will let them know that it is interfering with good customer service.
Take care,

[Jeff Stevenson]

When calling on the phone and getting put on hold just remember the dealer has a guy standing at the counter with money in his hand. I'm sorry but I will always take care of the customer that has taken his time to come into my shop first.

Sorry if I missed it but where are you looking for a dealer - no sense mentioning mine if you are a thousand miles away.

[TJ.]

My brother and I went in to MW marine looking for a part for his Ranger boat. The parts Dept person was very rude and could not find the steering cable for his boat after telling us they did have it during a phone conversation. He won't go there any more. But it is up to you. Some people say they like the place. Good luck. I have herd good things about Heckels Marine in Eagle river Wi.

[walleyes133]

I'm from West Central Minnesota

[FisHn2DMax]

A month ago, I bought a new boat from T-Mac in Montana. IMHO, he was worth the 500 mile drive! His dealership really knows their stuff and they follow-up! My boat is rigged perfectly! I had a few minor accessory items missing in my boat and they sent them to me with no questions asked. Give T-Mac a call, you won't regret it!

[GMC Jon]

To Jeff
I work at a truck dealership and if our parts department blew off phone customers like that they would lose alot of business. They could at least get your name and phone number and call you back. There is no reason I should have to drive 30 miles to find out they don't have the part when a simple phone call would do. I doubt if the customer at the counter will get up and walk out just because the parts man has to answer the phone.

[Wishin 2b fishin]

I have never had a problem with the service dept. I got put on hold once or twice and they always came back to me and I always got the part or the service I needed. They have always been right on it when I stop at the parts counter too. I have been going there for parts/service for more than 20 years. As to the telling you they had a part when you called and then it was not there when youi went to get it, things happen. Where I work we have a computer controlled inventory and it is never correct! And possibly the guy was just wrong, or possibly the part was sold between your call and arrival. Stuff happens. Dont judge ANY business by one occurance. And you are right, the sales staff is great. Got a great deal on my last boat and I would recommend them, but if youare 700 miles away, there has to be someone closer.

[stevefellegy]

The biggest and most popular Ranger dealer in Minnesota is Frankie's Marine in Chisago City. (30 minutes NW of St. Paul) Ask for Frankie Jr. or John for sales. 651-257-6334 With the buying power they have...they can make a great deal.

Good luck!

[MrEyes]

I have delt with M&W and the sales team is top shelf especially Chuck. However the Parts Dept is SLOW....and they will put you on hold for along time or make you wait in line a long time. I have been in line when 1 guy was busting his butt trying to take care of 7 people and the other guy was doing daily work. When the line finally went down, then the 2nd guy jumped in to help out...TERRIBLE SERVICE. I can also relate to the earlier post who was talking about someone being rude. Then first time I took my rig in "GREG" was VERY RUDE to me. Now I don't even go back for service just because of people like Greg. He happens to also be the guy that was not helping out his fellow worker when he was up to his chin with unhappy customers. Everyone was just looking at him......like ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING!

[JimRK]

I purchased a Ranger from Kenndy Marine in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 2001.
The staff did an excellent job following up and staying in touch with me. I live in Wisconsin.
Happy fishing to all. :-)

[ChadC]

If you're from West Central MN try Dan O's Marine in Watertown, SD. It's just across the border. I got my last boat from them and have been very satisfied. Dan O went through every little detail to make sure I got what I wanted. They also have a lot of boats on hand and they have another location in Pierre, SD that they will pull boats to Watertown for you to look at.

Here's the number 605-882-4590
Dan O is the owner.

[musky3]

I agree MW has a great price,but there service dept sucks

[musky48]

I've been a customer of M.W. Marine for 32 years. I've found sales dept. to be excellent, outstanding and friendly people - Mike P.,Mark, Andy, Chuck, Sean and Gordy. When I need service, I go to them. I like face-to-face communication. I find Mike and the crew to be the best. They get the job done. On some of the previous posts- have you ever been there rather than calling? I'll tell you one thing, the phone is constantly ringing and there are customers always there. Service people can only do one thing at a time. Sometimes patience is required. I would rather see the customer at the counter handled first, after all, a phone call does not mean you are taken care of immediately and everyone else waits - now that would be RUDE. Trust me, these people are busy, I see it every time I'm there. I would not be 32 year customer if they were not #1. I've been around and no one comes close to M.W.

[Muskeye]

I just bought a 621 this spring and was faced with a similar situation. I live in northern IL and visited the closest dealer here as well as D&R in Kalamazoo and Frankies in Chisago MN. The dealer in Chicago was quite a bit more expensive than both of the other dealers. I did buy at Frankies and had a great experience. I did have problems with my Yamaha 250 HPDI and found I had to travel a few weekends back and forth to get it taken care of. I could have gone to any Yamaha dealer but Frankies got me right in and took very good care of me. I have owned Rangers since 1990 and can't remember having a problem with a Ranger part of my rigs. For me the 5% I saved was worth the drive.

[HARSH]

Ranger Boats Dealer network in the midwest is comprised of some of the top dealers found in the U.S.. Two the top three Ranger dealers are located in Minnesota and that is there ranking nationaly. Ranger Dealers have worked hard to build their reputations based on customer service. Ranger Boats dedication to customer service as a company is well known. No dealer is perfect and no dealers employees all perform at the same level on any given day. If you know what you want, model and horsepower, I would check around and find a dealer with a boat in stock that matches your needs. This time of the year, with the Ranger Dealer meeting coming up in July, Dealers are motivated to move existing inventory and that could result in some very attractive prices for you. Every Dealer in Minnesota or the Dakotas that I have worked with has left me impressed not only with their level of customer service, but also with the caliber of people they employ. I would check around, see what is in stock and who is willing to work with you. I would not be afraid of any MN or Dakota dealers service dept. My experience has been that by communicating your needs, what is available to you through other dealers, your local dealer will be very competitive in pricing. Remember this, driving 200 miles one way to drop a boat off for repairs, returning home and then going back to pick up equals 800 miles plus your time. That is not cost effective, I have done that. Now do that 2-3 times in a summer. Generally your best long term deal is close to home. By developing a good relationship with one of the dealers in your area you will be better off long term. Good luck and if I can be of service or if you need a demo ride, E-mail me as I also live in west / central MN.

Pete Harsh "MR TILLER"
NPAA #51

[Stan]

Frankies, nuff said! Ask for John, he will treat you right. There the best, stay away from the large "super store chain". Frankies will treat you like family, not a number.

[mickey nod]

Check out Crystal Pierz Marine -In 2002 became the largest Ranger Dealership in the U.S.A. -Price,service,customer service,and multiple locations, --all add up to a win -win situation for the new or old boat owners --check out the crystal,mn location --ask for team crystal members-Paul,Jessica,Julian,Dave ,Dean, Big Jim ,Gary , they are all committed to helping you on your next Ranger purchase.Hey they must be doing something right to become the largest Ranger dealer in the U.S.A.-it ain't because of high pricing and no service .763-533-1655-Save time and money--with great service..With no hassles....

[eyewinder]

I'm not in the business of bashing, but on my third visit to Dan-O's in Watertown, I purchased a new Merc 4-stroke & had it installed on my boat.

I'm now being told that I won't receive a tilt/trim sending unit that wasn't removed from the trade-in motor until I pay another $350 in "sales tax" (I have a receipt for the new motor marked "Paid in Full"). It's also been more than 3-1/2 weeks since I picked up the motor, and I haven't received the Mercury warantee paperwork that the dealer is to supply.

My e-mail about the warantee (to Dan-O's) went unanswered and I'm apparently going to have to call--I'm not optimistic--the last time I asked the owner for help, he demanded more money for the new motor that I'd paid for and taken delivery on.

My first couple of visits went well, so I took a chance and made a major purchase ($7,500), and it's turned into a really sour experience. . .ya just never really know. :-(

[john g]

must be a pierz employee, how else would he know everyone on the team.....

[mikey nod]

No I am not an employee of Crystal Pierz Marine-when people make statements - stay away from the superstores--Crystal Pierz doesn't fall in that catagory--generalizations may have applied in past years to previous Outlets-we all know who they are-call/checkout the family environment at Crystal Pierz Marine and get to know the team..Number one volume dealership in the world--selling service,best price,multiple locations--and customer service--and owners Myron and Sue who are totally committed to customer satisfaction and a great boating experience..Say what you want-the worlds largest in the following lines......... Ranger,Crestliner,Bennington,Glastron, Buy sell and stock more Lunds than any other dealer. They get true volume pricing--second to none--not just lip service. Become an informed consumer any buyer can check out this information--And the most important reason to buy from Crystal Pierz Marine-the employees really care about the customer!!!!

[walleyes133]

Their web page is sooooo out of date. A big dealer should keep it more up to date. Don't sometimes you get more personalized service at a smaller dealer. Do you own stock in Crystal Pierz...you quite the sales person. Anyway...I appreciate the advice...I will give them a call.

[Stan]

Must be a Crystal Peirz employee, Frankies is still the largest single Ranger dealer out there. Crystal Pierz needs all of its stores combined to equal there numbers. I personally don't like the whole chain store metality. There just trying to monopolize the marine market (people should have a choice). Frankies is a nice small town type dealership that knows how to take care of a customer and offers fair prices and out standing service. They always know you by name when you walk in the door. Thats why they are so successful and only need one store.

[Hmmm]

You might do a search on MW Marine on here before you buy anything from them. I bought two boats from them. I bought my 3rd elsewhere because their customer support is really bad and won't go there again.

Prices were merely ok but definitely NOT good.

[mikey nod]

Once again I am not an employee of Crystal Pierz Marine -check the facts about worlds largest dealer you are mistaken --but your concern for great service is admirable --don't downplay the effort and concern to the customer at Crystal Pierz Marine --Frankies is a great company --and Jon and the team up there are cool--Take the high road
my friend say a few nice things ..Maybe I should become an employee of Crystal Pierz Marine --with 11-12 locations -maybe you are on to sumtin ??

[mickey nod]

Walleyes 133 --I'm sure the web page is an area Crystal Pierz is working on. My experience at Crystal Pierz is more like the worlds largest smalltown dealer--with locations in Rice Lake Wisconsin-Pelican Lake Minnesota--Maple Lake,MN-- these dealer locations and size make Frankies look like the mega metro location. All this provides is better service locations for on water situations that may come up for people in the Crystal Pierz Marine family of boating across the state--Not mention - Fargo,Rochester,Crystal,St. Cloud ,Brainard and who knows where else..
In answer to do I own stock -wish I did--thanks for the compliment on the salesperson part--hope the advice helps in your decision--

[Loan Ranger]

I'm not saying its good or bad, I just don't like the Crystal Pierz environment, to me it just feels to much like a car dealership. Frankies on the otherhand just has a feel that your buying a boat from a fellow fisherman, not a car salesman and his manager. Take the shows for instance Crystal Pierz has a jazz band playing and everyone has on suits and ties and nicely polished shoes, a guy dressed like a superhero. Go into Frankies booth, its filled with real fisherman(not just a shirt with patchs sewn on it), no stuffy sounding bands or guys in costumes. I have seen Forrest L Wood himself hanging out in Frankies booth on numerous occasions. I haven't bought my new Ranger yet, I'm still about a year away from affording it. Even still when I walk into Frankies store or the Boat show booth, I'm greeted by John and Frankie and addressed by my first name. They have even taken time to show me color combinations on the computer knowing fully well I'm not ready to buy. When I'am it will be from Frankies, no question about it! I respect Crystal Pierz for there professionalism, there just not what I'm looking for in a boat dealer. I don't care who the biggest is, just the best!

[mikey nod]

Can we agree to disagree --I have personally met Forest Woods at shows and at Crystal Pierz Marine --and I also like the personalized treatment offered at Crystal Pierz Marine as you at Frankies..Bottomline Crystal Pierz Marine and Frankies both offer options check both out -they are great dealers and year in and out represent Ranger as well as they can..And they like competing for the customers business --neither dealer likes losing a deal to the other--compare all the benefits of each dealer..Run the ol Ben Franklin -pro's and con comparision list -as you say nuf said

[cast_and_blast]

My brother bought his Ranger from Crystal Pierz in '93 and has had great luck with the boat and service(Crystal location).

My experience was a bit different on the service side. I was buying a few maintenance items for my Ranger and was waiting in line at the service desk in Crystal when a service manager or mechanic (don't know which) came out to the floor and got into a huge confrontation with a woman (who also worked there) right in her cube in front of everyone - she wound up crying.

Extremely unprofessional instance, very uncomfortable for all who witnessed. I spoke to a manager before I left and he assured me it would be taken care of. I was there about a month later and I saw both employess still there so I assume that it came to an amicable end.

One thing that Crystal Pierz has going for it is multiple locations, might mean that you have a better shot at an "emergency fix" if your out of town on vacation. Don't know for sure, so stress the "might".

Scott

[ranger dude]

Boaters have to be the worst complainers of all vehicle owners. I've worked sporting goods, automotive, and now marine. Marine has to be the worst. You may say I should get a different job if I don't like it. I do like it and the vast majority of the people I have contact with each day. Then there are the 1% who just don't get it. The people behind the counter are not miricle workers. We cannot make your mysterious part appear out of thin air. We can not see into your minds and see the part you actually need, not the one you say you need. Remember when you are given the wrong part or the wrong information, the information sent out is only as good as the information we recieve from you. What do I mean by that? Not having your serial number for your motor when you need motor parts. You are not fixing a chevy 350, the parts are not all the same for all the boats and motors of your size or even the year. We are only there to help you try to solve them. If we make a mistake, we genuinely are sorry and try to correct them.

As for counter people not jumping the counter to help you the second you step up to it, it would stand to reason that the person standing there, looking like they are not doing anything, problably are trying to help the last 4 phone people that called before you got there. There are deadlines that we have to meet too. If we don't meet the deadlines, parts do not get ordered, and people don't get their boats on time. Please be patient with your service and parts people. They are trying their best to help everyone in the order they talked to them.

Lastly, about bad service. Remember that they are only human. Instead of jumping to conclusions, make our life a wee bit easier and be understanding. Be understanding that we will help you as soon as each of us can. Just because we are not helping you doesn't mean we are not helping someone else. If you really are not happy about the service you recieved, take your service elsewhere. Complaining on here does nothing to help the situation. Find someone else who is slow enough to help you.

[musky48]

HMMM, I can't help it you can't negotiate a good deal. A lot depends on customer attitude.

[helpful]

Moore Boats Legioneer Indiana
Bought a ranger cherokee 17fter from him last year great service..
Northern indiana not far from toll road..

Todd the owner is a one on one guy..Sorry might be to far of a drive but you asked.

Coopason

[musky48]

Ranger Dude
I am a customer and not an employee at a marine dealer, and I must applaud you for your comments. You are 100% right on. I would love to see these complainers and how they approach their jobs, that is if they have one!

[Hmmm]

My negotiation was fine. I said it was SERVICE, not price that drove me away. Attitude was the problem, alright. THEIR attitude!!

I took my 2nd boat back to them after break-in and said I was not satisfied with the top end of 37 mph and that I felt the boat needed to be looked at. That service manager told me he had one of his people take the boat out and drive it and got over 42 mph and that the problem was ME and my boat driving skills not the boat. That was despite the fact I had owned boats for 4 years and had not had any problems with the first boat I had bought from them!

After living with that for several years and learning more about boats by reading this site I called Alumacraft. I told them about the lack of top speed, the fact that the boat was plowing, and that I had to trim up so far that I got blow out on every turn. I also told them I had taken the boat back to MW Marine and what I had been told by that service manager. Alumacraft said "We need to get that checked out" and sent me to another dealer who diagnosed the problem and fixed it under warranty.

The problem was the transom needed to be peened. After the second dealer did the work my top speed went from 37 mph to 40.3 mph ... an increase of 10 percent. That boat has since reached 40.8 mph under perfect conditions, by the way. It became a completely different boat after the fix. The hole shot was better, the blow out stopped, and the plowing disappeared. All speeds were GPS.

I now take all my boat work to the dealer Alumacraft sent me to. They are honest, do good work, and have taken good care of me and the people I send there. It is Marine Pros in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Unfortunately for the original poster of this thread, Marine Pros is not a Ranger dealer.

[REALLY]

Your right Frankies is probly the biggest,NOW lets take away the 250 pro-staff boats they sell and how do they stack up? I like Frankies & Crysal both have good sales people 7 service but when the Ranger rep pushed all the Pro-Staffers through Frankies for all those years what do you expect! I do not own a Ranger or work for either of them,but if you buy frpm someone just because they sell more your missing out! I bought my last truck from one of the smallish dealers and saved 3200.00 . Go to a couple of dealers first get to know the people then talk about the boat your interested in buying!I think you will find that the dealer that really cares about your needs will be there when it comes time to buy.

[Loan Ranger]

I also prefer the smallish dealers, that why I recommend Frankies(it doesn't get much more smallish than a small town hardware store). Crystal Pirez is the dealer claiming to be the biggest. As I stated earlier I don't want to deal with the biggest just the best. I think it says a lot about Frankies reputation that the Ranger Pro Staffers choose to buy there boats through Frankies, it is there choice not the reps. I'm good friends with several Ranger Pro Staffers and they drive miles out of there way to buy from Frankies! I think Frankies will save you money as you did with your truck. Both Frankies and Crystal Pierz do similar volume as a whole but Frankies doe's it from one location not twelve. Can you imagine the overhead in a dozen or so stores verses one? Thats a lot of rent and a lot of payroll that Frankies doesn't have to pay.