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#1
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How to pick a local Mercury dealer/service center?
Even if the Ranger dealer/service center where I bought my 620FS Cup last year weren't so far away, recent events have persuaded me that it wouldn't be the best idea for me to get any service done there that isn't warranty work.
But I'm not inclined to try working on my boat myself, and there are improvements I want to make. For example, I want to have a Mercury Active Trim system installed. I thought maybe seeing as it's a Mercury product meant to control my Mercury outboard, it might be a good idea to go to a local Mercury dealer/service center to have this done. There are quite a few such in my area, though, and I'm kind of stumped as to how to pick which one. Even when I add various selection criteria to my search using their website's dealer locator, e.g. sales & service, premier service (whatever that is), outboard motor specialist, etc. - none around me specify Ranger as one of their boat brands, of course - I'm still left with several nearby. How would you winnow them down to hopefully the most competent and trustworthy one if it were your boat? I'd really rather not just go with trial-and-error. Have you a process you use for evaluating different boat service centers before bringing a boat to them, or even just some useful pointers to offer in this regard? If so, I'd appreciate hearing from you! Gerry |
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#2
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Best guess is 2 go in and visit with them. Might get better results if they are NOT a Ranger dealer as some may put off because you didn’t buy your boat from them.
Good dealers and more importantly service departments aren’t that hard to find but good to great are a little more difficult. I drive 2 hours one way to my dealer, service department when there are some closer but none I trust more.
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Walleyes and Waterfowl, what else is there? |
#3
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Well that's kind of open-ended. What'd you do or say to the dealer that PO'd him?
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#4
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Around here, we have a lot of clubs and tournaments on the weekends. If I were looking for a shop I would fish a tournament or two and talk to the guys with the same brand of boat that I have and see who they use and why. Maybe try to catch a club at a ramp one day and see if some folks will share who they use. I have used a dealer for service and I didn't buy the boat there (they were a ranger dealer and I had alumacraft) and I have used a local shop that did repair only and no sales. Both were referrals from fishermen who had good experiences with them. I had good luck at both places. The one time I had issues with a boat repair was when I took a boat to a shop that I had no knowledge about, it was just convenient. Like others have said, sometimes it is worth the drive to get to a great repair shop versus one that is just convenient.
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#5
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Call Mercury and speak with their tech reps and see who they recommend in your area.
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#6
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Call Bobby, he knows the best of everybody & everything ever born or manufactured.
__________________
Is life without laughter worth living? |
#7
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Meeting people in person I can pretty quickly size up their honesty, but not necessarily their competence.
I'd be delighted to bring the boat somewhere closer to home, but I'm OK with a meaningful drive to a good or great shop, too. Would have continued with my dealer 4 hours away but they have some real issues in their service department that I don't want to experience anymore if I don't have to. The ideas of seeking referrals from fisherfolk at area clubs/tournaments and from Mercury tech reps are interesting; I'll see what I can do in those respects. Fortunately it's not anything that I need to rush about, as it's not as if the boat needs any repair for me to keep using it or anything like that. I can take my time and employ ideas I can think of (e.g. looking for online reviews, BBB reports) or y'all can suggest for evaluating the various shops around me. I just wish there were an easy, clear way to pick one... Gerry |
#8
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true he did say once his dealer is the best at all brands not just etec
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#9
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Visit the shop, see how many certificates of Mercury training classes they have completed. I found a local guy, impressed with the 12+ certificates on the wall between the 3 mechanics in the shop. I had waited for some work to be done and was pleased with the communication they had with mercury on the phone. They were pros.
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2018 Lund 202 GL Pro V Solix G3 X 2 mega 360 Humminbird Helix G2 x 1 Talon Ultera Kicker Smartcraft Zipwakes |
#10
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Quote:
I have a 2019 Crestliner that I bought from an individual in 2020, Warranty Trasnfer form completed, mailed in, etc. This year, the local dealer REFUSES to honor the Crestliner Warranty, why? Becasue I did not buy the boat from him. Told me I needed to take it to the selling dealer. After a 15 minute argument, (Becasue I dont have a dealer) and him threatening me, I hung up. Contacted the BBB & Michigan Attorney General. Long story short, after numnerous calls, and research from 4 people, the boat was taken to Ken's Sports in Wisconsin, 5.5 hours away. Are theree others closer, yes, DO I trust Kens, Yes, so find one you trust, and go with them, as your Mercury Dealer. OE Last edited by OneidaEagle; 08-19-2021 at 07:51 AM. |
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