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Author Topic:   Recommend a good Whaler dealer?

alkar posted 10-19-2002 11:14 AM ET (US)
I live in Oregon. Our only Whaler dealer is a Sea Ray dealer that adopted Whaler about 18 months ago - and they're over 100 miles away. The real problem is they know NOTHING about Boston Whaler, and they don't seem very interested in learning. When I asked about ordering the cooler-seat package for my boat their parts "representative" gave me the Whaler 800 number and told me to give Whaler my hull number, tell them what I needed, get the part number and then call her back to order! I did as instructed, called her back, and was quoted close to $500 for the parts! I called the Seatle dealer and had only slightly better luck. (I eventually found the same cooler and the rest of the stuff I needed at West Marine for less than $150 and paid another $90 for custom upholstery...)Since I have to do business with Whaler only via phone and mail, I thought you folks could recommend a dealer who is both competent and reasonable...
Dick posted 10-19-2002 11:49 AM ET (US)
Here in the NW your choices are limited.
Trudeau's in Portland, Or
Trudeau's in Spokane, Wa
Lake Union Sea Ray in Seattle, Wa
Redmond Sea Ray in Redmond, Wa
Fife Sea Ray in Tacoma, Wa
All 5 are jointly owned, www.searaynw.com
As an ex parts manager for Redmond/Seattle & Fife I can attest to the fact that none of the stores have any qualified Whaler parts people.
Recently I had a customer needing a rubrail kit, they couldn't figure out what he needed I gave him the part number and lo and behold they had it in stock.
I called them last week for current prices on a bow and stern light for a Montauk we were working on, "I don't know, I will have to call Whaler we don't have them in stock".
It's a sad situation when you can't go into a Whaler dealer and can't get answers to your questions.
I get along well with every one at all of the NW Sea Ray/Whaler dealerships but find it disturbing that they have no one that can talk Whalers.
Hobie1981 posted 10-19-2002 03:45 PM ET (US)
"A": For BW parts try Twin Cities Marine. They are located in WI, and are a BW "master" dealer. Prices are very reasonable, Speak with Sue, she's the parts manager. Family owned business. Phone is 920 793-2715. Web Address: http://twincitiesmarine.com
Hope this helps..
Hobie
alkar posted 10-19-2002 11:00 PM ET (US)
Thanks guys. I guess I'll try the folks in the mid-west. Dick, it was the people at Trudeau's who gave me such awful service. I sat on hold forever - then had to call back later to talk to the person who was the "whaler expert". When I spoke to that person she couldn't answer any of my questions (like availability and price) - she's the one who told me to call Whaler. I eventually bought the parts I needed through Redmond Sea Ray - but only after my questions were answered by Whaler out east. Geez. If you buy one of the quality/luxury (spendy) cars like Lexus or Mercedes the dealerships fall all over themselves trying to give you the bset possible service. In fact, ALL of the automobile retailers realize the importance of customer service. It's discouraging that Boston Whaler executives skipped class the day customer service was discussed...
dreid posted 10-20-2002 08:38 AM ET (US)
Himel's Marine (pronounced "Heemel's"), in New Iberia, LA is a long-time Whaler dealer in our area. Very good people. Talk to Faye in the parts department at (337) 365-4167. Faye knows Whalers and has been helping me via phone and through the mail for about ten years. We're only about 30 miles apart. I don't see why your being across the country from her should make much difference.

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Author	Topic: Recommend a good Whaler dealer?
alkar	posted 10-19-2002 11:14 AM ET (US) I live in Oregon. Our only Whaler dealer is a Sea Ray dealer that adopted Whaler about 18 months ago - and they're over 100 miles away. The real problem is they know NOTHING about Boston Whaler, and they don't seem very interested in learning. When I asked about ordering the cooler-seat package for my boat their parts "representative" gave me the Whaler 800 number and told me to give Whaler my hull number, tell them what I needed, get the part number and then call her back to order! I did as instructed, called her back, and was quoted close to $500 for the parts! I called the Seatle dealer and had only slightly better luck. (I eventually found the same cooler and the rest of the stuff I needed at West Marine for less than $150 and paid another $90 for custom upholstery...)Since I have to do business with Whaler only via phone and mail, I thought you folks could recommend a dealer who is both competent and reasonable...
Dick	posted 10-19-2002 11:49 AM ET (US) Here in the NW your choices are limited. Trudeau's in Portland, Or Trudeau's in Spokane, Wa Lake Union Sea Ray in Seattle, Wa Redmond Sea Ray in Redmond, Wa Fife Sea Ray in Tacoma, Wa All 5 are jointly owned, www.searaynw.com As an ex parts manager for Redmond/Seattle & Fife I can attest to the fact that none of the stores have any qualified Whaler parts people. Recently I had a customer needing a rubrail kit, they couldn't figure out what he needed I gave him the part number and lo and behold they had it in stock. I called them last week for current prices on a bow and stern light for a Montauk we were working on, "I don't know, I will have to call Whaler we don't have them in stock". It's a sad situation when you can't go into a Whaler dealer and can't get answers to your questions. I get along well with every one at all of the NW Sea Ray/Whaler dealerships but find it disturbing that they have no one that can talk Whalers.
Hobie1981	posted 10-19-2002 03:45 PM ET (US) "A": For BW parts try Twin Cities Marine. They are located in WI, and are a BW "master" dealer. Prices are very reasonable, Speak with Sue, she's the parts manager. Family owned business. Phone is 920 793-2715. Web Address: http://twincitiesmarine.com Hope this helps.. Hobie
alkar	posted 10-19-2002 11:00 PM ET (US) Thanks guys. I guess I'll try the folks in the mid-west. Dick, it was the people at Trudeau's who gave me such awful service. I sat on hold forever - then had to call back later to talk to the person who was the "whaler expert". When I spoke to that person she couldn't answer any of my questions (like availability and price) - she's the one who told me to call Whaler. I eventually bought the parts I needed through Redmond Sea Ray - but only after my questions were answered by Whaler out east. Geez. If you buy one of the quality/luxury (spendy) cars like Lexus or Mercedes the dealerships fall all over themselves trying to give you the bset possible service. In fact, ALL of the automobile retailers realize the importance of customer service. It's discouraging that Boston Whaler executives skipped class the day customer service was discussed...
dreid	posted 10-20-2002 08:38 AM ET (US) Himel's Marine (pronounced "Heemel's"), in New Iberia, LA is a long-time Whaler dealer in our area. Very good people. Talk to Faye in the parts department at (337) 365-4167. Faye knows Whalers and has been helping me via phone and through the mail for about ten years. We're only about 30 miles apart. I don't see why your being across the country from her should make much difference.