posted 12-08-2007 12:37 AM ET (US)        

I also purchased (2) Carolina North 1/4 inch "rope ratchets" for the draw cord (they'll hook to the stern eye bolts) for under $10 - $14.98 total with delivery - off e-bay (Denny and Kathy's Ace hardware - acecloseouts). Carolina North mfg web site purchase would have been $11.98 plus $5 delivery (PLUS 6.75% NC state tax on top of the purchase AND shipping charge) for a total of $18 and change if I had gone that route.

PS - You can order cover straight off website or by phone. I did not see the 190 MT listed but they have a phone number which I used for ordering mine (personal peace of mind to confirm proper model and features - bow and side rails - used for pattern). They recommended against covering the swim platform for best effectivness in fit for trailering and keeping rodents out.

posted 12-08-2007 09:59 AM ET (US)            

How was the fit? Did the quality of the cover meet your expectations? Was it REALLY Sunbrella or a close substitute? That is an excellent price for Sunbrella, IMO. Were any intermediate supports required or did the console top rail and the other rails suffice to support the cover?

posted 12-08-2007 07:33 PM ET (US)            

Sounds good, thanks. My existing cover is doing well, but as I just had the seams restiched this could be the last season for it. Hopefully I'll get two more years.

I use the cover year round. It's mostly a UV protector and keeps all the pine straw out of the boat.

I've made a note of the URL you so kindly provided for use when the time comes or perhaps for the next sale period if your report on fit and fisish is positive. I've always used custom covers but will go for a prefab if the fit is good and the price is right.

posted 12-08-2007 07:37 PM ET (US)            

Sounds good, thanks. My existing cover is doing well, but as I just had the seams restiched this could be the last season for it. Hopefully I'll get two more years.

I use the cover year round. It's mostly a UV protector and keeps all the pine straw out of the boat.

I've made a note of the URL you so kindly provided for use when the time comes or perhaps for the next sale period if your report on fit and fisish is positive. I've always used custom covers but will go for a prefab if the fit is good and the price is right.

posted 01-04-2008 07:17 PM ET (US)            

I ordered my cover in the beginning of December (just prior to posting this thread) - I called them direct to ensure that the cover was for a 2007 170 Montauk with bow and side rails because the site listed "all years" for the 17/170 Montauk - I gave them the correct specs for the boat and they even had me go out and measure the bow and side rails for them to ensure the cover would fit - when the cover arrived it was a beautiful Navy Blue Sunbrella that matched my Bimini and console cover perfectly.... except it was too short and too narrow - yep it was for a 'classic'. I called and they 'couldn't understand' why it didn't fit. We went a couple of rounds and I told them not to insult me with stupid questions - the cover does not fit Period! (Did you do this, did you try that, are you sure...?). They made me send them pictures of the cover not fitting... Then sent me an email for how to return the cover and I included the whaler link on 170 specs in a reply email. Two days later they called back and said the manufacturer agrees that the cover was wrong for my boat (nooooo..... ya think?). (Later I found that THEY ordered the wrong cover - but that is later in the story).

I was told that I had to ship the cover back by UPS ground at MY cost that they would re-imburse when it arrived and they were sure there was 'no dirt or damage'. They then charged me for a SECOND cover to get the 'new' order going (!!!!) - else I would have to wait for the original to arrive and be approved by them. Being on a short timeline for getting things taken care of prior to leaving, I (foolishly?) agreed.

The new cover arrived pronto - Haze Gray Duck - not Navy Blue Sunbrella. I was in California at the time and my wife called and told me. I called the company immediately -No answer, just a leave a message. I called four more times and finally started to leave a message when someone picked up - the man that took my order for the first cover - who identified himself as the owner - and he tells me that - get this - I couldn't have called at a worse possible time because they were leaving in two minutes to go on vacation and there was nothing he would do for me until he got back!! I said "I would think my timing is good then, as I caught you before you left!!"

He was pretty damned rude and insolent with me about how they work hard all year for their vacation and I had "picked a really bad time to call" (!!!)- They were going on vacation and I would just have to wait for their return and that is all. I told him I work hard all year too - and was still away from home working - I got vacattion days on the books I CAN'T take and I am leaving in a few weeks for an extended period - I am almost $800 dollars into a $355 cover (2 covers PLUS UPS shipping) because of their mistakes and I wanted to know when I could expect my refund and correct cover - he tells me no one would be around to accept the first cover so he doesn't know why I sent it then anyway! -I said because YOUR MAN TOLD ME TO!!! He even sent me an email with instructions and a return number I had to have written on the outseide of the box. I re-boxed it, found and drove to the nearest UPS and sent it the same day. At NO TIME was I informed that they would be closing for the holidays. It was not even on their web site that they would be closed. I asked if he wished for me to send him all of our correspondence - and was again told it was "just a really bad time to deal with this issue."

He tells me he has people that work hard all year for their vacation and they are waitining for him to say goobye to them before they leave and we would have to deal with this later. He took a contact number for me and hung up. Then called me back 20 minutes later admitting that they screwed up both orders but we would have to wait until at least January 2nd to work on it (It was Dec 21st) as the manufacturer was also closed for the holidays.

Here I amd 3,000 miles away from home, leaving on 06 January and trying to get all my affairs in order with only about two weeks to return home (which I just found out the day before has a leaking roof!!!) and take care of home/family/holidays/cars-tractors-boats etc. - dealing with a very rude and uncaring individual - and he wants me to commiserate with him that he was "probably" going to have to eat the cost of the covers and hope to recoup some of it on ebay after he gets off vacation... but still would not refund any part of my money until he had it "all sorted out with what the manufacturer wants to do." (!!)

I spoke with Ameri Brand again 2 days ago, they told me they just got back from vacation and were swamped - I would have to wait until they got caught up to deal with me. They called back 2 hours later and said that they wanted to figure out what to do - I said it's pretty simple - send me the cover I ordered twice and refund me the cost of one and the shipping. "Well, I don't know what to tell you - you'll just have to wait til we get it sorted out and I run it by the folks here as to what they want to do...". They then called later that day stating that the manufacturer (Carver) would send me another cover and send UPS to pick up the second one.

UPS just came and got the second cover - but did not have one for me (I should have held the cover waiting for the correct one, but I deploy on Sunday and will not be around for awhile and didn't need the wife having to deal with her work, UPS, charge cards and Ameri Brand's BS).

No one is answering the phones at Ameri Brand in California at this time for me to find out what the status or anything is with my order. I've been calling for about 3 hours - I'm thinking they probably cancelled it since they just screwed up twice and had to eat 2 covers and I did not say "Thank You for jacking me around" as well.

I hope that it all works out for the good - if the cover does happen to come while I am gone, I can maybe talk my wife into putting it on or going to one of the neighbor's who have boats to do it for her.

I would really like to get this cover at the deeply discounted price (which is the only reason I have not told them to just stuff it yet), and then Never-Ever will I deal with Ameri Brand again. Mistakes are one thing, screw ups and seeming incompetence are one thing - the absolute insolance and arrogance they have shown toward me is another.

I went on the UPS site and tracked the returned cover today - it was received and signed for on the 27th of Dec (I guess the owner made the guy come in on vacation to receive it), However I have still not been refunded my cost. They can go to... well - Take a long walk on a short pier as far as I'm concerned once this is all done... Arrrgh!

I am certainly glad that it seems to be working as it should for everyone else and you are happy and satisfied - that is truly cool and more power to you. I just wish I could get some kind of answer as to what is happening with my order AND my refund(s). I have called the credit card and put both 'purchases' in dispute - I hope I don't wind up having to eat the UPS shipping as well.

Oh,well - a "lesson learned"... I personally will never deal with Ameri Brand again - but it seems to be working 'as advertised' for everyone else, so just do so with a grain of salt and a bit of caution.

posted 01-05-2008 09:52 AM ET (US)            

Here is the complaint on June 24 2005 - writer's warts and all:

"I placed an orders by phone having found the details from e bay site about Ameri-products a company that makes boat covers and Bimini Tops. After speaking to them I felt reassure and place an order for boat cover and Bimini top for delivery within 7-10 working days . Having not received the goods that I paid for in full at time of ordering.

posted 01-05-2008 10:05 AM ET (US)            

"Amazingly poor and arrogant customer service":

June 16, 2006

I purchased an pool liner from Ameri-Brand Products that not only arrived 3 days after it was promised, but with a hole in the bottom of the pool liner. When I called to inquire as to how to handle the situation, I was told to "contact the manufacturer - I don't make the liners, I'm just the go between". The owner, Tim Merino made it clear that he and his company would accept no responsibility for the products that they sell. When I suggested possible legal action against his company, Mr. Merino threatened to have me posted on some website that would make it impossible for me to make any internet purchases from any company again.

In my opinion, it would be crazy for anyone to do business with this company or Mr. Merino in the future. Once they have your money, they don't want to deal with you any more. Amazingly poor and arrogant customer service. I am currently exploring legal options against this company. Beware!

posted 01-05-2008 10:18 AM ET (US)            

Since I started this thread I don't want anyone else taken for money or abuse if there is a discrepancy - I am glad that it seems to have so far worked as it should for others.

posted 01-05-2008 11:11 AM ET (US)            

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Negative postings on your site

Re: http://www.complaints.com/directory/2005/june/24/1.htm We would encourage you to validate the postings on your site. Our attorney has informed us that although your site claims no responsibility for postings on it, you cannot relieive yourself from the liability. Looking forward to an early resolution (retraction) of this posting Should you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 800-982-6966. Thank you, Tim Merino

Tim Merino

Ameri-Brand Products Inc.

==========================================================

Looks like old Timmy is fighting back, or pretending to anyway.