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Post by 5alive on May 17, 2005 12:44:05 GMT -5
What's the scoop? Who got rid of who, and why? Seems odd to me, but would like to know any details, as I bought my last boat there and was looking to buy my next one there also.
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Post by blakstr1 on May 17, 2005 13:42:12 GMT -5
better ask JCOOPER...i was wondering why he got rid of his new Ranger before the season started and is running a new Champ.
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Post by djkimmel on May 17, 2005 23:31:04 GMT -5
Change is always something of a challenge, but as we all know things do change. I don't know if reasons are important to any of us in this case since they don't change the end result. There's probably some speculation or rumors flying already and I don't want to be the one spreading anything misleading around. That doesn't do anyone any good and bad information can hurt people. I respect D & R Sports, and I respect Ranger Boats. I can only assume this is the way it needs to be now.
To clarify where we stand, as of last week Ranger Boats and D & R Sports have parted ways. Personally, I plan on waiting to see how it unfolds and doing the best I can within the new situation.
I can expect that the great service D & R Sports provides on boats and motors won't change. Still the same knowledgeable people. I also expect the best quality fishing boats to still come out of Ranger Boats.
I've been told that Matteson Marine and Wonderland Marine West will be selling Ranger Boats in the future. I hope that answers the important questions for anyone interested.
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Post by Revtro on May 23, 2005 12:35:12 GMT -5
Interestingly enough, Wonderland stopped selling BassCat. Makes sense that they'd be looking to pick up another line since all that leaves them with for bass boats is Stratus. So I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them selling Ranger. However, just as a caution, I have purchased 2 boats from them. The purchase side of things went very well in both cases. BUT the service side of things has been an utter nightmare. There have been so many foulups from their service department, that I would caution anyone to give serious thought before trusting them with your boat.
I don't say this lightly. I'm not just trying to "talk bad" about people or spread rumors. I honestly have had only one positive experience with their service department out of a half dozen tries. Like I said, the purchase end of things went very well. I felt that they gave me an honest price and good front end service. I love my boat and the guys in the sales building were awesome! They gave me a great deal and treated me very, very well.
But after sending an email or 2 to the company and complaining about the problems I've had with their service department, they never even got back to me which is a sign that they either don't care or don't want to admit that there are problems. This was perhaps the most disturbing thing. If they would have just acknowledged my concerns, I may have given them another try. But after experiencing repairs that have been done improperly and after receiving damage to my hull as a result of being there, I just can't take the chance any more. Heck, one time they even left the cover off my boat and the boat got filthy and full of water while being stored outside their facility. Might seem like a small thing to some people, but I think it's a symptom that they are not that concerned with how they handle your valuable investment.
Sorry Dan if this isn't the place to post this. I wouldn't be offended if you felt that you needed to just delete this post. I don't mean to be a trouble maker. I'm just kind of disgusted with Wonderland and would hate to see any of the guys on this forum end up having similar problems in the future. If this is innapropriate to post on these forums, please just delete it. Thanks. Sorry for the rant, but I do feel that if we don't complain or get the word out then these places will never take us seriously and fix their problems. In the end, that's all I hope will happen. I don't want to hurt their business, but if they refuse to fix their problems, I want to warn people if I can.
On a more positive note, I have never heard a single bad thing about D&R. I wish they had a store on the East side of the state.
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Post by djkimmel on May 23, 2005 22:33:12 GMT -5
I know some of Wonderland's sales people, but I'm not personally familiar with their service people. Did you try talking to them on the phone or go in face to face?
Even though it can be upsetting, I think the best thing to do is to try your best to make sure the correct person(s) verbally know that you are dissatisfied, what you are dissatisfied with and how you'd like it resolved.
Some times I've talked to service people and they've told me they weren't aware of the level of dissatisfaction so they didn't know they needed to address anything.
Not saying you did or didn't do that. Just a suggestion to you or anyone unhappy with service. I've had limited success with email in these types of issues myself.
Wonderland must have satisfied customers too since they've been in business a long time. I hate to hear anyone isn't satisfied though.
The other thing to do is contact the boat company rep if you aren't satisfied and don't feel you are getting the response you need. Pat Kleppert is pretty good about making sure Ranger owners are happy. Not sure who the Stratos or Bass Cat reps are. I could probably find out.
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Post by Garza200ProXL225 on Jun 3, 2005 10:54:07 GMT -5
Revtro,
I'm sorry you had bad experiences with Wonderland's service department. When were these repairs done? There have been major changes at Wonderland at the beginning of this year. Paul Mitter has taken over the business and is committed to getting the Wonderland name on top. There have been alot of complaints with Wonderland's service department, but one of the first things Paul did as the new owner is fire the old Service manager and they now have a new guy running the show in Service. If that doesn't get it down, talk to Paul or one of the guys in Sales and they will make sure your boat is serviced correctly and they'll try their best to get you back on the water in a timely fashion. I know its hard to trust a Service department that has done those things to your boat, but give Wonderland another chance to EARN your business back. The future looks good for Wonderland... everyone there is very excited with the changes that have gone on...
Jose
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Post by Revtro on Jun 3, 2005 16:16:16 GMT -5
All the work was done last year. I really hope you're right about them turning it around. I've had so many bad experiences that it is really tough to give them another chance, but if I have a BassCat warranty issue, perhaps I'll give them one last shot. In the past year I've heard of at least 5 other guys who have had negative experiences also, so I'm really glad to hear that they might be turning things around. I truly hope they will.
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Post by blakstr1 on Aug 9, 2005 6:36:49 GMT -5
I've heard through the "gossip vine" that D&R and Skeeter are talking...hmmm.... D&R is a great place, i would imagine a bunch of boat brands have flocked to them...
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Post by djkimmel on Aug 9, 2005 21:36:19 GMT -5
I've heard that rumor before. Kind of odd since Leaders is right down the road, but I guess if Leaders was getting out of Skeeter someone over there would need to take up the slack.
I haven't asked any of them about that subject. Those things are usually confidential so I don't ask. I figure I'll be told when I need to know.
I am still with D & R Sports supporting their great outdoors fishing, hunting and supplies store and I use their service department as I have for years.
If I can talk anyone into getting a Ranger, there are 5 great dealers in Michigan to choose from, and I believe they've made a great choice.
But I won't pressure someone hard who's determined another brand of fishing boat is best for them. You know how we anglers are. If it's one of the brands D & R sells, that's definitely where I would recommend they go.
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