Rigrite Rant

Maine Sail · Feb 11, 2011

Ted said:
I've been trying to get a boom quote from Rigrite since the beginning of January. After numerous e-mails, ( duplicates at their request) and multiple follow up phone calls, they still are unable to provide a quote. Does anyone know if Rigrite is on the verg of going out of business. I have seen this type of behavior in the past by companies that are about to close their doors for good. I hesitate to place on order with them considering the horrible customer service. Does anyone have inside information regarding Rigrite's demise?

Ted,

They are usually pretty good and I know lots of folks who swear by them. Did you try calling and asking for the owner before posting this?

tommays · Feb 11, 2011

In my experience of buying off the shelf Kenyon J24 mast parts they had ON the shelf as happy as i was to get the parts it was pretty much a poke your eye place to deal with

http://www.newjsi.com/

This place recently came up and while i have not bought from them thwy seem well worth a phone call

KD3PC · Feb 11, 2011

Ted

it is not just the sail industry...in the past two months alone, numerous calls, emails and webforms to get quotes for 2010 Triumph, doctor's appointment, lectrasan installed, transmission replaced, (still waiting on AC replacement and dinghy quotes), AARP part D, etc, etc....

I was told by the owner of two Triumph dealers in my area, that they were "just too busy to deal with email, since most of it was spam anyway"...when I asked for a firm quote they both said "just stop by" and BTW they are both over two hours away.

The boat yard that does Yanmar work - said to "just bring the boat over" and they would let me know. The marina is about 8 hour motor sail, and about a 5 hour drive each way, away. When I asked about slippage, could I live aboard while it was being repaired, charges, etc. The manager actually got a little PO'ed about my questions and said if I did not have the money to do all that and find a hotel, get the boat too and fro, and pick it up the afternoon it was finished, then may be I should just go elsewhere...at least he was honest.

I have simply taken the attitude, that if it is this hard to GIVE them money,how hard will it be to have an issue resolved later...and move on.

I will do without, or do it myself, before I support these types of businesses

jfmid · Feb 11, 2011

Ted said:
I've been trying to get a boom quote from Rigrite since the beginning of January. After numerous e-mails, ( duplicates at their request) and multiple follow up phone calls, they still are unable to provide a quote. Does anyone know if Rigrite is on the verg of going out of business. I have seen this type of behavior in the past by companies that are about to close their doors for good. I hesitate to place on order with them considering the horrible customer service. Does anyone have inside information regarding Rigrite's demise?

Having the same issues. Have called many times and keep getting same receptionist who says she will look into it and then no word. Seems like I'm gettin the runaround too. They have an important part of my mast for repair and if it doesn't come back I wont be sailing. Kinda scary.

RAD · Feb 11, 2011

I remember awhile back someone else had the same rant about Rigrite....here's a link to another outfit

http://www.dwyermast.com/

Ed Schenck · Feb 11, 2011

The problem is that thousands of us have the older boats with Kenyon spars and related products. I don't think anyone else stocks those. Over the years I have read several "rants" regarding both their lack of service and their pricing.

higgs · Feb 11, 2011

If there are other places to go, why bother with Rigrite?

Old Skool Neil · Feb 11, 2011

Ed Schenck said:
The problem is that thousands of us have the older boats with Kenyon spars and related products. I don't think anyone else stocks those. Over the years I have read several "rants" regarding both their lack of service and their pricing.

Looks like this might be an excellent business opportunity.

jimmyb · Feb 12, 2011

I ordered a few parts from dwyer and asked for a few specs on hole locations for hardware on my mast. They immediately pulled the print, gave me the measurments I was looking for and sent my small parts via US mail to save me a couple bucks on shipping. Not a big purchase by any means but if they are that willing to help and that efficient on a small parts order then...

good luck, jimmyb

njsail · Feb 12, 2011

Sorry but I need to add my two cents. Rigrite screwed me many years ago and I can only say I would be happy to see them slide into oblivion. When I was rebuilding a mast I screwed up a spreader and ordered a set from them. They gave me a quote for two spreaders and then doubled the price when I received the package saying the quote was for one spreader and I ordered two. I checked the price with other companies and confirmed they were double charging me. They were nasty when I called to resolve the matter and said if I wanted my money back it would be a 50% stocking fee. A no win situation. They are one of the most arrogant companies I've had the misfortune of dealing with. I would "never" deal with them again. If you want isomat mast parts look at the list of distributors. I would go with Seco-south - they have excellent pricing and great customer service.
http://www.sailmagazine.com/sail-buyers-guide/gear_ssc168.html
Good luck.

jfmid · Feb 12, 2011

I just hope I can somehow get my parts back. Hope this doesn't turn into a nightmare for me. I'm not even complaining about the price. Just want to go sailing in my little boat.

Blitz · Feb 12, 2011

I actually had a pretty good experience with them just this past fall. Filled out and faxed them their form of what I want for my Kenyon mast (needed a new mast step) and they called me within 48 hours with pricing and billing information. I received everything I ordered, well packaged within a week. It was easy to choose the parts since the rigrite web site is well laid out to see most if not all they have to offer for my mast.

I agree and could see how e-mails could just get lost. A phone call is better. Good luck with your purchase.

RAD · Feb 12, 2011

Blitz said:
I actually had a pretty good experience with them just this past fall. Filled out and faxed them their form of what I want for my Kenyon mast (needed a new mast step) and they called me within 48 hours with pricing and billing information. I received everything I ordered, well packaged within a week. It was easy to choose the parts since the rigrite web site is well laid out to see most if not all they have to offer for my mast.

I agree and could see how e-mails could just get lost. A phone call is better. Good luck with your purchase.

It seems if they have the part hanging around on the shelf and they can turn into cash all goes well but if they have to make,order or maybe search for stuff their hesitate to reply or not reply

....not a good way to run a business

njsail · Feb 12, 2011

jfmid said:
I just hope I can somehow get my parts back. Hope this doesn't turn into a nightmare for me. I'm not even complaining about the price. Just want to go sailing in my little boat.

I hope you get them back as well. I was blinded momentarily by my displeasure working in the past with rigrite. Keep calling and liking for ways to get in touch with them. Phone, email even stores next to them or access the street. Even the local better business number. Best of luck.

Barnacle Bill · Feb 12, 2011

Kim is the owner of Rig Rite and I have found him very accommodating. They usually like to receive faxes as communications over emails.

wonkodsane · Feb 13, 2011

My experience with telephone and email communication with Rig-Rite is "don't bother." They don't want your money or your business badly enough to follow up.

jfmid · Feb 15, 2011

I sent my mast base to them as one of the sheave pins that held the sheave block in place was bent and I couldn't get it to move. In hindsight probably should have taken it to a local rigger but am so new to all this that when I saw them online and that they are the US rep for my mast (Zspar) it seemed like the right place to go. Sent them emails with pictures and spoke with people there and they were all eager and nice to deal with. Wrapped up my base and mailed it off. Now cant get an answer and no one picks up the phone and messages dont get returned. Perhaps they go away for the winter. LOL just wishin.....
Anyway I will try a fax and emails again and keep fingers crossed and pray. Really need this back to sail (DUH) and dread the thought of having to get a new base or mast if they've closed up shop and moved to Bora Bora.
Suns out and it's warmin up and I want to reassemble my mast and forget about all this snow and cold and get ready for sailing.