I'm in the process of purchasing an out of state new 2003 Hunter 456 because of price considerations and have been forwarned that my localdealer may not expedite warranty work because I'm bringing in an a boat that was not purchased there. Anyone experience this scenario and suggest solutions about how to deal in this situation? I'm told that the selling dealer is responsible for all warranty work; who is 1000 miles away-by the way. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated in creating in environment of getting the boat repaired in a resonable amount of time; ex.( I'm getting a certified marine surveveyor to approve of the recommissioning of the boat here to avoid any complications arsing if the local dealer says a warranty issue is void because it arose from faulty recommissioning .) Any other suggetions besides trying to get something in writing from the selling dealer,who will be 1000 miles away,to guarantee his involvement would be great. By the way, what a wonderful resource this forum seems to be! Thanks, Shamus Murphy
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In theory
it should not make a difference much like a car since the dealer will be reimbursed for any warranty work by Hunter. In actuality, the dealer may hold a grudge and you will always find yourself at he bottom of the list waiting to get things done. That is one of the inherent problems with exclusive territorial arrangements. I would check with Hunter and ask for their policy in regard to timely service on warranty work. Will they push the dealer to make repairs quickly once authorized? If he doesn't, will they let a non dealer do the work? Most systems are under the manufacturer's warranty so there should't be any problems with actual defects but installation issues are a whole new ball game. Did you give your local dealer a chance to be competitive? If so and he is willing to let the business slip by then you may have a tough road in getting things done. Heck, it is hard enough getting work out of the dealer you purchsed fron sometimes. Check around and see what level of service the dealer provides in general. Good question but nobody will be able to answer it any better than you can yourself. Good luck with your decision.
it should not make a difference much like a car since the dealer will be reimbursed for any warranty work by Hunter. In actuality, the dealer may hold a grudge and you will always find yourself at he bottom of the list waiting to get things done. That is one of the inherent problems with exclusive territorial arrangements. I would check with Hunter and ask for their policy in regard to timely service on warranty work. Will they push the dealer to make repairs quickly once authorized? If he doesn't, will they let a non dealer do the work? Most systems are under the manufacturer's warranty so there should't be any problems with actual defects but installation issues are a whole new ball game. Did you give your local dealer a chance to be competitive? If so and he is willing to let the business slip by then you may have a tough road in getting things done. Heck, it is hard enough getting work out of the dealer you purchsed fron sometimes. Check around and see what level of service the dealer provides in general. Good question but nobody will be able to answer it any better than you can yourself. Good luck with your decision.
Well down under
I purchased a Hunter yacht and the importing Agent is 3500 mile away. It was purchased thru a sub agent in Perth (about 300 mile away) I had a number of warranty issues that Hunter addressed staight away. The work was quoted on by a local repair company and once the quote was faxed thru to Hunter the go ahead was given without any hesitation. One thing I must say is that Hunter service in particular from Greg Emmerson is first rate. In fact fantastic.
I purchased a Hunter yacht and the importing Agent is 3500 mile away. It was purchased thru a sub agent in Perth (about 300 mile away) I had a number of warranty issues that Hunter addressed staight away. The work was quoted on by a local repair company and once the quote was faxed thru to Hunter the go ahead was given without any hesitation. One thing I must say is that Hunter service in particular from Greg Emmerson is first rate. In fact fantastic.
Why?
Any ideas why this dealer 1000 miles away is giving up such “price considerations?” Is something wrong with the boat? Why would you expect the local dealer to give you priority over a customer that is has sold a boat to? I've spent a lot of money at my dealer, Sailing Specialties, and I expect to get taken care of when I need help. They've been great so I recommend them when people ask about my boat. I would be very careful about this...
Any ideas why this dealer 1000 miles away is giving up such “price considerations?” Is something wrong with the boat? Why would you expect the local dealer to give you priority over a customer that is has sold a boat to? I've spent a lot of money at my dealer, Sailing Specialties, and I expect to get taken care of when I need help. They've been great so I recommend them when people ask about my boat. I would be very careful about this...
Boat warranty
It is true that under the Hunter system, the selling dealer is responsible for the warranty work, overall. It isn't quite like a car. I do not have detailed information on this but as I recall, the selling dealer usually holds back a portion of the purchase price to cover warranty issues on the gear that is dealer-installed. The reality is, you're going to have a harder time getting warranty work done. Depending on your temperment or needs, you may even choose to bypass the warranty to have work done locally -- and pay for it. Before making this deal you should balance the price difference with the hassles involved and the possibility of higher back end costs.
It is true that under the Hunter system, the selling dealer is responsible for the warranty work, overall. It isn't quite like a car. I do not have detailed information on this but as I recall, the selling dealer usually holds back a portion of the purchase price to cover warranty issues on the gear that is dealer-installed. The reality is, you're going to have a harder time getting warranty work done. Depending on your temperment or needs, you may even choose to bypass the warranty to have work done locally -- and pay for it. Before making this deal you should balance the price difference with the hassles involved and the possibility of higher back end costs.
no guarante
I saved a lot from a out of state dealer and when I found a bad leak hunter was easy to deal with getting it repaired by a non hunter dealer and it did not cost me anything.
I saved a lot from a out of state dealer and when I found a bad leak hunter was easy to deal with getting it repaired by a non hunter dealer and it did not cost me anything.
Thanks for the replies everyone.......
Thanks everyone for your concern and support. I'm at least optimistic in working with the guys at Hunter factory customer service,I've talked to Eddie and seems very understanding. This has been affirmed when I did some investigating into the forum archives, keyword( 450 warranty) and was reassured to know that when the dealer seems uncooperative the guys in customer service at Hunter pick up the ball. Thanks, Shamus
Thanks everyone for your concern and support. I'm at least optimistic in working with the guys at Hunter factory customer service,I've talked to Eddie and seems very understanding. This has been affirmed when I did some investigating into the forum archives, keyword( 450 warranty) and was reassured to know that when the dealer seems uncooperative the guys in customer service at Hunter pick up the ball. Thanks, Shamus
I say go for it.
My dealer was 60 miles away. Once they had my money, they ignored any warranty issues completely. Hunter stood by their product, to their credit. This was a Hunter dealer of the year. They had to treat some people right. They sure didn't treat me right and they aren't ever going to have my business again. The straw that broke the camel's back to me was hearing the owner of the dealership laughing in the background, when he found out what the call was about. I got two quotes and Hunter had the problems fixed locally. The difference between 60 miles and 1,000 miles is nil when you run into a situation like I did.
My dealer was 60 miles away. Once they had my money, they ignored any warranty issues completely. Hunter stood by their product, to their credit. This was a Hunter dealer of the year. They had to treat some people right. They sure didn't treat me right and they aren't ever going to have my business again. The straw that broke the camel's back to me was hearing the owner of the dealership laughing in the background, when he found out what the call was about. I got two quotes and Hunter had the problems fixed locally. The difference between 60 miles and 1,000 miles is nil when you run into a situation like I did.
You really never know...
Like Bob, I've had good and bad experiences. Mu local dealer is good, but you never know what to expect from dealers. For example, on a recent extended cruise south, my 37.5 developed a leak in the packing gland. I wasn't sure how to address the underlying problem and needed help. I called one of Hunter's largest dealers when I was just a few miles from their yard. (BTW, this dealer is apparently ranked #1 in customer service.) I was not in a total panic but definitely concerned. I truly expected to hear "sure come on by and we'll see what we can do to help." Or at least be able to talk to someone on the phone. Granted I did not buy my boat from them, but I live some distance away and I was near them on the water with a medium serious leak. What I got, instead, was a long wait on hold while the receptionist checked with the owner/manager. Their response, via the receptionist, was "sorry, we can't help." Nothing more even when I politely pressed for help. I was pretty much flabbergasted. Trust me, they will never see a penny of my business in the future. (BTW, I'm on my 3rd Hunter.)
Like Bob, I've had good and bad experiences. Mu local dealer is good, but you never know what to expect from dealers. For example, on a recent extended cruise south, my 37.5 developed a leak in the packing gland. I wasn't sure how to address the underlying problem and needed help. I called one of Hunter's largest dealers when I was just a few miles from their yard. (BTW, this dealer is apparently ranked #1 in customer service.) I was not in a total panic but definitely concerned. I truly expected to hear "sure come on by and we'll see what we can do to help." Or at least be able to talk to someone on the phone. Granted I did not buy my boat from them, but I live some distance away and I was near them on the water with a medium serious leak. What I got, instead, was a long wait on hold while the receptionist checked with the owner/manager. Their response, via the receptionist, was "sorry, we can't help." Nothing more even when I politely pressed for help. I was pretty much flabbergasted. Trust me, they will never see a penny of my business in the future. (BTW, I'm on my 3rd Hunter.)
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