*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: The only thing constant is change ...
you probably can't beat the price of Ed's Marine if you buy the boat the way they rig it.
if you don't buy the boat the way they rig it, you probably can find it for the same price or cheaper elsewhere. I did.
I did not like how I got one price over the phone, but another price when the contract was faxed to my house
Lots of dealers add on extras like oil for a brand new motor, rigging, blah blah blah, but I prefer to do business w/t a dealer who gives me the upfront price with no BS at a later date
I've said enough on this forum about Ed's... but just in case the OP still can't find other info via search.
First, Ed's is not going to be cheapest anymore - at least not from about 6 people on here that all have bought Sea Hunts elsewhere after trying to work a deal with him.
Second, Be very careful when doing a deal with him... make sure EVERY SINGLE THING is down on paper.
Don't you think he would have called you himself if he wanted to??
Pretty stand up of Ed's to me, if i was new and didn't know and the dealer himself posted on my "question" thread I would be impressed. Numberous times when I call dealers I can't even get a call back and here Ed's not only spends time on the THT he gives feedback ect.
Now for the question asked, good friend of mine bought a boat from Ed's with no problems (yes he knew what he wanted and how he wanted it) then he bought a pair of F150's and same thing. Both times he called and told Ed's what he wanted, Ed's called back when the item was there and he went and picked it up. Pretty simple if you ask me.
Recently purchased a 20' Maycraft rigged..
Had nothing but a great experience with Eds and would purchase another boat from them in a heartbeat.....
I had "0" verbal correspondence with them over the past 1.5 years in my quest to get a new boat...all was done via email...with very timely responses..some personal family health issues came up that I couldn't buy the boat last year (19') ...but was able to this year and upgraded to the 20'........
I probably overburdened them with emails and should have called them a few times, but my questions were always answered....
Marc was great to work with and finally meeting him, I said, see, I am real person..he said that many folks have done the same.....
They far beat any price up in my neck of the woods by many $$$$$$$$...
Drove down 3. 5 hours and was there when they opened and back in my driveway by 2:30 PM..smooth...
The girls in the office were great to work with during the pick up as well as after the fact.
The positives far outweigh any negatives that have been said....
If you know what you want and have done the research and can save $$$$$$, go for it, I did!
If I didn't feel obligated to buying from my local dealers that I have known for decades, I would be one of his customers. I have come close to buying a utility trailer from them, and I would have, but determined I just didn't need a new one after all...
.
Thanks all to the post. I am looking to buy a Sea Hunt Ultra 196. Since this is my first purchase I am a little nervous. Now that I have read some posts that indicate I may not get service help from my local dealer if I purchase out of state, I am reluctant to shop the cheapest price. But then again, my local dealer is priced about $3k over Ed's......not chump change in these economic times. What to do???
If ANY dealer refuses to service you because you didn't buy it from them simply call Joel (or in this case Vic (the owner) at Sea Hunt and let them know what you were told.
That will take care of that BS myth right quick. Do yourself a HUGE favor and call Kevin at Towne Marine in PA. There are several other people here that bought from him after Ed's could not beat Towne's price AND service. Plus he is MUCH closer to us. I'm in North Jersey too (that is where I store the boat) and I can be back at Towne in under 2 hours (have not had to yet).
I actually think he has a few of the boats in that size range (since that is what he sells the most of)... can't hurt to call him.
If ANY dealer refuses to service you because you didn't buy it from them simply call Joel (or in this case Vic (the owner) at Sea Hunt and let them know what you were told.
I don't think it is so much that other dealer's WON'T work on it, but just think about this for a second. You are a local dealer that sells factory rigged Sea Hunts. You have a local customer that drove 3 states away (or whatever) to save a buck and buy a boat from a dealer that rigs his own motors because he can buy them in bulk from a company that may have went out of business, etc and pass some savings onto the customer. Now, this customer brings his boat to you for some warranty repair issues, possibly from the way the boat was rigged, etc and you, the dealer, are supposed to be happy fixing those problems?
Also, don't forget that dealers do not get paid their normal labor rate for warranty repairs.
__________________
Key Largo 186/Yamaha 90
Hydra-Sports 2000CC Vector/Honda BF225 - Sold
Hydra-Sports 2400CC Vector/150 HPDI's - Sold
31' Fountain CC Open/Opti 250XS's - Sold
If ANY dealer refuses to service you because you didn't buy it from them ...........
Well, it's wrong and it's stupid on the dealer's part, but it happens and there's not much you can do about it. How do you force someone to work on a boat (or car, truck, TV, etc.)?
And do you really want them working on it if they don't want to? It wouldn't take much to discourage a customer from coming back. Work done and charged for that wasn't needed, take longer than necessary to complete the job, leave dirt and grease on the boat, etc.
As many others stated- If you need details and handholding Ed's is not the place. I had no issues with Ed's when I purchased my boat and got a great deal. Shop around, get educated on the product you want then give them a call. Just my 2 cents.
I'll add my 2 cents to this (and I know I've told this story before, but I think it bears repeating). I bought my previous boat (a Maycraft 1900) from Ed's and had an excellent transaction. The only issue I had was an undersized prop. I complained on this forum and Ed's promptly sent me a new correct fitting prop.
I used Ed's prices on my last boat and bought fairly local (accross the Long Island Sound) and the results were quite the opposite - poor rigging, didn't get everything I paid for, incorrect sales tax calculations, etc.
For the amount of volume Ed's does, if they were as bad as some of the doomsayers on this site claim, you would have a lot more first hand complaints (not the "I heard Ed's is bad" type - I mean ACTUAL first hand).
John
__________________
Maycraft 2300 Pilothouse with Honda 225 4-stroke
After sale support is a joke for most till you get into market leaders, even then it is a very shady area that you will be taken advantage of if you are not on top of things.
Lot of talk here but most like to brag about how cheap they got the deal for.
I don't think it is so much that other dealer's WON'T work on it, but just think about this for a second. You are a local dealer that sells factory rigged Sea Hunts. You have a local customer that drove 3 states away (or whatever) to save a buck and buy a boat from a dealer that rigs his own motors because he can buy them in bulk from a company that may have went out of business, etc and pass some savings onto the customer. Now, this customer brings his boat to you for some warranty repair issues, possibly from the way the boat was rigged, etc and you, the dealer, are supposed to be happy fixing those problems?
Also, don't forget that dealers do not get paid their normal labor rate for warranty repairs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rwidman
Well, it's wrong and it's stupid on the dealer's part, but it happens and there's not much you can do about it. How do you force someone to work on a boat (or car, truck, TV, etc.)?
And do you really want them working on it if they don't want to? It wouldn't take much to discourage a customer from coming back. Work done and charged for that wasn't needed, take longer than necessary to complete the job, leave dirt and grease on the boat, etc.
Sort of interesting. In my case, my boat was great deal from an out-of-state dealer. It came rigged from the factory, and there are no issues. Sea Hunt is going to pay the same money for the same work (warranty) regardless of where I bought it.
As far as "forcing" a dealer to work on my boat. I won't have to force anyone to do anything. The factory will deal with the dealer if they don't want to do the work they agreed to do when they became a dealer. Especially in the case of Sea Hunt, where it is my understanding, that most places would cut off a nut to become a Sea Hunt dealer.
To the OP: Just shop hard for the boat (you REALLY want to talk to freedbaby about this... the guy makes me look like a spend-thrift... he's VERY good!!!) -- and then speak with the factory about your concern about service. Joel, Jai, and the owner will bend over in every direction to support their product.
If the local dealers always got stellar A+ ratings, then it might be a different story. The problem is, I hear of many "local" dealers who treat people poorly, don't follow through on promises and get top dollar doing just that.
Also, don't dealers get paid for doing warranty work? Especially in this poor boating economy, they need to be happy with what they can get. Many of them got arrogant when banks lend anyone $100K. Now, they have to work hard and prove themselves to the consumer.
Per thier post, they are not members of the BBB, the folks you pay to get thier grace but nothing else, extortion.
Are you talking about that old post that was resolved?
I think you have a personal rub with them and are just spinning it here for harm.
I tried to buy my boat from them... I also tried to buy side curtains and gull wings from them. They weren't even CLOSE to competitive on price for either.
When I started to ask for details of the transaction (on the boat, motor, and trailer) I started to get stonewalled and passed to a "salesperson".
I have all the emails and PMs to support the above. How's that for experience. I also have several dozen emails from other people that have the same experience with them. Even a person (who has posted here) that was told they would NOT put anything in writing and that he should just "come down" to the dealer.
I would say that I have enough experience with them... what do you think?
He's not askin for that kind of help bro - he wants to know what our experiences have been. I think it is safe to say that Ed's marine superstore has ALWAYS had a great experience with Ed's marine superstore.
"hello is this ed's marine superstore? Has anyone ever had an issue dealing with you? No? Great! I'll be right down...."
I have seen threads about Ed's since I have been a member here. Some people think he is terrible others think he is great. My only suggestion would be shop around know what you want (get a quote in writing), take a road trip with quote in hand ask them to match the boat, motor and accessories. Check his price. If you decide to go with him get a signed contract, with all stipulations (including delivery time) leave a deposit and know that you are satisfied. Except for the usual buyers remorse.
I would think that your own comfort level when speaking to them should be your best barometer.
Good luck.
__________________
Born to fish...Forced to work
No Regrets.... EdgeWater 247cc
for Eds...
