HaraldS
Well-Known Member
I think a problem with warranty claims that many boaters have, is that the place where they boat the thing and where the boat is when you have the problem, could be far apart.
Most reputed companies have worldwide representation, yet the interest level of a dealer that hasn't made the business with you is usually not too high.
So I have assumed to get closer to no service, have baught a lot of equipemnt in the states, and have been very positively surprised several times.
Two examples: Bought a KVH datascope (electronic bearing compass) at Westmarine, it failed after two years, on one of the trips back to the states I brought it to West Marine, and they just handed me a brand new one.
Last summer I found out at the last minute that my Simrad plotter didn't read the new C-Map NT+ cartgridges. Thinking that all I needed was new software, that I could load myself, I called the yard that built my boat (in Sweden) and asked the if they could get Simrad to send my the update. The same day I got four calls from Simrad: First was, we'll send you software and instructions right away. Second, oops, it's not just software, we need to replace the module reader in your unit, we'll call you again. Third call Simrad UK (I was in Scotland at that time), where are you, Adrossan? OK, we'll check. Fourth call: We found a dealer in Troon, who has the right parts and has been trained on the update procdure, he will give you a call. Next morning dealer calls, in the evening he picks up the units from the boat, next morning they were brought back, all nicely working with the latest software.
I keep telling this story since this was so far beyond my expectations, and I think good service should be mentioned as well as bad one.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
Most reputed companies have worldwide representation, yet the interest level of a dealer that hasn't made the business with you is usually not too high.
So I have assumed to get closer to no service, have baught a lot of equipemnt in the states, and have been very positively surprised several times.
Two examples: Bought a KVH datascope (electronic bearing compass) at Westmarine, it failed after two years, on one of the trips back to the states I brought it to West Marine, and they just handed me a brand new one.
Last summer I found out at the last minute that my Simrad plotter didn't read the new C-Map NT+ cartgridges. Thinking that all I needed was new software, that I could load myself, I called the yard that built my boat (in Sweden) and asked the if they could get Simrad to send my the update. The same day I got four calls from Simrad: First was, we'll send you software and instructions right away. Second, oops, it's not just software, we need to replace the module reader in your unit, we'll call you again. Third call Simrad UK (I was in Scotland at that time), where are you, Adrossan? OK, we'll check. Fourth call: We found a dealer in Troon, who has the right parts and has been trained on the update procdure, he will give you a call. Next morning dealer calls, in the evening he picks up the units from the boat, next morning they were brought back, all nicely working with the latest software.
I keep telling this story since this was so far beyond my expectations, and I think good service should be mentioned as well as bad one.
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.taniwani.de>http://www.taniwani.de</A>
