Warranty Issues?

[ebelizard]

Has anyone run into warranty issues with their Tige?

I submitted a claim June 17th 2020 for defective vinyl; the adhesive bled through. I kept getting the run around, and finally after 169 days (5 months, 16 days) I had to threaten them with a BBB complaint in order to get them to produce. The vinyl arrived early january, and after nearly a MONTH of my boat being gone, they still aren't done.

In addition, they didn't want to warranty the nonskid; claiming it was "damaged". The nonskid small triangles peeled back due to the blazing Texas heat. Had to fight with the Tige Warranty manager to get it done.

Anyone have any similar experiences? Up until this point, I've had some pretty good service. Seems like Tige is taking care of building boats, rather than taking care of their previous (and potential future) customers.

I might add that this is my second boat purchase from them, both new. As a loyal customer, I am looking to take my business elsewhere, where they can appreciate the price point and service quality.

[Surf406]

Well I’m a loyal customer as well and I’m on #4 and been getting the same treatment on my floor as well .long story short I know of a had full of boats with this issue and it definitely needs to be addressed . Not to mention We are in Montana so we don’t get nearly as warm as you guys but if it doesn’t get resolved there may not be a #5 for me in the future.

[ebelizard]

Interesting to hear. I don't know if Tige is starting to take more of a "volume" approach and move away from customer service post sale. I think in a market like this, the manufacturer that takes care of their customers will wind, especially in these times when boats are at a premium.

I'm truly disappointed, but we'll see how it goes. I recently heard that there was a customer in Montana that purchased a boat from Texas (Mastercraft) because they couldn't find the spec they wanted. This market is crazy right now.

[Surf406]

Well all I can say is back it or customers are gonna pack it and go to other brands and I’ve began to start to think as well .

[Surf406]

On a side note the person that went all the way to Texas to buy a boat better hope that it has 0 issues as to if he uses it here in Montana and needs serviced I’m guessing he will be SOL . Since all the dealers take care of there buying customers first and others after the fact . I’ve seen it day in and day out so all I can say is good luck .

[ebelizard]

I've only been up to Billings and don't know the area well, so I can imagine that there aren't as many boat repair facilities like there is here in Texas. I think MC may take care of their customer in one way or another after the fact. I know Tige has areas that they cover and they are responsible for the maintenance of that boat; I'd venture to say that MC does as well.

[Zackdogg]

I’ve had a horrendous time getting stuff warrantied, to the point of considering suing my dealer and possibly Tige, if what the dealer says is true. I’ve also gone to just fixing stuff myself, because I lose my mind, every time I think about the way I get treated, and have to drive 2 hours each way to my dealer, after spending $100k on one of their boats, and repeatedly been given terrible service. My next boat will be a Nautique, and next trailer won’t be a BoatMate. Trying to be fair to Tige, my experience could be mostly dealer related, but with regards to my Gator step on my swim deck failing, Tige refused to warranty, but my dealer did get Gator Step to warranty it, which you may want to suggest your dealer try.


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[MikeB313]

I've had pretty good luck with warrantying stuff. I'd be interested in learning more on the warranty claim. Was the claim submitted and approved right away? Vinyl can take several months to get in, that's with all manufactures. Same with Gatorstep/Seadek, they are so far behind with production delays that it may take time to get those parts in.

Now, if the warranty was declined, that's on Tige. If it was delayed getting approved, it could be on the dealer not submitting it or on Tige, hard to guess.

[Zackdogg]

Can’t speak for the OP, but my Gator was denied by Tige, so my dealer went straight to Gator as a last ditch, and Gator approved it. I’ve had multiple things denied by Tige that should have clearly been warranty issues. It’s pretty weird to me, that a company I heard such great stuff about customer service, denies or drags their feet on stuff that is obviously a failure on their parts. Maybe some dealers have a better relationship with Tige, is the only thing that I can think of.


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[sandm]

it's interesting to see and hear all this. we are on our 3rd tige. first one new and only issue we ever had were with the decals. dealer took care of us quickly and with a smile. 4 years later still never had an issue. second boat was a trainwreck but not from tige. prior 2 owners trashed it. justin at tige STEPPED UP big time and helped us out on a couple of issues even tho out of warranty for us. upholstery was the main complaint. now this was pre-covid and I think we caught him on the right day. 3rd boat is a new 2020 tige. 20hrs on it and not a single issue. this one will be the real test as nearest tige dealer is 2hrs away, just opened and boat did not come from their other dealerships which are 4/5/5 hrs away.

Justin has been amazing for us but I don't see him on here much at all so assuming they are busy beyond belief. I hope that's not a sign of what will happen.

[ebelizard]

Zackdogg - I've personally seen the relationship between the dealers and Tige proper is very strong; they know their dealers well and usually handle things in a partnership. I personally think that at this point, they are producing/selling so many boats, they are forgetting their current customers (who are also their future customers).

It seems like a growing issue with gatorstep and Tige. If the dealer has to personally reach out to Gatorstep, then at least the dealer is making an honest effort to ensure the customer is happy. I just think thats a backwards way of doing business if they have a warranty system set in place already.

MikeB313 313 - I also have had positive history with warranty work with Tige; this is my second boat. In regards to my personal vinyl story - They submitted the claim and it was approved. I understand there is a production line, and that sometimes these things take time. But after over 5 months of waiting, especially during prime season for boating, its unacceptable to treat a customer that way. It honestly feels like being placed on a back burner, and like they don't care about your issue. If they have to ramp up the production line due to demand, it's on them to run the business appropriately. It's not my problem that they don't have the time; they need to make the time to take care of their customers to ensure customers will return. Otherwise people will take their business elsewhere.

sandm - I had to personally contact Justin to plead my case about Gatorstep after he denied the dealer claim (submitted twice). On a professional level, I personally dont believe a customer should have to contact Tige proper about anything unless there's a serious issue. The dealer I currently work with has advocated on my behalf (historically) to work with Tige's warranty department. If I have to plead my case on trial to have a $50 part repaired, there's a problem. The fact they are busy is good for the company; but they shouldn't lack customer service overall due to a busy schedule. We all have jobs where we get busy, but in a business perspective if you're too busy to handle a customer, you don't deserve their business.