Service in Middle Tennessee?

[mmirob]

Dealer went out of business, bought a 2007 24VE last year, needs work that dealer failed to complete and can't get any help from Manufacturer. So frustrated!

[st68]

If you have not spoken to Harvey Smith at Tige HQ then that is what I would recommend.

[Guapo]

I keep my boat at Norris Lake and called Travis Marine (the listed Tige dealer on Tige's site).They told me they were no longer a Tige dealer. I talked to Harvey at the Tige factory and we worked some things out, but basically, my boat is in year two of the warranty which is parts only (except for the PCM egning). Harvey said Travis Marine is still Tige authorized and they would take care of me. He did say that if the boat was still in labor warranty that it would have to be worked on by a Tige dealer....so I would be in a similar situation as you.

Ended up Travis Marine was glad to have my business and just completed my 100 hour service...and they were extremely timely with it. I'm not sure where you are located...Travis is in Knoxville...might be too far for you.

[mmirob]

I have been exchanging emails with Harvey. He writes...

"Mark is looking in the area to find a dealer but as of now I do not know the area or the marinas there. We have a dealer in Counce that can do the service if you would like to take it to them Pickwick WaterSports. If you have a local shop do the repairs I will be more that happy to sale the part to you direct from here."

Counce is over 4 hours away. I am in middle Tennessee (Nashville)

I do not understand why the mfgr can't establish Authorized warranty service centers with boat shops around town that do not have to be dealer. Maybe they need to evaluate business strategy and realize that not all dealers can afford to buy 10 boats in this economy and servicing existing sales is simply really good business! Tige is making critical business errors right now by not maintaining a satisfactory service network.

In a time of slow sales you better be able to keep the customers you have.

[Guapo]

I agree 100%. I simply lucked out that there is an "authorized" service center 45 minutes from where I keep my boat. Of course in the winter I have to take my boat 2 hrs to my dealer (in Indy) since there isn't one close to Louisville. At some point when I decide to get a new boat, serviceability will be a major part of my decision...and Tige is going the wrong way in this department IMHO.

[ImaPigDog]

This is happening across the industry. Many dealers have lost the floorplan financing or even the capability to absorb the risk/expense of carrying inventory. The past couple of years has killed many of them and the trend will likely continue. The boating industry is going to have to get creative and figure out ways to help keep their dealer networks profitable.

[mmirob]

Indeed! One way would be to allow the dealer to keep their brand at the existing shop to service existing customers. That is until they could find a shop willing and able to carry their required 10 boat inventory minimum. (may take a few years) Instead Tige has chosen to forfeit the dealership and who gets hurt, you got it, the customer. In these tough times you have to be able to be flexible in the way you do business so the loyal customer experiences minimum pain. This is my second Tige and with this sorry experience, not sure I would buy another. It's all about leadership and Tige management (failing to honor warranty because of lack of dealers) will pay the ultimate price if they survive at all.

[MoneyPity]

Dealer support was one of 2 reasons I sold this season. There were other reasons with economy hitting me but I could have held out. Closest dealer to me is St Louis or Indy now from Chicago.

[Cheeky]

Did you buy from TN Tige or Ski Hut? Lee from Ski Hut is now working with Aqua Sport Marine, I would trust him with my Tige everytime. Since he was a former dealer, perhaps he could get hooked into the service part. Worth checking out if you need service.

[Cheeky]

FYI, All Pro Marine in Huntsville is showing as an authorized Tige delaer. Not sure where in middle TN you are, but for me that is about an hours drive.

[mmirob]

Yes, I know that aqua marine and perhaps a few others too will do work on my dime. I already spent $1146 last weekend and still have a few minor things to fix, (transom light inop, steering wheel out of alignment) This is warranty work that was promised by dealer and approved by manufacturer but never completed by the TNTige. Now I have no recourse with out of business dealership and Manufacturer has chosen to ignore the problem. Pretty lousy business practice IMHO. Word of caution to new boat buyers...don't buy new. This way warranty is not anticipated and you are not surprised when you have to pay for repairs.

[kko]

IMPO no manufacture works harder than Tige at resolving issues like this. Harvey told you a place to take the boat to get fixed. I understand its a drive but you will get it fixed.
you siad-"Maybe they need to evaluate business strategy and realize that not all dealers can afford to buy 10 boats in this economy and servicing existing sales is simply really good business!"
sorry if this is harsh but IMPO you dont know what your talking about here. Tige works HARD with their dealers and they dont force 10 boats on all their dealers like you suggest. So putting false statements out is kind of BS. I am sorry your frustrated and I hope you get your issues worked out. You have Harvey and Mark working for you so I know your in good hands. These 2 guys work hard at making things right.


you said-"Manufacturer has chosen to ignore the problem"
IMPO No they have not. They told you where to go to have your boat fixed. They are looking for a better solution. So I say they have done just the opposite.

[dom w. forte]

Indeed! One way would be to allow the dealer to keep their brand at the existing shop to service existing customers. That is until they could find a shop willing and able to carry their required 10 boat inventory minimum. (may take a few years) Instead Tige has chosen to forfeit the dealership and who gets hurt, you got it, the customer. In these tough times you have to be able to be flexible in the way you do business so the loyal customer experiences minimum pain. This is my second Tige and with this sorry experience, not sure I would buy another. It's all about leadership and Tige management (failing to honor warranty because of lack of dealers) will pay the ultimate price if they survive at all.

Just curious what other boat manufacturer do you know that will take care of your boat if the dealer folds, MC,CC, MOOMBA and all the others handle it the same way.

[mmirob]

Sorry KKO not true. Harvey said Tige would no longer honor the warranty work supposed to have been done his TN Tige dealer. He said the boat is no longer under warranty despite agreeing to the warranty repairs when Tige dealer was in business. I have seen no evidence that either mentioned has worked hard on my behalf. I have not received a single phone call, it takes me three emails to get a response from Harvey, never anything from Mark,and the last was basically you are on your own... Tige will not pay sorry. Don't tell me I don't know what I am talking about, I've owned Tiges for 8 years! Bottom line, warranty work approved to be completed by dealer, dealer lied,did not do it, Tige mfg said no longer under warranty, I get screwed...Period end of discussion.