2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

[colossus0706]

Good afternoon all... I am writing to get your thoughts on the Tracker Marine / Tahoe warranty process.

On 7/30/10, less than two weeks ago, I took possession of my new (not yet titled) 2007 Tahoe Q4 from a boat dealer in my area.

We took the boat out for the first time this week and all of the seats failed... the vinyl appears to be fine, but the seams are coming apart everywhere. I can't believe this happening on my brand new boat.

I called Tracker Marine and spoke with a very friendly lady there and she didn't give me definite answer about whether or not this was covered under warranty--she said asked me to e-mail her some pictures so she can speak with the warranty department. This makes me a little uneasy because the response I was expecting was "You're the first owner, you've had the boat for a week, of course we will fix the seats for free."

I'm hoping that because the boat is a 3-year old leftover they are not going to throw their customer service out the window. Have any of you experienced this with your seats? Any of you have any input as to how well Tracker Marine may handle this claim? I will keep everyone posted. Pictures of the seats attached.

 

[Mordekai]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

From my dealings with tracker marine customer relations line.. they couldn't give 2 $h!ts less to be honest.

See my thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=427363.

I called them today after a catastrophic failure and had to get towed in on my 3 weeks old q4 and all she said was "stuff like this happens" but nothing we can do about the "inconvenience of being stranded/towed in".

If I may suggest you go thru your dealer and have their service department handle the warranty claim for you directly.

 

[mccownk]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

I agee with going through your dealer. I remember another Tahoe owner with the same problem (do a search on this forum). His seats were replaced no charge.

 

[mccownk]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

OK, here is the link to the thread and an example of going through your dealer

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=409604&highlight=seats

 

[colossus0706]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

MccownK, thank you.

I didn't buy my boat from a Tahoe dealer... just a small independent boat dealer. According to him, the Tahoe dealer who had these boats went belly up and their inventory was picked up by the banks I guess. The guy I bought my Tahoe from bought a couple of other "new" 2007 Tahoes and some other boats from either the banks or an auction or something.

I did do a dealer search and Nobles' Marine is a nearby (20 miles) Tahoe dealer. When I called them about the seats they told me I could e-mail them pictures of the seats and then they would e-mail the pictures to Tracker... so that's why I went straight to Tracker myself; I didn't realize going through a dealer could improve the situation. I will let you guys know how Tracker responds. I spent a lot of money out of pocket for this boat to minimize my monthly payment and I simply can't afford to spend another $1,000 to have the seats restitched.

 

[mccownk]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

Did the boat come with a warranty? I would still utilize the dealer. A good dealer will come in handy and they have established point of contacts with manufacturers that they can use. If you didn't get a warranty, then you may have to tyry and go through Tracker yourself. However, if you read the thread that I linked to in my last response, I would not give up hope. Use the advise of the boat dealer in your area.

 

[colossus0706]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

Unfortunately Tracker will not be honoring the warranty. They explained that my boat was originally for sale through a Tracker authorized dealer (Richey Boat near Tampa, FL) but they went out of business and my boat became a repo. The dealer who I bought it from (Boat Yard of Sanford) technically become the first owne" and since I purchased it from them, I'm the second owner and the warranty did not transfer to me.

Although Tracker is not stepping up, the Boat Yard of Sanford is going to take all of the seats out and restitch them at no cost.

 

[mccownk]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

Did Boat Yard of Sanford explain that there was no Warranty when you purchased the boat? I went through a boat dealer who purchased my boat at auction as a bank repo as well. On the paperwork it clearly stated "As is, No Warranty". If they misrepresented that it was new and included a warranty, maybe that is why they are willing to do the work "gratis".

 

[colossus0706]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

I remember specifically asking them if the boat had a "factory warranty" because it was sort of a gray market boat... new but 3 years old. They told me they weren't sure.

Mercruiser is giving me a 2 year warranty, but Tracker says I don't have one. I understand it's in writing that a warranty is not transferable, but the warranty should be honored for the first real "owner" of the boat, not counting if a dealer buys it from an auction. I'm the first real person putting the boat in the water... not the best customer service in my opinion.

I do give a big thumbs up to Boat Yard of Sanford, however, because I guess they technically sold me the boat "as is" and they could have just as easily said "sorry all of the seats on your boat are basically ruined after your first time in the water... the seats didn't look like when you took it off the lot. Suckerrrr!"

 

[ralphy670]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

I just had mine replaced this year on my 07. I was a little over warranty at the time. The excuse they gave me was that there was a template flaw in 07 and they were made a little too small. The fab shop that installed them said that Tracker uses the cheapest vinyl available. The fab shop gave me the option of having the tabs pulled tight or left looser. I told him whatever would relieve stress on the seems. I think it looks even better when they are not pulled as tight.

 

[mccownk]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

Thumbs up to Mercruiser also. I wonder if the original motor warranty was 5 years and they are honoring the remainder. I am no legal expert but think that Tracker would have ro do something extra ordinary to give you a warranty. I would ask them if they have a way to purchase a warranty or an extended warranty. Maybe under the circumsatances the could make you a deal.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: 2007 Tahoe Q4 Warranty Claim - Seats

From my dealings with tracker marine customer relations line.. they couldn't give 2 $h!ts less to be honest.

See my thread http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=427363.

I called them today after a catastrophic failure and had to get towed in on my 3 weeks old q4 and all she said was "stuff like this happens" but nothing we can do about the "inconvenience of being stranded/towed in".

If I may suggest you go thru your dealer and have their service department handle the warranty claim for you directly.

I thought this issue was explicitly clarified in your other thread as a Mercury specific issue, not a Tahoe issue, per se? There is already enough Tahoe bashing for valid issues, no fair hoisting others failures on Tahoe, too.

I understand you are ticked off for having to get a tow on a brand new boat and not getting "compensation" for it, but try to keep the bashing fair and balanced.