Larson boat warranty doesn't work

[giopapy]

Hello,

first of all I Introduce myself, my name's Giovanni and I live in Italy in a beautiful town facing the

adriatic sea, called Marina Palmense.

I decided to write my story because maybe someone can advise me how to solve my problem.
Maybe there's a lawyer that knows how warranty works in USA.

In july 2008 I purchased a new Larson LXI 228.
After only 100 hours of use, divided in four different summer, in the last september 2011 I noticed a

serious osmose problem afflicted my boat, I have to say that I keep the boat in the garage for the

other 9 month, it goes in the water only in the summer. So I contacted the very kind italian seller

who sold me the boat, since he's far away from me (200 miles) he told me to contact a technicians in

my city that prove the osmose. And so I did, the technician come with an electronic machine and

detected an high percentage of osmose on the hull, after that he broke some of the bubbles and a thick

and smelly liquid came out.
I took a lot of pictures and I sent all to the dealer. He contacted Larson company and told them about

my problem because my boat has a warranty and he made a quote to fix the boat.
After four month and several emails I got a response from Larson, they say they can only help with

2500 USD nothing more I must take care for the rest, the problem is that to fix the boat in Italy it

takes more than the double of that as the quote of their seller prove.
I replied them that I don't want any money but I would like to have my boat in perfect order, as

everybody expect after a spending a large amount of money.
Now the italian seller says that he can't do nothing and Larson doesn't want to fix my boat,
they wrote me to "accept the 2500 USD or they withdraw the offer.
In Italy Larson boats are very expensive but, at that time, I decided to buy one just to have an high

quality boat without problem (I believed), to have a "LIFETIME WARRANTY", to have "A BETTER BUILT

BOAT" as they say in their slogans but all I got is an unusable boat ruined by osmose.
Maybe I was unlucky but if warranty exist it must be for a reason.
Now I feel so stupid to have bought a Larson, I feel like I throw my money away.
I worked hard to save money to buy the boat and now I cannot believe that "AN AMERICAN CLASSIC

COMPANY" can treat customers regardless of their problem.
I understand that things can happen but everyone must accept his own responsibility and if there's a

problem it must be solved in a friendly way.

I will be grateful to anyone who can help me finding a solution.
I apologize for my poor english but I hope you could understand.

P.S. I'm sorry if I wrote in the wrong section, but I was a little confused in a new forum.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Larson boat warranty doesn't work

Hello Giovanni,
I cannot help in the legal issues surrounding your dilemna, but I do feel for your plight. I do not feel it is fair for a company that claims to have a quality boat, or any quality product, to not stand behind their product. If it is of any consolation, I will do the only thing that is in my power. That is to stand behind you in an effort to make Larson Boats back up their reputation by honoring their quality guarantee.
It is my belief that American companies, who make the claim of being the best, should back that up, no matter what it takes. It is what made American Companies great to begin with. If Larson Boats will not honor their guarantee and their reputation by making the proper restitutions to you, they should be black balled in every market, world-wide.
Best of Luck.

 

[62 ROYAL SCOTT]

Re: Larson boat warranty doesn't work

Hello sorry your boat turned out like that . It being made in the [ usa ]and with a [ lifetime warranty ] that co.should stand behind it's [ slogan & warranty ] we do have a [ lemon law ] it being a big $$$ investment . I would put on hold [thier offer ] until you check out [the usa lemon law ] also you can contact the [better buisness bbb ] also you can write [ atty: General ] i think i was reading that a [ lifetime warranty ] will only stand up in court no more than [ eight years ] i think you might have a case. - good luck - keep us updated

 

[giopapy]

Re: Larson boat warranty doesn't work

Thank you all for your words of support,
I'll keep this post updated to make know how things will go.

 

[giopapy]

Re: Larson boat warranty doesn't work

I'm so glad to have met you,
today morning, after my posts on the forums, (usually it took several days only to get a reply)
I've received a prompt email from Mr.

Nino Dreger
International Sales Representative

and he wrote:

Dear Mr. Pappalardo:
Larson Boats, LLC takes its warranty obligations seriously. Unfortunately, your boat was not manufactured by us and, therefore, we have no obligation to honor any warranty claims on this boat. Larson Boats, LLC purchased the Larson brand out of bankruptcy and did not assume any warranty obligations as it relates to boats manufactured prior to the acquisition. As a gesture of good faith, we are willing to offer you $2500 towards the repair of your boat. This offer is being made out of goodwill to you as a valued Larson customer.

You may still make a warranty claim against the manufacturer of your boat
Now I'm wondering if they really purchased the Larson brand I think they also
acquire the benefits and the charges.
If what they write is the truth it means that every Larson customer has no warranty on his boat bought before they purchased the brand.
Is this possible ??

 

[wagnerz]

Re: Larson boat warranty doesn't work

It is true that when a company goes through bankruptcy and is purchased by a seperate company that the warranty obligations can be rejected by the new company. Many times the new company will assume the warranty obligations because its very good for business. For example when General Motors and Chrysler each declared bankruptcy a couple years ago, the "New General Motors" assumed all of the warranty obligations of the "old General Motors."

As far as what you can do, you can accept the $2500 gesture of good faith, or you could try and bring up a lawsuit or claim against the old Larson company. Since they are in Bankruptcy, there is most likely nothing that you would get out of a lawsuit, and if the Bankruptcy is complete, then you will have no claim of action against anyone.

Thats the one downfall of warranties, is that they are only as good as the company that is warranting them. If the company goes bad, then so does the warranty.

That really sucks man, and I hate to see it happen, but there are probably thousands of other people that could be in the same boat as you (no pun intended).

 

[64osby]

Re: Larson boat warranty doesn't work

Mr.Nino Dreger
International Sales Representative

and he wrote:

Dear Mr. Pappalardo:
Larson Boats, LLC takes its warranty obligations seriously. Unfortunately, your boat was not manufactured by us and, therefore, we have no obligation to honor any warranty claims on this boat. Larson Boats, LLC purchased the Larson brand out of bankruptcy and did not assume any warranty obligations as it relates to boats manufactured prior to the acquisition. As a gesture of good faith, we are willing to offer you $2500 towards the repair of your boat. This offer is being made out of goodwill to you as a valued Larson customer.

gio, Depending on the sale / purchase agreement, they most likely did not assume the old warranty claims as was stated.
You could ask him to provide proof of that statement for your verification.

In your first post you stated the cost was more than double the $2,500 offer. What ever the number, I would reply that while the gesture of good faith / your goodwill offer is appreciated, it is considerably lower than the estimated repairs. If your company is truly interested in maintaining a "valued Larson customer" your offer should reflect that statement. Then request payment for the full repair as documented by the estimate.

If they choose to not amend the offer, maybe you follow up letting them know what an un-valued Larson customer is capable of. Giving them them a second opportunity to amend their offer.

They may not have to honor the claim, but they own the name, and all boat company's need good PR, not bad.

 

[giopapy]

Re: Larson boat warranty doesn't work

That's really incredible, this means that every Larson customer has no warranty on his boat at this time.
But I wonder if it had been a building and it was collapsed and the builder was in bankruptcy who would pay the victims ?
Anyway I sent an email as reply to their offer in wich I asked at least the fifty percent for each.
But I swear the next time I will buy an italian boat so if I will have a problem I will meet my interlocutor.
Below the quote, in euro to fix my boat, is 5400+TAX (21%) EURO.