www.iFourWinns.com

Just to give everyone contimplating a Four Winns new boat purchase. I just had to pay out of pocket over $1200.00 to satisfy my warranty repair facility's charges to FW that FW has yet to pay.

I had authorization from Bill Kruger who is acting as if he is still involved with FW even though others at FW say he has been layed off and not employed for "Some time" what the heck is going on, I have no idea.

I spoke to the one guy who now runs the warranty dept. For the whole company,worldwide and who is the only one to authorize payments and have yet to hear the outcome of that conversation.

Not honoring obligations is something I am least happy with let alone being out the money. I thought I dotted my I's and crossed my T's and still failed.

Again if you are thinking of buying a new Four Winns....Caveat Emptor!

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2008 Four Winns V358 (T 6.2L Merc Bravo III's with DTS and SeaCore)
2006 Sea Ray 340DA
2006 Sea Ray 320DA
2005 Maxum 3100 SE

What happened to the mechanic that was supposed to come down from the factory? Did that ever happen?

Do you have written authorization for your warranty work to be reimbursed?

Why didn't you just go through the selling dealer to have them step up and cover the charges (not in business anymore?)


Four Winns is cutting back to get through the market and Chapter 11. They are still building boats and are still covering warranty according to my dealer -- who funnels through warranty work for me when needed. I find it easier to bill my selling dealer, who then reimburses me. Then, they deal with FW for warranty.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

Well, there you have it, one person's less than satisying experience with a warranty claim . Apparently the OP does not have much experience with the issues a company has to go through during Chapter 11. If he/she did, then some of the border-line bashing of the warranty dep't, a named employee of FW and the warning to potential new FW buyers, would have been stated in a different way. Depending on the nature of the warranty work, it will eventually be paid.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

+1 Cap'n. When Chapter 11 hits - the only credit you get is CASH ONLY. Because of that, you have to cut everything you can to get the working capital needed to build those 5 boats per day. Sucks to hear that Bill might be gone (for now). I did hear that the entire regional sales team was also let go (hopefully temporarily). Those are big $ salaries and could pay for those boats!


FYI - if anyone thinks that the other boat dealers are NOT having warranty issues - think twice. All of the industry is in the same spot. From what I've heard, Brunswick is in just as bad a shape right now...

Ask a Crownline owner if they get any of their warranty! It would really suck to be those guys.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

As a veteran of the OMC bankruptcy in 2000, non-payment of warranty work (which I experienced) is the sign of a company about to bail. Has anyone on here had warranty work payments honored by Genmar/FW lately? As for Better Luck warning those contemplating a future purchase of a FW product, I would greatly appreciate his post if I were in the market for a new boat. I got lucky back in 2000 when Genmar stepped in and honored my warranty work, but no one knows for sure what will happen with Genmar and FW during this crisis. If I were in the market for a new boat though, the huge discounts you can get on a FW right now sure would be hard to pass up.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Two very good questions, that will determine alot about the warranty responsibility. Not sure when this boat was bought, or from whom it was bought, but their warranty is pretty clear if the purchase does not fall exactly under the written word. Your dealer should probably be the one dealing with Four Winns.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

There is only one person in the warranty department and two in the parts department (who have to place the order, fetch it, package it, and ship it, never mind getting the ok from the Boss to make the order happen in the first place) . We have done warranty work and gotten paid for it. You really need to go through your dealers to get the warranty work authorized and then submitted.

Have a little faith FW will get through this, they are one of the only brands that make money for Genmar.

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Bryan Mutter

http://www.twincitymarine.com
http://www.facebook.com/twincitymarineinc
http://www.youtube.com/user/twincitymarine
http://www.twitter.com/twincitymarine

BL, I take it this was for the grounding issue you had to get resolved. That sucks, Bill helped me out this summer but I've done my work myself. For me, it wasn't worth paying $250 to have an authorized warranty company come out. The upside is that our power packages warranted all day long. I had work done on a outdrive oil line fitting but the local dealer wouldn't touch anything FW related, back in June. The only thing I still need is some replacement parts. I was supposed to get new steps and I haven't seen them yet. For the other parts, I've been lagging getting photos to the dealer so they can get me the parts. None of which are critical. On a side note, I've worked with the underwater light supplier for a lense filter replacement and they are cool working directly with me. If anyone here has the factory UW lights, they are a routine maintenance item!

BUT the difference b/t myself and BL is I paid about half of MSRP. Man I would be super sad if I had paid anything near even 30% off...

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

Cap N Morgan your level of compassion for other people's concerns is under whelming.

The named individual is NOT currently employed by FW. But somehow is conducting business as usual via a cell phone and authorizing warranty work without the authority to do so. This is according to accounts from my repair facility and my own personal conversations via voice and email. And further verified with the person currently in charge of warranty claims.

I do not have a selling dealer since they closed their doors three months after my purchase. Of course the FW rep at the boat show where I purchased my boat assured me of the vetting process they use when selecting dealers and the fact that my dealer was thouroughly vetted and found to be well funded has nothing to do with how I feel about FW as a company. (NOT) The fact that that information came to me unsolicited now has me wondering why they even mentioned it to me.

As far as me posting my experience for all to see, that's what forums like this one are designed for. Someone thinking of buying a new boat and who is willing to do research on the product or company, has a right to know some of the dirty laundry so to speak.

I have plenty of experience with bankrupt companies since I am employed by the aviation industry and have many friends who have fallen victim to their company's bankruptcy proceedings and have lost pensions and benefits and for some, ultimately their jobs.

Next time you want to flame someone, get the facts first and type later not the other way around. Passing judgement should be left to the experts and you nor I qualify as such.

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2008 Four Winns V358 (T 6.2L Merc Bravo III's with DTS and SeaCore)
2006 Sea Ray 340DA
2006 Sea Ray 320DA
2005 Maxum 3100 SE

Brenden you are correct, the repairs centered around my ground issues that were well documented from last season. Also some further issues with the shower sump and leaky toilet. All items were not from wear and tear but rather from improper installation or manufacturer's defects in quality and or workmanship and have been discussed at length in the forum V 348/358.

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2008 Four Winns V358 (T 6.2L Merc Bravo III's with DTS and SeaCore)
2006 Sea Ray 340DA
2006 Sea Ray 320DA
2005 Maxum 3100 SE

Sorry your wheaties left a bad taste in your mouth this morning. If I was to actually flame you , you would be toast by now.
You did not provide any facts , until after my comments were posted. I passed no judgment, nor claimed any expertise. I have not followed the V348/V358 thread, and that I will take a beating for.

Your frustrations are obvious, and I can understand why. You are entitled to post your experience for all to see, as I am entitled to post my thoughts as well. Like you say, that is what a forum like this is for, in general.

I hope you can get this issue resolved in timely manner with Four Winns. But it seems you have more of an issue with the dealer than the company itself. As the dealer is ultimately the one that needs to go to bat for you. Whichever one it might be.

Good Luck to you.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Cap'n you depict an obvious bias with your bread 'n butter being tied boating industry. Understandable. Put yourself in our shoes. No offense but you have an 00 268... nowhere NEAR the amount of coin some of us have laid out. That and separate yourself from the boating industry and BLs comments would come off as subtle. I would be way worse. I would have no problem driving to cadillac to get in someones face if it came to it. Hope it doesn't have to happen.

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V475
Chris Craft Catalina 23 w/ 300 G2
Previously-V338, 248 Vista, H210

Understood. I apologize for my "biased" comments. My company just came out of Chapt 11.
I have to deal with these type issues daily, and it is not fun. But nonetheless, part of my job. The FW staff is doing the best they can with the limited staff they have, and I can sympathize with them, as I am in the same boat so to say. To imply that the employees of Four Winns and the company itself does not care, is simply not true.

Just stick to your guns with the warranty issues, in time, they will get resolved, as long as the correct documentation was kept, and all claims meet the warranty terms and conditions.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Not sure what your definition of a fact or a judgement is but you should re-read my post and your reply. Mine was filled with facts like how much I spent out of pocket, who I had prior authorization from, whom I have spoken with at FW, and so on.

The tone of your reply sounded like you were judging my post as a case of sour grapes and you judged it inappropriate to name names of FW employees, which I did not do. I named a former employee and omitted the name of the current employee. Aside from that, FW employees have been mentioned by name on this forum before.

Suggestion: keep quite and let everyone think you're a fool, rather than typing away and removing all doubt. Don't under estimate anyone by thinking that if you were to flame them, that they would be toast. Again you make judgements. Aside from showing no compassion for anyone elses situation, you don't need to insult people on top of it all.

Three posters on this site know me personally (real time) and I would venture to say that they would agree that I'm a decent, nice guy. I would also venture a guess that I am "Flame retardant" so give it your best shot if you think that's what you need to do.

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2008 Four Winns V358 (T 6.2L Merc Bravo III's with DTS and SeaCore)
2006 Sea Ray 340DA
2006 Sea Ray 320DA
2005 Maxum 3100 SE

I had some warranty work done in August on my stereo, granted low $$, but still handled. I am currently waiting (only about two weeks) for authorization to replace the axles on my trailer (they are bent and wreaking havoc on my tires). I expect authorization by late this week early next, but I'll let everyone know.

Greg

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08 H240 5.7 GXi/DP/Volvo Penta
08 F150 Supercrew Lariat