We have had similar experiences to other posters. We have worked with Boater's Dream
for many years. The last 3-4 years has been very disappointing with increasingly
terrible communication, unacceptable service/repair work, no follow through on
warranty work, broken promises, and unacceptable care of boat/motors left in their
care for winterization and storage.
Our Merc Cruiser engine was totally overhauled by Brandon at a cost of several
thousand dollars. Since getting it back a year ago, it has not run and despite it
being under warranty our experience has been that Brandon/owner has not returned
calls or provided essential warranty service.
In 2014 after getting the boat back from the overhaul it ran 20 minutes before oil
leaked into the bilge and the oil alarm was going off. This should have been covered
by warranty; we tried to contact Brandon for almost 2 months with no return calls.
Finally we brought the boat to the shop. After 2 months of the boat being in the
shop, we called and asked that the boat be winterized, stored and repaired over the
winter. In the spring of 2015 we were told the boat was still not ready. After
numerous unsuccessful calls to the shop and Brandon we went to the shop and were
told it would be ready in a week. The boat was finally returned three weeks later.
We launched the boat and with in 3 minutes the engine started to overheat. We then
called Brandon and left a message that the boat was not working, he did return a
call saying he would be out in the next week to complete repairs.
Despite numerous calls, we have never heard back from Brandon. After a month of
waiting we realized Brandon had no intent to repair the engine and thus we took it
to another Marine dealer. The first thing they told us was that the engine had not
been winterized and as a result the heat exchanger had collapsed. This was a $1200
repair. Next we learned that due to lack of winterizing that the block was cracked.
An estimated $5-6000 repair. Had Boaters Dream appropriately winterized and stored
our boat, this expensive repair could have been avoided.
We have in good faith requested that Boater Dream reimburse us for the original cost
of the engine overhaul since it has not run since the overhaul was completed. We
have also requested that we be reimbursed for the cost of current repairs and
projected costs for the new engine required. As one may expect, we have not heard a
word from Brandon at Boater's Dream regarding this.
Please let this be a warning to those of you currently working with Boater's Dream
or thinking about doing so. Should Brandon take a responsible approach to dealing
with our issues, I will be glad to repost and report this.
Look elsewhere for services! read more