Ulterra spot lock upgrade available

[lperry]

Just got off the phone with Minn Kota customer service and the lady tells me there is an upgrade available for the Ulterra that will make the spot lock hold much closer to the "spot" when you lock it in. Its only $500. Wow Mine is only about 9 months old-what a rip! A $500 up-grade to make it do what it was supposed to do when it came out. I was told it would hold to a 5 ft. radius and I would be very happy with mine if it would do that!

[ntslam]

Beats the hell out a having to buy a new motor

[BigMouth]

This is bullshit, not what you're saying but the BS MK is putting its customers through. I called a weeks ago and MK said they would not offer an upgrade. BoilermakerRT178 contacted me shortly after he read a similar rant of mine in a different thread to say they would sell an upgrade for $800.

Monday morning I called to order mine, cost $800, but it would not be warranteed, returned, exchanged, or replaced. Why? She explained that it wasn't in a full accessory upgrade kit as of yet. So I asked when the offical kit would be availabe, didn't want to spend $800 for something that didn't have a warranty or could be replace. About a year she said. Got off the phone and called my local Minn Kota Authorized Service Center, he confirmed that they would be covered under warranty but they were out of stock.



Got a PM yesterday from boilermaker which said the part was simply a controlhead, loosen some screws, take the old one off put the upgrade on and tighten screws.

This is bullshit!

BULLSHIT, I say!

Thank you for reading my rant.

[Jonestrollingmotor]

You are not buying a kit to upgrade, but instead are purchasing the "parts" used in the newer style. It just happens that these parts will retro fit. Electrical parts sold over the counter do not carry a warranty per MinnKota's warranty statement. Parts installed by an authorized service center carry a 90 day warranty, this is per MinnKota's warranty also.

[BigMouth]

I can only go by what they tell me or leave out. So why the BS about an "authorized" kit? I know boilermaker wont be two happy about a $300 price difference in less than a week. That BS must be in some fineprint disclaimer somewhere?

[BigMouth]

Just got off the phone with Minn Kota customer service and the lady tells me there is an upgrade available for the Ulterra that will make the spot lock hold much closer to the "spot" when you lock it in. Its only $500. Wow Mine is only about 9 months old-what a rip! A $500 up-grade to make it do what it was supposed to do when it came out. I was told it would hold to a 5 ft. radius and I would be very happy with mine if it would do that!

Forgot to ask for the part # you used to order upgrade. Thanks

[ntslam]

I can only go by what they tell me or leave out. So why the BS about an "authorized" kit? I know boilermaker wont be two happy about a $300 price difference in less than a week. That BS must be in some fineprint disclaimer somewhere?

Then 800 is for the I pilot link, I believe the 500 is for the regular I pilot.... which is about the same price as the legacy accessory parts

[BigMouth]

Then 800 is for the I pilot link, I believe the 500 is for the regular I pilot.... which is about the same price as the legacy accessory parts

What! I do want the Link. Damnit, I am not editing my post again!

[Jonestrollingmotor]

It's not a fine print disclosure. You're buying a "part" to self install. You're also purchasing a "part" that wasn't intended for that motor. It "happens" that the part will retro fit to that motor, but it wasn't made for that trollingmotor. If you want to know about the "fineprint disclaimer", it is covered the warranty statement as such:

This limited warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, blemishes that do not affect the operation of the product, or damage caused by accidents, abuse, alteration, modification, shipping damages, acts of God, negligence of the user or misuse, improper or insufficient care or maintenance.

This warranty statement is for everyone to read -- not hidden -- at
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Suppor...olling-Motors/

[BigMouth]

Why is MK selling me a part not intended for my motor? They are the ones that established a part # for it. Also, I don't see anything mentioning parts sold over-the-counter or self-installed. Using a part that MK is making for that product is not a alteration or modification. Must be extra-fine print, keep looking.

[Jonestrollingmotor]

Why is MK selling me a part not intended for my motor? That would be something to ask MinnKota. When I sell the parts, I sell the ones for that motor, or I tell the customer that it is a part that will retro fit, but not intended for that motor. They are the ones that established a part # for it. They establish a part number for every part, however, I would say you cannot look on a parts diagram for your motor and find that part number. Also, I don't see anything mentioning parts sold over-the-counter or self-installed. Using a part that MK is making for that product is not a alteration or modification. MinnKota did not make the part we are discussing "for that product". They made the part for the 2017 (in this case) motor. That makes it a modification of your motor (and could possibly void any existing warranty on your current motor) Must be extra-fine print, keep looking.

I answered some of the comments in bold in the quote above

Not seeing the over the counter/self installed in that warranty statement. I do know that as an ASC, we cannot warranty electrical parts sold over the counter. That is in our "contract" or warranty procedure. In our case, all of our receipts state that part of the warranty statement and customers are informed before purchasing. Not sure what procedure that "MinnKota" follows, but obvously someone informed someone that warranty on parts sold over the counter didn't exist (the way I read a post from above).

[BigMouth]

I answered some of the comments in bold in the quote above

Not seeing the over the counter/self installed in that warranty statement. I do know that as an ASC, we cannot warranty electrical parts sold over the counter. That is in our "contract" or warranty procedure. In our case, all of our receipts state that part of the warranty statement and customers are informed before purchasing. Not sure what procedure that "MinnKota" follows, but obvously someone informed someone that warranty on parts sold over the counter didn't exist (the way I read a post from above).

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Agree with most everything you said but would like that kind of straight explaination directly from MK. For the price they are charging and what I can sell my present TM for I think I'll just buy new.

[champfever193]

Not to really high jack the treads main point but if he purchased the TM 9 months ago how do you know you get the newer up-graded units rather than a older model that needs to be upgraded for accuracy. Are there different skews but same model still floating around? I've noticed on cabelas they sell terrova for 1299 sale and the new ones stated for more or retail list price. Must be old/new models still being cleared out? Hate to get caught up in a warranty snafu; technology seems to be changing every six months like cell phones. Maybe MK Lowrance Garmin etc... can do a lease to own price for some of us not so loose with cash?

[ntslam]

Look for the newer style remotes and the blue tooth capabilities are the obvious differences.

[BoilermakerRT178]

Because this is so new there might be some confusion. I read all of the warranties. It says nothing about installation must be done by an authorized service dealer. Here it is in its entirety. And by the way, this kit I would assume is considered a modification that fits within the suitability of the intended design.

Below is the warranty for minn Kota accessories . Their ipilot link conversion kits are all located under accessories on their web page so I assume this would be treated as an accessory just like those. I assume this one is just too new for it to appear. Furthermore The sticker on the bag says ulterra motor "kit". I did not request to purchase all of the parts individually. I called about a kit and they had a stock number for it and a price assigned that is equal to all other of their i pilot link kits....further indicating the intention to sell as an accessory kit.

All the ipilot kits kits come with instructions on how to install. There is no verbiage in the instructions that state "installation by anyone that is not an authorized service dealer will void your warranty".

If I was piecing something together on my own and modding it up then I can understand a non coverage issue here. But by the way they have sold this to me and answered my questions after multiple calls to their service center about this, it is intended to be an accessory and supported as such.

Hope this helps!

• Minn Kota Limited One-Year Warranty on the Entire Product
  
  
  Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. (“JOME”) extends the following limited warranty to the original retail purchaser only. Warranty coverage is not transferable.
  
  Minn Kota Limited One-Year Warranty on the Entire Product
  JOME warrants to the original retail purchaser only that the purchaser’s new Minn Kota accessory will be materially free from defects in materials and workmanship appearing within one (1) year after the date of purchase. JOME will (at its option) either repair or replace, free of charge, any parts found by JOME to be defective during the term of this warranty. Such repair, or replacement shall be the sole and exclusive liability of JOME and the sole and exclusive remedy of the purchaser for breach of this warranty.
  
  EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS
  This limited warranty does not apply to products that have been used commercially or for rental purposes. This limited warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, blemishes that do not affect the operation of the product, or damage caused by accidents, abuse, alteration, modification, shipping damages, acts of God, negligence of the user or misuse, improper or insufficient care or maintenance. DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE USE OF OTHER REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT MEETING THE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS OF THE ORIGINAL PARTS WILL NOT BE COVERED BY THIS LIMITED WARRANTY. The cost of normal maintenance or replacement parts which are not in breach of the limited warranty are the responsibility of the purchaser. Prior to using products, the purchaser shall determine the suitability of the products for the intended use and assumes all related risk and liability. Any assistance JOME provides to or procures for the purchaser outside the terms, limitations or exclusions of this limited warranty will not constitute a waiver of the terms, limitations or exclusions, nor will such assistance extend or revive the warranty. JOME will not reimburse the purchaser for any expenses incurred by the purchaser in repairing, correcting or replacing any defective products or parts, except those incurred with JOME’s prior written permission. JOME'S AGGREGATE LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO COVERED PRODUCTS IS LIMITED TO AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE PURCHASER'S ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE PAID FOR SUCH PRODUCT.
  
  HOW TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE
  To obtain warranty service in the U.S., the product believed to be defective, and proof of original purchase (including the date of purchase), must be presented to a Minn Kota Authorized Service Center or to Minn Kota’s factory service center in Mankato, MN. any charges incurred for service calls, transportation or shipping/freight to/from the Minn Kota Authorized Service Center or factory, labor to haul out, remove, re-install or re-rig products removed for warranty service, or any other similar items are the sole and exclusive responsibility of the purchaser. Products purchased outside of the U.S. must be returned prepaid with proof of purchase (including the date of purchase and serial number) to any Authorized Minn Kota Service Center in the country of purchase. Warranty service can be arranged by contacting a Minn Kota Authorized Service Center or by contacting the factory at 1-800-227-6433 or email service@minnkotamotors.com. Products repaired or replaced will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period [or for 90 days from the date of repair or replacement, whichever is longer]. For any product that is returned for warranty service that JOME finds to be not covered by or not in breach of this limited warranty, there will be a billing for services rendered at the prevailing posted labor rate and for a minimum of at least one hour.
  
  NOTE: Do not return your Minn Kota product to your retailer. Your retailer is not authorized to repair or replace products.
  THERE ARE NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES OTHER THAN THESE LIMITED WARRANTIES. IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EXTEND BEYOND THE DURATION OF THE RELEVANT EXPRESS LIMITED WARRANTY. IN NO EVENT SHALL JOME BE LIABLE FOR PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES. Without limiting the foregoing, JOME assumes no responsibility for loss of use of product, loss of time, inconvenience or other damage.
  HOW DOES STATE LAW APPLY? Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and/or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other legal rights which vary from state to state.
  
  

[BigMouth]

Boilermaker update us please on how well spot-lock works.

[BoilermakerRT178]

Might be waiting a bit. Hard water around me right now!

[BigMouth]

[Ohio Archer]

Might be waiting a bit. Hard water around me right now!

Not taking anything away from this thread but this had me chuckling...

[Trytoofish]

interesting!