-
So....
... I'm on Hamby's web-site trying to find a reputable dealer to get pricing on an original install... Just about every dealer I called within 100 miles of my house is either out of business or has no idea what a Hamby's is even though they are listed as an authorized dealer
So I called Hamby's direct and the principle (Roger Sutterfield) picks up the phone... He said the web-site is really not up to date and since the economic downturn a lot of dealers are gone, not full service etc...
But, he put me in touch with a private individual in Morris, IL (about 70-miles south) who he said has been installing Hamby's for 20-years at his shop... Said the dealer he works for does not want to do them anymore - so he gets all the referrals... Said he does better (cleaner) work than found on many $50/K rigs from the factory (Ranger etc.) and this guy could work on Mr. Sutterfield's personal boat anytime...
According to Mr. Sutterfield, the consolidation in Flippin has actually been good for Hamby's because he basically (automatically) got *All* of the brands as a factory install option and business has been hard to keep up with for him & his son... (He said if you call the Hamby's main number it will be either himself or his son who picks up the phone - said if he wasn't debt free he would have difficulty surviving himself)...
Anyway, I feel better now about who is going to install my new Hamby's original (time/weather permitting) and I am happy to support this small independent business owner.... Of course the fact that the original Hamby's on my 16 year-old 181 still looking like new is reason enough to stay with what works
-
Champion Boats Moderator