Phoenix Dealer Issues

[Cpt Kirk 819]

I ordered my first Phoenix on January 6 of this year-due to production delays it is not due to complete until March 31. My dealer however has lied throughout the entire process, they have been caught in a lie twice, and have not even remotely owned it or apologized. I had to call the plant myself to get a straight answer. The last time I called my dealer the guy was dropping F bombs and was pretty hostile-even throwing Phoenix under the bus.

For a 70k dollar investment that I am driving over 2 hours to go get (I know that may not seem far, I’ve seen people travel further) I would expect a little better customer service.

Has anyone had a similar experience, does Phoenix care about how their dealers are representing their brand? At this point I have already paid my 3,000 dollars to order the boat and it is non refundable-so I am kind of stuck with these jokers. I was just curious if anyone else has dealt with this and how they handled the situation or if Phoenix intervened.

[JordanC]

Wow, great first post. Unfortunately non of us have any skin in this game. Your inquiry should be directed towards your dealer and Phoenix directly. Call them and schedule a 3 way call or start sending emails copying everyone. This is your issue to contend with. Good luck

[dramabeats]

I mean I ordered mine January 1st and I was told 6-8 weeks

Boat is still not done. Just waiting patiently. I figured they got backed up.

[NCSURodney]

I believe it's probably seats (upholstery) or things from suppliers they are waiting on..

[davidsa]

Have not experienced in my two boats. The first was roughly 14 weeks to delivery in 2014, the second roughly 11 or 12 weeks. In both cases not an exact science on delivery date nor did the dealer make an exact promise; they set a range of 8 to 12 weeks as typical. But from my experience, 12 weeks is average.

Seems to me the only thing different in your case is the dealer set an expectation that they should not have. If you take delivery Monday, it appears to me you have beaten the average during peak demand season.

p.s. also, once the dealer receives it takes 2 to 5 days to get it rigged as my dealer is backed up and getting lots of boats in daily. My dealer does not take it out and test the boat. Expect a few minor issues. I recommend going local the first few trips. My dealer had my boat to fix the issues for about 2 weeks; again they are very busy and I'm not the only customer.

[dramabeats]

My dealer has been great so far. Sold previous boat on consignment for free while I wait on the 819. Answers questions in a timely manner, was patient with me while I picked colors in the showroom past closing time.

[alli ss]

Im wondering if others have had the same experience with your dealer? Maybe theres a pattern here. If so they wont be around long. If youve had this kind of experience id recommend just getting your boat when its done and take it elsewhere to get everything put on.

[Cpt Kirk 819]

Oh yea I am literally picking it up and leaving.

[davidsa]

i wonder if your dealer just started selling birds? or, did they think that you would not order unless the stretched the truth on average delivery times.

on my last boat, I was getting nervous about delivery so I pressed my dealer a bit. They called Phoenix. Then the boat showed up a few days early vs what the dealer was told. Just seems to me that some natural play in the supply chain exists; certainly not as clear as tracking delivery of an only purchase.

the types of minor fixes on my boat required my dealer. One was a leaking live well drain. Unless you have another dealer or are very boat repair experienced, I would not kill the relationship. Dealer support is critical to me.

[duncankopprichardson]

I bought one boat from near LOZ and one from CT, both dealers were great.

[OH_Ranger]

My 721 is slated for mid April. I hope it is so I don't have to miss any prime fishing season. I ordered mid February.

[fishin couillon]

In the end there are great, good and shitty dealers out there.....you would think that selling a product and customer service would be top of the list from them but some just dont care.......i bought mine used from an individual but had bought my Skeeter from a local dealer many years ago, the service was shitty.....needless to say, i brought my boat to another dealer in town to do my service.....good thing, i didnt need any SKeeter warranty work.....

As you mentioned, when it gets in, let them rig it out and pick it up.......no matter what you say, ask, they will always have that attitude.....

You will enjoy the boat more than the dealer....

[Triton19x2]

In the end there are great, good and shitty dealers out there.....you would think that selling a product and customer service would be top of the list from them but some just dont care.......i bought mine used from an individual but had bought my Skeeter from a local dealer many years ago, the service was shitty.....needless to say, i brought my boat to another dealer in town to do my service.....good thing, i didnt need any SKeeter warranty work.....

As you mentioned, when it gets in, let them rig it out and pick it up.......no matter what you say, ask, they will always have that attitude.....

You will enjoy the boat more than the dealer....

^^^^^^This^^^^^^
My salesman got fired not long after I picked up my boat and after that nobody there seemed to know me or really care that much. I only went to them for any Phoenix issues after that and got my motor serviced at a local Mercury dealer that I trust.
Enjoy the boat

[born 2 fish]

That sucks you experienced that I take it there were no signs of this when you bought your boat? I’m extremely surprised that nobody from Phoenix has gotten back to you I’ve never experienced that with the few times I’ve called Phoenix directly.
I have a Phoenix dealer 10 minutes away from my house but I ended up driving 2 1/2 hours to another dealership and bought my boat there just because of the service and reputation of the dealership. It’s nice when the owners know your name when you walk in and everyone treats you good. And once you get your boat in the water your going to love it.

[rockmudder]

my friend there lot red flags here and lie is the worst red flag you can every get you need to move on

[Coke]

The few times I have contacted Phoenix customer service, I have gotten a reply back within a couple of hours. Tim and Jason are the best in the business, as far as I'm concerned. When I ordered my boat in 2011, it took 18 weeks to get it, but it's been worth the wait.

[Cpt Kirk 819]

The owner of the dealership did not even know why I was upset when he called to apologize, he said the Phoenix rep just told him that he needed to call me. Said he had meaning to get around to it for 4 or 5 days lol. Additionally this apparently the salesman’s first sale, “he was a really good tech” was what the owner said but nobody helped him through this sales process. They just let him wing it and make stuff up as he went along I guess. I don’t really understand but this has been crazy

[Skincheese]

Not sure why you had to put down a deposit to order a boat. I ordered mine from Malone's Marine and they did not require a deposit. I did have to wait almost 3 months but the dealership has no control over that. They were great to deal with and gave me a much better deal than my local dealership

[JordanC]

What exactly did they lie to you about? And now you have a Phoenix rep telling you they can put you in a Skeeter? This whole thing seems very strange.

[davidsa]

I think you got bad info from the start related to a rookie sales person and/or someone wanting to close a sale. 7 to 9 weeks can happen but is best case. 11-13 is most common. Your getting a very typical delivery time.

My fishing season is mid-Nov to mid-May. I ordered my boat in early July as to ensure it arrived and I would work out the kinks before I took the boat to Florida for the winter. It was late October before I had all the kinks worked out and I was nervous as I thought I'd started way in advance but even 4 months was pushing it. All that is forgotten now and I love my boat. Hoping you can put some missed expectations behind you after delivery, working out kinks, and enjoy your rig.