A Marine Dealer

Has anyone on this board had any dealings with Dan’s Southside Marine in Bloomington. I am curious to hear what you all might have to say. I have been less than satisfied with them. It could be just me.

No, but on a positive side… I have had great success with LaCanne’s Marine in Faribault, MN . You might wish to give them a try. Hawger

I whole heartily agree with Hawger!!!!! The crew at LaCannes is top notch in my book.

~~~~~alkfish

Do yourself a favor. Get in touch with Destry Foyte at La Cannes Marine. 507-334-6415. La Cannes Marine Website

Better yet, drive down there and tell Destry youre an FTR visitor.

Steve Hougom – FTR Webstaff

Ditto

Hey if you want the best price and the best quality go to Smittys Marine in lake city he’ll take care of you.

Nate

Lacannes is were you go when you have questions or problems nobody else can solve…. far too many examples to list here but I’m sure you’ll hear loud and clear from others that Destry Foyte at Lacannes Marine is the best salesman at the best dealership in the area.

I’ve had dealings with both dealerships in Lake City, both dealerships in Rochester…. and I’ve shopped a bunch more. Most run competent, solid businesses but once you’ve bought a boat or motor through Lacannes… that’s it…. you’ll never deal with another dealership again.

James Holst

Moving Waters Guide Service

http://www.movingwaters.net

I hate to rain on the LaCannes lovefest, but my worst experience ever with a marine dealer was with LaCannes. I bought a 9.9 Mercury 4stroke kicker from them a couple of years ago. They delivered it with a cracked cowling. They had to have seen the damage but didn’t mention it. I pointed it out and they said they would order a replacement and that it would be a couple of weeks. A month later they hadn’t ordered it yet. I finally received the new cowling 8-10 weeks after they said I would have it. No stickers. They ordered the stickers and said they’d call when they were in. They never called. I drove down there a few weeks later. The stickers had come in weeks earlier and were laying in the Parts area unopened. No one had bothered to check them out. The parts guy had a bad back and no one took over. I asked them to put the stickers on the cowling (I would have messed it up for sure) and they looked at me like I was crazy but said they would send it out to be done. That took another 2-3 weeks. Overall, they had a very uncaring attitude. I know I didn’t buy a boat, but it was still a $2,200 motor. I wouldn’t buy a quart of oil from them. In my experience, poor service like that comes from the top down. Maybe my experience with them wasn’t the norm. Maybe.

QS,

I have not dealt with Southside Marine. I am on the LaCannes Bandwagon however…. Purchased a rig this year and have no complaints.

Just curious as to what problems you are having? Bad service or not happy with what you purchased. Are you having a warranty problem?

If it’s bad service, follow up each request with a letter or e-mail. Be specific about your expectations. “As soon as you can” may mean tomorrow to you and next week to a sales manager! If it’s a problem with the boat or motor in for warranty work, the dealer may be getting the run around from the manufacturer. Sometimes it is out of their hands.

J.

I bought a great product…Suzuki 115 and Alumacraft 18 footer. After I bought the boat there was big recall and they told me it would need a 20 hr check. They never told me there was a $ 116 charge for the 20 hour check. Guess what its not mandatory….then when I wanted to speak to the service mgr about some operational questions he was very rude acted like my questins were stupid. He wasn’t at all busy..apparently it was close to his lunch time. I just wanted to know about the winterization process on a 4 stroke, this was my first. Then they tried to overcharge me for some add-on equipment that I had paid for months ago…..keep ur receipts. Once they get your money courtesy goes out the window

Quicksilver, That courtesy thing can go a long way to make a bad situation better. In 98 I bought a new Lund/Merc rig from Starks in Prairie du Chien. The first 3 times I had it out I had motor problems. Nothing that left me stranded but still frustrating to say the least. the people at Starks coulnd’t have been better. The service manager was courteous and concerned each time, I felt that their attitude was it’s our problem too, not just yours. They even hooed/ unhooked the rig each time, all I did was pull on the lot with a sad face. You never know about a dealer untill you have a problem, but how they treat you then tells you what kind of bussiness people they are……B

Starks was also fantastic with me when I bought just an older used motor from them. They helped with a number of minor problems with it and I couldn’t be more pleased. I’ll definitely be looking to them when the time comes for my first new boat purchase.

I will also say that Starks is a great place to buy a new boat, and they also have a great service department. That will fix your motor on a Saturday night at 6 or 7 o clock. When i buy a new boat it will be from Starks.

Hey Quicksilver

was just wondering what they all did for there 20 hr check up there is no way that should cost $116 I know for my two stroke motor its only like $10 and thats just for the grease everything else was free to me it sounds like they just like to screw around with people. to me they sound like they just like to run around instead of running a business. hope you have better luck next time you buy a new rig.

Nate

I’ve have dealt with Stark’s on 2 new rigs and been very happy with them. The minor problems I’ve had with the boats and motors they have dealt with them very quickly. I will deal with them again.

To be frank and honest with you,before you bye anything new from starks,Make sure it is the new model,they will tell you its the new model,but double check.I found out differently from the alumincraft web site.They tried to sell a new boat that was actually over 1year old.They did fix the problem.

I have’nt had that problem, the serial numbers have always matched the registrations and titles and were the correct years. But that is something to watch for. Thanks

[censored] man starks is the most reputible, place to buy a boat (fishing boat) in the 3 state area…… Iowa, minn. wisconsin…… I hear story after story about how starks has great customer service……

Walleye Boys….the 20 hr check on a four stroke, according to them, is an adjustment to the valves. I called Suzuki and they stuck up for their guy but they didn’t say it was mandatory just suggested. Maybe I’m put of line but no nre motor 3 months old should require $116 bucks worth of work.

You didn’t rain on anyones parade Dirk, Sorry you didn’t have good luck, unfortunetly you didn’t deal with me and I didn’t get invovled until the end to get your decals done. I would never say we are perfect as your coments would let everyone Know but if there is anything I can do in the future to make it up to you let me know, No ones perfect and I accept the responibility, but its also hard to make it right when i didn’t find out until this post you aren’t happy with us. Again Sorry and hope you will give me a try sometime to make it right. Destry

Having my boat serviced at Dan’s Southside Marine was the worst experience I have ever had with any other business boats, cars, any business – whatever!!! I have never been more frustrated about service in my life, Dealing with them stole alot of my energy for 6 weeks, because it was always nagging me the way events worked out!!!

for starters I paid them $1,400.00 and left with my once working motor, now in a box! and I’m no push over, ( looks like I am though)

I’ll be writing a big story about it.

Turk