mmiller wrote:
Remember that dealers are private businesses and not "Hobie" owned. They are not obligated to provide free warranty service or parts on the spot. ...
Dealers are a bit sensitive to discounted internet or out-of-the-area sales that then bring warranty service to their door....
This is a good point that some people forget. There are good and bad dealers, but sometimes shopping for the best price on the boat can end up costing you when it comes time to get warranty work done. It's never fun to need to travel further then necessary to get warranty work done because your local dealer, for whatever reason, isn't willing to help you as quickly as he would help someone who has purchased the boat from them.
I think every dealer should do whatever they can to earn your business, but sometimes your local dealer can't compete on price every time. My dealer seems to regularly give the customers that they know, better service then the ones they don't know (I've seen this happen, where a longtime customer was put ahead on the list over a customer that they didn't know... and they privately admitted it to me)... I don't agree with it, but having spent some time getting to know them, it has ended up working to my benefit when I needed some minor things done.