Poor customer service or take it or leave it

[Perfect Drift]

Recent emails requesting customer service information on my pontoon boat. Guess these guys are looking for repeat customers, NOT !
*****
I bought a ODC 816 Pontoon Boat from Cabelas last year, we took it salmon fishing in saltwater and every piece of metal is now rusted. The oar locks, all of the D rings, HELP Thanks
*******
Creek Company <creekco@springsips.com> wrote:
I don't know what to say, saltwater will rust those parts.
**********
From:
To: Creek Company <info@creekcompany.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2002 6:47 PM
Subject: Re: Information Request

Shall I return it to Cabelas for a replacement? It seems to me that since it is a boat and boats are used in water and water rusts metal that better quality parts should be used.
I am pretty disappointed in the quality of the metal parts. What would you suggest?
***********
From: "Creek Company" <creekco@springsips.com> | This is Spam | Add to Address Book
To:
Subject: Re: Information Request
Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 09:56:03 -0600

I am sorry that you are dissapointed in our product, however we did not
design any of our boats to be used in saltwater, and therefore we do
not use stainless steel and brass for the metal fittings. You say that boats are to
be used in water and water rusts metal, but to us there is a big, big
difference between what type of water they are to be used in. Moving water,
still water, saltwater, freshwater. They all require different
considerations and different materials in their construction. Saltwater
corrodes and destroys metal at a rate many, many, many times faster than
freshwater and requires different types of materials and maintenece.
Should you return your boat to Cabela's? That will have to be your decision.
If you do and you decide to order a replacement boat I would suggest that you
investigate the types of materials used in the constrcution of the boat to
ensure they meet the standards you are looking for based on what you will be
using the boat for and where you will be using it.

[Grant Scheele]

I think that you got a great reply. What did you wish them to say?

[ 08-02-2002, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: O.Mykiss ]

[Keta]

:depressed: You should have washed the saltwater off. :depressed:

[k9jeff]

WD-40

[STGRule]

Actually, the last sentence makes a bunch of sense. Unless it is too late :depressed:

[ 08-02-2002, 09:22 PM: Message edited by: STGRule ]

[Deleted User]

Seemed reasonable to me... :whazzup:

[Perfect Drift]

Two days fishing at Hoodsport. That equals maybe 8-10 hours on the water. My fishin buddy and I bought them together. We rinsed them with fresh water after each use. I've reread the instruction and now where does it say' do not use in saltwater'. Both boats, every piece of metal is coated in rust. What was chrome is now red rust. At the motel there were many pontoon boats of different makes and models, we didn't see rusted parts on them. Disappointing to purchase what we thought was quality equipment and after several uses have all of the metal parts rust.

[Rodbender]

Kaus I don't want to be seen as 'piling on' but the other Guys are right-you got a decent response.

Live and learn my-Saltwater is no-one's friend.

[John]

Are pontoon boats designed for salt water? I guess not. If the frame is made of steel then I would not be suprised that it rusted. I wash my sled with soap and scrub it as soon as it comes out of salt water. Maybe next time powder coat the frame if it is going to be used in salt water.

[BigBeanCounter]

Kaus,

Did you point out to them that there was no disclaimer that their product was not designed to be used in saltwater? If you deal with Cabelas (sounds like the manufacturer doesn't give a rip), make sure they know you won't consider buying from them again unless they deal with you honorably. Cabelas supposedly has a good rep for customer relations.

Good luck, sounds like an uphill battle!!

graemlins/icon_argue.gif