Snowmobile dealer questionable practice????????

awbrennan

New member
Ok. I need any thoughts on this. I am keeping the names out of this right now as to take the high road. For Christmas my wife bought me a 2011 Snowmobile from a dealer. It was the sled I have wanted for many years and god finally blessed us with the ability to purchase it. we paid premium price for this but thought that buying from a dealer would insure a solid sled and some support in case it wasn't. I couldn't have been more mistaken. At the last second during the purchase we opted to buy a 3 year warranty on the sled (thank god). We drove 4 hours home happy as @#$%. We received our first ridable snow and I couldn't wait to ride. after 6 miles into the first ride the sled seemed to have lost its snap. I changed plugs. It wasn't any better and would not go into reverse when I hit the button, It would only die. driving it back it suddenly died at around 10 mph. got it to start and went home. long story short I took it to a local dealer. they told me that the lower crank seal was blown causing the motor to run lean and causing extensive damage. They explained that in their opinion the damage that happened took longer then 6 miles to occure and there was signs of external damage that might have caused the gasket to go ( I don't know what that was). now I have had the one trip I take a year planned since last year, at this point sled may not be ready. I called the salesman who sold it to me as I still have to pay for a couple hundred $ of parts that aren't covered. He blew smoke up my a$$ and said someone would call me back. I never received a call. I called and talked to the owner he told me that they won't give me a loaner for the trip or anything else. They haven't made one gesture other then acting like I was an inconvenience to them. They said once it went out the door it wasn't their problem and it's a good thing I bought a warranty. I wan't to scream to the world who this is but am not sure what good it will do. Was I screwed?
 

MNBlizzard

New member
Was I screwed?

Sure sounds like it. I know it would of been a pain (4hr drive), but I would have taken it back to the selling dealer for work when you first had problems and definitely would not have fixed it without consulting the selling dealer first. Going back to the selling dealer now is likely a waste of your time, but I'd still send the owner a letter on your disappointment. I'd probably caulk this one up as learning the hard way.

I'd go tell the servicing dealer you need it tomorrow and ask if there is anything can be done to speed up repairs. I know guys that rebuild 800 poo's in 2 hours in a cold trailer.
 

whitedust

Well-known member
Yep if a doo nothing new about blown crank seals & dealer knows it. Doo has block trade-in program with Valcourt & dealer should be telling you best options. If not a doo no idea what poo or Ac would offer.... both of them slow on warranty stuff doo is fast in my experience.
 

soxfan3

Member
You have a 3 year warranty so whatever the language in the warranty says you should be entitled to. Whether it is parts & labor or just parts or whatever it says. There may be some parts that aren't covered, not sure. Loaner - they probably are not responsible to supply you with a loaner sled. Not usually part of a warranty.

Their lack of communication and their attitude toward your purchase from them would seem to be less than desirable. They should at least attempt to help you. Good luck!
 

Banks93

New member
Threaten to contact the BBB on them and make a complaint and maybe they will do something about it.

Sounds like a 2011 Ski Doo and if it had over 3500 miles it should of had that work done to the sled under a recall if it was 800.

If you put only 6 miles on it and it broke I would be returning it and getting a different sled or my money back. You should have some kind of 200-500 mile guarantee on a sled. It means they sold you something they did give the once over or they would of known about it.
 

groomerdriver

New member
So now tell us who the dealer is so that we all can avoid them!

Then anytime anybody Googles the dealer name your post and this thread will come up.

Or see if the dealer has a location on Google Maps or a Facebook page? You should then be able to post what happened to warn others. I have done this with both my positive experiences (Pat's and others) and the negative ones.

A negative BBB report won't do sheet because the dealer will have a chance to refute your bad report. And if they screwed you, they've screwed others so they're probably pretty good at making you look like the bad guy.

If my family got screwed as bad as you did, I wouldn't feel >< bad about shouting their name across the internet.

Just doo it!!!!
 

whitedust

Well-known member
Threaten to contact the BBB on them and make a complaint and maybe they will do something about it.

Sounds like a 2011 Ski Doo and if it had over 3500 miles it should of had that work done to the sled under a recall if it was 800.

If you put only 6 miles on it and it broke I would be returning it and getting a different sled or my money back. You should have some kind of 200-500 mile guarantee on a sled. It means they sold you something they did give the once over or they would of known about it.

As far as a loaner sled for your trip that would have to be part of your warranty no dealer going to do that unless he has a rental fleet & you buy insurance & then dealer would not charge you for rental....charge it up to customer good will... Only way I can think of off top of my head that dealer could do that.

You need to get your details together ,pick your battles then go after dealer & OEM. OEM could contact dealer & ask what is going on since warranty work. Yes a PITA but you need to get things going so make make some phone calls ask for help & follow up action.
 
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GTL

Member
As far as a loaner sled for your trip that would have to be part of your warranty no dealer going to do that unless he has a rental fleet & you buy insurance & then dealer would not charge you for rental....charge it up to customer good will... Only way I can think of off top of my head that dealer could do that.

WRONG,WRONG, WRONG. My dealer will, and has, not only to me but many others as well. I had mine in his shop for some repair and it couldn't get finished in time for a trip I had planned. He told me " take my demo, maybe you'll like it enough to upgrade". Gladly he was right!! when I got home we worked out a trade for a spring order new one! (Thanks Danner Sales)
 

renegade600

Active member
My thought is, if a dealer treats me that way (essentially tough luck Jack).... the gloves come off and his name and business are on Social media... in all actuality it works better than the BBB because it hits their paycheck, and if it is the truth, and you gave them an effort to "make it right", and they don't, then they get what they get.....
 

united

Active member
Take it back. Show them only 12 miles on odometer from paperwork and BROKE. How did you pay? Credit Card services might be able to help somehow. Stop payment on check (probably too late)? Probably not financed, but if it is tell them forget it. Drop off sled, reclaim money, walk away (if possible). I know Christmas present so probably way too late. At least you got the warranty. Good luck.
 

awbrennan

New member
The Dealer is xxxxx. The person representing himself as the owner was Mike. 1 simple gesture of any kind would have prevented this.
 
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sweeperguy

Active member
I've had bad service experiences at two dealers here in the twin cities.
And I have had STELLAR service at two dealers in smaller towns in Michigan, Pat's in Greenland and Chippewa Motors in the Soo. Makes me wonder if the smaller markets have to treat people right, since they have less possible customers. Large city dealers are just out to "make a buck". They will still stay in business if you don't come back.
 

whitedust

Well-known member
As far as a loaner sled for your trip that would have to be part of your warranty no dealer going to do that unless he has a rental fleet & you buy insurance & then dealer would not charge you for rental....charge it up to customer good will... Only way I can think of off top of my head that dealer could do that.

WRONG,WRONG, WRONG. My dealer will, and has, not only to me but many others as well. I had mine in his shop for some repair and it couldn't get finished in time for a trip I had planned. He told me " take my demo, maybe you'll like it enough to upgrade". Gladly he was right!! when I got home we worked out a trade for a spring order new one! (Thanks Danner Sales)

WRONG is harsh don't ya think.... Yes... I should have included demo sleds with rental fleet comments but in reality Dealer can't do much if not insured on a rental or demo sled. Lets say he lens his personal sled & rider runs family off trail on 2up wrecks both sleds & people are injured.....I think you know the answer to that 1 without insurance ...lol... Biz is biz when comes to loaner & dealer has to to have his bases covered or really can't do it.....too risky.
 

awbrennan

New member
A mans true character doesn't show when things are easy. It is revealed when adversity rises. they may make 100 sales and the customer is happy. in this case they didn't man up and do what was right. The salesman was Nick
 

united

Active member
Not too much on YELP but several Google reviews with similar experiences to you. Looks like someone from the dealership answers the reviews on Google reviews.
 

snobuilder

Well-known member
You and I live in the same area if you bought from xxxx.
I'm about 1/2hr south
I have a great 40th anny. Apex I can hook you up with for a great price
Sled is perfect.
Engine will last til infinity.
PM me if interested.
 
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