Marine Supply, the Boating Center — Attraction in Winter Haven

My family bought a boat from here right at a year ago. Richard whom I gather is the owner was our salesman. He kept raving about the boat and how it had a brand new motor in it. I went out on the lake with him and we rode around and he showed me everything. I took my wife and kids out the next day, it was great! The next weekend we got to the ramp got it in the water and it would not start. Called them and Richard assured me they would make it right. They had to replace the starter. The very next time we took the boat out, no start. Richard again assured me they would make it right. And that they had to replace the fuel pump. Fast forward... a year. We decide to sell the boat and asked if they would consign. We were instructed to call and see how much we would get back on the $3600 dollar extended warranty we purchased to know where to price the boat. This is when we find out the “making it right” was merely them turning it into the warranty company. So the warranty company says they made 2 claims on the boat right after purchase and I would not be getting that money back. I became heated. I bought a boat with a new motor... it needs a starter and fuel pump. They turn it in to the warranty company in essence I just paid for all the repairs. So I call and speak to “Brother” he gets back to me almost a week later to inform me the only thing they can do is consign the boat at a extremely discounted price. We will consign the boat for $500 dollars. I asked how much is normal consignment, about $2500 he responds. I’m not going to lie, I’m new to consigning stuff. But it sounds really expensive for a 12k boat to pay $2500 for consignment. So I call 3 other local dealerships and they all say we charge 10%. Ok, so now, not only did you screw me with selling me a faulty boat. Cost me the warranty money by turning in the repairs on a “ BRAND NEW” motor on a boat I just purchased from you. But they have the nerve to call and lie to me about the cost of consigning a boat. I do not recommend the company, I will never do business with them again. And I along with everyone in my family will let anyone we know in the market for a boat to stay away from Marine Supply. Do yourself a favor and purchase...

So before I explain these 2 stars I want all the readers to fully understand I am not in any way upset that these guys are really busy and could not get to my boat on schedule. I am upset/disappointed that that repeatedly kept me in the dark as to how busy they were without the common, professional courtesy of a phone call. So, my buddy bought a boat out of state and sent it to me. He had no knowledge as to the history or condition of the 2012 Evinrude Etec. I heard these folks did good work so I decided to give them a shot even though I had read some mixed reviews most seemed positive. Up until then I took all my outboard work to Sarasota. They scheduled me almost 2 weeks after my initial phone call so I knew they were busy. They set my appt for a Mond. Upon checking in they told me he would get back with me by the end of the week. They were checking in another 3 or so boats when I was there. No problem. 2:30 Frid rolls around and no call. I call and leave a msg as to the status of the Grady. I call again at 4:30ish and finally get someone. He says they are backed up and they have not gotten to it but he would definitely get back to me by Tues. Tues 3:30 rolls around and no call. I call and leave a message. I call again on Weds and get mike again. Same story as last week. I expressed my frustration about being misled and not communicated with and told them I would pick up the boat the following day. His response… Ok Ill have it ready for you. No apology or anything. The only reason I didn’t give them 1 star is because I am confident they probably do good work when they get around to it. I truthfully believe these folks feel like they have a corner on the market and don’t mind a few slipping thru the cracks. Their plenty busy and over book so to lose a few here and there is really no big deal. I did find out later they were down a mechanic but they knew that when they over booked. Word of advice, simply do what you say you’re going to do. If you can’t at least give customers the professional courtesy of a follow up call. It doesn’t take that much time at the end of each day to pick up the...

Prior to this experience, I would of given 5 stars. I bought a $12,000 boat from here so I'm not new to the store. I went in last week to just look around and decided I wanted to get a pair of Costa's. A lady named Trish or Trisha checked to make sure the pair I wanted was in stock, in which she did. So I paid the $300.00 and was told they would be in Friday at the latest. Well Friday rolls around & My boyfriend went up there to see about them & was told to check back Monday. So Monday comes around & a call is made to the store but was told we would get a call in a few. The call never came so he goes to the store to see about them & naturally is given " I can't find them, I don't know where they are, We don't have an invoice on them." They told him they would call him later that day to let him know & well that call never came around again. So Tuesday approaches & he goes up there to see about them and not once did he actually get an answer as to where the glasses were. Needless to say, we got refunded the money but never received an apology or condolence for the experience. I may not make a huge impact on your business because I'm just one person but keep in mind word of mouth travels fast. The ironic part to this is that Trish(a) told me when I went to order the glasses to "shop local" to keep the money local but with this experience & service I'll take my money to someone who can give an answer to there whereabouts of a...