Island Powersports — Local services in Town of Oyster Bay

Back in early 2019, I had purchased a leftover (still new in box, had not even been assembled yet) 2018 Seadoo. When I purchased the machine, the sales team assured me that in order to keep my Seadoo running strong, flush out the motor for 3 - 5 minutes with fresh water in order to get any salt or contaminants out. After the second flush, a check engine light came on and stayed on, as the exhaust was overheating. I called the dealer to ask about clearing the light, they told me this was an operators error, and would not clear the light for free, as diagnostic tools are not free. This ended up going away after the ski sat for a few days, but this was the beginning of the end. Continuing on, I put 5 hours on this machine, and another issue arose. The throttle was getting stuck, so when you would take fingers off the throttle to halt acceleration, it would get stuck in its last position, and would only get unstuck if you forced it. I brought it back only a few days later, too which they had the mechanic lubricate both the throttle and the throttle cable. I was assured by Mike that if this issue came about again, as long as it was still under warranty they'd replace everything for me. This included the throttle itself, the throttle cable, and anything else that can cause this. I was fine with this answer, signed the paperwork, and left free of charge. I continued to ride the machine, and with only a few more hours being put on it, the throttle began sticking again. When I called the first time (July 2019), I was told by Mike, "I apologize, but our shop is swamped right now. We are currently doing rebuilds on the supercharged motors for the bigger skis, and do not have anymore warranty appointments. Call back around September, and we'll get you right in!" While I wasn't happy to be riding a defective jetski, I did not want to lose my riding season, and rode on. When I called back in September and spoke to Mike, I was told, "We are currently swamped right now. We just started winterizing all of the skis. Call back in December, we'll get you right in!" So, I winterized my ski, changed the oil, and had plans to call back in December. Well, what do you think happened in December when I called? "We're currently swamped right now. We're getting the snow mobiles and other snow accessories ready. Call back right before the season starts, and we'll get you right in!" This continued happening and as recently as just last month (December 2020). When I went to make an appointment, I heard the same story, just this time in person. When I complained, I was told by Mike, "If you are unsatisfied with our service, go somewhere else! Tons of other dealers that'll be happy to serve you." After going back and forth, Mike's manager Dave came in, and finally gave me an appointment for January 4th, 21'. Now, let's fast forward to January 4th. January 4th came, and I dropped my ski off. My ski had a maintenance light on for an oil change (as I do them myself), as well as this prominent throttle issue still. Mike assured me that this will be warranty repairs, and if god forbid they were not, he would call me before any work was done to see if I authorized the charges. January 5th they diagnosed the ski, and did the repair work without calling me. Mike called me January 6th to explain that this was not warranty work, as throttle cables sticking was wear and tear. They were going to charge me $65 to lubricate the throttle cable, and $65 shop minimum to go over the ski and make sure their was no issues with it before clearing the light. After back and forth arguing, they gave me the work for free as a warranty claim. They also tried charging me $50 as I was in my extended warranty period now, no longer regular warranty. What good is a warranty if the people who gave it to you will not honor it? While I can continue on, Yelp will not allow me to anymore. Moral of the story, go to a different dealership, and do not waste your money on any sort of extended warranty with these people! They will not give you an appointment, and not...

I would normally never consider leaving a comment (positive or derogatory) about any business regardless of service however Island Power Sports (IPS) couldn’t have done a worse job with their service that nothing they could reasonably offer could convince me to turn the other cheek.

On 4Jun2019 around 3:30pm I call IPS and talk to their sales rep Travis, he checks his available inventory and assured me that the vehicle that I would like to purchase is in deed in stock and available for pickup. We discuss this vehicle and the features from the color, mileage, reverse feature, power steering option and back rest all the way down to a tire warranty. At this point I am sold, I ask him to run my card to put a hold on the vehicle as I live nearly two hours away and wanted no reason at all of why I did not ride home that evening on my new purchase.

Shortly after I receive a business email from Travis requesting pictures of my photo ID and credit card to run the hold that I requested; photos of which I provided and to which he responded to leaving no doubt of his receipt of my email.

During the roughly 2 hour trip with My Father, 15 month old Son and I, (before traffic between Yonkers, New York and Long Island during evening rush hour) I decided that because we were running later than expected (still with business hours) that I would call Geico and get the new vehicle insured. We agreed on a quote and then decided to finalize with my agent personally calling IPS and requesting a VIN of the vehicle that I was insuring; the employees found the VIN and provided it. At this point I have just insured a vehicle that I was sure to come home with.

We arrive at IPS at 7:42 pm after roughly 4 hours of commute and see the vehicle that I placed a hold on, insured and was ready to purchase in cash sight unseen and felt that all’s well that ends well. I walk to the desk with My Father and Son and ask to finalize my purchase and request to speak to Travis.

“We have no more in stock”, I am told by the manager and woman at the desk. I assure them that I spoke with Travis at least 8 times in a 4 hour span, even offering to purchase the vehicle via debit card so that I can drive off the lot with no negotiation at all.

“There’s nothing we can do, we never processed your hold...there’s one being built tonight but won’t be ready until tomorrow between noon and 5pm but that one is purchased already also” - Manager and Woman at front desk.

At this point honestly I was annoyed but also confused and concerned.

This business requested my credit card information and ID, chose not to use it for the purchase that I requested, provided my insurance agent with a VIN belonging to a vehicle that belongs to somebody else causing me to spend nearly $200.00 to pay the annual premium (was refunded) and cost my Father a day off work. All under the false premise that the vehicle was available.

Best of all, I was willing to buy two of these vehicles from IPS, again no financing. Just waiting on availability.

Long story short, save your time, save your money and save yourself. Go anywhere else maybe spend a few dollars but save the stress...

This dealership is getting better at accommodating DIVERSE customers. My last visit, compared to previous ones, was extremely good. (In previous visits, I didn't get the impression my business was wanted. I went this time, because Can-Am referred me there for information on its pending 2020 models.) I am especially impressed with the Can-Am specialist Greg Kelly. I am in the market for a Spyder RT and he was VERY, VERY GOOD with assisting me.

UPDATED REVIEW (The first review was 7 Months ago) I purchased my 2020 Spyder Can Am RT from Island this past Wednesday, 5/13/2020. I had been visiting this dealership on and off literally for the last 3 years. My first experiences were not great. But within the last 6-8 months this dealership has drastically improved. Because of the excellent consumer-first attitude exhibited by Greg Kelly, I decided to make my purchase with Island. When I was ready to make my purchase, Greg was unavailable due to COVID-19. I reached out to Greg and he encouraged me to still do business with Island even though he was not there (that is real integrity - a person not motivated by their own wallet). So I did as Greg suggested and made contact with the dealership, eventually reaching the manager, Jimmy Reda (I did not know at the time he was the manager). Jimmy essentially picked up where Greg left off. It took me 2 weeks to finally pull the trigger on beginning the process due to finishing up some other pertinent personal business. However, Jimmy was extremely patient. Each time I would reach out to him, he would answer my questions, make me comfortable and never give me the impression that I only mattered to the extent he could get a deal out of me. He engaged and interacted with me as a person and not a transaction. When I finally decided to pull the deal, Jimmy professionally and personably walked me through the entire process, getting me to the finish line. There was a small snafu with completing the delivery. But even in that, Jimmy, Sean, Max, the finance manager and the entire team stayed with the process until it was complete on an extremely satisfactory level. I would like to extend my deepest thanks to the entire staff at Island. I highly recommend this dealership if you're considering a motorcycle or any other related means of transportation. They will take care of...