TERRIBLE, just flat out Terrible... Buyer Beware!!! We live in Austin and happened to find this boat online. We then reached out to Texas Marine to setup a test drive. Before coming down, we got a call from the Sales Rep, Belinda, and was told that it was riding a little rough but they had replaced the spark plugs and that everything was fine. We then drove all the way from Austin to their Clearlake Location where the boat was and took the boat out for a test spin. Everything seemed fine, so we went ahead and bought it. During the sale, we were assured that all of their boats go through rigorous testing and that they don’t buy used boats to sell unless it passes their “high standards” and expectations. We were also assured that if anything went wrong with the boat that they wouldn’t leave us hanging and would do everything in their power to step up if something went wrong. Furthermore, we were also told that buying the extended warranty for the boat would further safeguard us in the event if something went wrong with the engine, etc. We walked out of there thinking we were in great hands and if anything went sideways, they’d step up to the plate… Boy did we get fooled.
First sign of BS came shortly after we left when we were told that they were including some life jackets with the purchase of the boat… Checked the boat, nothing was there. Called our sales rep Belinda, got her voicemail, left a message and she never called us back.
Second sign of BS came when we had hired a Captain to come out on our boat for lessons. After doing his rounds to check the oil, gas and other things before leaving dock he noticed how tight the gear shift was and immediately raised concern (we have a jet boat). Citing that it was not natural nor SAFE for the gear shift to be that tight and for whoever had sold us the boat “Should be ashamed” for selling this to us in this condition.
Third sign of BS came while on the lake for the first time after leaving dock when the Oil Light Sensor came on and we had to immediately shut down the starboard engine. We limped the boat back to the dock and that was the end of our first experience on the water with our boat.
Fourth sign of BS came when we went to call our Sales Rep Belinda and then were told after we explained what happened that we “Bought the Boat as Is” and they couldn’t help. She said she’d call me back to at least help us find someone here locally who could repair the boat and we never heard from her again.
Fifth sign of BS came from the garbage Extended Warranty we purchased. We finally found a local repair shop that could work on our Sea Doo Boat and discovered that because of the Clutch Failure, it caused grinding that sent small metal shards into our oil, which was why the oil sensor turned on (and icing on the cake is that because of the metal shards it broke the sensor and that now needs to be replaced also). The repair shop then let us know that the warranty people would cover the sensor, but wouldn’t cover the rebuild and repair of the super charger, although a part of the engine, because it is a gas driven motor and not diesel… I’m sorry, please explain to me how that makes any sense? $1,500 to repair out of our own pocket.
So moral of the story is that if you are buying your first boat, like we did, don’t buy it from Texas Marine. They did nothing but sell us a broken boat, taken zero ownership for what’s happened, sold us a useless warranty that doesn’t cover what it says it’ll cover, and ultimately has ruined our first experience in so many ways that now all we want to do is sell the boat and never do this again.
I work with clients in their businesses and understand the concept of standing behind what you do as a company and your responsibility in sales to be there to support your clients if something goes wrong. What we’ve experienced with Texas Marine is shameful and inexcusable. Thanks for ruining this entire experience for us Texas Marine and vanishing on us when we needed you to step up and help.
Texas Marine Clearlake Reviews
TERRIBLE, just flat out Terrible... Buyer Beware!!! We live in Austin and happened to find this boat online. We then reached out to Texas Marine to setup a test drive. Before coming down, we got a call from the Sales Rep, Belinda, and was told that it was riding a little rough but they had replaced the spark plugs and that everything was fine. We then drove all the way from Austin to their Clearlake Location where the boat was and took the boat out for a test spin. Everything seemed fine, so we went ahead and bought it. During the sale, we were assured that all of their boats go through rigorous testing and that they don’t buy used boats to sell unless it passes their “high standards” and expectations. We were also assured that if anything went wrong with the boat that they wouldn’t leave us hanging and would do everything in their power to step up if something went wrong. Furthermore, we were also told that buying the extended warranty for the boat would further safeguard us in the event if something went wrong with the engine, etc. We walked out of there thinking we were in great hands and if anything went sideways, they’d step up to the plate… Boy did we get fooled.
First sign of BS came shortly after we left when we were told that they were including some life jackets with the purchase of the boat… Checked the boat, nothing was there. Called our sales rep Belinda, got her voicemail, left a message and she never called us back.
Second sign of BS came when we had hired a Captain to come out on our boat for lessons. After doing his rounds to check the oil, gas and other things before leaving dock he noticed how tight the gear shift was and immediately raised concern (we have a jet boat). Citing that it was not natural nor SAFE for the gear shift to be that tight and for whoever had sold us the boat “Should be ashamed” for selling this to us in this condition.
Third sign of BS came while on the lake for the first time after leaving dock when the Oil Light Sensor came on and we had to immediately shut down the starboard engine. We limped the boat back to the dock and that was the end of our first experience on the water with our boat.
Fourth sign of BS came when we went to call our Sales Rep Belinda and then were told after we explained what happened that we “Bought the Boat as Is” and they couldn’t help. She said she’d call me back to at least help us find someone here locally who could repair the boat and we never heard from her again.
Fifth sign of BS came from the garbage Extended Warranty we purchased. We finally found a local repair shop that could work on our Sea Doo Boat and discovered that because of the Clutch Failure, it caused grinding that sent small metal shards into our oil, which was why the oil sensor turned on (and icing on the cake is that because of the metal shards it broke the sensor and that now needs to be replaced also). The repair shop then let us know that the warranty people would cover the sensor, but wouldn’t cover the rebuild and repair of the super charger, although a part of the engine, because it is a gas driven motor and not diesel… I’m sorry, please explain to me how that makes any sense? $1,500 to repair out of our own pocket.
So moral of the story is that if you are buying your first boat, like we did, don’t buy it from Texas Marine. They did nothing but sell us a broken boat, taken zero ownership for what’s happened, sold us a useless warranty that doesn’t cover what it says it’ll cover, and ultimately has ruined our first experience in so many ways that now all we want to do is sell the boat and never do this again.
I work with clients in their businesses and understand the concept of standing behind what you do as a company and your responsibility in sales to be there to support your clients if something goes wrong. What we’ve experienced with Texas Marine is shameful and inexcusable. Thanks for ruining this entire experience for us Texas Marine and vanishing on us when we needed you to step up and help.