VERY DISAPPOINTED IN Bass Pro Shops, Rocklin, California store.
In anticipation of the 4th of July weekend I queried Bass Pro Shops representative Natasha about a new motor on June 26,2017. She said the 9.9hp Mercury was in stock but I needed to confirm shaft length. She took my details and said someone from the service department would call the following day. I confirmed what I needed and waited for their call.
June 27, 2017: no call received
June 28 2017: I returned to Bass Pro Shops, filled out the needed paperwork, and paid for the motor. I confirmed with the salesman, Gary (we even walked to the display rack to inspect the demo unit), that it would be a tiller version with the feature of reverse on the tiller/throttle, 20-inch shaft, and electric starter. Gary said, "It should be ready tomorrow. The service department will call and we should have you on the water for the holiday weekend."
June 29, 2017: no call received
June 30, 2017: I returned to Bass Pro Shops at 5:15 p.m. Gary said the service department was closed for the day, that the motor should be ready, and suggested I call or drop by the following day.
July 1, 2017: Stopped by the service department at 4:00 p.m. Jeff Poniatowski, Service Ops Manager, said he knew nothing about the order and I'd have to come back on Monday, July 3rd. I explained the chronology of events, and that his staff had ensured me that I'd be on the water for the weekend. He seemed a bit annoyed that I was pressing the issue, and said, "There is no way I can do anything today. The front office must initiate the order and they are off today." I requested to speak to the store manager.
Jon, the acting manager, was apprised of the situation, apologized, and requested that service manager Jeff Poniatowski address this first thing Monday morning, July 3rd.
Jeff assured me he would prepare what was needed and I could pick up the motor at 10:30 that morning. I requested he call me, as it is 30-minute drive to their store.
July 3, 2017: By 12:20 p.m. I heard nothing from the service department, so I called both service and sales departments--received voicemail from each. I then called the main line. By the time I actually talked with the service department, I realized they had prepared/ordered/sold me the wrong motor (non-tiller version).
I asked to reverse any charges to my credit card, and informed Jon I would make the purchase elsewhere. He transferred me to someone with finance, who said my file had been on her desk since Thursday, June 29. She said she could refund my money or, she preferred, to immediately look into whether or not they had the correct motor available and could get it to me before the end of the day. I asked for a timeframe for a call back, to which she responded that she would do this right away.
At 4:15 p.m., four hours had passed (they close at 5:00 p.m.) and I had not received an update. I finally received a call from the finance manager at 5:04 pm. She said they did not have the motor and but could order one; a week-plus delay. I asked her to reverse charges on my credit card, which she did.
I've since purchased a Honda from another source, the service was great, and I'm back on the water.
In Closing
As a member of the outdoor media who makes a habit of supporting businesses that support my industry, both economically and politically, I'm extremely surprised with the lack of follow-through, unorganized manner in which this transaction, or lack thereof, has transpired, and that the service manager pretty much brushed me off upon our initial conversation.
Bass Pro Shops Rocklin needs to know there are several retailers within a 10-mile radius that offer similar products. Whether I'm purchasing a $10 fishing lure or, as in this case, a $2,600 outboard, their current performance is not instilling confidence in their customer service to motivate me to be a return client--or refer a friend to this entity.
High and dry on 4th of July...
Chris Collard
Adventure Architects LLC
Editor-in-Chief, Overland Journal read more