Extensive Damage, Poor Accountability - Boat Left Molded, Undriveable, and Uncompensated As someone who's owned and maintained boats for over 20 years, I try to support local marinas when possible but my experience at Berger's Marina was by far the most frustrating, unprofessional, and costly I've ever had. I brought my boat in running perfectly for simple yearly preventative maintenance: an oil change, impeller, and routine filter work. I even brought all the parts they asked for. After their service, my boat was undriveable. The engine wouldn't accelerate properly, and it sat at their marina for three weeks while they tried to figure out what they missed. Only weeks later did Dan, the owner's son, admit that he missed a key internal filter that caused the problem. He even told me to my face: "I didn't know there was a filter up inside the engine." So I ordered the missing part on April 3rd which was weeks after their first failed repair. This wasn't a complex job, yet their oversight turned a one-day maintenance visit into a multi-week disaster. But it didn't stop there. I was told multiple times the boat was protected during this downtime. It wasn't. When I picked it up, it had clearly been left out in heavy rainstorms, resulting in: -Moldy, soaked canvas -Ruined carpet and vinyl -Water-damaged electrical system (radio and navigation lights dead) -Stained seating and floating gear -Hours of cleanup, drying, and damage control on my part In an email, Carolyn from Berger's stated: "We are very sorry... We did not know there was a cover for the boat... But as you well know, we've had a few major storms this spring." So yes, they acknowledged the damage and the storms, and admitted they didn't cover the boat or know there was a cover onboard (it was onboard, clearly visible). But despite this apology and multiple attempts to resolve things respectfully, they have: -Refused to take responsibility -Refused to offer compensation or insurance info -Deflected blame, suggesting I brought in a boat with "a list of issues"--false. I brought in a clean-running boat and had the before/after videos to prove it They even had the audacity to say in writing, "We take responsibility," while also stating their attorney says they bear no liability. That contradiction says everything you need to know. Sadly, my experience matches many other public reviews. Just look at what others have said: "Each time I have service performed, I find something wrong" "Never done on time or put back together when they say" "Boat plug left out, batteries dead" "Tried to blame me for damage they caused" "Snippy, careless, and refuse to accept fault" I gave them multiple written opportunities to make this right. I even offered for them to go look themselves. They ignored all of them. So I've now filed with the Missouri Attorney General, Better Business Bureau, and plan to escalate this further through legal means and boating forums. If you value your boat and your peace of mind, take your business elsewhere. There are plenty of reputable marinas at the lake who will treat you and your equipment with the professionalism that Berger's clearly lacks. -- Jeff H. Verified boat owner Southwood Shores, Dock 11, Slip 6 read more

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Awful experience, workers are jerks, paid 20 dollars to launch boat and was told to leave. As a business owner, I like to support local businesses but this was the worst and most terrible customer service I've ever seen. Don't go here. Impatient people. read more

Extremely rude, paid $20 and told to leave the place. Was not refunded and got cursed at

terrible people, rude as it can get. paid $20 and i couldn't even park my boat, awful place. no parking either

I liked the idea of patronizing a family-run business instead of a large corporation. Still, after three years of doing business with them, it's time to look at the bigger guys, as I am very disappointed in this place. From the time I started going there, I felt a certain arrogance - As if they were doing me a favor by me allowing them to service my boat. But that aside, I continued to give them a lot of money each season with winterization, fuel, and tips. Each time that I have service performed, I find something wrong - Broken seat hinges because they force them open in the wrong order to access the hatch, dirty shoe prints all over the boat, dead batteries because they shut off the main switch for the season, not putting the canvas pole back in place, etc. I could go on and on. Need anything done to your boat? They will tell you that you have to drive the boat there. They avoid coming to your boat slip (mine is next door) as much as possible. Anything other than winterization, and I can never get them to look at the thing. My most considerable irritation is the lack of communication. They showed up last Saturday to winterize the boat, then called without bothering to leave me a message. Instead, I get a curt email from the owner "Call me ASAP." My reply went unanswered. I called them back, and they were upset because my credit card on file was no longer valid. They didn't even bother to send me an invoice. This is not acceptable. The woman said, "we sent you an invoice long ago." That is incorrect - I pointed out that they only worked on the boat three days ago! "Oh, well, I am sending it to you now." Then I read off my card number, and she said, "Well, it's not valid!" Of course not valid; She didn't give me a chance to provide her with the expiration date and CCV! It's things like this that are why there are constant billing problems, and they put the blame on the customer. I am sick and tired of the snippiness, boat damage, and lack of will to do any work. However, there are a lot of choices at the lake, and I am sure others will appreciate my business while doing quality work. read more

Had to go back here again to fix a seal on a pump that was supposedly replaced the last time we were there. My hubby watched him fix it this time. Then the other day we took the boat out & heard some noises in the props, and low & behold he never tightened them on, 1 was about to fall off. I guess you call that job security!! Lucky my husband knows alot about boats, but your average person wouldn't, & they would just keep going back!! STAY AWAY FROM HERE!!! read more

Bergers is outstanding. They have worked on my boats for several years now. Every time they get us in right back out on the water. These guys are brilliant. They can diagnose a problem in no time. Price is fair and service is phenomenal. read more

Had an issue on Memorial Weekend and showed up at closing time on Saturday. They had several mechanics still working on other boats who had issues as well and were working hard to get them back on the water. They jumped right on our boat and after 45 minutes had us on our way. Great customer service!!! read more

We stopped by to see when we could make an appointment and we were fixed and on our way within 30 minutes! Cannot praise Bergers enough! This is how you run a successful business! Thank you again! read more

Save your money. They let some young punk work on your stuff, only to never have it done on time, or put back together when they say come pick it up. I will never use these hacks again. I recommend any one of the other 100 marinas in this area. Do yourself, and your investment a favor and pass this place up when looking for great, reliable service on your toys/boats. read more

Great family owned marina by people that care. We now have our third boat which is serviced by these guys and we are pleased with the continued service and reasonable prices. Even on the busiest of Holiday weekends, these guys prioritize to keep everyone on the water. Thanks and keep up the good work! read more

I have been going to Berger's for 16 years. Have had five boats and (except for the Regal with a Volvo) they have all been serviced there. They are fantastic. No one else is more customer-oriented. They have never failed to get to me quickly when I have a breakdown on the water. The other marinas I had to use with the Volvo were not even comparable to Berger's. Plus, their prices are hard to beat. I have never been surprised by a high bill but am often surprised by a low bill! read more

I was out boating 2 weeks ago. I lost one mechanical fuel pump Friday night, I went to performance boat center first thing Saturday morning to get a new fuel pump. Quicksilver part number 861677T. They charged me $118, I left a happy customer. I was out boating Saturday, the fuel pump on my other motor quit. I was up by coconuts, I called Berger's, they said they had one on stock. I limped all the way from coconuts to Berger's on one motor to make sure I was there before 530. I had my wife pay while I put the fuel pump in. After I was done, I asked how much it was. $274.92 for the same part number, same box, same day. They said if I brought back an unopened box they would refund my money. I just called today and talked to a woman with the last name Berger. I said I will be back to the Ozarks this Friday. (2 weeks have passed since this). She said she will not honor what she said because 2 weeks have passed. I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE! Performance Boat Center has all of my Boating businesses from now on. I have attached a picture of the receipts, boxes and pumps. Beware when buying parts from them! read more

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Excellent service! Wonderful family business that keeps my boats and pwc running so I can enjoy the water.

First time at the place was 5/22/2013. Had a boat pulled to the ramp for removal. I am a marine mechanic so I always like to watch what happens when I am around another shop. From the start they were great people. I watched them with other customers and the help they offered me. Just a first class place and if I did need anything done while I was at the lake I would welcome them in on on my boat. Top notch place and I thank you for the help and I enjoyed the stories we shared!! Loved the dog! Thanks again, Sam read more

This place is the best! , they do a great great job on everything they do, the owners and employees are very professional and know what there doing, if you want great service, I recommend Bergers Marina. read more