Complaint Review: Swivl-Eze Marine

I wish I knew about this website several years ago.

On April 9, 2003 I purchased a Lock ' N Stow #10108 manufactured by Swivl-Eze Marine from BassPro shops.  The ad in the BassPro catalog read, A 'unique transom saver' that doesn't tie the boat's outboard to the trailer.  Prevents "Trailer Shock" when the boat and trailer get out of sync.  Compact unit totally locks outboard motor in the forward position.  Easy to Store.

On April 12-13, 2003 I towed my boat a total of 250 miles roundtrip to Lake Barkley.  After returning home, I noticed both support brackets for the transom were completly broken and the transom had a three-quarter inch gap.  I also noticed a water leak while on the lake.  None of these problems existed prior to using the Lock ' N stow device.  During this trip, the only variable that changed was use of the Lock 'N Stow, i.e., the engine did not hit any stumps, logs, rocks, roads, etc.

To avoid further damage, I returned the Lock 'N Stow to the BassPro shop and purchased their Shock-Eze transom saver before taking my boat to C&O Marine in White Bluff, TN for repair of the transom.  I noticed they carried the Lock 'N Stow device and told them it damaged my boat.  Mr. Robert Christy, the repair technician for C&O Marine, told me he felt the damage was caused by the Lock 'N Stow.  He said he would be willing to state that on my behalf to Swivl-Eze.  The repair estimate was $1,108.48.

On April 25, 2003 I spoke with Perry Kirkland, Manufacturing Manager at Swivl-Eze, and told him the above information.  I requested them to reimburse me for the damages.  He said the Lock 'N Stow is not a transom saver.  I told him to look at the verbage in the ad (Cabela's had a similar ad).  He said there was nothing they would or could do.

On May 1, 2003 I spoke with Karen Haga, Operations Manager at Swivl-Eze about my situation.  She said there was nothing they could do.  I then wrote a letter to the President of Swivl-Eze giving the details of this matter.  I copied the Better Business Bureau of Dallas, the Attorney General of Texas, BassPro Shops, and Cabela's.  I received no response from anyone.

On May 2, 2003 I filed a complaint with the Attorney General of Texas.  They sent me a letter of response from Ms. Haga that stated I couldn't provide proof that the Lock 'N Stow caused the damage.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos and the only support I had was the opinion of the repair technician who felt it had caused the damage.

I then called C&O Marine and asked to speak to Robert Christy about talking to Swivl-Eze on my behalf.  The manager told me Mr. Christy had changed his mind.  He would not give me Mr. Christy's phone number.  I got his number elsewhere and called him at home.  He said he didn't want to get involved.  It's obvious that Swivl-Eze's lawyers "convinced" C&O Marine to refuse any assistance to me.  

I wasn't trying to rip-off Swivl-Eze.  I was merely asking to be reimbursed for damages clearly caused by their product.  I've told several people about my experience with both Swivl-Eze and C&O Marine.  Don't patronize either of these rip-off companies!