- Report: #1202366
Complaint Review: Boat Bandit - Patchogue New York
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Author Not Confirmed
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Boat Bandit
159 West Main Street Patchogue, 11772 New York, USA
Phone:
1-866-4-BANDIT
Web:
www.boatbandit.com
Categories:
Business Rating:
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Boat Bandit Bait and Switch Patchogue New York
Needed a new bilge pump for my "new to me" boat. I knew what I wanted because of a 2010 article in Practical Sailor . Searched the web and found it listed from lots of places. Availability looked good but the price varied by almost $40 between the different companies. Selected Boat Bandit after checking their complaint history. They seemed no worse than any other marine accessory store. Made the purchase online, received an email confirmation showing price, shipping costs, ship date. All good, right? Wrong!
I received an email the next day telling me the part I ordered is obsolete but they had the next generation pump in stock and available to ship FOR MORE MONEY. Really?! Their site allowed me to place an order for an item they knew to be obsolete. Looked like a classic bait and switch - get all my credit card info then milk me for more. I was ripped so I sent them a reply email that day telling them to cancel my order. No foul language, but I was very blunt about my first impression of their business practices.
The next morning I received a call from the guy that owns Boat Bandit. He asked about the cancellation and how I had placed the order. I got some story about my web search for the part bringing me to an old catalog, not their current one. Sounded kinda weak, but I don't know the ins and outs about maintaining a web catalog for thousands of parts. We had a pleasant 5 minute conversation. Eventually he offered to sell me a new, next generation pump for the same price as the original purchase. His opinion was that the hit for the difference was better than the bad press he'd get by holding the line. He also knew that I have more projects lined up and wanted a crack at those sales.
At the end of the day it worked out OK. The new part I wanted showed up the next day in good condition. My credit card was charged the correct amount. I'll consider buying from Boat Bandit again but will be sure to access their web site directly to check price and availability rather than using a general search for the part.
