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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Catalina Warranty Fee

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Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/31/2004 : 16:38:54

In an earlier post I questioned the fact that when I ordered my 2004 C250 "Winger" in June of last year I was told by the dealer than I must pay a "$50.00 Refundable Catalina Warranty Fee", which was listed in my Contract for the purchase the boat. I didn’t understand why the charge and it was never explained to me. This was in addition to a $15.00 item listed as Catalina 250 Association Dues and Mainsheet Magazine.

I’m posting this update on the aforementioned situation: I expected to receive a check from Catalina sometime after I purchased the boat. I contacted my dealer at least twice asking why I had not received a check from Catalina for the “Refundable Warranty Fee”. He told me that the warranty fee had been credited and I should have received it by now. I also mentioned the fact that I hadn’t received my warranty fee reimbursement to Frank Butler in a telephone conversation we had on December 24, 2003. He acted like he didn’t understand what I was talking about.

Today I received, in the mail,a check for $50.00 from the dealer and the notation on the check states, “warranty reg. credit”.

It looks to me like the dealer has been holding $50.00 of my money for 4 months. I don’t understand that as the interest rates for savings or money markets aren’t that high

I'm tempted not to cash the check until I have a chance to talk to Frank Butler and get the straight story on Refundable Warranty Fees charged by Catalina.

To date no one from Catalina or the dealer has given me an explanation of the need for the “Refundable Warranty Fee”. I have talked to other new owners and they were not charged a “Refundable Warranty Fee”, nor were they charged for their Association Dues and Mainsheet Magazine.

So was this a way for the dealer to make an extra $50.00, or did Catalina reimburse him for the $50.00 by way of a credit to his dealer account so he could turn around and send a check to me

I must be missing something here as it doesn't make sense...feel free to tell me what I've missed in all of this...

Why can’t someone from Catalina or the dealer explain why the charge, and the need to hold someone’s $50.00 for four months. The bottom line is I received my refund from the same person I paid the fee. With all of the record and bookkeeping, communication, mailing expense, everyone’s time involved, what is the point

Is Catalina just another Government Agency

Dan #727

Edited by - Dkn420 on 01/31/2004 16:39:50

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2004 : 19:20:21

What you may be missing is...that the dealer expected you to forget it.

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2004 : 20:29:47

Arlyn: I do believe that you are absolutely correct....

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2004 : 22:59:29

Dan, hold the check until the dust settles. Also find out from the Association Treasurer if the Association received a check form Catalina for your first years dues. If so, EM the dealer and tell him you want your money back or better yet have one of your lawyer buddies write him a letter on his letterhead about fraud and your money.

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2004 : 00:07:37

Jerry: Thanks for joggin my noggin...I found my letter from the Catalina 25/250 National Association and they state that if a person purchases a new 250 from a Catalina dealer, "Catalina Yachts will pay for an introductory year's membership"...and they welcomed me into the Association. That also includes a year's subscription to the Mainsheet Magazine. I once had a long time lobbyist friend tell me, "what goes around, comes around", in any business, not just politics...it just may do that sooner rather than later as a reasonable time for things to be taken care of is drawing near...thanks for the advice...Dan #727

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 02/01/2004 : 09:03:19

Dan, there's no good reason to hold the check. Cash it. Take your $50. and tell the dealer you also want a refund of the $15 Mainsheet payment, because that was paid by Catalina. Catalina doesn't have anything to do with this. This is just a dealer who is nickel and diming you. I can't imagine that he would be so stupid as to refuse to refund it when you caught him red-handed, but, if he does, write a nice note to Frank Butler, explaining how the dealer is charging his customers for things that Catalina is paying for, include a copy of your invoice showing the charge, and and ask him to stop the dealer from doing it, because it reflects adversely and unfairly on Catalina.

Edited by - on

zebra50
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2004 : 11:37:48

I agree with Steve. When I bought my C250 wb #370, there were no "hidden" charges. Dealer or Catalina paid for the mainsheet, and I had no warranty charges. I would echo those above and notify Catalina about this dealer who is stiffing customers.

Edited by - on

Captain B
1st Mate

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USA
88 Posts

Response Posted - 02/07/2004 : 12:45:35

Sounds like a scam to me.

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.