This is a public service announcement for anyone that is considering purchasing a new boat with a Mercury Marine outboard motor from Keith's Marina.
This recently has been brought to my attention by retired long time Mercury Marine executive. Keith's Marina in West Bend, has an exclusive contract with Mercury Marine to purchase used outboard motors for 10 cents to 25 cents on the dollar. This is a well known and kept secret within the upper management ranks of Mercury Marine. Neither Mercury Marine nor Keith's Marina will acknowledge it's existence. There are a number other boat dealers in the State of Wisconsin that are aware of this cozy relationship and will confirm this.
Here is how it works. The outboard motors are initially manufactured and then donated by Mercury Marine to various water ski clubs, lake patrols and similar type organizations throughout the USA and Canada. This can and does sometimes include Mercury Marine employees to use and abuse during the summer boating season.
After their season ends they are then returned to Mercury Marine to be refurbished. Keith's Marina then purchases these outboard motors from Mercury and has then repackaged as brand new. Upon delivery to their shop, they scrutinize them to verify that they don't show any signs of wear or tear whatsoever. This practice has been going on for more than 30 years.
They then re-sell these motors to the unsuspecting general public as brand new. They charge the same price as a brand new in the box never used outboard motor. When in reality they are actually used.
This not about me, it's all about informing general public about the unscrupulous business practices of both Mercury Marine and Keith's Marina.
You can verify this for yourself. If you have ever purchased a new boat and Mercury outboard motor package from Keith's Marina, here is how you can check. Take the cover off your outboard motor .. around the top of the motor you will find a manufacture date. Compare this date with date on your sales contract from Keith's Marina .... I'll guarantee that there will be at least a 13 month disparity. I can assure you that Keith’s Marina turns over their inventory more frequently than every 13 months.
This is why in vast majority of cases when a customer purchases a new boat and Mercury outboard motor package from Keith's ... the boat is normally model year brand new, but the outboard motor is always a year older.
If you have ever purchased a supposedly new Mercury outboard motor from Keith’s Marina ... you have been scammed just like yours truly and many other people.
For any of you attorney's out there reading this --- I believe this would make a great class action lawsuit against both Mercury Marine and Keith's Marina of West Bend.
In my humble opinion ... this is a very underhanded, unethical and dishonest way to treat the unsuspecting general public. However, it's extremely profitable for the folks at Keith's Marina.
Keith's Marina Reviews
This is a public service announcement for anyone that is considering purchasing a new boat with a Mercury Marine outboard motor from Keith's Marina.
This recently has been brought to my attention by retired long time Mercury Marine executive. Keith's Marina in West Bend, has an exclusive contract with Mercury Marine to purchase used outboard motors for 10 cents to 25 cents on the dollar. This is a well known and kept secret within the upper management ranks of Mercury Marine. Neither Mercury Marine nor Keith's Marina will acknowledge it's existence. There are a number other boat dealers in the State of Wisconsin that are aware of this cozy relationship and will confirm this.
Here is how it works. The outboard motors are initially manufactured and then donated by Mercury Marine to various water ski clubs, lake patrols and similar type organizations throughout the USA and Canada. This can and does sometimes include Mercury Marine employees to use and abuse during the summer boating season.
After their season ends they are then returned to Mercury Marine to be refurbished. Keith's Marina then purchases these outboard motors from Mercury and has then repackaged as brand new. Upon delivery to their shop, they scrutinize them to verify that they don't show any signs of wear or tear whatsoever. This practice has been going on for more than 30 years.
They then re-sell these motors to the unsuspecting general public as brand new. They charge the same price as a brand new in the box never used outboard motor. When in reality they are actually used.
This not about me, it's all about informing general public about the unscrupulous business practices of both Mercury Marine and Keith's Marina.
You can verify this for yourself. If you have ever purchased a new boat and Mercury outboard motor package from Keith's Marina, here is how you can check. Take the cover off your outboard motor .. around the top of the motor you will find a manufacture date. Compare this date with date on your sales contract from Keith's Marina .... I'll guarantee that there will be at least a 13 month disparity. I can assure you that Keith’s Marina turns over their inventory more frequently than every 13 months.
This is why in vast majority of cases when a customer purchases a new boat and Mercury outboard motor package from Keith's ... the boat is normally model year brand new, but the outboard motor is always a year older.
If you have ever purchased a supposedly new Mercury outboard motor from Keith’s Marina ... you have been scammed just like yours truly and many other people.
For any of you attorney's out there reading this --- I believe this would make a great class action lawsuit against both Mercury Marine and Keith's Marina of West Bend.
In my humble opinion ... this is a very underhanded, unethical and dishonest way to treat the unsuspecting general public. However, it's extremely profitable for the folks at Keith's Marina.