Sad changes in the dealer network

[jhnmdahl]

Nothing but good thing to say about Erickson here too, and I chatted with several dealers in the area (Cobalt and others) before deciding to buy. Feeling good about Erickson helped make the decision an easy one.

[Krob1114]

I would think that Erickson will still service the Cobalts they sold but as far as warranty work I don’t know how that would be handled. I still plan on bringing my boat there for service but it’s out of warranty. I really like the people at Erickson Marine! They are a great bunch of people!

The year before we purchased our R5 from Erickson we looked at a boat that River Valley had at the boat show and I can’t say I had a warm and fuzzy feeling from the salesman we talked to. I was saying inside there is no way I am buying anything from this guy the whole time he was talking to me. When we walked away my wife said I hope you are not planning on buying anything from them, she was not impressed either. She had the creepy used car salesmen feeling... It’s been a long time since then so maybe things have changed. Heck I don’t even remember the boat they had that we looked at. I guess if I ever buy a new boat again I will be looking at Formulas since Erickson sells them too!

The good thing...sales person like him don't last long at a dealership and one sales person doesn't represent the whole dealership.

+ 1
I’ve also had sales people that I would love to buy from, but didn’t like their products.

[Snowman8]

I would think that Erickson will still service the Cobalts they sold but as far as warranty work I don’t know how that would be handled. I still plan on bringing my boat there for service but it’s out of warranty. I really like the people at Erickson Marine! They are a great bunch of people!

The year before we purchased our R5 from Erickson we looked at a boat that River Valley had at the boat show and I can’t say I had a warm and fuzzy feeling from the salesman we talked to. I was saying inside there is no way I am buying anything from this guy the whole time he was talking to me. When we walked away my wife said I hope you are not planning on buying anything from them, she was not impressed either. She had the creepy used car salesmen feeling... It’s been a long time since then so maybe things have changed. Heck I don’t even remember the boat they had that we looked at. I guess if I ever buy a new boat again I will be looking at Formulas since Erickson sells them too!

The good thing...sales person like him don't last long at a dealership and one sales person doesn't represent the whole dealership.

+ 1
I’ve also had sales people that I would love to buy from, but didn’t like their products.

There was a kind of sleezy arrogance about the whole place. I have talked to others that have felt the same way. I have another Cobalt dealer about the same distance to the north of me so I plan on still using Erickson for my service needs and if I need Cobalt specific parts that Erickson can’t source I will find them elsewhere.

So far I am not impressed with the way that Malibu is changing Cobalt. Time will tell I guess. Hopefully I am proven wrong...

[Krob1114]

Interesting fact for us:
Futrell Marine with several locations in Arkansas is No.1 dealer in Arkansas, No.7 dealer in the nation (their claim).
The sell Cobalt, Bennington, Chris-Craft, and wait for it.................Mastercraft.
I'm guessing they sell too many Cobalts for Malibu to worry about how many Mastercrafts they sell.

[boydwr0505]

I’m also waiting for my 220 to come in next week at Erickson. Their generic marketing email this week said they will continue to service Cobalts. What a bummer.

[Snowman8]

I’m also waiting for my 220 to come in next week at Erickson. Their generic marketing email this week said they will continue to service Cobalts. What a bummer.

I got the same email from them . I plan on continuing to bring my boat there for service.

[Auburnbuilder]

I was also surprised that Ericksons is no longer a Cobalt dealer. Purchased my boat (used 2005 255) from them and they are excellent to deal with.
Scott Klingsporn (my salesman was great). Had a bunch of things done in service and the work was also excellent. Boat was everything they said it was.
Not many places like this. Maybe they will become a Cobalt dealer again, hope so.

[Snowman8]

I was also surprised that Ericksons is no longer a Cobalt dealer. Purchased my boat (used 2005 255) from them and they are excellent to deal with.
Scott Klingsporn (my salesman was great). Had a bunch of things done in service and the work was also excellent. Boat was everything they said it was.
Not many places like this. Maybe they will become a Cobalt dealer again, hope so.

I have known the team at Erickson’s for many years, Scott for even longer. All great people! I wouldn’t hold your breath & wait for them to sell Cobalt’s again any time soon. I have an R5 and have no intention of getting anything else, especially with the prices of the new R4,6,&8’s! If I was in the market for something new I would stick with Erickson’s but I would be looking at a Formula.