dealers reputaion/review
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
dealers reputaion/review
Hello everyone,
I am about to order a pontoon boat ( benni ) from a dealer in Harrisonville MO. ( Midwest marine ), I looked them up on the web but only found 1 bad and 2 good reviews. the boat is going to be a lot of $$$ so was just wondering anyone here know of them and there reputation?
PS. I am not from MO. and doing all this via email and the phone and so far the only sales person there has been very nice and informative.
Also i contacted Benni. and they said that they would not be able to provide me info. as to if a
I am about to order a pontoon boat ( benni ) from a dealer in Harrisonville MO. ( Midwest marine ), I looked them up on the web but only found 1 bad and 2 good reviews. the boat is going to be a lot of $$$ so was just wondering anyone here know of them and there reputation?
PS. I am not from MO. and doing all this via email and the phone and so far the only sales person there has been very nice and informative.
Also i contacted Benni. and they said that they would not be able to provide me info. as to if a
Re: dealers reputaion/review
cncmaster wrote:Hello everyone,
I am about to order a pontoon boat ( benni ) from a dealer in Harrisonville MO. ( Midwest marine ), I looked them up on the web but only found 1 bad and 2 good reviews. the boat is going to be a lot of $$$ so was just wondering anyone here know of them and there reputation?
PS. I am not from MO. and doing all this via email and the phone and so far the only sales person there has been very nice and informative.
Also i contacted Benni. and they said that they would not be able to provide me info. as to if a
Well I guess if you want to follow up on the dealer, i would contact the better business bureau and see if there are any complaints against them. You might want to check with the chamber of commerce as well. As for the manufacturer, Bennington has a very good reputation. Curious as to why you don't try to make a deal with a dealership closer to where you live? Unless your one of those "fix it myself" guys ( and there are alot of them here on this forum ) you're going to need a bennington dealer should you have any warranty related issues in the future. Just something to think about.
Roland & Jo
2010 Bennington 20 Sfi
Yamaha 75 4 Stroke
Shreveport, Louisiana
2010 Bennington 20 Sfi
Yamaha 75 4 Stroke
Shreveport, Louisiana
- curtiscapk
- Posts: 5441
- Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2008 8:31 am
- Location: OP KS\Hillsdale Lake
Re: dealers reputaion/review
Midwest is a decent dealer from what I have heard. Maybe oldpharte looked at them on his toon hunt, he should be around shortly. I know they turn their toons over alot they always have different ones on their lot when I pass it on the way to our place on Truman. They have a few for sell on Craigslist which one you gettin they are all sweet ass toons if I had the cash I would definetly uprade with one of those.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/2087392638.html
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/2085866028.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/2087392638.html
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/2085866028.html
Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
Re: dealers reputaion/review
Thanks Roland i will check.
As to why not get it from a dealer near by?
I went to themn with a purchase order and told them that i would much rather get it from a local dealer for good reasons.
and was willing to pay 1-2 k more.They cam in at about $10k more on the same boat same optiones.
As to why not get it from a dealer near by?
I went to themn with a purchase order and told them that i would much rather get it from a local dealer for good reasons.
and was willing to pay 1-2 k more.They cam in at about $10k more on the same boat same optiones.
- OldePharte
- Posts: 590
- Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 1:37 pm
- Location: 10.8 MM Lake of the Ozarks
Re: dealers reputaion/review
Sorry, never heard of 'em until now.
I did my 'toon hunt at the lake where I do all of my boating. Since we didn't want to fool around (and make a fool out of me) with a trailer, I needed someone either on or close to the water. For me, it came down to the dealer rather than the 'toon since so many 'toons were close as to fit/finish/etc. Although, we eliminated one when I spotted some furniture trim coming loose just from sitting on the lot.
Like others have said I would do a search for any complaints that may have been filed. Personally, the BBB is a joke and proven to give good ratings to bum companies, if they buy a premium membership.
A question - Are you going to drive back to the dealer for warranty work? If so, and ya feel good with Midwest then have a ball. Perhaps a buddy with you to look over the new ride with a real critical eye. If something ain't right have them fix it right then and there.
I did my 'toon hunt at the lake where I do all of my boating. Since we didn't want to fool around (and make a fool out of me) with a trailer, I needed someone either on or close to the water. For me, it came down to the dealer rather than the 'toon since so many 'toons were close as to fit/finish/etc. Although, we eliminated one when I spotted some furniture trim coming loose just from sitting on the lot.
Like others have said I would do a search for any complaints that may have been filed. Personally, the BBB is a joke and proven to give good ratings to bum companies, if they buy a premium membership.
A question - Are you going to drive back to the dealer for warranty work? If so, and ya feel good with Midwest then have a ball. Perhaps a buddy with you to look over the new ride with a real critical eye. If something ain't right have them fix it right then and there.
'09 Neptoon Sport 25TT SunLounger w/150 Honda
What happens at the lake stays at the lake. Unless I have my camera handy.
What happens at the lake stays at the lake. Unless I have my camera handy.
- FloterBoter
- Posts: 2872
- Joined: Wed Apr 19, 2006 11:42 pm
Re: dealers reputaion/review
are any of these manufacturers starting to sell direct?
so many dealers are used car salesmen at best.
and buying from someone far away, it's not like your
decision is based on their screwjob, i mean service, department.
so many dealers are used car salesmen at best.
and buying from someone far away, it's not like your
decision is based on their screwjob, i mean service, department.
Re: dealers reputaion/review
i know when my buddy bought a toon away from bismarck he saved almost 5k. he told the benni dealer in town to see if they could match the price they said no. and good luck getting it serviced in town. funny he goes to the competition to sevice it no probs. o and the company he bought it from tansported it 100 miles free delivery very nice. mined i went to thew dealer and no problems did bring ther story up but mine was 2k cheaper funny how prices vary year to year. i think mine was cheaper as they had a few rigged the same way think bulk pricing
2017 Bennington 22ssrx
115 Yamaha
karavan Trailer
2014 Chev tahoe
_________________________
Port Of Bismarck ND
115 Yamaha
karavan Trailer
2014 Chev tahoe
_________________________
Port Of Bismarck ND
Re: dealers reputaion/review
From my experience sales and service are two separate things. Service is a profit center and they are more than happy to work on your boat, no matter where you bought it.
I think it is a lot more important that you find a service department you like than a salesman. Just remember they are two separate things
I think it is a lot more important that you find a service department you like than a salesman. Just remember they are two separate things
1974 Harris
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
Re: dealers reputaion/review
You ain't kidding there Greg.... at 100 bucks an hour labor, I'm sure they don't care where you bought it... just unhook it in the parking lot and we'll call you when the bill's, uh, I mean your boat's ready.......GregF wrote:From my experience sales and service are two separate things. Service is a profit center and they are more than happy to work on your boat, no matter where you bought it.
Roland & Jo
2010 Bennington 20 Sfi
Yamaha 75 4 Stroke
Shreveport, Louisiana
2010 Bennington 20 Sfi
Yamaha 75 4 Stroke
Shreveport, Louisiana
Re: dealers reputaion/review
Thanks all,
I really would have gone with my local dealer for $2k more but $10k no way.
Another thing i am getting an I/O 260HP.mercruser for $1500 more hell upgrade me to 300 HP.
What do you guys think should i? and is it true that the I/O is actually quieter?
ps its the bravo3 counter rotating dual prop and the exhaust is from the out drive.
Thanks again
I really would have gone with my local dealer for $2k more but $10k no way.
Another thing i am getting an I/O 260HP.mercruser for $1500 more hell upgrade me to 300 HP.
What do you guys think should i? and is it true that the I/O is actually quieter?
ps its the bravo3 counter rotating dual prop and the exhaust is from the out drive.
Thanks again
Re: dealers reputaion/review
I/Os are not great if you are leaving your boat in the water. If this is on a trailer or a lift they have their virtues but I still prefer the 4 stroke outboard.
1974 Harris
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
- badmoonrising
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10066
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
- Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland
Re: dealers reputaion/review
Both of my boats are Mercruiser I/Os, never had any issues with either one of them, and yes they are quieter than outboards. Maintenance is a lot harder (cramped as everything is below deck, but Mercruiser has improved things with it's quick drain oil, manifold and block drains) and you'll have to winterize if you are in an area that drops below freezing for extended periods in winter.
I leave mine in the water April - Oct and never had a problem. BUT you want to maintain the drive, exhaust and shift cable boots as well as the anodes. An outboard can be raised completely out of the water, I/Os can't. So at the end of the season there's more clean up to do.
A hole in any of the boots will sink and v-hull boat quickly but on a pontoon the engine pod would just fill with water. Inspect every season and watch out for muskrats, they find drive boots tasty.
I leave mine in the water April - Oct and never had a problem. BUT you want to maintain the drive, exhaust and shift cable boots as well as the anodes. An outboard can be raised completely out of the water, I/Os can't. So at the end of the season there's more clean up to do.
A hole in any of the boots will sink and v-hull boat quickly but on a pontoon the engine pod would just fill with water. Inspect every season and watch out for muskrats, they find drive boots tasty.

Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
Re: dealers reputaion/review
Excellent job of explaining why I like outboards 

1974 Harris
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
70 HP 4 stroke EFI Yamaha
Re: dealers reputaion/review
cncmaster wrote:Thanks all,
I really would have gone with my local dealer for $2k more but $10k no way.
Another thing i am getting an I/O 260HP.mercruser for $1500 more hell upgrade me to 300 HP.
What do you guys think should i? and is it true that the I/O is actually quieter?
ps its the bravo3 counter rotating dual prop and the exhaust is from the out drive.
Thanks again
Without a doubt ther I/O is quieter. I just sold a Four Winns 185 Hp and bought my toon with a 50 Johnson. Though it's a two stoke and they say the four stroke is much quieter.The I/O is much quieter though both are noisy. The I/O engine compartment was insulated too and that may have made a difference. I trailer-ed my 19 ft Horizon 190 Loaded and unloaded it always by myself and it was a breeze to do. You jiust had to learn how to do it and that was a breeze also.
Own-It-II
Chuck
24 Ft Aqua Patio Executive Cruiser
50 HP Johnson
06 GMC Sierra Crew Cab
Roscommon, MI
Chuck
24 Ft Aqua Patio Executive Cruiser
50 HP Johnson
06 GMC Sierra Crew Cab
Roscommon, MI
- badmoonrising
- Site Admin
- Posts: 10066
- Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2007 7:04 pm
- Location: Chesapeake City, Maryland
Re: dealers reputaion/review
GregF wrote:Excellent job of explaining why I like outboards
Yeah but I/O motors last many, many more hours than outboard powerheads do so you have to take the good with the bad points.
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD