Bennett Marine- trim tabs- GREAT company

[abl1111]

Every so often you are pleasantly surprised with a company. So much so that you have to tell everyone!

I had such a pleasant experience recently w/ Bennett Marine - the trim tab guys, that I have to tell you and I wish that you would pass the good word around.

Over the past year, I have been re-doing a 23'Tsuanmi - from 'soup to nuts'. The $$$ has been just pouring out. So, I tried to save a few $, by buying a new Bennett trim tab set-up on Ebay. First, I bought just the pump and accessories ( the seller said that the actual stainless planes were $35-$40 a pair ). In reality, they are $180 or so ! So, I shopped Ebay until I found what I needed - new, 12x12 Bennett tabs. I bid, I won !!! Or, so I thought!

I started to install them recently. Drilled the holes through my beautiful new transom and gelcoat. Only to realize that something was very wrong !!! I started to get that "uh-oh" feeling in my gut.

I immediately called Bennett - explaining what the situation was. Within 5 minutes of description, a guy named Thomas realized that the planes I bought on Ebay were for an OEM application and would not work! My heart sank!

Then, he offered to send me the correct 12x12 planes at virtually no cost, as long as I sent him the wrong ones back !!!!! I had the correct planes overnighted!

I find this completely insane and wonderful - really. There are not many companies out there that will stand by like that and help you out of a jam. I can only tell you that when thinking about buying trim tabs - this is the type of info that separates companies. I hope this helps a few of you out when deciding which tab to buy.

PS: I had to fill the !@#$ holes I made, re-glass, sand and I'm re-gelcoating them today ! It's a drag, but #@$*^ happens !

PPS: the gimbal bracket is in - really moving along !!!

- Alan

[ocuyler]

Alan,

Thanks for that story. I've heard it before. Those of us that have there own businesses could probably learn something from them.

My 23CC project did not come with trim tabs. Perhaps it doesn't need them, but I've looked at alternatives to Bennent because they seem so expensive. But that's where your story pays off. For the difference between Lenco electrics (that we saw on new SeaCrafts at the AC show last year) and Bennents, you get a lifetime of support. Priceless...

[Hooper]

Hey Alan-

I also had a similar experience with Bennett. They have earned my business hands down, no questions asked. I was having tab probmlems this summer and since I was new to these, I turned to classicseacraft.com, of course! Tom, apparently reading my post on the message board, sent me an email and offered to help me solve the problem. After troubleshooting several areas we replaced some parts, including the hydraulic pump and control joystick, and we finally got them operating as they should. This was all done at no cost to me in exchange for the faulty parts. I also want to thank Tom and the folks at Bennett for their "above and beyond" customer service. As I told him on the phone, they have earned this customer's bussiness for life.

Aside from that, Otto. I found the tabs make a huge difference in the ride of my 23 center console. Nantucket Sound can be a very nasty piece of water; short steep waves make up when the tide runs against the south west prevailing winds. It can be a really sloppy piece of water at times. But the tabs make all the difference in the world. Just put some tab in the water to drop the bow a few degrees and the magic of the SeaCraft hull really shines. It carves like a knife. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] You will be happy with them if you decide to put them on.

-Hooper

[Billybob]

I do purchasing for a living, and have also been hanging around boating/fishing boards for a looong time.
Absolutely noone treats their customer as well as Tom and Bennet.I don't have tabs on my 23', but they're on my wish list and when I do they'll be bennett.I've had suppliers go the extra mile for me, but there's usually something in it for them.
Time and time again I've read stories where Tom has made for a mighty happy customer even if it's at Bennetts expense.Great service, and pretty smart in the long run.
Bill

[TUGBOAT]

DiTTo,DiTTo !!
TabMan ! Tom ! Before I became a CSC'r ! I bought a set of bennett's. I was told by someone? that SeaCrafts were stearn heavy & the TabsI bought where too small 10x12's?! I called bennett & the rest is pretty well known.TOM sent Me the 12x12's sent the others back(unused/uninstalled).My business will always be with them ! I hope TOM is 17 ! at least I'll get a few years outta Him before Retirement!HECK IF I ever go back to runnin those supply vessel's (OIL Rigs) I'll have a set put on them !
By the way TabMan Ya gotta set for a 186'r ?
Thanks Tom & Bennett ! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
Scream'n Reels' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[ January 06, 2004, 11:02 AM: Message edited by: Capt. Brad ]

[pair of jacks]

very interesting ! my 2000 sc21 came with lenco tabs installed- after 2 yrs one tab actually broke off- it just separated right along the hinge- to make a long story short, lenco finally replaced them (still made me pay the shipping costs !) but it took alot of fighting and threatening over the phone- it didn't make me feel good about them- they really said it was my problem until i told them i would be writing to Saltwater Sportsman and every other publication I knew of - then they got friendly, but again, it should have never come to that

[TUGBOAT]

OK Everybody Think real Hard !!!
"TABMAN" ,"TABMAN","TABMAN","TABMAN","TABMAN" !
He'll pop up Here shortly ! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ScottM]

With all the good stuff I've heard about Bennett, I almost wish something would go wrong with my tabs just so I can meet Tom! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Billybob - I'm in purchasing too and hear what you're saying. I wish some of my $1 million+/year vendors would treat me this good.

[Tabman]

Thanks for the kind words alb1111 ! I will pass them on to Thomas and the rest of our Client Services team! I am delighted that we were able to help you out!

Capt Brad, I wish I was 17, but I still have a few years left in me!

Thanks to every one for your support and praise it is just the type of thing that makes us all try even harder!

It is interesting to note that SeaCraft is using Bennett again!

Thanks Again!

Tom McGow
Director of Client Services
Bennett Marine

[laser]

I just dealt with Bennett on my project 23 and Tom was very helpful. It is good to hear that Tom's ethics have been absorbed by others there!! I missed Tom at the Ft. Laud show but spoke to a guy in the booth about their product vs. Lenco. I had been leaning towards Lenco for simplicity of install but after listening to the differences, bought Bennetts. The sales pitch did not bad mouth Lenco but showed me the engineering differences regarding the shaft, sea growth and seals and I was able to decide what was best for me.
Tom shortened the cylinders for me so they would fit under the bracket platform while I waited. Everyone I met there was very nice. It is good to know that this service will not go away when Tom retires!! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Bill