Faria Gauges Warranty, unbelievable !

Before there are negative posts I have to state first that I am not associated with Faria or the boating industry. I am a recreational boater who had a great experience with this company.

I bought a 2000 Ski Centurion Elite-V used a couple of years ago. Overall it's a great boat, awesome wake, nice power (MAG MPI 351, 317 hp), and it looks perfect. The gauges began seperating from the face near the end of last season, the tach was sticking at 2500 rpm rendering it useless. It appears that the action of the UV sunlight on the inside on the gauge body combined with the pressure of the mounting bracket caused them to crack near the faceplate.
I made a lackluster attempt to have Fineline solve the issue by sending them an email, they never responded and I didn't pursue it. I talked to the local Centurion dealer and he mentioned that Faria gauges have a lifetime warranty. Just mail the gauges in they check 'em out and replace if defective.
Well, I checked Fara website: http://www.faria-instruments.com/
and called about replacements. I upgraded the expired warranty (about $95 total) and sent them the gauges. In 3 weeks they sent me 2 new speedometers and a new tach with hour meter, with the stock (ski centurion) face plates.
For all of you who have boats with Faria gauges: This is a fantastic warranty, probably the best in the industry. Replacing the gauges in my boat would have cost me well over $300, without labor. Irene at Faria was informative and explained issues with finelines install, but still performed the replacment under the upgraded warranty.
Now, the gauges shold have never done this, Irene stated issues with Finelines installation methods and I feel the plastic used is inferior. But the bottom line is that issues solved like this is why Faria is top in their field.
I've read on this site and the 'other' site that some warranty issues have required a lot of attention by the owner to solve. That wasn't the case here.

They did good by me too. My Pilot 1 guage lost the LCD display. They shipped one immediately without question.

Yes they are great to deal with and have always been very fast in sending out replacements. The guages cracking are definately a Fineline installation issue like you've been told. Not sure why after at least five years now, Fineline still can't get the torque right on the mounting.

Bruce,

Did Faria, give you an extended warranty, knowing that you had defective units ready to ship back, or did you just "inquire about the warranty" and then after you got it, you had " the misfortune" of the guages failing, which they repaired under the new contract. If it's the first scenario, then , yes I have to say that that is top notch customer satisfaction, and I would definitely become brand loyal.

ok I just checked out the web site, Faria, will repair/or replace any unit for a fee, significantly less that new perchase. for the first 3 years, it's free. Tha't a heck of a warranty, my hat's off to Faria, glad they are on my boat!

thanks

(Message edited by hsmunoz on March 09, 2005)

Henry,
After owning the used boat for two years the guages cracked. I called the service number from the website, talked to Irene and explained the problem. She told me to pay the required amount per gauge to bring the warranty current, a total of $95. I shipped them the gauges, the sent me the new ones, no questions asked.
I don't know of any company that has a program that matches that.


(Message edited by breadbutta on March 09, 2005)

thanks Bruce,

that is top notch, no BS customer service. There is no question that Faria get's my biz, I am thinking of redoing my old cruizer, guess which way I'm going..

Henry,

No problem. I'm glad this post had a positive impact on your decision.

maybe I missed something, but why would you have to pay if they have a lifetime warranty to begin with.

Was that cause you bought the boat used? If so that answers my question completely