From E.Q. - Possible status change

L

Les Lampman

New member
<Orignal post deleted, this is a replacement.>

It appears in my attempt to convey what's happening between C-Dory Marine and E.Q. I inadvertently incited a mini-riot and that was not my intention at all. I'll not hide the fact that I'm upset and angry about the situation because we've represented the C-Dory line and supported them for quite some time. To be told we'll perhaps not be a dealer any longer because we were overwhelmed this summer and couldn't/wouldn't take any more boats or that we're not going to take enough and/or the right models is even more upsetting. The stress of the situation and the frustration with it is showing I suppose.

I have no reason to tear down C-Dory and if it seemed that was my intent then I owe my apology; especially to the folks at the factory. I do think that some things have to change and I'll, as always, work to see those changes made but on the whole I have a lot of confidence in the product and the ability of the factory to turn out a good one. If not I wouldn't sell the product and since we do wish to continue to represent the line I have faith that whatever quality challenges there are will be met.

Please don't take the factory to task on this issue; we (C-Dory and E.Q.) are working to resolve our differences and look forward to a continued relationship. I meant to convey that I wanted support in a positive way; I certainly don't want anyone to form a lynch mob and head for the C-Dory plant or send nasty-grams to Scot or Rich or anyone at the factory. Feel free to let them know you'd love to see us stick around and support the C-Dory boats but please (please) do so in a positive supportive way and don't vent on the factory.

Thanks as always and all the best,
 
Les,
I wish you the best. I have heard nothing but good concerning your work ethics and standard of customer care.
I do hope that C-Dory Marine comes to their senses.
I have enjoyed your cooperation on this site and your invaluable knowledge that you have shared with us.

Best of Luck
 
Les - you KNOW we wish you the best! I have been fairly vocal about my (poor) opinion of the Lathamized C-Dory company, so I won't repeat any of that here. If our communicating with Scot or Rich would be helpful, let us know.
 
Realize that neither Les nor I have every spoke to each other. Also please realize that I purchased my Dory from a local dealer. However, in my searches for a dealer that I wanted to do business with I ran across Les's website and read every page he provided. I also red some reviews of how he and his business is run. Let me recall a delivery he completed with one of his customers,
"We arrived and the boat was in the water waiting for us. In the galley there was two Dory hats for us. Les spent over an hour with us in our new boat showing us how everything worked. The boat was delivered with two glasses and champagne."
Being a customer and also in sales, (cars), I could only imagine the way in which his customers felt when they left his business. How not only did they get a great product, but they bought this product from someone that is going to be there to service all their personal needs. All to often these days we spend time looking - then to buy only to feel as if we have missed something. That would be the service end of the purchasing process. To this end it is my belief that Les and his company has done a spectacular job at servicing his customers. Both prior to the sale and after. Again, I can only comment on the reviews that I have read. Not one (and this is most unusual) being negative.
In my previous line of work I made very critical decisions from day to day. These affected many people in which I employed. I had millions of dollars riding on my day to day decisions. I always looked out for the larger cause. If it was my call, and I was sitting there at C-dory I would want someone like Les helping to represent my product. Helping me build my business. Whether that was one Dory a year or two thousand. Building a reputation is one of the hardest things a business can do. Les has helped to build that reputation one sale at a time. I'll be forwarding my comments here to those at C-dory. Good luck Les and may the folks at C-dory allow you to continue to carry their line.
 
I am not surprised. This is reminiscant of the situation which occured with some long established dealers ordering CC and then being dropped. I have heard from several other dealers that they were being pressured to take more boats than they could sell or deliver.

Right now the boating business is slow. Talking to a friend who is a sales person for another entirely different line of boats, he finds that a "big boat" today is a boat above 23 feet--and any "big" boats are not selling.

Overall the number of boat sales are down nationwide--this is the large and the small companies--large boats more than small boats.

The company which hangs in during the slow peroids, builds boats according to need, builds a quality product and supports their dealers will endure. I have watched several "boating" recessions--and I think that we are very close to being in one--if not already.

I will certainly support Les. I had corresponded with Les about buying a Tom Cat from him, even though he was over 2000 miles away. As it turned out that was not in either of our best interests--but Les has stayed in touch and made suggestions to me about some of our problems. He is a person who is what the C Dory line has been about for a long time.

Thank you Les.
 
I agree with all above comments. I was fortunate to have purchased a boat from Les and it was one of the most positive transactions I have encountered. I fired off a e-mail to C-Dory customer service as I didn't have an address for the powers that be. I tried to be positive, even though this is a very troubling situation. I was hoping to move up next year and I really wanted another very positive purchasing experience, and knew with Les and his crew I would get it. I really hope this works out well for all concerned.
 
While I haven't purchased a boat yet from Les, I had the opportunity to work with him when I sold my Toland 18-8. Les is a straight shooter and a pleasure to deal with!

If C-Dory has any common sense, they should continue working with E.Q. Marine and appreciate the integrity and value that Les and his crew bring to the C-Dory product line.

If C-Dory's primary goal is to become a volume builder, they should sell out to Brunswick and hook up with Olympic Boat Center as their primary west coast dealer.

Leo
 
Sound's like Les could use a bit of our support.

I'm not sure if any one individual during the five years we've owned our CD has been a stronger advocate for the C-Dory product line than Les. Perhaps the decision makers at C-Dory have lost sight of this and/or taking too much credit for their success. If larger boat sales are slowing down as Bob suggests, I can't envision how cutting EQ from the herd will be of any benefit.

Anyone have Scott's address?
 
I certainly hope that C Dory never joins the ranks of the Brunswick Corp.(Bayliner) or Genmar Corp. (Century) builders. I have owned boats by both companies, and they are fine. But the C Dory had a reputation of being a real step above the other boats.
 
When I was buying a car many years ago, the woman who owned the dealership shared this bit o'wisdom with me:

"A good reputation is something money can't buy."

I hope Les and other quality dealers will be enticed by C-Dory to remain with the brand - not be driven off.
 
I am an overly-published wannabe on this site (i.e. I ramble on too much), but I've been to several gatherings, I attended the 2007. factory party, I read the forum religiously, and I feel like I've gotten to know many individuals, either personally or via their messages.

I have come to respect many of these new 'friends', but several stand out. I'll mention three, but there are many others as well.

#1 is Dr. Bob. He is on the board a lot, offering clear, careful, expert opinions on an amazing number of topics. NONE of this comes across as hot air; he really does know what he's talking about.

#2 (in no particular order) is Wefings, providing information from a dealer's perspective, along with technical info, trailering info, etc. Very solid, competent, professional information.

#3 is Les at E.Q. He doesn't post all that often, but believe me, when he says something, people listen! I have NEVER heard a negative comment about Les himself, or E.Q. as a business. NEVER! This alone is a tremendous accomplishment. I know of several people that traveled significant distances to work with Les, and others (e.g. Dr. Bob) who seriously considered this option. For Bob to even contemplate this option (2,000 miles!) is a vote of good faith not to be taken lightly. (Of course we can all read between the lines; Dr. Bob is working with E.Q. so he can sea-trial his new boat up the Inside Passage . . !)

I know there are other excellent dealers out there, but let's play a word association game. I'm going to call out a boat mfg name, and you call out the first dealer that comes to mind . . .

Ready? O.K. "C-Dory!"

Your answer goes here --->> " ? "

Finally, I think Les's message at the beginning of this thread sums it up. Go back and read it again. Despite the underlying issues and on-going stresses, note the tone of his message. This is simply one classy guy!

iggy

P.S. D'oh! How could I forget El and Bill? George and Penny? James and The Blonde? Many others . .
 
Les and EQ are a class act. Understanding customer needs and satisfying those needs makes a business successful... EQ is proof of this. C-Dory would be cutting off their nose to spite their face if they should part company with Les. Trying to shove inventory down a dealer's throat is bad business all around. C-Dory could learn a LOT about integrity and customer satifsaction from Les.

I sincerely hope both parties are able to come together with this situation. Both would likely feel a hurt from a separation, but it would also be a real loss to the potential and current C-Dory owners.

Good luck to you both in getting this worked out.

Sincerely,
Jim Bathurst
 
Les,

You have our complete support in this matter.

When we had problems with an uncooperative CD dealer when we ordered our boat, Les spent litterally hours of his time answering my questions via phone or email, even though we live in Ohio. Les' primary concern was seeing happy CD owners.

In retrospect, Marcia and I wish that we had driven across country, as others have, to buy our boat from him. It is evident that his pride in a job well done is a driving force in his business.

In fact, we have agreed that if we ever buy another CD, it will be from Les.

We have told CD honchos at our factory visit to see Valkyrie being built, at the first Chesapeake Gathering and at the SBS this year that Les is the best ambassador that CD can ever have.

Nick and Marcia
"Valkyrie"
 
I have another email address, haven't used it in about 5 years, so don't know if still active:

factoryrep@c-dory.com

I too have enjoyed years of straight-shooting advice from Les, this situation has GOT to be resolved or C-Dory will stand to lose a tremendous supporter and those that support him as well. I will do whatever is asked to help.
 
Brat's,
Goodness, we're gone for the afternoon and almost miss the fireworks. Amazing!

I don't really know much about "business" or the ebb and flow that must exist between dealerships and a manufacturer. But having said that, it occurs to me that if a manufacturer, any manufacturer, can exist without Quality dealers like Les and Kathy at E.Q. it would be pretty amazing.

We purchased "Naknek" in 2003 from EQ. I was in the military (a Long way from Coronet Bay...) and contacted Les about buying a CD22. He was reluctant because of the distances involved (our home is in AZ), but I was pretty adamant and he relented. Our purchase, outfitting, delivery, and sea trial were delightfully error-free. Would I buy from EQ again? With out a moment of hesitation. He and Kathy are straight shooters in a competitive modern world - I sincerely hope C-Dory hasn't outgrown old time competence in its dealership network.

But just so you won't think I'm too flowery about EQ, I do have a bit of a dicey story about our delivery.

Les advised that C-Dory Naknek would be ready at noon on Wednesday. Like most new C-Dory owners we were chomping-at-the-bit and had driven the 700+ miles from Arizona almost nonstop. We arrived at EQ on Monday morning. I had never met Les face-to-face (countless phone calls, emails, etc). ...and here was this fellow (Les) telling me I couldn't SEE my boat yet "...because it wasn't ready yet" Naknek was being made-ready, and simply wasn't ready for its new owner's inspection! I was more than a little chagrined. Sandy's "calm" prevailed and we departed for a couple days while Naknek was being finished.

Wednesday FINALLY arrived (we were at EQ about 1100...) and C-Dory Naknek was absolutely Perfect. Every single item was completed in the finest manner I could imagine (and I'm rather finicky). We launched and took off for an absolutely perfect two week shake down in the San Juans.

I could go on, but won't belabor the obvious (any more).

Simply put: C-Dory Inc. needs to concentrate on upholding the quality of their product in a competitive market, while maintaining a healthy dealer network. One, without the other, simply won't work.

Respectfully,
Casey Casebeer
C-Dory Naknek
Lake Montezuma, AZ
 
I've only met Les once but just knowing his dad and that he wouldn't raise no dummies I'm sure EQ Marine would be sorely missed as proven ethical high quality C-Dory dealership.

I sure hope things work out favorably, because for me, the closest dealership is new and about 175 miles away. When I eventually succumb to three footitis, my lustful fantasy will hopefully be fulfilled by a proven dealership; EQ Marine .

Don
 
Les and EQ are class acts and as such, deserve total support from the C-Dory factory. If he somehow disappears from the C-Dory brand then so will I......and then I'll go get a new boat from Les at EQ. Enough said. :thup Ron
 
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