Humminbird service woes

[Andy M]

Thanks thats very kind.I have family over there also ,so I'm considering that option.

[Ben]

Hudson were a repair specialist but Humminbird decided to do all the repairs/servicing in house .Hudson cannot source the components/parts any longer.

I think that’s a c***s trick and for this reason alone I’d never buy a H’bird.

I’m a Lowrance fanboy anyway

[Andy M]

Its been an eye opener for sure Ben.

[Ben]

I do think it’s a little unfair for H’bird sponsored people to get called out for this, Crooky is a nice bloke and I’m sure he’s done everything he can but that’s going above and beyond in my book. Sponsored people are not employees, they often just get a bit of dizzy on products or early access to the latest kit.

Personally I would write to the CEO of H’Bird, you never know what might happen there.

[Mike J]

I do think it’s a little unfair for H’bird sponsored people to get called out for this, Crooky is a nice bloke and I’m sure he’s done everything he can but that’s going above and beyond in my book. Sponsored people are not employees, they often just get a bit of dizzy on products or early access to the latest kit.

Personally I would write to the CEO of H’Bird, you never know what might happen there.

Surely if someone accepts sponsorship for which they receive items for little or no cost in return for providing publicity and user experiences, that person, forum member or no must expect to be associated with problems that may arise as well as reaping the rewards?



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[Ben]

I do think it’s a little unfair for H’bird sponsored people to get called out for this, Crooky is a nice bloke and I’m sure he’s done everything he can but that’s going above and beyond in my book. Sponsored people are not employees, they often just get a bit of dizzy on products or early access to the latest kit.

Personally I would write to the CEO of H’Bird, you never know what might happen there.

Surely if someone accepts sponsorship for which they receive items for little or no cost in return for providing publicity and user experiences, that person, forum member or no must expect to be associated with problems that may arise as well as reaping the rewards?



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I disagree on this one Mike. In my opinion any issues are for the customer service department of the company to deal with. Promotional staff are there to promote and showcase products, nothing more, nothing less.

Where do we draw the line? If someone can’t properly operate a H’bird unit for example, should Crooky phone them up and spend his own personal time telling them what settings to use and how to interpret sonar images?

[Cyprio]

As it was me who mentioned sponsors. And it has been taken out of context.
I’ll have to explain hopefully better or as I’m not an A grade Oxford Grad in the best way I can.
I don’t comment on some threads for the point of increasing post counts but when I do post it’s normally on something that’s of interest to me or I know something about. 99% of the time my posts are positive to help others
Which surely this forum is about.

For the record the reason I put forward Ian’s name was because he has openly mentioned as being sponsored by Humminbird.
My ref to “being Sponsored means nothing to me”
Relates to the fact I would not see or even take notice of their sponsorship deals who ever they are as I don’t partake in Social Media other than this forum and my links to the PAC.
I fish for myself and accept others fish the way they do and that’s their choice.
If Ian hadn’t been a member of this Forum I very much doubt our paths would cross. And No where have I judged his character at all.

My suggestion about those that are sponsored communicating with each other to help get the European repair for out of warranty units improved I don’t think was unacceptable.
As was mentioned the European users are more akin with their fishing styles to the US bass fishing and many more units are sold than here in the uk but still no simple approach to getting a unit repaired.
The manufacturer hasn’t changed its support in the two years since I had an Issue. (Mine was sorted in the best way possible) but it was clear the return process procedure was not straight forward or obvious like it is to the WHOLE of the USA.
As mentioned above those that are sponsored are all about the promotion of the products. With that in mind they are now referred to as influencers, which must make them a positive asset to the sponsors. So with that in mind and the amount of sponsored anglers In Europe they wouldn’t want to be part of a bad product or poor service as their followers would reduce thus making a sponsored angler look bad. So as they have a voice collectively, the manufacture would listen to what THEY have to say.
I didn’t suggest the sponsored angler sets up a repair centre that was worded my someone else.
My suggestion was that the sponsors could help collectively to put it to the manufacture about improving the European out of warranty repairs either my setting up a repair hub or
For the manufacture to set up a repair procedure like they have in the US.
Unlike some I haven’t slagged of Brands or people.
I’m Happy with Humminbird it was my choice. Just like others have Nikon Cameras whilst I have Canon. It’s my choice.
When my unit was sent back to HQ it was mentioned that the importer has containers shipped back and forth. For a consumer like me or the OP it’s unfair to suggest we have to pay extortionate shipping rates for a single item.
If a return procedure was set up it would be clear the turn around would be a few weeks but the cost could easily be reduced for the consumer Or absorbed by the importer.
That was my point no malice towards others or manufacturers from my post.
That’s not in my nature unless someone has criticised me directly but I’m not a snow flake I have broad shoulders appreciate a wind up and will give as good as I get.
Hope that clears that up.
Sorry Ian if mentioning your name specifically has caused offence to you or the others.
Your input on this thread has been helpful to others and the OP and you have confirmed what I have typed above that Sponsored Anglers do have a voice and are Active with the products you endorse which is very good to hear to us consumers and fellow anglers.

[davelumb]

In my experience sponsored anglers are in reality nothing more than walking, talking advertising hoardings. In most cases their input is minimal to non-existent. Their role is to promote stuff, openly or subtly.

Much, of course, depends on the firm they work for - and some will receive actual money as part of their deal. The bigger, and more distant, the company from the sponsored angler, the less chance they'll be able to do anything.

Consultants, on the other hand, do have input into product development and therefore could be a better route to management.

Just my two bob's worth.

[Ian Crook]

Hi all,

I will explain my relationship with Humminbird/Minn Kota.

I was engaged via Marathon Leisure, primarily for my knowledge and detailed understanding of marine electronics in general. My primary role is to support them and their dealers with answering technical questions and queries, specifying requirements for various boat installs, etc… I probably respond to 7 or 8 fairly sizeable queries per week.

I also get contacted frequently by customers wanting to get the best out of their purchases, helping with settings, figuring out why something isn’t functioning why it should, etc…

Most questions or issues raised in the UK or Ireland will pass by me at some point, hence I asked Andy for more info. Unfortunately the unit had not passed through the UK dealer network and is therefore the responsibility of the Dutch Distributor, Technautic.

I am sometimes asks to get involved with pre-production testing, I had Mega Live nearly 6 months before it went into manufacture and am often asked to support pre-release software testing, I think I give valuable feedback regarding the differences between how we fish in Europe compared to US Bass fishing, hopefully helping you all as a result.

I am always happy to try to help anyone.

I honestly think the biggest issue with regards after sales service is the Humminbird products generally are so reliable, the rarely need repair, hence it would not be cost effective to set anything up or carry spares stock.

I’m certainly not a social media influencer or promotional fanboy, although we do have those on the team too

[Ben]

I appreciate Crooky’s detailed response and also Cyprio’s post.

I don’t think anyone has taken offence and I think the clear lesson learned here is to check where you’re buying units from.

If you don’t buy a unit from an official UK distributor then you’re in trouble if it goes wrong.

[Ben]

If I was in this position it would 100% be having an “accident”