Foster Bros Marine Reviews

Can I leave zero stars? Or do they get a participation star...

Where to begin.

Purchased a new-to-me boat in November and because of November in Minnesota there was no way to test drive. David Olsen at Foster Brothers Marine assured me that they service the boat and it is ready for the water next spring. I would have never bought a boat in late November from a private sale but I trusted the word of this business. Drove 5.5 hrs (~300miles) to finalized the sale and excited for this years boating season.

Fast forward to May...

Dipped the boat for the first time in May and boat took on water due to a torn bellow. This is not a simple, no inexpensive fix. I immediate reached out to David to let him know of the issue. He said he would pass it onto his service manager (Adam Boehlke) who never responded.

I dropped the boat off at my local marina for service as no one from Foster Brothers Marine returned my message.

Service was completed and I again reached out for support.

Service manager Adam Boehlke responded to let me know that if I would have contacted Foster Brothers Marine, they would have replaced the bellow for me. When I mentioned I DID contact them and nobody responded, his answer changed. Said I was over charged, said that they would have only replaced 1 bellow instead of all three (which is the 'cheap' fix). This is the 3rd bellow overhaul I've had over the years.

No good shop would recommend replacing a single bellow when you have to take off the lower unit to repair. He now said they cannot stand by repairs from another shop and washed his hands of it.

I gave Foster Brothers Marine a fair chance to work with me before making this post as I thought it was only fair to give them a chance to respond. Foster Brothers Marine didn't make ANY attempt make things right or even meet me anywhere in the middle.

I would have have been willing to split the difference with them to not have to truck my boat 600 miles back and forth.

What good is a handshake with these guys? Careful they will leave you feeling empty handed.

I have been doing business w/ Foster Bros Marine for the last 5 years. I have them pick up my boat in the fall, wash it, winterize it, and store it inside for the winter. I also have them get my boat ready for summer, do any maintenance, and put it in the water for me once the ice is off the lake.

I have compared their prices and Foster Bros. is extremely competitive with other boat shops around the metro area. I've never felt pressured to buy anything or have any service performed i didn't think was necessary. The employees I've dealt with have all been knowledgeable, courteous, and laid back.

I will continue to do business with Foster Bros. as long as I own my boat

Travis Z.

I came in to browse, with no intention of purchasing anything that day. I was immediately greeted, and was given all the answers to my questions.

The thing I liked most is that my questions were answered honestly, and I felt no pressure to buy. Very friendly staff, clean building, and great selection of services. After looking at a few other options, I will definitely be returning to Foster Bros. to service and store my watercraft.

I am overall impressed with their stellar customer service. I was treated as a valued customer before I spent a dollar.

Called to get a price and was told $500 more than another dealer when I asked if they could do anything on price I was told the price is the price, I said another dealer is lower and the response was ok. Terrible business, didn't ask my name or anything.

In a sales environment information regarding a possible sale should be more valuable than how they approached this situation. Local is not better in this circumstance.

Make sure you shop around before buying from them. The other dealer has the exact same product, so this was an apples for apples comparison.

Foster Bros. Marine of Delano, MN was supposed to provide me with a personal watercraft rental for Saturday, July 28th.

We had a bachelor party for a friend who is getting married. We already had 2 pontoons and one other personal watercraft from other sources.

I received a call from Jeff at Foster Bros. Marine about 10 minutes before I was supposed to pick up the personal watercraft (it's about 45 minutes from my house). He said the starter on the watercraft wasn't working.

They have 4 units total. He didn't give me any explanation as to why mine was chosen. I had left them with a $100 deposit and Jeff said that he would wave the balance of $139 if I wanted to take a rental some other time.

Since the last time I rented one was 8 years ago and I was only doing this for a special occasion, I declined and told them to refund my money.