Wakemakers very poor Customer Service

[Whitey]

Anyone have any insight with Wakemakers Customer Service? i ordered a custom ballast bag back in March. I have received a couple messages from them, the last one on may 13th saying 36-48 hours my bag would be complete. Since then they have not responded to messages left through customer service and you cannot get anyone on the phone and they don't return messages.

[rockymtnsurfer]

Funny....I was thinking of posting, but then I said maybe it was just my luck. 3 months now waiting for 1 bag. They have emailed back and called and said it was on it's way.....3 weeks later still not here. Dissapointed to say the least

[sandm]

if you search this has been a recurring issue for them off and on for years. seems they suck then they get better then they suck again..

[Zog]

Everything I have ordered from them has come quickly, but I have never ordered a ballast bag. I think they must have production issues on that side of the house, since they aren't just stock that they pass through.

[MJHSupra]

Years ago, they had a warehouse in Knoxville, but that closed up.

I ordered a water pump impeller from them back in March 2024. It was backordered, no biggie b/c it was still too cold here.
I waited a month w/o having it shipped and emailed them. They were responsive and told me it was still backordered. No problem to wait more.
So once May got here, I emailed them again. They were responsive and told me the same thing: backordered.
I asked for my money back.

I had better luck getting products from them many years ago. It started when I purchased a ballast upgrade kit for my old boat.
Back then they were more visible on social media and producing content on the internet (videos and posts) about upgrades and parts.

Maybe they got too big too fast? Too much other competition on internet sales? Good people left the company? I do not know, but things have changed.

[996scott]

I started buying from Wakemakers about 12 yrs ago and they were awesome to work with. I could call and speak to someone who always had great knowlege and always got me the right things I was looking for. Prices were great, shipping was fast, communication was easy, etc. The last several times I purchased stuff from them it was harder/impossible to talk to anyone, things always seemed to be backordered/delayed, etc. I really loved working with them in the past, but I tend to look elswhere now when I need something.

[Mxmark4]

I didnt realized theu closed the Knoxville warehouse. I have a list of parts I need to order for my ballast vents I am making but some of the parts were backordered. Makes me hesitant to order from them now.

[MJHSupra]

I didnt realized theu closed the Knoxville warehouse. I have a list of parts I need to order for my ballast vents I am making but some of the parts were backordered. Makes me hesitant to order from them now.

When I wrote an email to Parker Gribskov ([email protected]) - she responded very quickly to my emails, but it was always out of stock and waiting . . .

Apr 12, 2024, 1:34 PM PDT

Hi Mark,

Unfortunately, we no longer have a warehouse in our Knoxville location so pickup is not available. As to why your order hasn't shipped out yet is because the Johnson Indmar Water Pump Impeller Service Kit on order is out of stock. We were supposed to receive more last week however they still have not shown up to our warehouse. Our next expected receive date is next week so we are hoping that we can get those in during that time. We do apologize for the delay and want to get you on the water as fast as possible!

If you have any further questions, please let me know!
Parker G
Customer Service

[j.mo]

Interesting to hear. WakeMAKERS has always been pretty good to me. I agree with the out of stocks, but the communication via phone/email has always been prompt and available. I’ve dealt with Parker many times.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MJHSupra]

Anyone have any insight with Wakemakers Customer Service? i ordered a custom ballast bag back in March. I have received a couple messages from them, the last one on may 13th saying 36-48 hours my bag would be complete. Since then they have not responded to messages left through customer service and you cannot get anyone on the phone and they don't return messages.

Try to email Parker Gribskov ([email protected]) with your order number and/or details. She is good.

[Whitey]

I’ve tried emailing, calling and leaving messages. No response. I will not get involved with them again and urge caution for anyone considering ordering from them.


##- Please type your reply above this line -##
Check Order Status Online: http://www.wakemakers.com/status
Request a Return Online: http://www.wakemakers.com/returns

**NOTE: We are currently experiencing an incredibly high volume of emails, and as a result our response time is currently 4-5 business days. We have received your inquiry, and we will get back to you. There is no need to send multiple emails or make repeated phone calls, and that will only delay our response further. Thank you for your patience.**

Thanks for contacting us! We have received your request and it is being reviewed by one of our team members.

We typically strive for less than one business day for responses, but due to the seasonal nature of our industry, during peak times (leading up to and following summer holidays, etc.) responses can sometimes take a little longer.

A Customer Advocate will be in touch as soon as possible, and we appreciate your patience.

[j.mo]

I’ve tried emailing, calling and leaving messages. No response. I will not get involved with them again and urge caution for anyone considering ordering from them.


##- Please type your reply above this line -##
Check Order Status Online: http://www.wakemakers.com/status
Request a Return Online: http://www.wakemakers.com/returns

**NOTE: We are currently experiencing an incredibly high volume of emails, and as a result our response time is currently 4-5 business days. We have received your inquiry, and we will get back to you. There is no need to send multiple emails or make repeated phone calls, and that will only delay our response further. Thank you for your patience.**

Thanks for contacting us! We have received your request and it is being reviewed by one of our team members.

We typically strive for less than one business day for responses, but due to the seasonal nature of our industry, during peak times (leading up to and following summer holidays, etc.) responses can sometimes take a little longer.

A Customer Advocate will be in touch as soon as possible, and we appreciate your patience.

I’ve been ordering from them for most of my boat/gear needs for 10+ years, I wouldn’t be so quick to shut them down man. They usually have the best prices, especially if you use the discount codes available. They are super knowledgeable if you need prop advice etc.
Idk what they have going on atm, but I wouldn’t hesitate to order from them.
They will work it out for you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sandm]

Idk what they have going on atm,


I suspect that as boats have changed with more ballast and other add-on's from the factory, their core bag business has dropped causing a loss in income, less help and more work for those that are left. bet it's the same for a lot of companies like FAE, exile, surfgates and the such. manufacturers are tooling in house and keeping the profits and only a finite number of older boats left that really have a need for add-on's that are not already installed.

[bergermaister]

I suspect that as boats have changed with more ballast and other add-on's from the factory, their core bag business has dropped causing a loss in income, less help and more work for those that are left. bet it's the same for a lot of companies like FAE, exile, surfgates and the such. manufacturers are tooling in house and keeping the profits and only a finite number of older boats left that really have a need for add-on's that are not already installed.

A lot of truth to this. I have an older boat and have customized the sh!t out of it and have spent a lot of money with WakeMakers over the years - upgrading, then upgrading the upgrades. Would I do it again? Eh, I'd rather buy turnkey if I had the money. Subfloor ballast, factory (at least mostly) stereo, factory surf system, etc. I'm a little older now than I was when I was beer-engineering all those mods with Newty way back when too. Not quite as motivated these days.

[Mjhknox]

I suspect that as boats have changed with more ballast and other add-on's from the factory, their core bag business has dropped causing a loss in income, less help and more work for those that are left. bet it's the same for a lot of companies like FAE, exile, surfgates and the such. manufacturers are tooling in house and keeping the profits and only a finite number of older boats left that really have a need for add-on's that are not already installed.

Yep, only so many older boats need ballast upgrades or surf pipes by now.

Most of the newer boats also need less lead.

When you get into other product lines, surf boards, props, other miscellaneous parts like impellers - there are a lot of internet sites and dealers selling that stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mjhknox]

Yep, only so many older boats need ballast upgrades or surf pipes by now.

Most of the newer boats also need less lead.

When you get into other product lines, surf boards, props, other miscellaneous parts like impellers - there are a lot of internet sites and dealers selling that stuff.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Moombas]

I think that with boat prices continuing to rise, it will open the market for more budget wake boats similar to Heyday (even though heyday are junk) that don't have surf systems and could use some ballast upgrades.

I had upgraded the crap out of my 2014 Mojo 2.5 but I did still have to upgrade my 2023 Max to get it surfing like I wanted, audio upgrades as well. I also think the industry will move more towards audio like Malibu that are all locked down where you can't tune the amps sort of like the Auto industry, which also leaves a lot on the table for audio upgrades on those boats. Alot of Malibus are so detuned that just pulling the locked down wetsounds amp and installing a retail wetsounds amp and tuning it increases the output tenfold.

I still see a lot of new Moombas sitting at dealers with no surf pipes but I do think this has become a pretty standard option. I see alot of Heyday with no surf pipe its still an option for ATX surf boats as well. If the first owner doesn't add one the second owner might. Sometimes the dealer might not add it to a showroom boat and the first owner may want to add one, sometimes people have the dealer add the OEM pipe (if available) over a FAE.

[spatty99]

I'm still waiting on bags ordered two months ago... for a bag with a fitting joint that failed just outside of warranty (which they refused to cover).

Customer service keeps changing the ship date after the previous one passes. The latest claim is that they are waiting on raw material.

[MJHSupra]

I'm still waiting on bags ordered two months ago... for a bag with a fitting joint that failed just outside of warranty (which they refused to cover).

Customer service keeps changing the ship date after the previous one passes. The latest claim is that they are waiting on raw material.

And waiting . . . and waiting . . .

[acj3]

I'm having the same issue. I'm trying to get an update on my order I placed on May 23rd. I've tried calling and no answer. The "Live Chat" is not a live chat. It's a link to send an email and wait for a response that has not yet arrived. This is very frustrating. My order was just over $1500.00USD and paid in full.

I'm only asking for an update on when my items will be shipped!

JC

[rockymtnsurfer]

My order placed March 8th is supposed to be sent out overnight air this week per Brian at Wakemakers. Fingers crossed

[MJHSupra]

I'm having the same issue. I'm trying to get an update on my order I placed on May 23rd. I've tried calling and no answer. The "Live Chat" is not a live chat. It's a link to send an email and wait for a response that has not yet arrived. This is very frustrating. My order was just over $1500.00USD and paid in full.

I'm only asking for an update on when my items will be shipped!

JC

Just curious, what did you order?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[larry_arizona]

Can someone forward me the wakemakers discount code for the forum. I assume it changed.

Assume WM still has best price on ballast impellers.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[acj3]

I ordered the Gravity 3 ballast system upgrade and 2 bag fittings. It was either backordered or preordered when ordered (I cannot remember) so I knew it was going to take some time. I'm right in the window of when I should be receiving the parts. My issue with all this is being ghosted by such a highly regarded company. It's a little unsettling being out the $1500USD with no communication!

[acj3]

I ordered the Gravity 3 ballast system upgrade and 2 bag fittings. It was either backordered or preordered when ordered (I cannot remember) so I knew it was going to take some time. I'm right in the window of when I should be receiving the parts. My issue with all this is being ghosted by such a highly regarded company. It's a little unsettling being out the $1500USD with no communication!


Update. Somebody answered the phone today. I do not remember the name. He was kind and professional and very nice to talk to. He said the reversible pumps are killing them this year. I didn’t get into the lack of communication is frustrating and I’m not the only person trying to get answers or updates. My suggestion is calling fist thing in the morning and hope somebody answers.

After my phone conversation they are now build my kit with some substitutions and will hopefully be shipping very soon.

[MJHSupra]

Update. Somebody answered the phone today. I do not remember the name. He was kind and professional and very nice to talk to. He said the reversible pumps are killing them this year. I didn’t get into the lack of communication is frustrating and I’m not the only person trying to get answers or updates. My suggestion is calling fist thing in the morning and hope somebody answers.

After my phone conversation they are now build my kit with some substitutions and will hopefully be shipping very soon.

Hmmm. I'm not in the supply side business of pumps, but question why they are selling so many or they are hard to get and or impossible to keep in stock.
Doesn't make sense to me b/c I do not read about that many people upgrading older boats. Bags = Yes. Pumps = No.
Years ago many people talked about upgrades.

Oh well . . .

[rockymtnsurfer]

Got my 1 starboard rear bag in today. 4 months and 3 days.....thank god

[haknslash]

Awesome news!

[spatty99]

Still waiting on mine...

[acj3]

I received the bulk of my order today. I couple pieces that were missed and shipped out on 2 separate shipments. They are expected to arrive this Thursday.

[acj3]

Everything arrived last week and is now installed in the boat.

[MJHSupra]

When is your first test run?

[acj3]

Test run was this past Sunday. Fill and empty times are way less than the original system. It was roughly a 10-13 hour install. I guessed at which side of the pump is the intake and I guessed wrong. I'll flip the switches around and flip the rocker cover. I kept the 3/4" under the floor and tapped into that for ease of assembly. I was too busy to stop for photos, sorry. After the first try I fell in love with this system. I'm now building a portable ballast pump with the left-over parts to fill the original bags for the bow.

While I'm messaging here, I do have a question on the boat. While I was pulling the kids knee boarding, I adjusted the trim, and when I did the engine stalled but started right back up on its own and the perfect pass shut off and came back on. It did this again when we were surfing, it wasn’t the trim tab I adjusted I went to empty the rear right ballast bag. As soon as the pump turned on it did it again. I always have the battery switched to #1 while I’m driving. I feel like maybe the house battery might be dying or is dead and whenever I put draw on the house battery by turning on a pump or moving the trim tab could it be pulling too much voltage from the engine battery and shutting the system down? Or is the voltage sensitive relay not working properly? Any thoughts on where I should start to diagnose an issue like this would be appreciated.

[spatty99]

A little more than 3 months later, my bags are supposedly going to ship tomorrow.

[MJHSupra]

Test run was this past Sunday. Fill and empty times are way less than the original system. It was roughly a 10-13 hour install. I guessed at which side of the pump is the intake and I guessed wrong. I'll flip the switches around and flip the rocker cover. I kept the 3/4" under the floor and tapped into that for ease of assembly. I was too busy to stop for photos, sorry. After the first try I fell in love with this system. I'm now building a portable ballast pump with the left-over parts to fill the original bags for the bow.

While I'm messaging here, I do have a question on the boat. While I was pulling the kids knee boarding, I adjusted the trim, and when I did the engine stalled but started right back up on its own and the perfect pass shut off and came back on. It did this again when we were surfing, it wasn’t the trim tab I adjusted I went to empty the rear right ballast bag. As soon as the pump turned on it did it again. I always have the battery switched to #1 while I’m driving. I feel like maybe the house battery might be dying or is dead and whenever I put draw on the house battery by turning on a pump or moving the trim tab could it be pulling too much voltage from the engine battery and shutting the system down? Or is the voltage sensitive relay not working properly? Any thoughts on where I should start to diagnose an issue like this would be appreciated.

Voltage issues will cause these boats to do quirky things. I'm pretty sure the owner's manual recommends running in 1&2 positions b/c of the number of electronics on these boats.

[spatty99]

Bags finally made it!

[rockymtnsurfer]

Bags finally made it!

awesome...you were probably as excited as I was!

[haknslash]

Hopefully they’ve got through whatever hurdles have been slowing them down lately. Glad yall got your orders now.

[KnoxMojo]

Ordered some ballast impellers Monday, got them in in 4 days. Maybe it's just custom stuff or bags that's taking so long.

[MJHSupra]

Ordered some ballast impellers Monday, got them in in 4 days. Maybe it's just custom stuff or bags that's taking so long.

How much are the greens ones now days - $40ea?

I'm due to order them, but not looking forward to getting to the two pumps in the trans hatch area - those are more of a PITA.

[Mxmark4]

We should do a group buy for ballast impellers. I know I need some. Mark I can help you swap out your front ones if you need help.

[MLA]

We should do a group buy for ballast impellers. I know I need some. Mark I can help you swap out your front ones if you need help.

Start now and everyone will get theirs by May.

[996scott]

We should do a group buy for ballast impellers. I know I need some. Mark I can help you swap out your front ones if you need help.

I'd be in for that. Mine are 4 yrs old and seem to be ok, but feel like it might be good to be proactive and just change them.

[996scott]

We should do a group buy for ballast impellers. I know I need some. Mark I can help you swap out your front ones if you need help.

I'd be in for that. Mine are 4 yrs old and seem to be ok, but feel like it might be good to be proactive and just change them.