Formula Customer Service- "Top Notch"
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Formula Customer Service- "Top Notch"
I want to relate the experience that I just had with Formula Boat Co. on Thursday August 24th. I trailered my 31' FASTech over 3.5 hours from Detroit to the Formula Factory in Decatur Indiana for a Manufacturers repair. I was in awe at the size of this factory (over 600,000 square ft.) and they have over 600 employees. It was incredible to say the least. I was greeted by Daryl Johnson, the Product Support Specialist. Daryl was extremely busy but took the time out of his busy day to give me a personal 2 hr. tour of the factory. We went through each and every department where I was able to see exactly what kind of meticulous effort that goes into every Formula boat produced. You wouldn't believe it!! I learned so much from Daryl throughout the tour that I will never even consider buying another boat again. I have taken other boat factory tours but none of them even came close to Formula. Before you buy another boat, condsider Formula and make sure you take a factory tour, you will be convinced!!
Derek Neher
Livonia, MI
Derek Neher
Livonia, MI
Last edited by sre; 08-25-2006 at 12:56 PM.
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JB Marshall
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Re: Formula Customer Service- "Top Notch"
I wish I could share in your excitement about Formula. I use to think they were top notch also, until I tried to contact them regarding a problem with my 382.
Trying to reach Daryl Johnson was like trying to get in touch with the George W. Any how you can view the link for yourself.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=132536
Did you buy your boat new?
Trying to reach Daryl Johnson was like trying to get in touch with the George W. Any how you can view the link for yourself.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...d.php?t=132536
Did you buy your boat new?
Last edited by J.B. Marshall; 08-25-2006 at 03:57 PM.
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Re: Formula Customer Service- "Top Notch"
J.B. Did you try contacting your nearest Formula dealer? As a dealer they may have more pull than the average Joe, however I am quite suprised that the manufacturer we are talking about is Formula. We are a Formula dealer and have never had a problem with support from the factory, my regional support manager will bend over backwards for me..... I really think that your local dealer might be able to help you. Good luck and keep us posted...
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Re: Formula Customer Service- "Top Notch"
I went on the tour back in Feb or March with the Chicago club.
Very impressive, and very cool tour.
I've never owned a Formula, but I know they are definately top-notch in the production boat category.
The one thing that I kept thinking was...
Over 600 employees,
Only 800 +/- boats a year built.
That's $18 Mil. in labor, based on an average salary of $30,000. (I have NO idea what the "average" is in Decatur, just using a number that we use in my Industry.
So, that's $22,500 (average) on labor(including all employees) per boat.
This is before Marketing, Promotional, Material expenses, Utilities, EPA Compliance...
So if you price a 292, which is about the market I'm in, with base motors, and only options added are instrumentation/ VHF, it comes in at almost $170,000.
Don't get me wrong, they build a great boat. But, Damn, they are expensive.
They really do run a great operation there, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one - if I can come up with the $$$.
Glad you're having good experience with Formula - leaves a lot to be said about some other builders
Very impressive, and very cool tour.
I've never owned a Formula, but I know they are definately top-notch in the production boat category.
The one thing that I kept thinking was...
Over 600 employees,
Only 800 +/- boats a year built.
That's $18 Mil. in labor, based on an average salary of $30,000. (I have NO idea what the "average" is in Decatur, just using a number that we use in my Industry.
So, that's $22,500 (average) on labor(including all employees) per boat.
This is before Marketing, Promotional, Material expenses, Utilities, EPA Compliance...
So if you price a 292, which is about the market I'm in, with base motors, and only options added are instrumentation/ VHF, it comes in at almost $170,000.
Don't get me wrong, they build a great boat. But, Damn, they are expensive.
They really do run a great operation there, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one - if I can come up with the $$$.
Glad you're having good experience with Formula - leaves a lot to be said about some other builders
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mikesufka
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12-26-2002 11:23 AM