Yamaha Sports Plaza

[Captain_Ron65]

Has anyone done business with Yamaha Sports Plaza? I do not want to be critical or over-generalize based on my experience but I found their service to be very odd.

I ordered 2 knob screws for my wake tower 2 months ago. They charged me the day I placed the order. After the 10 business days that they said it would take to ship, I heard nothing. I emailed for a status and 2-3 days later they replied that they couldn't give me an update but they would probably ship in a week. A week goes by and nothing. I follow up again and they have someone call me. They tell me they only have one knob available, so I said to update my order, ship the one and refund me for the other knob.

Nothing happens and a week later I get an email from a different person saying the knobs are on backorder and it could take another month or so. I emailed and said you were going to send me one knob and give me a refund for the other knob and the person replied and basically said, I don't have any record of that conversation. So in the meantime, I find the knobs at my local dealership. I also place another order for two different parts about a week ago.

I write them an email yesterday to cancel the order for the knobs and explain I am not happy with their customer service and not being clear about part availability on their website as well as charging me for the parts long before they get shipped. They replied we will cancel all of your orders. I reply and indicate I only want the first order canceled, but if there are going to be long delays on the second order then cancel that one as well. The reply, we are canceling both of your orders. Needless to say, I'm done with them for future business, although they do have good prices.

 

[Babin Farms]

This seems to be the way that a lot of retailers have gone with customer service, as in there is none.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Since COVID....this is the norm for almost all retailers.

 

[Captain_Ron65]

Since COVID....this is the norm for almost all retailers.

Not my experience with other retailers. Regardless, how is Covid an excuse for poor communication and customer service? If the part isn't in stock, they don't know that until after they take my order and money. Delays in getting out of stock parts due to covid I can buy, but everything else about my experience was poor customer service and communication as well as poor management of inventory.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

I purchase a crap load of products from all kinds of retailers weekly. COVID has caused supply chain delays, remote workers, low to no staffing in warehouses and delivery establishments. When added up, the left hand doesnt know what the right is doing anymore. Glad you have a different experience but mine has been 75% problematic although it is getting better as more and more are returning to work accross the nation.

 

[Captain_Ron65]

I have ordered at least 50 different items since Covid and this is by far the worst (no comparison actually). And to top if off, Sports Plaza said they just found a knob and would have to charge me a 20% restocking fee, when the last communication was they wouldn't have it until 11/13. This must be the knob they were going to send me a month ago and then refund my money for the second one. Honestly, this is ridiculous.

 

[14SX190]

I had to wait for my cylinder head from Japan thanks to Covid from them. They were also the cheapest so I knew I was 60 day wait.
I would call for updates and had no issue talking to them.

Once item was located in Wisconsin WH it took a few days to get to them but shipping to me was same day they got it.

 

[jmargo]

I ordered a board rack from Partzilla that said 2-3 days to ship. After the order processed it changed to 20 Days.

 

[Bearsar240]

Has anyone done business with Yamaha Sports Plaza? I do not want to be critical or over-generalize based on my experience but I found their service to be very odd.

I ordered 2 knob screws for my wake tower 2 months ago. They charged me the day I placed the order. After the 10 business days that they said it would take to ship, I heard nothing. I emailed for a status and 2-3 days later they replied that they couldn't give me an update but they would probably ship in a week. A week goes by and nothing. I follow up again and they have someone call me. They tell me they only have one knob available, so I said to update my order, ship the one and refund me for the other knob.

Nothing happens and a week later I get an email from a different person saying the knobs are on backorder and it could take another month or so. I emailed and said you were going to send me one knob and give me a refund for the other knob and the person replied and basically said, I don't have any record of that conversation. So in the meantime, I find the knobs at my local dealership. I also place another order for two different parts about a week ago.

I write them an email yesterday to cancel the order for the knobs and explain I am not happy with their customer service and not being clear about part availability on their website as well as charging me for the parts long before they get shipped. They replied we will cancel all of your orders. I reply and indicate I only want the first order canceled, but if there are going to be long delays on the second order then cancel that one as well. The reply, we are canceling both of your orders. Needless to say, I'm done with them for future business, although they do have good prices.

What are the knobs your looking for. I have some left over from my 2012 AR240.

 

[Neutron]

The problem i have with Yamaha Sports Plaza is they say its in stock but what i found out was that their warehouse has it in stock which in reality is Yamaha's warehouse in Georgia. So they get it shipped to them on the west coast which takes a while. Then they ship to the customers, so it takes a while. I being on the east coast will use their site to research then i go to Boats.net which is in Georgia near Yamaha's warehouse. End result is very fast delivery and mostly cheaper.
I get all my Yamaha motorcycle, atv , and jet ski stuff at boats.net

 

[Captain_Ron65]

Thanks for the info, I've looked at boats.net but I've never used them.

 

[Captain_Ron65]

What are the knobs your looking for. I have some left over from my 2012 AR240.

I needed screw knobs for my wake tower. Long story short, I had to cut the old ones off to lower the tower. Anyway I got some at my local dealer. I was there for another part and they happended to have two in stock.

 

[Ronnie]

I use yamaha sports plaza out of Seattle when I have to but always thought their shipping and handling fees were high and slow for the premium paid. I haven’t had any availability problems but haven’t ordered anything since Covid hit. My advice, research the part name and description on sports plazas site and buy it off of amazon or McMaster Carr .

 

[tdonoughue]

Too bad to hear this--that used to be one of my go-to spots. I do like how their website has the drawings... and I have not had any issues with them (haven't ordered from them for awhile, tho--pre-COVID). Appreciate everyone sharing their experiences (and alternatives).

As with anything, tho, I expect that in the COVID world that those who are able to figure out the challenges will rise to the top eventually. And those who do not will not. Thus, capitalism.