Here is the one that counts...please, please do not ask me to contact this unethical company directly....I suggest THEY contact me directly...
Bob, do not worry about getting me another pump. You seem to be a nice guy and I feel you tried but the Jihad is on. In the Information Age a consumer does not have to just bend over an take it anymore. I have reviewed the March customer service performance on Jamestown, Star Marine Depot and West Marine, with more to come. Here is the write up on the Mainship site. I am truly sorry it came to this, I suggest you cc it to March to help them realize they should get their head out. There will be more, I want the whole world to know this story before they spend their money.
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Ok folks here we go. I am on my 3rd $300 March air conditioner raw water pump since October 2009. My second failed at the end of 18 months after a 7 month layup for refit. I live aboard, it was HOT so I rushed out and bought another. Following week I Emailed what turned out to be a contract field rep (Bob) and he agreed that I did not get proper service out of the pump and he would try to get another. More than the poor service of the pump I am angry that March seems ethically challenged because they would not even back up their own Representative.
I have since talked to folks in the boat AC business and to a man they say that March makes a good pump, but once it clears the shelf you are own your own. I would suggest buying from West, getting the insurance and paying with AMX to stack on another year.
If there is anyone out there that knows of a competing pump, tell me, I do not want to let this company have another dime of my money, especially if I have to put in a March every March.
BTW, yes I have a sea strainer and it is serviced regularly.
Hobart....82 remanufactured MS1.
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On Nov 6, 2013, at 11:00 AM, hobart hffines <hobart1@swbell.net> wrote:
Bob, are you still out there? Hobart.
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On Nov 1, 2013, at 11:28 AM, hobart hffines <hobart1@swbell.net> wrote:
How is the search coming for a lightly used pump? Thanks for you're efforts..Hobart..
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On Aug 20, 2013, at 7:37 PM, hobart hffines <hobart1@swbell.net> wrote:
Thanks, sorry about March, but thank you for your help. Hobart..
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On Aug 20, 2013, at 5:15 PM, "Bob Estabrook - March Mfg." <bestabrook@marchpump.com> wrote:
Hobart,
Sorry this is taking so long. March is not covering the pump under warranty. However my friend in the service & repair department is watching for a “slightly used” pump motor for you. As soon as he comes up with something I’ll let you know.
Thanks for your patients,
Bob
From: hobart hffines
Sent: Monday, August 19, 2013 9:22 PM
To: Bob Estabrook
Subject: Re: March Pump
Hey Bob, been awhile. Wondering how my case is coming along...Thanks..Hobart
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On Jun 21, 2013, at 10:37 AM, hobart hffines <hobart1@swbell.net> wrote:
Maybe you missed this reply or have been on vacation. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks. Hobart
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On Jun 11, 2013, at 12:09 PM, hobart hffines <hobart1@swbell.net> wrote:
Bob;
Thanks for the reply. To answer your question, both pumps it appeared that the armature did not spin freely when turning the shaft. The problem was identified on the last failed pump (as the first, but it came with the boat, no idea on age) when the AC had to be reset due to overheating. First stop, the strainer. Clean as a whistle, pump housing hot as a firecracker. I put city water through a nozzle to the feed hose through the strainer and pump, had good flow. Then turned and blew it through other direction, good flow, pump then worked. I went through this drill again when all of the aforementioned occurred again after a couple of hours or so of operation.
Time for another MO. I them pulled the impeller housing while pump still mounted and all looked fine. Put ac to it and it did not turn but it hummed. Removed pump motor, cut off feed AC cord and brought it up on deck. Process not fun, nor pretty. Pump below the water line 265lb fat man between hull and Cummins feet up belly on Cummins head below feet and belly. March, that moment must have had burning ears. On deck, the magnetic shaft was tight and spun manually jerky, not free. Plugged it in would not spin, no impeller on it, just hummed and heated up.
Next day went to Lewis Marine, $305. later left with a new March Pump, Put an AC plug on it, placed an AC receptacle so testing and replacement (now I am thinking Oct) would be easier and I got a young skinny guy to mount and hook up plumbing. I still have the bad pump, though I am in TX now selling out, I will not be back to boat for 2 or 3 weeks, should you want the pump, though it can be arranged.
I believe the copper encapsulated tubing failed on both pumps and I am at a loss as to why. Any insight would be appreciated.
Hobart Huffines
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On May 29, 2013, at 8:57 AM, "Bob Estabrook" <bestabrook@marchpump.com> wrote:
Hello Hobart, We need more information before we can recommend a solution. Why did the pump stop? Did you remove the pump and examine it? Did the motor not run? Was the pump or internal parts broken? Answers to these questions will greatly aid in our diagnosis.
Thanks,
Bob Estabrook
Robert Estabrook
District 7 Regional Sales Manager
March Manufacturing, Inc.
Phone: 313-372-3000
Toll Free: 877-421-4773
Fax: 313-371-4434
Cell: 224-645-8650
Email:
bestabrook@marchpump.com
Chemical Magnetic Drive Pumps from March Pump
Name : Hobart Huffines
Email :
hobart1@swbell.net
Phone : 817-360-5561
Fax :
Company :
Zip : 32043
Model : lc-3cpmd
Details : serial number= uu092637
I guess you would have to classify me as a disappointed customer. I have been using a March pump behind a large Grotto strainer since the early spring of 2010 for my Mermaid 16,500 btu AC. I am now on my 3rd pump. No large demand or continual 24 hr service and I am finding I am spending $150. a year JUST to pump water to my air conditioner. That seems more than excessive. I never flinch on spending on the boat but I get a bit testy when I do not get my money's worth and I cannot justify why this is happening. The one I just replaced I only got one season out of because the boat was laid up from May to Febuary for a refit. Please get back to me with some explaination. I am keeping the last one around for a while to send to you if you wish. I will gladly work with you in any reengineering of my flow system but from what others have told me and what I have read I am dead on with sizing of the system and straining. Help...
Hobart Huffines