Otter customer service

[iateone2]

I ordered a full package through Gander Mountain at the beginning of the year Cabin package with the travel cover and runners.  After putting it together I tried to put the cover on and it would not fit (even with the seats out).  I contacted Otter directly as the paperwork that came with it stated since it was drop shipped direct from Otter and they would send one out.  Week later and nothing.  Contacted Otter again talked to another voice said they would send one out.  Week later nothing. Contacted same voice said they were sending one out express for me and a couple other guys and should have it by last Fri. guess what didn't show again.  Contacted Gander about my issue because I was getting nowhere with Otter.  Gander contacted me today and told me I would have to wait till next year for one because they (Otter and Gander) are now sold out or I can return the cover I have and get my money back!  What the *#$?. I wish Otter would have been up front with me instead of giving me a song and dance for a month.  Finally found one at ThorneBros will be here next week.  Has anyone else had issues like this with Otter?

[jasond37]

I haven't had any issues personally.  I did talk to someone at a local bait shop very close to where Otter is manufactured, and they are running extremely low on covers and the like.  He said he's not sure what the problem was or is, but they (Otter) and stores all around are running short and don't have any coming in any time soon.  I got one of the last few remaining for my Wild 1, however had I not talked to him I had no idea things were short.  The store owner said maybe they just didn't have enough made for the demand this year, as the demand for their products have been much higher than in recent years.

[Greg2ha]

Is this stuff that hard to sell that they make limited runs of alot of shanty parts and accessories I feel your pain. I'm looking for runners for mine and website says sold out. All of them do it too. Not just one company.

[AtlBraves12]

 When you say "cover" you are talking about the sled cover right? Did you make sure to buy the cover that fits the cabin house and not just the medium sled that the cabin house is put on?. They make covers that are just for the sleds and not the house, and they make covers that are for the sled and the house...  For example... from otter site http://eelement.appolis.com/OTTEROUTDOORS/eproddetail.asp?S=67&P=5050&PubID=4393&V=7&PID=7330&iss=, there is a 1340 cover that fits the magnum sled only and a 1840 that fits a magnum sled with a lodge on it. Hope this makes sense.

[Tunapursuit]

I had to talk with customer service twice about a patch, they were very cordual but it did take two weeks for the kit to show up. I did not go through Gander but I did go through Reeds and had no problems with the order. I have heard the demand is up for the units this year because of the quality. Other then the cover issue how do you like the sled? I have a two man and its in it's third year, they are heavy but it has been a very good sled. When I can use my ATV to pull it, i absolutely enjoy it. Thinking about getting a second one, this time only the one man for all those days I have been going by myself without the use of the ATV. Tightlines..

[JIGGIN-]

Otter does make a very good sled but expensive. I had a medium for 4 years and it finally let loose last year. I'm not easy on my stuff either, though I try to be. I tried to "weld" the cracks together using a wood burning tool to melt them together and then zip tied them in stitch pattern that got me through last season but this year I broke down and bought a new one for $100.00....ouch. Reused my hi-fax, hitch and cover. That tells you something though, I liked it enough to buy another.
You get what you pay for.

I also have the Magnum portable but it was one of the first ones that Otter came out with. The canvas is going out and certainly not water proof. I keep going back and forth on if I'd get a new one or go with Frabill. I keep checking both out but Otter makes a great sled and that's half of it.

Sorry to hear about your troubles with Otter.

JIGGIN.

[frznFinn]

we bought our cabin pkg thru Franks in Linwood..Our cover doesn't fit either. Let me know if the new one fits..

[WildOutdoorAddict]

Are you guys talking about the travel cover? I'm waiting on some things from them that are on back order as well. Hyfax runners for one. I talked to them (Dave) yesterday and said expected to ship Weds.  We will see though, they said that last week too!

[jasond37]

They make two different covers for the sleds.  One is just for the sled with misc. gear tucked inside.  The other is for the sled with a fish house attached.  I almost made the mistake of buying the cover for just the sled but the guy at the shop saw what I had and questioned me...good thing he did otherwise I would have been upset and blaming Otter it doesn't fit.  Check with someone before you get one, just to be sure...I thought I was but was wrong.

[frznFinn]

my cover says its for the sled with shanty..still doesn't fit...

[Lobes]

Otter makes a great sled and shanty. I'd just about bet they buy their covers from an external supplier. I'd also bet that if they are having these kinds of complaints they'll be getting a new supplier for their covers soon.

                                                 
NBG

[jasond37]

my cover says its for the sled with shanty..still doesn't fit...

Something strange must be up then.  I had a two man wild last year (Jan 2010) that came with a cover that fit perfect.  This year (November 2010) I bought a three man wild and a cover seperately, and it fits perfect.  I also recently bought (less than two weeks ago) the wild 1 and a cover seperate, and it fits perfect.  Maybe something was not labeled correctly, who knows.     

[WildOutdoorAddict]

I've been calling every week for 6-7 weeks now and still get the same reply..We'll ship them Wednsday! Come on, I've heard that 5 times now!!! I've given them my phone number the last 4-5 times I've called and they still haven't let me know what's going on. I told them yesterday that they are starting to get a bad rep. here on Ice Shanty.. they said ..shipping them expodited today..So we will see if they show up now. I'm sick of it!