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This "Fusion" kayak is made for fresh water and ocean kayaking, The problem is that it has a design flaw that is especially dangerous if you take on any water. The water goes down two channels (that serve no purpose other than to kill you) that lead into the stern, immediately making the boat stern heavy. If you don't notice that the boat is sluggish because you are inexperienced - like my son - you will get into trouble if you are away from shore. As the stern gets lower, the kayak will fill with water and swamp. Even if you can make it to shore with the kayak, it takes three people to turn the boat over to get the water out. When the problem was discovered the first time we put it in the ocean, we were past Dick's 60 day return policy. The store turned us down so we called corporate customer service and were completely stonewalled. I explained to them that they were among the stupidest people I ever spoke to and hung up. I'm not done with this matter.
So, we have a kayak that has a design flaw that could kill someone and Dick's doesn't care. What they should do is notify all purchasers of that model's design flaw and take the boat back. On a ranking of good retail customer service, you have LL Bean, legendary for it's good service and return policy, on one top and Dick's on the other end.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
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Since Black Friday til Christmas Eve I spent a small fortune at was once my favorite places to shop. I purchased a Pelican 10E boat for my son. Got home and found one of the plugs was missing. Probably a part that was 59 cents top. Stopped by on my way home today and nearly ended up in the City slammer for complaining about poor service. The man in the lodge section (gun) asked if he could help and then asked if I had checked to see if they had any boats on the floor. Then says he'll get with me later, which pissed me off. I went back up front to the greeter named Lacey who was very nice and helpful and she pointed me toward the store manager named Val. Before I talked with her she had already discused things on the radio with others. Told her I would not go back to the back and she said wait her then, which I did. Some 15 minutes or more she returned with a part that would work on my son's boat. She then got very smart assy and says if I had any more problems I needed to take it up with Pelican. She then said that she had to damage another boat to get me this plug which is a total LIE. I informed her that if she wanted I would gladly return the item and get my money back. She had a little fellow with her that tried to butt in and I informed them that I was dealing with her. He then stepped between us and told me to back off and put his arm on me. I informed him that if he touched me again he was basically gonna receive an ### whipping in a nice way. They told me to just leave which I did. One the way home I called the complaint number and talked with a very nice guy named William. I gave him my full name and hometown and the events of what happened. When we were about done he then asked for my name again, this really disappointed me - causing me to fill as though he was there to listen and thats all. I will be seeking advice from an attorney because of the guy touching me after I informed him not too.
I feel as though Dicks only cares about making the dollar. They put a store manager in place that can not handle adverse situations or confrontation.
I am also thinking about setting up an information picket in front of their store if I don't receive an apology from their store manager Val - and her little Body Guards.
I absolutely agree. After a disaster of our own, I looked up reviews for this kayak and found that they sell the deathtrap at places like Costco! We bought ours at Dick's as well (they "no longer carry the item" is their excuse for no help!) We thought that purchasing it at a SUPPOSED sporting goods retailer meant that the salesperson was trained to help people select the right equipment. WRONG. And, same as the last complaint, their customer service, in store and by phone at corporate, is the worst I have ever experienced. (And I do a lot of business with airline booking, so that means a lot.) Don't shop and Dick's, and DON''T but this "fusion" pretend ocean kayak. It is wide and seems safe for a lake toy, but ...death awaits! And then total unresponsiveness and rudeness from Dicks Sporting Goods, where in three years we spent over five thousand dollars that I regret to the depth of my being. AVOID DICKS SPORTING GOODS. RUN AWAY!
We had a similar experience at Dick's with really lousy customer service. We were passed around to 4 different people and no one knew answers to our questions nor did they deliver with any of the things they said they were going to go check on. No one got beck to us and we ended up spending 2 hours in the store with trying to get help as we were first time kayak buyers. We did buy 2 Fusion 124 beach kayaks, paddles and vests there that day. We did call the corporate office to tell them what rotten customer service they had at that location. After having read this, it seems it's the same all over! Have has our's in the lake and a coupke of rivers, but for the ocean, i think a skirt is needed, but now, I'm wondering if even that would be safe!
I purchased a Future Beach Trophy 126 from Dicks. It has a foam bulkhead behind the seat to seperate the rear storage compartment and make this area water tight. Water could only then get in the front compartment and could be bailed as needed. This would prevent the swamp problem.
Now for my problem. I purchased the a second Trophy 126 for my wife. This unit DOES NOT HAVE THE FOAM BULKHEAD BEHIND THE SEAT. This would allow for the water to collect in the rear as you speak of and the operator would never know it. I have attempted to find out why this feature has been eliminated and have yet to receive an answer. $$$ is the only answer.
The 2011 catalog points out the bulkhead feature as a selling point. The 2012 has no mention other than two 10" x 18" storage lids.
I am slightly over the weight capacity and paddle on Lake Erie. The only water that has gotten in comes from either the paddle or my feet as I get in. Their shouldn't be water regularly entering the cockpit of a sit in kayak; and if there is you have another problem. Use a skirt if you're in the ocean, and use common sense before you think the would should be padded for your protection
if you were wearing the proper safety equipment i.e. a life vest then you would not die... so who is the idiot now? Also if you bought a product without doing the proper research on if you would like that product or if it was up to your standards then you would not have bought the product. My wife is an architect and she says that in other countries they do not have the same standards as the USA. For example fire escapes... our motto is to save everyone other countries, well there is an exceptional amount of loss. Same goes for the water sports, there is a certain amount of inherit danger, just like riding a motorbike, if you don't like the risk of drowning... then stay off the water. duh. Oh and my wife and I bought the Future Beach 124 use it every weekend on the river with all the safety gear recommended by the manufacturer for that class of river. DO YOUR HOMEWORK, DON'T BE STUPID
Buy a few pool noodles and shove them inside the hull front and rear and you won't sink, even if you take on water. I own 2 of these and they are a great kayak for the price. Not uncommon for a kayak to have no floatation inside. Add a dry bag with your gear inside hull and it's even more buoyant. Common sense.. Rather than spouting off like a spoiled 12 year old, use your head.. Ours have ran rivers and several lakes. Great beginner boat and we've only capsized one before, on purpose, to test the floatation we added. Love our Future beaches!
this is not a useful forum. go to dicks facebook page and write your comment.