Wooden Boat People
By McKenzieDriftBoat.com
Island Oars - British Columbia, Canada
I want to give all a head-up on Island Oars and the problems I have recently experienced.
I ordered 3 oars last April and received 2 oars only a couple of months later. When inquiries were made was told by the owner that he had mixed up the order. Since then have not received third oar and thried to contact several times. I made a complaint with Better Business Bureau and the company nor the owwner will not respond to their investigation. As you can imagine not particularily happy but at the same time wanted to let other boaters know of what is going on and not to trust this business. Pass the word.
I ordered 3 oars last April and received 2 oars only a couple of months later. When inquiries were made was told by the owner that he had mixed up the order. Since then have not received third oar and thried to contact several times. I made a complaint with Better Business Bureau and the company nor the owwner will not respond to their investigation. As you can imagine not particularily happy but at the same time wanted to let other boaters know of what is going on and not to trust this business. Pass the word.
Views: 827
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Les Kirk on
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I just received last Friday two oars I ordered in late June from Island Oars. They had been promised by the first of August. Paul Bagshaw, the owner, was very slow to respond to any inquiries (phone and e-mail) about the late order. In mid August he gave some reasons for not having the oars ready but then quit responding. He uses Pay Pal but, since it is not an EBay transaction, they did not guarantee the order. Filing any kind of action in British Columbia, Canada from Tennessee did not make any sense. Finally I had someone inquire about ordering oars and he responded immediately to that. After I forwarded his response back he finally shipped the order.
The oars appear to be very nice. Island Oars has a great web site and, early in the order process anyway, Paul was very personable and helpful. I have been in small business myself and can understand that stuff happens. The "failure to communicate" was the unacceptable part of my transaction with Island Oars.
I might order oars from him again but it would be on a COD basis and only after a long, heart-to-heart talk about delivery and communication.
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Permalink Reply by Richard on
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Sounds familiar and atleast you got all your order. Another company worth researching is Barkley Sound Oars on Vancouver Island. They have been around a long time and offer a drift boat oar. Have not used any of their product so interested if anyone has tried thier oars?
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Permalink Reply by Karl Mueller on
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Even custom "boutique type" oar builders should have standard lengths in stock. I'd never do business with them again if I were you guys and most certainly would not consider them for myself. Unacceptable. 2 cents.
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Permalink Reply by AJ DeRosa on
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Sorry to hear that some of you folks have had problems with Paul at Island Oars. I have a few sets of his oars and had no problems. The Barkley Sound oars are top notch if you like a strong, light, spruce oar. We run them on most of our boats and seem to be the best we have ever used.
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Well! Well! wonders never cease. Received my thrid oar today after ordering it last April. Maybe the Better Business Bureau inquiry spurred things along. Anyhow wanted to let all know. Thanks
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Permalink Reply by Brad Dimock on
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I had similar issues on a set of three, but finally got them. I get the feeling that Paul is a good man, but in way over his head as an international businessman. There but for the grace of grid go many of us wild-eyed idealists.
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Permalink Reply by Don Hanson on
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"excuses" won't move your drift boat. When a small shop puts out 'excuses" more often than whatever their product is, I choose to find another shop that will deliver what and when they say they will.
I find these vendor-related posts to be handy. When I have to decide who to order from and I know others have had issues with one particular place, then I can choose to avoid that place and order elsewhere. If a shop or craftsman is doing something unique, they can maybe get away with being flaky about schedules and delivery. "Wild-eyed idealists" still need both oars in the water..
Don Hanson
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