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December 2023 by Ed F.
My cautions learned being dumb when dealing with 2nd-handers1 Always verify the outboard works before buying. If it has additional features like Electric Lift/Trim, Electric start, remote controls verify every single feature. (After my dumb purchase, I found several pieces missing in the remote control and had to order them which took weeks)2 Look out for bait and switch. I called if they had a 8hp, electric start, long (20") shaft. Upon arrival, the person there did an "ooops - it's a 25 inch shaft but try this 8hp with full remote control". My stupidity did not ask for a complete test of the outboard with remote control.3 Their "warranty" last for exactly 30 days. Problems beyond that date are ignored by management. (Waiting for the parts, I had to get surgery which prevented me from bringing the problems to the owner within 30 days.) Three phone calls to the manager were ignored.4 I needed the motor for my 24 foot sailboat. My previous motor had died while preparing for the slip change at Marina of Dana Point that shuffling boats around during the reconstruction. I was panicking that I couldn't manouevre the boat without an outboard so I went for what they offered Review my dumbness items 1, 2, 3 above. My sailboat had no cockpit. To use the remote control unit I would have to do serious surgery on my little boat to get it to fit and work and run the control lines through the innards of the boat.5 Now stupid me had called Amber one morning to see if they had any Tohatsu 8hp ES since they are listed as a Tohatsu dealer -- went to voicemail. Since I needed an outboard NOW, I found an internet dealer within a few minutes with one left, at $100 less than list, free cross-country delivery. Amber replied to my phone call 8 hours later. (The website for Amber Marine was also acting in trouble testing my suspicion that maybe they are not doing well financially)6 My dumb buyer experience cost me $2000. Rather than dumping it back on Amber Marine, I gave it to a friend for $1, brushed off my stupid history and moved on with a brand new Tohatsu 8hp with electric start. 7 ALWAYS know your seller, ALWAYS check it out. And if you go to Amber Marine, make sure you wear grubby clothes --there are some cleanliness challenges.
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December 2022 by Eric Richards
Great customer service! Thank you for your help
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December 2022 by Brad menet
They have Quick turnaround service and very affordable prices' used and new 4st outboards for sale. Located minutes from Newport Beach, off the 55 south freeway (:
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June 2022 by Kori M.
Tony and his team were life savers! They replaced our outboard in 24 hours! In time for us to save our family vacation! They worked with urgency and we're honest and helpful.
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April 2022 by Rene L.
this excellent place was recommended to me by maurer marine because my boat is old and it has an old 1984 suzuki 140 2 stroke engine. Tony and his co workers are just so wonderful and honest people. Not too many shops exist with honest staff anymore. This place is a must to bring your boat for repairs. They fixed the problem on my boat and they are very good. I highly recommend this place. thank you amber marine!!!
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March 2022 by Carly H.
So it's been awhile since I took the time to sit down and actually write a review however, when the service is good- it's GOOD- and here I am! Being a girl who doesn't know much about motors or boats etc, etc I was a little stressed about having our boats serviced for the upcoming summer season. No idea of where to go or what the heck "There is something wrong with that one so tell 'em to fix it" even means! Thanks hunny. Sheesh.I was beside myself and just picked a shop and hoped for the best! Eek! I called Amber marine and right away I was overwhelmed by how helpful whoever I spoke to on the phone was (I'm sorry I totallyForget his name...?) he told me how much everything generally be and since one motor possibly had an issue just told me to come in right away. He praised me for starting early before the season was here which is always nice to hear ! The little things... I felt like I was safe here and maybe this wasn't so hard. Guard still up and acting like I knew all about this kinda thing I had my boys bring the boats mid afternoon and told the shop I'd be in the following morning for an estimate and word on everything. Even my boys mentioned how friendly they were when they dropped them off which is odd for them to mention! The shop also commented on how polite my boys are- again nice to hear! When I touched base the next morning I didn't call I went in and they already had everything written up for me and had diagnosed the issue with the one boat and had the repair and parts cost all ready for me to review. Nothing was overpriced whatsoever and by this time I had called a shop or three to compare pricing and was ready to throw them at them when it came up but didn't have to because Amber Marine beat them all right out the gate! The repair was extremely affordable and the time estimate was on point. I was impressed and nervous that it was all too good to be true,Lol! But to late to turn back now! Do it! And I did! So happy I did! Everything turned out amazing and it was all done on time and not for a penny more than the estimate was for! Got them home and when they hit the water I held my breathe so long I thought I might pass out! Please work. They did and they BOTH ran perfectly and everyone was happy and I could breathe again! Wooo hooo! No one at home blinked an eye at how well I handled that but that's only because theyExpect it from me, lol. I decided. Well he did ask "Hunny what was the name ofthe shop you used again?" AMBER MARINE, AMBER MARINE. So with that I say thank you to this great business for making it easy and not trying toscam me like the car mechanic always does ! I'll write that review next week! Ugh. Great service, best prices I found and fast! One more off my list of things to do! Good stuff.
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February 2022 by Scott W.
One of the Best and easy going companys I've used in a long time. I've been boating NPB my whole life.I just wish I found them sooner. Outboards are there passion and it shows in there work. Scott from the BBC. . Ask for Brad. Scott Wright.
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December 2021 by wes williams
Droped off outboard for 2 weeks for service no call or work even started ended up taking it somewhere else steer clear
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December 2021 by Kevrette Johnson
Came thru with a Tohatsu 200 even in times when no one else could get me a new motor. Robert is the man who will go overboard to get the job done Josh did a clean install and also added a solar panels charging system. My experience was awesome.
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June 2021 by C T.
After *months* -- yes, months -- of dealing with this place, I can honestly say it was one of the worst experiences I have ever had with any business. They started by saying they would install one of the used motors they sell in "about a week." "About a week" turned into several months. Their work on my boat and motor appeared entirely incompetent or sloppy, or both. And they were utterly dishonest in failing to meet repeated promises. In the end, the used motor they sold me never ran correctly. It was a piece of junk. Their installation was a failure. I had to go to this place several times, and every time something was wrong with the boat or motor and it had to return for more work.Bottom line: Do not EVER go near this place. It is one of the worst businesses I have ever dealt with.
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December 2020 by Tony's boating and fishing pac pac crew
Very cool people
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December 2020 by Gerald Monroe
Anything outboard, these are your guys! Brad always has exactly what I needed for my older Yamaha 250 2-stroke outboard engine.
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December 2020 by Brewski Steve
Found this place while searching for authorized Tohatsu outboard engine sales and repair shops. Apparently only two within a hour + drive from my location in Oceanside. Both shops were approximately 4-6 weeks behind in repairs and Amber stated 4 weeks, so I tried them. It's an one hour and fifteen minute trip for me me each way so I was hoping I wouldn't be disappointed. Amber Marine found the problem which partly was the result of my DIY attempts to rebuild the carburetor. $250.00 for labor and no parts solved my issues and the engine runs like new.The mechanic also spent 15 minutes to discuss in detail what they found and how they solved the issues. He also gave me great advice on how to do a better job of maintaining my engine so it works for longer stretches of time. The majority of issues with small four stroke outboards is the 10% ethanol fuel blend we are forced to use in California. The ethanol just clogs up your carburetor and causes poor running and eventually no running when not maintained correctly.I would give a 4.5 rating if possible. I deducted the half point because I wasn't notified when the repair was completed after being advised I would get a call. I recommend this shop and will use them again in the future.
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December 2020 by Kris Norlander
Will never use them again!! Purchased an overpriced used engine from them and they ended up taking 4 weeks to install the engine. I was told it would take them a week. Each call that I made to check on the status they ended up making more promises that it would be done in a couple days and that was never fulfilled. They never returned any calls in the beginning, I always had to initiate the call and very hard to get ahold of, when trying to call the office. On the last few days before pickup, I was told that the boat would be ready Thursday but I should come on Friday afternoon to give them extra time in case they have any issues. I showed up Friday afternoon and my boat was still not ready. I went to see the status of the boat and found the wires and throttle cables were all laid out on the ground with no mechanic in site. I started asking what was going on and they said they are trying to find an extension and the mechanic is out doing who knows what. I waited two hours and the mechanic finally showed up. Being annoyed at the fact that I drove two hours to get there and waited another two hours for the mechanic to finish the job I stood around on the property and watched to make sure the job was going to get done. I was then asked that I could not stand out in the back parking lot where my boat was being worked on because the mechanic has ADHD and he gets stressed when people watch him work. In there effort to get me to not stare at the mechanic they asked me to please go into the office and take care on the bill. It was approximately 5:30 by this time and the office guy (Robert) said that we have to wait until the mechanics are finished so he can get all of the hours. Robert was wanting to add more time above and beyond the time he quoted and we spent almost 45 minutes discussing/arguing what hours they were trying to charge for and parts that were never installed that also were trying to add to the bill. We insisted that we are only paying what was quoted and all these additional charges for parts and unaccounted hours are not going to be added. In the beginning the initially quoted price ($1,000) for the install was increased by 100% ($2,000) when they quoted us again. We were okay with this amount but when they wanted to added even more to the price we weren't having it. Got out of there paying an extra $180... Finally after 6 hours of hanging at their shop we pulled the boat back to Lake Arrowhead to get the boat on the water. In the process the starter went out within 15 minutes after launching it, I called them and they were not willing to provide me with even a used starter!! I had to buy a new starter for an engine I just bought and also found out later that they impeller was also never touched even though rhe water comi out of the tube showed signs of a defective impeller. After all of these repairs were done by myself, I launched the boat and was unable to keep the engine running. Called them today and they told me I'm having issues because of the altitude and if they could send a mechanic up. They wanted me to pay an additional $900 and they were going to put him in a hotel. I basically hung up on him and watched hours of YouTube and finally figured out the right settings for the carb. Finally after 12 hours of working on all the above repairs today I have the boat safe in my dock, but tomorrow is another day of working on all the forward and reverse cables because the used controls they sold me are junk and I have no neutral or reverse. These guys are some of the worst in the business and I would suggest to go somewhere else. They all need a new career choice.
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December 2020 by Jahmal Anderson
Called advance marine to fix a 15hp 1979 Johnson and they said they were full and sent me to Amber marine. Amber said it was the top coil and would be a $50 fix. Then they called back to say it was the carburetor. Well after 4 months and wasting the entire summer I call them and they say oh we can’t get the part so come get it. What a total waste of time and if I wouldn’t have called them to demand answers I would still be waiting. Unbelievable
