Ecko Marine - Alberta Beach

[TylerG]

This was posted this morning by Steven on the Ecko Marine Facebook Page...... very sad to hear......

This is a hard announcement to make, my family started Ecko Marine back in 1978 repairing marine engines and selling MotoSki snowmobiles, Bombardier then discontinued MotoSki and we sold our first Ski-Doo in 1984.

Ecko Marine and Bombardier grew alongside each other, in 1989 Ecko was one of the first dealers in Western Canada to sell the Sea-Doo watercraft. And in 1994 the Sea-Doo Jet Boat line soon followed. Ecko Marine was proud to be a major player in popularizing the jet boat market in our area. When Can-Am ATVs appeared, we didn’t hesitate to invest time and money building a market for the Traxter and then the Outlander line-up.

After 42 years of serving our incredible customers with thrilling BRP/Bombardier products, we are heartbroken to announce our relationship with BRP will be coming to an end. This change will become official on Jan 31, 2021.

Over the years our family and staff have worked hard to stay on top of all of BRP new technologies and stayed agile as we supported BRP with grass roots efforts and hard work. We hosted product demos, trade shows, maintaining our commitment to our trail systems and events like the Darwell mud bogs, and the very popular SnoMo Days right here in Alberta Beach, bringing thousands into the area and exposing new people to our sport each year.

It wasn’t always easy, but we stretched our vision of what Ecko Marine could be. We put in the work to maintain a great relationship with BRP, meeting ever changing criteria, and exceeding annual requirements — all the while, staying financially sound thorough market ups and downs, whilst employing our incredible staff.

BRP, is now a publicly traded company. And, have to answer to their shareholders. They’ve decided Ecko Marine no longer fits into their portfolio. They’ve made the decision to let our dealership contract expire, stating;
“Following BRP’s assessment of the market and its network in your area, Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. has made the decision to end its business relationship with Ecko Marine LTD”.

As you can imagine, this came as a shock to the Ecko Marine family. Marvin and Marlene started this business over 42 years ago and I’ve been proud to run it for the last decade believing Ecko Marine was also a part of the BRP family.

In the last ten years, Alberta has been through 2 recessions and during the current oil down turn, instead of supporting us, BRP made the decision after 42 successful years of commitment it’s just isn’t enough to maintain our value in their piece of the powersports industry.

So what does this mean for us, and what does it mean for you? We are working hard to examine all of our options and find the best solution possible. Our goal is to keep servicing the area, employing local and taking care of our customers. This decision from BRP has been incredibly difficult to digest given the deep roots Ecko Marine has within our family, our employees and the local community.

I’m always an optimist, one door closes another door opens. We are looking at all of our opportunities as we make this pivot. Our goal is to keep longterm employment for our amazing staff and servicing our customers. This does not affect Mercury, Evinrude or our aftermarket suppliers. We have made the decision not to bring in the 2021 lineup of Can-Am or Ski-Doo but we will continue servicing and stocking parts and accessories for BRP this winter. This means we can take care of warranty, order in parts and sell accessories for your Ski-Doo, Can-Am and Sea-Doo. All spring check Ski-Doo snowmobiles will be delivered through Ecko Marine. We are here for our customers, community and staff and our plans are to continue to serve the thousands that have chosen our family business over the last 42 years.

As new opportunities fall in place we will be excited to share them with everyone.

Steven Eckert

 

[snochuk]

This was posted this morning by Steven on the Ecko Marine Facebook Page...... very sad to hear......

And my opinion of BRP and how little they care about customers and apparently dealers does not change.
Hope those turbos work better than Doo's 17s did.....

Maybe Ecko will get to pick up another brand.
Have shopped there and never an issue.
Archery shop upstairs is handy.
Sad story for nice people.

 

[Bnorth]

Never dealt with Ecko but it sure sounds like BRP continues to turn its back on the mom and pop shops.

 

[TylerG]

And my opinion of BRP and how little they care about customers and apparently dealers does not change.
Hope those turbos work better than Doo's 17s did.....

Maybe Ecko will get to pick up another brand.
Have shopped there and never an issue.
Archery shop upstairs is handy.
Sad story for nice people.

Archery Shop announced late last week that they were shutting down, good time to go check for deals Randy.

 

[PowderStew]

Buddy of mine has been a OMC dealer for over thirty years. At one time His dealership was the longest continues running evinrude dealer in NA. He got a email a while back informing him they would no longer be building outboards and he was no longer a dealer. BMP doesn't give a sh*t about it's people, dealers or customers.

 

[RXN]

It seems like it's all going electronic,
go to amazon's web site, click on the sled you want, and wait for it to be delivered, same with parts.

 

[NoBrakes!]

It seems like it's all going electronic,
go to amazon's web site, click on the sled you want, and wait for it to be delivered, same with parts.

I have always had good experience from Ecko, I've driven out there as they were the only ones around with a certain part. but some dealers are getting to be like going to canadian tire, almost easier to go online...

 

[SHREK1]

Absolutely sad to hear, small shops bust their azz to stand behind the product then the rug gets pulled out from underneath them, hope the very best for them.

 

[DaveB]

Never dealt with Ecko but it sure sounds like BRP continues to turn its back on the mom and pop shops.

I have and they were great. BRP killed Trackside in Olds (my old first choice) and now Ecko. Bad idea BRP.....jus sayin.....

 

[snopro]

Sad to hear. Marvin was a straight shooter and well liked in the dealer network as well as the snowmobiling community. His type of dedication to promoting this sport and BRP product will be sadly missed.

 

[skegpro]

Not cool.

 

[pfi572]

Between the big dealers pushing really hard to capture more of market and manufacturers pushing for the bigger fancier look at me stores !!
This is what happens .
BRP has been pushing for this for some time .
Sucks

 

[Caper11]

Between the big dealers pushing really hard to capture more of market and manufacturers pushing for the bigger fancier look at me stores !!
This is what happens .
BRP has been pushing for this for some time .
Sucks

All dealers do this.

We lost our honda car dealer because honda canada wanted a new 8 million dollar showroom, to replace the dealer that burnt. For A dealer that only sold 100 new cars a year, the math does not work.

 

[Dawizman]

It sucks seeing the small dealers call it quits or get shut in by corporate.

I used to be able to text my local dealer a list of parts I was after, but they unfortunately had to call it quits this spring.

I called two of the next closest cat dealers today looking for parts for my 15 m8000. First question at one was "what make is that?". Great... Not only do i have to travel three hours round trip, but I'm gonna be frustrated every time I call. Guess I'll just order parts online from now on .

 

[TDR]

Way back in the beginning I had the pleasure of dealing with Marvin and Marlene. They were a first class dealer and absolutely a joy to deal with. This is very sad to see. And don’t think it’s only BRP doing this. Polaris did the same to Elk Island Sales last year. Corporations don’t care about loyalty and great service. Pretty sad.

 

[ABMax24]

I just don't get the logic of decisions like this, how is having more dealers a bad thing? I get the idea of ordering things online, but when you get a trouble code or need diagnostic advise you need the local dealer not the amazon delivery guy. I don't need a big glass showroom with racks of stuff everywhere, I need a parts guy, service writer and mechanic that give a sh!t and know how to fix it.

Case in point is our local Ford dealer, Ford wanted them to build a new building to replace the 70's era one. Windsor Ford built the biggest Ford dealership in Canada. I went in there the other day after work at 5:45 to get parts. "Parts department closes at 5:30" the receptionist says "but sales is open until 6:00". To which I reply "why would I want to talk to sales when I can't get service on the truck I already bought from you?" she didn't respond and I walked out. Hansen Ford parts were open when I got there at 1 minute to close, they had the parts and the parts guy wasn't concerned about working a little late to get me the stuff I needed, I think I'll start to buy parts there.

Service is key to any successful business, and it's something the corporate offices for many businesses just don't understand. It's sad to see another long standing business get the boot from corporate over-sight.

 

[skegpro]

Ecko was fairly aggressive/fair on pricing, I am sure a neighbouring dealer complained.

Doo just wants everyone to pay MSRP.

 

[snopro]

Ecko was fairly aggressive/fair on pricing, I am sure a neighbouring dealer complained.

Doo just wants everyone to take more units than they need.

Fixed it for you!

 

[pfi572]

I just don't get the logic of decisions like this, how is having more dealers a bad thing? I get the idea of ordering things online, but when you get a trouble code or need diagnostic advise you need the local dealer not the amazon delivery guy. I don't need a big glass showroom with racks of stuff everywhere, I need a parts guy, service writer and mechanic that give a sh!t and know how to fix it.

Case in point is our local Ford dealer, Ford wanted them to build a new building to replace the 70's era one. Windsor Ford built the biggest Ford dealership in Canada. I went in there the other day after work at 5:45 to get parts. "Parts department closes at 5:30" the receptionist says "but sales is open until 6:00". To which I reply "why would I want to talk to sales when I can't get service on the truck I already bought from you?" she didn't respond and I walked out. Hansen Ford parts were open when I got there at 1 minute to close, they had the parts and the parts guy wasn't concerned about working a little late to get me the stuff I needed, I think I'll start to buy parts there.

Service is key to any successful business, and it's something the corporate offices for many businesses just don't understand. It's sad to see another long standing business get the boot from corporate over-sight.

Typically the bigger they get the worse the service it seems .
The owners seem to get out of touch and the more generations from the founders the worse it gets .

 

[skegpro]

Fixed it for you!

Hey could be worse , could be a cat dealer with nothing to sell.