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Monday, November 29, 2010

A little about Hamlin's Marine & family business

I think that we take for granted that Hamlin’s Marine has a great relationship with our customers .  It just occurred to me that we now store over 500 boats, service nearly 1500 boats, and sell nearly 300 boats each season.  To top it off, our new location in Hampden turns five years old this April! 

So, you know how it feels when you haven’t spoken with your folks in awhile, you totally spaced on Christmas cards, or you forgot your kid’s birthday?  Well that’s how I feel right now.  You know what... you probably don’t even have a clue who I am!  My name is Dan Higgins, the Hamlin’s Son-in-Law.

While I am at it, I might as well provide you a full disclosure of Hamlin’s Marine. 

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (Fairfield, ME), Dave and Chris Hamlin opened Hamlin’s Sporting and Marine World, Inc.  Actually, it was the year 1984, and back then, Dave and Chris sold just about anything to keep the lights on and the furnace going.  The Hamlin’s stocked snowblowers, rifles, bait, fishing tackle, snowmobiles, and...you guessed it...boats! 

Pretty soon boats and snowmobiles became the focus of the business, and the Hamlins picked up shop and moved to 290 West River Road in Waterville.  Then Dave Hamlin got on his John Deere tractor and built a facility to be proud of. 
  
Today, Hamlin’s Marine has two locations and twenty-five employees.  Among the employees are five family members including Dave, Chris, my wife Katie, and my sister-in-law, Jessica.  

Everyone at Hamlin’s Marine hopes that a trip to our facility is something you look forward to, and not just another stop on your errand list.   The world of retail services has made a dramatic change in the last few decades.  In my experience, it’s like pulling teeth to get answers to my questions at the big box stores, and what is with those self-checkout barcode machines.  They might as well just let us walk out the door with our groceries, and we’ll just tell them what we got at the end of the month.

So, please introduce yourself the next time you stop into Hamlin’s.  If you don’t like something, let us know and we’ll change it.  And for heaven’s sake, let us know if you do like something, because guess what...we care.  Oh, and one other thing...if I ever ask you if you want to purchase a $50 extended warranty on a $200 pair of waterskis, I give you permission to slap me

1 comment:

  1. Another great entry.
    We have been very well taken care of by everyone at Hamlin's for the last three years. High quality customer service is what seperates out a great business from a run of the mill one.
    I am sure 2011 will be even better for Hamlin's
    as long as customer satisfaction remains it's focus. You have always treated us like we were your best friends and not just a customer.
    Thank you,
    Deb Case

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