Marine Mechanic Difficulties

[Flysfloatsor]

I need some advice.

I took my boat to a mechanic to swap out a 305 with a brand new 383 stroker.
He quoted me about 8 hours to do the job. Im fine with that.
The issue is the timeline and actually getting him to DO the work.

I Dropped off the boat on April 9th. Since then, its been the "next one in the shop."
Its now going on 4 weeks and he hasnt touched it.

Its a realitively straight forward job, with very little old parts, that give old parts headaches.

Im a professional that works in a professional enviroment, under deadlines and expectations. So I dont really understand his behavior.

My question is, how do I talk to this guy in order to elicit action? Professional mechanics feel free to weigh in.

Please fight the urge to just tell me to take it someplace else. I interviewed a few shops for this job already. Plus, I have very little faith in any of these guys as it is. Might as well work with what ive got.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Please fight the urge to just tell me to take it someplace else. I interviewed a few shops for this job already. Plus, I have very little faith in any of these guys as it is. Might as well work with what ive got.

Ok I'm resisting.......

Ask him to give you a date by which point he will have the work completed. Then if he still hasn't touched it, take it somewhere else.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Probabally not much you can do. This time of year hes got more profitable work to do. 8 hrs to swap an engine is a gift, even though it is a pretty easy job.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

I talked to 3 shops, all mercruiser certified mechanics. All the estimates came back between 6-10 hours of labor. He's not doing any favors, hes supposed to be doing his job... Right?
More profitable seems null since shop rate is shop rate. Logically, I'd think it would be first in first out.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

I talked to 3 shops, all mercruiser certified mechanics. All the estimates vcame back between 6-10 hours of labor. He not doing any favors, hes supposed to be doing his job... Right?
More profitable seems null since shop rate is shop rate. Logically, I'd think it would be first in first out.

Not sure about your area, but around here you pay a fixed rate for things like replacing impellers. A reasonably skilled monkey can do one in 20 minutes, which is a lot less than book time. Just like cars, there can be a huge difference between book time and actual time.

Not much you can do to make someone do what you want, your only real recourse is to find someone else to do the work - or wait

 

[Don S]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

When did he quote the job? If it was during the fall or winter, he was probably hoping to get some work during the slow season and lowered the hours to get the job, only now April & May) it's time to get ready for the season and all shops get busy, and he is stuck with his low hour bid. 8 hours is way low to do the job correctly. Don't forget, shops have to count the time for bringing the boat into and out of the shop, cleaning and painting parts so the job looks professionally done, looking up and purchasing new parts, cleaning the bilge, launching and test driving, cleaning the boat when the job is done (customers like to complain about finger prints), making sure everything still works.
Sure doesn't leave much time for pulling the drive, removing the engine, removing all the parts from the old engine and installing on the new engine, freeing up rusted motor mount bolts, realigning, putting the drive back on does it. Especially if the engine compartment is really tight around the engine and access is almost impossible without taking the back of the boat apart.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

I get the per job costing concept, but still, you advocate to do the easy slightly more profitable work first? Your opinions seem to be indicative of what I've experienced from the marine service industry in general. How about switching over to doing the right thing. Im asking how do I elicite THAT action?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

I get the per job costing concept, but still, you advocate to do the easy slightly more profitable work first? Your opinions seem to be indicative of what I've experienced from the marine service industry in general. How about switching over to doing the right thing. Im asking how do I elicite THAT action?

I'm not advocating doing the profitable work first, but human nature being what it is - that is what a small shop might want to do. Cashflow is king.

Like I said before - you can't make them do anything. You could call every 5 minutes and hope they start working on it so you will go away, wait, or take it elsewhere. Seems unlikely that a quote for a small shop would ahve any sort of specific performance clause with a timeline and penalties on it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Im asking how do I elicite THAT action?

If the job was originally quoted to be an off season job and you took it in in April, you probably can't at this point.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Don, the quote was given approx 7-10 days prior to me delivering the boat to his shop. If there was a contract, Id be all over it. But theres not, just a work up sheet, which is all I've ever seen.

But all of you are correct. I think ill just have to wait it out...
Then, of course, make my experience (negative at this point) as public as possible via the internet. Its only fair, because when he does finish, I will pay him promptly with crisp $100 bill's, and not make him wait an undetermined about of time.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

It's already been said. Get him to give you, in writing, an "it'll be done by" date, with some negotiated non-performance discounts if he misses the date. If he ain't started by then (or if he refuses to give you a date in the first place) take the boat elsewhere. If the thing's half done by the deadline, then the non-performance clause kicks in.

As it is, he has no incentive whatsoever to get around to your job or to put your job ahead in the line.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

As far as what you can do: Go back to the shop in person and talk with him. Doing it over the phone lets him off the hook. Tell him that he has had it for 4 weeks and nothing done. Ask him when he will start. If he gives you an answer tell him to put it in writing. Tell him if he cant perform within his promise of money and time it will leave you with no option but to take it somewhere else. Once you talk with him you will get the feeling pretty quickly if hes blowing smoke or just very busy. He may even tell you to take the boat back with you. In the interim I would re-connect with the other shops that quoted you and start working with them on a contract. You dont have any loyalty with this guy so why not. Even if you have to pay for another 2-3 hours it may be worth it if your boats starts to get worked on this week.

 

[kailec00]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

I think that bubba says it perfectly. Find a shop that cares about the customer and get it put in writing. Have them put when it will be completed by and what the amount will be. I understand that unforeseen issues will come up that might raise the cost a little or even require a little more time, but that does not seem to be the case here. If you do not have him get on it, then you might miss some of the boating season.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

You guys are all correct.
And youve addressed my worst fear, missing out on some of an an already short season here in Ohio.

I have had some of the worst experiences with Marine service here in central ohio, and Im about at my breaking point. I hate to say it, but its truely putting a bad taste in my mouth about boating in general.

Bubba: I appreciate your service methodology. I'd use your shop anytime if it geographically feasable.

I will take your advice and show up in person to drive for a result.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

In my opinion you passed the personal visit timeline about a week and a half ago. I have one of my guys replacing a Hemi in my wifes Grand Cherokee limited, the motor showed up 3 days late, but I had a call from my guy each day to inform me of the issue, thats why he is one of MY guys. Finding a good mechanic or in my case shop foreman is important to me and it should be to you, it makes no difference if your guy works at a ma and pa shop or a dealership, find a shop that you have confidence in and live life without worry.

FYI My guy is a shop foreman at a FORD dealership....working on my wifes JEEP with a DODGE motor, I bet he would jump through hoops to put a Mercruiser 496 MAG in my Crownline too!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

If the job is going to be a loser for him, he'll give you back the boat. But if you start all over again, now that it's May, the next mechanic may tell you it will take longer to get to it. If the mechanic has nothing to do, that's a bad sign, too.

I have a bad feeling that he got into it and found problems. Does he even have your new motor there?

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Ive been there in person 2-3 times on friendly visits. He took off on vacation last week.

Home: The new engine is there, its pristine, with all new parts (minus the seasoned block of course) He hasent even removed 1 bolt

Im not a stranger to schedule driving conversations. In real life I run large projects. (that always have time constraints and budget issues) But in real life I work with professionals. Thats the apex of the issue I believe.

I can not understand the concept of a "losing" job? I even told him I'd pay cash?

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Lipp: Believe me, Ive been looking. I throw wads of cash at these guys faces and they still operate with zero sense of urgency. It seems like an industry culture thing that maybe im just refusing to "get."

I will always be polite and pay promptly. But I refuse to act as if they are doing me a huge favor by working on my boat. They are afterall, boat mechanics.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Just out of curiosity, did you you buy the new motor from him?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

What kinda boat mechanic in Ohio goes on vacation in late April!!!!????