Tohatsu "setup" $160????

[wm3097]

Howdy boys. Thanks for the many responses to my what engine to buy question. I am considering the Tohatsu 4hp, 4 stroke. The nearest authorized dealer is 68 miles away. He told me if I bought a new motor from the internet I'd have to bring it to him to get it "setup" at a cost of $160 plus two roundtrip drives to his shop. Is this true? Do I need the brain damage of having the nearest service 68 miles away? (He said he never sees them again after setup) Does having service done by a none autorized dealer void the warranty?Thanks for your input. Bill

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

My dealer sold me a 40 hp 2 stroke in the crate, I got it home and mounted and installed everything, I stopped by to see if I needed any services and he said unless something breaks you dont need to bring it in for service!!<br /><br />The setup on a 4 hp should be non-existant, mount and go, sounds like he just wants a sale.<br /><br />-John

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

sounds like BS to me

 

[ziemann]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

Follow your owners manual and set it up yourself. There really isn't anything to it. <br /><br />Sounds like BS to me too...<br /><br />I set up a 50 TLDI (with my dealer's help) including cables and controls and wasn't charged a dime.

 

[beniam]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

WM3097 <br />I bought a Tohatsu 6 hp a year ago on the internet. Came UPS,had motor, fuelcan,hose, instructions, fill in guarantee form(mail back), toolkit and instuction manual. Did not need dealer,setup or ripoff. Was ready to go as is. Do check oil. Used motor last month to Florida on alligator trip. Cool. My advice, buy, and enjoy. Batavier.

 

[John_S]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

FWIW, both of my Nissans (40C & 18E) were crate engines. The 40C came from a hardware store that went out of business, and the other was purchased from Elvin (Tampa) and shipped to my location. Had no issues and now have good number of years on them. I'd do again, without hesitation.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

Bill,<br /><br />There is NO required setup on any of the Nissan/Tohatsu 4-strokes, 18 hp and under....except the remote control models. The dealer that told you that is an *ss.

 

[sailorbob]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

I bought my engine from www.tohatsuoutboards.com and there was no charge from them. I got an awesome deal and they did not indicate there would be any local "dealer prep" charges. Sounds like a thief to me. $160.00 for a 4hp!!!! Tell the dealer to take a hike.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

Don't know about the Japaneese stuff, but Merc can and does deny warranty coverage if a motor is not properly setup as long as the problem is related. That could be anything from a worn shift mechanism to a blown powerhead. As a customer, I WOULD EXPECT a 4Hp to be fairly ready to go right out of the box! About the only thing that SHOULD need addressing is idle mixture and speed, and fluids.<br /><br />As a customer, it's in your best interest to at least have it checked out by a Reputable dealer. Sounds like the one you contacted is lacking on the Reputable part. That price is absolutely outrageous. Please feel free to print out this posting and send it to them. Otherwise, a LOT of customer dissatisfaction can be traced directly to improper (or no) pre-delivery setup. (I should mention that Merc sells a lot of Tohatsus with their stickers on them.)

 

[Joey One]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

I bought a Nissan 4HP on the net. No Problem.<br />They test the motor at the factory, and then empty the oil for shipping. So put in oil before starting.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

wow<br /> I am in the wrong business. a prep on a 4hp should take 30 min maybe. not like there is a lot to check, oil, linkage,stoplanyard operation and gearcase oil level. I usually remove the prop and grease the splines but other than that there is not a lot to check. usually runs 35-50 dollars here with oil.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

As a side note....Mercury still allows new engines to be shipped directly to consumers without any setup. The catch is that they have to be sold and shipped in conjunction with an inflatable boat. So you can buy a Mercury 10' inflatable and a Mercury 9.8 hp, brand new and have them shipped to your front door. Mercury is not really worried about a problem with small tiller handle engines. They are terrified of the idea that loose engines could be sold by internet dealers, thereby bypassing their local dealer network. Since 99% of their dealers do not sell inflatables they do not see those type of sales as being in competition with the local dealer.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

$160 for 'set up ' is high.But realize you have already ripped him off by buying online,not from him.He has to charge to keep his doors open.<br />I get a small kick when someone buys a battery online,brings it to me and thinks I'll put acid in it and charge it for zip because I sell that brand.<br /><br />OH,if he can't keep his doors open,can you ship your motor back to 'where ever' for service?<br /><br />DHP<br /><br />DHP

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

So your saying its okay for a dealer to lie about tohatsu requiring a setup on new outboards? <br /><br />Heck the 40 hp I bought didnt need to be setup, mount it and go!!<br /><br />By the way Boaters World sells Tohatsu motors, you dont think that they will set them up do you? I worked at Boaters World in college, I helped you throw them in the back of your truck and gave you a handshake and a have a nice day.<br /><br />If you need to lie about a simple thing like setup costs you wont have to worry about keeping the doors open, you will end up closing them due to lack of interest.<br /><br />-John

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

We were talking about a 4stroke motor.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

Correct.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

Good, So oil has to be installed,and checked for level after running.Hope the factory filled the gearcase as they won't WRO empty ones.00ps gotta use my gas.<br /><br />Now we start it,and it runs good,needs no adjustments ... great !!<br /><br />I don't need $160 for this but what is a fair price for you to pay me ?<br /><br />DHP

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

The 4 strokes we sold at Boaters World came with starting directions and Tohatsu warrantied the units all the same.<br /><br />As Alvin said above, below 18hp needs no setup from any dealer.<br /><br />Your supposed to have the guy read the owners manual before he starts it- in there it tells you to check the oil levels and what else is needed.<br /><br />If a customer still wants you to do a fluid check, charge what you feel fit.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

johnshan1<br /> your giving the average cheepo buyer to much credit. I sit with each customer and go over the owners manual, I highlight items of paticular importance. never fails that a full 50% will call me within a week with a question or concern that was highlighted. they either cant or wont read it.<br /> DHP<br /> I had the same problems when selling depthfinders. people would price it from me buy it from wal-mart then when the install failed or it would not read above idle speed they would ask me to fix it free and train them. I had a firm policy if you did not buy it from me take it back to the selling dealer. I have found the average wally-world sports center salesclerk hasnt a clue but thats where I would send them. then the people would call the manufacture and complain about me. I finally quit selling them as there was no profit and to many headaches. I have a good friend that is a Tohatsu dealer. if ya bought it online, at boaters world or west marine and it needs warrenty service he will refer you back to the selling dealer or put it behind all the rest of the actuall paying work. with no profit may as well go home and watch TV.

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: Tohatsu "setup" $160????

I understand being pushed back behind all the other customers if you didnt buy it there, but Tohatsu still pays him for the warranty work, he just didnt get any money off the original sale.