what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

[rsfeller]

i just winterized my boat with a well recommended yard in the Port Clinton, Ohio area...anyways...<br /><br />they charged me $75 for no battery/keys!!! as a first time boat owner this summer i'm a bit angry they did not tell me this...especially when they asked i wanted to store my own batteries or if they wanted them to do it at a cost...<br /><br />so of course i took my batteries when they pulled the boat ashore...they stood there and watched me yank them out!!!<br /><br />is this a common charge or do you guys think i should be calling them out on a $75 charge for no battery/key for them to fog/oil/winterize/wrap my boat?<br /><br />thanks gang.<br />shawn

 

[fredcrn]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

Sure sounds like a scam to me. They should have given you the opportunity to pull your batteries after they fogged. I would at least approach them and try for some kind of refund/credit. Seems like an expensive lesson in the meaning of no keys/batteries clause. Perhaps if you mention you intend to have a boat for a very long time and will be needing storage for many years in the future and you would really hate for them to lose all that business over a lousy $75. <br />Fred

 

[P.V.]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

Well, I can tell you this! I would love to charge customers extra $$$ every time I get in their boat and they have taken OUT their battery (means I have to lug MY batterys out of the shop, up into their boat, connect them (often up-side down) pull them out after I'm done OH! don't forget hot-wiring the ignition due to no keys! <br />BUT, I don't have the patience to fight over the extra charges I should charge vs. what customers may feel is acceptable!!!! But, $75 does seems steep! You should ask them about it. Seems an expensive way to make a point, MAYBE I should charge $75....

 

[sea wolf]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

well, how did u expect them to fog the engine if u pulled the battery & didn't leave the keys?

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

Hi there Shawn Fellow,<br /><br />I have visited Port Clinton numerous times. It is a neat place to check out. However, with it being one of the main areas for marinas, they tend to have you over the barrel. When your a first time boater and experience what goes own, ususally your first year of learning will leave your pockets lighter than they were. Then the second year won't be so bad, but they will find something else to stick you for.<br /><br />$75 sounds a bit much for no battery/keys. But to the over worked mechanic, I can understand his frustration of having to replace/remove the battery, and hot wire the system to get it running to winterize. Then having to remove everything when he is done.<br /><br />I would ask them next year how you can avoid the charges on the battery storage. Leave an extra key for them, they already have your boat, and if they wanted to use it, they would hot wire it. So to keep them from messing up your electrical system, leave them the key.<br /><br />I took my van into PEP Boys and they charged me an exta $25 to remove the doghouse! I just could believe they would charge for that. So from now on when it goes in, I remove/replace the doghouse for them.<br /><br />Good luck on your outcome.

 

[DJ]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

Shawn,<br /><br />It sounds like they charged you one hour labor.<br /><br />It's a BIG hassle for them to have these things disrupt their routine.

 

[rsfeller]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

you guys must be mechanics becuase you comments are horible in my oppinion.<br /><br />first, i'm not a mechanic so how am i to know what they need to do to fog my engine?<br /><br />2nd, the owner pulled my boat, let me drive in his truck with him and didn't say anything.<br /><br />3rd, the wife who checked me in didn't ask for keys.<br /><br />4th the mechanic watched me pull the batteries.<br /><br />additionally, about the comments...i would figure they would have a portable battery system on wheels that wires in, i know we use one at the ski resort i manage to maintain the snow cats in the summer.<br /><br />i wanted to know if this was commen, istead i got opinions on how it inconvienanced the mechanic and i should "have know"...which is not what i'm concerned about.<br /><br />if i ran a business and was going to charge customers more for something i didn't ask, warn convey when i had many oppurtunities...i would be professional embarrased.

 

[dick]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

Did they call you and ask you to bring the key and battery back ? If they did and you didn't the $75 bucks in a way is fair. If they never called then its crap !

 

[rsfeller]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

of course they didn't call, it was to easy an oppurtunity to make money.<br /><br />and P.V. you probably would agree with that. if it's such a hassle and common mistake, why wouldn't you check ahead of your maintaince schedule to see who you have keys/batteries for and contact them...<br /><br />that would be to customer service oriented. the reason i selected the company i did (and there maintaince prices are very fair) was becuase there were so many "a.s.s.hole" mechanics i talked to. over 1/2 of the people i tried to get estimates from and ask questions, acted like i was bothering them or that i was an idiot.<br /><br />my first season as a boater was wonderful, and i hope i'm hooked for a long time to come. but the post season attempt to find affordable storage and maintance has been painful at the least...this charge just confirmed my experience.<br /><br />shawn

 

[diamonddave]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

Know what I've learned after many years boating? Ask lots of questions. If you are'nt sure, ask, boat people love to share info, even the mechanic that might screw you, ask the questions. Do you need keys, anything else anything, I'm not sure what to do, please help me. I've billed people extra for being inconvenienced, but will usually remove the extra if the customer asks me. ASK lots of questions in a dialogue form, we love to share info. Regards

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

Shawn Feller...I have had a lot of time to contemplate the possibilities of why the local"service" needed to charge TWICE the amount that should have been for for a rebuild of my outer unit when all that was being replaced was ONE bearing and came to only one conclusion. The more I raised cain and bellered the more they knocked off. I'm not one to begrudge a business making a buck but book time within reason should be enough. That is what I wound up paying. In your case not having the knowledge of what needed to be done and how it would be done could be being used against your wallet. You could try to bargain with them and hope to come out with some cash recovery or credit. Or study the posts in this forum and learn how to do it yourself next time as I have. Winterizing only takes me about an hour and a half. Also with all due respect to the mechanics they may be under pressure to maximize their efforts to minimize cost and improve billable charges. I feel for you. Sorry I got to rambling . THANKFULLY AND RESPECTFULLY>>BART SR.

 

[rsfeller]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

my goal was to winterize myself, but i could not transport the boat to my locatioin this season about 1.5 hrs away. believe me i will own a trailer next year and transport, instead of this hassle. thank you for you input, it sounds like the customers think this is BS and the mechanics think i had it coming...<br /><br />maybe i did...but i need to find a mechanic that is working with me. i am willing to give these people money for services and products i need, but when they start to "extort" money from me...belevie me i'll go elsewhere.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

Sorry, but it's not THAT much of a hassle. Around here if a shop tried to charge $75 bucks for that...there would be an a$$ whooping somewhere.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

If you are boat owner and going to freak over 75 bucks for what they have to do to get it started. Wait till something really goes wrong. Chalk it up to a learning experience. I am a back yard boat rebuild (really a flooring installer) and have thrown good money after bad on all kinds of stuff (if everyone here was honest with them selves I am sure they would admit having a pile of unused parts in the garage or spending more money then they expected on something). If you plan on staying at that marina I wouldn't make to many waves over 75 bucks you may be waiting till July to be set back in the water.

 

[DJ]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

Shawn,<br /><br />The problem here is that; YOU were inconvenienced, and you dont't like it.<br /><br />1. I'm not a "mechanic", so my comments are for whatever you take them for. I do not appreciate my comments deemed as : "horrible". If you do not want someones opinion-DON'T ASK FOR IT. Read-I'm insulted.<br /><br />2. Your, or whoevers wife, is NOT responsible for your problem of misplacing the keys. Nor is it the responsibilty of your "marina"-SERVICE PROVIDER-to ask 20 questions as to the level of service you desire. That is YOUR responsibility.<br /><br />It is none others concern, OTHER THAN YOR OWN, to ask questions, and make sure you get the deal you bargained for.<br /><br />Sorry for the "blunt" words. You get what you pay for.

 

[rsfeller]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

misplaced my keys? where did you get that one...i would have been happy to give them one of my three sets...<br /><br />as i said i was asking if this was a common and acceptable charge...not comments on what degree it was my fault for being so ignorant. <br /><br />so i'm guessing you find it absolutly normal that the wife/husband/mechanic combo didin't ask me about key/battery charge as they watch me walk out the door with my batteries in each hand!!! your killing me...<br /><br />and for the comment privious to the last...i'm not freaking out over $75...and i do understand boats are expensive to operate...but i didn't expect to pay for unknow and "hidden" items...i selected these guys becuase of there good prices...but it now the fogging/winterizing just cost as much as all the other smucks...and i don't believe in keeping my mouth shut and playing there game so i don't get delayed till july. <br /><br />why can't a boat be "fogged" by turning over the crank with socket? it's right there and i've done it before?

 

[sea wolf]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

no, i'm not a mechanic. but i did learn. i do 95% of my own boat maint. if i do bring my boat in i don't expect the mechanics to babysit me. u haven't answered the question. how did u expect the shop to fog the engine after you're dumb mistake?

 

[MGuckin]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

No, I am not marine mechanic and I feel I have paid excessively at times.(welcome to boating). But I have learned quite a bit thanks to the people that hang around here and I now do most of my own work.<br />I don't think you will get the answer you want here no matter what anybody says. Take your complaint to the marina that actually performed the service.<br />In the future sign a written work order.<br />Fogging a motor while turning a motor over by hand is a quite a bit shy of winterizing. Just so you understand, I would suggest maybe you read up on winterizing procedures and what is actually supposed to be done.<br />Bite the bullet and chaulk it up to a learning experience.<br />Good Luck

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

Hey Shawn Feller, I don't think any of us planned to ruffle yer feathers. I have been around boats since I was a teen (30+years experience) Had "PROS" do stuff for me and always was never satisfied. A PRO winterized my boat once one winter, cost me a lower unit because he didn't tell me to lower the outdrive. His excuse was that he just winterized the engine as I had asked him to. My mistake was that I asked him to winterize my engine, what I should have said "I need my engine and outdrive winterized". <br /><br />I can understand how frustrating it is not to have your boat close by. How big is your boat? I see where you said it is an hour and a half to get to Port Clinton. That is about how long it takes me to get there. I have unloaded my boats before to help haul out someones boat because they didn't have a trailer. I just charged for the gas spent. I would consider helping you out if you are somewhat close to Mansfield and your boat is not too big. One trailer has a 27' on it, and the other has a V-20 on it. Main expense would be the blocks to set your boat up on.<br /><br />Good Luck....

 

[rsfeller]

Re: what is this crap charge from my mechanic/storage...

seawolf, you need to read my posts before you make additional comments of that nature. i did explain how i figured the engine would get fogged, and i don't understand why the 3 main people at the facility letting me leave without asking about keys is "babysitting"...<br /><br />technically savvy do it yourselfers are so condasending at times. i am a very technically savvy person myself with computers and mechanics, and i always help "newbies" with the obvious...<br /><br />bottom line seems to be the experienced people think i'm an idiot and the average consumers who put their trust in so called professionals to take care of their investment feel i was taken adavantage of with an "easy target" money making oppurtuniity...<br /><br />i will say something to them this week, but from the comments i've gotten here those who question my inteligence and ignorance have me ready for the worst...<br /><br />my experience from the first year of boating with "so called" professionals has been unsatisfactory. i own three cars that i maintain myself, and seldom get attitude, looks of stupidity and attempts to extort money from me with bogus billing, estimates and theories when i seek help. but from local mechanics, marinas and backyard experts i have not had many good experiences yet. the local bayliner dealer in my area left me so frustrated after my first and 2nd visit that i'll never go back...<br /><br />i appricate all those who answered my original concern...which was if this charge was fair and just and other constructive critisisms. for the rest who decided to tell me "i had it coming" and "chalk it up to a learning experience" i feel bad you had to learn the hard way and feel all other should to. <br /><br />nobody should have to feel they are being taken advantage of when asking for help from professionsal.