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

[mattttt25]

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

vinney- i think you're missing the point of many of the posters- i won't say the customer is always right and will admit most customers are a real pain the **s. but the situation here is clear- the customer was never informed of the charges and had no idea they were coming. he has stated he would have left the keys and batteries if he was informed of the charge (any of us would). so in my humble opinion (as a consumer and buisnessman), he should not pay the $75. i can't fathom how anyone could argue that.

 

[SCO]

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

Anytime I get a whiff that any service provider is teaching me a lesson, thats the last red cent they ever get from me. As a customer, I am obligated to pay for the work that is done. If they have to do extra work to get the motor started, it should be paid for. A shop has every right to keep the stalls filled with customers that pay for full service, but to do a doubleback sneaky retribution charge like what may have happened to Shawn is unacceptable. If it isn't worth their while to give a self serve battery discount, it shouldn't be an option. Whats worse, a customer with an attitude or a mechanic with one. I strive hard to establish good relationships with the mechanics I work with, and have had good success mostly cause I think they do too. "The customer is always right" is just something the sales clerk is supposed to say over and over to self in order to stay cool and maximize future profits.

 

[vinney]

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

WE NEED TO BE THE BEST WE CAN BE.PERFECT EVERY TIME. ALL I AM SAYING WE NEED HELP. MOST GUYS THAT OWN THERE OWN BUSINESS DO IT OUT OF PRIDE. NOT FOR THE MONEY. IF YOU ADD UP THE AGGRAVATION, THE GOVERMENT, THE TAXES, COLLECTING MONEY, THE HELP NO ONE WOULD EVER GO IN THE BOAT BUSINESS WE DO IT OUT OF PRIDE AND WE HAVE A LOVE OF BOATS. I KNOW I WANT THING TO GO PERFECT. WE KILL OUR SELFS TO GET IT RIGHT. I HAVE HAD MANY TIME WE TELL A CUSTOMER THAT IS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE MANUFACTURE BUMBS THE CLAIM WE GUST SUCK IT UP. WE NEVER SAY A WORD TO THE CUSTOMER BECAUSE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED. WE DO THE RIGHT THING. AS TIME GOES ON THERE ARE LESS PEOPLE GOING IN THE BOAT BUSINESS.

 

[sea wolf]

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

if i'm not mistaken he got charged the $75. because he pulled the batteries & didn't leave the keys. when's the last time anyone here had to hot wire a boat to get it started? hookin up batteries ain't no fun either. he got charged extra for the time it took the mechanics to get his boat started. period.

 

[f_inscreenname]

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

If everyone who posted sent this guy a buck he would have his money back, short 5 bucks. Let it go. To many of you are getting to worked up over this. Us in the services business understand the charge and why (they still should have called). I am a sub contractor for Home Depot. Try telling a old lady on a fixed income there is a extra charge for something. I end up doing it for free (without them knowing usually) but when it comes to someone that can afford it, I will call the charge in to the store. Is it fare? Maybe not but if it was your mother I think you would fell differently. Then there is the people that know what they should do before I show up (its like leaving keys and bats when motor work needs to be done at the boat yard) and they leave it up to me to do. I happily call that charge in. I have had more then one customer freak out when the store calls for the extra money. I just say you should have known that it had to be done before I showed up. Now it has to be done and I am not waiting for them to do it so earthier pay me to do it now or we can set up a new time and date for your install. Most end up paying. My point is the extra work had to be done to complete the work that was contracted. So the charge was just. They should have warned you about the charge first and gave you the option of bringing the keys and bats back (and hooking them up and after they were done you could come back and unhook and store them again) or pay them to do there thing. Either way you would have paid but the bottom line is they should have called. At H.D. if they didn't call you would not have paid. I myself would ask them to split it with me knowing the work should be paid for but they should have called. Just let It go

 

[harrison20002]

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

Shawn feller; My reply has nothing to do with the 75 bucks. Thats a problem between you and the marina. Before you buy a trailer get yourself a Manual. It will give you full instructions on Winterizing your motor. You can do the work yourself and end up only paying for the Winters mooring.<br /><br />The people who take the time to try and answer our questions do this for free. We get nothing out of it other than the satisfaction of helping someone get by in the boating world. One of my pet peeves is someone who asks a question, then when it's something he doesn't want to hear starts out with, "Ya But"......................!<br /><br />If you don't want the advise, don't ask!<br /><br />How many times have you taken your car in for service and walked away with the keys? <br /><br />This reply is no biggie, just my two cents worth.<br /><br />Happy Boating; And Vinnie don't scream all the time. Hal

 

[ODDD1]

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

I have not been around much lately, what with winterizing boats before too much snow flies up here....but I have to side with capt Ken, PV, Vinney etc,[professional courtesy aside].....we all enjoy those customers that we see once a year for winterizing and maintenance, so many of who just slide gracefully in and out of the shop with a smile, a check and a 'see you next year'....the work is relatively painless, you were in the boat last year, you pretty much know what issues need to be addressed....we are both comfortable with the routine.....<br />and this contrasts sharply with 'other' customers..the ones you want to become patrons,you hope they will, but sometimes you end up encouraging them to find another shop, they are just too difficult to profitably do business with...this time of year we will climb in and out of an obscene number of boats between mid september and now, anything that hinders the EFFICIENT production in the shop is dealt with quickly and sometimes painfully....do I want to hook back up to a trailer boat and pull it out of the work bay it is in,re cover it, park it, deal with the paper work, call the customer, and start another project?? heck no....I do just what shawns shop did, I do what I have to, get the job done....labor for anything over and above our normal winterizing charges is on the bill...you [and your wallet]are encouraged to bring everything you need next year.....<br /> for the bemusement of the other tech's on here, my top ten most hated list....<br />1 dead/missing batteries<br />2 no keys<br />3 snap down canvas, covered with mooring canvas, covered with a blue plastic tarp tied down with baling twine...<br />4 get the canvas off, find ski tube, spare tire, six fenders,jackets,3 anchors,fishing poles, etc piled in the boat...must be removed to gain engine, and all put back...<br />5 did I mention the moldy Chee-toes in the carpet? some boats you put a fender cover down to keep the boat clean, others you do it to keep YOU clean..<br />6 not enough fuel in the boat to winterize it, much less start it in the spring...<br />7 moldy engines...I'm talking HAIR growing on everthing...<br />8 trailer locks....many times have come to work in the morning to find a locked boat sitting in the middle of the driveway...keys in the boat, but not the trailer one....<br />9 prop locks/drive locks....the boat gets to the dealer for service, but everybody forgets about those little devices.....<br />10 hidden battery switches...it is amazing how many compartments you have to rifle through in your average 25 footer to find it....<br /> OK...I said my piece....anybody want to add?

 

[rsfeller]

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

wow! i created a monster...i walked away for a few days and it's still kicking...<br /><br />i enjoy all the heated opinions, but i still have to ask a few of those post-ers that think i had this charge coming...to re read my inital few comments...<br /><br />they asked if i wanted to pull my batteries, or their would be a charge for them doing it...then turned around and charged me for not having them!!!! <br /><br />and once again...yes car mechanics ALWAYS ask where the keys are! are they in the car? are they in the key box? buy three people (experts) on that lot didn't ask me for anything when i walked away...<br /><br />cheers!

 

[vinney]

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

ODDD1 THAT WAS PERFECT. THANK YOU.(WERE ARE THE KEYS) MY THOUGHTS ARE WHO IS GOING TO STEAL THAT BOAT ANY WAY. WHERE I AM EVERYTHING IS DRY STACKED. EXCEPT FOR THE BIG STEAM. THE BOAT IS ON THE FORTH STACK HIGH THE YARD IS FENCED IN. THERE ARE THESE BIRDS THAT WILL DIVE BOMB YOU ONCE AWHILE. YOU NEED A FORK TRUCK TO GET TO BOAT AND THE RAMP WERE THE BOATS GO IN IS FENCED AND LOCKED. YOU WOULD HAVE TO BREAK IN THE FENCE,JUMP START THE FORK TRUCK(BECAUSE THERE ARE ON KEYS IN IT) KNOW HOW TO RUN A 25 TON TRUCK,NAVIGATE THRU THE BIRDS, BREAK THRU THE FENCE TO LAUNCH THE BOAT. I SAY LEAVE THE KEYS IN THE BOAT AND TAKE YOUR CHANCES I KNOW ONE PERSON WILL BE HAPPY THE GUY WORKING ON IT.I HAVE ALWAYS SAID A BUTTON ON THE DASH WOULD BE PERFECT. YOU WOULD NEVER LOOSE YOU KEYS, OR MAKE WERE WE LIVE SO WE DONT NEED KEYS FOR ANYTHING. V

 

[mattttt25]

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

odd- nice list of complaints. if i had the time, i'd love to make my own list of complaints we all have with marine shops. i hope someone out there can. i'll start it for you-<br />1. charge for something i was never told i'd be charged for (no batteries/key)

 

[P.V.]

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

Come on, Shawn. We're waiting!!! You need to talk to your friends at the boat shop. You know, the $75 ??????? Was it a "miss-understanding" or a vauge attempt to "split you from your money 'cause you have too much and they don't" ???????

 

[SCO]

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

I'm with PV. Either the shop pulled the old gig maneuver on Shawn, snickering while he pulled the battery, or they simply don't have time to hold every customers hand and were irked when they realized that Shawn had pulled the battery prior to the fogging. Case 1 Shawn wins, case 2 shop wins. You could argue for better customer service in case 2, but then it's more of a 50/50.

 

[6MISFITZ]

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

O.K. Shawn Feller, you cetainly hit a nerve with this topic and it has motivated alot of people to get of the fence and voice their opinoins either with you or against. <br /><br />I am waiting for the next chapter in this saga, the posting of your comments on what transpired when you talked to the marina about this charge and their defense of this expense.<br /><br />Regards,<br />Mike.

 

[littlewinnie]

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

As a new boat owner I got an expensive lesson in buying an owning a boat. The trailer with the was suppose have passed inspection and i discovered when it was time to pull it out of the water the lights didn't work. I had to have the lights replaced and rewired at the one and only marina on our lake. the owner/mechanic resented it when I asked him a question. He charged me a $100 to do the work, but I had to provide the kit. I then learned about rewiring a trailer and put on additional lights. Because the lake dropped two feet during the summer, I ruined a prop and the replacenment was not the same type, bur told me it would work. I then ordered a rebuilt prop and the bushing was not fitted properly. It took me two months to get it replaced. Since he has the only boat ramp for the lake he charges $20 to put your boat into the lake. I have sent away and received the maintenance manual for the 50 Hp Johnson and I will start doing some of the work myself. When I pulled my boat out of the water, I had him fog the engine, but I left the keys and gas tank in the boat. He did bring the boat up to my house and only charged me $25 for the service.

 

[MGuckin]

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

shawn feller,<br />Just curious.<br />Have you had the chance to discuss the billing problem with the marina yet? <br />I meant no insult in my last post, your response was uncalled for. <br /><br />littlewinnie,<br />$100 to wire lights is ridiculous. Glad you are learning to do some of the work yourself.<br />I can understand a 1 hour minimum in billing but that is way to high. Just my opinion.<br />But he fogged and delivered your boat for $25, that is a good deal.

 

[bjb87gta]

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

I've found the discussion of this topic interesting at best, and now I an going to give my $.02. I have been in and around the automotive business since I could walk, but I don't know everything. I will tell you about the day in the life of a mechanic. My father has owned and worked in his shop for over 30 years. I worked in the auto body repair business as a tech for 14 years, and have been a consultant to it for the last 8. A MECHANIC DOES'NT GET PAID BY THE HOUR, HE'S PAID BY THE JOB! If he does a job that is flat rated to take 2 hrs to do and makes $20 per flat rate hour, he makes $40. If a bolt breaks off or is stripped, and the repair takes 3 hrs to do, he still makes $40. If your mechanic spent 1 hr of extra time getting your winterizing completed because you took the keys and/or the battery, that was 1 hr of time he lost for the day, plus 1 hr of time he could have been working on another boat and making money(that is the reason he gets out of bed and goes to work in the morning). What would you do if you worked by the hour and your boss told you to go punch out and spend 1 or 2 hrs finishing your days work and not getting paid for it? I'm not saying that you or your mechanic are right or wrong, but I think that I would write this off as a learning experience Shawn, because next time your mechanic is losing his ass trying to fix something he has no control over and you drive up and come in telling him about how your boats not working quite right, and you think you paid too much last time, you will for sure need a trailer, because you will be taking your boat down the road to some other place to get repaired.

 

[PeeWee]

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

I am a mechanic,nobody in my shop gets charged anything without being told about it first.

 

[mattttt25]

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

thank you peewee, the point many of us were trying to make all along...

 

[sloopy]

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

WELL alot of boats a winterize never have the keys in them.. But I can easly jumo that and I can take the key systom out and put my own key systom in. I can start most boats with my little tool box full of keys and key systoms.! I can also acces a set of 500(not mine some one elses) keys that will start any fountan powerboat. I also have a master (illegal) key that I can start any sea doe PWC with (itd actualy a kill switch with a magnet attachd to it) <br /><br />must mechanics including this JR one can get acces to keys and start any boat. ALso any one with any mechanicle knowledge can start any boat or car as long as you have the tools to take apart the ignition systom and the security one!) <br /><br />it is not hard to start a boat with no keys, but bringing a battery up is SOOOOO hard!

 

[beckerdg]

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

Well everyone else has posted I thought I might add one observation. <br /><br />Seems the real mechanics here posted lots of issues that costs them time and adds to the bill and took the time to note them here. How about keeping them on a stack of paper to hand to new customers on ways to keep their costs at the shop down. Seems to me just a good way to pad the bill if your not informing folks, and while we may learn a lesson from the bill, I will likely apply the learnings at another shop than where I learned it.<br /><br />If we were mechanics and new all the issues of working on a boat, we would not need you.