am i getting screwed?

[phatmanmike]

on january 6th, 2004, i purchased a used but "tested" 1980 50hp evinrude outboard with a 30 day warranty for 950 dollars.when i arrived at his shop to pick up motor, he said the starter wasnt working and he would UPS me one asap, should be within the week. sounded fair. starter never came. 2 weeks later he sent me a check for 130 dollars so i could get my own starter myself, wich i did.<br /><br />motor wouldnt start. spent a couple days on phone with him trouble shooting. thought it was a power pack. he mailed me a power pack. wasnt the pack. so i brought my boat (17 foot center console) back to his shop(86 miles each way)to have him fix it.new stator was installed and i picked up boat 2 days later.<br /><br />get home and am having trouble starting motor. call back for more tech support...<br />it starts but only ocasionaly. took boat out at local boat ramp and #1 cylnder throughs a connecting rod through the block while idleing in no wake zone . i call back saying what it did, he says bring it back so he can look at it. <br /><br />he calls one week later with synopsis saying that number 1 ran lean and that it was not covered by warranty. i could pay 500 to rebuild it or he would be willing to swap a nother 50hp powerhead he has for free.he stated he was "willing to work with me on a satisfactory close"<br /><br />he has had motor since this point wich was late january. i had motor 2 weeks. 12 days of wich it didnt work.<br /><br />he has my money and motor. simply says he will call when its done.<br /><br />how long should this take?<br /><br />been 5 1/2 months<br /><br />please see their site at www.vikingmarine.com and read the warranty info......please<br /><br />m ikey

 

[Solittle]

Re: am i getting screwed?

Mike - Have you talked to Ron since? This dosen't sound like him. I had him do a bunch of work for me some years ago both outboard and I/O and had no problem with him or his work.<br /><br />There may be two sides to this.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: am i getting screwed?

i have spoken to him many times. all he says is" ill call you when its done"<br /><br />im not questioning his work , or even if its a warranty claim or not, just his profesional-ism.<br /><br />his customer went 100 miles out of their way to give him their business, and gave hime 820 dollars and 5 1/2 months later still does not have the product that he purchased.<br /><br />i have asked repeatedly for either a refund for 820 or a motor, any motor, i would prefer mine, but will take anything of equal value

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: am i getting screwed?

Sounds like a fellow which gave you a motor before it was tested and/or functional. You were probably in a hurry to get one and he wasn't really ready with it, but took a chance because he wanted the sale. He sounds like a decent fellow in that he is going the distance in fixing it for 'free'. It's probably the busiest time of the year for him, but I he needs to make it a priority...instead of pushing it back.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: am i getting screwed?

My question is, why would a lean cylinder cause a rod to be thrown? And why would that not be covered regardless of the cause?<br /><br />At lease he's willing to replace the powerhead...

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: am i getting screwed?

does it take 5 1/2 months?

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: am i getting screwed?

I understand that the seller, because of labor and new parts, will not make a profit on this sale HOWEVER 5 1/2 months is unreasonable. <br /><br />Small Claims Court may be your best option. <br /><br />Good luck...

 

[quantumleap]

Re: am i getting screwed?

Unfortunately that is the downside to buying a used motor. No warranty. But, he is going out of his way by offering you another powerhead for free. You pretty much have to wait it out, but I would still make regular "friendly" phone calls checking on the progress and explaining how anxious you are to get on the water. Good luck.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: am i getting screwed?

his website has a late 80's 25 horse evinrude with rebuilt carb(s) and a new waterpump, on tiller shifting for same price as i paid. has offered it to mee in place of the origonal 50hp.. much newer motor, but 25hp less even trade. i contacted him today.i contact him every month to check on the status. im still upset that he coulda just refunded my cash 5 months ago. he has a 2 day money back guarrantee, and i had it for 2 days...

My question is, why would a lean cylinder cause a rod to be thrown?

with a lean condition, motor gets less than optimal fuel, with less than optimal fuel, it gets less than optimal oil, with less than optimal oil, motors puke. allthough i rebuke this as the reason why it puked. it had troubles from the start.

 

[bernieb]

Re: am i getting screwed?

He has your motor and your money and that gentleman has God in his advertisment? Lets hear rons side on this! It's just not right to sell a man a motor with the understanding that it works!and such a fancy web site.....wow.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: am i getting screwed?

Hassling him once a month is like not calling him at all! Every week is a minimum for calling. Every third day is better. Get a date firm date from him and ask him if that's a promise! Or just send the $$$ back. You cannot wait any longer.

 

[BillP]

Re: am i getting screwed?

There is NO excuse for this to go 5+ months. If the dude was a straight shooter he would have returned your money or resolved this the first week. He wouldn't have sent a broken engine either. You certainly know this guy isn't honest or ethical. Get out of the deal however you can and chalk it up to experience. I live in Florida and am scratching this Ron guy off my list of people to deal with. I wish crumbs like this would quit moving to Florida.<br /><br />Also, unless Florida law has changed, forget going to small claims court in Florida. Florida has no enforcement for payment of small claims judgements. If Ron lost in court and decided not to pay you there is no way for you to collect and the state will do nothing. All you will get is a judgement that says you "should" be paid. Best bet here is to consult an attorney for the best way to handle lawsuits...but it will cost more than the motor to do it.

 

[jfholijr]

Re: am i getting screwed?

Oh Man and I had high hopes for this fellah. Welp guess I'll be takin a second look and having second thought's before dealing with that business.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: am i getting screwed?

Forget the attorney, I've got this 'friend' named Vinny, and for a small fee....

 

[jfholijr]

Re: am i getting screwed?

Soooooooooo Phatman, what's up with the situation with this guy? Did he finally come through for ya or are you still hanging?

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: am i getting screwed?

Originally posted by BillP:<br /> forget going to small claims court in Florida. Florida has no enforcement for payment of small claims judgements. If Ron lost in court and decided not to pay...

Persons doing business in the marine industry know full well that they live or die depending greatly on their reputation.<br /><br />A business owner that refuses to pay a judgement handed down by a court, Small Claims or otherwise, has signed his own (business) death warrant.<br /><br />Perhaps the mention of Small Claims would be enough to incite a prompt resolve.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: am i getting screwed?

apperantly the parts will be here next week.... although i have heard this before, i really really dont wanna make and bad blood, i reaaly want this motor..1980 50hp evirude with tilt/trim and a new pwerhead with rebuilt carbs and new waterpump for 800 bucks.....yeah im waiting

 

[jfholijr]

Re: am i getting screwed?

What new parts did he have to order besides what you have allready stated earlier?

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: am i getting screwed?

i dunno, some parts needed to swap powerheads. said all the parts werent at the same shop, he has 1 shop in orlando and 1 in miami.... whatever, i want my motor and i want to go elsewhere next time, lesson learned