Before Phoning Me

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Capt Ken

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Jul 30, 2002
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Just wanted to get something off my chest. I've been biting my tongue for quite a while. I will get phone calls to my shop wanting to speak to me concerning the Yamaha Sterndrives. Many of these calls start off with, I just bought a bunch of parts and I need advice on installing them. My first thought is, you didn't buy them from me so why are you asking me? Ask the shop you bought them from. But I've yet to actually blurt that out but I've come close a few times.
So before you phone me and take me away from a boat that I'm upside down in, think about what you are going to say. I don't mind helping folks out but I'm in the business of selling parts and repairing boats.
OK, I'll quit beating that horse now.
 
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fishrdan

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Jan 25, 2008
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Re: Before Phoning Me

Capt Ken said:
Many of these calls start off with, I just bought a bunch of parts and I need advice on installing them.
Click to expand...

Ughhhh! People actually call a shop/business to ask "how do I install these parts". Asking for free advice and for you to give away your knowledge and time,,,,,,, for free!!! :facepalm:

#1- put the parts in a box...
#2- bring them to me along with the boat...
#3- pay the bill when I have finished installing them for you.

I have people call me all the time asking "how do I fix __________". My time is billed at an hourly rate whether I tell them how they can fix it (consulting), or if I fix the problem for them.
 
aspeck

aspeck

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Re: Before Phoning Me

I feel your pain ... That frosted me when we were in the car business. My bro was much nicer than I was, he would spend time explaining. I would usually be to busy, or I would ask them where they bought the car and where did they buy the parts. If we weren't mentioned, I would politely ask them why we weren't good enough to get there business, but they come to us for advice? Then I would help them.
 
Grub54891

Grub54891

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Re: Before Phoning Me

That bugs me too,boater shows up,I need to bowwow your tools,just take me a minuite! Ummmm.... Sorry sir,I make a living from these tools,I'll do it for ya,send ya a bill. They get grumpy and leave.
Dont need their business like that. Sometimes I tell em,hardware sells tools up the street,guess what happens!
I waoner if they go to an auto shop and ask to use their tools/hoist?? Lol
Grub
 
matt167

matt167

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Sep 27, 2012
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Re: Before Phoning Me

Renting an auto shop bay for a night after hours is not uncommon at least where I live, but I would never think of it asking to borrow tools from a shop or ask advice.. In the past I have ran up on my local mechanics lunch break and seen if he could get me a service page for whatever car I might be working on without a manual as he has Alldata but he's also a friend of mine and gets plenty of $$ from me anyways.
 
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Capt Ken

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Re: Before Phoning Me

Most of those folks are across the country but gotta admit, one is bringing theirs from MN next week.
We did start a Sterndrive club last year and for a small amount, you get advise and a discount on parts. Had about a dozen join. Probably lost money due to the discounted parts.
I don't mine helping if I have the time and the wife who answers the shop phone, is good about screening calls and having them email me instead. Then I can answer when I can find time.
Then there is those that want to know what aftermarket parts will fit their engine? So I took the time over the years to figure what will fit and what won't work and I'm suppose to give that information out rather than you buying the parts from me?

But I have to admit, probably 75% of the people do purchase some parts me before asking advice.
 
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