Going the Extra Mile

[WillyBWright]

Now that I've gone and started a hornet's nest in another thread about bad experiences, I thought I'd start one for Exceptional Experiences. I know it's not really in the spirit of Stupid Human Tricks, but this seems to be the category for stories. I'd like to read some stories on the selfless side of humanity. I've got one I'd like to share...<br /><br />A gentleman on the lake in his later years had a nice Carlson with a 120Hp Johnson. Every day he put a lap or two on the lake just for the pure enjoyment of it. One day he hit the inevetible rock and snapped the crankshaft (among other things). Insurance bought him all he needed including a rebuilt powerhead.<br /><br />The stator was damaged only superficially. Functionally it was still okay. A new one was part of the estimate and on back order for several weeks when the mechanic decided that he might as well put the old stator on the otherwise finished repair job so the gentleman could enjoy his boat until the new one arrived. The next few days, the gentleman was seen buzzing along enjoying his rides.<br /><br />Nobody saw him for a week or so. A Deputy payed him a visit to see if he was okay and there he was, sitting in his chair with a beer and watching TV. Stiff as a board. Dead as a stump.<br /><br />The mechanic knew that it would take extra time to do the job twice. He wasn't going to charge extra for it. He just wanted the old gentleman to enjoy his boat. And he did until his dying day.

 

[sloopy]

Re: Going the Extra Mile

At least it has a happy ending.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Going the Extra Mile

made a newbie mistake some years back forcing the<br />lower unit on my merc 1150, so happens the shift<br />shaft wasn't lined up and eneded up breaking the<br />little table that the clutch dog sits on....<br />all this happened 2 days before we were heading to<br />the 1,000 islands for 10 days vacation.<br />I show up at Kenny's with lower unit in hand at<br />almost 5pm. he quickly pulls apart the lower unit<br />and finds the damage. it's dinner time for him,<br />so he says leave it overnight. I show up bright<br />and early and get to witness his brilliant<br />ingenuity... he takes a big washer, cuts it in half,<br />and sits it on whats left of the little shelf.<br />puts it all back together and it works perfectly!<br />he charges me 2hr labor at $40/hr.<br />the day we were leaving, we even brought the boat<br />over and he installed the L/U for us.<br />he dropped all his other work just to get my L/U<br />fixed and we had a great vaction fishing and skiing.<br />brought him a few nice fish pics for the wall and<br />a big batch of brownies when we got back to say<br />thank you!

 

[bluewater19]

Re: Going the Extra Mile

Here is my story.<br />My wife I bought a brand new glastron. They took us out for shakedown cruise and made sure we knew how to operate the boat load and off load it.And all of the saftey stuff also. After using for 2 weeks we had a little rain one day and I left the cover off. Found out the bilge pump didn't pump. Then the motor alarm started going off the next weekend at the dock when the motor was idling. So I called and told the service department about it and they said they were back logged 3 weeks.(week after memorial day weekend)<br />I took it in and they detailed it, fixed the alarm(faulty cooling sensor) replaced the bilge pump and called me back 4 days later saying they put me to the head of the line because I just bought the boat and then gave me a 25% off certificate for my 20 hr break in service. I wasn't irate or anything. I didn't ask for the special treatment they gave me. I was shocked that they would go out of their way like that.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Going the Extra Mile

Copied into the correct thread...<br /><br />My little story is probably common, but it impressed me quite a bit.<br /><br />My father called about a used 40 that was at a dealership. It needed work, but was one I was looking closely at. The guy popped the cowling and the head was off. You could move the top piston around in it's sleeve with your hand. They guy was honest, said it would cost over a grand to fix. We told him we weren't interested, yet this guy didn't mind answering all my questions I had about outboards. He had a line of work, he was dirty as hell, yet still had a smile. I don't know what quality of work he did, but people like that make me want to go back.

 

[Throbbin Rods]

Re: Going the Extra Mile

Goodhue Marine at Harilla's Landing on Lake Winnipesaukee gets great marks from me. I showed up for a fishing derby and had a problem with my motor (self inflicted). They put my boat on the rack and jumped right on it. When it wasn't finished that night they gave me a ride back to my camp and asked for my cell number. Next day, fishing out of my brother in law's boat, 8:30AM ring ring - "Bill? Your boat's ready. Come on over. If you give me your credit card number now I'll have the slip ready for you to sign when you get here." I brought the same boat back a few months later for another problem and received the same sort of treatment - these guys are awesome!!!<br />Throbbin Rods

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Going the Extra Mile

Throbbin, never give a credit card number out over a cell phone!<br /><br />Other than that, sounds like a nice place.