My O/D is being held hostage

[KnottyBuoyz]

by an incompetant or otherwise incapable mechanic.

Six weeks ago we had a local mobile marine service remove our outdrive for what we thought would be a simple repair. An upper seal and drive bellows. There was no other indication of any other damage. This was the first week into our holidays.

Two phone calls over the next two weeks were not answered. I had to go to the mechanics house to wait for his arrival to ask what whas going on. First I ask to see the drive and it's ripped down into parts. I didn't authorize this. Then he gives me a long song and dance story about needing "special order" (which I didn't authorize him to purchase) parts from Chesapeake (I know where the Chesapeake is) but apparently from what I could discerne it's the N/A HQ for Volvo Penta. He says they don't stock them because they haven't sold a set of bearings in 4 years. Ok, I'm cheesed our holidays are screwed. So I give him another week.

Another week passes. Six more phone calls unanswered. I go there again. He's really starting to BS me now about these special order bearings having to go from Chesapeake to Vancouver then to him. Hmmmm? Ok if they're really special order I can deal with that and wait. Another week. More phone calls unanswered.

In the mean time I contact two major US online VP resellers. Both indicate that parts are in stock and can be overnighted to my pick up location in upstate NY.

Hmmmm? I contacted two VP parts resellers near hear. Same story, in stock and available. I'm starting to think I'm being put in a position to be robbed or worse. Two more phone calls. Second one I get him on the phone. Last week he was waiting for shims. This week he still needs another bearing. Hmmm? Alarm bells are ringing loud and clear now. I get the distinct feeling that he's in trouble with his VP parts suppliers and can't deliver the repair.

During one of our conversations he says the special order parts can't be returned. I never heard of that having bought millions in marine spares for CCG over the years. A restocking fee? Sure. I'd eat that just to get out of the deal with this guy. I don't want to see anyone get stuck with parts they can't sell but I'm a freakin' marshmallow. You know? I don't mind supporting local small businesses and don't even mind paying a small premium if the service is good. Now this happens and I'm bitter and have a dreaded feeling it's going to get worse.

I'm going to retrieve my O/D on Tuesday, with Police assistance if required. I'm done trying to be a nice guy and a good customer but this is enough. We'll see how this all plays out next week. Oh yeah, I'm not the first guy he's done this too. I heard rumours of his reputation and now I know them to be fact. First stop Tuesday, get the O/D, second stop Police, third stop Lawyer's office.

Stay tuned this may turn out to be one hell of an adventure!

Sorry I don't normally rant & rave but I'm pretty much at the end of my rope here!

 

[rwise]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

go get em

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

I always ask to be shown the bad part and an explanation of why it is bad. Sounds like he has too many irons in the fire and forgetting who's job comes first. His excuse for waiting for parts is just that, you've been put off. When the season is short and not many days left, next day delivery is a must and I'm always willing to pay for it. Good Luck and hope you get that VP back in the water soon.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

I always ask to be shown the bad part and an explanation of why it is bad. Sounds like he has too many irons in the fire and forgetting who's job comes first. His excuse for waiting for parts is just that, you've been put off. When the season is short and not many days left, next day delivery is a must and I'm always willing to pay for it. Good Luck and hope you get that VP back in the water soon.

Thnx SS MF.

My biggest concern is I get all the parts back. There's some expensive pieces in there. I can see the pr*ck just tossing some out to spite me. I did specifically ask repeatedly for the old parts back. I've kept them all that have been replaced on this boat. My past position in Coast Guard Fleet HQ was all the fleets engineering spare parts so I have a pretty good idea how the systems work.

What really puzzles me is his motive. What does he stand to gain? Gouging me for parts that weren't needed if indeed he actually ordered and installed them? Sold off my used parts to another sucker? You would think it'd be in his best interests to fix the drive as quickly as possible if indeed he's as busy as he says. A small business usually gets customers by word of mouth. You'd think he'd want to protect a good reputation and not foster a bad one. I just don't get it! What does he stand to make by doing this to me or anyone else?

I just don't get it.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage - Update

Re: My O/D is being held hostage - Update

I'm back. O/D is in the back of the truck. I maintained my composure and dealt with this as professionally as I could. Here's what I got back after 7 weeks of waiting.

Excuse the mess in the truck.

Two boxes of assorted "USED" parts. Oh yeah there was a box of old bearings too. I'm checking the p/n's on them to see if they actually came out of my drive.

Wait, wait!!! Here comes the best part. Now a lil' history on me. In 1985 I began managing a large inventory of highly technical spare parts for one of Canada's most advanced small icebreakers. In 1992 I moved to Ottawa as a Senior Project Officer of Logistics and one of the projects I worked on was a National Spare Partes Inventory System for all CCG Ships. So, long story short I know an "Aftermarket" bearing from an "OEM" bearing. I also know how to spot counterfit parts. Look what I got installed as "Special Order" parts from the Chesapeake VP warehouse?????

Another with inserts so you can clearly see they're SKF bearings not VP.

When I was about to leave he looks at me with big sad puppy dog eyes and says: "What about paying for the new parts?". I responded: "When you submit an itemized invoice I'll discuss it with my lawyer and get back to you." He never said another word. I jumped in my truck and took off.

So other than 4 new bearings (aftermarket SKF's) there were no other new parts in the boxes. No new seals, no new shims, nothing!!!

All this after 7 weeks of waiting and agonizing. Oh yeah get this. He gave me some other BS story about not being able to get the drive shimmed properly (no new shims there he was using the old ones) and that the seal wouldn't seal (well no wonder he was using an old seal) DUH!

I can't wait to see the invoice!! My laywer is kinda anxious to chew into this one too! Stay tuned it ain't over yet!

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

Actually volvo doesn't make bearings, they get their bearings from outside sources like Mercruiser,Yamaha and OMC does. Can't say I've ever seen a bearing or seal with Volvo stamped on it.

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

I don't think he was expecting them to say Volvo on them

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

What I saw on the old bearings were VP Part No's. They checked out exactly according to the VP parts manual. I'll go into the local GBS Store tomorrow and have them run the numbers. They'll tell me if they're a special order item or not.

 

[Don S]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

Volvo Penta does not make bearings. I have unpacked many bearings out of Volvo boxes that are SKF
Volvo does have specs on many bearings that can only be purchaced thru Volvo and they can be SKF and a couple other manufacturers. Just depends on who the contract is with.
All your bearing number theory is going to backfire on you.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

Well,

you have a cool avatar!

I like the BSD devil!


My suggestion is to go get yourself a rebuilt drive and send your prized mechanic the bill!!


Cheers,

Rick

 

[Rob454]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

man sounds liek that mechanic if you can call him that is a crack baby. There are a few around here. A buddy of mine had his boat at this guys shop for 2 months. the parts count kept adding up. i went down there and started grillin this guy. I told him all the parts were in the boxes and they were brand new. We literally stood there watching him put the outdrive back together. none of the crap worked right we ended up redoing the whole job ourselves. We went back and told the guy he needs to refund us the $$ my buddy paid. he refused at first but I fianlly told him Im calling the cops ( I knew the cops wouldnt do anything they would say its a legal matter and go away) but my bluff worked and he paid back everythign except 50$.
That guy ended up taking parts off my buddys boat and selling them or whatever. I found one good mechanic and its a girl actually.
Either way she is abotuthe only one I woudl trust with my boat now. too many crack heads out there who think they know what theire doing. If ia guy is working out of his garage i stay away from them. most of those mobil mechanics are worthless POS. Im sure there are some pros out there but unforttunately the loosers outweigh the pros
Rob

 

[Robj]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

I learned my lesson after calling on a mobile mechanic from Craigslist. Luckily he only took me for $50, and did not do any harm to my boat. Lesson learned, take it to a reputible shop and pay the $$$ or do it yourself.

Good luck in getting it back together. Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

I am sdorry to hear of your distress. however it happens all to often. I did the mobile thing for years here on the outer banks. howwever everyone knows where I live and my number.

most mobile techs are simply guys with toolboxes.
tools dont make a tech.

glad ya got your stuff back.
but the upper driven shaft bearings are junk now.
mobile techs are very good for my business,however the customer is usually mad by the time he sees me

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

Used a "mobile mechanic" off of craigslist too. Seemed to hit me for about an 80% markup on material from what I could figure which is rediculous but his labor rate seemed reasonable for what he did, especially it would have taken me days to learn and complete. Ok experience but I am learning to do it myself now.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

Volvo Penta does not make bearings. I have unpacked many bearings out of Volvo boxes that are SKF
Volvo does have specs on many bearings that can only be purchaced thru Volvo and they can be SKF and a couple other manufacturers. Just depends on who the contract is with.
All your bearing number theory is going to backfire on you.

I'm just learning that now Don. I went back and had a real close look and found the SKF Italy mark and VP P/N on two. An HK Japan mark and VP P/N on one and the other one just had the VP number with no mark. It's a moot point though. If he tries to gouge me I'll fight it. I've got 4 quotes from VP suppliers (2 Cdn & 2 US) now so I know what they're worth. He can negotiate with my lawyer if he wants. If his prices are reasonable I'll pay it. I have never screwed anybody over a reasonable repair bill in my life and this won't be an exception.

He's po'd me so bad I'd rather pay my lawyer $500 for a harshly worded letter than him an extra $100 for parts. If I lived in the US I'd sue the prick for ruining my whole summer.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

I am sdorry to hear of your distress. however it happens all to often. I did the mobile thing for years here on the outer banks. howwever everyone knows where I live and my number.

most mobile techs are simply guys with toolboxes.
tools dont make a tech.

glad ya got your stuff back.
but the upper driven shaft bearings are junk now.
mobile techs are very good for my business,however the customer is usually mad by the time he sees me

Right about now rodbolt I'd be willin' to drive the 1500 miles round trip to get you to fix it as long as you wouldn't screw me over!

Sorry that didn't come out right. I meant something like "you'd never screw me over". I'm exhausted over this whole affair. Sorry rodbolt.

 

[Don S]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

Right about now rodbolt I'd be willin' to drive the 1500 miles round trip to get you to fix it as long as you wouldn't screw me over!

There are a lot of people like rodbolt that can do the job, do it in a timely manner, and do it correctly and warrant it.
Problem is, they aren't cheap, they know their job and know how to do it, they have been to Volvo schools or worked for Volvo dealers, and the have the proper equipment, special tools, and knowledge to work on them.

From my experience, the mobile mechanics I have known of, don't have shops, don't have the equipment, don't have a warranty, don't have the skills or the manuals, but do want paid for what they are trying to learn.
As a consumer, you should check out and know who is going to be working on a drive that costs many thousands of dollars to replace.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

From my experience, the mobile mechanics I have known of, don't have shops, don't have the equipment, don't have a warranty, don't have the skills or the manuals, but do want paid for what they are trying to learn.
As a consumer, you should check out and know who is going to be working on a drive that costs many thousands of dollars to replace.

I was always willing to pay the money for a proper repair. This guy serviced the drive 4 yrs ago in a timely manner and at the quoted price. Why he treated me this way this time I don't know. I had heard rumblings of his shady dealings and was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt and like I said support a local small business. I got BS instead.

If he had returned even one phone call to tell me what's going on it probably wouldn't have gone this way. But when you go for weeks on end with not hearing nothing and have to go to his home/shop to confront him for details on what's what! Well something seriously seriously wrong. Had he told me from the start that it'd be two months and a couple thousand dollars then I could have dealt with it, in all liklihood it would have gone back on the boat and winterized to be dealt with next spring.

I'm so bitter and twisted up over this whole affair I can't sleep and have chest pains again. It's just not worth it.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

boating aint about chest pains and lost sleep.
its about the fun.
DonS and I and a few others have spent a long time and a bit of blood leakage learning the trade.
I dont have any customers that cant have my home or cell number just in case.
I am not bashful with labor rates. I keep mine competitive with local marinias.
I work for several on a contract basis.
I do understand your position, my 06 ranger that I bought last november has been nothing but a headache and the local dealer is worse.

my advice? ya got your stuff back, let it go.
its not worth the head/heart ache.
pay the tech a reasonable time for what he did and go find a place to fix your drive.
time to get back on the water .
its not worth involving lawyers and such. I am about the only mobile tech in my area that actually has a 2million dollar general liability policy. most mobile techs arnt worth sueing as they have nothing to start with.
I dont do much mobile work anymore,to busy at Joe's marine. But Joe sends me out occasionally.
but take my advice, use the lawyer money to get back on the water with a cool refrshing beverage.

 

[KnottyBuoyz]

Re: My O/D is being held hostage

but take my advice, use the lawyer money to get back on the water with a cool refrshing beverage.

Thnx rodbolt. I appreciate that. I was up all night agonizing on what to do and pretty much came to the same conclusion. Have resigned myself to the fact that this yrs boating is over for us. I got some very expensive new bearings and a BIG lesson learned. I'll decide later this week what to do with the drive. There is a couple interested in seeing the boat so if they want to put a deposit down for a test ride then I can get it put back together quick at a qualified VP dealer about an hour from here.

The bearings are available over the counter from GBS with a 3 day lead time and the same price as advertised by the online retailers. Not that it really matters.

I wish I could buy you all a cool refreshing beverage. I appreciate you all having time to listen to my bitching and whining. I don't usually get like this.

Planning on being O/D Free in '08!

Thnx.