Re: unprofessional marine stores
I get a different feel walking into boating service places. They _know_ your boat isn't critical to your livelihood like, say, your car. So right off the bat you are fighting that.
I've been dealing with a boat mechanic all summer now on an issue with my boat. The root of the reason is that I have an OMC engine + drive, so parts are a little hard to come by. But to make things worse, they orderered the wrong part at first causing a three week delay, and now they've ordered the right one but the shipping company lost it (or so they say). I've lost an entire month of my summer, only having had the boat out twice so far. This mechanic NEVER calls me, even when they say they will. I've just had enough. I went in yesterday and told them if there was no progress today, I was taking the boat either way. Well, I went in at the end of the day and we sorted some things out, and I left the boat with them, because at this point they said I'm out the same day as soon as my part walks through the door. But they feed me bull**** about these damn parts and I just don't know what to believe anymore. I was honest with them and I said I shouldn't have to feel like the bad guy when I call and check, and they agree, but they still can't give me a straight answer most of the time. Bottom line is that they just don't seem to care.
The funny thing is that the technical guys, the actual mechanics in the shop - great guys. They take me back, show me everything and help me understand anything that's going on. It's the damn service desk guys that cause me to lose sleep at night.
But, my point is, like others mentioned above, they are disorganized, they don't know what's going on, and their right hand isn't talking to the left hand. One of them told me my part arrived on Tuesday, which turned out to be wrong, and I still don't understand how they could make such a stupid mistake! All they did was apologize profusely when I called them out on it.
The other shops in town are the same. I walked into a place called "Boat Mart" the other day. The have their old computer hardware stashed underneath the showroom boats - ironically it's a Chapparal dealership, so nice boats, sitting on top of piles of junk! The only reason I go there is they have lots of stock, but it's really disorganized and the place is just a mess. I don't even look for things anymore, I just ask this old lady that seems to know where everything is. Oh, and the dogs run around the store too. I would never bring my boat there for service - I saw a mechanic amble out of the shop the other day in untied work boots, swimming trunks and a muscle shirt, with safety glasses! Now, I know they work on boats, but that's a little ridiculous.
Anyway, once I get my boat back from this mechanic, I'm done with them. I've already talked to another mechanic about the same distance away from my house, but closer to my home water. They already know my situation and are confident they can look after me, so that's where I'll go for my winter layup.
Anyway, if you made it this far, thanks for listening to my little rant. This thread clearly hit a nerve...
EDIT: Also, sorry for the thread hijack - back to your original program, already in progress!
