What do you guys think?

[thrasher]

Guys, I took my boat to the local boat shop to diagnose a problem with selecting forward and reverse on my Alpha1 gen2 outdrive. They told me the upper accelerator cable and lower shift cable need to be changed, they quoted 5 hours labour and $700 cost for labour. I told them not to do it, bnut order the cables so that I could do it over the winter.
I just called them to find the results on pressure testing the outdrive and they told me they have changed the cables. I said that I had refused the work and they checked their computer and it is clearly marked that the customer refused the work.. It obviously took their mechanic some time to change the cables and I don't want to put them out of business (they are a friendly shop) so I am willing to meet some of the labour costs, but wanted to know how long it really takes to change the cables. They keep telling me that it's an hours labour to remove the outdrive, I have removed the outdrive, checked the engine alignement and refitted the outdrive in less than 40 minutes, so I am getting the idea that their labour estimates are about 4x too much. Does it really take 4 hours to change the lower shift cable? or is that just what they charge. I do not want to get the work for free (even if I didn't ask them to do it) so I am looking for a reasonable comprimise for both of us..

Thanks for all advise or suggestions.

Gary

 

[steelespike]

Re: What do you guys think?

A guy did work on my boat based on a casual discussion with my wife.
Something I could have done myself in minutes under the right conditions and same for him.After refusing to pay him I reconsidered and payed him based on his actual labor costs under the worse conditions.Even though I felt he may have taken advantage of ideal conditions.I don't know if there is such a thing as a flat rate manual for these things but I would pay your guy based on his actual labor costs plus the price of the cables.

 

[aspeck]

Re: What do you guys think?

If their records show you refused the work, then wait and see what THEY offer. If they truly are a "friendly" shop, they may say they will not charge you labor, or may just ask you for an hour of labor. But whatever, wait and see what their offer is. If it is too high, in your estimation, they negotiate, and if too low, offer them more. Be pleasant, but you are in the driver's seat.

When we had our automotive dealership things like this would occasionally happen. We would generally respond to the customer like this, "_________, we are so very sorry for making a mistake like this. We hope that you will forgive us, and we want to make it right. It is certainly not right to make you pay for the labor and the part, but we have time invested in this also. Would you be willing to pay for just the COST of the part and the COST of the labor? We do not want to make a cent on this because it was our fault." Then we would tell them what that amount would be, verses the retail of the parts. If that was not acceptable, we would negotiate down to the retail of the parts.

Hope that helps????

 

[thrasher]

Re: What do you guys think?

Well the shop called me and offered to split the labour charges down the middle, that means they are charging 2 hours labour to change the cable. That still sounds more than I would expect, but it seems a fair offer so I agreed to it..

Gary

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What do you guys think?

better than your boat sitting in their yard over winter, not winterized. while you negotiate.

 

[thrasher]

Re: What do you guys think?

I agree, plus I didn't want to do the job anyway, so I am happy with the solution!! I just have to replace the floor this winter.. That should be enough fun for any man!!

Gary

 

[Mark42]

Re: What do you guys think?

I would casually mention that the deck needs replacing. Hopefully they will do it, then split the cost of the job with them!

 

[thrasher]

Re: What do you guys think?

I wish!!

 

[Fish n Geer]

Re: What do you guys think?

I like the way you think Mark!