GRRR...Outboard Mechanics

[bow_vol]

Several weeks ago went to the lake my motor wouldn't "fire". The starter was turning over and but the engine wasn't firing - and when I was cranking the motor I would get a low voltage warning on my new Humminbird. I had noticed on the two previous trips that my voltage meter was between 11 and 12 even after a charge - but after the big motor started it would jump up to 13 or so - which I took to mean that it was probably charging.

Well thinking that if the starter was turning it should still fire - I figured I had some sort of electrical problem - so I took it to a marine shop (un-named for the time-being) in North Hamilton County for a diagnostic. I have to admit that I know next to nothing (or less) about outboards or electrical ignition systems and I probably telegraphed this to the mechanic when I dropped the boat off and described what was going on. For some reason, I had a "bad" gut-feeling about it when I left it - but just chalked it up to being ticked off about having to do without the boat for a couple of weeks.

The following week I get a phone call with the results of the diagnostic - according to the mechanic the stator, power-pack, and regulator/rectifier were all "cooked" (burned wires and all) and it was going to take around 1300 bucks in parts and labor to fix it - which I didn't really have in disposable funds at the time. I had told my dad up in K'ville about the symptoms, diagnostic, and the estimate and he talked to an outboard-mechanic friend of his who said that it would suprise him if that was really the problem and he would take a quick look at it before I spent that much. The ol' "gut"-feeling was still bugging me - so I called the shop and told them to hold off on ordering the parts that I would have to put off fixing it for a while but would pay for the diagnostic and go ahead an pick it up.

We had a vacation planned and already paid for in a couple of weeks anyway - so I decided to go boatless for a couple of extra weeks, just in case it could save some dough and let the guy in K'ville take a look at with plans on getting it back after our trip.

Bottom line is while I was gone on vacation - two experienced outboard mechanics looked at it - and the final diagnosis was a battery problem - no burned wires, "cooked" power pack or rectifier, etc... They rebuilt everything the Chattanooga shop had pulled off to run the diagnostic and slapped a battery in it and the boat has been starting and running fine ever since !!!!

I really hate to be pessimistic enough to think that someone would intentionally try to take advantage of such a situation especially when the outboard repair business appears to be booming based on the wait times I was quoted every place I had initially called. I've tried to think that maybe the guy was just inexperienced or misdiagnosed it - but I don't see how someone could be that far off without intending to do so.

I don't know whether to pay a visit to this place and demand my diagnostic fee back or just call the Better Business Bureau and report it - but I'm still steaming....emoMad emoBang emoMad emoMad

 

[dtw2]

I would call them and see what happen, they should give you somekind of answer, I know I would want one.emoBang Also I would post the name of the boat place so the rest of us doesn't get taken in by them!

 

[hl&s]

I would ask for my diagnostic charge back. I THINK the BBS rules that you must give them a chance to correct any mistakes before they become involved.

I'm not an outboard mechanic but I've serviced vehicle charging systems for over 30 years. Outboards and vehicles use the same type components for charging. Depending on which way the battery fails, it can also make your charging system appear to be malfunctioning. A simple battery load test is always the first step in diagnosing charging system complaints and, in your case, would have identified the battery as a problem.

If your volt gauge showed more voltage when the engine was running, then the charging system was functioning. The fishfinder shutting off during starting should have pointed the mechanic toward the battery. Most engine ignition systems and transistorized components need a minimum of 9 1/2 volts to function when the engine is cranking. A failed battery cannot sustain this minimum amount of voltage during cranking to start the engine or operate electronic accessories. Since the starter is a simple electrical motor it will continue to crank the engine, although slowly, until the battery is exhausted.

Looks like you still would have had to bought a battery after spending the 1300 bucks. Glad you got it straightend out !

 

[Bassallday]

Without getting into details I had work done to my outboard at a marina.It was done wrong and my engine frozeup out on the lake .I had someone else look at it and we found the real problem.I went to the owner of the marina and he understood what we were talking about.He apolagized and gave us ALL our money back plus some.I know the machanic was in trouble.So I would go back and talk to the managment and just tell them about the problem with there mechanic's knowledge.

 

[MadBomber]

Remember, the forum is <font color="#ff0000">not</font> the place to blast a business.  If you must, keep it at the PM level. 

 

[beetlespin]

I disagree with you Alan. We give plenty of examples of good service on this site. We should pass on bad experiences also. The burden of good/bad reviews is on the business and just one more reason they should make the correct decisions.

Lance

 

[2jigs]

I'm with you bettlespin, if we give the good we should give the bad. Might save someone alot of $$$. After all this is a fishing forum. And we all know getting a boat worked on is part of fishing.

 

[hl&s]

If the complaint is legit, and the business is aware and makes no attempt to correct it, then I'm for putting it out in the open. Most of us own boats and they are expensive enough without paying for repairs you don't need. Bow Vol followed his instincts and it paid off. Many people may have decided to go ahead with the repair and wasted $1300!

jmho

 

[hoggerhead]

I would like to know who it was, i hope its not the guys in soddy. they did a good job for me???

 

[foodsaver]

Im with beetlespin and 2 jigs on this one. If there is someone out there that doesn't do good work I would like to know so I dont have to take my boat there.

 

[Guest]

I don't see why we shouldn't post the bad guys. Channel 3,9 and 12 do on a regular basis. I for one would definitely want to know where not to go.

 

[minner]

Doc1 - 8/14/2007 11:40 AM

Everyone needs to be told about these shoddy mechanics or fix it shops. They will improve their service or they will be out of business for good. I would ask for my money back that was paid for the diagnostics, if they don't give it back then report who they are on here. Fishermen or the general public doesn't need this kind of business. Word of mouth is the best advertising, good or bad. The BBB won't do anything, they always side with the shop, who do you think pays the BBB's salary? The shops do not your government. This is like cutting your throat to spite your face.

I disagree. I recently filed a BBB complaint against a local marine repair shop who had tried to perform warranty work on my boat (that I bought from them) but failed to complete the easy task each of the three times I took it there. I filed a complaint and was contact by the repair shop a week later. They wanted to make it right, so I told them to ship the parts to me that should have been installed the first time. I had the parts at my door the next day and I put them on in 5 minutes. I was satisfied with the results.

That being said, I don't think you should plaster their names all over the internet, until you give them a chance to right themselves. In this case I would give them the opportunity to give you your money back on the diagnostic costs. If they refuse, file a claim (they may not even be members of the BBB though). If they still don't take care of it, THEN FIRE AT WILL anywhere you please.

In the mean time I'd keep it at a PM level until they refuse a refund. My $.02.

 

[engatty]

Here's how it really works: You identified a specific business and made a choice to pay a man for his opinion. He gave it to you. You paid him. Everything is square at this point. Nobody owes anybody anything. It's over.

You can't give him his time back, therefore he's not required to return your money. Asking for your money back is telling him that you don't like his opinion....that same opinion you sought him to render.

If you choose, based on your own reckonings, to disparage this man's character or otherwise cause him harm, you start treading on thin ice. Remember, this guy has to go to the grocery just like we all do. He's somebody, too. Whether or not he's the best mechanic is another question. But as you've admitted your own limitations as a mechanic, best not declare yourself the expert all of a sudden here and start bashing this guy based on what some third party told you.

It upset you and embarrassed you that this ALMOST happened. But in the end, it didn't. No real loss. And even though you want to help your fellow fishermen, you should remain aware that you have no duty to do so.

If I were you, I'd just tell everyone to mind their guts' feeling when they order repair work. It worked for you.

Catfishing Lawyer

 

[dtw2]

"ENGATTY" FROM WHAT YOU SAY YOU DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS SAID. YOU SOUND LIKE YOU ARE THE MECHANIC. THE SO SO MECHANIC TOLD HIM ALL THE PARTS WERE BAD AND HAD BURNT WIRES, THAT BEING SAID ,WAS NOT THE CASE. ALL IT NEEDED WAS A BATTERY. THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING. HAVING SAID THAT YES THE PARTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PUTTING OUT THE CORRECT VOLTAGE BUT NO BURNT WIRES WERE FOUND. THE MECHANIC FLAT OUT LIED, THAT IS NOT COOL. YES HE SHOULD ASK FOR SOME INFORMATION FROM THE SHOP AND LET THEM MAKE IT RIGHT, BUT IT IS HIS DUTY TO REPORT THEM TRYING TO GET EXTRA MONEY ON NOT NEEDED REPAIRS,

YES THAT WOULD SAVE MAYBE YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE FROMING GETTING TOOK TO THE CLEANERS.

 

[engatty]

Lol... Now why did I know that my post would stir it up??? I pitched-in my two cents because I felt like Minner might want to consider a different and valid point of view. He's pretty level-headed for a catfisherman and I figure him for the kind of guy who makes informed decisions.

I wonder what he'll do??

It really doesn't matter because big cats are laying on the channel edge in 37' adjacent to 46' on Wheeler.

-Steve

 

[DHaun]

Please do not bash any company or individual on CFF specifically mentioning their names or owners names with intent to damage their business or reputation. If you want to mention a bad experience with a business then I think its best without names and details. I really appreciate the way this initial post was done.

While some may find it useful info to read or fulfilling to publically denounce a business that they believe to be unfair, I am the one that typically gets to deal with the fallout. I have received angry PMs several times the past few years hearing both sides of the story (that I had no interest in to begin with) and even been threatened with legal action in the past when members post things damaging to local businesses and/or individuals...even when they were obviously cheated. This of course based on "their" side of the story posted on the internet behind a fake name.

It sucks, but some people are just like that...wanting to drag others into court whenever their income is threatened. Like another recent post mentions, a few bad folks can really mess things up for everyone else... I also choose not to publish damaging content on CFF since I did Not create CFF for that purpose and don't have the time or resources to deal with the fallout. CFF is not a local paper or TV station. CFF has a few hundred dollars of operating capital from Ads. No attorneys on the staff or legal defense fund exists. The CFF complaint department manager is a slacker and will only work about 15 minutes a month The Law and BBB exist for reporting unfair business practices and determining the truth moderating both sides of the story. They may even have a forum to post on.

CFF is just a side project meant to make new angler friends and learn more about fishing. I barely have time to run the site as it is, so I would prefer to stay out of court either as a witness, source of evidence, and/or defendant. Bashing posts damaging to someone's reputation does absolutely nothing to keep CFF online.

I hope everyone can understand why I have this policy. Please feel free to use the PM functionality to privately discuss specifics and business names.

-Thanks
David

 

[Guest]

That makes sense now David and thank you for clarifying it for me at least. I retract my previous comment.

 

[minner]

Hehehe, I like it Steve, good point.

 

[jon the fisherman]

funny how the laws are set up to protect the "business". I got the shaft from a marine dealer, and was treated like a second class citizen after. If you go to the BBB, remeber to type the complaint letter and send it in if you want any results.

People that do shady business, eventually run thier course. They sell locally till they piss all the locals off, then try to sell on internet.

 

[bow_vol]

I didn't mean to get anything stirred up. I was just frustrated and venting a little.

I apologize for any trouble.