Don't Get Mad. Get Even!

[rps]

The following is the text of the email I just sent Wolfe Boatworks in Rogers Arkansas.

I was a recent customer of yours. I had you maintain my Etec engine, install a new Lowrance HDS 10, and move my Humminbird si sonar to my trolling motor. I gladly paid your premium prices because I was confident you would do a professional and competent job.

I was wrong.

Your install of the Humminbird on my trolling motor promptly severed my transducer cord within the first hour after your install. This will require me to buy a new transducer at the price of $200 dollars and will force me to find someone to help me install it properly or do it for me. By the way, when I came in off the lake, I did a Google search on installing the transducer properly to avoid what you caused. I found any number of Youtube videos. The attached link is one you can show your staff to avoid causing this problem for other people in the future.

Needless to say, I will not be a repeat customer. Furthermore I will report on this experience and your services on the OzarkAnglers forums. Thousands of highend fishermen and guides belong to that forum and it receives thousands of hits daily. Perhaps I can help them avoid the same problems you have caused me.

Sincerely,

Randolph Stainer

You can imagine my Angies list review.

[Ham]

I certainly understand your frustration. You are out money and time on the deal. Sometimes boats seem like more trouble than they are worth. My only question is, did you give them a chance to make things right before posting your poison pen letter?

[rps]

I certainly understand your frustration. You are out money and time on the deal. Sometimes boats seem like more trouble than they are worth. My only question is, did you give them a chance to make things right before posting your poison pen letter?

Good question, Ham. I did not. My belief is that children and volunteers get second chances. Now, if they reach out to me and offer to make things right, I will happily report that and sing muted praises.

[Feathers and Fins]

Randy;

When I was dealing with reptiles I all to often had customers complain they died on arrival.

My terms of service was to send pictures with a Nail through the animals head because honestly I had been lied to but I quickly learned the value of a picture and backing up everything you say as many will doubt you without it.

Though I don’t doubt you, I can see a back and forth thread here that will not be good for anyone as I am sure Wolfe will at very least view this thread if not respond with their version.

So I must ask did you get pictures of their install job to prove it was done incorrectly?

Also no matter who is doing anything mistakes can happen and I would certainly hope a client would give me a chance to make a problem right before plastering it on the net. As a matter of fact I know when people make BBB complaints the first question the BBB ask the contractor is did you take steps to correct the issue.

[rps]

Scott, good points. However, I have not asked for a refund or a compensation. I am willing to take my loss and make it good myself. I had not had a transducer mount on a Terrova before. I did not know the channel was there specifically for transducer cables. I saw a cable tie at the top and at the bottom with the cable outside of the mechanism. The first time I deployed the trolling motor, the cable got pinched by the locking mechanism. It took me quite a while to figure out how to unlock the mechanism without parting the cable. The second time I put the trolling motor down, I set the spot lock to cast. The mechanism put tension on the cable and it parted at the crimped place.

I figure they deserve the bad press and the tip on how to fix it for the future. If I wanted something, your advice would be the way to go.

[JamiePatterson]

They deserved a chance to re-lick their calf, so to speak, I'd say. Everyone screws uP -show me someone without fault. Now, if they gave you a hard time after showing em the error they made...

[fishinwrench]

Just FYI, you CAN splice transducer cable without any I'll effects.

[rps]

Wrench, I am completely unskilled. My father raised me with the Depression era attitude of one who had no role model. If one is talented enough, one will have the money to pay others to do things. I will keep the broken cable to use, spliced, if needed. Thanks.

The next time I need maintenance or installation I am driving up to you.

[Dutch]

It might be worth your time to call Scott Robinson at Marine Repair Center in Springfield 833-9191. See if you can mail him the cable and get it repaired. His dad did one for me when he was in the shop.

[5bites]

Just FYI, you CAN splice transducer cable without any I'll effects.

I did not know this but that is good information. Especially for the cost of the si transducers.