Stuff Happens

[rps]

I took a half day personal leave today and trailered the boat up to Ulrich. I chose them to do the service because they are Evinrude authorized and that protects my warranty. They also enjoy a very good reputation on this forum.

When I arrived up there I had a good discussion with those who serviced my vessel. I am hopeful this means I faced an anomaly and not a scam.

[fishinwrench]

5 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

No kidding??!!!

That's horrible.

It's hilarious !   ?

That prop swap deal is brilliant.  Why didn't I think of that ? ?

I have seen some crazy stuff.  A few times I was too scared to ask "who did this" because I was afraid it might be someone I thought highly of.

My biggest pet peeve is noticing something on a motor and being afraid to let it leave my shop like that because later they might take it somewhere else and the new tech will see it and hear that I was the one who worked on it last.

So please don't bring one to me for a quick water pump service and a change of gear lube if the starter is held on with baling wire. Yes I know it starts fine everytime....but ------- I have a reputation to uphold !!! ?

[fishinwrench]

12 hours ago, Fish24/7 said:

I worked around some outboard mechanics for the last 15 years and  I know several "tricks" that SOME of these people use to make you a repeat customer....

 

The fact that you said "mechanics" (plural) is interesting.  More than one?

The things you mentioned are not "Outboard Mechanic Tricks".....They are fraud, theft, and criminal behavior.   

We get paid well, so there's no need for pulling shinanigans. ?

[MOPanfisher]

My favorite "trick" is the time and a half to go to the front of the line.  Summer time, campers etc. only have a limited amount of time to be at the lake and when their motor doesn't run they get offered to move them to the front of the line for time and a half hourly.  Most happily pay up.  I towed one of their boats to the shop for them, and mine the same day, with specific instructions that mine did NOT get no time and a half.  Brought his back a couple days later, and mine the next day, never told him.  The chief mechanic just grinned and said, "you are good for business", and I had sent several to him as he is a dang good mechanic.

[fishinwrench]

Yeah whoever started that crap needs to be kicked in the nads.   I often have guys hit me up with this "I'll pay extra to get done quicker" thing.  To me that's a slap in the face to the others waiting.  The fact that some big-money jackoff (sorry but if the shoe fits...) could wheel in and immediately take control of the sequence around here, just doesn't feel right to me.   I don't play that crap, but it's blatantly obvious that it has worked for them in the past. 

If you pull in here today it will be obvious by the number of boats in the yard that it's gonna be several days before I can start on you.   Some Marina's will only have 2 boats waiting.....But they'll tell customers that they are 3 weeks behind.  Gimme a break!

[snagged in outlet 3]

I've had customers do that to me too.

So you want me to bump a guy that manages his project schedule so that he has material on the ground when he needs it to help you that didn't?

[fishinwrench]

Hate to say it publicly but Guides and "Tournament Pros" are the worst.  They always have a trip or a tourney creating a deadline.   If I can do it without short changing anyone else then I will.  I just wish they'd realize that for me that means working until 2:AM so when I call to let them know they are done..... That means I want them to come, pay, and get it out of here right away.  

So many times I bust my butt to beat a deadline and when I call to let them know it's ready to go they say "oh ok great, I'll be by sometime next week".    Wait. WHAT ???   I thought we were in a bigazz hurry here !

[snagged in outlet 3]

Buyers are liars

[fishinwrench]

THIS is the kinda stuff I'm talking about...

Now I have to extract this broken bolt and replace with the proper cable retainer.....And not get paid for it.  

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

13 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

THIS is the kinda stuff I'm talking about...

Now I have to extract this broken bolt and replace with the proper cable retainer.....And not get paid for it.  

That is what sets you apart from the sloppy ones.  Keep it up, it doesn't go unnoticed.